Monumental Road Trip from Chicago to the Rocky Mountains and the American Southwest
This iconic trip offers a peak experience of Middle America and the American West. The journey begins in Chicago, the magnificent Midwest capital — a city of great food and skyscrapers on the shores of Lake Michigan. From there, you head west, crossing the Mississippi River and diving into the vast Great Plains.
As you ascend the Rocky Mountains, you’ll encounter some of America’s most majestic landmarks, foremost among them Mount Rushmore — the colossal sculpture of four U.S. presidents that has become an American icon. From Mount Rushmore, continue to Yellowstone National Park, the birthplace of American nature conservation.
From Yellowstone, you head south through Grand Teton National Park, reaching the highest peaks of the Rockies in Colorado, and then return to civilization in the city of Denver.
Colorado River and the Wild West Canyons
The Colorado River carves its way from the western slopes of the Rocky Mountains through a vast desert plateau known as the Colorado Plateau, famously associated with the American “Wild West.” This elevated plateau features soft Navajo sandstone layered atop older, harder rock formations. The carving of the Colorado River and its tributaries has created a unique geological formation of canyons.
Along this river route are some of the most famous canyons in the U.S., with the Grand Canyon being the most iconic. Beyond the canyons, the desert landscape is filled with stunning natural formations such as buttes, mesas, arches, and pillars.
Southwest Road Trip from Las Vegas
Starting from Las Vegas, you can visit all these geological wonders, which are located in popular national parks and nature reserves. The circular route east of Las Vegas includes these parks and sites:
Valley of Fire State Park
Hoover Dam
Grand Canyon National Park
Monument Valley
Arches National Park
Canyonlands National Park
Capitol Reef National Park
Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument
Kodachrome Basin State Park
Bryce Canyon National Park
Dixie National Forest
Zion National Park
Red Cliffs National Conservation Area
Coyote Buttes
Glen Canyon
This route perfectly combines breathtaking natural beauty, iconic landmarks, and a true taste of the American West’s history and geology.
The Rocky Mountains and Great Plains Parks – A Circular Route from Chicago The monumental travel route starting from Chicago to the Rocky Mountain National
8 Great Lodges in Rocky Mountain National Park Estes Park is the starting point for trips to Rocky Mountains National Park in Colorado. This high-altitude
Denver – A Tour of Colorado’s Liberal Capital Denver, the capital of Colorado, is the main city in the vast expanse between the Great Plains
The Grand Canyon – 6 Excellent Roadside Hotels Over the Abyss The logistical base of the Grand Canyon National Park is the Grand Canyon Village
Moab – 9 Epic Hotels and Motels to Stay for Visiting Utah’s National Parks The remote desert town of Moab in eastern Utah is a
Zion National Park – 8 Hotels for a Desert Vibe Zion National Park is one of the most popular parks on the grand tour route
8 Great Hotels Near Mount Rushmore in the Black Hills Mount Rushmore is one of America’s most famous sites. The impossible carving and sculpting of
The Parks of the Colorado Plateau – A Circular Route from Las Vegas As the Colorado River descends from the western slopes of the Rocky
Exploring Canyonlands National Park in Utah Canyonlands National Park is located on the Island in the Sky, a high desert plateau surrounded by the confluence
Exploring the Amazing Arches National Park in Utah Arches National Park is one of the most beautiful and unique national parks of the Colorado Plateau.