🏞️ Final Chapter: Scenic Road Trip from Arizona to Colorado

May 11, 2025

Welcome back, fellow travelers! We’ve come full circle after a remarkable journey exploring Arizona. From boondocking in hidden desert gems and marveling at ghost towns, to encountering wild donkeys and roaring through canyon trails—it’s been an unforgettable winter. But all great adventures must pause, and ours culminates in a scenic, back‑roads trip home to Colorado.

Join us for one last epic drive into Utah, skipping the interstates for unforgettable views, historic small towns, and unexpected weather. Here’s our story.

🚐 Avoiding the “Typical Route”: Why We Skipped the Interstates

As RVers, we’re always drawn to roads less traveled.

By avoiding the interstate whenever possible, we stayed on scenic truck routes, skipped hairpin curves (a relief with our trailer), and took it slow through day‑light hours.

🌄 First Stop: Goosenecks State Park, Utah

Just off Highway 163 lies Goosenecks State Park, a photographer’s dream. The San Juan River coils nine times around towering canyon walls. You can camp right on the rim for a small fee—but, beware, Utah canceled drone use after early March, so no aerial shots.

High winds whisked in a storm as we settled at our campsite. That night, our RV felt like it might whisk us over the cliff in our dreams. Still, the sky glowed with sunset hues, and despite drafty, tossing conditions, the view was worth it.

❄️ Spring Snow in Blanding: A Surprise Stop

Day two started with an early jump into Utah’s dramatic scenery—but the forecast had a surprise. As our wheels hit high desert roads, the forecasted spring rain turned to snow. Nothing says “off‑grid life” like unexpected slush!

We made a calm decision to pause in Blanding, Utah, warming up with breakfast and recalculating our course. Turns out, spring storms drop heavy snow in the high desert—and in Spring, no less.

🗺️ Plotting an Alternate Route Through Utah

Originally, we planned to roll directly into the Colorado Rockies. But after Blanding’s snow squall, we veered deeper into Utah on Hwy 191. This detour traded icy peaks for canyon roads, mesa views, and vistas that justified the scenic route.

We pushed north into Monticello and then Moab, where slick-rock desert landscapes rivaled any mountain-scape. From there, I-70 took us the rest of the way home to Colorado.

✨ Gems We Picked Up Along the Way

1. Wild Donkeys, Ghost Towns & Lakes in the Desert

By now, we’ve realized that Arizona doesn’t just build ghost towns—it breathes life and reenactments into them. Wild donkeys roam freely and aren’t always shy at snack time. And nothing beats the sight of a lake set against desert stone. Our RV searches never left us far from adventure.

2. Boondocking = Freedom

We never needed reservations. Public lands and BLM dirt lots offered quiet, sweeping views and freedom to stay—and leave—on our own schedules. Every single night felt like a reward.

🧭 The Road We Took: Step-by-Step

Route Segment	Notable Stops & Highlights
Wickenburg, AZ – Yarnell – Skull Valley	Fresco desert tones, quiet highway driving
Prescott National Forest → Flagstaff	Pine-scented air and shaded passes
Gray Mountain → Tuba City	Tribal lands, trading posts, and sandstone panoramas
Kayenta → Monument Valley → Mexican Hat	Navajo country, megalith monoliths, legendary scenery
Detour to Goosenecks State Park	End-of-cliff camping, dramatic sunsets, river hairpins
Bluff → Blanding	Unexpected snowstorm pitstop
Monticello → Moab → I-70 East	Slickrock deserts, arches, and final leg home to Colorado

🛡️ Why This Trip Was Worth It (Even in a Storm)

1. Flexibility won: The snow’s reroute was more scenic.

2. Hidden beauty: Canyon roads and historic feels beat busy lanes.

3. Seasonal surprises: Spring can gift desert rain—or snow—pack for both.

4. No reservations needed: We stayed where we wanted, when we wanted.

5. New scenes at every mile: From desert scrub to canyon cliffs, we never repeated a view.

🎥 A Bit of Reflection

We’ve rediscovered why we love non-interstate travel—and why boondocking is so much more than parking. As the final days of our Arizona odyssey conclude, this path home reminds us of the joys we seek: freedom, flexibility, and beautiful environments off the beaten path.

🧳 What’s Next? From Roadrunner to the Land of Enchantment

If you’ve stuck with us to the end—thank you. Our Arizona journey ends, but our stories don’t. Next up:

• A new adventure into two scenic drives with surprises along the way- NEW MEXICO

• + 3 of the most popular destinations in NEW MEXICO

✅ Should You Try This Road Home Too?

If you love:

• S-curved canyon roads

• Lakes appearing in desert folds

• Historic towns & Navajo landscapes

• Boondock camping under big skies

• Adventures that adapt on the fly

…then this drive suits you. Just remember: spring weather in the Southwest has a mind of its own.

📌 Final Thought

Our winter tour of Arizona has changed us. If you're watching from afar, thanks for traveling with us. Stick around—new stories from home await. Safe travels—and see you on the road.

— Mark & Paula