Self-Launched: America's Great Parks — Las Vegas Loop to Yellowstone, Zion & Bryce
15 days · Western USA
Globus charges £4,750
No-markup version: ~£1,980 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
A self-launched version of Globus's 15-day coach tour through the American Southwest and Rockies: Grand Canyon, Monument Valley, Arches, Denver, the Black Hills, Yellowstone, Grand Teton, Salt Lake City, Bryce and Zion, looping back to Las Vegas. Instead of a tour bus and tour director, you'll string together Greyhound/FlixBus, Amtrak, and national park shuttle systems, stay in hostels, motels and park lodges (or gateway-town budget hotels), and book small-group Navajo jeep tours, ranger walks and chuckwagon dinners directly. You'll need your own America the Beautiful annual pass (~£63) for park entry. Costs are rough backpacker-level estimates and assume a shared hostel/motel room or dorm where possible; car-free travel on this route is doable but requires planning, and hiring a cheap rental car for the Utah/Montana legs will often be cheaper than buses if you can split it.
Day-by-day
Arrive Las Vegas
Las Vegas, Nevada
Land at Harry Reid International and take the local RTC bus (route 109/108, ~£2) or a shared shuttle to a hostel or budget motel near the Strip or downtown. Wander Fremont Street and the Strip after dark — free entertainment, cheap eats and people-watching are the point here. Stock up on trail snacks and a refillable water bottle at a supermarket.
🚌RTC bus from airport (~£2)
🛏Hostel dorm or budget motel, Las Vegas (~£30)
- →Fremont Street Experience light show
- →Strip walk
- →Supermarket supply run
Las Vegas to Grand Canyon South Rim
Grand Canyon Village, Arizona
Take a Greyhound or FlixBus from Las Vegas to Kingman/Flagstaff, then connect onward to the South Rim (Greyhound to Flagstaff ~£30, then the Arizona Shuttle or Groome Transportation to Grand Canyon Village ~£30–40). Enter the park with your America the Beautiful pass (~£63 annual, covers all parks on this trip). Catch sunset from Mather Point or Hopi Point via the free park shuttle.
🚌Greyhound + shuttle (~£65)
🛏Hostel dorm at Grand Canyon International Hostel (Flagstaff-based) or park campground/lodge dorm (~£40)
- →Mather Point sunset
- →Rim Trail walk
- →Free park shuttle loop
Grand Canyon rim day + Monument Valley transfer
Monument Valley, Utah/Arizona
Morning hike a section of the Rim Trail or the Bright Angel Trail (down to the 1.5-mile resthouse and back — no permit needed for day hikes, just water and early start). Optional helicopter flight from Grand Canyon Airport via GetYourGuide (~£180–220, book ahead). Afternoon head east; book a shared day-tour transfer or overnight in Flagstaff/Kayenta. Many travellers find hiring a car for the Utah leg is the most practical option here.
🚌Shared shuttle or rental car (~£35)
🛏Budget motel or hostel in Kayenta/Flagstaff (~£45)
- →Bright Angel Trail day hike
- →Optional helicopter flight over the canyon
- →Drive to Monument Valley area
Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park
Monument Valley, Utah
Book a Navajo-guided 4WD backcountry tour directly with operators like Dineh Bekeyah Tours or Monument Valley Safari (~£70–90 for 2.5–3.5 hrs) — the guided version replicates the Globus included experience. Entry to the tribal park is separate (~£6). Self-drive the 17-mile Valley Drive loop if you have a car. Evening: eat at a local Navajo-run spot near Goulding's Lodge or in Kayenta (frybread and mutton stew ~£12); private cookouts are hard to replicate solo, so a guide's campfire tour is the closest match.
🚌Local jeep tour included in activity cost
🛏Budget motel/hostel near Kayenta or Goulding's (~£45)
- →Navajo-guided 4WD tour
- →Valley Drive scenic loop
- →John Ford's Point viewpoint
Moab & Arches National Park
Moab, Utah
Travel to Moab (shared shuttle, or rental car via US-191; Greyhound doesn't serve Moab directly). Spend the afternoon in Arches National Park using the free-ish timed-entry reservation system (reserve online in advance, ~£2 booking fee) plus the park pass. Walk to Balanced Rock and hike the Delicate Arch trail (3 miles, ~£0 with pass, 2 hrs). Moab has several good hostels — Lazy Lizard is a classic.
🚌Shuttle/rental car (~£40)
🛏Hostel dorm in Moab (~£35)
- →Delicate Arch hike
- →Balanced Rock viewpoint
- →Moab town wander
Colorado National Monument to Denver
Grand Junction & Denver, Colorado
Drive or shuttle to Grand Junction and take a scenic detour through Colorado National Monument (Rim Rock Drive, ~23 miles of overlooks, pass-covered). Then catch the Amtrak California Zephyr from Grand Junction to Denver (~£45, ~5.5 hrs) — one of the most spectacular train rides in the US, through Glenwood Canyon. Evening stroll on the 16th Street Mall or in LoDo.
🚌Amtrak California Zephyr (~£45) + local transit
🛏Hostel dorm or budget hotel in Denver (~£40)
- →Colorado National Monument Rim Rock Drive
- →Amtrak Zephyr scenic ride
- →LoDo evening
Denver to the Black Hills
Custer, South Dakota
Long travel day: fly Denver to Rapid City on a budget carrier (Frontier/United, ~£60–80 if booked ahead) and take the local shuttle, or take Greyhound to Rapid City (~£60, 12+ hrs — not recommended). Base yourself in Custer or Keystone. Evening: free walk through Custer's main street and a cheap diner dinner.
🚌Budget flight + shuttle (~£75)
🛏Budget motel or hostel in Custer/Keystone (~£45)
- →Travel day
- →Custer town walk
Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse & Custer State Park
Custer State Park, South Dakota
Rent a car for the day (~£45 split, or join a small-group Black Hills day tour ~£80). Visit Mount Rushmore National Memorial (parking ~£8, memorial free), Crazy Horse Memorial (~£10 entry), then do a self-drive wildlife loop in Custer State Park (~£15 park entry) — bison, pronghorn and prairie dogs are easy to spot. Evening: book a chuckwagon cookout dinner show (Fort Hays or Blue Bell Lodge, ~£35) to mirror the Globus Western night.
🚌Rental car or small-group tour (~£55)
🛏Budget motel or hostel in Custer/Keystone (~£45)
- →Mount Rushmore
- →Crazy Horse Memorial
- →Custer State Park wildlife loop
- →Chuckwagon cookout dinner
Deadwood to Sheridan
Sheridan, Wyoming
Morning in Deadwood — walk the historic Main Street, see the Adams House or just soak up the gold-rush saloon vibe (free). Then drive west on I-90 to Sheridan (~3 hrs) or take a Greyhound/Jefferson Lines connection. Sheridan is a classic cowboy town; grab a burger on Main Street.
🚌Rental car or Greyhound (~£35)
🛏Budget motel in Sheridan (~£40)
- →Deadwood historic Main Street
- →Scenic I-90 drive
- →Sheridan Main Street
Sheridan to Yellowstone
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
Drive or shuttle to Yellowstone's north entrance at Gardiner via US-89 through Paradise Valley (~3 hrs). Enter with your annual pass. Base yourself at a park campground (Madison or Canyon, ~£25) or a Gardiner/West Yellowstone budget motel (~£60). Evening wildlife drive along the Lamar Valley — bison, elk and possibly wolves at dusk.
🚌Rental car / shuttle (~£35)
🛏Park campground or Gardiner budget motel (~£35)
- →Lamar Valley wildlife drive
- →Mammoth Hot Springs terraces
Yellowstone full day
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
Classic loop day: Old Faithful eruption (every ~90 mins, free), the Grand Prismatic Spring overlook, Fountain Paint Pot, and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone with Artist Point. Join a free ranger-led walk (check the park's daily schedule at visitor centres) or book a small-group wildlife tour via GetYourGuide (~£90) if you want a naturalist. Pack a picnic lunch to save money — park food is pricey.
🚌Rental car (~£20 fuel share)
🛏Park campground or Gardiner/West Yellowstone budget motel (~£35)
- →Old Faithful
- →Grand Prismatic Spring
- →Artist Point / Grand Canyon of Yellowstone
- →Fountain Paint Pot
- →Optional ranger walk
Grand Teton National Park to Jackson
Jackson, Wyoming
Drive south through Yellowstone and into Grand Teton National Park (pass covers entry). Walk the Jenny Lake shoreline trail and optionally take the Jenny Lake shuttle boat (~£12) to Hidden Falls. Continue to Jackson for the evening — see the Antler Arches in the town square and pop into the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar for a drink (~£8).
🚌Rental car (~£25)
🛏Hostel dorm at The Hostel or budget motel in Jackson (~£50)
- →Jenny Lake shoreline walk
- →Hidden Falls (optional boat)
- →Antler Arches
- →Million Dollar Cowboy Bar
Jackson to Salt Lake City
Salt Lake City, Utah
Long drive south on US-89/I-80 (~5 hrs) or a Greyhound connection. In Salt Lake City, do a free self-guided walk of Temple Square and the Utah State Capitol; the city is walkable and the TRAX light rail is cheap (~£2). Cheap dinner at a local brewpub or taco joint.
🚌Greyhound or rental car (~£40)
🛏Hostel dorm or budget motel in SLC (~£35)
- →Temple Square
- →Utah State Capitol
- →TRAX light rail city wander
Bryce Canyon National Park
Bryce Canyon, Utah
Drive south (~4 hrs) to Bryce Canyon, entering with your pass. Hike the Queens Garden / Navajo Loop combination (3 miles, ~2 hrs) among the hoodoos — the highlight of the trip. Stay in Bryce Canyon City or inside the park at the lodge/campground. Stay up late for the famous stargazing (free ranger astronomy programmes most nights).
🚌Rental car (~£30)
🛏Budget motel in Bryce Canyon City or park campground (~£40)
- →Queens Garden / Navajo Loop hike
- →Sunset Point
- →Ranger-led stargazing
Zion National Park & back to Las Vegas
Zion National Park to Las Vegas, Nevada
Drive the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway and tunnel (pass covers park entry), then explore Zion Canyon via the free park shuttle. Walk the Riverside Walk or wade the Narrows if conditions allow (rent gear in Springdale, ~£25). Picnic lunch near Zion Lodge, then drive ~2.5 hrs back to Las Vegas for your flight home. Return the rental car at the airport.
🚌Rental car return + fuel (~£35)
🛏None (departure day)
- →Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel drive
- →Zion Canyon shuttle
- →Riverside Walk
- →Optional Narrows wade
Self-launched vs. Globus
| This itinerary (self-launched) | Globus | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£1,980 | £4,750 |
| Duration | 15 days | 15 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £2,770 per person (58%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more Globus-style trips? Check them out here.~£1,980
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does Self-Launched: America's Great Parks — Las Vegas Loop to Yellowstone, Zion & Bryce cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £1,980 per person for 15 days in Western USA. This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with Globus?+
Yes — Globus charges around £4,750 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £1,980 — a saving of roughly £2,770 (58%) per person.
How long is the Western USA trip?+
This itinerary runs 15 days, covering 15 day-by-day stops through Western USA.
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a adventure, hiking, road-trip trip through Western USA, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
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