Vacation In Western Us
Western USA is the place to be for all the vacationer who wants to go explore and travel with family and friends along with a trip that suits their taste. With Western USA, you get a fully packed vacation of your dream trip full of activities and fun. From Las Vegas you get to enjoy a wide range of in entertainment, museums, art galleries and casinos. There are also many airports situated around Western USA which offers convenient trips to Las Vegas and all over the world if you wish to extend your stay.
Many people are not aware that Western United States is an ideal spot for a family vacation. While the area is quite large, there are several attractions in each state which make an excellent starting point so you can plan your entire trip around them.
Western United States is filled with stunning landscapes and historical towns. There are a lot of popular vacation choices in Western United States for people looking for some outdoor and predominantly outdoor activities.
If you are in the United States and want to go on a vacation to somewhere western, it will be a great place. The state is made of many cities and is considered a big state. Its capital is Cheyenne while its largest city is Denver. There are various cities that you can visit when you take a tour of those states. The name “The Cowboy State” was given to the state since most of the people living there are cowboys.
Whether you’re looking for family-friendly resorts on the West Coast, or a secluded, romantic retreat in the Rockies, you’ll find the best of travel destinations here. America’s western provide blends together artistry, ancient history and natural beauty in an all-American experience.
Vacation In Western Us
Having lived in the Western United States my whole life, I have found the example of the European traveler to be quite informative. I believe that when Europeans travel to the United States they actually see more of the country than we residents do.
Vacationing at Lake Powell (which is located on the Utah/Arizona border) for the past 40 years, I have had an opportunity to visit with many European tourists. I discovered some of their basic itineraries and found them very impressive. I thought I would share with you some of their favorite travel spots in hopes that you might like to join them this summer.
11 Western Vacation Ideas
- Grand Canyon
- Monument Valley
- Lake Powell
- Zion National Park
- St. George, Utah
- Las Vegas
- Disneyland
- Big Sur
- Yosemite National Park
- Death Valley
- The Golden Gate Bridge
1. The Grand Canyon
The Grand Canyon is a gift that must be seen to be appreciated. Its immense size is overwhelming. The Canyon is 277 river miles long, up to 18 miles wide, and a mile deep. The color and geological formations are breathtaking.
Whether you see the canyon by vehicle, shuttle, on foot, or bicycle, your trip will be enhanced if you pick up a little publication called “The Guide.” This free newspaper is available at all the entrance stations and visitor centers throughout the park. It contains the best maps, a listing of ranger activities and special programs, articles of interest about the park, and a list of all available services. This can make your trip to the “Canyon” much more enjoyable.
The South Rim
The South Rim of the canyon is much more developed than the North Rim, and so accommodations must be booked well in advance. You may either choose to stay in the lodge located there or stay in the developed campground. There are also many restaurants available in the park itself ranging from formal dining to fast food.
Seven miles south of the park is Tusayan, Arizona the nearest city that offers accommodations and other services.
The North Rim
The North Rim is more than 200 miles away from the South Rim by car or a strenuous 21 mile, two to three-day crossing by hike. There is no public transportation to the North Rim other than the Trans-Canyon Shuttle. Services are limited on the North Rim.
Backpacking and Hiking Galore
The Grand Canyon is a backpacker and hiker paradise. Exploring the inner canyon may be done by mule rides which are available. These are booked well over a year in advance, so start planning early.
River Running is also an ultimate adventure that is offered in the Grand Canyon. The Colorado River can be experienced by paddle rafts, motorized rafts, and dories. There are several Canyon Expedition tours available; book early also.
The Grand Canyon Skywalk
The Grand Canyon Skywalk is located on the western side of the canyon, and it is a horseshoe-shaped glass skywalk that allows visitors to peer into the canyon. It is owned and maintained by the Hualapai tribe.
Best Times to Visit the Grand Canyon
The two best times to take a trip to the Grand Canyon are in the spring (March-May) or the fall (September-November). Peak tourist season is during the summer months so try to stay away from the park at those times. Winter is another good time to visit but keep in mind that the north rim closes after the first snowfall of the year.
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2. Monument Valley
One of the most iconic landscapes in the west, the breathtaking scenery is a sight to behold, especially the massive sandstone buttes that dot the plateau. Located on the Arizona/Colorado border, the valley is easily accessed by Highway 163.
An Iconic Landscape
The valley is not a valley in the traditional sense. Instead, it is a relatively desolate landscape that contains many massive buttes that rise hundreds of feet into the air. Monument Valley was the setting for many classic western movies, in particular, the films made by the iconic director John Ford.
Navajo Tribal Park
While you can see a lot of the landscape from the highway, the best way to see Monument Valley is to go off the highway and to the adjacent Navajo Tribal Park.
While in the park you can drive down the 17-mile Valley Drive which will take you through many of the valley’s most iconic rock formations. While the road is dusty and steep in certain places, most family-style vehicles can make the trek, though jeep rentals are also common as well.
Best Times to Visit Monument Valley
Seeing as Monument Valley is a desert, you will want to avoid the summer months as it will be unbearably hot. The ideal time to plan a trip is during the spring or the fall when temperatures are milder.
3. Lake Powell and Surrounding Areas
Lake Powell is the second-largest man-made lake in the United States. It’s 186 miles long and has 1,960 miles of shoreline, which is longer than the entire west coast of the continental United States. There are over 96 major canyons to explore, which require some sort of watercraft.
Its tributaries include the Escalante and San Juan Rivers, which converge onto the Colorado River making Lake Powell a water expressway. Home of the Glen Canyon Dam and the Rainbow Bridge Monument, Lake Powell is a boaters paradise.
Water Sports Are Extreme Fun on Lake Powell
Lake Powell offers the opportunity for the ultimate wakeboard or water skiing experience. The small canyons are perfect for personal watercraft adventures. Tubing and swimming are perfect with water temperatures in the mid-70s in the summer months.
World-class fishing is also available on Lake Powell. There is really something for everybody to experience.
Hiking the Famous Slot Canyons
Located just adjacent to the Lake are the famous Antelope Canyon and Escalante Canyon. These are a hikers paradise offering many unique and awesome views seen nowhere else in the world. Make sure to bring your camera as the canyons offer some of the most interesting visuals you will ever see.
Best Times to Visit Lake Powell and the Slot Canyons
The ideal time to take a trip to Lake Powell is in September when the temperatures have cooled off, and there is not a lot of rain and wind. The lake will also be less crowded at this point, but the water will still be quite warm. Early October is also a great choice as well. The main tourist season will be over so you can easily make it out to the slot canyons.
4. Zion National Park
Zion National Park is Utah’s oldest national park, filled with world-famous slot canyons cut by the power of rushing water and wind.
The Virgin River and Zion Canyon
The Virgin River has been the water source that has created the majestic scenery found in Zion Canyon. The canyon walls are hundreds of feet high while at times only an arm span wide.
Hiking is at its peak in this river-cut corridor of canyon walls. There is hiking available for all levels of hikers, each offering a view that is unmatched anywhere in the world.
Best Times to Visit Zion
The park is open year-round, so there isn’t really a bad time to go. That being said, the park does get hot in the summertime and there is a lot of snow runoff in the spring, both of which make it difficult to hike any of the slot canyons. Fall is one of the best times to visit Zion due to the mild temperatures and the lack of tourists.
