Traveling out west
 

I have three teenagers and want to take a trip in a few years out west. Not sure what is more suited to these ages, we will have two weeks and be flying into the area from Michigan. Would Yellowstone and surrounding areas be more enjoyable or the Grand Canyon area? I have never been to either and haven't driven in these areas so I have no idea how long the commutes would be from place to place. Please advise...

"...want to take a trip in a few years..."

If this is correct, might it not be better to wait and see where your teenagers want to go when the time comes? A lot can change in a few years.

(If that was a typo, please tell us more precisely, the month, when this trip will be.)

I'll add that, in general, I found a great deal more to do in Yellowstone than at the Grand Canyon. Unless you went rafting/camping on the Colorado or hiked into the canyon you might have trouble filling 2 weeks, whereas in Yellowstone the things to see seemed endless.

Yellowstone is one of the most amazing places I have ever seen. I would go there. We took teens/young adults several years ago and everyone had a fabulous time. As MmePerdu said, there's much more to do in Yellowstone than Grand Canyon, although that is certainly a magnificent place, too.

If I am spending two weeks would it be crazy to consider doing Yellowstone and the Grand Canyon?

Were you one of my family members, I would suggest that you focus your attention on Arizona, Utah, and California. Fly into Las Vegas and out of LA: The Grand Canyon, Bryce, Zion, Death Valley, Yosemite, and Highway 1 from Monterey to LA.

The thermal activity in Yellowstone is spectacular, and Grand Teton NP is one of the most beautiful places on earth, but the other itinerary better satisfies what it means to "travel out west."

HTtY

PS You would not be crazy to do Yellowstone and the Grand Canyon in two weeks, but you would be ill-advised to do so when there are much better options. If you can't give up Yellowstone, investigate what the town of Cody and Grand Teton NP have to offer.

When is the trip?

It's possible to do both but keep in mind, however you travel between them it will take you all of a day or more to get from one to the other. Driving, with stops, 15+ hours. Flying, probably around the same before you're done.

The season will make a difference in several ways, which is why I ask.

I like happytrailstoyou's suggestions, or leave off the Callifornia leg and add places like Antilope Canyon and Monument Valley.

I am planning July 2019. I am not set yet on what to see so i could skip Yellowstone this time around. I really need the feed back of what is feasible to accomplish in 2 weeks and get to see as much as we can. I don't mind some driving, but I just don't want to spend days in the car if it can be helped. I will research the things/routes suggested. Thanks!

"...get to see as much as we can."

That's one way to approach a trip. Another is to choose locations for the quality and appropriateness of their attractions for the participants and to stay long enough to do them justice.

Planning for teenagers, I think, is just about impossible 2 years out. They're likely to be interested in completely different places & things by the time 2019 rolls around. I suggest you have fun now with whatever interests them now and put off planning this 2 week trip for at least a year.

<i>Planning for teenagers, I think, is just about impossible 2 years out.</i>

I assume the children are in on the planning and are eager to see what lies "out west." The could be willful. I hope not.

HTtY

If you compare just the rim of the Grand Canyon ( which is all that most people see) to Yellowstone, Yellowstone has more to see. But if you want to see as much as possible of the west, I would say fly into SLC and head south. Stop at Moab and go to Arches and Canyonlands then either continue SW to Capitol Reef, Bryce and Zion, check out Lake Powell, Page (for Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend) and the So. Rim Grand Canyon or head SE from Moab to see Mesa Verde, Monument Valley, Page then Bryce and Zion before going to GC. Finish your trip by going south through Oak Creek Canyon to Sedona and south to Phoenix for flight home.

The glitch in the plan is Moab and Page are going to be really hot.

Wherever you go there will be crowds unless you spend most of your trip rafting the Grand Canyon which IMO, is the best experience I have had anywhere in the west and I've lived my entire life here

This is what we did in the area during a shorter "see as much as we can" trip: http://www.mightymac.org/southwest/

You have time to plan a wonderful trip and have received some good advice here. This map/chart was posted here by another fodorite and I've found it helpful in planning if you choose the southern option:

http://ohiohickstraveltips.weebly.co...-utah-map.html

If you choose Yellowstone, do consider some time in the other parks in the area. Definitely include Grand Teton, consider some of the state parks and/or Mt. Rushmore, Badlands, etc.

It will be hot in July except where you are at higher elevations. If you find it very hot, plan hiking for the early morning. Drink a ton of water in any case.