las vegas - Yellowstone

[cinterion]

Southwest Dave, we are working around the itinerary you have proposed. Also looking around RTA site ad travel forum.
We note that the most of the itinarary starting from las vegas move in direction on zio park and come back from grand canyon.
Is there a reason or is it just a coincidence ?

[Southwest Dave]

The route outlined creates a nice loop where you don't have to backtrack on yourself. You can reverse the direction and it will work the same. The only reason I recommend Zion first is it is closer to Vegas, so an easier drive while still adjusting your body clock, plus the Grand canyon (for most) is the highlight of the trip and a great way to finish the tour. If it works better for you the other way around then that's the way to go.

[Lifemagician]

Be sure that when you get to your first national park that you purchase a yearly pass. It will give you entry for your car and all its occupants for all the parks you plan to visit. The cost of a yearly pass is typically the same as visiting 3 national parks. Since you plan to visit more, it will be well worth while. [If at the end of the trip you will no longer have use for the card, hand it in at one of the charities. They will put it to good use.]
One year one of the generous members above, knowing I was planning a trip, sent his to me at the end of his trip. It was a wonderful surprise.

In Las Vegas you will see many advertisements advertising flights over the Grand Canyon and tours to the Skywalk. Neither of those will take you to the spectacular National Park. The Skywalk is very restrictive (e.g. no cameras) and the flights are only allowed to fly over the western end of the canyon.

Lifey

[cinterion]

Hello everyone, we have begun to define some details of our tour. We would like not to plan everything before departure, but we are already having difficulty booking in some locations.
I don't know how to combine flexibility with the freedom of road travel.
We will travel in june and I think is high season in that area... suggestions ?

[Southwest Dave]

There are Pros and cons to booking and not booking and comes down to personal preference. Mine is to book in advance and have the peace of mind knowing I have a place for the night. The thought of spending half of my afternoon on the phone trying to secure a room fills me with dread, I just want to enjoy the moment. Others prefer to leave it and experience the freedom not booking offers. Late cancellation policies can offer a bit of leeway, but I always think of it as not being tied down with careful planning. I have a start date and an end date and know what I want to see and do and if all else fails I may lose a nights accomodation cost. (Never happend yet!)