Hike the Great National Parks of the Western USA: Self-Launched Edition
11 days · Western USA (Las Vegas to San Francisco)
Much Better Adventures charges £2,195
No-markup version: ~£825 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Skip the group tour premium and road-trip the iconic wildernesses of the American West on your own terms. This self-launched version follows the same Las Vegas to San Francisco route — Zion, Bryce Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, Antelope Canyon, the Grand Canyon, Sequoia, Kings Canyon and Yosemite — using rental cars split between a small group, hostel dorms and budget campgrounds, and self-booked activity passes. All the epic hiking, starry campfire nights and Route 66 nostalgia, at a fraction of the cost.
Day-by-day
Arrive in Las Vegas
Las Vegas, Nevada
Fly into Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) and make your way downtown via the airport shuttle (~£7) or rideshare. Check into a budget hotel or hostel on or near Fremont Street. Meet your fellow self-launched travellers for a planning dinner and route briefing. If you want to experience Vegas nightlife, plan to arrive a day or two early — you'll be on the road first thing tomorrow.
🚌Airport shuttle or rideshare to downtown (~£7–12)
🛏Downtown Grand Las Vegas or Hostel Cat Vegas (~£25–35/night budget room)
- →Explore the Fremont Street Experience (free)
- →Team briefing dinner at a downtown diner
- →Pick up groceries and camping snacks for the road
Zion National Park
Zion National Park, Utah
Pick up your pre-booked rental car (split costs across the group — budget ~£40–50/day total for an SUV) and drive 4.5 hours northeast into Utah. Enter Zion National Park ($35/vehicle entry, valid 7 days) and hike the Riverside Walk or Angels Landing lower section through dramatic red sandstone canyons and riparian woodland. Drive to your campsite just outside Bryce Canyon for the night. Cook a group campfire dinner under a huge Utah sky.
🚌Rental car from Las Vegas to Zion to Bryce Canyon area (~420km)
🛏Ruby's Inn RV Park & Campground or Bryce Canyon Pines Campground (~£20–28/pitch, split between group)
- →Hike Zion Narrows lower section or Riverside Walk (free with park entry)
- →Drive the Zion–Mount Carmel Highway for canyon panoramas
- →Campfire dinner at Bryce Canyon area campground
Bryce Canyon National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah
Rise early for sunrise over the hoodoos — set an alarm for 6am, it's worth every second. Hike the classic combination of Peekaboo Loop, Navajo Loop and Queen's Garden trails (11km, ~300m elevation) for a full immersion into the park's surreal orange-and-white rock formations. The park shuttle is free in season and connects all the major viewpoints. Cook all meals at camp to keep costs down.
🚌Rental car + free in-park shuttle
🛏North Campground or Sunset Campground inside the park (~£20–25/pitch) — book via recreation.gov well in advance
- →Sunrise at Sunrise Point (free with park entry — $35/vehicle)
- →Hike Navajo Loop + Queen's Garden combo trail (~11km)
- →Ride the free Bryce Canyon shuttle between viewpoints
- →Campfire lunch and dinner at camp
Horseshoe Bend & Antelope Canyon
Page, Arizona
Pack up camp and drive south (~4.5 hours) to Page, Arizona. Stop at Horseshoe Bend for the iconic Colorado River overlook hike (3km return, $10 parking fee). Then join a guided Lower Antelope Canyon tour — this is required by Navajo Nation law and bookable directly via Dixie Ellis's Lower Antelope Canyon Tours or Ken's Tours (~£45–55pp). The jeep ride and slot canyon walk are unforgettable. Continue driving to the Grand Canyon South Rim area for camp.
🚌Rental car Page to Grand Canyon South Rim (~200km, ~2hrs)
🛏Mather Campground, Grand Canyon South Rim (~£18–22/pitch) — book via recreation.gov
- →Hike to Horseshoe Bend viewpoint (~3km return, £8 parking)
- →Guided Lower Antelope Canyon tour — book via Ken's Tours or Dixie Ellis's (~£45–55pp)
- →First views of the Grand Canyon South Rim at sunset
Hiking the Grand Canyon
Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
An early start is essential — the NPS recommends hiking before 10am in summer heat. The Grand Canyon is fully self-guided for individual visitors. Take the Bright Angel Trail down to the 3-Mile Resthouse and back (13km, ~350m elevation change) — one of the most iconic hikes on the planet. Fill up at the water stations on the trail. Return to camp for a group dinner under a sky blazing with stars. Note: park entry is $35/vehicle, valid 7 days.
🚌Free Grand Canyon Village shuttle buses between trailheads
🛏Mather Campground, Grand Canyon South Rim (~£18–22/pitch)
- →Hike Bright Angel Trail to 3-Mile Resthouse and back (~13km, self-guided)
- →Visit Grand Canyon Visitor Center and Mather Point (free with entry)
- →Group campfire dinner at Mather Campground
Road Trip Along Route 66
Seligman & Oatman, Arizona
Hit the open road west on the legendary Route 66 — 'The Mother Road'. Stop in Seligman, Arizona, the town that inspired the film Cars, for diner breakfast and kitsch Americana shops. Continue to the nearly ghost town of Oatman, where wild burros roam the streets freely. Soak up the history of America's westward expansion before checking into a roadside motel for the night — a true Route 66 experience.
🚌Rental car along Route 66 (~580km, ~6hrs driving)
🛏Roadside motel near Kingman or Barstow (~£35–50/room, split twin share)
- →Stop and explore Seligman, Arizona — diners, murals and retro shops (free entry)
- →Visit Oatman ghost town and feed the wild burros (free)
- →Photo stops at classic Route 66 signage and landmarks
Sequoia National Park
Sequoia National Park, California
Cross into California and drive north as the Sierra Nevada mountains appear on the horizon (~4hrs). Enter Sequoia National Park ($35/vehicle, valid 7 days) and visit the General Sherman Tree — the world's largest living organism by volume. Hike up to Moro Rock (5km, ~185m elevation gain via 350 stone steps) for sweeping views over the San Joaquin Valley. Set up camp in the foothills outside the park and cook dinner together.
🚌Rental car along Route 66 to Sequoia (~350km from Barstow area, ~4hrs)
🛏Lodgepole Campground inside the park (~£20–25/pitch) or Stony Creek Campground — book via recreation.gov
- →Visit the General Sherman Tree (free with park entry)
- →Hike to Moro Rock summit (~5km, 185m elevation)
- →Drive the Generals Highway for giant sequoia views
Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks
Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks, California
A full day to explore both parks — same entry ticket covers both. Options include the Lakes Trail in Sequoia (longer, more demanding) or a drive between the two parks to tackle shorter trails like Zumwalt Meadow Loop in Kings Canyon (3km, flat and stunning). Keep eyes peeled for black bears, coyotes and mule deer. All meals cooked at camp to keep budget down. The sequoia groves are simply awe-inspiring.
🚌Rental car between the two parks (~45 mins drive)
🛏Lodgepole or Sheep Creek Campground (~£20–25/pitch)
- →Hike Lakes Trail or Big Trees Trail in Sequoia NP (free with entry)
- →Drive Kings Canyon Scenic Byway to Roads End
- →Hike Zumwalt Meadow Loop in Kings Canyon (~3km, flat)
- →Wildlife spotting — black bears, coyotes, beavers
Yosemite National Park — First Impressions
Yosemite National Park, California
Drive north (~4hrs) to the crown jewel of the American West. Book your Yosemite Valley campsite well in advance via recreation.gov — these fill up months ahead. Enter the park ($35/vehicle, valid 7 days) and get your bearings on an introductory hike to Lower Yosemite Falls (3km, flat) with jaw-dropping views of El Capitan and Half Dome. Set up camp and take in your evening surroundings — there's nowhere quite like Yosemite at dusk.
🚌Rental car from Sequoia to Yosemite (~275km, ~4hrs)
🛏Upper Pines or Lower Pines Campground, Yosemite Valley (~£22–28/pitch) — book 6 months ahead on recreation.gov
- →Hike Lower Yosemite Falls loop (~3km, flat — free with entry)
- →First views of El Capitan and Half Dome from Valley floor
- →Visit Yosemite Valley Visitor Center (free)
- →Group campfire dinner
Full Day Hiking in Yosemite
Yosemite National Park, California
An early start is a must. Use the free Yosemite Valley Shuttle (routes 1–29) to reach trailheads across the valley. Hike the Mist Trail to Vernal Falls and Nevada Falls (13km, ~600m elevation) for one of the most spectacular trail experiences in the USA — you'll be drenched in spray by the time you reach the top. Alternatively, loop via Mirror Lake (8km, flat) for iconic Half Dome reflections. Pack a picnic lunch from camp supplies.
🚌Free Yosemite Valley Shuttle
🛏Upper Pines or Lower Pines Campground, Yosemite Valley (~£22–28/pitch)
- →Hike Mist Trail to Vernal Falls and Nevada Falls (~13km, 600m up) — free with park entry
- →Ride the free Yosemite Valley Shuttle between trailheads
- →Optional: Mirror Lake Loop (~8km, flat) for Half Dome reflection views
- →Sunset views of El Capitan from Valley floor
Final Drive to San Francisco
San Francisco, California
A final camp breakfast, then pack up and drive west to San Francisco (~3.5hrs). Drop the rental car at SFO or a city drop-off point. Stop for a group lunch in the city and take in the views of the Golden Gate Bridge from Crissy Field or the Marin Headlands. The trip ends in San Francisco — from here you can head to SFO for an evening flight, or extend your stay and explore the city. Don't book flights departing before 7pm to give yourself enough time.
🚌Rental car Yosemite to San Francisco (~305km, ~3.5hrs). Return car at SFO.
🛏Own arrangements (HI San Francisco Fisherman's Wharf Hostel ~£35–45/dorm, if extending)
- →Scenic drive from Yosemite to San Francisco via Highway 120 and I-580
- →Group farewell lunch in San Francisco
- →Views of Golden Gate Bridge from Crissy Field (free)
- →Drop rental car at SFO or city location
Self-launched vs. Much Better Adventures
| This itinerary (self-launched) | Much Better Adventures | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£825 | £2,195 |
| Duration | 11 days | 11 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £1,370 per person (62%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more Much Better Adventures-style trips? Check them out here.~£825
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does Hike the Great National Parks of the Western USA: Self-Launched Edition cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £825 per person for 11 days in Western USA (Las Vegas to San Francisco). This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with Much Better Adventures?+
Yes — Much Better Adventures charges around £2,195 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £825 — a saving of roughly £1,370 (62%) per person.
How long is the Western USA (Las Vegas to San Francisco) trip?+
This itinerary runs 11 days, covering 11 day-by-day stops through Western USA (Las Vegas to San Francisco).
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a hiking, adventure, road-trip trip through Western USA (Las Vegas to San Francisco), self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
Drop your comment below — if you've done a similar route, tell us what worked, what you'd add, or what you'd skip.
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