13‑Day Grand Western National Parks Adventure

Day 1: Yellowstone – Arrival & Geysers

Morning: Arrive at Jackson Hole Airport and drive to Old Faithful area. Check into a lodge near the geyser basin and enjoy a quick orientation.

Afternoon: Wander the Upper Geyser Basin, watching eruptions of Old Faithful, Castle, and Grand. Take the boardwalk to see the vibrant colors of the Grand Prismatic Spring.

Evening: Dine at the historic Old Faithful Inn restaurant, then attend a ranger talk about Yellowstone’s geothermal wonders.

Day 2: Yellowstone – Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone

Morning: Drive to the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone and hike the North Rim Trail for spectacular views of Lower Falls.

Afternoon: Explore the Artist Point and take photographs of the canyon’s vivid colors. Continue to the Yellowstone Lake shoreline for a relaxing picnic.

Evening: Return to the lodge, enjoy a campfire program, and stargaze in the pristine night sky.

Day 3: Yellowstone – Wildlife & Hot Springs

Morning: Head to the Lamar Valley for early‑morning wildlife viewing—bison, elk, and possibly wolves.

Afternoon: Visit the soothing waters of Fountain Paint Pot and the colorful Mammoth Hot Springs Terraces.

Evening: Drive to West Yellowstone for dinner and a soak in the Boiling River hot springs (season‑dependent).

Day 4: Dinosaur National Monument – Fossils & River

Morning: Travel to Dinosaur National Monument and explore the Fossil Quarry, where you can see over 1,500 dinosaur bones still embedded in the rock.

Afternoon: Hike the River Trail along the Green River, enjoying scenic canyon views and possible wildlife sightings.

Evening: Camp at the nearby Horseshoe Canyon campground and enjoy a ranger‑led night program.

Day 5: Canyonlands – Island in the Sky

Morning: Arrive at Canyonlands National Park and drive to the Island in the Sky district, stopping at the Grand View Point overlook.

Afternoon: Hike the Upheaval Dome trail for a glimpse into a mysterious crater, then explore the Green River Overlook.

Evening: Set up camp at Willow Flat and watch the sunset paint the canyon walls.

Day 6: Monument Valley – Navajo Landscape

Morning: Drive to Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park and join a guided jeep tour to see iconic formations like Mittens and John Ford’s Point.

Afternoon: Walk the Valley Loop Trail for close‑up views of the towering buttes and learn about Navajo culture at the visitor center.

Evening: Enjoy a sunset dinner at the Monument Valley View Hotel restaurant, followed by stargazing on the desert plain.

Day 7: Marble Canyon – Glen Canyon & The Narrows

Morning: Travel to the Marble Canyon section of Glen Canyon and take a short hike to the stunning Upper Marble Canyon Overlook.

Afternoon: Experience a guided kayak trip through the calm waters of the Colorado River, passing dramatic limestone walls.

Evening: Camp at Lee’s Ferry and enjoy a quiet night by the river, listening to the gentle flow.

Day 8: Grand Canyon – South Rim Highlights

Morning: Arrive at the Grand Canyon South Rim and walk the Bright Angel Trail to the 1.5‑mile point for breathtaking vistas.

Afternoon: Visit the historic Grand Canyon Village, including the El Tovar Hotel and the Kolb Studio museum.

Evening: Dine at the Arizona Room with a view of the sunset over the canyon, then attend the park’s evening lantern program.

Day 9: Zion – Emerald Pools & Canyon

Morning: Enter Zion National Park and hike the popular Emerald Pools Trail, passing waterfalls and lush vegetation.

Afternoon: Ride the Zion Canyon Shuttle to the Grotto Trailhead and take a leisurely walk along the Virgin River for scenic photography.

Evening: Relax at the Springdale town center, enjoying local cuisine and a nightcap.

Day 10: Zion – Angels Landing

Morning: Tackle the iconic Angels Landing hike early to avoid crowds, rewarding yourself with panoramic canyon views from the summit.

Afternoon: Recover with a gentle stroll through the Weeping Rock trail and explore the Human History Museum.

Evening: Return to Springdale for dinner at the Oscar’s Café and reflect on the day’s adventure.

Day 11: Sequoia – Giant Trees

Morning: Drive to Sequoia National Park and visit the awe‑inspiring General Sherman Tree, the world’s largest living single stem.

Afternoon: Hike the Moro Rock trail for sweeping views of the Sierra Nevada and explore the Crystal Cave (seasonal).

Evening: Stay at the historic Wuksachi Lodge, enjoying a hearty dinner and a program on park ecology.

Day 12: Yosemite – Yosemite Valley

Morning: Enter Yosemite National Park and wander the iconic Yosemite Valley, snapping photos of El Capitan and Half Dome.

Afternoon: Walk the Valley Loop Trail to Vernal and Nevada Falls, enjoying the thundering waterfalls.

Evening: Dine at the Ahwahnee Dining Room and attend a night sky program at the park’s astronomy station.

Day 13: Yosemite – Glacier Point & Hike

Morning: Drive to Glacier Point for sweeping panoramas of the valley, then hike the Four Mile Trail back down for a moderate challenge.

Afternoon: Explore the Mariposa Grove of giant sequoias, walking among ancient giants like the Grizzly Giant.

Evening: Conclude the trip with a farewell dinner at the Yosemite Valley Lodge and a reflective walk along the Merced River.

Time and Cost Estimates

• Old Faithful (2 hrs) – $0 (free with park pass)
• Grand Prismatic Spring (1 hr) – $0
• Grand Canyon of Yellowstone (3 hrs) – $0
• Lamar Valley wildlife tour (4 hrs) – $0
• Fountain Paint Pot (1 hr) – $0
• Dinosaur Fossil Quarry (2 hrs) – $10 (museum fee)
• River Trail at Dinosaur (2 hrs) – $0
• Grand View Point (1 hr) – $0
• Upheaval Dome hike (2 hrs) – $0
• Monument Valley guided tour (3 hrs) – $35
• Marble Canyon overlook (1 hr) – $0
• Kayak on Colorado River (3 hrs) – $45
• Grand Canyon South Rim (4 hrs) – $0
• Emerald Pools (2 hrs) – $0
• Angels Landing (5 hrs) – $0
• General Sherman Tree (2 hrs) – $0
• Moro Rock (1 hr) – $0
• Yosemite Valley (3 hrs) – $0
• Vernal & Nevada Falls (3 hrs) – $0
• Glacier Point (2 hrs) – $0
• Mariposa Grove (2 hrs) – $0
• Total Estimated Cost: $90

Tips

If you need to shorten the trip, consider combining Canyonlands and Marble Canyon into a single day or skipping the kayak adventure to save travel time. To extend the experience, add an extra day at Yosemite for a sunrise hike to Half Dome or spend an additional night in Yellowstone to explore the Hayden Valley and its abundant wildlife.