The Ultimate Two-Week American Road Trip: Southwest Wonders and National Parks

Quick Reference Timeline

Week 1: California & Arizona

• San Francisco

• Yosemite National Park

• Death Valley

• Grand Canyon

• Antelope Canyon/Page

Week 2: Utah & Colorado

• Zion National Park

• Bryce Canyon

• Arches National Park

• Rocky Mountain National Park

• Denver

Detailed Itinerary

Week 1: California & Arizona

Days 1-2: San Francisco

Arrival: San Francisco International Airport Drive time to next destination (Yosemite): 4 hours (200 miles)

Begin your journey in San Francisco, where iconic sights pack into a compact city. Start at the Ferry Building, walking north along the Embarcadero toward Fisherman's Wharf. This waterfront promenade offers constant views of the Bay Bridge and Alcatraz Island. By late morning, rent bikes for the quintessential ride across the Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito, returning by ferry for spectacular city skyline views.

Your second day explores the city's distinct neighborhoods. Ride a cable car up the steep hills to Lombard Street's famous curves. Explore North Beach's Italian heritage, followed by dim sum in Chinatown. End your day watching sunset from Twin Peaks, where the entire city spreads out before you, Golden Gate Bridge glowing in the distance.

Days 3-4: Yosemite National Park

Drive time from San Francisco: 4 hours (200 miles) Drive time to next destination (Death Valley): 5 hours (315 miles)

Yosemite Valley's granite walls provide one of the most dramatic entries in any national park. Dedicate your first afternoon to the Valley Floor Loop, offering views of iconic El Capitan and Half Dome. Watch climbers scale El Capitan's massive face through telescopes at El Cap Meadow, then catch sunset at Sentinel Bridge, where Half Dome reflects in the Merced River.

Start your full day early with the Mist Trail to Vernal Falls, one of Yosemite's signature hikes. The afternoon takes you to Glacier Point (seasonal) for spectacular valley views. End at Tunnel View, where legends like Ansel Adams captured the valley's most famous vistas.

Day 5: Death Valley

Drive time from Yosemite: 5 hours (315 miles) Drive time to next destination (Grand Canyon): 4.5 hours (270 miles)

Death Valley's extreme landscape reveals itself best in early morning light. Start at Zabriskie Point for sunrise, when the badlands glow golden. Visit Badwater Basin, North America's lowest point, before the day heats up. The afternoon brings you to the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes, where wind-sculpted dunes create an endless sea of sand.

Depart in late afternoon for Las Vegas, using it as an overnight base before continuing to the Grand Canyon. The Strip's neon landscape provides stark contrast to the natural wonders you've been experiencing.

Days 6-7: Grand Canyon

Drive time from Las Vegas: 4.5 hours (270 miles) Drive time to next destination (Page/Antelope Canyon): 2.5 hours (140 miles)

The Grand Canyon demands an unhurried introduction. Arrive in time for sunset at Mather Point, where fading light creates an ever-changing palette of reds and purples across the canyon's depths. Walk part of the Rim Trail to Grand Canyon Village, getting your first sense of the canyon's immense scale.

Dedicate your full day to exploring the South Rim's highlights. Start early with a hike on the Bright Angel Trail – even going just 1.5 miles to First Rest House provides an unforgettable below-the-rim experience. The afternoon Desert View Drive takes you to less-visited viewpoints along the East Rim. End at Desert View Watchtower, where the canyon opens to views of the Painted Desert beyond.

Day 8: Page & Antelope Canyon

Drive time from Grand Canyon: 2.5 hours (140 miles) Drive time to next destination (Zion): 2.5 hours (150 miles)

The small city of Page provides access to some of the Southwest's most photogenic landscapes. Start with a morning tour of Upper Antelope Canyon, when light beams pierce the narrow slots creating otherworldly scenes. By midday, visit Horseshoe Bend, where the Colorado River makes a dramatic 270-degree turn below red canyon walls.

Lake Powell's blue waters provide stunning contrast to the surrounding desert landscape. Take a short boat tour or simply enjoy the views from Lake Powell overlooks before departing for Zion National Park.

Week 2: Utah & Colorado

Days 9-10: Zion National Park

Drive time from Page: 2.5 hours (150 miles) Drive time to next destination (Bryce): 1.5 hours (75 miles)

Zion's massive sandstone cliffs, colored in shades of cream, pink, and red, create one of the most beautiful canyons in America. Start with the Riverside Walk to the entrance of the Narrows, where the Virgin River has carved a stunning slot canyon. The afternoon shuttle ride through the canyon provides orientation while the Pa'rus Trail offers an easy introduction to the park's beauty.

Your full day allows time for one of Zion's signature hikes. Angels Landing provides thrilling views (if you're comfortable with heights), while the Emerald Pools trails offer a less strenuous but equally scenic option. End your day watching climbers on the Watchman as sunset paints the cliffs in brilliant oranges.

Day 11: Bryce Canyon

Drive time from Zion: 1.5 hours (75 miles) Drive time to next destination (Arches): 4 hours (260 miles)

Bryce Canyon's amphitheater of pink and orange hoodoos creates one of the most unique landscapes in the Southwest. Start at Sunrise Point for early morning views when the rising sun illuminates the rock formations. The Navajo Loop and Queens Garden Trail takes you down among the hoodoos, offering close-up views of these remarkable rock spires.

Leave by mid-afternoon for Arches National Park, arriving in time for sunset at Delicate Arch, the park's most famous formation.

Day 12: Arches National Park

Drive time from Bryce: 4 hours (260 miles) Drive time to next destination (Rocky Mountain): 5.5 hours (350 miles)

Dedicate your morning to exploring Arches' remarkable stone formations. The Windows Section provides easy access to multiple arches, while the Devils Garden Trail offers a more challenging adventure past seven impressive arches. Landscape Arch, one of the world's longest natural stone spans, shows the delicate nature of these formations.

Depart after lunch for your drive toward Rocky Mountain National Park, staying overnight in Grand Junction or Glenwood Springs to break up the journey.

Day 13: Rocky Mountain National Park

Drive time from Arches (with overnight stop): 5.5 hours (350 miles) Drive time to next destination (Denver): 1.5 hours (70 miles)

Trail Ridge Road, the highest paved through-road in any national park, provides your introduction to the Rocky Mountains. This remarkable road crosses the Continental Divide, offering abundant wildlife viewing opportunities and spectacular alpine views. Stop at the Alpine Visitor Center, the highest in the National Park System, for expansive views of the surrounding peaks.

Spend your afternoon exploring the Bear Lake area, where a network of trails connects subalpine lakes reflecting snow-capped peaks. The short hike to Dream Lake offers one of Colorado's most photographed mountain scenes.

Day 14: Denver

Drive time from Rocky Mountain National Park: 1.5 hours (70 miles) Final destination: Denver International Airport

Complete your journey in the Mile High City. The morning allows time to explore downtown Denver's highlights. The 16th Street Mall provides an orientation to downtown, while Union Station showcases how historic buildings can be reimagined for modern use. The Denver Art Museum's distinctive architecture and Native American art collection offer a final cultural experience before departure.

End your trip at Lookout Mountain, where views extend from the plains to the Continental Divide, providing perspective on your remarkable journey through the American West.

This two-week itinerary focuses on the American Southwest's natural wonders, maximizing time in the national parks while keeping driving distances manageable. While some iconic locations had to be omitted, this route provides an unforgettable introduction to America's most spectacular landscapes.

Travel Tips:

• Book park accommodations months in advance

• Get a National Parks Annual Pass ($80) - it pays for itself on this trip

• Start days early to avoid crowds and afternoon heat

• Carry plenty of water, especially in desert areas

• Check road conditions and park alerts before traveling

• Build in flexibility for weather or unexpected discoveries

• Best seasons: Late spring or early fall for moderate temperatures