San Francisco Circular 19 – A wonderful trip leading to the gems of western United States. This route begins and ends in San Francisco and is perfect for those who want to get out and back into the city. The areas covered by this route (that includes relatively long drives) are Yellowstone, Grand Teton, Arches, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, Bryce, and Zion National Parks. In addition, the route includes several National Monuments, State Parks and other sites as well as a visit to the cities of Las Vegas and San Francisco. This trip includes driving the Tioga Pass road in Yosemite that is open for a relatively short period every year (see opening and closure dates here).
Day 1 – Arrive to San Francisco and spend the afternoon in the city
Lodging location: San Francisco
Day 2 – Visit San Francisco
Lodging location: San Francisco
Day 3 – Drive to south Yosemite National Park and visit Mariposa Grove and Glacier Point and then drive to the Yosemite Valley, 5 hours drive
Lodging location: Yosemite Valley or Yosemite West, or El Portal or Buck Meadows
Day 4 – Travel and hike in Yosemite Valley and then cross north Yosemite National Park along the scenic Tioga Pass HWY (route 120) and go on short hikes along this route, 3 hours drive
(the Tioga Pass HWY is usually open from the end of May/June until October. See status here)
Lodging location: Mammoth Lakes
Day 5 – Drive east to Las Vegas, 5 hours drive
Lodging location: Las Vegas
Day 6 – Enjoy the day in Las Vegas
Lodging location: Las Vegas
Day 7 – Drive to Zion National Park and visit the park, 3 hours drive
Lodging location: Springdale (Zion)
Day 8 – Drive to Bryce National Park (through amazing highway 9) and visit Bryce, 2 hours drive
Lodging location: Bryce
Day 9 – Drive to Moab through highways 12 and 24, and on the way visit Capitol Reef National Park. If you have time it is also recommended to make a detour for a short visit in Goblin Valley State Park, 5 hours drive
Lodging location: Moab
Day 10 – Visit Arches National Park, 1 hour drive in each direction
Lodging location: Moab
Day 11 – In the morning visit Canyonlands National Park (Island in the Sky district) and if you have time – Dead Horse Point State Park, and in the afternoon – go on a short rafting trip from Moab, 1-1.5 hours drive in each direction
Lodging location: Moab
Day 12 – Drive north to Vernal and visit the area circled in blue in this map, in the Dinosaur National Monument, that includes great views, see route map here, 5.5 hours drive
Lodging location: Vernal
Day 13 – Visit the area circled in red in this map, in the Dinosaur National Monument, that includes a wall full of Dinosaur skeletons, and the drive north and embark on a short rafting trip, 2 hours drive
Lodging location: Flaming Gorge
Day 14 – Drive north through Wyoming to Cody. On the way you may stop in the small town of Thermopolis that has hot springs and petroglyphs, 3 hours drive
Lodging location: Cody
Day 15 – Visit Cody’s great museums and then drive to Cooke City, 2 hours drive
Lodging location: Cooke City
Day 16 – Enter Yellowstone National Park and drive east through the Lamar Valley to Mammoth Hot Springs and visit the springs, 2 hours drive
Lodging location: Gardiner
Day 17 – Drive south and visit the Upper Geyser Basin and the Midway Geyser Basin, 2 hours drive
Lodging location: West Yellowstone
Day 18 – Drive east and visit the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, on the way visit the Lower Geyser Basin, 2 hours drive
Lodging location: Canyon Lodge
Day 19 – Drive south to Grand Teton National Park, on the way stop at Hayden Valley and West Thumb Geyser Basin in south Yellowstone, 3 hours drive
Lodging location: Jackson
Day 20 – Enjoy a day in southern Grand Teton National Park plus participate in outdoor activities (rafting, horseback riding etc.) near the town of Jackson, less than 1 hour drive in each direction
Lodging location: Jackson
Day 21 – Drive west and visit Craters of the Moon National Monument, 4.5 hours drive
Lodging location: Twin Falls
Day 22 – Continue driving west towards Reno, NV, on the way you may stop here and near Twin Falls you may visit Shoshone Falls, 6.5 hours drive
Lodging location: Reno
Day 23 – Drive to San Francisco, on the way you may stop here, or if you have time you may make a detour to Lake Tahoe or enjoy this place in Reno, 3.5 hours drive
Lodging location: San Francisco
Day 24 – Fly home
– In order to fill this route with content – see our California, Northwest USA and Southwest USA destinations pages, where you can find articles that include suggestions what to do in various locations along this route.
