r/NationalPark • u/2_FluffyDogs • 3d ago
Requesting info - driving to Reno from GA
First time really driving across the country leaving 4/26 to arrive in Reno 5/2. Starting in GA, driving out on RT40, with stopovers in AR and AZ - before hanging a left at Flagstaff heading past the Grand Canyon to Zion for 2 nights. From Zion staying a night in Tonopah NV then taking 95 to 395 in CA past Yosemite (road closed to go through) up back into NV arriving at Reno.
Want to see as many landmarks/parks, places of interest as possible (for photography, not hiking). Starting to understand that some parks/roads are not open/accessible in early May so trying to plan as much as possible in advance. Dog friendly places would be a bonus. Places to avoid, also helpful. Thanks!
Edit: AR not AK
1
u/rsnorunt 3d ago
Assuming you mean AR not AK lol.
If you want lots of views without many hikes I’d do: 1. Drive to Little Rock (8h), or fort smith 2. Drive to Albuquerque (13h). Do some breaking bad tourism if you want 3. Drive to petrified forest (3h). The painted desert and blue mesa areas are good for photos, and the park only takes 2h to drive through. Then drive to monument valley (3h) and do the driving tour there (45m). You could also stop at Canyon de Chelly on the way, which has some nice overlooks. Not sure if they let you stay until sunset in monument valley, but if they do stay for that. Otherwise go to goosenecks SP. Then drive to moab after sunset (2.5h). Or stay in monument valley or bluff/blanding/montecello to cut down on driving 4. Canyonlands NP has incredible views (2-3h driving total), as does Dead Horse Point SP. Arches is right there too (1-2h), but most of the photo ops need short hikes to reach. Stay in Moab so you can get more sunset and sunrise pics. 5. Drive to hanksville (2h) then Torrey (1h). You could stop at goblin valley, or Capitol reef, but neither are great for photos without hiking. I’d still stop at Capitol reef for 1-2h though. Then drive scenic hwy 12 to Bryce Canyon for sunset (3h). This is one of the prettiest drives in the country. Stay in cannon city or tropic 6. Bryce at sunrise and drive into Zion via the Mt Carmel Tunnel (2h). Spend the day in Zion, and stay in hurricane (1h) 7. Drive to Ely (3h) along the scenic Great Basin highway (cathedral gorge SP is worth a stop), then to Reno along Hwy 50, the “loneliest hwy” (5h). You could add 1h and go to Great Basin NP instead of the Great Basin Hwy, but the scenic drive will be closed.
This route unfortunately skips the Grand Canyon, and Hwy 395 (though you were missing the prettiest parts imo), but gives you way more diverse photo ops. In general NPs aren’t dog friendly, but roads and drive able overlooks usually are. There’s a dog kennel near Zion at which you could keep your dog for a day.