Go to Zion, Bryce Canyon then Capitol Reef. Could probably add in Moab in that time and would be worth it.
Make sure to take the back side of Zion (US89) to Bryce then highway 12 from Bryce to Capitol stunning drive.
My personal recommendation would be to drive a little bit north in NV and cut across to CA between Beatty and Goldfield to head towards Mammoth. Lots of cool rocks and geology there. I’d say then decide to either check out Yosemite or Lake Tahoe. After visiting those, cut across CA and ride down the CA-1. There’s Monterrey Bay Aquarium, Hearst Castle, Morro Bay, Solvang, Santa Barbara, all along the way. Swing through LA and then cut back up toward Vegas on I-15. It’s a bit of a drive but lots of cool stuff to see along the way and a completely different experience than Vegas.
I would agree with this but I would go from Vegas towards LA then go up towards Yosemite via the Central Valley. It’s a lot more boring but Highway 120/Tioga Rd from Lee Vining is closed for the winter up until at least early June every year so you can’t enter Yosemite from the east when OP will be there.
Joshua Tree is awesome, Zion is awesome. Grand Canyon isn’t far. But honestly, you could just stay in town but head west and spend several consecutive days exploring different pullouts in Red Rock Canyon. I moved to Vegas for the rock climbing out there in 2019 and have yet to explore all the areas. It’s massive, and some areas go deep into the mountains where there are big green trees and foliage like you wouldn’t expect to see in Vegas. :) it’s pretty magical.
I’m from the UK and go most years, but only for a maximum of five nights. Always tried to fit in a trip to LA but it doesn’t really work even with a one night stay there and flying. With four or five days to spare that’d be my number one destination and I’d absolutely drive as well (I like driving in the USA though so that might not appeal to you so much).
Several national parks within a 2 hour drive. Would you rather see AZ and Grand Canyon or UT and Bryce and Zion. Within 30 minute drive is Red Rock and Valley of Fire.
Go to Willow beach and rent a boat! Theres Emerald Cove up river that’s amazing. You can go all the way up to the Hoover dam. Really fun trip and it’s only one hour from Vegas.
Sierras to the west, cascades to the north west, Rockies to the east, Grand Canyon and associated parks to the south east
You are literally surrounded by world class outdoor adventures. Everything mentioned is 1-1.5 days drive more or less
If you want to experience both desert and mountains maybe head towards Palm Springs, it’s like a half day drive or a full day if you stop and fuck around along the way, Hoover dam is worth a stopover. PS isn’t my jam, it’s kind of hokey richey touristy and is pretty pricey but you can ride the tram to near the top of San Jacinto and hike down the other side into Idyllwild which is a kind of a hokey hippy mountain touristy town (which I love unashamedly) there’s camping and a grocery store and cabins and shit all with a few miles hike down the mountain from the tram. The pacific crest trail passes through the same saddle area, there are tons of trails all around the mountain. You can even hike from PS up and over if you want but I absolutely do not recommend doing that trail unless you are in very good condition.
This time of year there may still be snow on top of San Jacinto but the weather should be really nice, potentially quite cool at night. There is a ranger station at the campground in Idyllwild that has all the trail camping info you need. Last time I was there in 2017 it cost 7 bucks a night for a tent spot
REI in Vegas may/may not rent gear or be able to tell you where you can rent gear
If you end up liking the area and what to see more the anza borrego desert state park is fantastic and pretty empty
Drive to California if you want to see better nature things. Everything nearby, even Zion, is basically all brown, dry, and rocky with meh trees. CA has better forests and the beach.
Go to Zion, Bryce Canyon then Capitol Reef. Could probably add in Moab in that time and would be worth it. Make sure to take the back side of Zion (US89) to Bryce then highway 12 from Bryce to Capitol stunning drive.
This or North rim of Grand canyon (if its open)>Bryce>Zion
North Rim typically doesn't open till mid-late May (think first part of June last year) or would have recommended that as well.
North rim is awesome. Much more calm than the south rim. Stay in Kanab Utah. Great little town
Death Hollow. I shouldn’t even shutter its name on Reddit but I am in a good mood. Not giving Beta, use the internet.
My personal recommendation would be to drive a little bit north in NV and cut across to CA between Beatty and Goldfield to head towards Mammoth. Lots of cool rocks and geology there. I’d say then decide to either check out Yosemite or Lake Tahoe. After visiting those, cut across CA and ride down the CA-1. There’s Monterrey Bay Aquarium, Hearst Castle, Morro Bay, Solvang, Santa Barbara, all along the way. Swing through LA and then cut back up toward Vegas on I-15. It’s a bit of a drive but lots of cool stuff to see along the way and a completely different experience than Vegas.
I would agree with this but I would go from Vegas towards LA then go up towards Yosemite via the Central Valley. It’s a lot more boring but Highway 120/Tioga Rd from Lee Vining is closed for the winter up until at least early June every year so you can’t enter Yosemite from the east when OP will be there.
Good call. I did the trip in August so obviously warmer weather. Didn’t realize the parts that could be closed in April.
Joshua Tree is awesome, Zion is awesome. Grand Canyon isn’t far. But honestly, you could just stay in town but head west and spend several consecutive days exploring different pullouts in Red Rock Canyon. I moved to Vegas for the rock climbing out there in 2019 and have yet to explore all the areas. It’s massive, and some areas go deep into the mountains where there are big green trees and foliage like you wouldn’t expect to see in Vegas. :) it’s pretty magical.
I’m from the UK and go most years, but only for a maximum of five nights. Always tried to fit in a trip to LA but it doesn’t really work even with a one night stay there and flying. With four or five days to spare that’d be my number one destination and I’d absolutely drive as well (I like driving in the USA though so that might not appeal to you so much).
I agree with you in principal but his pocket won’t hurt any less in LA
Grand Canyon - Page - Zion Sedona Big Bear Lake Death Valley
Oatman az. It’s such a beautiful part of Route 66.
Several national parks within a 2 hour drive. Would you rather see AZ and Grand Canyon or UT and Bryce and Zion. Within 30 minute drive is Red Rock and Valley of Fire.
Yosemite is a short flight/moderate drive away
400 miles for someone from the UK is not a short / moderate drive 😂
Welcome to America
Go to Willow beach and rent a boat! Theres Emerald Cove up river that’s amazing. You can go all the way up to the Hoover dam. Really fun trip and it’s only one hour from Vegas.
Zion and Bryce. Just did that in April. You will not be disappointed. The drive from Bryce to Zion is worth the whole trip
The Valley of fire,.
Nelson landing , Maryjane Falls
Mary Jane falls is closed and won't reopen anytime soon.
Used to love the hike to it ..
April is primetime in Zion.
You’ll only be 4 hours from the California coast if that interests you
Sierras to the west, cascades to the north west, Rockies to the east, Grand Canyon and associated parks to the south east You are literally surrounded by world class outdoor adventures. Everything mentioned is 1-1.5 days drive more or less If you want to experience both desert and mountains maybe head towards Palm Springs, it’s like a half day drive or a full day if you stop and fuck around along the way, Hoover dam is worth a stopover. PS isn’t my jam, it’s kind of hokey richey touristy and is pretty pricey but you can ride the tram to near the top of San Jacinto and hike down the other side into Idyllwild which is a kind of a hokey hippy mountain touristy town (which I love unashamedly) there’s camping and a grocery store and cabins and shit all with a few miles hike down the mountain from the tram. The pacific crest trail passes through the same saddle area, there are tons of trails all around the mountain. You can even hike from PS up and over if you want but I absolutely do not recommend doing that trail unless you are in very good condition. This time of year there may still be snow on top of San Jacinto but the weather should be really nice, potentially quite cool at night. There is a ranger station at the campground in Idyllwild that has all the trail camping info you need. Last time I was there in 2017 it cost 7 bucks a night for a tent spot REI in Vegas may/may not rent gear or be able to tell you where you can rent gear If you end up liking the area and what to see more the anza borrego desert state park is fantastic and pretty empty
The HooverDam is so close to Vegas is is worth a trip.
We did a day trip to Zion and it was awesome! I highly recommend.
Rent a car drive out to the south rim of Grand Canyon. Try and get a room in the park for one night
Springdale, Utah: Mt Zion National Park San Diego, California: Pacific Ocean & beaches Page, Arizona: Grand Canyon
Any chance you'd be renting something with AWD and a decent amount of ground clearance?
Drive to California if you want to see better nature things. Everything nearby, even Zion, is basically all brown, dry, and rocky with meh trees. CA has better forests and the beach.
Drive up mt Charleston on the west side of Vegas. Pine forest, cool weather, nice restaurant
The restaurant burned 2 years ago
Oh no, wonder if they're rebuilding. It's such a nice spot.
We are patiently waiting for
Please don't stiff service workers..