Southwestern America Trip

DAY 3: LOS ANGELES - JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL PARK Joshua Tree National Park is located in southeast California . The park got its name from the Joshua Tree, a large plant that grows here. The national park also has a desert area with rocks. Three ecosystems come together in the national park. A low-lying area where mainly the creosote bush is found in the arid landscape. A higher part where it is cooler, more humid and a part where five oases and fan palms can be found. You can take several short or longer walks in this park. This way you can walk the High View Nature Trail, this route gives you a good idea of ​​all the different vegetation forms in the park and is 2.1 kilometers. The Black Rock Canyon trail of 8 kilometers runs through the canyon.

If you visit the park in the right season you can view the wild flowers and you will find many bird species throughout the year. Another popular activity is stargazing, there is even a real Star Party once a month. The park is also popular with rock climbers from all over the world who try out one of the many climbing possibilities here.

DAY 4: JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL PARK - KINGMAN On Route 66 you will find the place Kingman, which is also called one of the hidden treasures of Arizona. From Kingman you have a perfect opportunity to discover Route 66 and the surrounding area. There are many restaurants and cafés. In Kingman you can also use well as a starting point to go hiking and discover the history.

DAY 5: KINGMAN - GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK One of the 7 wonders of the world, one of the most famous sights in the United States and something you absolutely must see after a visit to the West Coast is the Grand Canyon National Park. It is one of the oldest parks in the country and is especially appreciated for the combination of depth, length and special layers of rocks in different types and colors. The park can be viewed in various ways. Because of the size, many people opt for a flight over the Grand Canyon, so you have a good view of the impressive mountain ranges and you can see how vast the national park is. Of course there are also many opportunities to view the park on foot by doing one of the day walks. Pay close attention to the warnings in the area. Make sure you have enough time, pay attention to the temperature and make sure you have good clothing and plenty of water. The most common area that one visits is the South Rim, here is Grand Canyon Village with accommodations, restaurants and shops.

You will also find the Visitor Center here where you can hop on the free shuttle bus. You can choose from three different routes that are indicated by colors. There is the 'Hermits Rest Route' (red), this route is 8 miles long and goes from the west of the Grand Canyon Village to the western located Hermits Rest. Along the way the bus stops at eight different vantage points. In addition to this red route there is the 'Village Route' (blue). This bus runs between Canyon View Information Plaza, Yavapai Point, hotels, restaurants, campsites, parking spaces and other facilities in Grand Canyon Village. Finally, there is the 'Kaibab Trail Route' (green), which runs between Canyon View Information Plaza, South Kaibab trailhead and Yaki Point. The Grand Canyon is the most beautiful during sunrise and sunset

DAY 6: GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK - PAGE/LAKE POWELL
Lake Powell is part of the 1.2 million acres of Glen Canyon Recreation Area and is an ideal place for water lovers. Lake Powell is a huge lake, it has 3,100 kilometers of coastline, it is the second largest lake in the United States and it supplies water to 20 million people. Besides being large, the lake is also very beautiful, unique sandstone formations rise everywhere from the water, there are opportunities for walks and fishing and it is a popular summer destination. Many people visit the area with a rented (houseboat). With this you can easily sail around for a few days without having to go to the same place twice. It is an ideal way to explore the lake and in between you can stop to take a few walks. If you have no time for this, you can book a day trip. During these tours you usually visit Rainbow Arch National Monument, the largest natural bridge in the world, no less than 88 meters high and 83 meters wide. Also visit the Glen Canyon Dam and the visitor center before or after a visit to Lake Powell. Learn more about the dam and Glen Canyon Recreation Area here. From Page you can also make a day trip toAntelope Canyon , an absolute must with beautiful light in the gorge.

DAY 7: PAGE / LAKE POWELL Today you have another day to discover the town of Page or Lake Powell and the surrounding area. Also visit the special Horseshoe Bend .

DAY 8: PAGE / LAKE POWELL - BRYCE NATIONAL PARK Today the journey continues to Bryce Canyon National Park. The Bryce Canyon National Park is a beautiful park located in southwestern Utah and is known for its unique geology. The park is full of red rock formations in the most unique forms. These are also called hoodoo's. The landscape is full of large red pillars of stone where you can take beautiful walks. You start, for example, at a high point, after which you follow a route down and continue through the pine forests and then walk up through the red rock and enjoy the beautiful view. There is the popular walk called 'Navajo Loop'. This walk is ideal to get a good impression of Bryce in a short time. The route runs along a group of pillars called Silent City, then along Wall Street. This is a group of rocks that form a wall of 30 meters high. Further on the path on the right you will see Thor's Hammer. You will also find many species of animals in the park including rattlesnakes, lizards and squirrels. It even happens (though it is rare) that you see a mountain lion walking around.

DAY 9: BRYCE NATIONAL PARK - ZION NATIONAL PARK Zion National Park is known for the beautiful sandstone mountain walls that reach high into the sky and have different colors, ranging from red and pink to cream-colored. There are also many different animal species in the park, including 290 bird species and 32 different species of reptiles. To view the park well there are many walks in the park. In the visitor center they are happy to help you choose the right walk for your level and the time you spend in the park. These walks often go along steep mountain walls or narrow canyons (so beware if you are afraid of heights!), But also on wider hiking trails and along beautiful waterfalls.

The most popular hike is the 'Angel's Landing Trail', but it is quite difficult with a steep climb. The walks to the Narrows and the Emerald Pools are somewhat less demanding, but also absolutely beautiful. For more explanation you can join yourself at regular intervals to a Park Ranger that explains, among other things, the animals, the plants and the history of the park.

Other activities you could do are horse riding, cycling and bird watching.

DAY 10: ZION NATIONAL PARK
Today you have another day to admire the beautiful Zion National Park . If you didn't have the time to take a walk in this National Park yesterday, this is your chance! The park will surprise you with its orange-colored rocks, the greenery that grows against it and the beautiful clear water that ripples in the many streams.

DAY 11: ZION NATIONAL PARK - LAS VEGAS
Today you drive to Las Vegas ! In the evening there is a lot to do in the city. So when there is some energy left, there is plenty to experience in the bustling city. For example, visit the Stratosphere Tower and enjoy the view. You can also take a gamble here at one of the beautiful and gigantic casinos or have a drink at one of the trendy clubs.

DAY 12: LAS VEGAS
Rest day in Las Vegas . This city stimulates your senses. An amusement park for adults and that is not for nothing! On this day there are a lot of options! Here you can visit the various gigantic hotels on the strip for example. Or enjoy the dancing fountains in front of the Bellagio Hotel. There are beautiful nature parks near Las Vegas. You can also visit the Paris Hotel & Casino, climb the Eiffel tower and enjoy the view. A roller coaster ride at the New York New York hotel where you are recreated through the recreated streets of this great city.

In Las Vegas it can get very hot, so enjoying a day in the sun with a cooling splash in the pool is definitely not a bad idea. Drink a cocktail at a pool bar and have a nice lunch in the sun.

In the evening you can eat delicious food at one of the excellent buffets and then gamble in one of the casinos. Las Vegas is extremely diverse, you can even make a free fall at the top of the Statosphere hotel; Nothing is crazy in this ultimate gambling city.

DAY 13: LAS VEGAS - SEQUOIA NATIONAL PARK
Walk through the land of the giants in the Sequoia National Park and see the world's largest tree, the General Sherman Tree. This tree measures no less than 83.8 meters and is approximately 2200 years old. The second part of this beautiful park is formed by the Kings Canyon National Park with its beautiful mountain walls and deep canyons. At the park you will find a Visitor Center and many walks on different levels where you walk through the high Sequoia trees and the mountain landscape. If you spend the night here you should pay attention with food, because there are bears in the area.

DAY 14: SEQUOIA NATIONAL PARK - YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK Yosemite National Park has an area of ​​3000 kilometers. The most famous part of the park is the Yosemite Valley, a glacier-shaped valley with granite rock walls. Half Dome and El Capitan are the best known rocks. In addition, the park contains high mountains, clear mountain rivers, waterfalls and rare giant sequoia forests.

There are a number of viewpoints in this park with breathtaking views, such as Tunnel View, Valley View and Glacier Point. During the season a free shuttle bus runs through the park and it stops at many places, so you don't have to drive the camper. An ideal way to explore the park.

If you come in the spring, the waterfalls in this park are at their best. For example, you can visit by taking a short walk and therefore this is a popular walk for many tourists. Another nice walk that is accessible to almost everyone is the walk to Mirror Lake, from where Half Dome can be admired beautifully. The walks to Vernal Falls and Nevada Falls are highly recommended for experienced hikers.

The Tioga Pass is a great route straight through the park, but due to its elevated position and snowfall in the winter months, this road is only accessible in the months of June to August. Consult the Park's Road Conditions webpage before departure to find out whether the Tioga Pass will be available.

DAY 15: YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK
Today you have another day to spend in Yosemite National Park . The options in this park are endless. If you have not had enough of the giant Sequoia trees, there is a beautiful route to Mariposa Grove, south of the Yosemite National Park, where you can view these trees!

DAY 16: YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK - SAN FRANCISCO Today you will drive from Yosemite National Park to San Francisco. This is a beautiful day to visit the mysterious Alcatraz. Alcatraz is an island in the bay of San Francisco. In earlier times between 1934 and 1963 the island was used as a highly secured prison, 1545 prisoners were imprisoned here. From 1850 to 1907 the island was a military fortress and then a military prison. Nowadays the island is a protected area and free for visitors. The island also contains the oldest working lighthouse on the American West Coast. You can take a boat trip to this historic building. You can also choose to view Alcatraz from the inside. And for those who prefer to receive the information in Dutch; there is even a Dutch audio tour, told by a real crook! This brings the entire island back to life. You then take the boat back to the center of the city and you may also sail along the Golden Gate Bridge on the way back. It is advisable to book or reserve your visit to Alcatraz in advance.

DAY 17: SAN FRANCISCO
Cross the famous Golden Gate Bridge and you will see San Francisco on the water. In 1906 the city was completely destroyed by an earthquake and the subsequent fires, which are still known as one of the biggest natural disasters in the United States. After this earthquake, however, the city was rebuilt quickly and eventually grew into the beautiful city it is today.

San Francisco is one of the largest cities in California and has a lot to offer the tourist. Its waterfront location gives the city a beautiful appearance and Fisherman's Wharf is one of the most popular places in San Francisco. Pier 39 is the most famous place. Here you have a beautiful view over the bay and you can see the many sea lions that live here. There are also many restaurants with a view of the bay and a large number of shops. From Fisherman's Wharf you can take the boat to the famous Alcatraz prison. On the island you will be told more about the history and you can make a tour through the prison where you can see the cell of mafia boss Al Capone. Given the huge demand for tickets that are available every day, we advise you to use the internet prior to the trip.

A nice way to view the city is with the old Cable Cars. These Cable Cars have different routes throughout the city and do many sights such as Chinatown and Nob Hill. One of the most photographed places in San Francisco is Alamo Square, known to many as the backdrop for the Full House series. There is a beautiful lawn in front of the houses where you can enjoy the view of the colored Victorian houses and the skyscrapers behind them. Another excellent way to see San Francisco is the hop on hop off bus. This allows you to get on and off wherever you want.

SAN FRANCISCO - SAN LUIS OBISPO / MORRO BAY Today you drive from San Francisco to San Luis Obispo / Morro Bay, during this day visit the places Carmel, Monterey and San Simeon.

Carmel is best known for the former mayor of Clint Eastwood (from 1986-1988). Carmel is a cozy place with many beautiful houses, restaurants and shops. From Carmel you can ride the 17-mile drive (not accessible to motorhomes from 22 ft due to the bends). This scenic drive is 27 km long and visits several villages along Highway 1.