2012 Crossroads Sunset Trail Reserve
Salt Lake City is the crowning jewel of the state of Utah. A booming metropolis, there are lots of things to see and do during a trip to this popular city. A region with all of the hipster charm of Seattle, Salt Lake City boasts a rich cultural scene that includes live entertainment, excellent restaurants, and high-end shopping.
For those RV campers looking to spend more time enjoying the great outdoors, Salt Lake City offers everything they could want and more. The city itself rests atop a mountain that is 4,300 feet in total elevation. From its boundaries, families have easy access to some of the finest ski resorts in the world. The area is a haven for those that enjoy outdoor activities and offers ample opportunities to enjoy hiking, biking, climbing, picnicking, and camping. If water sports are in high demand, the Great Salt Lake is the ideal spot for doing some boating, floating, and swimming.
If indoor activities are the family's preference, Salt Lake City is home to many concert halls with some intimate enough for gatherings of only 20 and others large enough to accommodate 20,000 people in a large scale event. Salt Lake City is also a hub for foodie events and has a large and eclectic sampling of diverse cuisines from around the world. Other popular cultural events in Salt Lake City include the ballet, orchestra, opera, and theatre.
For historical places, a visit to Temple Square is an absolute must. The center of Mormonism in the region, the square is well worth visiting for the sheer grandeur of its buildings alone.
Salt Lake City is also home to many different state parks, national monuments, and beaches. There are many campgrounds that permit RV camping year-round in the region.
Traveling in an RV through Salt Lake City can be a bit of a challenge, but the city has an excellent transportation system. Park your RV in a public lot or at a campground and hop a bus or hail a taxi to go explore the heart of the city on foot.
Among the best places for an RV stay in Salt Lake City are Salt Lake City KOA Holiday and Spruces Campground.
Only 84.4 miles away from Salt Lake City is Bear River State Park. This popular recreational area is home to several attractions for families to enjoy.
At the entrance to the park, families will find a Tourist Information Center that offers maps of the property and facts about local places of interest that are worth visiting when in the region. Bear River State Park has several picnic areas, making it an excellent spot to enjoy a light lunch or snack on the grounds.
One of the most beloved things to see here is the herds of bison and elk that make this park their home. Small in number, the animals are maintained by the Wyoming Game and Fish Department and are on display for the public to enjoy.
Bear River State Park is found along the busy I-80 highway. Within the park grounds are almost three miles of trails that are well suited to hiking and biking and that also form a link to the Bear Project, a new undertaking by the city of Evanston.
Each year, the park hosts the Bear River Rendezvous to pay homage to the history of trapping that took place on the land in the mid-1900s.
Bear River State Park has many different amenities for families to enjoy including a large parking lot to accommodate RVs, drinking water, barbecues, a waste disposal station, picnic tables, and bathrooms. Pets may join their owners here but must remain leashed. Camping is not permitted on the grounds.
Had a ball exploring Bear River State Park but think an overnight stay is in order? Spend the night camping in your RV at Lyman KOA Journey or Bridger Lake Campground.
One of the most amazing sights found en route to Green Bay is located just 97.1 miles from Bear River State Park. Pilot Butte is a region that is renowned for two prominent features: an immense mountain and a herd of wild horses.
A visit to Pilot Butte is reminiscent of what life must have been like in the Old West. The land is lush and open, and the wild horses stampeding through the terrain are an incredible sight to behold. This is one trip where having a camera along is an absolute must.
The horse population totals approximately 1,500. It is believed that the current herd are descendants of horses that were brought to the region in the early 19th century by ranchers who sought to dwell and work on the land.
RV campers can travel the Pilot Butte Wild Horse Scenic Loop, the route that provides the greatest opportunity to see the horses in action. The loop consists of approximately 24 miles in total, a drive of about 90 minutes. This route stretches across White Mountain where many varieties of animals can be seen including pronghorn antelope, elk, deer, coyotes, hawks, and sage grouse.
Since reaching this region takes RV campers "off the grid," it is important to note that there is often very little cell service, and there are no local amenities including access to drinking water. It is recommended that this route be traveled in a high clearance four wheel drive vehicle only.
The next day's drive is rather lengthy at 268 miles, but the time will fly by with the adventure of the Cheyenne Frontier Days Old West Museum in the day ahead. This property is of great historical and cultural significance as a center of the American West. The museum is home to a vast collection of unique memorabilia and artifacts from the region's cowboy culture.
The property has been given the title of the "World's Largest Outdoor Rodeo and Western Celebration." Most of its exhibits are in place year-round for families to enjoy, paying homage to what have become known as the Cheyenne Frontier Days.
The first Frontier Day was held in 1897 when it was suggested that the city host something similar to Greeley, Colorado's Potato Day. The events of the day included such activities as pony races, bronco busting, and steer roping, all things considered to test the abilities of a true cowboy. The first Frontier Day was so well received that it was planned for the subsequent year with the festivities expanded to encompass two days, during which time a parade would also occur. Over time, the event grew to include more activities, and it began to draw visitors from all across the state. Today, Cheyenne's Frontier Days have maintained their position as one of the most genuine and sizeable rodeos in the world.
Tired out from exploring the memorabilia from the days of the Old West in Cheyenne? Consider an RV stay at Cheyenne KOA Journey or Restway Travel Park.
The next day's journey is a long one with 444 miles logged on the RV's odometer before reaching Pioneers Park Nature Center. This beautiful natural facility consists of over 668 acres of ground in total. It is marked by unique topographical features such as lush prairies, dense forest, wetland locales, and even a crystal clear stream.
The property was founded in 1963 as a gathering place for residents of Lincoln with an interest in environmental preservation and wildlife. Pioneers Park Nature Center boasts of eight trails that are perfect for doing some hiking. They wind through unique habitats that are the ideal haven for such animal species as raptors (kept in a permanent exhibit on the grounds), bison, elk, and white-tailed deer.
Also found on the premises are two buildings that are home to several small animal exhibits and that permit hands-on activities. One of the most popular attractions is the play section that is reserved for children and offers the opportunity for exploring their creativity through digging, building, and climbing. The property is home to several different gardens that are stunning to behold and that are full of information about the plants and animals contained therein.
After a long drive and day exploring nature at Pioneers Park, an overnight stay might just be the perfect ending to the perfect day. Park the RV to spend the night camping at West Omaha/NE Lincoln KOA Holiday or Pawnee State Recreation Area.
Heartland of America Park is 63.8 miles from Pioneers Park Nature Center. Located in the city of Omaha, this much-loved recreational area rests along the waterfront and features an incredible fountain that spouts water 320 feet in height. The fountain is illuminated at night to provide a breathtaking backdrop from which to view the city.
There are many things to see and do during a visit to the Heartland of America Park. Found on the grounds are several Lewis and Clark exhibits as well as a memorial sculpture commemorating aviation feats and World War II. Another beautiful feature of the property is a small walking bridge that connects the land to the Lewis and Clark Landing.
Gondola rides are available on a daily basis. Schedules can be obtained by contacting Heartland of Gondola, the tour operator. Leashed pets may join their owners at this public space.
As an added attraction, Heartland of America Park is within walking distance of the famed Old Market, a popular attraction for visitors to the region.
Tuckered out from a day wandering the waterfront? Plan an RV stay at West Omaha/NE Lincoln KOA Holiday or Glenn Cunningham Lake Campground.
One hundred and thirty-five miles from the Heartland of America Park is the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden. A haven of peace and tranquility, families will enjoy spending the day relaxing and enjoying the beautiful blooms found at this incredible property.
The primary role of the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden is to provide education about the art of horticulture. The property consists of over seven acres in total, with much of that land home to the fragrant splendor of blossoms and blooms.
Located within the heart of the city, this lovely property is unique in its design and features many interactive exhibits for families to enjoy. Among the unusual plants found at the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden are the Bonsai collection and Carrie the Corpse Flower.
Throughout the year, educational classes are also held to encourage the development of a love for plants and gardening.
The garden was founded in 1929 when it was just a small space with plans in place for its further development. The subsequent stock market crash of that year led to delays with the gardens remaining unfinished until 1969. The Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden was first opened to the public in 1979.
A truly unique experience awaits families 201 miles down the road at the National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium. Located in the town of Dubuque, this amazing facility houses many different interesting attractions all in one place. RV campers can enjoy visiting an aquarium, a museum, and a science center all in one day.
Nestled along the shores of the Mississippi River, this beloved museum and aquarium serves as an educational facility for the river that crosses the country. The property consists of two main buildings: the Mississippi River Center and the National River Center. Found on the grounds are many hands-on learning opportunities as well as a 3D/4D theater featuring live-action films.
The National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium is associated with the Smithsonian Institute and is also a member of the American Alliance of Museums and the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
RV campers will travel 88 miles on the open road to find the National Mustard Museum. This unique property contains the most immense array of mustards and mustard-related items in the world.
The founder of the museum is Mr. Barry Levenson. In 1986, following the loss of his favorite baseball team in the World Series, Mr. Levenson decided to make a supermarket run. As he was pondering the items on the shelves, he claims to have heard a voice saying, "If you collect us, they will come." From that one event, the mustard collection was born.
In 1992, Mr. Levenson resigned his position as the Wisconsin Assistant Attorney General and began work on his museum to showcase his mustard collection. To date, it remains one of the most frequented places in the city of Madison.
The Mustard Museum has received honorable mentions on such TV shows as The Oprah Winfrey Show and Jeopardy. The collection contains more than 6.090 mustards representing all 50 states plus over 70 countries.
After an interesting day learning more about mustard, a good night's rest might be in order. Consider an RV stay at Lake Farm Campground or Madison KOA.
A 122-mile journey takes RV campers to the History Museum at the Castle, a property that houses many pieces of memorabilia from the life and work of Houdini.
The property was originally opened to the public in 1872 under the name the Outagamie County Historical Society. Its primary purpose at that time was to pay homage to the history of the cities found within the central region of Wisconsin. The city was later renamed to the History Museum at the Castle since it currently occupies a space that was once in use as a Masonic Temple.
To encourage interest in the local community as well as the history of the region, the museum offers educational classes and programs throughout the year. Among the most popular events held here are walking tours, pub crawls, and themed social activities.
The building the museum is housed in has been included on the National Register of Historic Places.
Appleton, the city in which the museum is found, was once the dwelling place of famed escape artist and magician Houdini.
With a short journey to Green Bay in the day ahead, why not enjoy an overnight stay in Appleton? Park the RV so you can get a good night's rest at Apple Creek Campground or Hickory Oaks Campground.
The final leg of the journey to Green Bay is only 31.3 miles. RV campers will be thrilled to finally park their RV for a few days' stay at their campground in this charming city.
Green Bay is a metropolitan city in Brown County, Wisconsin. The city is located at the pinnacle of the body of water of the same name, a bay into which both Lake Michigan and the Fox River flow.
Green Bay is a place where families can enjoy many different cultural activities. The city is home to the well-renowned Meyer Theatre and the Hotel Northland, both properties included on the National Register of Historic Places. The city also has its own symphony orchestra and several concert venues where live entertainment can be enjoyed year-round.
A city with a rich heritage in the arts, there are many museums and galleries found in Green Bay. Among the most popular are the Art Garage, the Automotive Gallery, the Neville Public Museum, and the Hazelwood Historic House Museum. Green Bay also hosts many different festivals throughout the year including ArtStreet, Dine on the Deck, and Taste on Broadway.
For those that love outdoor recreation and sports, Green Bay will not disappoint. Take in a Packers game or head out to enjoy one of the state parks, national monuments, or beaches.
Traveling through the streets of Green Bay in an RV is a breeze. However, Green Bay has a good transportation system, allowing families to park their RV at their campground or in a public lot and take a bus or taxi into town.