Just back from SD. I'm planning to camp Fri-Sun (26-28th) I'd like to leave early too, 12:30-1 ish. I normally enter FR300 from the west side, so I'll come up 17 to Camp Verde. Then take the 260 up to the T and make a left. The turnoff is 4 miles up on the right side and from there you can drive the whole Rim Road to the Eastern end (28 miles) where Knoll Lake Campgrounds are.