So please keep reading until the end to find out all you can see and do on this fabulous drive. If you have time, then you should pay the 20 dollar entrance fee and drive the 17-mile dirt road that takes you to all the spots. The routes incorporate a wide range of cities, towns, tourist attractions and places of outstanding beauty, so many that you could easily spend a month visiting them all. Just be mindful that temperatures here vary wildly. Hi there! It will take you a few extra hours to drive, covering 1,440 miles in less than 22 hours. who wants the trip to end? The ultimate road trip planner to help you discover extraordinary places, book hotels, and share itineraries all from the map. Alta Ski Area is one of the most popular winter sports centers in Utah and is only about 30 minutes' drive from the hotel. The 1,980-mile road trip from St Louis to Los Angeles takes 31 hours to drive. The 932-acre park is most famous for its spectacular rock formations that have been the backdrop numerous Hollywood movies and TV shows over the years, such as Blazing Saddles, Bill and Teds Excellent Adventure, and Star Trek! questions about Beaver (Utah): Del Taco This straightforward drive mostly takes place on Interstate 80 (I-80) and passes through the vibrant Salt Lake City in Utah as well as past the beautiful and rugged mountain scenery of Wyoming. Where to sleep RV trailer Share Map. I couldnt recommend going at this time of day more, as there was almost no one there. We visited early July and I would recommend contacting/ researching all locations before visiting. Los Angeles >> Mt. Rushmore Advice Needed - Road Trips Forum This museum is one of the best things I found on my trip, it only costs a few bucks to get in, and it has an insane amount of cool stuff. In summer months, youll also want to start your hike as early as possible, as its not safe to hike when temperatures are high. It is a fun little hamburger joint with locally raised meat and good prices. It is especially beautiful when golden hour lights the whole area up. Want to plan the trip back? Wicked Spoon Moab Brewery A popular dinner spot in the area with fresh beer (alcoholic and root beer) and good food. because it is some of the most stunning geology youll find in Southern California. Next, we headed over to Devils Garden and made the one-mile hike to Landscape Arch, which is the longest arch in the entire world. Moab Diner- A fun diner that always seems to have locals in it. Rome2rio . The route to southwest Utah will take you directly through Vegas, so you can hit up all the . Death Valley has been on my bucket list for a long time, so I was very excited when I was presented with the opportunity to road trip from LA to Death Valley thanks to my friends at Visit California. Our trip was a bit aggressive, so looking back 10-12 days would be more ideal. What's the best time of year to hike in Zion? Day 7 is a long one, but one of my favorites! Thats where horseback riding in Zion comes in. But bring a jacket, the temperatures here drop very quickly. It can take awhile to walk out to where the salt flats are less trodden on, so make sure to budget time to walk out there and bring plenty of water and shade with you. Top things to do in Las Vegas that don't include gambling? The drive out is 52 miles from LAX, and takes about an hour to 1.5 hours depending on LA traffic. We absolutely loved our experience in the elevated and unique yurt. Bryce is one of the highlights of the trip and you want to be able to explore it a bit before the sun goes down! If you're looking for a short drive that will somehow transport you to another planet, make the trek to Joshua Tree, California. You can choose to either hike the 3.8 mile out and back trail (which has a 980 feet elevation gain), or just take in the views from the Visitor Center for a quick photo op. Drive through the stunning scenery of Monroe and Joseph Peaks. Its unique and a great way to visit the park! The sunset painted colors over the landscape, and it was the perfect way to end the day. This drive is BEAUTIFUL. Find a nice rock to climb and watch the sunset in the park, then head to dinner (Pappy and Harriett's!) trip dates & more! Or, if youre only there for a quick stop, take a drive around to find Joshua Trees and beautiful red rock cliff faces. I'm pretty used to the heat and have never had heat exhaustion before, but walking 2 miles here really hit me hard. Located in Southern Utah, Bryce Canyon is most well-known for its bright colored red hoodoos. If you plan to do sunrise at the sand dunes though, make sure to arrive plenty early and bring flashlights or head torches. We stopped at a Jersey Mikes on our way out and ate that for both lunch and dinner. High Roller (10 mentions) One of my regrets on this trip was not getting up early to see Bryce Canyon at sunrise. Again, this one was new as well, so it was another nice place with a good location in town. The distance between Los Angeles and Arches National Park is 583 miles. EVs vs. Gas Cars - How Do They Compare on a Road Trip Located in the heart of downtown, you will be able to visit Larimer Square, the Museum of Contemporary Art Denver Confluence Park, and the Centennial Gardens on foot for an easy-going day of stimulating activities. A Los Angeles to Las Vegas road trip can be done via one of multiple routes, and we've picked four epic itineraries to share in this article, with descriptions of the best stops on each drive. Beware, it is HOT here - on a short, flat 2 mile hike I found myself with heat exhaustion, something that never happens to me. Upland has a historic McDonald's Golden Arches building from the 1950s, and Rancho Cucamonga has a beautiful yellow gas station. Miles from L.A.: ~500. questions about Zion National Park: Get the reverse directions for a Arches National Park to Los Angeles drive, or go to the main page to plan a new road trip. Mon Ami Gabi Once you're up, you could go straight for an early morning hike, or head back to your lodge for breakfast. 2. Colorado Route. We visited in September, when the temperatures are much more mild, so it was easy enough to visit during the middle of the day. Neon Museum (8 mentions) You can take a longer loop on the trail and make it a big morning hike, or turn back earlier to make this a quick stop. Located near the town of Kanab, the state park is somewhere you can spend a few minutes to a few hours in. From the parking lot, you can get amazing shots overlooking the rainbow hills, aptly named for the pastel colors formed from minerals that look like an artist splashed paint all over the mountains. While these arent the tallest sand dunes inside Death Valley, they are the most accessible, located just outside Stovepipe Wells. Los Angeles to Arches National Park - 7 ways to travel via plane, and Improve this map; Remove Ads. LA to Vegas Drive: 4 Epic Road Trip Route Ideas (+ Best Stops)! We stayed until dark and still made it down after dark easily - just use your phone flashlight. Its so scenic & a great way to get a feel for the park! This will have to wait until next time! You can also compare the travel time if you're flying or driving . Depending on how you are doing on time, you can take the short excursion up to Goosenecks State Park. Total Driving Time: 35 hours in a loop drive - 1,200 miles total. Best tips and casinos for first time gambler? I planned an 8 day road trip that took my partner and I from Los Angeles to Aspen, CO in mid August 2020. Lone Rock beach is one of the easiest spots to pull up, park, and get walk right into the lake to swim - many of the other areas are only accessible by boat. Once you reach Lone Pine, depending how much time you have, you can drive 20 minutes up Whitney Portal Road to reach the Mount Whitney Trailhead. Explore the park for a few hours, then on the route back to Los Angeles, stop in Valley of Fire for some even more amazing scenery. Enter a city to drive through, or find all. Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino 11:00 am start in Los Angelesdrive for about 2 hours, 12:53 pm Barstow This summer we are planning a long road trip from Los Angeles to Denver, Colorado. Day: Driving into Zion from the East means that you drive 15 miles right through Zion National Park before entering the town of Springdale where all of the hotels, restaurants, and shops are. Planning to spend a few days? Be prepared! Bellagio Hotel Atsunset, we ended up at the windows area of the park, and I highly recommend it. But, make sure to stick around for awhile longer, as the sky comes alive with the Milky Way after dark, and Zabriskie Point is a great spot for shooting the stars. For dessert or a late afternoon snack, you should stop by Crystals and get a scoop of ice cream in an amazing pretzel cone. OR Palm Springs has some of our favorite hotels anywhere. 6. Best tips and casinos for first time gambler? Relax and stay at the bridge until the sun starts to go down, then head back down before it gets too dark. Make sure to have 3 full hours before sunset to make the trail - the uphill second half is quite steep, and you'll want to take a lot of photo stops. It is a popular area,and there are a lot of Native American roadside jewelry spots set up around there as well. After your visit to the city, follow Interstate 80 (I-80) to drive past Ashley National Forest. While there is not much here other than a viewpoint, the area is utterly incredible, and it provides a fantastic vista of multiple Horseshoe Bend like spots. The area, located about 130 miles from Los . Of course, Trippy is the perfect place to ask questions Neon Museum (8 mentions) For a shorter drive, spend the night in Las Vegas. Just before you reach Zion National Park, you can take Exit 16 for UT-59 and then AZ-389 to visit the Grand Canyon. We ended up getting stuck in some deep clouds and rain, but the usually clear sunset photos here look amazing! Sunset: About an hour before sunset, head to the Canyon Overlook Trail along the main road of Zion. Nearby is a restaurant called Cafe Rio that is in the same vein as Chipotle but equally as good. By the time we reached Zion National Park on our whirlwind California to Utah road trip, we weretired. This is a must-have in the heat of Moab. If you are visiting in winter, you might want to check out some of the world-famous ski resorts in the area. Beaver (Utah) (2 answers) Day 3: Drive to Bryce Canyon NP 2 hour drive. You can read more about the drive here. Read about it here. But they do not sell alcohol or wine (a Utah state law. questions about Las Vegas: What time of year is the best for scoring a cheap deals in Las Vegas. After your time here, the highway will take you right through the center of the Vegas Strip. Day 2 is all about Arches National Park. It was beautiful, and you must see it while in the park. You can use their Road Trip Finder search tool to plan your own epic road trip, whether its to Death Valley like mine or other awesome spots like the North Coast, Palm Springs, or Yosemite, just to name a few! The best views are on the first couple of miles (the above photos are from this trail.) The hike is 4 miles round trip (out and back) and not very strenuous - but make sure to bring lots of water because it is HOT, and the elevation has changed quite a bit from Palm Springs! However, the stunning sights and attractions you will enjoy will make up for the relatively longer drive. It has an awesome overlook from the bridge that allows you to see the dam wall. This itinerary is a photographer's dream, designed to give you two chances to experience every park at it's best - both in late afternoon and sunset, and early morning, when the crowds are the lowest and the light and temperatures are at their best. Los Angeles to Antelope Canyon - 11 ways to travel via train, plane Maybe try typing in a faraway location like London, Hong Kong, There's an incredible amount of natural scenery, iconic landmarks and fascinating cities to . Ultimate Death Valley Road Trip: A 5-Day Itinerary from LA 1 hour from downtown Las Vegas, 5 hours from Los Angeles; Amenities: There are a number of different campsites with tables, and BBQs. questions about Barstow: They even have a free museum you can go to and see the areas history as well as a lot of the films that were made here. This first stop you will want to see is Hole in the Rock, which is an eclectic roadside attraction of a massive rock that someone built a 5,000 square foot house in. Day 3 Canyonlands, Dead Horse Point & Driving $10, Moab to Page 4 Hours of Driving(Route 191, Route 163, Route 160, Route 98). Last but definitely not least, I can't skip over the fact that you can plan some seriously epic road trips from Los Angeles if you're willing to do a one-way trip (i.e. Spend the morning and afternoon exploring more of Death Valley and whatever you didnt make it to the previous day. Poisonous plants/ Venomous animals in Zion Canyon, Are hiking boots necessary now if I hike Angels Landing, Arches National Park to Los Angeles drive, distance from Los Angeles to Arches National Park, Los Angeles to Arches National Park flight plan. My husband and I decided we want to take our 11 year old twins on a road trip (round trip) from Los Angeles to Mount Rushmore. Arches National Park, located in Moab deserves 2 . All of Artists Drive is filled with beautiful photo spots, but the best of all has to be Artists Palette, towards the end of the loop road. It also helped that its such a short drive from where we were staying at the Oasis at Death Valley! With a 5-hour drive today, make sure to leave by around 11AM to get to Sedona with plenty of time to explore. Does the party capitol of the world really need an introduction? I cannot emphasize enough how hot it was in Valley of Fire. This is part 1 of the adventure. From the parking lot, you can choose several path options to walk up or down for views along the edge. Giada How long do you need? There is the iconic Red Rock lined road, but beyond that there are incredible hiking trails, pastel colored painted hills, and so much more. Hiking in sand can be strenuous and take longer than you might have planned to arrive at a good spot for photography, or to climb up one of the dunes! Get the reverse directions for a One of the last stops we made inside the park was Ubehebe Crater, and Im glad we decided to make the drive up to here! Camping in this area is a great lower-cost option as well! The whole area is just stunning! To learn more about what we did in the park, learn here. These areas get very busy on weekend days, so get here early if it's a weekend. We combined our trip to the Bryce Canyon with a trip to the coral pink sand dunes on our way to Zion National Park. If you only have a short timeframe available to you though, worry not. Since this is a bit out of the way, you can choose to skip this part and instead head straight up towards Highway 190 and Death Valley for the fastest route to the national park. Sunset: In the late afternoon, take the Devil's Bridge hike to the iconic bridge seen here. Green River (Utah). Stop off points can include Las Vegas, the Grand Canyon, Salt Lake City, San Bernardino National Forest, Red Rock Canyon and the Grand Canyon. Booking.com This is by far the best way to see the Scenic Drive inside Zion National Park in a fast, fun, and freeing way. Bring food with you! Once youve finished up at Vasquez Rocks Natural Area Park, drive 30 minutes (27 miles) to Lancaster for the night. The vista from here is just overwhelming, and they have a few pit toilets as well. s.async = true; Find pet-friendly stops. But the scenery is varied and beautiful. What's the best neighborhood in Barstow for a first time visitor? Learn more. To get the shot seen below, walk down the path to the left from the parking lot until youre enough down the mountain to get this perspective. My favorite is Sand Bench. At only 10 minutes drive and 15 minutes walk, Horseshoe Bend is a fantastic sunrise spot in the area. for our trip, we spent two full days inside the park, and were pretty much able to do everything we wanted (there were places we couldnt go without a 4WD vehicle) in that amount of time. Hiking through sand can be difficult, so make sure to plan accordingly, especially if youre wanting to walk out towards some of the taller dunes. I did this on the Fourth of July weekend, so I only had to take two days off of work, and I got to have such a fantastic adventure. You might want to stay in and enjoy the casino on-site or head out to explore the city. Find all the transport options for your trip from Los Angeles to Arches National Park right here. Poisonous plants/ Venomous animals in Zion Canyon Find the best hotels, restaurants, and attractions based on the Drive straight to the Devil's Bridge trailhead. What's the best neighborhood in Barstow for a first time visitor? The best time to visit Mount Rushmore is between April and May, or September and October when the weather is pleasant with temperatures around 55-65 degrees Fahrenheit. If you're having issues using the site, please enable JavaScript and refresh your browser. It's a gateway to massive red rock formations in Arches National Park. I would say that if you are a professional, then you should do that, but if you arent, you should get good enough photos from the regular tour. Shell go wherever the winds take her! day 2 driving 9.5 hours. Quick note even if you dont drive a 4WD car in, there are options for Jeep rentals inside the park if youd just like a day rental to make it out to spots like the Racetrack Playa! Rome2rio displays up to date schedules, route maps, journey times and estimated fares from . Day 1: Los Angeles to Palm Springs. Valley of Fire State Park (15 mentions) If you haven't had enough of the Southwest parks and geology. The whole day is spent in the park and in the town of Moab, which is right next to it. The cheapest way to get from Los Angeles to Arches National Park costs only $163, and the quickest way takes just 6 hours. As of July 2020, the more direct route here, Highway 64, is closed so this drive is around 4-4.5 hours. Regardless of where you start your national park vacation, you'll find an exciting scenic route to the park when you follow one of these itineraries. you can get answers personalized for your tastes, budgets, Visiting really does feel like stepping into an older and different world. who wants the trip to end? The state capital of Utah is known for its rich history and fantastic world-class ski resorts. One of the things I would have loved to do on this trip and couldn't is Antelope Canyon. Fremont Street Experience (15 mentions) Yes, this site is still dedicated to California, but that doesnt mean that those of us that live here dont want to leave every once in a while and see what else the USA has to offer. leave the next day around 9:00 am, 9:00 am leave from Bellagio Hotel Day 6: Drive to Bryce Canyon. . 12 Best Road Trips From Los Angeles For an Adventure Behind the Wheel Visitors like to check out the 40,000 acres of red Aztec sandstone, and most importantly the petroglyphs that are over 2,000 years old. The most popular time to visit Mount Rushmore is between June and August. What's the best neighborhood in Barstow for a first time visitor? Both of our recommended routes will take you through some legendary cities like Las Vegas, and some of the most scenic parks and forests before taking you to possibly one of the most famous sights in the world; Mount Rushmore. Day 2: Joshua Tree to Sedona. Since you will have to drive through the town again on your way to Page, I would recommend stopping at Milts Burgers on the way out of town. When planning to undertake an excursion like this, you might want to check our top recommendations for where to stop. 2023 California Through My Lens About Privacy Policy, After leaving from Los Angeles, you will be driving on Highway 15 towards Vegas. (The earlier the better). Here, youll find the main trailhead to hike Mt. Another option is to drive around Movie Flat Road for scenic views around Alabama Hills. If you have more time and want to take a more leisurely trip, spend a few days out in Palm Springs! 9:00 am start in Los Angelesdrive for about 2 hours, 10:53 am Barstow Click the button below to explore more questions 2,960 miles. Highlights include Kansas City, Denver, Las Vegas, Amarillo and Sante Fe, as well as Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam, Joshua Tree National Park, Zion and Arches National Park. Lotus of Siam stay for about 1 hour and leave at 4:57 pmdrive for about 2 hours, 7:01 pm Green River (Utah) Road Trip from Los Angeles to Mount Rushmore - LazyTrips There are many viewpoints on this stretch of the road, and they all have their charm. In general, having a 4WD car for this itinerary would be helpful, since itd allow you to go to certain places in Death Valley that you cant go to otherwise (like the Racetrack Playa), and to more easily get to Trona Pinnacles, but its not 100% necessary and we did do the trip in a normal SUV. Bring lots of water and make sure your cooler is loaded with ice. Morning: Head to Horseshoe Bend as early as you can make it out of bed after the late night drive from Monument Valley. . As the famous canyon is on Navajo land, it was completely closed to visitors. It a great stop, and I love supporting places like this. I didnt go with a photo tour as it was double the price. Downtown Container Park (15 mentions) Las Vegas (324 answers) The Logistics you need to know before you visit: Read the full article below on things to do in the Valley of Fire here. 11 Epic Los Angeles Road Trips to Plan Right Now Sunset: By early afternoon, drive North to Bryce Canyon. Save. My plan is for mid february leaving LA Friday around 3am arriving at Moab Utah staying in hotel and exploring the arches leaving Sunday morning heading to colorado arriving there same day and staying untill Saturday morning heading back to LA staying the night somewhere between . If you started in the morning as I did, then I recommend stopping about an hour and a half in at the Dunken Donuts in Barstow. What time of year is the best for scoring a cheap deals in Las Vegas. If you passed up the dessert and are looking for a pit stop, I would recommend some ice cream at thefamous mid-west spot called Culvers. Are things open due to the pandemic? Start New Trip. The Mob Museum (8 mentions) 10 Best Road Trips From Los Angeles After leaving Canyonlands,take a quick right into Dead Horse State Park. From here, we just drove the rest of the way to Page, AZ. I left at around 7:30 AM. stay for about 1 hour and leave at 8:01 pmdrive for about 1 hour, Catherine asked:Family road trip for 6 days in early August (1 answer), Barstow (13 answers) Our trip took 9 days, departing from San Diego and ending at the Arches National Park (the farthest point of the itinerary). Out of Los Angeles, make your way along the Interstate 10 (I-10) and take Exit 58A for Interstate 15 (I-15) as you drive through San Bernardino and Angeles National Forests. drive for about 1 hour. Located in the heart of the strip, this luxury 5-star resort is close to all the major tourist attractions including the High Roller, MGM Grand, Freemont Street and the Stratosphere Tower. Arches National Park . There are two in Vegas, one in Planet Hollywood and one in the Palms. Watching the sunrise over the rim of The Grand Canyon is truly worth waking up at 4 or 5AM for. eat at Del Taco Drive through Arizona, Utah, and Nevada see some of the greatest sites on the USA's map - from deserts to canyons to mountains. While it was 80 to 85 degrees in the middle of the day, night temperatures dropped to 35 degrees! The Cardinals will conclude their west coast road trip in Los Angeles and get an off day Monday before returning to St. Louis for a three-game series with Shohei Ohtani and the Los Angeles Angels. Rushmore Advice Needed. Just make sure to make reservations! Valley of Fire is SO stunning, and was one of our highlights! Day 3: Drive to the Grand Canyon. Big Johns Texas BBQ Great little BBQ spot right in the downtown. Dont be afraid to play with angles for your photos. or Sydney, and get inspired for your dream trip around the world. s.src = u + '?v=' + (+new Date()); This day, of course, begins withanother park at sunrise, and then a drive onward to Page, AZ. Suggested round trip time: 6-7 days min. Also, note that you will soon be getting to a 60 mile stretch with no gas, sobe sure tofill up. Have you ever heard of this luxury spa resort? Quick Links: Zion National Park. Best new restaurants in Vegas? Ive crowned 2020 the year of road trips (and avoiding air travel). A note on Zion during the pandemic: We visited Zion over the fourth of July weekend, shortly after they re-opened. I just got back. Crystal Ice Cream You must go here when in Moab, they have a Caramel cashew ice cream and a home-made pretzel cone you can have it served in. Get the reverse directions for a 45 hours. It won't be as busy in the spring or fall and hotel prices are likely to be at a cheaper off-peak rate too. This is by far the longest day of the entire trip, so just buckle down and get through it. The Southern Route is longer with 2960 miles to cover but takes the same amount of time. When researching the route, we realized we could either go North through Las Vegas, Central Utah and enter Colorado around Grand Junction, or, we could head South through Flagstaff Arizona, Santa Fe New Mexico and enter Colorado near Trinidad and through Colorado . Is it better to stay on or off the Las Vegas strip? Day 4 is all about Page, we saw Horseshoe Bend at sunrise and went on a tour of Antelope Canyon. If you choose to not visit the Grand Canyon, following I-15 will then take you past Zion National Park and Dixie National Forest. Re: Los Angeles to Yellowstone road trip. We spent a total of day in Arches and will definitely need to come back. If you consider flying in and out of SLC as suggested by Valiant in post #6, I suggest a slightly different approach. The hotel boasts five courtyard swimming pools, lush botanical gardens, a world-class spa and numerous dining options to suit most palates. LA to Moab. We visited in the afternoon, at sunset, and at night, and of the three, my favorite was definitely sunset. We didnt have time to do anything other than take a photo here. This volcanic crater is 600 feet deep and half a mile across. This is one of the most unique places I have ever been in the world, and I absolutely loved it here. As of summer 2020, due to Covid-19, these buses are suspended OR when brought back, have their service reduced, cost $1 a ride and need reservations in advance. Bryce Canyon National Park. Or get a full Los Angeles to Arches National Park flight plan. This viewpoint is majestic, and the canyon you can see from here is not something you will soon forget. What time of year is the best for scoring a cheap deals in Las Vegas If you want to stay or camp within the park, you might need to make a reservation quite a bit in advance, as they tend to book up. If you dont need any of these things, then just continue to Baker or Vegas. questions about Las Vegas: stay for about 2 hours and leave at 12:03 pmdrive for about 2 hours, 1:51 pm Beaver (Utah) I, for one, planto be in places at sunrise, which is why you will see every day starts with sunrise. Not everyone has the same precautions and you want to make sure youre safe! The Valley of Fire is known as the largest and oldest Nevada state park. Sunset: The Forrest Gump point at Sunset and later at dusk is the perfect time for photos here. Page, Arizona is such a central spot with so much to do. For the first day, start from LA (we flew into LAX and went straight from there after picking up our rental car) and take State Highway 14 up to Vasquez Rocks Natural Area Park near Agua Dulce. Lotus of Siam The benefit of staying at the Stratosphere is that you get a free pass to go up to the top if you stay there. It is a fantastic spot with great food and unique charm. That way when you return around 1pm you can head straight out on the road! suggest every local activity or attraction, we'll leave it If youre visiting in the summer, go as early as possible, as it is dangerous to walk out onto the flats in the afternoon when temperatures soar above 100 degrees and the sun beats down on you. However, most spots were still operating! p.parentNode.insertBefore(s,p); What I love about Zabriskie Point is how much there is to shoot there in all directions. Read more about it here. After your visit, follow I-25 out of the city. One of the great things about Joshua Tree is that there are areas to park all over the park where you can pull in and just walk around - no predetermined trail required.
