>I'm trying to plan a long trip starting in May. We have a 34 ft Class
>A motorhome. Are the roads from Mexican Hat, UT and Blanding, UT
>to Natural Bridges National Monument paved and OK for driving our
>motorhome on?
A few miles north of Mexican Hat there's a left turn (west) that goes
to Goosenecks SP and Valley of the Gods, then up via 261 to Natural
Bridges. There is a 4 miles (or so) stretch of this just past the turn
off to Valley of the Gods that's not paved, called Mokee (or Moki)
Dugway and signs warn that it's off limits to vehicles towing trailers
(ie, boats to Lake Powell or campers) and to motorhomes over X ft (I
think X is ~ 22 ft but I may be mistaken ... for sure not 34 ft). This
is a very steep winding section with great views but because of the
narrow turns and limited visibility they try to keep motorhomes out.
So that route is not recommended (though I do recommend the short spur
to Goosenecks as it's on paved road, and an interesting sight).
The other route, on 95 with the turn-off south of Blanding, is paved
all the way to Natural Bridges and there are no problems for
motorhomes. Note there is no gas once you turn off so make sure you're
full.
>Can anyone recommend campgrounds in this area that could accommodate
>a 34 ft vehicle?
There's limited camping at Natural Bridges and I've seen campers there
but I dunno for sure about 34 ft. You can probably get this info off
their web site. Actually this entire area is a mixture of Ute Indian
land and BLM land and you can camp anywhere you can set up on BLM land
for free without hassle, which is what I'd do with a 34 ft vehicle. In
particular there's a spot on 261 south of the Grand Gulch Range Station
just before it drops down the Dugway (it's paved from 95 to here)
called Muley Point that has one of the great views of the west, looking
out over the San Juan river with Monument Valley and all the
"monuments" in the distance. You can camp free here, ask the Rangers
where it is. I've done it several times (though in the back of a
pickup, not a 34 ft-er :)
There are also a lot of great free camping spots north of here near
Canyonlands and between Canyonlands and Moab, many easily accessible
with a 34 ft vehicle and with great open views.
Have fun.
Bill
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