Road-trip recs for an epic Southwestern journey
Nick Kelley/Kintzing
Ancient heritage, geological grandeur and adventure await.
ARIZONA
Scenic Drive: U.S. 163 through the Navajo Nation, part of the Trail of the Ancients.
Natural Wonder: Petrified Forest National Park, a marvel made for the small hours—photographers capture the most saturated hues an hour after sunrise.
Small-Town Fest: World’s Oldest Rodeo in Prescott, since 1888. First week of July.
Local Shop: Cosanti Originals, Paradise Valley. Their handcrafted windbells are art.
California
Scenic Drive: State Route 78, from Julian to Salton Sea, through Anza-Borrego.
Photo Stop: Roy’s Motel & Café, on Route 66 in Amboy, a neon Googie temple.
Campground: Calico Ghost Town in Yermo, the relics of an 1881 mining outpost.
Nevada
Scenic Drive: Mount Charleston Scenic Byway, a stunner of canyon climb just outside Vegas.
Day Trip: Gemfield Claim public dig site, Goldfield. A dollar a pound, on the honor system.
Campground: Cottonwood Cove Resort RV Park. Lake Mohave basecamp among the houseboat people.
New Mexico
Scenic Drive: Jemez Mountain Trail Scenic Byway, west of Los Alamos, towards Jemez Springs. The landscape is enchanting: canyons, forests, elk meadows and more.
Natural Wonder: The whooping crane migration, every December at Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, San Antonio.
Breakfast Stop: El Modelo Mexican Foods, Albuquerque. Legendary stuffed sopaipillas.
Day Trip: Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs, Ojo Caliente. Nine public pools, four distinct mineral waters.
Campground: Bonito Hollow RV Park, Alto. Destination trout stream flowing through camp.
Utah
Scenic Drive: State Route 12, through the canyon country between Bryce and Boulder. Whoa.
Day Trip: Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park. Zion deconstructed: Among windblown dunes, visitors ride ORVs, hike among wildflowers and watch while the kiddos roll the sandy slopes.
Lunch: Milt’s Stop and Eat, Moab. What a chili cheeseburger should be.
Local Shop: Twin Rocks Trading Post, Bluff. Diné art emporium.
Campground: Zion Wright Family Ranch, Virgin. Trail rides, glamping tents, a zillion stars.
West Texas
Scenic Drive: Davis Mountains Scenic Loop, Fort Davis. Highest highway in the state, overlooks the Chihuahuan Desert floor.
Local Shop: Big Bend Saddlery in Alpine, for leatherwork where the wranglers shop.
Small-Town Fest: Terlingua Chili Cookoff, first weekend in November in Terlingua.
