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Hiking the Best of the West's National Parks

16 days, Las Vegas to San Francisco

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The National Park Service (NPS), in cooperation with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), has embarked on a project to rehabilitate the Scenic Drive and multiple parking lots in Capitol Reef National Park. Due to this closure, groups will be unable to visit Cassidy Arch during their visit to Capitol Reef. This closure is expected to last into the fall and does not yet have an expected completion date. Beginning July 8, the Lower Calf Creek Trail will also be closed due to a renovations project. This closure is scheduled to last at least 2 months. During this time alternate hikes will be visited in this park.

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Trip Code: NUSW

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Is this tour for me?

Travel Style: Active

Hiking, trekking, biking, rafting, and kayaking adventures all over the world, made for outdoor types.

Service Level: Camping

Camping most nights with some hotel/hostel stays to start and throughout; affordable public and private transport.

Physical Rating: 4 - Demanding

Some high-altitude hikes or more strenuous activities, but accessible to most healthy travellers.

Trip Type: Small Group

Small group experience; Max 12, avg 10

Age requirement: 12+

All travellers under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

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Before booking, use our handy entry requirements tool so you know which documents you need to enter and travel through the countries on your trip.

View our Entry Requirements tool

This specific trip is no longer running.

Trip Code: NUSW

Need a flight? We can help.

Call us to book your flights! We'll find you the best option!

See how your trip uplifts communities

In a number of impactful ways, your adventure directly benefits the local people and places we visit.

Trees for Days

Help us spread love around the world with Trees for Days. Together with Planeterra, we'll plant one tree in your name for every travel day.

Trees planted for this trip: 16

Ripple Score

Create ripples that change lives. The higher the Ripple Score percentage, the more money stays in the local communities you visit.

Ripple Score for this trip: 78

Map of the route for Hiking the Best of the West's National Parks

Places visited

  • United States

Itinerary

Day 1Las Vegas

Arrive at any time.

Exclusive Inclusions:

Your Welcome Moment Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group

Day 2Las Vegas/Capitol Reef National Park

Travel to Capitol Reef National Park. Known for its geologic monocline, discover the cliffs, canyons, petroglyphs and orchards that make up the park. Learn about the geology and the ancient inhabitants who created the petroglyphs still visible on the cliff walls. After dark, look up at Capitol Reef’s starry night, designated a Gold Tier "International Dark Sky Park".

Meals included:

Dinner

Day 3Capitol Reef National Park/Moab

Set off in the morning to hike through the Waterpocket Fold, an 87 mile "wrinkle" in the earth's surface. Climb through canyons and narrows to reach Cassidy Arch and panoramic views of this natural wonder. In the afternoon, continue to Moab, an adventure capital of the southwest and the gateway to both Canyonlands and Arches National Parks. Depending on the season and if you still have energy, head to Dead Horse State Park to take in the views from one of the most photographed spots in the region.

Meals included:

Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Day 4Canyonlands National Park

Travel to the Needles District of Canyonlands National Park. Stop at Newspaper Rock State Historical Monument, the largest known collection of petroglyphs in the Southwest. Spend the day hiking through desert lands to explore eroded towers of sandstone and fissures in the ground on the Joint Trail to Chesler Park. Return to Moab for a night in the town.

Meals included:

Breakfast | Lunch

Day 5Arches National Park

Rise early for sunrise from Delicate Arch Viewpoint. Enjoy breakfast in the park before exploring the densest concentration of arches in the world. Stand in awe at the over 2,000 sandstone arches ranging in size and shape that make up this park. Take a hike through Devils Garden to Landscape Arch, passing fins and spires en route. Continue to Double O Arch, bouldering over rocks to to reach the pinnacle views. Pass by the famous Balanced Rock, The Windows and Double Arches before heading west to camp for the night.

Meals included:

Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Day 6Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument/Bryce Canyon National Park

Hit the road again, to travel along the scenic highway through the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. Take in the mesas, canyons and arches that make up this diverse geological region. Set off on a hike and discover prehistoric petroglyphs and stunning waterfalls. Opt to cool off in the refreshing waters falling 38m (126 ft) to a natural swimming pool fed from Calf Creek Falls. Continue to Bryce Canyon National Park for the night. After the sun goes down, don't forget to look up to check out this renowned night sky while enjoying s'mores around the fire.

Meals included:

Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Day 7Bryce Canyon National Park/Zion National Park

Set off early in Bryce Canyon National Park, and stare in wonder at the largest collection of hoodoos in the world as the sun rises! Take a hike into the amphitheater of Queen's Garden and Navajo Loop to walk amongst the hoodoos, walls and fins that make up this geological wonder. Continue to Zion National Park, traveling past towering cliffs and massive canyon walls, stopping at several viewpoints along the way. Once in the park hike the switchbacks of Angels Landing to reach sweeping views of the park. Stop at the end of the switchbacks or opt to keep climbing along the cables to the top.

Meals included:

Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Day 8Zion National Park

Spend the day discovering Zion National Park. Visit Observation Point before heading to the valley floor to trek through the river on one of the most popular hikes in the park, the Narrows. Admire monumental sandstone cliffs of cream, pink, and red that tower into the sky and opt to turn around at any point. Experience diverse plant and animal life in this narrow slot canyon as the park transitions from desert to forest. Gaze at the awe-inspiring beauty of the high plateaus, striking towers, temples, mesas, and the earth's tallest-known sheer sandstone walls. After returning to camp, head into the charming town of Springdale to celebrate the accomplishments of the last week.

Meals included:

Breakfast | Lunch

Day 9Zion National Park/Las Vegas

Take the short drive from Zion to Las Vegas. Upon arrival, enjoy free time in Las Vegas. Explore the strip, try your luck at a casino, or take in a glitzy show.

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 10Las Vegas/Sequoia National Park

Leave the bright lights of Las Vegas behind and spend the day travelling through the desert to the granite cliffs and ancient giant trees of Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. Though these two parks were granted National Park status roughly 50 years apart, they are currently managed together by the National Park system. After setting up camp, slow down to relish the natural setting, search the night sky for shooting stars, and roast s'mores around the fire.

Meals included:

Dinner

Day 11Sequoia National Park

Enjoy a full day in Sequoia National Park. Hike the half mile down to General Sherman, at 83 meters (275 feet) high, its the world's largest tree. Continue to trek through the Giant Forest on Congress Trail to see more of these colossal trees. Enjoy a picnic lunch amongst the giant trees. Travel to Buena Vista Peak trailhead to continue to explore this park on foot. At just 2 miles, this round-trip hike packs a punch with 360-degree views from the top of the granite peak to see not only the High Sierra, but also the valley below.

Meals included:

Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Day 12Kings Canyon National Park

Check out Big Stump Grove before taking the iconic drive from Grant Grove with the second largest tree on earth through Kings Canyon to Cedar Grove past granite cliffs and vast valleys. Travel through one of the deepest canyons in the US, that continues to be carved by the Kings River stopping along the way to take it all in. Continue to the end of the road to hike one of the most scenic trails in the park along a cascading river to a 30m (100 ft) waterfall.

Meals included:

Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Day 13Sequoia National Park/Yosemite National Park

Rise early and head out for a final hike in Sequoia National Park. Hike through the trees to the peak of Little Baldy for panoramic vistas of the surrounding Sierra Nevadas. On the road again, travel north through the Sierras to the south entrance of Yosemite National Park and Mariposa Grove. Take the trail through the old growth trees to see the famous Bachelor and Three Graces, and more. Drive further into the park and stop at Tunnel View for iconic sights of Half Dome, El Capitan, and Bridalveil Fall.

Meals included:

Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Day 14Yosemite National Park

From the valley floor, take the park shuttle system to one of the most iconic trails in the park. Hike alongside the Merced River to climb the Mist Trail, getting sprayed by the waters of Vernal Fall. See the water rushing over the edge before crossing the river and climbing the steps to Nevada Fall. Enjoy lunch from the top, taking in the views of the High Sierra including Half Dome, Liberty Cap, Mount Broderick. On the return trip, take the John Muir Trail down to truly understand this visionaries passion for park. Enjoy free time to walk the Lower Yosemite Fall Trail, Bridalveil Fall Trail, or relax under the towering granite monoliths of Half Dome or El Capitan. On the way back to camp, stop at stand in awe of El Capitan, looking for climbers on the sheer rockface.

Meals included:

Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Day 15Yosemite National Park

Today we get off the beaten path for a challenging hike full of switchbacks to bring us face to face with the granite domes and slopes that make this park so iconic. Taking the park shuttle, we begin with a mostly flat walk to Mirror Lake. Seasonally, this lake provides a spectacular reflection of Half Dome. We continue on to the beginning of Snow Creek Trail, a steep climb out of the Valley that delivers views of Half Dome, Quarter Domes and Clouds Rest. Opt to turn around at any point, or continue the strenuous climb as the canyon opens to panoramic vistas culminating at Snow Creek Footbridge. Enjoy the rest the day at your leisure. Relax by the water, check out the Ansel Adams Studio, or rent a bike to continue to explore the park.

Meals included:

Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Day 16Yosemite National Park/San Francisco

Drive from the Sierra Nevadas to the San Francisco Bay. Tour ends on arrival. Onward travel should be booked no earlier than 7pm.

Meals included:

Breakfast
View full itinerary

What's Included

  • Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
  • Petroglyphs at Capitol Reef National Park
  • Stargazing in a Dark Sky Park
  • Capitol Reef National Park Visit
  • Waterpocket Fold to Cassidy Arch Hike
  • Dead Horse Point State Park Sunset
  • Newspaper Rock State Historical Monument Visit
  • Canyonlands National Park Visit
  • Joint Trail and Chesler Park Hike
  • Arches National Park Visit
  • Devils Garden Hike
  • Lower Calf Creek Falls Hike
  • Bryce Canyon National Park Visit
  • Queen's Garden and Navajo Loop Hike
  • Zion National Park Visit
  • Angels Landing Hike
  • Observation Point Hike
  • The Narrows Hike
  • Sequoia Stargazing
  • Sequoia National Park Visit
  • General Sherman Giant Forest Hike
  • Buena Vista Peak Hike
  • Kings Canyon National Park Visit
  • Mist Falls Hike
  • Little Baldy Hike
  • Grizzly Giant Loop Hike
  • Yosemite National Park Visit
  • Mist Trail Hike
  • Snow Creek Trail Hike
  • Entrance fees to all national parks and monuments with hiking and walking excursions
  • Self-inflating mattresses and dome tents
  • All transport between destinations and to/from included activities

Accommodations

Hotel (2 nts), participation camping (13 nts).

Meals

13 breakfasts, 11 lunches, 11 dinners
Allow USD190-250 for meals not included.

Transportation

Air-conditioned private vehicle, hiking, walking.

Staff & experts

1 CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout.

Available extras (Add these to your tour when you book)

My Own Room - From $799.00

If you're travelling solo and would prefer to have your own private room throughout your trip, select this option during the online booking process.

Make it a private tour

Book this tour as a private departure, with your own CEO and all the benefits of a G Adventures group tour.

Hiking the Best of the West's National Parks

| 16 days - Las Vegas to San Francisco - from $3899 USD