US West Coast
Best National Parks
Ultimate US West Coast National Parks Road Trip Itinerary: 6 Weeks of Adventure
Welcome to NatWasThere, where I share my most unforgettable travel experiences, and today, it’s all about my 6 week US West Coast National Parks road trip!
In August and September 2024, I explored some of the most breathtaking national parks in the United States, traveling from Washington all the way down to California, with stops in Oregon, Arizona, Nevada, and Utah. This itinerary is packed with must-see destinations, from snow-capped mountains and crystal clear lakes to towering redwoods and desert landscapes.
Whether you’re planning a West Coast road trip, dreaming of visiting America’s best national parks, or just looking for travel inspiration, this guide is packed with tips, must-see locations, and practical advice to help you plan your perfect adventure.
Get ready for epic hikes, jaw dropping views, and unforgettable moments. This itinerary has everything you need for the ultimate national park road trip experience!
ITINERARY
FROM NORTH TO SOUTH
Mount Rainier National Park (Washington)
Crater Lake National Park (Oregon)
Redwood National and State Parks (California)
Joshua Tree National Park (California)
Grand Canyon National Park (Arizona)
Lake Powell (Arizona/Utah)
Zion National Park (Utah)
Bryce Canyon National Park (Utah)
Death Valley National Park (California/Nevada)
Yosemite National Park (California)
Bonus Stops You Can’t Miss
Antelope Canyon (Arizona)
Horseshoe Bend (Arizona)
Lake Tahoe (California/Nevada)
US WEST COAST
BEST NATIONAL PARKS
Bryce Canyon
Tip Before You Go!
If you’re planning to visit multiple national parks on your trip, make sure to get the American the Beautiful pass. It’s honestly the best deal you can get for exploring the parks, covering entrance fees to over 2,000 federal recreation sites. Trust me, it’ll save you a lot of time and money!
Entrance Passes Link here!
Mount Rainier National Park
Standing at 14,410 feet (4,400m), Mount Rainier is truly breathtaking. It has five major rivers and many small streams, all flowing into beautiful waterfalls.
We couldn’t wait to see one, but with so many options, it was hard to choose! After some thinking, we decided on Carter Falls. It’s a short, highly rated hike, perfect for when you’re tight on time but still want to experience the beauty of the park.
Link to our hike here.
Crater Lake National Park
Next, we visited Crater Lake, the deepest lake in the US. The trail was well maintained and fairly busy, but the views were absolutely worth it. It was one of those hikes that makes you feel small in the best way, surrounded by stunning nature at every turn.
Link to our hike here.
Redwood National and State Parks
Redwood was Chris’s favorite national park on this trip. Just a tip: many of the best trails in the park require a reservation.
We stayed at a cozy RV park nearby and rented a small RV for the night. We enjoyed wine and campfire stories with the RV owners there. They also shared some great advice, like arriving early at a trail head before the ranger to avoid needing a reservation. We did this, and it worked out perfectly! ;)
Before 7 a.m., we hiked the Fern Canyon Trail. We were the only ones there, which made it feel magical, especially because this spot was used in Jurassic Park!
In the afternoon, we hiked the Tall Trees Grove Trail, which we had reserved months in advance. It was another beautiful trail, and we even saw some deer drinking from a river!
Link to our hikes here and here.
Joshua Three National Park
On our way to Las Vegas, we stopped at Joshua Tree National Park. The trees here are otherworldly, reminding us of the quiver trees we saw in Namibia.
We took a short but rewarding hike along the Hidden Valley Trail. It was both informative and easy, offering a perfect introduction to the park's unique landscape. If you have more time, though, there are longer trails that will take you even deeper into the park's breathtaking desert scenery.
Link to our hike here.
Redwood
Joshua Tree
Grand Canyon
California
Mount Rainier
Crater Lake
Grand Canyon National Park
No introduction needed for the Grand Canyon, it’s as grand as it gets! The vastness of it was even more incredible than I imagined. On our way to the campsite, we drove along I64, stopping at several viewpoints like Mather Point, Duck on a Rock, and Grand View Point.
The hiking here is amazing, but if you're afraid of heights, it can feel a bit intimidating at times.
Lake Powell
Lake Powell is a stunning, peaceful spot where we spent a few hours soaking up the sun. If you’re looking for a chill spot to relax, we highly recommend Lone Rock Beach. It’s the perfect place to tan and cool off in the refreshing water.
Zion National Park
Zion offered some amazing experiences, but it had its ups and downs. For the highs, we absolutely recommend renting electric bikes to ride from the entrance to the park. The ride itself is exhilarating, especially the downhill portions, the views are stunning!
On the downside, parking was a hassle, and the crowds were a bit much. We decided to take on one of the park’s most famous hikes, The Narrows. It’s a unique experience since you hike through a river, but be prepared, the crowds can be overwhelming at times.
Link to our hike here.
Bryce Canyon National Park
Bryce Canyon was a highlight for us. The crowds weren’t as bad, especially on the trails, which made it even more enjoyable. The rock formations and peaks here are like nothing else, creating amazing views at every turn. We hiked one of the longer trails of our trip, and it was definitely worth the effort.
Link to our hike here.
Death Valley National Park
Death Valley was my favorite park on this trip! First off, yes, it’s hot. Very hot. But the landscape is unlike anything we’ve seen before. Walking across the salt flats feels like stepping onto an alien planet. We made sure to check out four main attractions: Zabriskie Point, Artist's Palette, Badwater Basin, and the Devil’s Golf Course. Each spot was more jaw-dropping than the last, definitely a place you won’t forget.
Death Valley
Yosemite National Park
Yosemite is packed with incredible sights. If you’re after a true adventure, tackle the famous Half Dome. If you want to see the mighty Sequoias, head to Mariposa Grove. If beautiful waterfalls are your thing, don’t miss Vernal Falls. We chose the waterfall hike, and it was such a great experience. We were in Yosemite during Labor Day weekend (the busiest weekend of the year), so the trail was crowded, but it was still so worth it.
Lake Tahoe
Yosemite
Antelope Canyon
Additional Spots You Cannot Miss
While the National Parks were the main attractions on our trip, there are a few more hidden gems worth checking out.
Antelope Canyon
While Antelope Canyon is definitely beautiful and offers stunning photo opportunities, the experience can be a bit overrated. You’ll need to pay for a guided tour, which is the only way to explore the canyon, and the tour itself felt a little too commercialized for my taste. Still, the rock formations and light beams were impressive, and the photos came out great.
Horseshoe Bend
Horseshoe Bend is an iconic section of the Colorado River, and for good reason. The shape of the river as it winds through the canyon is absolutely breathtaking, offering one of the most stunning views you can imagine. It’s the perfect stop if you’re traveling through the Grand Canyon area, and a must-see for anyone visiting the region.
Lake Tahoe
Lake Tahoe truly lives up to its slogan: "Keep Tahoe Blue." The water is an unreal shade of blue, surrounded by the stunning Sierra Nevada mountains. We spent almost a week there, hiking some of the hundreds of trails around the area, and enjoying the peaceful, laid back vibe.
Chris actually lived nearby for 3 years, so he knew the area really well and shared some amazing tips about the best spots to explore. Whether you're lounging on the crystal clear beaches or hitting the slopes in winter, Lake Tahoe is a perfect escape. It’s incredibly peaceful, I especially loved the calm atmosphere during our visit. While I haven't experienced it firsthand, Chris has told me that the winter months are something truly special here, with magical snow capped mountains and world class skiing.
Lake Tahoe
And of course, don’t miss my US West Coast Road Trip Google Map!
The ultimate companion with all my favorite places pinned for you! :)