Here is an itinerary that allows you to explore the must-see attractions of the American West!
It's difficult to choose from the immense variety of national parks in the West, but Yellowstone holds a special place. Impossible to find an equivalent in the country, or even in the world, unlike a canyon, a lake or deserts which, although different, often recall an air of “déjà vu”…
This never happens with Yellowstone, where the experiences are multiple: geothermal discoveries on the sites of multicolored hot springs or geysers; animal discovery in the valleys at dusk to see grizzly bears, coyotes, bison... Natural discoveries with the Grand Lake or the Yellowstone Canyon. As big as Belgium, three days won't be too long to visit the park. We obviously selected 3 different accommodations for 3 different areas to avoid unnecessary hours of driving…
An almost equally exceptional program awaits you next, exploring the many natural beauties of Utah and Arizona. Discover the red rocks and hoodoos of Bryce Canyon Park, the hiking trails of Zion Park and the legendary setting of Monument Valley, where many westerns have been filmed. In the Moab region you pass from the lunar landscape of Canyonlands Park to the incredible natural arches of Arches Park. In Arizona, stop off on the shores of Lake Powell, this vast expanse of artificial water where magnificent submerged canyons nestle, and marvel at the prodigious spectacle of the Grand Canyon.
In the middle of all these natural wonders condensed into a single trip, I offer you a little urban stopover in the heart of vibrant Las Vegas. An exceptional trip for lovers of wide open spaces and exceptional landscapes.
Program
Day 1: France / Salt Lake City
Flight to Utah. On arrival, pick-up for your rental vehicle. Visit the Mormon capital, Temple Square.
Days 2 and 3: Salt Lake City / Grand Teton Park (450km – approximately 4h55)
Direction Wyoming and the Jackson Valley. Possible stop on the road at Bear Lake. Jackson and Grand Teton National Park are the starting point of the Rocky Mountains.
Grand Teton Jo Ann Snover / Jo Ann Snover - stock.adobe.com
Days 4 to 6: Grand Teton / Yellowstone Park (125km – approximately 1h35)
Yellowstone National Park is legendary... Your first day will take you to visit the Lake and the Hayden Valley where animals are abundant, especially at the end of the day. The second day, head for the Yellowstone Canyon and the Mammoth Hot Springs area. On the third day, you will see the area of geysers and fabulous hot springs with a thousand and one colors…
PLEASE NOTE: Yellowstone Park may have certain access points closed between October and June.
Grand Prismatic Spring, Yellowstone National Park
Ingus Kruklitis / Getty Images/iStockphoto
Day 7: Yellowstone / Pocatello (330km – approximately 3h30)
Departure for Idaho, stop at the Targee National Forest to admire the beautiful Snake River Falls. En route, visit the Crater of the Moon National Monument. The decor is lunar, shaped by lava flows.
Day 8: Pocatello / North Salt Lake City (280km – approximately 2.5 hours of non-stop driving)
Head to Antelope Island, a state park. Located on the Grand Lake, the island is distinguished by hilly landscapes, diverse colors and rich fauna, notably the presence of bison and antelopes.
Antelope Island National Park, Utah
ImgesByCheri.com / CheriAlguire - stock.adobe.com
Day 9: Salt Lake City / Bryce Canyon (460km – approximately 4h20)
Road to Bryce Canyon, an amphitheater of red rocks and multicolored hoodoos. Certainly the most fascinating park in the West. Opt for a short stroll inside the amphitheater on foot.
Optional :
* Horse riding tour
* Dinner and western show
Bryce Canyon
SeanPavonePhoto - stock.adobe.com
Day 10: Bryce Canyon / Zion Park (145km – approximately 1h40)
Head to the south of the state with a visit to Zion Park, located in a long and deep canyon where the Virgin River flows. Incredible colors, with orange hues, make this park a little-known gem.
Day 11: Zion Park / Las Vegas (270km – approximately 2h40)
The city of light in the middle of the desert! We may not be a fan, but curiosity inevitably leads us to the discovery of casino hotels, the frenzy of gambling. This promises a night of thrills.
Day 12: Las Vegas / Grand Canyon (470km – approximately 4h20)
Departure for the South Rim of the Grand Canyon National Park, one of the most emblematic and impressive natural wonders on the planet. A deep gorge carved by the Colorado River over millions of years, it is approximately 270 miles (446 kilometers) long and reaches a maximum width of nearly 18 miles (29 kilometers).
Optional :
* Helicopter flight over the Grand Canyon
Days 13 and 14: Grand Canyon / Lake Powell (215 km – 2h25)
Road to Page and Lake Powell. The jewel of the lake is Rainbow Arch, a magnificent natural arch only accessible by boat. A little further is Antelope Canyon. Visiting the lake without traveling it by boat makes no sense... Opt for a day rental of a power boat, or a guided excursion... Also, 20 minutes from Page, take advantage of the short Horseshoe Bend hike , from where you overlook the Colorado which forms a horseshoe.
Optional :
*Rainbow Bridge Tour
* Antelope Canyon Tour
*Jeep Antelope Canyon
* Flight over Lake Powell
Horseshoe Bend on the Colorado River
SeanPavonePhoto
Day 15: Lake Powell / Monument Valley / Bluff (270km – approximately 2h45)
Road to a legendary park, in the heart of the Navajo reserve: Monument Valley. Let yourself be tempted by a horseback ride and don't miss the sunset. The park itself is small, but surely the most enchanting in the entire West. After sunset, return to the village of Bluff.
Days 16 and 17: Bluff/Moab (165km – approximately 1h40)
Moab is the starting point for visiting two magnificent National Parks: Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park (Island in the Park).
Optional :
* 4×4 in one of the parks
* Colorado rafting trip
* Horse riding tour
Arches National Park
Björn Alberts - stock.adobe.com
Day 18: Moab / Salt Lake City (395km – approximately 3h50)
You can still spend the whole morning near Moab. Drive late in the day to the North and Salt Lake City to spend one last night
.
Day 19: Salt Lake City / France
Return of your vehicle to the airport and return flight to France. Dinner and overnight on board.
Day 20: Arrival in France
The price includes
The international flight
Air taxes
Intermediate category car rental for the duration of the stay
18 nights accommodation in standard category hotels