A Grand Tour - USA Part III Zion National Park (Utah)

Summer 2016 saw four of us embark on a trip of a lifetime across Nevada, California, Utah & Arizona taking in;

Las Vegas - The Grand Canyon - Death Valley - Zion NP - National Monument; Bryce Canyon NP - Arches NP - Monument Valley - Grand Canyon (again) and London Bridge (Lake Havasu). 

Zion National Park

We headed north-east out of Vegas to Springdale in Utah which is where we had booked accommodation at www.bumbleberry.com - well recommended. The beauty of Springdale is that there is a free bus that takes tourists to the park entrance. Once in the park there is another free bus to ferry people around. 

We started early (big tip) and worked our way down the various stops. We didn't do the Angels Landing hike but understand it is spectacular. 

On our way out of the park we did the Canyon overlook trail which was spectacular. Zion is a beautiful park to visit. 

Louise's photo

The view at Canyon Overlook Trail

There was even the opportunity to go horse riding.

A Grand Tour - USA Part II (Death Valley & Goodsprings)

Summer 2016 saw four of us embark on a trip of a lifetime across Nevada, California, Utah & Arizona taking in;

Las Vegas - The Grand Canyon - Death Valley - Zion NP - National Monument; Bryce Canyon NP - Arches NP - Monument Valley - Grand Canyon (again) and London Bridge (Lake Havasu). 




Death Valley

Death Valley is just over a two hour drive from Las Vegas. Entering from State Line Road (right of map) and along the 190, we visited five sites within the park, Zabraskie Point, Furnace Creek Visitor Centre (good film shown there), Artists Pallette (along Artist's Drive), Badwater Basin (lowest point of North America) and finally Dante's View. 


It was extremely hot when we were there (see left) in August. 118℉ equates to 47.8℃. That's damn hawt. 
  

Zabraskie Point

Badlands 

Dante's View

Goodsprings (Ghost Town - kinda)

On our way back to Vegas we took a trip to Goodsprings, an old mining town just south of Vegas, an particularly to visit Pioneer Saloon for some dinner. http://www.pioneersaloon.info/

Great burgers (although crisps a disappointing substitute for fries) and very friendly patrons to boot. A great alternative to eating in Las Vegas.

A Grand Tour - USA Part I (Las Vegas & Grand Canyon)

Summer 2016 saw four of us embark on a trip of a lifetime across Nevada, California, Utah & Arizona taking in;

Las Vegas - The Grand Canyon - Death Valley - Zion NP - National Monument; Bryce Canyon NP - Arches NP - Monument Valley - Grand Canyon (again) and London Bridge (Lake Havasu).  

Las Vegas

I'm not a fan of Las Vegas but it was the perfect starting point for the trip ahead and also a direct flight from London. Naturally, and with a 'while in Rome' mentality, we did some of the tourist things (see left), the highlight undoubtedly being the helicopter flight into western end of the Grand Canyon which also took in Hoover Dam. Our trip also included landing in the canyon and having 'champagne' (it was alcoholic at least). 

Accommodation is cheaper during the week in Vegas, we stayed at the Stratosphere as we arrived and then The Luxor at the end of our trip.  

The helicopter flights were booked through viator.com

Used with permission from Samuel Hollingworth.
I haven't asked him yet but I'm sure he'd say yes.

Back in Vegas we visited The Neon Museum (http://www.neonmuseum.org/) in which you are shown around many of the old Vegas neon signs by a guide who regales tales of yesteryear. Well worth a visit but make sure you book ahead. Evening tours would be best too.   

Next up... 

Death Valley