Seeking suggestions for OR to AZ drive

SA

Sagefemme

Senior Member
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May 20, 2024
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145
Location
Western Oregon
I am hoping some of you experienced truck camper folks might help me plan a route from the central Willamette Valley, OR, to Phoenix, AZ. Long story short this was supposed to happen in March but a work crisis for my husband squashed that plan. We are going to try again for April! He does not have unlimited time and will fly direct to and from Phoenix. I will drive our FWC (Hawk, flatbed) and pick him up at the airport in Phoenix at 6 pm on flight day (T-0).

It's about 1200 miles. I will be by myself. I would like to boondock but I'm ok with campgrounds, too. I'd like to spend my evenings and nights someplace pretty and not thronged with crowds of people. I don't mind being completely alone. I'm ok with some off pavement driving but no skills for anything technical. We have had our camper less than a year and this will be the longest trip we have done (we will have 9 days together in AZ before he has to fly back home). I'll be driving home after his flight leaves.

My questions: How would you do this drive? When should I leave home (time zero minus X days) to have a reasonable driving burden each day? Maybe 400 miles per day for 3 days? Or 300 per day for 4 days? I can take as much time as I want. The big question is what should my destination be each afternoon/evening? I realize ideal camping spots are not going to be exactly 400 miles apart!!

Any and all suggestions welcome! Also if responses are many I can concoct one route for southbound and a second for northbound. Thanks in advance!!
 
There are so many routes to choose from…. If it were me, I’d pick a route that took me to Boise. Then to Twin Falls, and south to Jackpot Nevada. You’ll be on US 93.

At Jackpot, Cactus Pete’s casino has a large rv park that has power. The lower portion of the has bath rooms and showers. About $20 cash per night. Register at the desk.

Continue south on 93, through Ely, down to the area around Panaca. Cathedral Gorge SP is nearby, and while you probably won’t find a site, I suspect they still allow overflow near the group site, and near the main trail for day use. Kershaw Ryan SP is 30ish miles further south, near Caliente. Nice box canyon, clean, quiet.

Continue south on 93, through Lost Wages (Las Vegas), through Kingman and on. Burro creek campground is maybe 80 miles from Kingman, and might be a good last camp before Phoenix.

You could also take the route through Winnemucca, Battle Mountain, Austin (several CGs in that area), Tonopah (where you pick up US 95), then through LV to US 93.
 
Thank you! Very helpful. Looking at the map I could get to Burns, Oregon on the first day (258 miles). To Jackpot on the second day (360 miles). To Panaca on the third day (325 miles) and I could reserve a campsite at Cathedral Gorge (there are a few available). To Burro Creek on the fourth day (348 miles) where there is also availability of a campsite. Then an easy cruise to Phoenix (124 miles). Those seem like very doable drives each day, nothing crazy.

Still collecting ideas, if anyone has 'em.
 
Yes I see that, but I would prefer to get further on day one if I can. I see that on route 20, east of Buchanan, is lots of BLM land, so maybe that would do. That would be approx 5 hours of driving on day one.
 
Really depends on how comfortable you are camping alone out away from everything, and how scenic a route you want. A great route we have taken from Seattle is down first night east of Mitchell, Oregon so we can enjoy the brewpub there, as well as the Painted Hills. We camp at a forest service campground about 10 miles east of Mitchell, about 5 miles off the highway. Paved rd all the way to the campground. Then on to Boise and follow W Sagebrush's advice from there.

Here is the campground East of Mitchell. Usually only one or two people there.
maps.app.goo.gl

Barnhouse Campground · NF-12, Mitchell, OR 97750

âââââ · Campground
maps.app.goo.gl maps.app.goo.gl
 
GflGdog said:
Really depends on how comfortable you are camping alone out away from everything, and how scenic a route you want. A great route we have taken from Seattle is down first night east of Mitchell, Oregon so we can enjoy the brewpub there, as well as the Painted Hills. We camp at a forest service campground about 10 miles east of Mitchell, about 5 miles off the highway. Paved rd all the way to the campground. Then on to Boise and follow W Sagebrush's advice from there.

Here is the campground East of Mitchell. Usually only one or two people there.
maps.app.goo.gl

Barnhouse Campground · NF-12, Mitchell, OR 97750

âââââ · Campground
maps.app.goo.gl maps.app.goo.gl
Click to expand...
I've eaten in that brewpub in Mitchell. During COVID, when Wheeler County was one of the few counties in Oregon with no reported cases!

I'm pretty comfortable being out on my own in ordinary circumstances, i.e. nothing is going wrong. If I get a flat or similar of course I'll wish I was in civilization. As for scenic vs expedient you always think you want scenic until you start getting antsy about how much longer it's taking. I do find route 20 between Burns and Ontario is quite scenic. Also winding and slow!

My "real" trip doesn't start until I pick up my husband in Phoenix, so I'm guessing I'll want somewhat faster driving routes mostly between Oregon and Arizona.
 
we just did the pdx to phoenix trip in a van , about 6 wks ago. we like the pdx to burns to winnemucca then down to austin, then on thru vegas, etc. i dont have specific camping sites, but we really like the drive from burns on down - very scenic - and much different than the willamette valley, which i think you reside :) . my experience, is that i/we always have camp sites figured out - on the second drive thru an area.
 
Ok. How about this route. Head to Burns. Just west of burns we camped on a small road called wagontire road, there is an abandoned Conservation Core Camp there from prior to WWII. Then head to Elko, and camp at Lamoille Canyon. If you havent been to Lamoille canyon, this is a must visit. Then on to Ely, we camped at a historic site about 10+ miles south of Ely called Ward Charcoal Ovens. Very nice, out in the junipers. Then on down to vegas area, and after that Phoenix. Can include links or photos if you like.
 
GflGdog said:
Ok. How about this route. Head to Burns. Just west of burns we camped on a small road called wagontire road, there is an abandoned Conservation Core Camp there from prior to WWII. Then head to Elko, and camp at Lamoille Canyon. If you havent been to Lamoille canyon, this is a must visit. Then on to Ely, we camped at a historic site about 10+ miles south of Ely called Ward Charcoal Ovens. Very nice, out in the junipers. Then on down to vegas area, and after that Phoenix. Can include links or photos if you like.
Click to expand...
Lamoille Canyon sounds fantastic. Do you happen to remember where you camped?

I just put the iOverlander app on my phone. I'll have to figure out how to use it.
 
So Lamoille Canyon road ends up the canyon a ways, with bathrooms and trails. The first campground you come to is maybe 1-2 miles up, its boondocking. Its on the road to Camp Lamoille, but on a small dirt road to the left. after you turn onto the Camp Lamoille road. Below the main road, on the left. You will see it after you pass it lol. The next 2 are Thomas and Terrace. Thomas is the one we stayed at. The canyon is incredible.
IMG_20240608_105600.jpg



We happened to drive up and get a spot at Thomas. It does get busy. As a fall back, there is another campground on the road back to Elko called East Campground at South Fork Reservoir. We went there to take advantage of their hot showers which were great.

maps.app.goo.gl

East Campground · E Campground Rd, Spring Creek, NV 89815

âââââ · Campground
maps.app.goo.gl maps.app.goo.gl

Be patient with iOverlander. It can be sluggish but it is a fantastic resource for all things overlanding.
 
Thank you! That's so helpful. My current plan is as follows:

Day 0ne: Eugene to BLM land south of Burns (Ten Cent Lake or Borax Lake, Hwy 78) ~350 miles
Day Two: Some Lake to Lamoille Canyon, NV 310 miles
Day Three: Lamoille Canyon to Cathedral Gorge State Park 287 miles. I have a res at a campground.
Day Four: Cathedral Gorge to Burro Creek Campground, AZ 340 miles. I have a res at a campground.
Day Five: Burro Creek to Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport. 128 miles.

Thank you Wandering Sagebrush for the suggestions, and GflGdog for guidance, and links.

This is more time spent getting to my destination, and more miles (1400 rather than 1230) than if I went I-5 and 10 East through California, a route I've driven before, but i think it will be new and not TOO ambitious for the miles driven each day. I am the only driver, after all!
 
I like your plan, and the trip will be much more enjoyable and memorable compared to I5 and I10 route! You might go onto the website for Lamoille canyon and reserve a spot at Thomas Campground. Otherwise its the show up and hope to grab a spot. Also confirm it is open for the year, as it is in the Ruby Mountains. Could still have some snow! If its snowed in, there is the South Fork Reservoir East Campground as a safety.
Cathedral Gorge is really a neat spot too. Havent been to Burro Creek, but its now on the list!
 
Well, sorry I am a bit late to the discussion. We have made the same trip, from Portland to Phoenix several times to visit relatives in the Phoenix area. So here are our tried and truly enjoyed suggestions:

Leg 1: Start in the late morning, take a leisurely drive to Summer Lake Hot Springs, for some hot tub/pool soaking in a friendly environment, camp on-site in the 'back-40' dispersed area. You will need this hot tub soak to set you up for the long drive on Leg 2.

Leg 2: Drive from Summer Lake, through Winnemucca, to just east of Austin, Nevada and spend the night at the Hickison Petroglyph area campground. You can get a nice hike to stretch your travel cramped legs.

Leg 3: Drive almost due south to Tecopah hot springs and enjoy another well deserved soak in the gender separated hot spring pool. $20 plus $5 to camp right across the quiet road.

Leg 4: Drive to Phoenix to collect your spouse.
 

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AWG_Pics said:
Well, sorry I am a bit late to the discussion. We have made the same trip, from Portland to Phoenix several times to visit relatives in the Phoenix area. So here are our tried and truly enjoyed suggestions:

Leg 1: Start in the late morning, take a leisurely drive to Summer Lake Hot Springs, for some hot tub/pool soaking in a friendly environment, camp on-site in the 'back-40' dispersed area. You will need this hot tub soak to set you up for the long drive on Leg 2.

Leg 2: Drive from Summer Lake, through Winnemucca, to just east of Austin, Nevada and spend the night at the Hickison Petroglyph area campground. You can get a nice hike to stretch your travel cramped legs.

Leg 3: Drive almost due south to Tecopah hot springs and enjoy another well deserved soak in the gender separated hot spring pool. $20 plus $5 to camp right across the quiet road.

Leg 4: Drive to Phoenix to collect your spouse.
Click to expand...
Great route as well!
 
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