Monumental canyons, towering redwoods, dramatic granite formations, thundering waterfalls — it doesn’t get much better than the American West Coast for nature lovers. With its myriad national parks offering a diversity of activities, attractions, and scenery, you may be struggling with what to put into your GPS next.
That’s why the Incredible Adventures’ team has put together this guide to everything from Yosemite to Zion and the Grand Canyon, of course. We’ve traveled the length and breadth of the West Coast as part of our Yosemite National Park Tours and trips from Las Vegas, seeing some of the greatest national parks in America.
To narrow down your decision, this article covers how to choose the best West Coast national park for your travel style, whether you’re looking for adrenaline-pumping adventure or a relaxed, family-friendly trip. Keep reading for our insights, and feel free to contact us if you have any questions about our tours!
Grand Canyon National Park (Arizona) — America’s Greatest Wonder
At the top of every West Coast bucket list, without a doubt, is the Grand Canyon National Park. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it’s the crown jewel of America’s national parks. Spanning over 1.2 million acres, the scale of the Grand Canyon has to be seen to be believed.
While the canyon is massive, the South Rim is the most popular and accessible area, ideal for families and first-time visitors. Open year-round, there are scenic drives, paved walking paths along the rim, and plenty of lookout points perfect for sunrise and sunset photography. The South Rim is also ideal for wheelchair users, with free shuttle buses equipped with ramps providing further accessibility.
If you’re feeling adventurous, day hikes like the Rim Trail, South Kaibab Trail, or Bright Angel Trail allow you to explore the canyon at your own pace. To fully immerse yourself in the canyon, you can even go rafting down the river. And for a truly exceptional experience, you can always splurge on a helicopter tour!
The South Rim historic village district is also home to landmarks like the Hopi House and the Grand Canyon Railway Depot. With its natural beauty, adventurous activities, and rich history, the Grand Canyon will suit any kind of traveler.
If you want to experience this natural marvel without all the tourists, read our guide to How to Visit the Grand Canyon Without the Crowds. Prefer to explore in the company of an expert guide? Then check out our range of Grand Canyon tours from Las Vegas, including our Grand Canyon South Rim Bus Tour from Las Vegas!
Yosemite National Park (California) — A Haven for Hikers and Climbers
If you’re looking for world-class hiking and climbing, Yosemite National Park is hard to beat. Soaring granite cliffs, cascading waterfalls, and alpine meadows create one of the most blissful backdrops for day hikers, backpackers, and rock climbers. However, Yosemite is by no means reserved for experienced athletes. With accessible paths, shuttle services, and accommodation, it’s one of the most popular national parks for nature lovers.
Yosemite offers 750 miles of hiking trails to choose from, including everything from gentle strolls to challenging summits, while climbers can tackle boulders or the likes of El Capitan. Even if you’re not into long treks or summits, there’s plenty to explore within Yosemite Valley, including easy loops that take in views of Yosemite Falls, El Capitan, and Bridalveil Fall. For a change of pace, you can also go cycling or horseback riding.
Photographers are spoiled for choice, with iconic shots like Tunnel View, Glacier Point, and Half Dome. And at night, the atmosphere is simply sublime as you gather around the campfire beneath the stars.
It’s little wonder that we offer so many Yosemite Tours from San Francisco. From day tours to multi-day camping trips, we love taking guests to Yosemite as much as we love visiting there ourselves! And if you want to venture off the beaten path, make sure to read our guide to the Top 5 Hidden Gems in Yosemite Beyond the Valley Floor.
Zion National Park (Utah) — For Thrilling Adventures
Adventure-seekers and avid hikers will feel right at home in Zion National Park, where massive sandstone cliffs rise over lush green valleys and winding rivers. Zion is a park that invites you to dive into the landscape — sometimes literally, as with The Narrows hike, where you wade through the Virgin River between towering canyon walls!
Zion’s hikes are thrilling and immersive. Angels Landing, with its steep, narrow switchbacks and chains, is a bucket list challenge. For something more relaxed but no less scenic, the Emerald Pools or Riverside Walk offer great entry points into Zion’s beauty. The park also boasts a shuttle route that makes stops along key trailheads and viewpoints, as well as the stunning Zion Byway, one of our Top 5 Scenic Drives in the American Southwest.
If you want an adrenaline rush, canyoneering provides the ultimate adventure as you rappel into breathtaking slot canyons and explore a landscape carved by water. The diverse, richly colored terrain is also ripe for photography, with places like Canyon Overlook or Court of the Patriarchs providing dramatic compositions.
You can explore this otherworldly park with us on our Zion Canyon Day Tour, or combine it with other national parks such as the Grand Canyon and Monument Valley with our six-day Best of the Southwest Tour!
Redwood National and State Parks (California) — Walk Among the World’s Tallest Trees
The Redwood National and State Parks are home to the tallest trees on Earth, the coastal redwoods, reaching heights of over 300 feet. To walk among these ancient marvels is both humbling and restorative, as well as ideal for families seeking an easier outdoor experience.
Trails here are gentle and welcoming to all ages, with many wheelchair accessible trails as well. The Lady Bird Johnson Grove and Trillium Falls hikes are short, scenic, and ideal for young children or casual walkers. One of the highlights is Fern Canyon, with its lush, mossy walls, which fans of Jurassic Park may recognize!
Other activities to enjoy in Redwood National and State Parks include cycling, horseback riding, and kayaking. The gentle pace and peaceful atmosphere of the Redwood Parks make this a true retreat into nature, where you can immerse yourself among living wonders.
Joshua Tree National Park (California) — A Spectacle of Stars and Wildflowers
For a different kind of landscape, Joshua Tree National Park offers a surreal mix of desert environments, fascinating flora, and striking rock formations. Located where the Mojave and Colorado deserts meet, the park is famous for its namesake trees.
This landscape is ripe for exploration, with numerous hiking trails as well as boulder and climbing routes to choose from. However, its true beauty lies in the earth and the sky. After enough rain has fallen, the land bursts to life with myriad wildflowers. The best time to see this is in the spring after heavy winter rains, and if you’re lucky, you may be in time for a rare superbloom that occurs every five to 10 years.
The night skies in Joshua Tree are famed for their darkness, allowing you to see stars, planets, and the Milky Way. Plan your trip for clear weather so you can admire the cosmos, or join in the annual Night Sky Festival in October, with events and family-friendly activities that celebrate this stargazing haven.
Discover America’s West Coast with an Incredible Adventure!
Ready to begin your journey to some of America’s greatest national parks? Join any of Incredible Adventures’ tours to discover this magnificent corner of the world! Whether you only have time for a Yosemite Day Tour from San Francisco or you want to embark on a longer seven-day Southwest Highlights Tour, we’ll ensure you see the very best of the West Coast. If you have any questions about our trips, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.
