A Wild West Road Trip: From Government Shutdowns to Glorious Rocks
This trip started off with a bit of chaos — the government shutdown meant limited services at a lot of the national parks. Visitor centers were closed, and some facilities were running on skeleton crews. But that didn’t stop us from hitting the road and exploring some of the most beautiful places in the West with our dogs in tow.
Yosemite National Park
After a long drive, we finally rolled into Goat Meadows, our home base for Yosemite.
The next day, we set out to explore. We spotted El Capitan and Half Dome, watched a few climbers inch their way up the granite, and soaked in the sheer scale of it all. That night, a massive thunderstorm rolled in — the kind that makes you feel small and alive all at once. The thunder actually made our tent shake.
Sequoia & Kings Canyon
Next up were the Sequoias, and wow — these trees never get old. Massive, ancient, and humbling, even with the crowds it felt like stepping into another world.
Remington Hot Springs
After the busy parks, we found serenity at Remington Hot Springs. It was peaceful, quiet, and we had the place nearly to ourselves. There’s nothing quite like soaking in natural hot water with river views.
Stine Cove Recreation Area
Our campsite at Stone Cove was right on the water — picture-perfect, though the wind had other plans. Gusts whipped through camp all night, but we didn’t mind. There’s something about waking up next to the water that makes it worth it.
Death Valley National Park
From water to desert extremes, Death Valley lived up to its name — hot, dry, and wild. The roads twisted through alien landscapes and sand dunes that looked straight out of another planet. The visitor center was closed (thanks, shutdown), but we managed to fill our bottles. Pro tip: don’t trust random rest stop water — ours was so nasty we ended up dumping it out.
That night we camped at Lovell Canyon, next to an RV that decided to throw an all-night karaoke party. Between the generator, the music, and the occasional screech of terrible singing it was one for the books.
Red Rock Canyon
The next day we went climbing at Red Rock Canyon, and wow — it really is that red. The approach trail was confusing and more of a scramble than a hike, which our dog Trooper wasn’t too thrilled about. We ended up climbing at Sweet Pain, knocking out a few routes before running low on water for the pups.
Quick Town Stop
After days in the desert, we headed into town for the essentials — groceries, haircuts, and cold drinks. The little resets like that keep long trips feeling fresh.
Grand Canyon National Park
We were excited to finally see the Grand Canyon, but honestly? It didn’t blow us away like we expected. Still, spotting an elk just a couple of feet from us made the visit unforgettable. That night we found a great campsite just five minutes from the park entrance and ended the day with amazing Mexican food in a nearby town.
Zion National Park
Zion was beautiful but packed. Between finding parking and the shuttle system (dogs aren’t allowed on the buses), it was a bit tricky. Still, the scenery made it worth the hassle. We definitely want to go back without the dogs to explore the hiking trails!
Bryce Canyon National Park
Next stop: Bryce Canyon, full of towering hoodoos and endless photo ops. This park feels like something out of a dream.
Hole-in-the-Rock Campsite
We stayed at Hole-in-the-Rock, and it turned out to be one of our favorite stops. The food truck 10 minutes away served the best quesabirria tacos — crispy, juicy, and exactly what we needed after a long day of exploring.
Red Canyon & Arches Trail
The Arches Trail in Red Canyon was stunning — bright red rock, winding paths, and panoramic views in every direction.
Capitol Reef & Arches National Park
We wrapped up our week visiting Capitol Reef and Arches National Park, two of Utah’s most iconic spots. Both were breathtaking, though not super dog friendly, so we mostly enjoyed the views from pull-offs and short trails.
Final Thoughts
Even with the government shutdown, wild weather, and the occasional karaoke-loving neighbor, this trip reminded us why we love road tripping — it’s unpredictable, raw, and full of stories you can’t make up.
From Yosemite’s granite giants to Utah’s red rocks, the journey was everything we hoped for — and more.
🐾 Bee Johnson Adventures can help you plan your own wild, dog-friendly road trip through the Southwest. Whether you’re chasing mountains, hot springs, or tacos, we’ve got your route covered.
