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The American West. Just the words conjure up an indefinable magic. You might feel you know the West thanks to countless movies, books and songs, but it remains a region impossible to pin down. That’s not surprising since it’s larger, and more varied and diverse, than many countries. Spectacular, invigorating and welcoming, yet with its dark sides, you could visit the American West 100 times and see it anew each time.

First the magic: There’s always a deserted highway, running straight as an arrow through shimmering desert. There’s otherworldly Death Valley—no-one who visits it ever forgets the experience. And no-one ever forgets, perhaps for different reasons, Las Vegas, the bizarre temple to hedonism, which you’ll either love or hate.

You won’t want to miss Monument Valley, by any standards one of the world’s great sights, and the real star of so many of John Ford’s Westerns. But then what would you want to miss? Yosemite or Yellowstone? the Grand Canyon? the 1,000 miles of Pacific coastline? the fabulous food, wine and microbrews? Somehow fitting it all into one trip is the first major challenge.

Of course you’ll want to give a wide berth to the parts of the West scarred by recent wildfires, and there’s no point trying to disguise the fact that the big cities have their problems. But still, there's so much here to delight in.

Los Angeles is big and brash, it's got Hollywood and Beverly Hills and the (slim) chance of spotting an A-lister. San Francisco, the home of the beats, can be cool, arty and uplifting. In one park you might see people reading books of poetry in the sun. In others, best avoided, you’ll get a glimpse of the city’s problem with homelessness. Farther north, Portland and Seattle are vibrant cities, each boasting their own thriving cultural scenes—but also, unfortunately, their share of homelessness.

The region has its problems, just like everywhere else in the world. But there’s that magic too. Culture, history, fun and adventure: it’s all there waiting for you in the great American West.

So you think you know the West? Get the motor running, head out on the highway, and find the adventure you’re looking for. It may be a switchback ride, but you’ll never forget it.

Hidden gems in Western USA

California

The John Muir Trail

Peter Elia
Peter Elia

One of the USA's epic treks, the John Muir Trail (JMT) is a 211 miles (339 km) hike in California's Sierra Nevada. The trail passes through several national parks, including Yosemite, Kings Canyon, and Sequoia national parks, finishing with a sublime summit hike on Mount Whitney. This golden nugget of a trail is known for its dramatic landscape. Upon each alpine pass, the eyes are treated to mountain ranges extending in all directions, filled in by meadows and serene lakes. Need to know JMT will challenge most hikers, both mentally and physically. The trail is known for its tricky logistic, unforgiving terrain, unpredictable weather, and fire conditions. In addition, you must obtain trekking permits in advance. Resupplying on the JMT is more complex and expensive than most linear treks. It requires pre-planning and parcel drops to designated campsites. I advise all but the most intrepid to do it with an organised operator who will take care of the logistics on your behalf.

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Western USA travel guides

Western US National Park Road Trips
Guide

Western US National Park Road Trips

Stuart Thornton
Stuart Thornton

Combining the awe-inspiring national parks of the Western USA into a single road trip makes for a true Americana adventure. From the Grand Canyon to the Rocky Mountains, here are a few spectacular long-distance routes.

The Best USA Road Trip Routes
Guide

The Best USA Road Trip Routes

Amy Balfour
Amy Balfour

That ribbon of highway, the endless skyway…. Woody Guthrie immortalised life on the road in 1940 and it’s been sung about, written about and filmed about ever since.

Rocky Mountain Road Trip
Guide

Rocky Mountain Road Trip

Amy Balfour
Amy Balfour

The national parks of the northern Rocky Mountains share a few iconic features— snow-capped peaks, shimmering lakes, bright wildflowers—but it's their individual characteristics that give a Rockies road trip its appeal. Elk and bighorn sheep keep things wild at Rocky Mountain National Park while the rugged Grand Tetons are a photogenic showstopper.

Utah National Parks Road Trip
Guide

Utah National Parks Road Trip

Amy Balfour
Amy Balfour

Fiery red rock formations dot the Southwest, lighting up the landscape at sunrise and sunset with a brilliant array of colours, from red to orange to deep purple. Created by erosion over millennia, and still changing today, these sandstone wonders are the photographic highlight of most road trips across southern Utah.

Grand Canyon Driving Loop
Guide

Grand Canyon Driving Loop

Amy Balfour
Amy Balfour

This lasso loop swings past some of the largest and most breathtaking natural formations in the Southwest, ending with a showstopping bang at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. Hoodoos, arches, red rock cliffs and a horseshoe bend are just a few of the photographic highlights along the way.

Western USA itineraries

Discover Western USA
Western USA

Discover Western USA

A route combining top cities and wilderness attractions
21 days
Self-drive California
Western USA

Self-drive California

A scenic coastal route
14 days
The best of the American West
Western USA

The best of the American West

A route to the top natural and historic attractions
16 days
Tour northern California
Western USA

Tour northern California

Waterfalls and history in the golden state
10 days
Wine lovers’ California
Western USA

Wine lovers’ California

A grand tour of California’s wine region
8 days

Western USA travel companies

North America, South America, Antarctica

SA Expeditions

Tailor-made guided tours
Western USA

Wildland Trekking

Hiking vacations in the US and beyond
Western USA

Bindlestiff Tours

Self-drive & private tours of the Southwest US
North America, East Asia

Sigs Rides

Guided & self-guided motorbike & cycling tours
North America

Off The Beaten Path

Exceptional trips for curious travelers
Western USA

Get In The Wild

Outdoor adventures in Utah & Washington
Western USA

Great Western Expeditions

Half, full and multi-day tours in Grand Teton & Yellowstone
North America

Discover North America

Specialists for USA & Canada

Places to go in Western USA

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