Roadtrip with RVshare Provo to Rio Grande National Forest

A Provo to Rio Grande National Forest road trip presents an exciting chance to discover various attractions in the small Utah city, access different points of interest along the way, and enjoy different recreational activities in Colorado towns neighboring the national forest. This tour exposes you to lovely artificial features and breathtaking natural landscapes to suit different travelers' tastes. You can begin by enjoying quality Provo dishes, carnivals, and parks, stopping by multiple tourist sites along the way before concluding in Creede, Colorado, for remarkable sightseeing of forests, deserts, valleys, and mountains. 

Nearby National Parks

Capitol Reef National Park

You can begin your Provo to Rio Grande National Forest road trip itinerary by touring Capitol Reef National Park. This site incorporates multiple domes, canyons, cliffs, and bridges in the geologic monocline, known as the Waterpocket Fold, extending close to 100 miles. Besides taking in beautiful landscapes with various flowers in spring and fall, the park has camping stations to enhance your convenience during overnight tours. 

Arches National Park

Arches National Park near Moab provides unique and lovely scenery with contrasting landforms, textures, and colors. You can hike along the different pathways and appreciate the magnificent pinnacles, enormous rock fins, and more than 2,000 natural stone arches. In addition, the venue provides kid-friendly activities such as being a junior ranger and earning a commemorative badge, making it an ideal location when journeying with children. 

Mesa Verde National Park

Mesa Verde National Park between Mancos and Cortez in Colorado features a self-guided tour to the highest point, offering remarkable views across the Four Corners Region. You can look into the past by visiting the cliff dwellings where ancient Pueblo people resided. It also includes stargazing opportunities that you can conveniently enjoy during a family tour. 

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

You can look at some of the craggiest spires, oldest rocks, and steepest cliffs in North America at the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park around Montrose. This area has hiking trails and driving routes that allow you to appreciate the scenic surroundings. Additionally, the location has some Colorado streams and rivers that allow you to partake in the park's famous trout fishing. 

Great Sand Dunes National Park

Great Sand Dunes National Park around Alamosa operates 24 hours a day throughout the year, making it conveniently accessible at any time during your Provo to Rio Grande National Forest RV road trip. You can look at some of North America's tallest dunes surrounded by scenic landscapes featuring forests, wetlands, grasslands, tundra, and alpine lakes. Furthermore, the sandy slopes enable you to add fun to your tour by partaking in sand sledding and sandboarding.

Nearby State Parks

Wasatch Mountain State Park

Wasatch Mountain State Park gives you some time to explore the beautiful Utah mountains setting off on your road trip from Provo to Rio Grande National Forest. This park opens year-round and offers cross-country skiing, tubing, and mountain biking. You can also get excellent camping conditions, picnicking areas, horseback riding venues, and two 18-hole golf courses at this location. 

Utah Lake State Park

A trip to Utah Lake State Park meets adventurous visitors' needs by offering opportunities for watersports such as swimming and paddleboarding. You can also launch a boat and take a relaxing cruise on the calm waters for family-friendly fun. The location also has multiple picnic venues and campsites, enabling you to dine in comfort while appreciating the relaxing views. 

Dead Horse Point State Park

You can tour Dead Horse State Park in Green River on your way out of Utah, where you can take in stunning views of the Moab region. The night skies offer quality stargazing experiences, allowing you to unwind with loved ones in style. You can see different buttes and sculptured pinnacles and rest at the well-known Kayenta Campground that sits in a lovely red rock desert environment. 

Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area

A drive to nearby Salida, CO, provides convenient access to the Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area, a famous kayaking and whitewater rafting location. The site provides an excellent fishery that permits you to practice your fishing skills and capture rainbow and brown trout. You can watch the wildlife in the region, such as rabbits, deer, and squirrels. 

San Luis State Park

San Luis State Park in Alamosa ensures that you can participate in various recreational activities such as boating. Also, you can compete with your companions during a fun hunting session for waterfowl and doves. This park also supports fishing in Coldwater lake, allowing you to enjoy quality time alone or with family. 

Along the Way

Monte L. Beam Life Science Museum

You can drop by the Monte L. Beam Life Science Museum before commencing your Provo to Rio Grande National Forest road trip. The museum has various exhibits showing the Earth's characteristics and how these attributes sustain life on the planet. You can see displays of extinct, endangered, and threatened life forms, including passenger pigeons and a full mount elephant. 

Crystal Geyser

The Crystal Geyser near Green River offers a unique chance to see the cold-water geyser erupting at unpredictable intervals, providing a unique camping location. You can see the attraction accidentally formed in 1935 when a drilling task hit a soda pocket. The noisy eruptions ensure that you will not miss the rare sight, even when sleeping. 

Museum of the Mountain West

The Museum of the Mountain West in Montrose has decades-old antiques and collections that educate visitors on the American West's past and culture. Moreover, you can look at the display of artifacts and historical buildings, enabling you to understand how the town developed. The site also includes teaching programs to suit children, making it a welcoming venue for tourists of all ages. 

Bachelor Loop Historic Tour

You can drive around the scenic 17-mile route and explore former mining sites and abandoned ghost towns from the late 1800s. The tour includes bike-friendly areas, allowing you to enhance your ride by combining exercise and fun. The Bachelor Loop Historic Tour in Creede has multiple interpretive signs that make it comfortable for self-guided trips as you view the surrounding rugged cliffs and ancient forests. 

Wheeler Geologic Area

The Wheeler Geologic Area lies just outside Creede and forms a section of the La Garita Wilderness, delivering scenic vistas. You can walk along the 8.4-mile trail or drive the 14-mile road to appreciate the unique nature. This attraction enables you to view the remarkable outcomes of ancient volcanic activities, including layers of volcanic ash from La Garita Caldera's eruptions around 25 million years ago. 

Main Cities You Will Pass Through

Moab, Utah

Moab has the Slickrock Bike Trail for cyclists to ride along rugged routes with scenic Utah views. You can also take children and family to the Moab Museum to see a range of exhibits telling the town's history. This town also contains the Island in the Sky section of the Canyonlands, allowing you to stop at picturesque overlooks. The dump stations in Moab and the Portal RV Resort campground help you avoid long drives searching for conveniences. 

Durango, Colorado

Durango provides efficient access to the San Juan National Forest in Colorado's southwestern corner. You can visit the historical rail line at the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad or seek thrilling zip line rides at the Soaring Tree Top Adventures. If you travel with kids, you can tour around different museums and galleries like the Animas Museum and Durango Arts Center for artistic and educational trips. In addition, Durango has a few dump stations and campgrounds to make it a welcoming layover on your Provo to Rio Grande National Forest road trip. 

Grand Junction, Colorado

Grand Junction is home to quality museums like the Cross Orchards Historic Site and the Colorado National Monument, which allow you to view impressive red rock canyons. The venue also incorporates stand-up paddleboarding activities on the Colorado River, meeting your needs when accompanied by adventurous friends. Additionally, you can find some Grand Junction dump stations and campgrounds where you can stay in comfort. 

Find Adventure from Provo to Rio Grande National Forest

Find your One-Way Rental

When you follow this road trip itinerary from Provo to Rio Grand National Forest, you will enjoy historic locations and beautiful scenery along the way. If you want to travel in comfort and style, consider an RV rental from RVshare. From large motorhomes to compact campervans, there is a rig that will meet your travel and budget needs. Once you hit the road, you are protected by our renter guarantee and 24/7 roadside assistance. Find the perfect vehicle for your travel needs in Provo or Rio Grande National Forest.