spring break trip ideas - Help me plan a Moab trip!

[rabb11d]

We are looking to take the kids (8 and 9 - boys) on a trip for spring break(March).
No amusement parks or Disney trash. We do the beach every summer, so would like to do something different.

Thought of maybe renting a camper and traveling some but not sure where to go.
Thought about going to GA to durham town to ride some dirt bikes, but wife wouldn't really enjoy it and maybe not the younger kid.

So what have you for ideas?!

 

[DSM Turbos]

Probably doesn’t have enough for a full week but new river gorge national park in wv has some good hiking and camping spots

 

[drkelly]

We went to Williamsburg VA for a few days over my son's spring break last year. We toured Colonial Williamsburg, the Jamestown settlement, and went to Busch Gardens one day. We took our bicycles with us, and rode around Jamestown island, Williamsburg, and on the Virginia Capital Trail. Make sure to tour the old ships at Jamestown settlement.

Colonial Williamsburg | The World's Largest Living History Museum

Experience the largest outdoor educational living museum in the country, through immersive and authentic 18th-century programming for our guests.

www.colonialwilliamsburg.org

Jamestown Settlement | Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation, VA

Explore Jamestown Settlement, a living-history museum that tells the story of America's first permanent English colony.

jyfmuseums.org

Amusement Park, Rides, Attractions & Animal Encounters - Williamsburg, Virginia | Busch Gardens

Busch Gardens located in Williamsburg, Virginia is THE theme park you need to visit this year- Discover fun for the whole family with our new rides, shows, animal encounters and more. Find special events happening near you throughout the year at Busch Gardens.

buschgardens.com

Virginia Capital Trail Foundation | Paved pedestrian & bicycle trail from Richmond to Williamsburg Virginia

The Virginia Capital Trail is the product of a successful public-private partnership between the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) and the Virginia Capital Trail Foundation (VCTF).

www.virginiacapitaltrail.org

 

[R Q]

Boone, NC, Flintlock Campground, Grandfather Mountain, local rafting, Linville Falls CG, Cherokee, NC campgrounds and attractions,... Lot's of amazing and fun stuff for kids that age in the NC high country.

 

[rabb11d]

Boone, NC, Flintlock Campground, Grandfather Mountain, local rafting, Linville Falls CG, Cherokee, NC campgrounds and attractions,... Lot's of amazing and fun stuff for kids that age in the NC high country.

I feel like we need to head southish.
Spring break falls on March 6th so not very spring like. Considered going out west somewhere but the tome of the year really limits the options.

 

[NickMaul]

We went to Williamsburg VA for a few days over my son's spring break last year. We toured Colonial Williamsburg, the Jamestown settlement, and went to Busch Gardens one day. We took our bicycles with us, and rode around Jamestown island, Williamsburg, and on the Virginia Capital Trail. Make sure to tour the old ships at Jamestown settlement.

Colonial Williamsburg | The World's Largest Living History Museum

Experience the largest outdoor educational living museum in the country, through immersive and authentic 18th-century programming for our guests.

www.colonialwilliamsburg.org

Jamestown Settlement | Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation, VA

Explore Jamestown Settlement, a living-history museum that tells the story of America's first permanent English colony.

jyfmuseums.org

Amusement Park, Rides, Attractions & Animal Encounters - Williamsburg, Virginia | Busch Gardens

Busch Gardens located in Williamsburg, Virginia is THE theme park you need to visit this year- Discover fun for the whole family with our new rides, shows, animal encounters and more. Find special events happening near you throughout the year at Busch Gardens.

buschgardens.com

Virginia Capital Trail Foundation | Paved pedestrian & bicycle trail from Richmond to Williamsburg Virginia

The Virginia Capital Trail is the product of a successful public-private partnership between the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) and the Virginia Capital Trail Foundation (VCTF).

www.virginiacapitaltrail.org

NASA Langley isn’t too far away from this either. F22 Raptors are based out of Langley

 

[CasterTroy]

Probably doesn’t have enough for a full week but new river gorge national park in wv has some good hiking and camping spots

And it's just 31miles from Good Evening Ranch

 

[untchabl]

I feel like we need to head southish.
Spring break falls on March 6th so not very spring like. Considered going out west somewhere but the tome of the year really limits the options.

Fly out to Moab, rent a JLU from Twisted Jeeps and spend 3-4 days wheeling. Beautiful area and the wheeling is fun for everyone since the views are amazing and so many different trails to take.

 

[rabb11d]

Fly out to Moab, rent a JLU from Twisted Jeeps and spend 3-4 days wheeling. Beautiful area and the wheeling is fun for everyone since the views are amazing and so many different trails to take.

is that a good time of year to be out there?

 

[untchabl]

is that a good time of year to be out there?

I'm not sure, we went last year at the end of August and it was 102* during the day. But I didn't mind the heat. I'm sure other people on here have been during that time of year. Also, make sure it's not during Easter Jeep Safari, from videos I've seen, it gets pretty busy out there for that event.

Edge of the Desert RV park has 2-story tiny houses that would work well for a couple with 2 kids. Wife and I really liked staying there.

 

[rabb11d]

I'm not sure, we went last year at the end of August and it was 102* during the day. But I didn't mind the heat. I'm sure other people on here have been during that time of year. Also, make sure it's not during Easter Jeep Safari, from videos I've seen, it gets pretty busy out there for that event.

Edge of the Desert RV park has 2-story tiny houses that would work well for a couple with 2 kids. Wife and I really liked staying there.

any recommendations on where to fly in to or other things to see while out there?

 

[untchabl]

Moab has a small airport outside town that has flights, not sure where you would have to go to pick up the connecting flight. Don't think Charlotte, Greensboro or Raleigh have any direct flights.

Next best option is fly into Salt Lake City and rent a car to drive to Moab.

I'd weigh the cost between flying into Moab versus SLC and getting a rental car. Once you're in Moab and rent the Jeep, you'll end up driving it everywhere.

We only had 2 full days in Moab when we went, so we didn't have time to see anything other than wheeling. Would have liked to have gone to Arches National Park.

There are lots of trail options that have unbelievable views and lots of hiking opportunities, if you're into that. We aren't so we spent our time hitting the bucket list/big name trails.

This picture is on the edge of a cliff a couple hundred feet above the main road into Moab.

 

[rabb11d]

Moab has a small airport outside town that has flights, not sure where you would have to go to pick up the connecting flight. Don't think Charlotte, Greensboro or Raleigh have any direct flights.

Next best option is fly into Salt Lake City and rent a car to drive to Moab.

I'd weigh the cost between flying into Moab versus SLC and getting a rental car. Once you're in Moab and rent the Jeep, you'll end up driving it everywhere.

We only had 2 full days in Moab when we went, so we didn't have time to see anything other than wheeling. Would have liked to have gone to Arches National Park.

There are lots of trail options that have unbelievable views and lots of hiking opportunities, if you're into that. We aren't so we spent our time hitting the bucket list/big name trails.

This picture is on the edge of a cliff a couple hundred feet above the main road into Moab.

View attachment 381074

That looks awesome.
Thought about flying into Denver and then driving over to see more sights. Make a day out of it.

 

[LBarr2002]

That looks awesome.
Thought about flying into Denver and then driving over to see more sights. Make a day out of it.

Denver to Moab is a LONG drive, and during spring break will probably still be snow? We flew in to Denver and made a loop through the San Juan mountains, Moab, and back. Spring break would be a good time for Moab, not for CO.

Trip out west with the family

We're not sure if it's going to happen yet or not, but the wife and I have been discussing taking the kids cross country June '22. They'll be 8 and 6. I know a few here have done family RV trips, so looking for opinions. I want to hit the Grand Canyon and a few days in Moab, Colorado if time...

nc4x4.com

If you want to drive and see sights, could do Vegas past grand canyon to Moab...

 

[untchabl]

Vegas to Moab was a long drive, that's the route we took and I definitely wouldn't do that again. I think it took us around 8 hours to drive it (including a few stops).

The Grand Canyon was pretty cool but the wife and I both agreed that we enjoyed Moab more. But since our trip was 2 weeks, we made time to try and see everything that we could in the time we had.

 

[LBarr2002]

Vegas to Moab was a long drive, that's the route we took and I definitely wouldn't do that again. I think it took us around 8 hours to drive it (including a few stops).

The Grand Canyon was pretty cool but the wife and I both agreed that we enjoyed Moab more. But since our trip was 2 weeks, we made time to try and see everything that we could in the time we had.

I didn't really pay attention to how far Moab to Denver was until we were in Moab planning our day back to the airport. Google shows 5 hrs 45 minutes but that's at an average speed of 65mph! The speed limit on the utah side was 80 I think.

 

[jeepinmatt]

We did Denver to Yellowstone to Moab and back to Denver over the course of about 2 weeks. With a lot more in between those points. I wouldn't try it in a week.

 

[rabb11d]

Sounds like we are going to try to get this moab thing to happen. Looking at maybe flying into salt lake.
We will absolutely rent a jeep for hopefully two days min.
Prob try to make a week long trip.
Hopefully 4 adults 4 kids (8 to 11).
What things do we have to do while we are there.

 

[LBarr2002]

Sounds like we are going to try to get this moab thing to happen. Looking at maybe flying into salt lake.
We will absolutely rent a jeep for hopefully two days min.
Prob try to make a week long trip.
Hopefully 4 adults 4 kids (8 to 11).
What things do we have to do while we are there.

If you have any kind of decent clearance SUV for your regular rental, you can take Shafer Trail into Canyonlands. Hit Dead Horse Point on your way out. Then you'll pass Moab Giants Dinosaurs. We didn't get to do the Dinosaurs but it looked neat for the kids.

 

[untchabl]

Sounds like we are going to try to get this moab thing to happen. Looking at maybe flying into salt lake.
We will absolutely rent a jeep for hopefully two days min.
Prob try to make a week long trip.
Hopefully 4 adults 4 kids (8 to 11).
What things do we have to do while we are there.

I can't recommend Twisted Jeeps enough as a great rental place. They were super great to deal with. Had great suggestions on different trails, offered to loan us a cooler to keep drinks/food in, have free bagged ice that we got each morning and their Jeeps are actually wheeled so they don't nit-pick a scuff on the bumper corner, a scratch on the rim or the interior being dusty. They do have a list of trails that you can't ride but we still had a great time and will go back again in a few years when our daughter is older.

I'll ask the wife if she can remember all the trails that we rode and I'll post them up.

 

[77GreenMachine]

Moab is a great choice. There’s also Sand Hollow. Which I went to last month, it was over 100° but we really didn’t mind at all.

We flew into St George and rented a van. Rented a few Turbo SxS from Mad Moose Rentals, which I highly recommend. Insane traction and incredible trails, mixed with amazing sand dunes. We saw Fort Pearce, dinosaur tracks, drove the Zion National Park and more. Absolutely amazing trip.

Rather you do Moab or Sand Hollow, I can’t recommend Utah enough. Such an incredible part of the country that everyone should see at least once.

 

[LBarr2002]

I can't recommend Twisted Jeeps enough as a great rental place.

Same, except the jeep we got had bald tires. The two they had up front were both well used. We had our choice but my boy wanted the blue one.

We did Fins and Things, Hells Revenge, then booked it back out to Arches for the Tower Arch trail. They told us not to rush back, they wouldn't be there anyway, just drop the keys in the box.

Remember Arches is on timed entry now. The day we had dedicated to Arches we got an early entry. The Twisted day we were going to take the trail in that bypasses the gate but I checked the reservation system and there were tickets still available.

 

[CasterTroy]

Same, except the jeep we got had bald tires

And as you discovered, that means very little out there

 

[LBarr2002]

And as you discovered, that means very little out there

Yes, was more worried about cutting it than traction. And they felt like they were square first thing in the morning but got better before our drive to Arches.

 

[No fries]

We did Denver to Yellowstone to Moab and back to Denver over the course of about 2 weeks. With a lot more in between those points. I wouldn't try it in a week.

We did the same but in reverse Denver to Moab to Yellowstone back to Denver. Rental car in Denver, they don't tell you about the Toll road fee and hail damage insurance on the rental rate from Denver Airport when you book the car. We put 2,000 miles on the car in 10days and rented a jeep for 2days. Some jeep rentals will pick you up at the Moab airport.
We went in July and it was HOT (Dry heat) but not totally unbearable. Second day we used the rental car floor mats in the jeep made it a bit cooler in the jeep.