Drive from home to Zion. If we follow this plan, it will be a two day trip to Zion. We would take in some sight seeing along the way. I am thinking we could camp in the valley of fire and even take an evening trip down to lake mead for a swim. then we would be able to get up early on Sunday and make it into Zion earlier and enjoy a bit more time there relaxing.
26 via Brida, Rancho Santa Margarita, California, United States
Gas stop is about 2 hours into our trip. we can get gas here then go explore Calico Ghost Town
stop for an hour.. check out the town. get a drink, stretch legs, Maybe late breakfast? we will need to leave around 7 AM to make this stop happen. They open at 9:00 AM.
http://cms.sbcounty.gov/parks/parks/calicoghosttown.aspx
Calico is an old West mining town that has been around since 1881 during the largest silver strike in California. With its 500 mines, Calico produced over $20 million in silver ore over a 12-year span. When silver lost its value in the mid-1890's, Calico lost its population. The miners packed up, loaded their mules and moved away abandoning the town that once gave them a good living. It became a "ghost town."
Walter Knott purchased Calico in the 1950's architecturally restoring all but the five original buildings to look as they did in the 1880's. Calico received State Historical Landmark 782 and in 2005 was proclaimed by then Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to be California's Silver Rush Ghost Town.
Today Calico is part of the San Bernardino County Regional Parks system visited by people from around the country and all over the world. The park offers visitors an opportunity to share in its rich history and enjoy the natural beauty of the surrounding desert environment. Along with its history and attractions, Calico Ghost Town has shops,restaurants and offers camping and outdoor recreation not available at most of our other park facilities. Due to the historic nature of the town, not all areas are ADA accessible.
This will be a quick stop.. it is right off the highway. I think the girls will love it. They have stacked huge boulders and painted them super bright colors.
“a large scale desert artwork”
Renowned Swiss artist Ugo Rondinone’s colorful large-scale, public artwork Seven Magic Mountains is a two-year exhibition located in the desert outside of Las Vegas, Nevada, featuring seven thirty to thirty-five-foot high dayglow totems comprised of painted, locally-sourced boulders. Visible across the desert landscape along Interstate 15, Seven Magic Mountains offers a creative critique of the simulacra of destinations like Las Vegas. According to Rondinone, the location is physically and symbolically mid-way between the natural and the artificial: the natural is expressed by the mountain ranges, desert, and Jean Dry Lake backdrop, and the artificial is expressed by the highway and the constant flow of traffic between Los Angeles and Las Vegas. Seven Magic Mountains is produced by the Art Production Fund, New York and Nevada Museum of Art, Reno. Approximately 10 miles south of the intersection of Las Vegas Boulevard and St. Rose Parkway in Henderson, the installation site is a short distance from Jean Dry Lake where Michael Heizer and Jean Tinquely created legendary land art works in the 1960s. Many of the project’s public programs will take place at ARIA Resort & Casino, and partner locations in Nevada, including the Marjorie Barrick Museum on the campus of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
Get gas and then head into the Valley of Fire. This is a truck stop so I am hoping it will be easy maneuver the trailer and get gas.
Camp for the night, Explore the area. Valley of Fire, Lake Mead. Maybe head down to the lake for an evening swim?
“Valley of Fire-NV's oldest state park” Atlatl Rock Campground has 44 campsites including several RV sites with power and water hookup. A $10 surcharge is added to the regular camping fee for the use of these sites. The campground also has a modern restroom and shower building. Campsites are equipped with shaded tables, grills, water, and restrooms. An additional fee is charged for the use of the area and is payable at the campground.
A must see! The rock formations are stunning, the 3,000 year old petroglyphs are humbling and fun to discover throughout the park, and big horn sheep frequent the area! One of my very best vacations!
BEST CAMPSITES 8, 10, 11, 16, 17, 20, 23, 26, 29, 30, 42
Campsites 23 to 44 have electric/water hookups
Atlatl Rock Overview Valley of Fire Atlatl Rock 020 Atlatl Rock campground is located in Valley of Fire State Park and has 44 campsites for tents, trailers and RVs. Campsites 23 to 44 have electric/water hookups at Atlatl Rock campground. Most campsites are large and can accommodate trailers/RVs up to 55 feet+. ADA campsites are 6, 15, 31 and 34.
The campground is open year-round and all campsites are first-come first-served (no reservations). You can stay up to 14 consecutive days. Group camping is reservable by calling the park directly at 775 684-2270. Campsites are $20 per night + $10 per night for campsites with utility hookups. Check in is 2pm and check out is 12pm. Vehicles per site may vary and is also at the discretion of the park supervisor.
Campground amenities include drinking water, flush toilets, showers and an RV dump station. Each campsite also has a table (some with shade structures), fire ring and grate.
Arch Rock campground is another option at Valley of Fire State Park and has 29 campsites for tents and trailers.
Atlatl Rock – Area Recreation Valley of Fire State Park is the oldest and largest state park in Nevada and includes 45,000 acres of spectacular geological wonders featuring bright red Aztec sandstone. Contrary to popular belief the valley is not always on fire, but rather derives its name from the red sandstone formations.
Valley of Fire State Park offers visitors the opportunity to explore historic sites & ruins, see petrified trees, hike and bike the many trails and visit the full-scale visitor center. Photography, star gazing and wildlife viewing are also very popular activities. Valley of Fire State Park also offers a great base camp for the RiSE Festival each October.
RESERVATIONS: First Come, First Served
Robb and Jen recommended this place. said we would only need an hour or two to check it out and hike around. (Optional)
“where the ancients walked” Follow the paths where ancient native people and pioneers walked. Gaze up at massive sandstone cliffs of cream, pink, and red that soar into a brilliant blue sky. Challenge your courage in a narrow slot canyon. Zion National Park's unique array of plants and animals will enchant you as you absorb the rich history of the past and enjoy the excitement of present day adventures. Almost 12,000 years ago Zion's first peoples, who are now almost invisible, tracked mammoth, giant sloth, and camel across southern Utah. Due to climate change and overhunting these animals died out about 8,000 years ago. Humans adapted by focusing on mid-sized animals and gathered foods. As resources dwindled 2,600 years ago, people tuned lifeways to the specifics of place. Such a culture, centered on Zion, differentiated over the next 1,500 years into a farming tradition archeologists call Virgin Anasazi. Zion's geology provided these and later pioneer farmers a combination rare in the desert: a wide, level place to grow food, a river to water it, and an adequate growing season. On the Colorado Plateau crops grow best between 5,000 and 7,000 feet, making Zion's elevations -- 3,666 to 8,726 feet -- almost ideal. Differences in elevation also encourage diverse plants and animals; mule deer and turkey wander forested plateaus; bighorn sheep and juniper prosper in canyons. Those walking the slot canyon are advised to beware of flash flooding, which can completely submerge the canyon in a matter of minutes, leaving those inside without an escape.
We will explore Zion and then head to "Zion to Bryce" Trip Plan!
