Canyons, deserts, national parks and big cities: the American West is the ultimate road trip. This two-week loop links Las Vegas, the great parks and California.
Itinerary: a 15-day loop
- Days 1 and 2: Las Vegas, arrival and first night
- Days 3 and 4: The Grand Canyon, from the South Rim
- Day 5: Monument Valley and Page (Horseshoe Bend)
- Days 6 and 7: Bryce Canyon then Zion
- Day 8: Back through Nevada, then Death Valley
- Days 9 and 10: Yosemite National Park, via Tioga Pass when open, otherwise from the west
- Days 11 to 13: San Francisco
- Days 14 and 15: The California coast down to Los Angeles, then departure
When to go
Spring and autumn are ideal: it is mild in the desert parks and less crowded. Summer is very hot, especially in Death Valley, and some mountain roads, such as Tioga Pass in Yosemite, only open in the warm season.
Getting around
A car is essential, and distances are long: expect several hours of driving on some days. A one-way rental (Las Vegas – Los Angeles) saves backtracking, sometimes for an extra fee.
Our tips
- Check entry requirements before leaving (ESTA for most European travellers)
- An annual national parks pass often pays off if you visit several parks
- Some parks require an entry reservation in high season: check in advance
- Start early in the morning: it is cooler and viewpoints are quieter
Plan this trip with Voyage : mon guide
Add each stop with its number of nights: the app creates the days and puts the whole route on an Apple Maps map. Keep viewpoints and hikes in the ideas box, log flights, trains and rentals on the right day, then prepare the trip for offline use before leaving. Once there, Guide mode shows the current day and tonight’s hotel.
Frequently asked questions
Are two weeks enough?
Yes for this loop, at a steady pace. With ten days, drop Yosemite or the California coast.
Which way round should I go?
Both work; starting from Las Vegas lets you see the desert parks before the hottest part of the trip.
Plan this itinerary with Voyage : mon guide.
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