Interstate 15 is one of the major Interstate Highways in the western United States, starting in San Diego and going all the way to Alberta, Canada. A few notable states I-15 passes through include California, Nevada, Arizona, Utah, Idaho, and Montana. I-15 will also take you through some major (and majorly awesome) cities like San Diego, Las Vegas, Salt Lake City and Butte. Built to connect America's "Inland Empire" with San Diego County, located along the Mexican Border, I-15 helps fuel tourism from California to Vegas and connects Idaho Falls and Great Falls. There's loads to do along this 1700+ mile route, so here are a few highlights.
If you prefer beer to wine, though, fear not: the famed Stone Brewing Company is on the I-15 route as well. Tour the facility, see what they've got on tap, and grab some food!
Calico Ghost Town in Yermo is a historic site that's been turned into a full-blown tourist attraction. The formerly abandoned mining town has a museum, gold panning, a mine tour, gift shops, restaurants, and even a campground, in case you really want to immerse yourself in Wild West vibes not too far off I-15.
As you continue along I-15, you hit Primm, Nevada, where you can visit Bonnie and Clyde's Death Car for a macabre photo op. Back in the day, right after Bonnie and Clyde met their extremely violent end, several fake "Bonnie and Clyde death cars" were making their rounds. However, it's generally accepted that this one, riddled with bullet holes, is probably the real deal. It's located at Whiskey Pete's Casino, and you can even see Clyde's blood-stained shirt there, too.
Pioneer Bar in Goodsprings is rich with Wild West history, including cigar burns in the bar left by Clark Gable, who drank away his sorrows here after learning about the death of his wife. The bullet holes in the wall were left from when a man was shot dead cheating at cards. And this place doesn't rest on its history, either: they make killer drinks and tasty grub like tacos, lasagna, and their infamous ghost burger.
I-15 is a major route for traveling to Las Vegas, so whether you explore the Strip or head off the beaten path, it's worth stopping off here for a bit. Try your hand at a different kind of game while in Vegas: some old-school pinball. The Pinball Hall of Fame is pretty much a museum dedicated to the arcade classic, except you can play with all of the machines. Each machine costs between 25 and 50 cents to play, and all the money goes to charity!
While in Vegas visit the Burlesque Hal of Fame on Fremont Street; it's an incredible place to sample Sin City's sexier side. Dedicated entirely to the art of the tease, you'll find vintage costumes, an in-depth history, all kinds of props, and tons more.
And if you find yourself in need of a hotel in Vegas, the Artisan Boutique Hotel, the Flamingo and the Palms are some spots to look into.
While on I-15 definitely take some time to stretch your legs and soak up some beautiful scenery. Valley of Fire State Park is an incredible detour that features ancient trees, mysterious petroglyphs and striking red stone formations.
Go even further off the beaten path to Little Finland, a strange patch of land where the wind has eroded the sandstone into bizarre shapes. You'll feel like you've left Earth for Mars!
Next stop: Utah! You can't really climb on the rocks in Little Finland, but at Pioneer Park (which is free) you're allowed to do some low-key bouldering and rock climbing while soaking in the beautiful views of the Utah landscape.
When you pass through Leeds, UT, pull over at Silver Reef Ghost Town. There's not a ton left here, but the museum and exhibits dedicated to this former mining town are really interesting. Several buildings have been rebuilt, so you can take a tour, or go solo and explore the area yourself.
A trip along I-15 just wouldn't be complete without visiting Zion National Park. There are almost countless reasons to make the journey out to this incredible National Park. The Subway hike, Angels Landing trail, the Weeping Rock, and tons of other hikes and features can be found inside this one-of-a-kind park.
Nearby is Cedar Breaks National Monument, where there's a natural red rock amphitheater filled with strange hoodoos and gnarled bristlecone pines, all visible from multiple vistas. It's absolutely enchanting!
Detour slightly to Highway 161 and visit Cove Fort Historic Site. This popular travelers' rest on the Mormon Corridor was a stopoff built in the mid-19th century at the request of LDS leader Brigham Young. Today, it looks much as it did during its heyday, with historic exhibits and re-enactments. And, it's totally free!
Fun fact: for a short period of time, the capital of Utah was located in the town of Fillmore, and the Territorial Statehouse State Park Museum building was once just a small part of a bigger planned statehouse that was never completed because the state capital was moved. But today, the building remains standing as a state park museum. You can stop by and admire the building, and check out some of the displays: there's an old jail cell, a vintage printing press, the Governor's office, and more.
Road trip stops don't always have to be parks and museums, and the Mona Rope Swings in Mona, UT are a tiny bit of old-school fun that provide hours of entertainment, relaxation and refreshment. Two swings allow the brave to launch themselves into the Burriston Ponds in Mona, just south of Provo.
Seven Peaks Water Park has everything you could want: a wave pool, a lazy river, multi-story slides, tube rides, speed slides, and more. Plus...THEY SERVE DIPPIN DOTS!
If you need a place to sleep off the excitement of the water park (and Dippin Dots), check out the Sundance Resort or one of the other nice hotels in Provo.
749 E 500 S - Hours Oct - March 9 AM to 5 PM -- Apr - Sept 8 AM to 8 PM, Salt Lake City, UT, US
There are some really unique things to do in Salt Lake City. Generally considered to be the only "visionary art environment" in Utah, the Gilgal Sculpture Garden is a small public park filled with massive stone sculptures which are all symbolic of Mormonism. Thomas Child, the man who built the garden, didn't start work on it until he was 57 years old, and continued to add to it until his death. It's an intriguing and serene place to take a break!
While driving through Salt Lake City, check out the Clark Planetarium. It's free to explore, and it's only a few bucks more to catch a show in the IMAX theater or domed theater. If you're in the mood for a throwback, check out their cosmic light shows set to Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, U2 and more.
And, if you need a hotel in Salt Lake City, check out the Grand America Hotel, the Salt Lake Plaza, or the Peery Hotel.
Over in Clearfiled, UT you'll find the Hill Aerospace Museum. With over 90 aircraft, this museum dedicated to Air Force heritage in Utah on Hill AFB is an interesting place to explore. It takes you through various stages of Air Force history, including WWII and the Cold War. Even if you don't know a ton about planes, this place is pretty fascinating.
If you need a break from driving along I-15, pick up a day pass to Crystal Hot Springs in Honeyville, UT, just off Highway 38, and unwind in the warm, mineral-rich water! There's also a cold spring as well; try jumping straight into the cooler pool after warming up in the hot spring! They also have a year-round waterslide with hot spring water if you get tired of relaxing!
The best time of year to road trip along I-15: Since I-15 passes through so many states, it's difficult to predict the weather through all the states at any given time of year. Especially in Montana, road conditions change frequently, though road closures are particularly rare. Winter can get quite snowy, but summers are high tourist season, so prices will be higher for lodging. Likewise, Utah is an incredibly popular road trip destination during summer and early fall, particularly around Zion National Park. From San Diego to Vegas, Sunday is the busiest travel day of the week, so plan accordingly.