Southwest US trip ideas

Two weeks? It is almost 1800 miles to Grand Canyon. 3 days, 600 miles per day, a week in GC and then 3 days back at 600 miles per day. Dang that sounds like a marathon. The week could be split into Grand Canyon, Bryce, and Zion. That would be max, not much more. Kids are ready for this?

Probably a bit cold/snowy yet in Rocky Mountain or Yellowstone in late Spring early Summer. If the drive seems a bit much maybe focus on TX & NM.

I would not change anything to save fuel. Just go with what you have.

Agreed...had no intention to "hit them all!" Just looking for some thoughts on narrowing them down to attainable and still getting the most out of our trip.

Thanks for the great suggestions! Keep em coming!!!

We're likely going in late spring/early summer.

We solved the problem to some degree - we MOVED to the Southwest. We love all the western states. Currently sitting on the Oregon Coast.

I agree with the other posters. You would need years to see all the wonderful sights in the SW. Pick a general area and see the sights there. For example, Yellowstone and Tetons. Zion, Bryce and Moab. Glacier. Etc.

This is also what I would suggest. Two weeks roundtrip from Indiana, this is the only thing that makes sense to me. When we lived in the Chicago area, we'd take 2 1/2 weeks - counting the weekends on either side of the 2-week period too - for a camping vacation to Yellowstone and Salt Lake City, and it was barely enough. Many of the western national parks take more than one day to see, not to mention to really enjoy to the fullest, and with your timeframe, going to many different ones means you'll basically peek in the door and leave, figuratively speaking. Your family will enjoy the trip more if you're not on the road 12-15 hours a day too - and trust me, so will the driver(s)!

I agree with the other posters. You would need years to see all the wonderful sights in the SW. Pick a general area and see the sights there. For example, Yellowstone and Tetons. Zion, Bryce and Moab. Glacier. Etc.

Lauren wrote:
"Southwest" is huge - suggest you narrow your area and allow time to fully enjoy the places you choose and not spent your time visiting them thru a window.

Choose your destinations based on your family interests and enjoy them.

I would agree. The suggestion to hit Yellowstone and Grand Tetons only is your best bet. There is simply no possible way to "see it all in only 2 weeks, and attempting it will kill you.

There's plenty to see and do in Yellowstone and Grand Tetons to take up the entire 2 weeks, never mind your time getting there and back.

When you have 3 to 4 weeks, you might consider doing a circle around the Grand Canyon. It'll take you 2 of those weeks just to circle the canyon, and do side trips to Bryce and Zion, which, although canyons as well, are as different as night and day. The North Rim of the GC is very different from the South Rim as well.

The entire southwest is so huge, and so varied, with so much to see and do, you would need more like 3 or 4 YEARS to get to everything.

"Southwest" is huge - suggest you narrow your area and allow time to fully enjoy the places you choose and not spent your time visiting them thru a window.

Choose your destinations based on your family interests and enjoy them.

Plan on doing 6 days at your farthest point. Spread the rest of your stops out on the going out and coming back.

Pick one location: Yellowstone/Grand Tetons for example and spend your time there including places along the way. Trying to do too many parks/areas will mean you spend your vacation driving with little time in any one place.

I'm guessing 2-3 days driving from your location to YNP that only leaves you 8-10 days when you get there. Other locations would be Bryce/Zion and possibly North Rim of the Grand Canyon. Yosemite is just too far for that short a vacation. It's my favorite park but it's 4 days from your start. And very hard to get a camping site too---they run a lottery.

BK

what time of year?