Travel in the Southwestern USA is fun for the whole family or for a solo hiking trip. We’ve spent many road trips and vacations exploring Utah, Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico and California. Whether you’re looking to have an adventure in Yosemite National Park or if you want to take a couples trip to Las Vegas, we’ve got suggestions.
One of the best road trips our family has done multiple time is the Utah National Parks road trip, starting in either Vegas or Salt Lake City. Trips from Joshua Tree NP to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks are always a hit with our kids. We do lots of hiking and visit lots of museums, so have a ton of information to help you plan.
And yes, California does fall into the Southwest and that’s where you’ll find a few of our repeat destinations such as San Diego, the Central Coast and Disneyland! We have spent many happy days on California beaches and touring wine country. We love California.
Clearly the Southwest is one of our favorite regions in the US. If you have any questions, please let us know. Enjoy browsing and finding your perfect Southwestern USA itinerary!
Yosemite National Park in one day is doable and totally worth it. Visiting from Oakhurst, CA is the easiest plan and includes giant sequoias, epic views of Half Dome and the Yosemite Valley, and beautiful hikes with Glacier Point. See what else we recommend if you have just one day in Yosemite.
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There are really fun, interesting things to do near Las Vegas that can be day trips or short overnight visits. From hiking in local conservation areas to visiting 6 different National Parks near Vegas, you can turn a Sin City trip into an amazing vacation.
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California is a huge place to explore with 9 National Parks, several great theme parks (including Disneyland) and beautiful beaches and mountains. Our travel guide lays out how to explore California with several road trip plans and ideas for visiting the exciting cities around Cali.
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The OARS Gates of Lodore rafting trip is a really cool experience if you’re interested in doing a multi day whitewater adventure. It’s great with kids (yes!) and the landscapes are epic like you wouldn’t believe. See what you’ll encounter and what to expect rafting with OARS through Dinosaur National Monument in Utah and Colorado.
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Vernal, Utah is also known as “Dinoland” thanks to the massive dinosaur fossil deposits and Dinosaur National Monument. There are tons of things to do in Vernal, from hiking to dinosaur museums, rafting to wildlife watching. See what we recommend for a fun trip to Vernal with kids (or youthful adults!).
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Doing a multi-day rafting trip with kids may seem like more than you can handle, but it’s actually an incredible experience and can be very easy. See what the process and adventure is like rafting with OARS (we did a Utah trip) and how YOU can plan for this epic family expedition.
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The road trip from Denver to Las Vegas and back is one of the most epic journeys in the American West. Check out this plan to visit up to 7 National Parks, iconic towns, Route 66 and more on our 10 day road trip including Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada and Utah.
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Palm Springs is known for being THE place to go for sunshine in winter, but it’s more than that, including being one of the most inclusive destinations in the USA. See our top picks for a fun, active trip to Palm Springs including hiking, museums, Joshua Tree National Park and more.
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A weekend trip to Houston is just what you need to have a fun city break and I think it’ll rewrite your impression of what Texas is like. From the arts to public parks and sporting events, Houston has so many things to do.
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Visiting Antelope Canyon in Northern Arizona is a must do when you’re on a road trip. It’s not as easy as just hiking to it or driving up, as it’s on protected Navajo Nation land. We’ve got all the info to plan a visit and tips for making it worth your time.
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Hovenweep National Monument is an easily overlooked spot that’s worth the visit in Southeast Utah. Located south of Arches National Park on the way to Monument Valley, this is a great place to see Puebloan ruins and learn about the ancient indigenous peoples of Utah and Arizona.
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The Westward Look Resort in Tucson, Arizona is a great place to go for either relaxing or to have a home base for exploring the desert. Near the city of Tucson and Saguaro National Park, this beautiful vintage Arizona stay is family friendly AND peaceful all at the same time.
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Did you know that you can actually hike through lava beds in Arizona and it looks just like Hawaii? At Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument you’ll find lava flows, forests and unique landscapes to explore. See what there is to do and how to add Sunset Crater Volcano to your Arizona road trip.
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Toozigut National Monument is a small but really cool historic site in northern Arizona on the way to the Grand Canyon. Take a look at what you’ll find here at this Sinagua hilltop town, from the structures to the museum space and why it’s worth visiting.
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Wupatki National Monument in Northern Arizona is amazing and one of the coolest places to explore with kids. From Anasazi ruins to wildlife watching, this is a great addition to any Arizona road trip.
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Casa Grande Ruins National Monument in Arizona is different from any other ruins we’ve visited in the American Southwest. See what you’ll find at the archaeological site and museum, including amazing birdwatching in the Arizona desert.
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Montezuma Castle National Monument is one of the icons of Arizona you need to visit. Easy to add to a road trip to the Grand Canyon, Montezuma Castle is a great spot to learn about ancient Sinagua culture, and it’s an amazing structure to behold.
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Visiting Saguaro National Park is awesome if you’re prepared for the heat and the hikes. From wildlife watching to bringing dogs into Saguaro NP, here are all the tips and trick you need for a great visit.
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The Yavapai Lodge at the Grand Canyon is one of the best options for staying in the park, having a central location and is one of the best budget places to stay, particularly in the off season. See what to expect and great things to do on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon.
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Travel plan for an inexpensive San Diego family vacation that you’ll love. Free things to do in San Diego, best beaches, and where to stay to keep the costs down and still have an awesome SoCal trip.
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The iconic places to visit in the Southwest stretch from California to Texas. We’ve picked our favorites for the most beautiful canyons, amazing desert landscapes, and best wildflower blooms in the American Southwest.
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If you’re like me, you need to know how to do Las Vegas for people who don’t like Vegas. Avoiding the casinos and smokey environments is easy, and there are many fun things to do in Las Vegas that aren’t gambling. You just need to know where to look, which we’ve got covered!
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You will be stunned by how surprising an Arizona road trip can be. Yes, there are cactus and roadrunners, but there’s so much more. From Grand Canyon National Park to ruins and even hipster nightlife, we’ve got an awesome plan for a road trip around Arizona!
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Hiking at Palm Springs is one of the most unique things you can do in Southern California. Tips for the best trails and oases near Palm Springs and Joshua Tree, when to visit, wildlife and more.
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San Diego’s Balboa Park is the cultural and activity center of the city. From the San Diego Zoo to art museums and gardens, everything you need to know to enrich your San Diego trip with Balboa Park.
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The Yosemite Valley Tram Tour is a great way to experience the highlights of Yosemite National Park if you’re short on time or energy. See what to expect, how to book it, and find our why it’s one of the best National Park tours available.
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There is no one destination on Earth that we’ve been to as many times as Disneyland. It’s actually shocking to start calculating how many hours we have spent in both Disneyland and Disney’s California […]
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The Wuksachi Lodge in Sequoia National Park is set in a beautiful location and has (surprisingly) spacious rooms. Find out about staying at the Wuksachi, things to do in Sequoia National Park and planning a trip to the Sierras of California.
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Redwood National Park is a great family destination for getting into nature and learning about the giant coastal forest. Get ideas for things to do and parts of the park to visit on your California Coast road trip.
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This three-day San Diego itinerary is awesome for enjoying the beaches, history, culture and nature of SD. Ideas for planning a long weekend trip to San Diego.
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