Best of the West: 11-Day National Parks Tour from Las Vegas to San Francisco
Difficulty
moderate
Duration
11 days
Fitness Level
Suitable for travelers in average fitness; optional strenuous hikes like Angels Landing require good balance and stamina.
Overview
An 11-day private journey through the American West’s greatest parks, from Zion’s red cliffs to Yosemite’s granite domes. This guided, lodging-included tour pairs iconic vistas with local guides and optional adventures like a Navajo 4x4 in Monument Valley.
Best of the West: 11-Day National Parks Tour from Las Vegas to San Francisco
Select participants and date
You step off the bus in the thin, high air of Bryce before dawn and the hoodoos are already turning from ochre to flame. On day one you left the neon glare of Las Vegas behind, trading slot machines and striplights for canyon walls that rise like folded maps. Over the next 11 days the landscape shifts as dramatically as the light: towering sandstone fins at Zion, the alcoves and arches of Arches and Canyonlands, the wide, wind-sculpted flats of Monument Valley, the vertiginous rim of the Grand Canyon and the lunar salt pans of Death Valley, before alpine domes and waterfalls announce Yosemite and the final hum of San Francisco.
Adventure Photos
Adventure Tips
Start parks at sunrise
Arrive at viewpoints early to avoid crowds and capture the best light for photography.
Layer for extremes
Temperatures vary widely between deserts and high passes—pack a warm mid-layer and a wind shell.
Hydrate on long drives
Carry at least 2 liters of water per person for desert days and refill at lodges when possible.
Respect cultural sites
Follow your guide’s instructions at Navajo lands and trading posts; photography and access rules may apply.
Local Insights
Wildlife
- Desert bighorn sheep
- Mule deer
History
The route threads historic landscapes: Navajo homelands in Monument Valley, mining-era towns near Death Valley and Gold Rush-era routes that shaped California and Nevada.
Conservation
Parks along this itinerary face pressures from visitation and fragile desert ecosystems—stick to trails, pack out waste, and follow local guidance to minimize impact.
Select participants and date
Adventure Hotspots in Las Vegas
Frequently Asked Questions
Recommended Gear
Broken-in hiking shoes
Sturdy, comfortable shoes handle rocky trails and short canyon scrambles.
Sun protection (hat, SPF, sunglasses)
Desert sun is intense—protect skin and eyes during midday stops.
summer specific
Insulating layer and wind shell
Cold mornings at higher elevations and windy viewpoints call for warm, packable layers.
fall specific
Daypack with 2L water reservoir
Keeps essentials, snacks and water accessible during park walks and photo stops.