USA 2026

Midday

Drive to Three Rivers

Road transfer

Leave San Francisco and travel south to the Sequoia gateway town of Three Rivers.

Evening

Settle in

Easy evening

Check in, refuel and prepare water and walking gear for an early park start.

Morning

General Sherman & Giant Forest

Completed

Visit the world's largest known living single-stem tree by volume and explore the surrounding giant-sequoia grove.

Midday

Big Trees Trail

Completed · easy

A gentle loop around Round Meadow with giant sequoias and interpretive panels.

Afternoon

Moro Rock

Completed · steep stairs

Climb the granite staircase for broad views across the Great Western Divide.

Early morning

Sentinel Dome

3.2 km return · 1–2 hr · +120 m

A short but memorable dome walk with a final open-granite ascent and a 360° panorama.

• Best answer to the family's wish to climb a dome
• Start early for cooler conditions

Optional extension

Taft Point

3.5 km return · 1–2 hr

Dramatic views straight down into Yosemite Valley. Add only if energy and temperature allow.

• Cliff edges are exposed and not continuously guarded
• Keep well back from fissures and edges

Late morning

Washburn Point

Short roadside stop

An efficient viewpoint for Half Dome, Vernal Fall and Nevada Fall.

Late morning

Glacier Point

45–60 min · paved

Walk to the panoramic overlooks roughly 975 metres above Yosemite Valley.

17:00–20:00

Relaxed Valley evening

Choose 2–3 stops

After a hotel break during the hottest hours, combine Cook's Meadow, Sentinel Bridge, The Ahwahnee, El Capitan Meadow or Valley View.

Early morning

Vernal Fall

Choose the family version

Footbridge: 2.6 km return, +115 m, 1–1½ hr. Top of Vernal Fall: 3.8 km return, +300 m, 2–4 hr. The top is the recommended active option.

• Carry at least 2 litres of water per person
• Granite steps are steep; stay away from wet rocks and the river above the fall
• Nevada Fall is not recommended in the forecast heat

Late morning

Yosemite Village

Welcome Center · food · services

Recover after the hike and visit the Welcome Center. Use Curry Village or Yosemite Village for breakfast or lunch.

Afternoon / evening

Valley highlights

Flexible · mostly flat

Prioritise Cook's Meadow, Sentinel Bridge and a shaded Valley Loop section. Lower Yosemite Fall and Mirror Lake are lower priority in late summer.

Morning

Olmsted Point

Roadside + optional 0.8 km walk

Granite panorama looking back toward Half Dome and Tenaya Canyon.

Late morning

Tenaya Lake

30–60 min

Pause at the bright alpine lake for shore views and a short leg stretch.

Midday

Tuolumne Meadows

Short meadow walk · picnic

Explore the broad high-elevation landscape before crossing Tioga Pass.

• Carry food and water
• Services along Tioga Road are limited

Late afternoon · optional

Mono Lake

Add only if time allows

Stop for the unusual tufa landscape, or keep it for the full Mammoth-area day.

09:00–11:00

Mono Lake South Tufa

≈ 1.6 km · easy · guided walk at 10:00

Leave Limelight Mammoth at 09:00 and drive directly to the South Tufa parking area. Arrive around 09:45 for the one-hour naturalist walk among the limestone towers. Take hats, sunscreen and water: the shore is exposed and has little shade.

11:45–12:40

Lunch at The EATery

Mammoth Brewing Company · directly on the route

Return to Mammoth Lakes for burgers, sandwiches, salads or flatbreads. The restaurant is at the entrance to Lake Mary Road, so there is virtually no detour before driving to Lake George. It opens at 11:30 and does not take reservations.

13:00–15:30

Lake George → Crystal Lake

≈ 4.3 km return · +300 m · moderate

Park at Lake George and follow the trail toward Crystal Crag. The climb is concentrated and occasionally steep, but shorter than the completed Nevada Fall walk. Allow 2–2½ hours including the lake and viewpoints over Lake George and Lake Mary.

15:30–17:15

Mammoth Lakes Basin scenic circuit

Short stops · 1–2 km optional walking

Continue by car via Lake George, Lake Mary, Horseshoe Lake and the Twin Lakes overlook. At Horseshoe Lake, see the area of dead trees caused by naturally occurring underground CO₂. Add the short McLeod Lake walk only if everyone still feels energetic.

17:30–19:00

Hotel rest & early dinner

Limelight Mammoth · flexible

Return to the hotel, recharge and eat early. Take a fleece or light jacket for the evening viewpoint, which is above 2,800 metres.

19:15–20:35

Minaret Vista

Roadside viewpoint · very short walk

Drive past Mammoth Mountain Main Lodge for evening light over the Minarets, Mount Ritter, Banner Peak and the Sierra crest. Aim to reach the viewpoint around 19:35 and expect wind and a rapid temperature drop after sunset.

09:00–11:15

Drive south on US-395

Mammoth Lakes → Lone Pine · about 190 km

Leave Limelight Mammoth with a full tank, downloaded maps and abundant water. US-395 is currently open, with possible short one-way traffic controls near the CA-190 junction.

11:15–12:00

Lone Pine: early lunch, fuel & supplies

Last convenient full-service stop

Eat before entering the park, top up the fuel tank and buy cold drinks or snacks. From here, follow CA-136 and CA-190 toward Panamint Springs and Furnace Creek.

13:00–13:15

Father Crowley Vista

Brief roadside panorama · higher elevation

Stop at the paved overlook above Rainbow Canyon. Enjoy the main view beside the parking area; do not add the exposed dirt walk in the afternoon heat.

14:30–14:40

Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes

View from the paved parking area only

Make this a ten-minute photo stop beside the vehicle. Do not walk onto the dunes: sand and ground temperatures can cause burns and the car is your air-conditioned shelter.

15:15–18:00

Visitor Center, check-in & heat break

Furnace Creek · indoor/rest period

If you arrive before 17:00, make a short stop at the Visitor Center for the latest ranger advice, then check in at The Inn at Death Valley. Rest, hydrate and avoid outdoor activity.

18:30–19:45

Artist's Drive in evening light

Scenic one-way drive · stay mainly in the car

Drive the nine-mile loop when the low sun brings out the colours around Artist's Palette and finish close to the 19:43 sunset. Keep stops short because it remains extremely hot, and skip the loop if the road is closed or the vehicle exceeds posted restrictions. Zabriskie Point is reserved for sunrise tomorrow, avoiding a repeat visit.

05:10–06:20

Zabriskie Point at sunrise

Arrive 05:25 · civil twilight 05:34 · sunrise 06:02

Leave The Inn at 05:10 and be at the viewpoint about 35 minutes before sunrise. The short paved path climbs from the car park; stay through the first light moving across the badlands and Panamint Mountains, then depart promptly for Badwater Basin.

06:20–08:05

Badwater Basin

Arrive about 06:55 · depart about 07:35

Experience the salt flats at 86 metres below sea level while temperatures are still comparatively low. Walk only a limited distance, remain close to the car and turn back before the day heats up. Expect to return to The Inn around 08:05.

08:05–09:00

Breakfast, pack & check out

The Inn at Death Valley · indoor recovery

Rehydrate, eat breakfast and complete check-out. Leave at 09:00 with a full water supply and enough fuel for Dante's View and the onward drive to Las Vegas.

09:00–10:25

Dante's View

Arrive about 09:50 · panoramic viewpoint at 1,669 m

Take the paved out-and-back road to the viewpoint for the high panorama over Badwater Basin and the Panamint Range. Allow about 35 minutes at the top, stay near the main overlook and do not add the exposed Mount Perry hike. Depart for Las Vegas around 10:25.

13:15–13:45 arrival · evening flexible

Arrive in Las Vegas & first evening

Strip · Bellagio fountains · High Roller

Choose a light first-night sequence after the drive. Keep the programme focused on sights rather than gambling.

Daytime

Professional trade fair

Schedule to confirm

Protect the confirmed fair hours first; use only the genuinely free block for activities.

Evening

Major show

Book ahead

Best family options discussed: Cirque du Soleil O, KÀ, or a suitable Sphere programme.

Morning / midday

AREA15 & Omega Mart

Immersive experience · reserve

A strong fit for the three boys: interactive, surreal and largely indoors.

Afternoon

Hotel pool & rest

Heat break

Keep the hottest hours deliberately unscheduled.

Evening option

Neon Museum & Fremont Street

Reserve museum

Combine vintage Las Vegas history with the livelier downtown evening atmosphere.

Afternoon

Drive to the South Rim

Long transfer

Leave enough buffer for fuel, traffic and park entry. Avoid committing to a sunset viewpoint unless arrival remains comfortable.

Sunset · if on time

Mather or Yavapai Point

Easy first canyon view

Choose a viewpoint close to the village rather than rushing farther along the rim.

Sunrise

Yavapai or Mather Point

Easy · cold-to-hot temperature swing

Start with changing light across the canyon and smaller crowds.

Early morning

South Kaibab to Ooh Aah Point

2.9 km return · steep · exposed

Descend below the rim for a fundamentally different perspective. Turn around at Ooh Aah Point and climb back before the heat.

• There is no water on the trail
• Down is optional; up is mandatory
• Skip in unsafe heat or thunderstorms

Late morning

Hermit Road viewpoints

Shuttle

Hop between Trailview, Maricopa, Hopi, Mohave and Pima points; choose a subset rather than stopping everywhere.

Late afternoon

Desert View Drive

Self-drive

Drive east along the rim and finish at Lipan Point or Desert View for sunset.

Morning

Drive toward Monument Valley

Scenic transfer

Allow for the time-zone situation and Navajo Nation operating hours when fixing the day.

Afternoon

Valley drive or Navajo-guided tour

Choice to confirm

A guided tour offers access and interpretation beyond the standard scenic loop; self-drive flexibility depends on road conditions and the vehicle.

Sunset

Monument Valley viewpoint

Core experience

Protect time for the classic late-light view over the buttes.

Action needed

Secure accommodation

4 adults + one 15-year-old

The View standard room is safest as two rooms. Goulding's larger villas may fit five. Availability must be rechecked; nothing is confirmed.

Morning / timing to book

Kayak into Antelope Canyon arm

Lake Powell · guided preferred

Paddle from Lake Powell into the flooded lower reaches of Antelope Canyon. Confirm launch point, duration, age rules and transfer time for five people.

Separate tour

Walk a slot canyon

Authorised Navajo guide required

Pair the paddle with a land-based canyon tour only if the operator times leave realistic travel, check-in and meal buffers.

• Do not assume the kayak trip replaces an authorised land tour
• Book the two activities as a feasible sequence, not independently overlapping reservations

Reserved time

Antelope Canyon guided visit

Advance booking essential

Upper or Lower Antelope Canyon must be visited with an authorised guide. Choose based on confirmed availability and mobility preferences.

Early or late

Horseshoe Bend

2.4 km return · exposed

Walk to the Colorado River overlook outside the hottest part of the day; carry water and expect little shade.

Flexible

Lake Powell viewpoint / swim

Recovery option

Keep a flexible water-side block rather than overloading the day after the kayak and canyon visits.

Morning

Drive to Springdale

Transfer + check-in

Arrive early enough to understand the shuttle setup and collect any rented river equipment.

Late afternoon option

Canyon Overlook Trail

1.6 km return · moderate

A compact introduction to Zion's scale if parking and conditions cooperate; otherwise take an easy Pa'rus Trail sunset walk.

Early morning option

The Narrows

River hike · conditions critical

Walk upstream from the Temple of Sinawava only if flow, flash-flood risk and water-quality advisories are acceptable. Rent proper shoes and a walking stick.

• Never enter with a flash-flood warning
• Check official conditions the same morning
• Turn around based on the least comfortable family member

Dry alternative

Scout Lookout / West Rim Trail

Strenuous climb

A dramatic dry-land alternative; Angels Landing beyond Scout Lookout requires a permit.

Easier alternative

Emerald Pools & Pa'rus Trail

Easy to moderate

A flexible lower-intensity combination if river or heat conditions rule out the bigger hikes.

Early departure

Long drive to Los Banos

Make safety the only priority

Rotate drivers, schedule real meal and rest stops, and do not add sightseeing that risks a late exhausted arrival.

Early morning

Drive to SFO

Deadline day

Set the departure only after confirming flight time, rental return location and the required check-in buffer. Do not plan a morning attraction.