NYC-Denver-Phoenix-San Francisco - Canada
 

Hi everyone,

So this is my first time posting on a forum, here goes!

I'm planning a trip in a few weeks starting off in New York, spending a week there with a friend doing the typical touristy stuff - I've never been. My friend then leaves and my solo adventure begins:

I really enjoy outdoor activities as well as spending time looking round and getting to know cities. So I'm not 100% crazy set on anything. Also, my first time solo backpacking.

I'm planning in flying to Denver from NYC, spending about 4 days there, not necessarily in the city, would like to join an excursion to the Rocky Mountain national park - but I'm not going have a car (crazy I know...) so I'm going to see how thing work out when I arrive at hostels. Hopefully, find organised tours, or people who are going on day trips. Maybe check out train to get me closer.
Can anyone recommend any hostels in Denver or any of the other places I'm heading?
I'm also concerned about the temperature, I'm ok in high heat - I'm half Spanish, but is it tolerable?

So then flying from Denver to Phoenix, spending 4 or 5 days there to see the gran canyon, Tuzigoot ruins, rock formations, painted desert... Again, no car, so hoping to find organised tours/ people in hostels.

After Phoenix flying to San Francisco - In the beginning I was set on going to LA but after speaking to different people and doing a bit of research I've decided to skip it, any thoughts?
After spending a few days in San Francisco city, it would be great to get to Yosemite national park, does anyone know of tours?

I'm then flying from San Francisco to Calgary in Canada, and going to the Rockies there and Vancouver island. I'll post on the other board about that!

I would appreciate any information you could give me about my destinations, organised tours, places to stay (I'm thinking of airbnb as well as hostels), price guides, because I'm going to be on my own, I won't be eating in restaurants much, more super market/ street stalls. Also weather, any help and guidance would be much appreciated!

Thanks in advance everyone!

I'm not familiar with hostels in these places, and I would suggest you google for tours from Denver to RMNP. I'm sure they are available. Same for Grand Canyon and such. Denver has a fairly good light rail system for mass transit. Whether you will be able to get around in your cities on public transport may be a problem.

For the type of travel you describe I would head over to lonelyplanet.com for advice from a younger backpacking crowd. I agree that your best bet on hooking up with a ride to some of the places you want to go to is through meeting other travelers at hostels. Have fun!

Hosteling International hostels are better than Backpackers or independent hostels. http://www.hihostels.com/
Why not fly to Chicago and spend a night in the largest hostel in the US?
Take the Amtrak California Zephyr from Chicago to either Denver or Winter Park Colorado. amtrak.com
Phoenix does have a small HI hostel which was filled up when I showed up without a reservation.
Vancouver BC has 2 hostels. There is a nice hostel about 3 miles SW of Jasper that I have stayed at several times.
I arrive in Jasper using the ViaRail Canadian. viarail.ca
Good luck on seeing the scenery without a car.

Take Amtrak from downtown Denver to Glenwood Springs. Aspen is close to there.

Also try STATravel, which focuses on student travel and tours.