| Why
Travel to the South West States?
Many of the country's most interesting cities sit in this corner
of USA, while bizarre and mind-boggling national parks bubble up
all around offering the best geological wow factors in the country.
This is the most culturally diverse region in the country representing
everything from wild west through Latino to Mormon and hippy-dippy
new age.
Adventure sport and scenic touring possibilities are outstanding,
catering to almost everyone.
Downside:
Crime time can be easily avoided - it's not
as prevalent as Hollywood suggests - but some driving in fast, heavy
traffic on big roads with poor signs cannot.
Main
Festivals and Events:
July, Festival of the American West,
Logan, Utah
International
Gem Festival,
Tucson Arizona
Halloween
Parade,
San Francisco
Tournament
of Roses,
Pasadena, Los Angeles
Recreational
Activities:
Hiking: Yellowstone, Sequoia, King's
Canyon, Joshua Tree and Death Valley National Parks, Mojave National
Preserve and Anza-Borrego Desert State Park in California; Capitol
Reef, Zion, Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands and Arches National Parks
in Utah;
the Pacific Crest Trail
Climbing: Joshua
Tree for small stuff, Yosemite for big climbs, Sequoia and King's
Canyon National Parks in California; Moab in Utah; San Francisco
Mountains, Santa Catalina Mountains, and Monument Valley in Arizona;
Red Rocks in Nevada.
Mountaineering: Sierra Nevada Mountains
in California; Wasatch Mountains.
Mountain biking: Slickrock
in Sand Flats Recreation Area [Moab] is the best bike trail in the
country. Also Mammoth Mountain, Marin County.
White
water rafting and kayaking: Moab is
a great base for white
water
Skiing and Snowboarding:
Kaibab National Forest and Cocinino National Forest in Arizona.
Where
to Go:
California***
This part of the west coast is the hippest,
richest state in the country. It's got the surf coast, superb, dynamic
cities - some of them very attractive - good wine and sunshine,
neo-hippies, freaks, geeks, deserts and mountains. More
information
Arizona***
With the Grand Canyon, Monument Valley and
a lot of cowboy happenings, Arizona puts the wild in west. More
information
New
Mexico**
An interesting palette of Mexican, Indian
and bohemian influences, yet parts are very much in the nuclear
age, More information
Utah***
Big on Mormon and Native American culture
but the main interest to the Utah traveller is the outdoor recreational
possibilities, particularly hiking and biking in the staggeringly
beautiful national parks [see right column] plus white powder in
winter and white water in summer.
Salt
Lake City*
hosted the 2002 winter Olympics so facilities
in the area are spanking new for the snow seeking tourist. There
are several world class ski resorts within an hour or two drive
from the city, which has an international airport.
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|
USA
Tours
More
tour operators offering tours to the USA can be found in our listings
here: USA
Tours
Bugbog
pages:| New Mexico |
Las Vegas | Arizona
| Best
USA
Where
to Go continued:
Some
'Grand
Circle' SW USA National Parks:
Bryce
Canyon National Park [Utah]*** a
gorgeous amphitheatre of wiggly, melting, red and white rocks, with
stunning walks above and below the rim and good campgrounds.
Zion
Canyon National Park [Utah]*** towering,
fortress rocks in a deep canyon cut by the Virgin river. While the
Grand Canyon experience is mostly looking down, Zion is mostly looking
up to vari-coloured monoliths. Walks are well-marked and interesting
while camping is convenient.
Capitol
Reef National Park [Utah]** yet another colourful, rocky region
with excellent hiking, plus a historic Mormon town.
Moab
town [Utah]**
a lively, young gateway town to Canyonlands and Arches National
Parks, as well as massive Sand Flats Recreation Area, with all the
rental kit and activity organisation
necessary.
Canyonlands
National Park [Utah]** another huge and
scenic wilderness area with buttes and canyons, great rafting, biking,
4WD, ATV and hiking possibilities.
Limited camping.
Arches
National Park [Utah]*** incredible sandstone
arches and wacky rock shapes in dramatic settings.
Great hiking but no biking. Busy but enough space for that not to
be a problem. Limited camping.
Monument
Valley Navajo Tribal Park [Utah/Arizona]** some wonderful
buttes that will trigger fond western memories. Hiking and biking.
Painted
Desert**
The high elevation Colorado Plateau portion
of the Great Basin Desert in southern Utah stretches down into north
eastern Arizona and is a superb space for outdoor activities.
Nevada*
[for
gambling, bright lights, Burning Man***]
The
gambling and desert state containing Reno, Las Vegas and Great Basin
NP while Black Rock Desert in late August is temporary home to the
totally wild and awesome Burning
Man Festival.
Las
Vegas***
spectacular casino exteriors and some great free shows, though interiors
are mostly spectacularly dull while restaurants and pay shows are
good but no longer cheap. More information
and Pictures
Mojave
Desert
More cacti per sq ft then any other,
and wobbly trees too, in Joshua
Tree National Park [California].
Great
Basin Desert*
Northeast
of the Mojave is this massive desert which covers almost all of
the state, criss crossed by a handful of highways.
Area
51*
the truth can apparently be found here. The infamous Area 51 and
Hangar 18 within are well off official limits but star gazing in
the area can get a little strange - UFO's are commonly sighted.
The residents of nearby Rachel are happy to tell you about it and
take your money for souvenirs.
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