The southwest is full of campsites, hot springs, and mountain trails for you to explore. Read one camper\u2019s itinerary for a pet-friendly southwest road trip that is off the beaten path.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":53,"featured_media":29481,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1,9,142],"tags":[],"blog_locations":[151,203,9764],"class_list":["post-29564","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-general","category-renter-guest-posts","category-trip-ideas-guides","blog_locations-phoenix","blog_locations-portland-or","blog_locations-salt-lake-city"],"acf":{"title":"","sub_title":"","title_tag":false,"background_image":{"ID":29487,"id":29487,"title":"archeological-site-in-bears-ears-national-monument","filename":"archeological-site-in-bears-ears-national-monument.jpg","filesize":2816828,"url":"https:\/\/escapecampervans.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/archeological-site-in-bears-ears-national-monument.jpg","link":"https:\/\/escapecampervans.com\/fr\/archeological-site-in-bears-ears-national-monument-2\/","alt":"Bears In Ears National Park","author":"53","description":"","caption":"","name":"archeological-site-in-bears-ears-national-monument-2","status":"inherit","uploaded_to":0,"date":"2021-03-22 14:44:42","modified":"2021-03-22 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Staircase Escalante Toadstools","author":"53","description":"","caption":"","name":"dog-in-grand-staircase-escalante-toadstools-2","status":"inherit","uploaded_to":0,"date":"2021-03-22 14:44:25","modified":"2021-03-22 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Last March, I booked an Escape Campervan for a two-week spring break <\/span>Southwest road trip<\/span> from California through the American Southwest. I wanted to get off the beaten path and stay mostly out of National Parks since I was going to have my dog with me. I was so excited to explore some new places in the desert, but less than a week before I planned to pick up the <\/span>camper van<\/span><\/a>, California was ordered to shelter in place.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n I hope I\u2019ll get to take this trip <\/span>Southwest road trip<\/span> someday soon, but in the meantime, you can take advantage of the planning I did and get there first. Book a campervan from Los Angeles<\/a>, Phoenix<\/a>, Las Vegas<\/a>, or Salt Lake City<\/a> and explore the less crowded, but just as beautiful parts of the American Southwest. This trip is ideal in spring or fall weather.<\/span><\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"image","image":{"ID":29482,"id":29482,"title":"toadstool-grand-staircase-escalante","filename":"toadstool-grand-staircase-escalante.jpg","filesize":2154583,"url":"https:\/\/escapecampervans.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/toadstool-grand-staircase-escalante.jpg","link":"https:\/\/escapecampervans.com\/fr\/toadstool-grand-staircase-escalante-2\/","alt":"Toadstool Grand Staircase","author":"53","description":"","caption":"","name":"toadstool-grand-staircase-escalante-2","status":"inherit","uploaded_to":0,"date":"2021-03-22 14:44:34","modified":"2021-03-22 14:45:30","menu_order":0,"mime_type":"image\/jpeg","type":"image","subtype":"jpeg","icon":"https:\/\/escapecampervans.com\/wp-includes\/images\/media\/default.png","width":1536,"height":2048,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/escapecampervans.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/toadstool-grand-staircase-escalante-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/escapecampervans.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/toadstool-grand-staircase-escalante-225x300.jpg","medium-width":225,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/escapecampervans.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/toadstool-grand-staircase-escalante-768x1024.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":1024,"large":"https:\/\/escapecampervans.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/toadstool-grand-staircase-escalante-768x1024.jpg","large-width":768,"large-height":1024,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/escapecampervans.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/toadstool-grand-staircase-escalante-1152x1536.jpg","1536x1536-width":1152,"1536x1536-height":1536,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/escapecampervans.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/toadstool-grand-staircase-escalante-1536x2048.jpg","2048x2048-width":1536,"2048x2048-height":2048,"blog-preview":"https:\/\/escapecampervans.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/toadstool-grand-staircase-escalante-600x353.jpg","blog-preview-width":600,"blog-preview-height":353,"post-thumbnail":"https:\/\/escapecampervans.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/toadstool-grand-staircase-escalante-1200x1600.jpg","post-thumbnail-width":1200,"post-thumbnail-height":1600,"gform-image-choice-sm":"https:\/\/escapecampervans.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/toadstool-grand-staircase-escalante.jpg","gform-image-choice-sm-width":225,"gform-image-choice-sm-height":300,"gform-image-choice-md":"https:\/\/escapecampervans.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/toadstool-grand-staircase-escalante.jpg","gform-image-choice-md-width":300,"gform-image-choice-md-height":400,"gform-image-choice-lg":"https:\/\/escapecampervans.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/toadstool-grand-staircase-escalante.jpg","gform-image-choice-lg-width":450,"gform-image-choice-lg-height":600}},"image_link":""},{"acf_fc_layout":"text","text":" If you\u2019re coming from LA or Las Vegas, make your first overnight in Mojave National Preserve. The Preserve has multiple camping options, including two first-come, first-served campgrounds and several primitive camp spots. Among the various hikes is Kelso Dunes with sand dune views as far as you can see at the top.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n If you\u2019re coming from the <\/span>Phoenix Escape Camper Vans location<\/span><\/a> or heading east from Mojave National Preserve, spend some time in the beautiful red rocks of Sedona. Check out this <\/span>kid-friendly Sedona itinerary<\/span><\/a> for ideas.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Before you head to New Mexico, stay a night in the quiet Homolovi State Park campground. Take a walk on the park\u2019s short, easy trails leading to Hopi archeological sites with petroglyphs.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n On your way out of Arizona, stop at <\/span>Petrified Forest National Park<\/span><\/a>, one of the few national parks that allow pets on trails. You can even get your dog a BARK ranger permit by signing to follow the pet rules. The park website offers <\/span>itineraries<\/span><\/a> based on how much time you have and your interests.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"text","text":" Santa Fe is a perfect mid-trip place to clean up and refuel. Book a site at <\/span>Trailer Ranch<\/span><\/a> for the luxuries of showers and a load of laundry.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n There is so much to do in Santa Fe. Get some classic New Mexican green chile at one of the many famous eateries in town. Take the pup for a walk or run on the Dale Ball Trail system. Check out Meow Wolf, a far-out immersive art experience in 70+ rooms of installations. They recently re-opened with COVID-19 safety precautions. Support the vendors at the Plaza and get a look at some beautiful turquoise and silver jewelry.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"image","image":{"ID":29487,"id":29487,"title":"archeological-site-in-bears-ears-national-monument","filename":"archeological-site-in-bears-ears-national-monument.jpg","filesize":2816828,"url":"https:\/\/escapecampervans.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/archeological-site-in-bears-ears-national-monument.jpg","link":"https:\/\/escapecampervans.com\/fr\/archeological-site-in-bears-ears-national-monument-2\/","alt":"Bears In Ears National Park","author":"53","description":"","caption":"","name":"archeological-site-in-bears-ears-national-monument-2","status":"inherit","uploaded_to":0,"date":"2021-03-22 14:44:42","modified":"2021-03-22 14:45:11","menu_order":0,"mime_type":"image\/jpeg","type":"image","subtype":"jpeg","icon":"https:\/\/escapecampervans.com\/wp-includes\/images\/media\/default.png","width":2048,"height":1536,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/escapecampervans.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/archeological-site-in-bears-ears-national-monument-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/escapecampervans.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/archeological-site-in-bears-ears-national-monument-300x225.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":225,"medium_large":"https:\/\/escapecampervans.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/archeological-site-in-bears-ears-national-monument-768x576.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":576,"large":"https:\/\/escapecampervans.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/archeological-site-in-bears-ears-national-monument-1024x768.jpg","large-width":1024,"large-height":768,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/escapecampervans.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/archeological-site-in-bears-ears-national-monument-1536x1152.jpg","1536x1536-width":1536,"1536x1536-height":1152,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/escapecampervans.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/archeological-site-in-bears-ears-national-monument-2048x1536.jpg","2048x2048-width":2048,"2048x2048-height":1536,"blog-preview":"https:\/\/escapecampervans.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/archeological-site-in-bears-ears-national-monument-600x353.jpg","blog-preview-width":600,"blog-preview-height":353,"post-thumbnail":"https:\/\/escapecampervans.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/archeological-site-in-bears-ears-national-monument-1200x900.jpg","post-thumbnail-width":1200,"post-thumbnail-height":900,"gform-image-choice-sm":"https:\/\/escapecampervans.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/archeological-site-in-bears-ears-national-monument.jpg","gform-image-choice-sm-width":300,"gform-image-choice-sm-height":225,"gform-image-choice-md":"https:\/\/escapecampervans.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/archeological-site-in-bears-ears-national-monument.jpg","gform-image-choice-md-width":400,"gform-image-choice-md-height":300,"gform-image-choice-lg":"https:\/\/escapecampervans.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/archeological-site-in-bears-ears-national-monument.jpg","gform-image-choice-lg-width":600,"gform-image-choice-lg-height":450}},"image_link":""},{"acf_fc_layout":"text","text":" On the way to your Utah destinations, stop at the Four Corners Monument to get a photo of yourself in four states at once. While you\u2019re at it, support the vendors there by purchasing jewelry, blankets, and tasty fry bread.<\/span><\/p>\n Spend a night or two in one of the developed campsites or try dispersed camping on the BLM land in stunning and remote <\/span>Bears Ears National Monument<\/span><\/a>, recently designated a national monument. It\u2019s not very developed for tourism and contains many delicate archeological sites sacred to Indigenous peoples. Be sure to read the Monument\u2019s <\/span>tips for visiting with respect<\/span><\/a> before you go. Tip: I\u2019ve been lost in Bears Ears before and cell service is spotty at best, so I recommend purchasing a guidebook and map to take with you.<\/span><\/p>\n Again, skip the crowds of Utah\u2019s most popular national parks and head to the pet-friendly <\/span>Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument<\/span><\/a> to explore some of the best of Utah\u2019s geological spectacles, including arches, slot canyons, waterfalls, and hoodoos. There are tons of dispersed BLM camping opportunities here as well.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Head back to the Escape Campervan location where you started or go north and drop your van off at the <\/span>Salt Lake City Escape Camper Vans location<\/span><\/a>. Consider spending a day or two in Salt Lake City exploring its lovely parks, nearby hiking, and excellent food.<\/span><\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"text","text":"The Best Route For A Roadtrip To The Southwest<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n
Make A Stop in Arizona<\/span><\/h2>\n
Stay A Day in Santa Fe, New Mexico<\/span><\/h2>\n
Don\u2019t Miss Out on the Beauty of Utah<\/span><\/h2>\n
Plan Your Southwest Road Trip Today<\/span><\/h2>\n