Utah's Mighty 5: Ultimate National Park Road Trip

Itinerary of your Ultimate National Park Road Trip

Day 1 and 2, Los Angeles

Arrival in Los Angeles to begin your ultimate national park road trip. Have a first look at the city, and settle in at your hotel for 2 nights. 

Teebsi tips:

Learn about the heritage and history of the city:

• Visit the Museum of Latin American Art in Long Beach, the only museum in the USA dedicated to modern and contemporary Latin American and Latino art. 

• The California African American Museum conserves more than 3,500 objects of arts, historical artifacts and maintains a research library, all in the interest of preserving and interpreting the history, art and culture of African Americans

Shop and visit to support the community and the environment:

• Eso Won Books is an independent Black-owned bookshop in Leimert Park that showcases a range of books about and written by African American people. The store has seen an inspiring increase in business since June 2020 as more people educated themselves on anti-racism.

• The Heal the Bay Aquarium under the famous Santa Monica pier will give you the chance to see the marine life that calls the bay home. It’s part of environmental nonprofit Heal The Bay’s and has a mission to make the coastal waters and watersheds of Los Angeles safe, healthy and clean.

• Head to the Los Angeles Farmers Markets to shop local and family-owned produce, meals-to-go, and more

Accommodation: Best Western Plus Dragon Gate

Day 3, Laughlin

Drive towards the southernmost tip of Nevada, Laughlin.

Teebsi tips:

Get off the main tourist path at the Laughlin Labyrinths, created by Wes Dufek who states that these are to help with life's journey to find your peaceful center and reenergize your soul.

Accommodation: Aquarius Casino Resort

Day 4, Grand Canyon

Morning drive to Grand Canyon, superb geological phenomenon. 

Teebsi tips:

After admiring the views of the Grand Canyon, take a step back in time and stroll in this preserved village from the early 1900s. Take a self-guided tour through the various sites, including the Hopi House, the El Tovar hotel, and the Grand Canyon Railway Depot.

Accommodation: Grand Canyon Plaza Hotel

Day 5, Page

Drive towards Page, your getaway to Lake Powell and Antelope Canyon.

Teebsi tips:

Explore Navajo Interactive Museum and the Navajo Code Talkers Museum to learn about Navajo History, culture, people and language.

Accommodation: Holiday Inn Express & Suites Page - Lake Powell Area

Day 6, Monument Valley

Leave for Monument Valley in the morning.

Teebsi tips:

After spending some time in Monument Valley, admire the San Juan River twists and turns 1,000 feet below you from Goosenecks State Park. Don't forget your camera, and come back at night for stargazing, you won’t regret it!

Accommodation: Monument Valley Inn

Day 7 and 8, Moab

Settle in Moab for 2 nights, the gateway to two National Parks: Arches and Canyonlands National Parks.

Teebsi tips:

Make sure to hike to 2 scenic vistas in Arches National Park: Landscape Arch in the morning, and Delicate Arch for sunset. The next morning, start your day early and drive to Mesa Arch in Canyonlands to watch the sunrise.

Get in touch with Easy Bee Farm to schedule a visit. In addition to providing the Moab's community with CSA boxes full of fresh products, they also keep honeybees and plants flower, herb, and perennial to support them.  

Accommodation: Aarchway Inn

Day 9, Bryce

Drive towards Bryce across the Dixie National Forest.

Teebsi tips:

• On your way, visit the Heritage House Museum in Kanab, a restored Victorian-style house that offers a glimpse into pioneer-era life in Utah's Dixie.

• Hike in Bryce Canyon National Park to admire the Hoodoos from closer on the Navajo Loop trail, a 1.3 miles moderate popular hike. 

Accommodation: Ruby's Inn

Day 10, Zion NP

Zion National Park is the oldest park in Utah and is sure to make a lifelong impression on you.

Teebsi tips:

• Hike in Zion National Park: the Canyon overlook trail is short and rewards with incredible views on the canyon (moderate, 1 mile round trip) on the Zion - Mt Carmel highway, or ride a bike on the Pa'rus trail.

• Participate in a guided Bird Walk lead by a ranger from Zion Canyon Visitor Center to share a convivial moment and connect with fellow traveler

Accommodation: Pioneer Lodge 

Day 11 and 12, Las Vegas

Drive from the calm and serenity of the parks to the lights and extravagance of the legendary city of Las Vegas.

Teebsi tips:

Get off the main tourist path:

An unexpected view in the desert, the Seven Magic Mountains, seven towers of colorful, stacked boulders standing more than thirty feet high, by artist Ugo Rondinone.

If you’re travelling with kids, you can learn about the local eco-system in a fun way at the Springs Preserve, the original source of water for Native Americans thousands of years ago. 

Accommodation: Excalibur Hotel and Casino

Day 13, Los Angeles

On your last day, drive back to Los Angeles.

Teebsi tips:

Meet the locals and get off the main tourist path:

• Attend one (or more!) of 50 free concerts and festivals at the Levitt Pavilion in Macarthur Park during the summer weekends.

• Head to El mercado de Los Angeles in Boyle Heights, a traditional Latin American marketplace where you will find Mexican goods, authentic Mexican food, and live mariachi music.

Accommodation: Best Western Plus Dragon Gate

Day 14: Check out and end of your trip

Accommodations may vary based on departure date. The final hotel list will be sent to you 15 days before your departure.