The American West is home to some of the most spectacular landscapes on the planet. Here are the must-see national parks, and how to combine them in one trip.
Yellowstone and Grand Teton
The world's first national park, created in 1872, Yellowstone is famous for its geysers, including Old Faithful, its incredibly colourful hot springs such as Grand Prismatic Spring, and its wildlife: bison, elk, and sometimes bears and wolves. Just to the south, Grand Teton offers one of the finest mountain panoramas in the United States.
The Grand Canyon
No one stays indifferent to the Grand Canyon. The South Rim, open all year, offers the best-known viewpoints. The wilder North Rim is only accessible in season.
Utah's parks
Utah has five national parks with very different landscapes: the stone arches of Arches, the canyons of Canyonlands, the hoodoos of Bryce Canyon, the cliffs of Zion and the formations of Capitol Reef. Nearby, Monument Valley, on Navajo land, completes the picture.
Yosemite and Death Valley
In California, Yosemite fascinates with its granite cliffs, waterfalls and giant sequoias. At the opposite extreme, Death Valley is one of the hottest and driest places on earth, best visited outside summer.
How to combine them
A three-week grand tour can link San Francisco, Yosemite, Death Valley, Las Vegas, Utah's parks, the Grand Canyon and then Yellowstone. With two weeks, it is better to choose one region: the Southwest and its canyons, or the Rockies with Yellowstone.
Our tips
- Book accommodation in or near the parks several months ahead.
- Check access conditions: some parks require a reservation at certain times.
- The annual "America the Beautiful" pass pays off after just a few parks.
Our tours of the American West link these parks by car, by motorcycle or in a small group. Our specialists help you choose the itinerary that suits you.
