Best Routes - L.A. to Yellowstone via Zion and Grand Teton

I am planning a trip in June to Yellowstone from L.A., via Zion and Grand Teton. I will be pulling a 29-foot travel trailer, and would like some advice on good routes, especially from Zion to Grand Teton. I am trying to keep the long drive legs to 8 hours or less if possible, and make the hauling of the trailer as painless as possible (minimize steep grades, curvy roads, etc).

The tentative itinerary is to go to Zion for three nights, then on to Grand Teton for three nights, with one overnight to rest in between. I%26#39;m thinking of taking the overnight around the half-way point which would be around Bountiful, UT.

Also, I have heard that it is worthwhile to pass through Jackson Hole, so I may want to do an afternon or other partial day there.

Any advice?

Best Routes - L.A. to Yellowstone via Zion and Grand Teton

Are you going to see the other S. Utah parks; you are so close when at Zion.

Best Routes - L.A. to Yellowstone via Zion and Grand Teton

I%26#39;m not sure how you can get to the Tetons without going through Jackson Hole. The town of Jackson is fun and is worth spending at least an afternoon there.

With three nights in Zion you might be able to head over to Bryce for a day trip. That is as long as you don%26#39;t have to drag your trailer with you. If you do then realize that there is a tunnel just east of the main canyon in Zions which has trailer restrictions. Find out about them before even thinking about taking the trailer.

From Zion just head north on I-15, pretty straight forward. Bountiful would be alright for a break, though Layton or even Brigham city would work. I don%26#39;t know where good RV camps are in the area,,,do you have access to information on any, I can fill you in on the area if you wonder.

From there you have any number of choices. Either to Logan, over the mountain and on to Montpelier- this would be the most scenic, or through Idaho Falls to hwy 26 to Alpine jct. which would probably be the best with the trailer.

kbecjeans: Thannks for the advice. I agree - we are definitely planning on a day trip to Bryce while we are staying in Zion.

I was contemplating going, as you suggest, through Montpelier. Looking a the map, it looks like the 89 to the 189 would work. I have heard it is a scenic route, but I wonder if hauling the trailer is going to be a trial on this route. Is hwy 26 easier in this respect?

Going east at Brigham City on 89 you will go through Sardine Canyon. It has been widened and is generally not a bad road, though it is uphill and then downhill, definitely through the mountains.

Then after Logan you will head up Logan Canyon. This has not been widened and is narrow, windy, fairly long and beautiful.

The trip down into Bear Lake valley has a few hairpin type turns. They aren%26#39;t bad for a car, and I%26#39;m sure trailers take them all the time (semis do for sure).

Then there is the canyon after Montpelier with some fairly steep grades both up and down before arriving in Star Valley.

On the other hand I-15 up to Idaho Falls has only one place I would call mountainous (Malad Pass), and 26 goes around the mountains and through a flat valley.

The trailer would make it either way, but 26 might be less stressful.

Kbecjeans - thanks for all the constructive input. Because of the heavy trailer haul, I%26#39;m going to take your advice and take the hwy 26 route. On this trip, we have some great destinations, so I want to make the travel as easy and safe as possible.