US roadtrip LV -> DENVER

[nathanbarlow]

hi all,

Im wanting to get some suggestions on 'must see places' to see when I am in the states in December.
Our Plan so far is landing at LA, and getting train or flying to Las Vegas. Spending about 2 or 3 days in LV, one of those will be taken up by visiting the Hoover Dam with a rental car. Then driving out to Williams, AZ via state highway 40. Train up to grand canyon, overnight there and train back to williams end of the following day. Rehire a car and driving (hopefully) "cross country" to Grand Junction via the 191. Then up to Denver. Got a day or so there before heading up to the mountains for something like a week of snowboarding. Then back to denver for a day i think before flying out to LV (again) where we will be doing the whole touristy Las vegas bit with the casinos etc etc for about 2 days. then home again

My main questions regard the drive from Williams, Arizona to Denver. and denver itself. We've been told that driving the 'back roads" should be fine even in winter. Planning on this because we want to see monument valley and the surrounding area, plus want to get up onto the Grand Junction road. Is there anywhere else enroute which is awesome to go? Happy to do a bit offtrack to see something thats a bit more hidden away... Then wiith denver, My family won't want to head out for photography, but since Denver is supposedly the top photogenic city in the US, Im prepared to miss some sleep haha. Main thing is I would like some suggestions for 'photo locations' such as a high view point, or even a particular street/area which is a nice location. Ive got about 2 days tops in denver, and I wish for more, but unfortunatley didnt realise the potential untill after the plan had been finalised, and cant change it much.

Apologies for such a long post, but any 'local' advice would be much appreciated!

Cheers
Nathan

[Nobie]

I used to live in Denver, CO Springs, and Frisco. Do you know which ski resort you're going to? Maroon Bells is photogenic 365 days a year.

[nathanbarlow]

going to steamboat springs for the snowboarding/ski-ing. Not sure which resort though.

[mikedugganphotography]

Since you are leaving from Williams. Az which is just west of Flagstaff you might want to consider a deviation to the route. Before beginning your trek you need to check road conditions and road closers.

You might want to take RT89 out of Flagstaff to Page, AZ. They have the most wonderful photographic slot canyons. You will have to take a tour, about $50, because it is on the Navajo Reservation. Well worth the money.

Out of Page take Route 98 to RT 160 to Monument valley. There you can catch RT 191 to see Canyonlands National Park up to Arches National Park in Moab, UT. Both of these parks are stunning. At this point you will be closes to Interstate 70 for the short drive to Grand Junction.

While in Denver if you have time Rocky Mountain National Park is a hour and a half away in Estes Park, Co and also have some stunning wildlife and landscape opportunities. I’ll be in Colorado Springs in 2 weeks and can not wait to spend the weekend at the Rocky Mountain National Park.

If you plan on hitting the National Parks it might be worth purchasing the annual pass to save money. It all depends on how many parks you will go to. Link to the parks is U.S. National Park Service - Experience Your America from here you can see all the parks and find entrance costs.

Enjoy the trip and be sure to share some of the photos.

[aropilot]

I would agree with Mike above but also consider 89 between Flagg and Sedona. the road as it leaves Sedona towards Flagg is very windy and steep with some great opps for photos and a beautiful drive. There is more to do/see in Sedona than in Flagg as well.

[Olddawg]

Hi I went to williams several yrs ago was a great little town if you get a chance go to the theatre resturant here you will have great night and the steaks well u have cut the horns there so big.
If u get the chance u canot afford not to go to monument valley

[My Life is Pink]

If you're going to be in Denver I'd head up to Loveland which is about an hour north. Or maybe even Estes Park. Talk about beautiful landscapes. And the air is cleaner.