Rockies Versus Sierra: Two Ways to Road-Trip the American West

The American West seems almost designed for road trips. In one direction, you can trade Wyoming’s snow-capped peaks and Western towns for the red-rock country and desert landscapes of the Southwest. In another, you can start among the red rocks and work your way through the Mojave Desert and Eastern Sierra before finishing in Yosemite National Park. 

Both routes pack an impressive amount of stunning, wildly varied scenery and outdoor adventure into multiple days, with plenty of reasons to extend the trip along the way. Here are two of our favorite road trips that make the most of the West.

Know Before You Go

Altitude and geographical regions vary substantially on both routes, so check road conditions frequently. Snow, rockslides and other weather-related closures can impact mountain travel into early summer and starting as early as September, while you may encounter extreme heat and dryness in Arizona. Both routes also include roads that close seasonally. 

1. From Rockies to Red Rocks

Best for: Classic Old West towns, alpine lakes and a staggeringly diverse western road trip
Distance: About 800 miles
Duration: 7–10 days
Base yourself: Virginian Lodge, an Outbound Hotel, and Outbound Sedona

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This ultra-scenic route starts in the Tetons and ends among Arizona’s iconic red rocks, with cowboy towns, sparkling alpine lakes and some of the most unusual, most beautiful Southwestern landscapes in between. It’s a standout road trip for travelers who crave variety: the scenery changes dramatically every few hours – sometimes more frequently – and the route has plenty of easy, worthwhile detours.

Start in either Jackson Hole, Wyoming, or Sedona, Arizona, depending on which has better airfare and one-way rental car options. Wherever you start, the trip follows I-15 and US-89 almost the entire way. Assuming you start in Jackson, hang out for two or three days before hitting the road. Classic Western character meets some of the country’s biggest mountain scenery here, with Grand Teton National Park practically in its backyard. 

Spend a day hiking the park or floating the Snake River, and don’t miss pizza at Dornan’s. Dedicate another day to shopping and people-watching through Town Square, snapping obligatory photos of the famous elk antler arches and Million Dollar Cowboy Bar. You can skip the popular hotspot, Cowboy Coffee, if you’re looking for a more local vibe and instead head to Snake River Roasting or Persephone. 

At night, settle into the Virginian Lodge, an Outbound Hotel. Its retro Western rooms, communal firepits, famously rowdy saloon and daily programs (think outdoor movies and wine tasting) make it part of the destination, not just somewhere to sleep. For dinner, Billy's Burgers has a classic diner vibe and serves up hearty half-pound burgers, sandwiches, salads and soft serve (the huckleberry flavor is a regional specialty).

When you’re ready to leave Jackson, head south through Star Valley and Afton, tracing the western edge of Utah’s Bear Lake before continuing to Park City. Afton makes a particularly fun stop: the tiny Wyoming town is home to the World’s Largest Elkhorn Arch, a 75-foot-wide, 18-foot-tall structure made from thousands of naturally shed elk antlers.

Bear Lake, meanwhile, the “Caribbean of the Rockies,” is worth more than a quick stop in warm weather. The intensely blue lake straddles Utah and Idaho, and you can swim or paddle from North Beach or the beaches around Garden City. Don’t leave without trying a raspberry shake, the local specialty. La Beau’s is my pick for the best.

From Bear Lake, continue south to Park City through Logan Canyon. Give yourself at least a full day here – two during ski season. Hike or bike one of the many trails or tour Utah Olympic Park, where you can observe (read: envy) elite athletes train; ride a scenic gondola; or ride in a real bobsled. Cap it off with a stroll and long lunch or après on historic Main Street. My go-tos: LOMA, specifically for the mafaldine or stuffed pasta, and Japanese steakhouse KITA when I want to splurge. If you hit Salt Lake City for road trip supplies or other big-city shopping (I recommend it; it’s only 40 minutes), take the scenic route through Big Cottonwood Canyon. It’s spectacular, especially in the fall, and adds just 20 minutes to the drive.

South of Park City, the landscape shifts from alpine to high desert as you make your way toward Bryce Canyon National Park. Give Bryce another full day to drive the 18-mile scenic road, hike the Navajo Loop Trail, take in the striking orange hoodoos from Inspiration Point, and stargaze after dark. Spend the night in nearby Bryce Canyon City so you can see the amphitheater in the changing golden-hour light without adding another long drive.

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Continue toward Orderville, a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it town that makes a surprisingly good base for exploring Zion National Park’s quiet eastern side. The East Entrance is roughly 25 miles away, putting Checkerboard Mesa and underrated Observation Point and Canyon Overlook within easy reach. Grab coffee and a specialty toast at The Shop Coffee Co. or something from one of the local food trucks and decide whether or not to stay the night. Another surprise: Orderville has everything from yurts and luxury treehouses to tiny homes and stargazer cabins.

Just after Kanab, another small town big on scenery and adventure, the landscape shifts again, trading Zion's red cliffs for the broad desert mesas and sandstone formations of Grand Staircase-Escalante. Soon, you’ll arrive in Page, a gateway to some of the Southwest’s most recognizable landscapes. Budget at least one day, preferably two. The classic pairing is a guided Antelope Canyon tour and a short hike to Horseshoe Bend. If you have time, I highly recommend kayaking Horseshoe Bend instead, or booking kayak or boat rentals to get out on Lake Powell.

The final leg avoids I-17 in favor of US-89, a far more scenic route to Sedona through Oak Creek Canyon. Ponderosa pines gradually replace the open desert, then those unmistakable red rocks appear. If you need a bigger stop, Flagstaff is a fantastic college town with typical city amenities and a robust craft brewery scene.

In Sedona, you’ll want at least two nights. This town, equal parts outdoorsy and New Age, has a way of drawing you in. Mountain bike shops and side-by-side rental companies stand alongside artist studios and shops selling kombucha, crystals and tinctures, and there’s a steady stream of hiking shoe-clad pedestrians walking around in all seasons. Hike some of its icons, like Cathedral Rock or Devil’s Bridge, spend time exploring Uptown and book a massage or wellness treatment. With more time, explore off-road in a rental Jeep and try to find one of the famous energy vortexes.  

Make Outbound Sedona your basecamp for the final nights. The hotel sits on the slightly less busy southern end of town, near the Village of Oak Creek and close to popular trails, including Bell Rock and Airport Mesa. Dine at Lucida Desert Kitchen for desert flavors (like charred corn and avocado dip or ancho-rubbed steak), or come for a drink after a day of hiking. The Moonwater Pool, hot tubs, firepits, tennis and pickleball courts, plus an onsite spa, offer lots of ways to relax and recharge – a fitting end to a road trip built around getting outside.

Things to know: Although Arizona doesn’t observe Daylight Saving Time, the Navajo Nation does, making it tricky to figure out the correct time in parts of Arizona and Utah. Double-check arrival times for tours and other appointments. 

2. The Ultimate Sierra and Southwest Road Trip

Best for: Desert adventures, mountain towns and a Yosemite finale
Distance: About 730 miles
Duration: 5–10 days
Base yourself: Outbound Mammoth, Outbound Yosemite (opening in spring 2027)

Connecting Sedona’s distinctive red-rock landscape with the granite monoliths and giant sequoias of Yosemite, this epic road trip passes through the desert, Las Vegas and the Eastern Sierra. It’s a route of dramatic extremes: dry desert gives way to high-elevation mountains, and the landscape does a full 360 with each stretch.

Like the Rockies route, this one can be done in either direction. Start in Sedona and end in the Bay Area, or reverse the route. If you’re flying, compare airfare and one-way rental car prices for several California airports; San Francisco and Oakland are obvious choices, but San Jose or Sacramento may have better options. 

If you start in Sedona, plan for at least two nights at Outbound Sedona. Hike musts include Bell Rock and Devil’s Bridge, or hit less-trafficked trails like Fay Canyon and Mescal. Wander through Uptown galleries and shops selling everything from crystals to books and outdoor gear, explore Tlaquepaque Village, enjoy dining with big views, or treat yourself to a spa day. Before heading west, stop in Williams, Arizona, a retro railroad town nicknamed the “Gateway to the Grand Canyon.” This is an especially fun stop for families, with Western souvenir shops, daily trips up the park on the Grand Canyon Railroad, and nearby, Bearizona and the Grand Canyon Deer Farm. 

Continue toward Las Vegas, where you can choose your own adventure. Take in the newest show or an immersive performance at Sphere, then eat your way down the Strip, ooh and ahh through the Arts District, explore Chinatown, tackle a niche museum (I always enjoy the Neon Museum and Mob Museum), or skip it all and simply restock supplies.

From Las Vegas, you have a few options. Continue northwest toward the Eastern Sierra, or detour through Death Valley National Park, one of the hottest, driest landscapes on Earth. If you have a couple of extra days, you can make the trip even more ambitious by adding Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. 

The reward for all that driving? Mammoth Lakes, one of California’s premier ski towns. Mammoth Mountain rises to 11,053ft, famous for its exceptionally long season. It often stretches into June and, in especially snowy years, even late summer. Snowboarding is the main draw, with skiing a close second, but don’t overlook the rest of Mammoth: ride the Mammoth Mountain Coaster, hike around the area’s jewel-like lakes, or take in the craggy, volcanic-formed scenery from a hot tub or the grassy patio at Mammoth Brewing. Stay at Outbound Mammoth, with an array of chalets, cabins, condos and traditional guest rooms. A sauna and steam room, arcade and lobby wine bar encourage proper unwinding. 

Continuing on, the most direct route from Mammoth to Yosemite is also one of the most spectacular. Tioga Pass Road, the continuation of Highway 120, crosses the Sierra through Yosemite’s high country, passing Tuolumne Meadows and some of the park’s most stunning scenery along the way. This is my absolute favorite part of Yosemite, and I’ve been several times. Spend most of your time at Tenaya Lake and take the quick Soda Springs hike, where you’ll see naturally carbonated springs – one of only a few places in the world where they exist.

There’s a catch: Tioga Road typically closes from November through late May or June due to heavy snow. When it’s closed, the drive between Mammoth and Yosemite Valley balloons from a few hours to at least six, requiring a long detour around the northern Sierra. Check the weather and road conditions before committing to this route.

Once you get to Yosemite, budget at least two full days, more if you have them. The park’s size is astounding, almost demanding slow-paced exploration. Spend a day in Yosemite Valley for classic views of El Capitan, Half Dome and Yosemite and Bridal Veil Falls, plus enjoying the buzzy scene in Curry Village. With a pizza patio, cafe, burrito and taco pickup window, ice cream shop and even a proper bar, it’s like the hikers’ version of an aprés scene. 

Devote another day to the park’s southern side, where you can walk among giant sequoias in Mariposa Grove and across an old-school swinging bridge spanning the Merced River. If Glacier Point Road is open, make the drive for one of the park’s best panoramic views, where you’ll see Half Dome at eye level. Both Glacier Point and Tioga Road remain closed well into spring and sometimes summer, so your exact itinerary will depend heavily on your timing.

Opening in spring 2027, base yourself at Outbound Yosemite in Oakhurst, about 25 minutes from Yosemite’s South Gate. The brand-new property will be well-positioned for exploring the park’s highlights and particularly convenient to Mariposa Grove and Yosemite Valley. Cabins, a pool and fire pits, an onsite restaurant, Juniper Crafted Pizza (already open to the public), and a gear garage give you plenty of reasons to explore the property after you’re done on the trails.