Utah and Arizona in March: Snowy Western Adventure!

It’d been 30 years since I last set foot in the United States, and I hadn’t really felt the urge to return.

Reading Marati’s trip report sparked a bit of nostalgia for this destination that my partner had never experienced.

So, we chose the American West as the goal for our spring getaway.

With only 15 days, we couldn’t be too ambitious...

I cut Los Angeles from the itinerary—it didn’t leave a lasting impression on me—and San Francisco, which is tricky to reach from the East this time of year.

We’ll land in Las Vegas, which will also be our return point, and do a classic loop covering the highlights of Utah and Arizona.

The plan includes plenty of hikes but also lots of miles behind the wheel to admire the natural wonders of the West.

You can find the details of our transatlantic wanderings here.

Happy reading!

And if you have any questions or comments, don’t hesitate to share!

Why choose the American West?

- Incredible landscapes

- Countless hiking opportunities

- Relive your childhood by following in John Wayne’s footsteps (for the older crowd...)

- Face the American myth head-on

The downsides of the destination:

- Prices, especially the poor value for money when it comes to accommodation.

- The food if you hate junk food.

- Overtourism that’s ruining some parks (Grand Canyon, Zion), and tourist crowds in general.

- The dream taking a hit when you catch glimpses of poverty.

Why choose the American West?

- Extraordinary landscapes

- Countless hiking opportunities

- Relive your childhood by following in John Wayne’s footsteps (for those of us who remember...)

- Confront the American myth

The downsides of the destination:

- Prices, especially the poor value for money when it comes to accommodation.

- The food if you hate junk food.

- Overtourism that spoils some parks (Grand Canyon, Zion), and the general tourist crowds.

- The dream shattering when you see the poverty glimpsed along the way.

That’s exactly how I felt in 2022. And you haven’t even seen SFO—it’s really rough seeing all the homeless people. Same goes for Las Vegas, which I hated. Except for my wedding vow renewal.

As much as I loved 1990s Las Vegas, I was really disappointed by the 2020s version. 🤪 It’s become kind of tacky and cheap-looking, with the smell of weed and drunk people everywhere.

Guess I’m getting old!

For the "gritty" side, it wasn’t so much the homeless people that struck me (I didn’t see many) but the poorly maintained roads, the run-down houses, the super old-school hotels, and the unappealing storefronts.

America’s rich. Where’s all the money going?

America is rich. Where does it put its money?

A certain America is rich. Clinton once told a presidential candidate: "If you want to win, you’ve got to talk economy, economy, and economy again. Nothing else."

I’ve seen small towns in Mississippi with absolute poverty. And others with dazzling wealth. And I’m not even talking about California—just the Southern states.

I don’t understand this country any more than I understand India...🤪

I share your positive and negative impressions of the States.

On the downside, for those who want to explore the big national parks, I’d add that you now have to plan everything in advance because of the daily quotas that are becoming more and more common.

And in Navajo land, it’s a shame how prices keep skyrocketing, making some places inaccessible to enthusiasts and limiting access to those who can afford it. The rates for Havasupai and Antelope Canyon have become outrageous, yet the schedules are always fully booked.

Anyway, I’m off to read your travel journal 😉...

Havasupai and Antelope Canyon prices have become outrageous

We didn’t try the different versions of Antelope Canyon.

Partly because of the prices, but mostly because of the reviews we read.

Ending up in a single-file line after being charged dozens of dollars—no thanks!

The horseback ride in Monument Valley wasn’t cheap, but at least we had the place to ourselves with our guide. 😛

I read the first half of your trip. You really didn’t get lucky with the weather—Grand Canyon, Page, or Monument Valley. That definitely affects the overall vibe 🙁 It must explain why you fell in love with Natural Bridges NM right after... On the other hand, you made up for it in the Needles—I get your love for that area. It’s such an underrated and fantastic spot! 😇

Yeah, the weather was really awful for part of the trip! 😵

When it’s a nature destination, it makes an even bigger difference...

We didn’t get lucky this year in Andalusia either (same time of year).

So we’re playing it safe in 2025 and heading to Thailand! 😎

For Canyonlands, I totally get why this area was so highly recommended once I got there! 😉