What is the best route to take to tour the national parks of California, Utah and Wyoming?

With my wife, considering touring the national parks of California, Utah and Wyoming in conjunction with a mid-October wedding in Idaho. Starting from San Francisco, which route would you suggest for a total of about 24-29 days? D. Ingham, Manly, NSW.

I reckon you'd want to get your national parks in before the wedding. Winter starts to bite by the end of October and services and accommodation become harder to find.

From San Francisco you might head for Yosemite in mid to late-September for the fall.

When you get to the end of the Tioga Pass Road toward the eastern end of Yosemite, turn south along Highway 395 to travel along the Owens Valley between two great national parks, Kings Canyon and Death Valley. At Lone Pine turn east to cross Death Valley and take a breather in Las Vegas.

From here the Grand Canyon is optional since it adds quite considerably to your driving distance. Either way, Zion and Bryce Canyon national parks are on your route through Utah, followed by Salt Lake City, Grand Teton and Yellowstone national parks before the wedding bells chime.

Be prepared for some long drives, this is a rigorous trip of over 3000 kilometres.

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