Here’s how to visit four parks in a single week, starting in LA.
Zion , Bryce Canyon , Grand Canyon , andJoshua Treeare some of themost iconic national parksin the country , if notthe worldly concern . With jaw - dropping , creamsicle - discolor geologic wonder , incrediblestargazing , and hurry rivers , it ’s intelligible why they receive millions of visitors every year .
Nature is n’t the only draw , though ; a singleroad tripto all of the commons will uncover unequalled graphics exhibits and induction , a slew of under - the - radarvintage store , and even a roaring historicgay barwith a killer whale karaoke night . To really get the full experience , I decided to chitchat all four parks in the span of one hebdomad bulge out fromLA , and I ’m here to separate you how you may do it too .
This trip , by nature , is very tight - pace in rescript to fit everything in ; you are traveling across four State , after all . I recommend rentinga camper van . With ourTravellers Autobarnvan , we did n’t have to concern about setting up acampsiteevery night , could lay in perishable food in a real fridge , and were protected from any unpredictable atmospheric condition . Travellers Autobarn is great for those face to save money ; they ’re the only van rental fellowship that gives drivers spare outright knot . Also , turn over how manynational parksyou’re visiting , you ’ll desire to buy theAmerica the Beautiful Passwhich allow free entryway to all interior parks for one class .
Photo by Acacia Gabriel for Thrillist
Distance:
About 1,226 mile
Day One
For the first day , you ’ll have to leave burnished and early for Zion National Park . Most of this driving force will be on the 15 North , and this road will take you through four state in one solar day : California , Nevada , Arizona , and Utah . It ’s a seven - hour movement , but you may break it up with a dejeuner stop in Las Vegas and take a selfie with the Eiffel Tower before continuing your journey .
It ’s inspiring to see how much the scenery and surroundings interchange around you on just one drive . The desert of Nevada and red rocks of Arizona will draw by your window , feel like something out of theCarsmovie . Tip : download theGasBuddyapp to find the cheapest accelerator stations along your route .
You should arrive in Zion National Park right before sunset , permit you to drive through the stone formations as the golden hues of the sun hit them just right . localise up bivouac atKolob Terrace Road , which is completely detached and just 20 minutes away from the entrance to the park . While there are not any facilities at Kolob , there is so much blank for camping with wad of spots that are shady and flat .
Zion National Park|Photo by Acacia Gabriel for Thrillist
Day Two
Zion is plate to one of the most iconic hikes in the United States , the narrow . This salary increase takes position at the bottom of the gullet , and you puzzle out your way over rocks through the Virgin River . It is an out - and - back salary increase , so you could go as far as you ’d like . The hike takes about 5–7 hour depending on how far you go , how many stops you take , and how quickly you are able-bodied to get through the water .
First affair first , you ’ll have to plunk up tramp supplies fromZion Adventures . While you could opt to use your own train , it is powerfully advocate that you rent equipment . You ’ll ask amphibious shoes that mold both in water and on kingdom , and the walking peg is for more than just show . If it ’s colder out , you may also need to hire ironic pants or a dry bib . You ’ll also take to bestow sunscreen , water , and plenty of bite .
Then , you ’ll point into Zion National Park . Take the shuttle all the way to the Temple of Sinawava ( Stop 9 ) . Do n’t vex , Zion is a super substance abuser - friendly park , and there are plenty of sign and helpful template to lead you where you need to go . When in doubt , adopt the herds of people who are carrying big stick .
The Narrows in Zion National Park|Photo by Acacia Gabriel for Thrillist
After a long twenty-four hour period exploring slot canyon , it ’s time to riposte your hiking gear wheel , eat some warm food , and have an former night .
Day Three
Take a deep breathing spell . You have time for a slow morning at Zion before embark on the short , two - minute drive to Bryce Canyon National Park . This scenic driveway alongByway 12is full of windy roads with blossoming flowers or leaf , depending on the season .
The gorgeousRed Canyonis directly on your route . This is Bryce Canyon ’s lesser - known neighbor , and it ’s full of limestone and sandstone formations . There are batch of place to stop along the route for photos . you’re able to even remain for a number and have a picnic near the beautiful rocks and pine trees . This will be your first glimpse of hoodoos , the odd - shaped pillars of rock ‘n’ roll that make this arena truly unequalled .
After this , make your way to theBryce Canyon RV resortto set up up bivouac and/or charge your camper new wave . This camping area has showers , a consortium , and a large kitchen .
Sunset Point at Bryce Canyon National Park|Photo by Acacia Gabriel for Thrillist
An time of day or two before sunset , headway into Bryce Canyon National Park for one of the prettiest survey the park has to pop the question . Unlike Zion , you do n’t necessitate to take shuttles . you’re able to drive straight toSunset Pointand walk around the scene as the hoodoos turn different shades of orange , red , and Au .
All of the post at Bryce Canyon RV resort come with their own fire pit , so this is a perfect Nox for a campfire and some s’mores .
Day Four
stir up up too soon and bug out your daylight with Mossy Cave , a short hike that lets you stretch your leg , walk along the pine Tree , and even see a small waterfall . As the name suggests , the cave is full of moss in the summertime months , but during the wintertime it ’s brimming with icicles .
From there , you may hit Highway 89 heading towardsHorseshoe Bend . You may make out this peculiarly - shape formation in the Colorado River from desktop screensavers or Apple nonpayment presentation . It ’s a inadequate walk from the parking lot to the viewpoint , perfect for unwrap the cause in good order in half .
After this , continue along Highway 89 for a few hour . Be sure to satiate your tank with natural gas and grab anything you take before pass the 89 and fail down AZ-64 . After this turn , there are n’t many gas station , and the prices increase significantly . you could motor along the flange and stop wherever you ’d care to take in the views of the canon before sunset . If this is your first time at the Grand Canyon , you ’ll want to stop early on so you’re able to take it all in without get to concenter on the road .
Horseshoe Bend|Photo by Acacia Gabriel for Thrillist
Look out for elks as you head toLong Jim Loop , one of Grand Canyon ’s most convenient and picturesque gratuitous campsites . site right outside the South entrance , this campsite is full of tree , so a lot of the blot are shady and private . You ’ll experience like you have the forest all to yourself .
Day Five
expend the day enjoying the breathtaking sites of the Grand Canyon . you’re able to set out atKolb Studio , an art and chronicle exhibit located in a restore family home and photography studio . This studio supports the Grand Canyon Arts Program with dissimilar exhibits throughout the year .
If you ’re looking to hike into the canon , you’re able to also go down the pop South Kaibab lead . It ’s an out - and - back trail , but it is worth remembering that the walk back is all uphill . Most casual hikers just go 1.8 miles down to the “ Ooh Aah point . ”
When visiting the Grand Canyon , one of the best way to appreciate the loftiness of the canon is to hop around to different viewpoints . Each one will offer something different , but sometimes it ’s expert to find your favorite and stay still for a moment . Moran Point is one of the upright standpoint in the commons , and from there you may ( carefully ! ) make your way into the canyon to enjoy the views .
Moran Point at the Grand Canyon|Photo by Acacia Gabriel for Thrillist
Soak in the sunset as the colors change and the Sunday ’s rays hit the layers of rock and canyon that lay before you . Make trusted to woolgather over the canyon before heading back to the campsite .
Day Six
Similar to the first daylight , this is one of the long drives of the tripper . you could opt to stop in Vegas for tiffin , but you ’ll likely require to power through and direct straight to your camping site , theJoshua Tree RV Campground , where you could watch the Lord’s Day set in the desert . This campsite come with a exhibitor and kitchen / aliveness area , and it ’s very commodious for explore both the park and the town .
While this daytime may seem sparse compared to the others , Joshua Tree has a bumping nightlife that you do n’t desire to omit . Head toTiny Pony Tavern , a historical gay ginmill that serve craft cocktails and great gin mill food for thought . arrest the specials when you get there to order drinks that give back to fauna and environmental security in the area .
While they have events , disk jockey , or live music most nights , they are well - known for their Tuesday night karaoke . This is when the locals make out out to play ; the storey of talent from the patrons is genuinely impressive and makes for a amazingly fun nighttime out .
Photo by Lauren Randolph, courtesy of Tiny Pony Tavern
Day Seven
fortunately , the drive from Joshua Tree to LA is just a little over three 60 minutes , so you have the whole aurora to enjoy the Ithiel Town . This gives you the chance to explore Joshua Tree ’s colorful , local artist culture .
Start atJoshua Tree Coffee Company , which very well may be the best burnt umber you have this whole head trip . From there , you could walk around to some of the astonishingly well - curated vintage stores on 29 Palms Highway . Those concerned in a coastal cowboy look can feel endless kick , lid , and denim financial statement spell . The stores also have knick knacks , kitchen commodity , and more cacti than you could imagine .
Your last plosive will be an immersive art exhibit that employ the desert as its canvas . The Noah Purifoy Art Installationis made up of ten acres of big - scale sculpture constructed totally from detritus materials . Noah Purifoy is from Los Angeles , where he became famous for his work that brought attending tothe 1965 Watts rebellion , a series of anti - police riots in Los Angeles . Visitors can roam around his final piece which feels post - apocalyptic , poetic , and chilling .
Joshua Tree|Photo by Acacia Gabriel for Thrillist
Whenever you ’re quick , steer back to gay Los Angeles with mickle of photograph , a minor hangover ( who cognise gay cowboys go so severely on a Tuesday ? ) , and maybe even an adorable cacti plant .
