June 30
We depart San Francisco from 1st and Natoma at 9pm on Friday. 

July 2
We'll wake up at beautiful Pyramid Lake Indian Reservation for a great cook-out breakfast. You'll have time for a swim and a soak in piping hot water from an amazing geyser, and later in the day, maybe a chance to visit Spencer Hot Springs and Angel Lake or see some night life in Elko, Nevada.

July 3-4
Our second night is spent on another comfy drive into the Targhee National Forest followed by white water rafting on the Snake River (optional -about 20$). We'll visit historic Jackson, Wyoming and then camp with an amazing view of the Tetons!
After another gourmet breakfast there are many hiking options in the Grand Tetons- from as easy to as strenuous as you want. A short drive brings us to our next camp on the outskirts of Yellowstone National Park.

July 5-7
We'll spend two full days in Yellowstone visiting Old Faithful, the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, Fountain Paint Pots, Mammoth Hot Springs, Biscuit Basin, Artist Point or many of the other unique places in the park. We'll keep our eyes open for bison and elk as we drive through the beautiful terrain of the world's first national park. 

July 8
An overnight drive takes us to Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area and Reservoir.  Dinosaur National Monument and the Green River are next with their one-of-a-kind visitors center and archeological dig.

July 9
An overnight drive finds us at Arches National Monument and a beautiful walk through Devils Garden to view 8 different natural sandstone arches carved by the meanderings of ancient rivers. We drive back through the park (make sure to watch the scenery!) and to our campsite beside the Colorado River

July 10
After breakfast and a swim we head off to a town stop in Moab, and then on to Canyonlands National Park for another camp-out and more extraordinary hiking in your choice of gorgeous canyons.

July 11
The next day we reach Hovenweep National Monument and visit pueblo ruins left by the Anasazi Indians.
From Hovenweep the good red road leads into the Valley of the Gods for a peaceful, secluded campout under the stars. 

July 12
From the Valley of the Gods our iron horse takes us through Monument Valley and stunning Navajo lands.
The next destination is the North Rim of the Grand Canyon for a hearty breakfast and a top-side hike with spectacular views of the world's most famous canyon.
An overnight drive to Kodachrome Basin and an optional ride with a local cowboy leads to the night's camp.

July 13
The next morning we're up early for a quick breakfast and a short drive into Bryce Canyon National Park for awesome views and a magical hike down into the canyon. 

July 14
When we leave Bryce we head toward Zion National Park and camp just outside the park. 

July 15
Early the next morning we drive into Zion and have lots of options- hiking to heavenly Angels Landing, pretty Emerald Pools or the Virgin River Narrows, taking a guided tour along the canyon floor, or enjoying a short, easy (optional) horseback ride. Leaving by mid-afternoon will get us to Las Vegas for a dinner on the town and all the neon madness you can handle. 

July 16
After sleeping it off overnight on the bus we'll shoot for a quick early morning hot springs stop and then roll into Bakersfield to drop off our Los Angeles bound friends. Then it's back to the City by the Bay for fond Sunday evening good-byes and fun at the Green Tortoise Hostel.