Utah or Colorado? (camping, vacation, best, routes)

[robcin]

Hi all. I would like to go on a little vacation but I am trying to decide whether to go to Utah or Colorado. I've never been to either one but from what I have seen on-line and the books that I have read they both look so nice. I am dying to see mountains and feel what it is like to be in a place that has thin air and low humidity. Can anyone please give me some insight as to where I should go? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks so much.

[Vichel]

Both states are spectacular and I didn't even see half of either of them. What time of year you going? And for how long?

We went in May of 2009 and Utah was hot already but we were in the southern half, I don't know about the northern mountains, they're next on my list. And in Colorado we got wet snow. Pikes Peak sure had thin air! Cold but gorgeous. Durango was cute but I wouldn't say it had low humidity. The Sawatch Range area was amazing.

[StealthRabbit]

Short and sweet... DO a SLC flight, loop NE and hit BearLake Area and Tetons + Yellowstone (especially the beartooth Highway (not so short, but one of best routes in USA )) Beartooth Highway Most small towns allow free camping at park or fairgrounds or use this Free Campgrounds for RVs

Colorado (my home for 25 yrs, and destination this week) is pretty busy / touristy and 'worn-out'. I like the San Juan Mtns, not ez to get to. Much of central and northern Colorado has bad Beetle kill (brown forests).

If you get the chance, I also like Snowy Range (southern Wyo, and un-molested). Free hot spring HoBo pool in Saratoga, WY. Great museum at Encampment. I'm going here tonight (12 Aug) Veedauwo, WY, (after flying into Denver very late). Best meteor shower place around Photo Gallery

I would consider late Sept if you want less crowds and pretty trees (Beartooth and Trail ridge road (colorado) may be closed due to snow in Sept.)

[jasper12]

I would do Southern Utah, go to Arches, Zion, Moab, St. George, go to Lake Powell if you like, take in a quick trip to Vegas if you want some night life. Or just Mesquite.

[BlueWillowPlate]

The Sawatch Range is indeed beautiful, but in terms of Colorado tourism, I agree with everything StealthRabbit said.

Wyoming:
Wyoming reminds me of what Colorado was like when I first moved there in the late 60's.

[Dd714]

You can do both in one trip if you plan properly, but if you want extremely high altitude I would go to Colorodo as they have some of the highest roads in the world and a national park that is almost entirely in the alpine zone.

Utah has some of this but they are more famous for it's breathtakingly beautiful dry western sand and wind carved canyon and valley landscapes.

[Bluesmama]

I'm with Jasper12.