Itinerary
- Day 1
Las Vegas to Grand Canyon National Park
Pick up your rental car in Las Vegas and head east past the Hoover Dam into Arizona. The drive takes you straight to Grand Canyon National Park where you'll have the afternoon to walk some of the South Rim trails and catch the light hitting the canyon walls. After settling into your lodge, you've got time to relax before dinner, this being your first of two nights here.
Included Activities
- Drive to Grand Canyon National Park
- Explore South Rim hiking trails
Landmarks Hoover Dam Grand Canyon National Park South Rim - Day 2
Grand Canyon National Park
Get up early to watch the sunrise at the Grand Canyon. You'll see the colors gradually shift from soft pink to deep red as the sun comes up. Spend most of your day hiking through different sections of the canyon to see it from new angles. The light changes throughout the day so you'll want your camera ready for different perspectives.
Included Activities
- Sunrise viewing at Grand Canyon
- Hiking through canyons
Landmarks Grand Canyon National Park - Day 3
Grand Canyon to Monument Valley
Leave early for a long drive north on a fairly remote highway through Arizona. The landscape gradually becomes more striking as you approach the Navajo Nation. You'll reach Monument Valley by late afternoon, that iconic red rock landscape you've probably seen in old western films. Check into your lodge for a two-night stay and take in the views before sunset.
Included Activities
- Drive to Monument Valley
Landmarks Monument Valley - Day 4
Monument Valley
Today is yours to explore the Navajo reservation. You can take an optional jeep tour if you want a guide to explain the distinctive rock formations and learn about the local culture and history. Otherwise, you can wander around on your own and spend time absorbing the landscape. The towering stone mountains create an otherworldly setting no matter how you spend your time.
Optional Activities
- Jeep tour through Navajo Indian reservation
Landmarks Monument Valley - Day 5
Monument Valley to Moab
Take one last look at Monument Valley before heading south to Moab, Utah. It's a small town but well-positioned for exploring the surrounding desert landscape. By evening you'll be settled into your accommodations with time to grab dinner and prepare for a few days of park exploration.
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Included Activities
- Drive to Moab
Landmarks Arches National Park - Day 6
Arches National Park
Head into Arches National Park near Moab to see the red sandstone formations throughout the park. Delicate Arch is the most famous, but you'll also find rock shapes that look like domes, needles, mushrooms, and natural gates scattered across the terrain. Optional activities include mountain biking, hummer tours, or white water rafting if you want something beyond hiking.
Included Activities
- Explore Arches National Park
Optional Activities
- Mountain bike excursion
- Hummer tour
- White water rafting
Landmarks Arches National Park Delicate Arch - Day 7
Moab to Capitol Reef National Park
Travel to Capitol Reef National Park in Utah, about two hours from Moab. The park has well-maintained hiking trails that wind through colorful cliffs and massive stone monoliths. You'll walk through twisting canyons and see graceful rock arches formed over time by a giant fold in the earth's crust. Pick a few trails that match your energy level and spend the day on foot.
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Included Activities
- Drive to Capitol Reef National Park
- Explore hiking trails
Landmarks Capitol Reef National Park - Day 8
Capitol Reef to Bryce Canyon National Park
Drive to Bryce Canyon, one of Utah's most distinctive parks. The rock formations here are completely different from what you've seen so far, with red hoodoos standing like giant sentinels in a key-shaped canyon formation. Walk through the park to see these unique shapes up close and take in the views that inspired both the Paiute people and early settlers centuries ago.
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Included Activities
- Drive to Bryce Canyon National Park
- Explore rock formations
Landmarks Bryce Canyon National Park - Day 9
Bryce Canyon to Zion National Park
Head to Zion National Park in southwestern Utah. The landscape here centers on high plateaus, narrow sandstone canyons, and impressive rock formations carved by the Virgin River. You'll catch views from Angel's Landing viewpoint before checking into your lodge for two nights. The sheer scale of the canyon walls becomes clear as soon as you enter the valley.
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Included Activities
- Drive to Zion National Park
- View Angel's Landing
Landmarks Zion National Park Angel's Landing - Day 10
Zion National Park
Spend the day exploring Zion at a relaxed pace. Pack some food and water, bring your camera, and follow the well-marked trails throughout the park. You can tackle one major hike or do several shorter walks depending on what appeals to you. The trails are clearly signposted so you won't have trouble finding your way around.
Included Activities
- Hiking on park trails
Landmarks Zion National Park - Day 11
Zion National Park to Death Valley
Drive south into Death Valley in the Mojave Desert. This place is known as the lowest point in North America and the landscape is unlike anywhere else you'll visit on this trip. You'll find bizarre rock formations, glowing sand dunes, snow-capped mountains visible in the distance, and vast stretches of undisturbed wilderness. Check into your lodge for two nights.
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Included Activities
- Drive to Death Valley National Park
Landmarks Death Valley National Park - Day 12
Death Valley National Park
Take a relaxing day to explore Death Valley on your own schedule. Drive out to Badwater Basin, the actual lowest point in North America at 282 feet below sea level. After checking that out, return to your hotel which sits right in the middle of the national park, giving you comfortable access to all the park amenities.
Included Activities
- Explore Death Valley
- Visit Badwater Basin
Landmarks Death Valley National Park Badwater Basin - Day 13
Death Valley to Yosemite National Park
Drive to Yosemite National Park through the Sierra Nevada foothills. Once inside, you'll see the massive granite monoliths El Capitan and Half Dome rising from the valley floor. Walk through Yosemite Valley, check out the sequoia groves, and take in the alpine scenery of the high mountains. Settle into your lodge for two nights.
Included Activities
- Drive to Yosemite National Park
- View El Capitan
- View Half Dome
Landmarks Yosemite National Park El Capitan Half Dome Yosemite Valley - Day 14
Yosemite National Park
Spend your day hiking through Yosemite's forests and along the many waterfalls. The park has trails for various skill levels, so pick one that feels right for you. If you're up for something more challenging, consider hiking to Glacier Point for views across the Sierra Nevada that are especially beautiful at sunset or under a full moon.
Included Activities
- Hiking through park landscape
- Explore waterfalls and forests
Optional Activities
- Hike to Glacier Point
Landmarks Yosemite National Park Glacier Point - Day 15
Yosemite to San Francisco
Drive west toward the San Francisco Bay Area. As you approach, the iconic bridges come into view. Spend your final day exploring San Francisco on foot or riding the famous cable cars up and down the hills. You can check out the parks, Victorian architecture, Alcatraz Island, Fisherman's Wharf, Chinatown, and the beaches before heading to the airport to end your road trip.
Included Activities
- Drive to San Francisco
- Explore San Francisco by foot or cable car
Optional Activities
- Visit Alcatraz
- Visit Fisherman's Wharf
- Explore Chinatown
Landmarks San Francisco Bay Area Golden Gate Bridge Alcatraz Fisherman's Wharf Chinatown 
