Pacific Northwest Road Trip From Las Vegas

Your first stop is just over 2 hours from Las Vegas, and it’s where your real first taste of adventure awaits! At Zion National Park, you’ll find beautiful red cliffs and winding rivers creating some of the most unforgettable landscapes in the country, and there are several excellent hiking trails to show you the very best of what’s on offer. For instance, you’ll definitely want to head out on the Angels Landing Trail if you’re up for a challenge, where you’ll find some of the most incredible views across the park. Just keep in mind you’ll need a permit if you’re continuing to Angels Landing from Scout Lookout.

If you’re looking for something a little less strenuous, the Riverside Walk to the entrance of The Narrows is a much gentler hike and equally as beautiful. Or, if you want a way of taking in the scenery with minimal effort, drive the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive and hop off at stops like Court of the Patriarchs or Big Bend.

When it comes to finding a place to rest your head after a day of adventure, there are plenty of Zion National Park RV campgrounds to choose from. Watchman Campground is one of the most popular, and it’s open all year round, so it’s ideal if you’re planning to travel during the quieter season. It doesn’t have the high-end facilities some other RV parks boast, but what you will get is the back-to-basics experience you’ve been looking for, with amenities that include flushing toilets, trash cans, and drinking water. Reservations can also be made up to six months in advance, making it easy to organize yourself ahead of time.

Once you’ve explored every inch of Zion National Park, jump in your RV and take a 4-hour trip to Salt Lake City. There’s a whole mix of things to explore here, and we recommend starting your day by heading to Temple Square, which is home to the beautiful Salt Lake Temple and its gardens. Don’t worry if you’re not particularly religious, as everyone is welcome and it’s worth the visit to see the architecture and learn more about its history alone.

If you’re craving some outdoor time after exploring Temple Square, take the 35-minute drive out of town to Big Cottonwood Canyon. One of the best hiking trails here is the Donut Falls Trail, which is short and not too challenging, and it ends with an up-close view of a waterfall literally pouring through a hole in the rock (hence its name). Or, if you’re feeling more adventurous, the trek to Lake Blanche is totally worth the sweat for the views.

For camping nearby, you can’t go wrong with a reservation at Sun Outdoors Salt Lake City, which is just 10 minutes from town. This is another year-round RV park, and you’ll have access to some excellent amenities, including a swimming pool, a playground, and a clubhouse community room. It also has a designated dog park, which, along with the other facilities, makes it a very good option for family vacations that include the dog!

The next stop on this road trip is Boise, which will take around 5 hours to reach, but it’s totally worth it, and even along the way, the scenery will keep you entertained, with big open valleys and endless skies rolling out in front of you. Once you arrive, make your first stop in Downtown Boise and head to 8th Street. This is where all the best restaurants, bars, and coffee shops are, with Flying M Coffeehouse being a particular favorite among locals and Fork serving delicious meals made with locally sourced ingredients.

Once you’ve satisfied your hunger, walk over to the Basque Block to explore the colorful murals and spots like The Basque Market (open Tuesday – Saturday), where you can grab pintxos and a glass of sangria. Or, if you’d prefer to explore the outdoors, rent a bike and hit the Boise River Greenbelt. This is an easy trail that snakes through the city and along the river, passing through parks, cafes, and even the Boise Zoo if you feel like a fun stop.

When you’re feeling suitably tired, head over to Mountain View RV Park to set up camp for the evening. It’s just 10 minutes from town and has a cozier feel than some larger campgrounds, with just 60 sites on offer. Naturally, this means reservations are highly recommended, but once you’re in, you’ll have access to amenities like restrooms with showers, coin-operated laundry facilities, and full RV hookups.

It’s tempting to push straight through to Portland at this stage, but stopping in Baker City not only gives you the opportunity to break up an otherwise very long drive, it allows you to explore even more amazing stops on this Pacific Northwest road trip! Start with a stroll along Main Street, where you’ll find historic buildings and cafes to explore, or if you’re keen to learn more about the town’s Wild West past, head to the Baker Heritage Museum on Grove Street. There are full-size wagon replicas, exhibits about pioneer life, and even real wagon ruts carved into the earth here.

For some outdoor fun, take the Elkhorn Drive for a loop that starts right from Baker City and winds through gorgeous mountain views, little towns like Sumpter, and forests. There are also hiking and fishing spots along the way, which are ideal for stretching your legs and turning a simple drive into a day-long adventure.

If you loved your stay at Boise’s Mountain View RV Park, you’re in for a treat because there’s a campground by exactly the same name in Baker City, too! This Mountain View RV Park is 5 minutes out of town and has the Old West feel you’d expect from a town like this. The amenities are also fantastic, and include a general store, WiFi, a swimming pool, a hot tub, and all the basics you need for a comfortable stay.

The drive from Baker City to Portland will take you just under 5 hours in total, but once you get there, every minute behind the wheel will make you glad you made the effort. There’s so much to see and do here, from indie shops to secondhand bookstores, and more food trucks than you could possibly eat your way through.

Start in Washington Park, where you could easily spend an entire day exploring attractions like the Portland Japanese Garden and the International Rose Test Garden, the latter of which is home to hundreds of varieties of roses that burst into color and scent throughout the spring and summer months. Or, if you’re looking for something a little quirkier, head to The Freakybuttrue Pecularium (yes, that’s actually its name) for something totally weird and equally as hilarious. And when you’re ready to sample some delicious street food, head to Division Street or Hawthorne, which are locally known as the foodie hotspots. Also, if you feel like heading out for a day trip, drive 50 minutes south to Willamette Valley and explore the heart of California & Oregon wine country.

You might think that such a busy city means having to camp in a noisy space, but just 15 minutes out of town, you’ll find Portland Fairview RV Park. This campground is far enough from town for a peaceful atmosphere, but close enough for easy access to the top attractions. Also, you can take advantage of some stellar amenities that are offered to all 407 sites, including a swimming pool, a clubhouse, a playground, WiFi, and a dog exercise area.

If you’re thinking of sticking around Portland, why not check out our list of recommended campervan trips out of Portland.

You’ll now drive the longest stretch of road so far, traveling around 6.5 hours to reach Redding. This isn’t a huge city but there’s still a lot to do, and you can start at Sundial Bridge. This is the perfect place to stretch your legs after a long drive, and this pedestrian bridge made of glass that literally acts like a sundial is part of the larger Turtle Bay Exploration Park. This park is also home to botanical gardens, walking trails that take you along the Sacramento River, and a museum if you’re in the mood for some indoor exploring.

Prefer to stay outdoors? Head to Whiskeytown Lake, which is 15 minutes away and is the perfect place to spend an afternoon swimming, kayaking, or just chilling by the water. You can also head to Lassen Volcanic National Park, which is under an hour east, to explore hydrothermal vents, boiling springs, and small volcanoes surrounded by hiking trails.

Heading back closer to town, Mountain Gate RV Park is one of the best options for camping in Redding. It’s 15 minutes from town and is a full-service park with amenities such as a swimming pool and hot tub, recreation room, picnic area, horseshoe courts, and a dog park that your furry friends will love running around in.

Before you make it back to Las Vegas, your penultimate stop is one of the most beautiful places on Earth. Welcome to Yosemite National Park. Make your first destination here Tunnel View, which is one of the most famous sites in Yosemite and even though you’ll likely recognize it from a million postcards, nothing prepares you for seeing it in real life. That view of El Capitan, Half Dome, and Bridalveil Fall all stacked up together is truly unreal.

After that, head over to the Mist Trail, which takes you to the incredible Vernal Fall. It’s a little challenging, though, so if you’re looking for something a little more laidback, rent a bike and cycle the Valley Loop Trail, which is mostly flat and takes you through meadows and past views of cliffs with plenty of opportunities to spot wildlife along the way. Also, you can’t visit Yosemite National Park without heading to Glacier Point for even more amazing views over the valley – just be aware it might be closed if there’s been particularly heavy snowfall during the winter.

There are plenty of campgrounds surrounding Yosemite, but one of the best has to be North Pines Campground. This is one of three campgrounds located in Yosemite Valley, and it has flush toilets, drinking water, picnic tables, fire rings, and food storage lockers. And while it might not have some of the luxury amenities you’ll find at other campgrounds on this trip, it offers you a chance to get back to basics and reconnect with nature before your journey comes to an end.

After spending a few days exploring Yosemite National Park, it’s time to get behind the wheel again and take the final stretch of road back to Las Vegas. If you’re not in a huge rush to end the trip (and why would you be?!), squeeze in a trip to Mammoth Lakes, which is about half way to Vegas and 300 miles from Yosemite.

Once you roll back into the city, all you have to do is look back at the memories you’ve made along the way and start planning your next big adventure!

If you’re looking for the perfect ride to take on your Pacific Northwest adventure, make Travellers Autobarn your first port of call. We offer affordable campervan rental in Las Vegas with free unlimited miles as standard, making it easier than ever to explore wherever you like without worrying about hidden costs.

Itching to get back out on the road? Here are some other awesome Las Vegas road trips you should check out:

• Las Vegas to Phoenix Road Trip
• Las Vegas to the Rocky Mountains Road Trip
• Las Vegas to Grand Canyon Road Trip
• Las Vegas to Death Valley Road Trip
• See all Las Vegas road trips