USA Road Trip: From LA Through the National Parks of the Southwest

Desert, red rocks, endless highways and lots of time in the car – and that’s exactly what we love! In mid-April 2023 we landed in Los Angeles and set off on a road trip through the American Southwest: through California, Arizona, Utah and Nevada, past some of the most beautiful national parks in the world.

How we planned it

We had planned the rough route in advance, but we mostly booked hostels and hotels only on the same day . That worked really well – although we weren’t travelling in peak season. On a road trip like this you spend a lot of time in the car … and we love it!

Los Angeles

On the very first evening we headed to Santa Monica Pier – to watch the sunset and properly arrive. 🌅

The next morning we had breakfast at The Butcher’s Daughter in Hollywood: super tasty and insanely expensive, haha. Afterwards we just wandered around LA.

On the third day we hiked up to the Hollywood Sign. We started at the Griffith Observatory in Griffith Park – the trail is beautiful and the view over the whole city is insane.

Pioneertown & Joshua Tree

Then the road trip finally began! First out of LA – in the worst traffic jam. Our first stop was the ranch Red Dog in Pioneertown, a little Western town in the middle of the desert, before we continued into Joshua Tree National Park . Here we slept in a hostel.

Grand Canyon

Next up was the Grand Canyon, where we hiked down into the canyon – it’s unbelievable how huge it is when you’re standing right in the middle of it.

Monument Valley & Forrest Gump Point

In Monument Valley there’s only one hotel right inside the park: The View Hotel. Because we thought it was the only way to see the sunrise in the park, we stayed there. Honestly, the hotel was really bad and old – and breakfast was wild: plastic plates, plastic cutlery, cornflakes, disgusting coffee and not much else. But the view? It was truly beautiful!

Then we went to Forrest Gump Point – the exact spot where Forrest Gump turns around after his long run in the film. For many people, a photo in the middle of the road is a must here. 🏃‍♂️

Moab

Near Moab we slept in a tent on a cliff. Sounds romantic – but only up to a point: at night it was so windy that we were seriously afraid we’d be blown off the cliff! 😅

The next night we got a proper bed at the Virginian Motel – quite nice, but expensive, like pretty much all motels. Moab itself is a super cool place with good food and cool people.

Arches National Park

Right on Moab’s doorstep lies Arches National Park with its famous red rock arches. We hiked to the most famous of them all: the Delicate Arch. And we were really lucky – it had rained shortly before, so it was super quiet. That way we could enjoy this incredible arch almost in peace.

Hidden places off the beaten track

After Moab we discovered two places that totally blew me away: a landscape that looks like a moonscape – with hardly anyone around. And a super narrow canyonthat Tom found, where we met only one other family.

I’m deliberately not telling you exactly where they are – for me, a little research is simply part of travelling. 😉 But it shows: between all the touristy spots there are still places that are hidden and beautiful.

Bryce Canyon

Bryce Canyon was incredibly beautiful! We were there for sunrise – and had the view almost entirely to ourselves. No people, just these crazy, glowing orange rock towers.

Zion National Park

Zion National Park is very popular. You get into the valley by shuttle bus, and from there you can hike up to the famous Angels Landing . We went as far as the start of the final section – even without the last part it was super beautiful.

Las Vegas

Honestly, at first I didn’t want to go to Las Vegas at all – such a fake world. But I went along with it and it was so much fun to see it all once! We had a great time and even won 120 dollars at the casino. Of course we invested it wisely: in beer and burgers, haha. 🍔🍺

Altogether we spent two days there, chilled by the hotel pool and went to Whole Foods Marketevery day, because we love it so much. Insanely expensive, but an experience!

Death Valley

From Las Vegas we drove into Death Valley – right into the desert. And it was really brutally hot! 🔥 Enough water in the car is an absolute must here.

A night like in Mad Max

After Death Valley we slept in the car on a dried-up lake . In the evening there were some pretty crazy people around – the whole thing really had a touch of Mad Max! 🚗💨

And the next morning it got even wilder: suddenly a guy in some kind of motorised glider (or whatever it was exactly) landed right next to us and told us his whole life story. Wild and so funny – it’s encounters like these that make a road trip unforgettable!

Laguna Beach & back to LA

To finish we headed to the coast at Laguna Beach, where we went for a run together by the sea. Afterwards we had a really delicious meal at an Italian restaurant before heading back to Los Angeles. And from there? On to Hawaii! You can read how Kauai was here. 🌺

Good to know

• Permits: For many campsites and well-known hikes (e.g. Angels Landing) you need a permit – find out in advance!
• Booking spontaneously: Outside peak season this worked really well for us. In high season I’d reserve in advance.
• Food: Outside LA the food was often pretty greasy and healthy restaurant food wasn’t that easy to find. Supermarkets like Whole Foods will save you.
• Motels: Expect higher prices than you might think – hardly any are cheap.
• Timing: At the famous national parks it’s worth arriving at sunrise or late in the afternoon – it’s much quieter then.

My verdict

What a trip! From big city to desert to the most incredible canyons – this road trip was so varied and I’d do it again any time. If you have questions about the route, feel free to write to me!

Love,
Anna