San Francisco to Yellowstone & Las Vegas: 7-Day National Parks Road Tour
Difficulty
moderate
Duration
7 days
Fitness Level
Suitable for travelers in average physical condition; most stops require short walks or boardwalks and minimal scrambling.
Overview
A seven-day road tour that threads San Francisco to Yellowstone, Grand Teton, Antelope Canyon, the Grand Canyon, and Las Vegas. Expect geysers, high-elevation vistas, slot canyons, and long scenic drives—best for travelers who like varied landscapes with light hikes and boardwalks.
San Francisco to Yellowstone & Las Vegas: 7-Day National Parks Road Tour
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The bus pulls away from Union Square at dawn, the city’s glass faces still cool from night. Tires whisper over the Bay Area’s concrete, then climb into the Sierra—the first of many transitions on this seven-day sweep from urban shorelines to high Yellowstone plateaus and the neon edge of Las Vegas. Days on this route move in chapters: Tahoe’s cobalt calm, geyser basins steaming like pages turned, hoodoos cut into impossible shapes, and a final desert drive under Mojave sun.
Adventure Photos
Adventure Tips
Pack layers for rapid temperature changes
Temperatures vary widely—cool mornings in Yellowstone and hot afternoons in the desert—so layering lets you adapt without stopping.
Bring a refillable water bottle
Long drives and dry air, especially through the Mojave and Colorado Plateau, make hydration essential; refill where available.
Protect your camera gear in slot canyons
Sand and narrow walls in Antelope Canyon mean lens cloths and protective covers will preserve optics and speed up shooting.
Prepare for high-altitude mornings
Allow time to acclimatize and avoid intense exertion the first morning at Yellowstone elevations above 7,000 ft.
Local Insights
Wildlife
- Bison (Hayden Valley)
- Elk (Grand Teton and park meadows)
History
The route crosses lands with deep Indigenous histories and later 19th-century westward expansion; Yellowstone became the world’s first national park in 1872, formalizing conservation ideas.
Conservation
Stay on boardwalks and designated trails to protect fragile thermal features and desert soils; avoid single-use plastics and respect park wildlife distances.
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Adventure Hotspots in San Francisco
Frequently Asked Questions
Recommended Gear
Layered jacket (fleece + wind shell)
Warm mornings and windy viewpoints at higher elevations make layers indispensable.
Sturdy walking shoes
Comfortable shoes with traction handle boardwalks, sandy canyon approaches, and short uneven trails.
Refillable 1–2L water bottle with filter
Keeps you hydrated across desert stretches and reduces single-use plastic.
summer specific
Compact tripod and lens cloth
A small tripod stabilizes long exposures in low-light canyons and sunrise vistas; a cloth clears dust and mist.