Itineraries
Redwall Cavern, Colorado River
Below you will find itineraries for many of our trips through the West. They combine several destinations into trips of roughly 1 – 2 weeks and feature lots of physically exhilarating experiences. I’ve included detailed information for each day about activities, lodging, tours, and travel, as well as the rough costs for 2 people (food, gas, gear & incidentals are not included). Lodging choices we made for each day are shown, and, in most locations, can be changed if desired. Also note that, for trips including a major tour (i.e., Grand Canyon Rafting), where we absolutely must arrive on time, we usually add a day or two at the beginning to allow for airline snafus.
You can download an itinerary as an Excel spreadsheet and modify it to your needs. Or, you can view it as a PDF on line. Accompanying the itinerary are important points – i.e., trip synopsis, best seasons to visit, total cost for 2 people, total driving distance, activity level of difficulty – as well as a Google map with the destinations, routes, and points of interest to help orient you. Before your trip, you can save the PDF to your phone to reference it while you are traveling. (For iPhones: download or save the PDF to your computer, email it to yourself, open the email on your iPhone, and save the PDF attachment to the Books app where you can access it.)
Our trips tend to balance the desire to see as many destinations as possible with the aspiration to get to know a place and not just do a drive-by. We know that these trips mean being on the move, undertaking strenuous activities, rising early, and driving long distances. As a result, we’ve learned that staying in some locations for more than a day allows for an enhanced experience and a chance to get some rest. After discovering the awe and joy from being in many of these places, like us, you may decide to make more than one visit.
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Grand Canyon NP & Northern Arizona
Synopsis … This is an extended, immersive experience of the Grand Canyon. You will be rafting 188 miles through the Inner Gorge on the wild Colorado river, hiking down through the canyon layers on world-renowned trails from the North and South Rims, as well as gazing out over the stupendous vastness of it all from the iconic overlooks. You will also get a taste of nearby Northern Arizona hikes and sights. This is a highly physical, but immensely rewarding, adventure of a lifetime.
Travel Note … It’s best to fly into Phoenix Sky Harbor rather than Las Vegas Harry Reid. This is because you will drive to Page, AZ for the first few days of the trip and then continue to Marble Canyon Lodge, which is the gathering point near Lees Ferry where the rafting trip begins. Right after rafting you will take a small plane back to the Marble Canyon airstrip to retrieve your car and continue on your journey. Note: people only doing the rafting usually fly into Las Vegas, and then take a small plane from Boulder, NV to and from Marble Canyon.
Trip Sequence
- Page, AZ
- Grand Canyon NP Rafting
- Kanab – Toroweap Overlook
- Grand Canyon NP North Rim
- Grand Canyon NP South Rim
- Sedona, AZ
Itinerary
Click to access AWB-Itinerary-Grand-Canyon-NP-N-AZ-.pdf
- Best Seasons … Spring & Fall
- For this wide range of desert elevations, these months have the best chance at reasonable temps and precipitation.
- July – mid-September is monsoon season in the Southwest
- In the Spring there is less chance of encountering wildfire smoke.
- The North Rim generally closes on October 15 due to onset of winter weather.
- Mid-late May might be the sweet spot.
- Climate in May
- Page, AZ …………………………. Avg. High 81 F, Avg. Low 56 F, Avg. Precip. 0.30 in./mo., Avg. Elevation 4,100 ft.
- Grand Canyon Inner Gorge … Avg. High 92 F, Avg. Low 63 F, Avg. Precip. 0.36 in./mo., Avg. Elevation 2,500 ft.
- Toroweap Overlook ………….. Avg. High 77 F, Avg. Low 55 F, Avg. Precip. 0.50 in./mo., Avg. Elevation 4,600 ft.
- Grand Canyon North Rim ….. Avg. High 62 F, Avg. Low 34 F, Avg. Precip. 1.17 in./mo., Avg. Elevation 8,300 ft.
- Grand Canyon South Rim ….. Avg. High 70 F, Avg. Low 39 F, Avg. Precip. 0.66 in./mo., Avg. Elevation 7,000 ft.
- Sedona ………………………….. Avg. High 86 F, Avg. Low 53 F, Avg. Precip. 0.60 in./mo., Avg. Elevation 4,400 ft.
- Trip Duration … 14 Days
- Total Cost for 2 … $14,500
- Total Rafting Distance … 188 miles
- Total Driving Distance … 940 miles
Grand Canyon NP & California NPs
Synopsis … Raft through the Inner Gorge of the Grand Canyon for 188 miles on a physical and immensely rewarding adventure with experiences and sights that few people ever encounter. Top it off with another week hiking and gawking in three of California’s stunning national parks. This is a smorgasbord of wilderness wonders – a raging river in a mile deep canyon, the lowest and hottest point in North America (Badwater Basin, Death Valley NP), some of the biggest trees on earth (Sequoia NP), the tallest monolith in the world (El Capitan, Yosemite, NP), and more.
Travel Note … You will fly into Las Vegas Harry Reid and then take a small plane from Boulder, NV to the Marble Canyon Lodge airstrip to begin the rafting trip. After rafting, you will return to Boulder by small plane and then bus to Las Vegas to embark on your the road trip to the California national parks. Travel northwest from Las Vegas to Death Valley NP, southwest around the bottom of the Sierra Nevada mountain region, and then north to Sequoia and Yosemite, before heading west to fly out of San Francisco International.
Trip Sequence
- Grand Canyon NP Rafting
- Death Valley NP
- Sequoia NP
- Yosemite NP
Itinerary
Click to access AWB-Itinerary-Grand-Canyon-CA-NPs.pdf
- Best Seasons … May, June, September
- For this combination of desert and mountain climates, these months have the best chance to get reasonable temps and precipitation.
- July – mid-September is monsoon season in the Southwest
- In the Spring there is less chance of encountering wildfire smoke.
- Early – mid-June might be the sweet spot.
- Climate in June
- Grand Canyon Inner Gorge … Avg. High 101 F, Avg. Low 72 F, Avg. Precip. 0.30 in./mo., Avg. Elevation 2,500 ft.
- Death Valley NP ………………. Avg. High 100 F, Avg. Low 72 F, Avg. Precip. 0.1 in./mo., Lowest Elevation 282 ft. below sea level
- Sequoia NP …………………….. Avg. High 59 F, Avg. Low 33 F, Avg. Precip. 1.0 in./mo. (residual snow likely), Elevation 1,400 – 14,500 ft.
- Yosemite NP – Valley ………………….. Avg. High 81 F, Avg. Low 51 F, Avg. Precip. 0.7 in./mo., Avg. Elevation 4,000 ft.
- Yosemite NP – Half Dome Summit … Avg. High 67 F, Avg. Low 35 F, Elevation 8,839 ft.
- Yosemite NP – Glacier Point …………. Avg. High 71 F, Avg. Low 39 F, Elevation 7,214 ft.
- Trip Duration … 14 Days
- Total Cost for 2 … $13,500
- Total Rafting Distance … 188 miles
- Total Driving Distance … 940 miles
Northern Arizona Loop
Synopsis … This is an experience of five amazing Northern Arizona desert destinations for a physically active, but moderately strenuous adventure. A few hikes are rated as hard, but you can dial back the exertion, and substitute some more relaxing activities. You will encounter a great mix of national parks (Grand Canyon, Petrified Forest), tribal lands (Monument Valley), and the classic desert landscapes of Page and Sedona.
Travel Note … Fly into Phoenix Sky Harbor, the major airport most proximate to the Northern Arizona region. Another option is to fly into Flagstaff Pulliam (FLG), which is closer to Northern AZ destinations, but offers fewer travel options at greater cost.
Trip Sequence
- Sedona, AZ
- Petrified Forest NP
- Monument Valley, UT
- Page, AZ
- Grand Canyon NP South Rim
Itinerary
Click to access AWB-Itinerary-Northern-AZ-Loop.pdf
- Best Seasons … Spring & Fall
- For this range of desert loctions, these months have the best chance at reasonable temps and precipitation.
- July – mid-September is monsoon season in the Southwest
- In the Spring there is less chance of encountering wildfire smoke.
- Mid-late September might be the sweet spot.
- Climate in September
- Sedona …………………………. Avg. High 91 F, Avg. Low 61 F, Avg. Precip. 1.9 in./mo., Avg. Elevation 4,400 ft.
- Petrified Forest NP …………………… Avg. High 84 F, Avg. Low 53 F, Avg. Precip. 1.2 in./mo., Avg. Elevation 5,800 ft.
- Monument Valley …………… Avg. High 83 F, Avg. Low 59 F, Avg. Precip. 0.7 in./mo., Avg. Elevation 5,500 ft.
- Page, AZ ……………………….. Avg. High 86 F, Avg. Low 62 F, Avg. Precip. 0.6 in./mo., Avg. Elevation 4,100 ft.
- Grand Canyon South Rim … Avg. High 76 F, Avg. Low 43F, Avg. Precip. 1.4 in./mo., Avg. Elevation 7,000 ft.
- Trip Duration … 12 Days
- Total Cost for 2 … $6,100
- Total Driving Distance … 1,020 miles
Southern Utah – Big 5 NPs, Kanab & Boulder
Synopsis … If you want to get to know Utah’s quintessential “Big 5” national parks and, along the way, experience some of the other unforgettable natural treasures in Southern Utah and Northern Arizona, this trip is for you. This is a journey chock full of physically demanding day hikes, offset by more relaxing scenic drives and tours. Enjoy the national parks, as well as some of the best destinations the desert southwest has to offer, including the Vermillion Cliffs and Grand Staircase Escalante National Monuments, Dead Horse Point State Park, and more.
Travel Note … Because this trip begins in southwest Utah near the Arizona border, and ends in Moab on the opposite (east-central) side of the state, I recommend flying into Salt Lake City International, rather than Las Vegas Harry Reid. The drives from Salt Lake City to Southwest Utah, and from Moab back to Salt Lake, are each on the long side (roughly 5 and 4 hours, respectively). However, driving from Moab to fly out of Las Vegas takes almost 7 hours, a tall order on the last day of a long, physical trip.
Trip Sequence
- Kanab, UT – White Pocket & Toroweap Overnight
- Zion NP
- Bryce Canyon NP
- Burr Trail Road & Capitol Reef NP
- Arches NP
- Canyonlands NP – White Rim Road
- Dead Horse Point State Park
Itinerary
Click to access AWB-Itinerary-S-UT-Big-5-NPs-Kanab-Boulder.pdf
- Best Seasons … Spring & Fall
- For this range of desert loctions & elevations, these months have the best chance at reasonable temps and precipitation.
- July – mid-September is monsoon season in the Southwest
- In the Spring there is less chance of encountering wildfire smoke.
- Mid-late May might be the sweet spot.
- Climate in May
- Kanab, UT …………………………… Avg. High 78 F, Avg. Low 44 F, Avg. Precip. 2.0 in./mo., Avg. Elevation 5,000 ft.
- Toroweap Overlook ……………… Avg. High 77 F, Avg. Low 55 F, Avg. Precip. 1.0 in./mo., Avg. Elevation 4,760 ft.
- Zion NP ……………………………… Avg. High 83 F, Avg. Low 52 F, Avg. Precip. 0.7 in./mo., Elevation 4,000 – 6,000 ft.
- Bryce Canyon NP …………………. Avg. High 62 F, Avg. Low 32 F, Avg. Precip. 3.0 in./mo., Avg. Elevation 9,100 ft.
- Escalante, UT ……………………… Avg. High 75 F, Avg. Low 41 F, Avg. Precip. 2.0 in./mo., Avg. Elevation 5,800 ft.
- Moab, UT & Canyonlands NP … Avg. High 90 F, Avg. Low 56 F, Avg. Precip. 1.0 in./mo., Avg. Elevation 4,000 ft. – 6,000
- Trip Duration … 16 Days
- Total Cost for 2 … $9,800
- Total Driving Distance … 1,200 miles
Southern Utah – Zion NP, Kanab, Escalante & Moab
Synopsis … This is another version of the Southern Utah experience traveling from the southwest part of the state to Moab in the east, but this time with more immersion in Zion and Canyonlands National Parks. In addition, you will enjoy fabulous hiking in Vermillion Cliffs National Monument (near Kanab in Northern Arizona) and Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument, where most people don’t take the time visit. This trip also has a hefty mix of moderate and hard hikes in some of the most renowned desert southwest locations.
Travel Note … Like the “Big 5” trip above, this begins in southwest Utah and ends in Moab on the east-central side of the state bordering Colorado. I recommend flying into Salt Lake City International rather than Las Vegas Harry Reid. The drives from Salt Lake to Southern Utah and back are on the long side (roughly 5 and 4 hours, respectively). However, driving from Moab to fly out of Las Vegas takes about 7 hours, a tall order on the last day of a long, physical journey.
Trip Sequence
- Zion NP & Vicinity
- Kanab, UT – Buckskin Gulch & South Coyote Buttes
- Escalante, UT – Kodachrome Basin SP, Scenic Rt. 12 & Grand Staircase
- Canyonlands NP – Needles District Overnight
- Moab, UT – Dead Horse Point SP & Vicinity
Itinerary
Click to access AWB-Itinerary-S-UT-Zion-Kanab-Escalante-Moab.pdf
- Best Seasons … Spring & Fall
- For this range of desert loctions & elevations, these months have the best chance at reasonable temps and precipitation.
- July – mid-September is monsoon season in the Southwest
- In the Spring there is less chance of encountering wildfire smoke.
- Mid-late May might be the sweet spot.
- Climate in May
- Zion NP ……………………………… Avg. High 83 F, Avg. Low 52 F, Avg. Precip. 0.7 in./mo., Elevation 4,000 – 6,000 ft.
- Kanab, UT …………………………… Avg. High 78 F, Avg. Low 44 F, Avg. Precip. 2.0 in./mo., Avg. Elevation 5,000 ft.
- Bryce Canyon NP …………………. Avg. High 62 F, Avg. Low 32 F, Avg. Precip. 3.0 in./mo., Avg. Elevation 9,100 ft.
- Moab, UT & Canyonlands NP … Avg. High 90 F, Avg. Low 56 F, Avg. Precip. 1.0 in./mo., Avg. Elevation 4,000 ft. – 6,000
- Trip Duration … 12 Days
- Total Cost for 2 … $8,300
- Total Driving Distance … 1,100 miles
Southern Utah – Capitol Reef NP, Kanab, Escalante & Zion NP
Synopsis … South central Utah is often overshadowed by the more famous destinations in the southwest and southeast part of the state, such as Zion National Park and the Moab area. But make no mistake, there are wilderness treasures waiting in places like the more remote Capitol Reef.National Park and surrounding areas, all with much less congestion to worry about. It’s also an opportunity to spend more time in the stunning and wild Grand Staircase Escalante Nation Monument, just to the west of Capitol Reef. On the way back to Las Vegas, round out your adventure with some brief, but wonderful, experiences in Vermillion Cliffs National Monument and Zion National Park. All in all, this is an opportunity for a deeper and unfettered taste of southern Utah.
Travel Note … It’s a tossup whether to fly into Las Vegas or Salt Lake City for this trip. I prefer Las Vegas (Harry Reid International) because the drive back to the airport on the last day is shorter (2 hours 45 minutes), leaving more time for activities before flying home. However, the drive to Capitol Reef on the front end of trip is a long one (about 5 hours) after being on a plane, although driving from Salt Lake City is only about 90 minutes shorter.
Trip Sequence
- Capitol Reef NP & Vicinity
- Escalante, UT – Grand Staircase & Vicinity
- Kanab, UT – White Pocket Overnight
- Zion NP & Vicinity
Itinerary
Click to access AWB-Itinerary-S-UT-Cap-Reef-Kanab-Escalante-Zion.pdf
- Best Seasons … Spring & Fall
- For this range of desert loctions & elevations, these months have the best chance at reasonable temps and precipitation.
- July – mid-September is monsoon season in the Southwest
- In the Spring there is less chance of encountering wildfire smoke.
- Like May, October is an optimal time to get lower precipitation with cooler temps, especially for hikes in Capitol Reef & Grand Staircase. Although there may be wildfire smoke to contend with, it’s also when the yellows and oranges of the fall foliage add a wonderful accent to the already breathtaking Southern Utah terrain.
- Climate in October
- Capitol Reef NP …… Avg. High 65 F, Avg. Low 41 F, Avg. Precip. 0.8 in./mo., Avg. Elevation 4,000 – 6,000 ft.
- Escalante, UT ………. Avg. High 68 F, Avg. Low 36 F, Avg. Precip. 1.3 in./mo., Avg. Elevation 5,800 ft.
- Cedar Breaks NM … Avg. High 50 F, Avg. Low 35 F, Avg. Precip. 1.9 in./mo., Avg. Elevation 10,000 ft.
- Kanab, UT ………….. Avg. High 72 F, Avg. Low 40 F, Avg. Precip. 1.4 in./mo., Avg. Elevation 5,000 ft.
- Zion NP …………….. Avg. High 66 F, Avg. Low 39 F, Avg. Precip. 0.9 in./mo., Elevation 4,000 – 6,000 ft.
- Trip Duration … 12 Days
- Total Cost for 2 … $7,900
- Total Driving Distance … 1,030 miles
Mountain West – Grand Teton & Yellowstone NPs
Synopsis … This is a classic 13 day adventure in the archetypal Mountain West national parks, Grand Teton and Yellowstone. They are only about a 2 hour drive from one another so, if you can, visit them both in the same trip. You will see that this journey starts with a few days in Grand Teton, moves to Yellowstone for several days, and then returns to Grand Teton for a couple days near the end. We found this to be a great way to vary the experience, while allowing a detour to Craters of the Moon National Monument in Idaho on the last day, during the return drive to Salt Lake City. The majority of the activities are on the easy side with a few that are more moderate. We did include one hike that is very hard (Delta Lake in Grand Teton), but there are lots of easier alternatives available. Finally, it is possible to combine the first 9 days of this trip with the Glacier National Park Itinerary below for a truly mind-blowing 17 day Mountain West excursion. Many Glacier Hotel, where we recommend staying, is about a 6 – 7 hour drive from Gardiner, MT (about 3 miles north of Yellowstone’s north entrance). Alert: this is bear country. Get educated and rent bear spray.
Travel Note … Fly into Salt Lake City International, the major airport most proximate to the Northwest Wyoming region. Another option is to fly into Jackson Airport (JAC), which is much closer to Grand Teton and Yellowstone, but offers fewer travel options at roughly twice the cost. Note: if you combine the Glacier itinerary below with the first 9 days of this trip, you would fly into Salt Lake City (or Jackson Hole) and fly out of Kalispell, MT.
Trip Sequence
- Grand Teton NP
- Yellowstone NP / Cody, WY
- Grand Teton NP
- Craters of the Moon NM
Itinerary
Click to access AWB-Itinerary-Grand-Teton-Yellowstone.pdf
- Best Seasons … Summer
- For hiking and driving, summer is best. This was the experience we desired. If you are a skier, or a fan of snowy landscapes, then winter is obviously the ticket in this region. However, being in these higher elevations during colder months will offer a fundamentally different experience.
- All but late spring to early fall will mean restricted travel and closures due to snow.
- In the summer there is a good chance of encountering wildfire smoke.
- Late July or early August is the sweet spot for a summer trip to Northwest Wyoming, with comfortable temps and precipitation.
- Climate in July
- Grand Teton NP …… Avg. High 77 F, Avg. Low 41 F, Avg. Precip. 1.2 in./mo., Elevation 6,300 – 13,700 ft (summit of Grand Teton).
- Yellowstone NP ….. Avg. High 73 F, Avg. Low 39 F, Avg. Precip. 1.0 in./mo., Elevation 7,000 – 8,500 ft.
- Trip Duration … 13 Days
- Total Cost for 2 … $8,500
- Total Driving Distance … 1,700 miles
Mountain West – Glacier NP
Synopsis … Known as the Alps of North America, Glacier National Park is a beauty. It’s fairly remote, but still gets 3 million visitors per year. In contrast to our other itineraries, this one entails lodging in one place for the entire trip, so you will spend much less time and energy driving between destinations. However, Glacier is a hiking mecca, so there are ample opportunities to get out and see the impeccable wilderness. We recommend staying in the Many Glacier section of the park, where a plethora of fabulous trails are easily accessible. Wonderful hikes, activities and tours in the park’s other regions that are also within reach by shuttle or car. Many easier diversions (boating, wildlife viewing, overlooks, etc.) may be enjoyed to compliment the more strenuous hiking. As mentioned in the Grand Teton / Yellowstone itinerary above, the Glacier trip can be added to have an all-encompassing, mind-blowing adventure in the Mountain West. Alert: this is bear country. Get educated and rent bear spray.
Travel Note … The best bet to reach remotely located Glacier is to fly into Glacier Park International Airport (FCA) in Kalispell, MT. After picking up you rental car, it’s a 3 hour drive from the airport (which is west of the park) around the park’s southern boundary to Many Glacier on the east side. Other than driving to a tour departure point or driving on the Going to the Sun Road, or to other spots in the park, this is all the driving you’ll need to worry about.
Trip Sequence
- Glacier NP
Itinerary
Click to access AWB-Itinerary-Glacier.pdf
- Best Seasons … Summer
- Like Grand Teton and Yellowstone, Summer is the sweet spot for outdoor activities in warmer weather. Glacier is open year round, but many areas are even less accessible during colder months because of persistent, heavy snows.
- All but late spring to early fall will mean restricted travel and closures due to snow.
- In the summer there is a good chance of encountering wildfire smoke.
- Late July or early August is the sweet spot for a summer trip to Northern Montana, with comfortable temps and precipitation.
- Climate in August
- Glacier NP … Avg. High 70 F, Avg. Low 45 F, Avg. Precip. 2.0 in./mo., Avg. Elevation 3,100 – 10,500 ft. (top of Mt. Cleveland)
- Trip Duration … 8 Days
- Total Cost for 2 … $5,500
- Total Driving Distance … 280 miles to & from airport. Add 100 miles for excursions in and around the park
Note: It’s also possible to drive through the park via Going to the Sun Road from the airport on the west side to lodging on the east side. But this will require a timed entry reservation for your vehicle, which can be obtained on recreation.gov. Make sure to plan ahead as these reservations can run out quickly.
Pacific Northwest (coming 2025)
By end 2025
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