4-Week Sun Belt Tour Packages
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Insider tips: Recommended 4-week Sun Belt itineraries
Compiled by
MelissaSun Belt travel expert at TourRadar
23 Days on the John Muir Trail, incl. Yosemite and Mount Whitney
The iconic 211-mile John Muir Trail unfolds over 23 days, featuring 21 nights of wilderness camping. Your adventure starts at June Lake, ends in Lone Pine, and includes four well-placed resupply points for a comfortable trek.
- Days 1-2
Yosemite Valley to June Lake
Your adventure starts with a 6 AM pickup in Fresno and a 4-hour drive to Yosemite. You'll begin with a 6-mile hike to adjust to the elevation. Important tip: Start breaking in your hiking boots at least 2 months before the trip. The granite terrain can be brutal on new boots. You'll spend your first night at June Lake checking gear and getting oriented.
- Days 3-5
June Lake to Reds Meadow (22 miles)
You'll tackle the eastern Sierra Nevada escarpment and enter Ansel Adams Wilderness. The Clark Lakes switchbacks are steep. Bring trekking poles. Pack warm layers since Agnew Lake temperatures can drop below 40°F even in summer. Reds Meadow offers your first resupply point and some welcome hot showers.
- Days 6-8
Silver Pass to Edison Lake (31 miles)
This section takes you past Red Cones volcanic formations to Virginia Lake. Start early for the Silver Pass climb (10,900 feet) to avoid common afternoon thunderstorms. The trail drops down to Edison Lake and Vermillion Valley Resort where you can resupply and get hot food.
- Days 9-13
Evolution Canyon and LeConte Canyon (48 miles)
After climbing Bear Ridge you'll reach Evolution Lake, often called the most beautiful section of the trail. Muir Pass sits at 11,955 feet. Start before sunrise since afternoon weather can get dangerous. LeConte Canyon provides your third resupply point before the difficult terrain ahead.
- Days 14-18
Mather Pass to Vidette Meadow (49 miles)
You'll face the Golden Staircase and several high passes in this section. The Woods Creek suspension bridge gives you a brief break. Both Pinchot Pass (12,130 feet) and Glen Pass (11,978 feet) need careful navigation. Stock up well at the Vidette Meadow resupply before heading toward Whitney.
- Days 19-22
Forester Pass to Mount Whitney (43.5 miles)
Forester Pass (13,200 feet) is your highest point before Whitney. Get over passes by mid-morning since weather often turns bad after noon. Plan your Mount Whitney summit (14,495 feet) for day 21 with an extra day for weather backup.
- Day 23
Final Descent and Return (10 miles)
Start early through Foxtail Pine forest to Cottonwood Pass. The 5-hour drive back to Fresno means you should book flights after 3 PM.
- Days 1-2
Los Angeles to Las Vegas
Start in LA and visit the Hollywood Walk of Fame and Dolby Theatre. Check out Santa Monica's famous pier before driving to Vegas. Plan to leave LA before 2 PM to skip the worst I-15 traffic. "The transition from coastal LA to desert Vegas is stunning - pack sunscreen and water for the drive."
- Days 3-4
Las Vegas to Grand Canyon
Take a full day to see Vegas, then follow Route 66. Stop at Kingman and Seligman, two classic Route 66 towns. Stay in Flagstaff to access the Grand Canyon. Get to the South Rim by 8 AM to avoid crowds and intense heat.
- Days 5-7
Monument Valley to Colorado
Take a Navajo guide through Monument Valley. Visit Mesa Verde National Park in the morning since summer afternoons often bring storms. Stay in Durango and ride the historic narrow-gauge railroad.
- Days 8-10
Santa Fe to Texas
Walk through Santa Fe's adobe buildings and Native American markets. Visit the Plaza at sunrise for the best photos. Drive to Amarillo and stop at Cadillac Ranch. Bring spray paint if you want to add your own art. "The contrast between Santa Fe's sophistication and Texas' cowboy culture is fascinating."
- Days 11-13
Dallas/Fort Worth to Louisiana
Watch the cattle drive at Fort Worth Stockyards. Drive east to Lafayette and experience Cajun country. Try the local boudin sausage at the markets.
- Days 14-16
New Orleans to Memphis
Split your time between New Orleans' French Quarter and Memphis' music scene. Book an early swamp tour to see more wildlife. Visit Graceland first thing. "The crowds thin out considerably before 10 AM."
- Days 17-19
Nashville to Great Smokies
Visit the Country Music Hall of Fame and Studio B in Nashville. Drive to Pigeon Forge to access the Great Smoky Mountains. Book well ahead if you plan to see the fall colors in October.
- Days 20-22
Shenandoah to DC
Drive Skyline Drive through Shenandoah National Park. Stop at Mount Vernon on your way to DC. "Book DC monument tours for weekday mornings when government workers are busy indoors."
- Days 23-25
Philadelphia to New York
Visit historic Philadelphia before reaching NYC. Spend your final days exploring Manhattan. Walk through Central Park in the morning. "The park feels like a different world before 9 AM when locals are jogging and walking dogs."
22 Days in Western USA, incl. Los Angeles and San Francisco
This three-week Sun Belt odyssey weaves through the region's most captivating sites. Thoughtfully planned overnight stays in major cities and near attractions create an immersive regional experience.
- Days 1-2
Los Angeles
Start in LA with a hotel near LAX for easy car rental access. Save city exploring for day 2 to avoid traffic. Get to Universal Studios at opening time (9 AM) to skip the crowds. For the Hollywood Walk of Fame, use the Hollywood & Highland Center parking lot. It's safer and more convenient than street parking. End your day watching the sunset in Santa Monica. Take the light rail from downtown instead of driving - it's a 45-minute ride that saves you parking trouble.
- Days 3-4
San Diego to Palm Springs
Drive to San Diego early (2.5 hours). See the USS Midway in the morning before the deck heats up. Skip driving to Coronado Island and take the ferry instead ($5 each way). The next day, visit Joshua Tree National Park on your way to Palm Springs. A recent visitor shared: "The desert heat is intense - bring twice as much water as you think you need and start your hikes before 10 AM."
- Days 5-7
Arizona Highlights
Drive 5 hours to Scottsdale and explore Old Town in the cooler evening hours. Next day, head to Sedona's Red Rock country through Oak Creek Canyon. Take this winding drive slowly. Spend at least two nights at the Grand Canyon's South Rim. Book lodging 6+ months ahead. Try the South Kaibab Trail instead of the busy Bright Angel Trail for equally beautiful views.
- Days 8-10
Monument Valley to Bryce Canyon
Drive 3 hours to Monument Valley. Take a Navajo-guided tour to access the backcountry. Visit Lake Powell in the morning for the best photos. Pack warm clothes for Bryce Canyon - the high elevation (8,000 feet) means cold mornings even in summer.
- Days 11-12
Las Vegas
The 4-hour drive to Vegas goes through Zion National Park. Stay on the Strip but take a break from the casinos with a trip to Valley of Fire State Park. Go at sunrise to see the rocks at their most colorful.
- Days 13-15
Death Valley to Sequoia
Visit Death Valley early or late in the day to avoid extreme heat. Drive 5 hours to Sequoia and stay in Visalia for better food options and lower hotel prices.
- Days 16-19
Yosemite & San Francisco
Stay in El Portal near Yosemite to avoid entrance delays. Pack warm clothes for San Francisco - the summer fog keeps it cool. Get to Fisherman's Wharf before 9 AM to park, then walk or take cable cars around the city.
- Days 20-22
Pacific Coast Highway to LA
This coastal drive needs time. Plan 6+ hours for Big Sur even though actual driving time is 3 hours. Spend your final night in LA at an airport hotel before flying out.
