UPDATE (15.09.2024)
We moved itinerary forward from 5/10/2024 by a day to give us some wiggle room in case we need it but also to spend some time in Eastern Sierras (if we want to, but don’t need to). We also got rid of a day in Las Vegas because of the cost. It means that we lost one day in Page, but we can get it back (if needed) by rescheduling Mather campsite by a day (it looks like there’s availability even a day before arrival).
This also means that we need to (but don’t have to) book campsites at Bryce Canyon a day later than we initially planned (11/10/2024 instead of 10/10/2024) and Fruita Loop as well (12/10/2024 instead of 11/10/2024). However, it looks like there are cancellations a few days before the date, so we might get a slot easily.
Notes
Map With US Truck Stops with Showers
Permits and Passes
Annual Pass or US Park Pass
Yosemite Pass
Useful Apps
Useful Websites
Free Campsites for finding dispersed campsites
iOverlander for finding dispersed campsites
Recreation.gov for finding information about campsites, NPs, permits etc.
Utah Visitor Site
Dark Sky with maps
Utah Highway Map
Utah Field Guide
92 photo spots Utah
Stargazing in Utah
Photos of Canyonlands
Website for finding campsites
Map with showers
Campervan specs
California Fall Colour Map
Mammoth Lake Showers
Backpacking snacks from Trader Joe
US Mobile - NVMO eSim provider
Amenities
We can use showers, electric hookup and do laundry at:
- Flying J and Pilot
- Love’s Travel Stop
- [TravelCenters of America](TravelCenters of America)
Daily itinerary
{"name":"Current Note","mapZoom":1,"centerLat":53.330872983017066,"centerLng":-2.1093750000000004,"query":"linkedfrom:\"$filename$\"","chosenMapSource":0, "autoFit": false} Day 1 (4/10/2024) Arrival
Arrival at SFO Airport
Van Collection from Autobarn San Francisco
Buy Interagency Pass from REI
Shopping at one of the shops: Walmart or Trader Joe’s
Drive to and and stop by Tunnel view for Sunset (if we have time)
Accommodation
Upper Pines Campsite
Day 2 (5/10/2024) Yosemite
Sunrise at Tunnel view (if not done on day 1)
Breakfast
Valley Tour (can be done in this order or reverse)
- Sentinel Meadow & Cook’s Meadow Loop
- Lower Yosemite Fall Vista Point
- Sentinel Bridge
- Swing Bridge View of Yosemite Falls Merced River
- Yosemite Valley Chapel
- Chapel Boardwalk view of Yosemite Falls
- Cathedral Beach along Merced River
- El Capitan Dr view of Merced River & Cathedral Rocks East
Check in at the campground kiosk before or after the valley walks
Lunch time
Afternoon locations: - Glacier Road Point View of Half Dome
- Glacier Point
- Taft Point Trail
Accommodation
Upper Pines Campsite
Day 3 (6/10/2024) Yosemite
Breakfast
Mist Trail & Falls Trail
Complete any missed activities from Day 2
Olmsted Point Overlook view of Half Dome
Accommodation
Oh Ridge
Silver Lake Campground
Both campsites require booking.
You can also just wild camp if needed.
Day 4 (7/10/2024) Eastern Sierras
Sunrise at Silver Lake Boat Landing
Quick Breakfast
Drive through June Lake Loop and take pics :)
Brees Lookout view of Hot Creek & Mammoth Mountain
North lake California
Round Valley
Alabama Hills
Accommodationx
Alabama Hills Dispersed Campsite
Food
Copper Top BBQ
Day 5 (8/10/2014) Death Valley
Sunrise at Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes
Breakfast
Badwater Salt Flats
Artists Palette
Zabriskie Point
Drive to Las Vegas for supplies and showers etc.
Late afternoon in the Valley of Fire
Accommodation
Zion White Bison Resort
Day 6 (9/10/2024) Zion
Morning start at Zion at 7am to avoid crowds.
Zion Narrows Riverside Walk
Zion Scout Lookout West Rim Trail
Lunch at Canyon Coffee
Zion Canyon Overlook
Canyon Junction Bridge for sunset to photograph The Watchman
Accommodation
Sunset Campground at Bryce Canyon
Day 7 (10/10/2024) Bryce Canyon
- Sunrise at Inspiration Point, Sunset Point, Sunrise Point.
- Breakfast
- Navajo Loop and Peekaboo Loop Trail (including Navajo Loop Hoodoo Formations)
- Lunch
- Bryce Point later in the afternoon
- Drive to Capitol Reef National Park and stay here or one of the other dispersed campsites in the area
Accommodation
Capitol Reef RV and Glamping
Day 8 (11/10/2024) Capitol Reef
Info
We will probably skip most of the things here, we might only do Fruita Barn, Sulphur Creek and leave the rest, and go to Moonscape Overlook or Factory Butte.
Sunrise at Temple of the Sun
Breakfast
Hickman Bridge Trail
Go to Torrey to take a shower (Link, have food, shopping etc.
Scenic Drive
Accommodation
Near Moonscape Overlookor Factory Butte (Dispersed Campsite)
Day 9 (12/10/2024) Hanksville
Sunrise at Moonscape Overlook and/or Factory Butte
The Long Dong
Leprechaun Canyon
We go to Hanksville to buy some stuff, maybe take a shower etc., charge etc. and then we are off to Arches NP. Make sure you have time entry booked for Arches!
Moab Church (Little Far West)
Dead Horse Point State Park
Accommodation
Island in the Sky Campground
Lone Mesa
BLM near Canyonlands NP
Day 10 (13/10/2024) Moab & Canyonlands
Sunrise at Mesa Arch
Grand View Point Overlook
White Rim Overlook
Some time around Moab, food, showers etc.
Malboro Point
Green River Overlook at Sunset
Accommodation
Same as Above
Day 11 (14/10/2024) Arches National Park
The Windows
Double Arch
Skyline Arch
Sand Dune Arch
Balanced Rock
Courthouse Towers Viewpoint
Park Avenue
[Arches National Park Visitor Centre](geo:38.61722629502475, -109.61954579333737)
Delicate Arch (Sunset) - Get there early! (takes 3h in total with a walk)
Accommodation
Valley of the Gods Dispersed Campsite
Day 12 (15/10/2024) Monument Valley
Forest Gump Point
Monument Valley Viewpoint
Taylor Rock
Monument Valley Scenic Drive ($20 fee)
- John Ford Point
- Artist’s Point
- The Thumb
- North Window Overlook
- West Mitten Butte
Sunset at Horseshoe Bend
Accommodation
Antelope Point Marina RV Park
Day 13 (16/10/2024) Page
This day depends on whether we get the permit to The Wave or not.
Lower Antelope Canyon tour (arrive 45 minutes early)
Cave Behind Shell
Drive to Navajo Point for a late afternoon/evening
Lone Rock Beach view of Lone Rock and Lake Powell
Accommodation
Mather Campground - Booked
Day 14 (17/10/2024) Grand Canyon
Info
This day can be moved to the 18/10/2024 if we decide to stay in Page for another day if we get a pass to the Wave
Sunrise at Yavapai Point or Mather Point
South Kaibab Trail
Lunch
Grandview Point
Moran point Grand Canyon
Accommodation
We will figure it out, but we will probably camp somewhere near Las Vegas or we will go to Flagstaff.
Day 15 (18/10/2024)
Accommodation
Las Vegas RV Resort
Day 16 (19/10/2024)
Return the van between 9am and 12pm
Spend the time you have in Vegas
Optional shopping
Head to the airport for departure
Alternatives
Las Vegas
Warning
This may not be needed any more. A day has been added between Yosemite and Death Valley, and a day at Page has removed. This gives us some flexibility. Also, we do not stay at Vegas anymore.
7 a.m: Morning photo at the new Las Vegas Sign.
8-11 a.m: Breakfast Eggslut Las Vegas, Earl of Sandwich Vegas
11-3 p.m: Strip (Luxor Vegas, New York New York Vegas, Paris Vegas, MGM Hotel vegas, Bellagio Vegas) hi
3-6 p.m: Downtown Las Vegas (Fermont Street, Neon Museum)
6-7 p.m: Dinner at Downtown Le Thai Vegas, Esther’s Kitchen Vegas , Evel Pie, La Comida Las Vegas, Carson Kitchen
7-9 p.m: Chill back at your hotel and reset for the night or go to the Stip at night to see the neons and Sphere
Colorado
A day around Telluride
- Breakfast
- Telluride Gondola (free)
- Drive through Route 145
Another day in Page
Buckskin Overlook via Wire Pass Trail (optional if we decide we want to spend 1 extra day here)
The Wave
Acommodation
Lone Rock Beach Campsite
Roadside near Hway 89 Dispersed Campsite
Sedona
Cathedral Rock or Devil’s Bridge or West Fork Trail
Tlaquepaque
Drive Red Rock Scenic Byway
Chapel of the Holy Cross
Sunset at Airport Mesa
go to Amitabha Stupa and Peace Park
Sunset
Airport mesa Trail
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/arizona/fay-canyon-trail
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/arizona/birthing-cave—2 or Devil’s Bridge
Cathedral Rock
Secret Slickrock Trail