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Desert Oasis: Zion, Death Valley & Palm Springs
Deserts are where Nature paints its big-canvas art, its most astonishing and colorful landscapes and wildest sculptures, flaming sunsets and deepest, starriest night skies...boundless places where wind and water are free to play and create works that inspire awe, wonder and surprise... where Native Americans and Biblical-minded pioneers alike felt something grand and sacred in its empty spaces...
... and our eight-day national park road trip will take you to some of the places where that desert spirit lives largest, Valley of Fire State Park in Nevada, Zion National Park in Utah, Death Valley National Park, and Joshua Tree National Park in California, some less well-known than others, but each with a distinct character and vibe you can feel up close on guided hikes and excursions and inside-the-park accommodations. And just so you don't feel too overwhelmed by natural wonders, we've bookended the tour with a healthy dose of civilization: overnight stays in luxury hotels in Las Vegas and Palm Springs.
Featured Destinations
Greater Palm Springs
Greater Palm Springs
Greater Palm Springs and the Coachella Valley offers something for everyone. Find spas, hotels, golf courses, restaurants and casinos in Palm Springs, Indian Wells, Desert Hot Springs, Indio, Coachella. Southern California's desert communities offer world-class dining and resorts as well as a range of things to do, including outdoor activities at nearby Joshua Tree National Park, popular annual events such as art, music and film festivals, and stunning examples of mid-century modern architecture.
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Destination Guide
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Joshua Tree
Joshua Tree
Joshua Tree National Park is located just south of the town of Joshua Tree and 140 mi/225 km east of Los Angeles. With trees that look like they jumped from the pages of a Dr. Seuss children's book, the beautiful park is also a rock climbers' oasis—with desert, mountains and wilderness. After a quick visit to the Oasis Visitor's Center at Twentynine Palms or the Visitor's Center at Joshua Tree, drive to Jumbo Rocks to view the various rock formations and Skull Rock. Or meander through Cholla Cactus Garden and the thorny Ocotillo Patch. On clear days, which are pretty common, the panorama from Keys View extends beyond Salton Sea to Mexico. There are 12 self-guided nature walks in the park and ranger-guided tours are offered by reservation, including to Key's Ranch, a historic homestead. Permits are available for backcountry camping. The park is busiest in the winter, most notably with rock climbers. Summer in the park can be challenging during the day because of the extreme temperatures. There are no restaurants, hotels, gas stations or stores in the park, so prepare before you go. There are nine rudimentary campgrounds in the park, but only two of them (Black Rock and Cottonwood) have running water and flush toilets. There are no showers or other modern amenities in any of the campsites. Wildflower season is late February, and spring is a great time for bird-watching. http://www.nps.gov/jotr/index.htm.
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Destination Guide
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Death Valley National Park
Death Valley National Park
Death Valley National Park is a park of extremes. It is a below-sea-level desert basin and the lowest spot in North America which reaches record summer heats, making it the hottest and driest spot as well. Despite its harshness, it is also home to Devils Hole, an incredibly deep geothermally heated water-filled cave that is the lone habitat of a rare fish. A great diversity of life can be viewed in Death Valley, despite its name, and it is a worthwhile place to visit for nature lovers. Over 1,000 species of plants can be found in Death Valley, and more than 50 are endemics, found nowhere else in the world. Visitors especially enjoy spring in Death Valley after rare rainstorms, which bring vast fields of wildflowers. In winter, towering peaks are dusted with winter snow. Death Valley is a popular location for camping, hiking, stargazing, four-wheel driving and mountain biking, when the temperatures are less extreme.
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Destination Guide
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Zion National Park
Zion National Park
Zion is an ancient Hebrew word meaning a place of refuge or sanctuary. Protected within the park's 229 square miles is a dramatic landscape of sculptured canyons and soaring cliffs. Zion is located at the junction of the Colorado Plateau, Great Basin and Mojave Desert provinces. This unique geography and the variety of life zones within the park make Zion significant as a place of unusual plant and animal diversity.
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Destination Guide
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Las Vegas
Las Vegas
Las Vegas is one of the nation's hot spots. There are nightly shows, great dining, and world famous live entertainment to thrill and dazzle every visitor walking down the strip. Las Vegas is the largest city in the nation for gambling and entertainment. Casinos continuously amaze with their shows, attractions, and non stop gaming. Las Vegas has many local attractions and entertainment. World famous shows such as, Tom Jones, David Copperfield, Siegfried & Roy, and Steve and Eddie are here. Casinos offer live entertainment, fine dining, and all types of gambling to fit everyone's desire. Las Vegas also has great shopping, museums, and some of the nations best golf. Although Las Vegas is primarily known for gambling, everything else is worth offering here as well.
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Destination Guide
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