The southwestern United States offers epic landscapes, Las Vegas glitz and a taste of the Old West. Greene Street, in Silverton, Colorado, is dominated by mighty peaks. (Mark Read) (Credit: Mark Read)

Sights of Southwest USA

America’s greatest road trip takes in mountains and monuments, complete isolation and the madness of Las Vegas.

By Lonely Planet Magazine

16 August 2011

View image of The southwestern United States offers epic landscapes, Las Vegas glitz and a taste of the Old West. Greene Street, in Silverton, Colorado, is dominated by mighty peaks. (Mark Read) (Credit: Mark Read)

View image of No city does bright, brash and bold like Las Vegas. The city is a hallucination of LCD screens, blaring speakers and skyscraping fountains. (Mark Read) (Credit: Mark Read)

View image of The Moulin Rouge casino sign is on view at the Neon Museum, also known as âthe boneyardâ. (Mark Read) (Credit: Mark Read)

View image of Check out the neon skyline, cabarets and casinos, and visit the Graceland Wedding Chapel. (Mark Read) (Credit: Mark Read)

View image of The sun-washed pavement from a Las Vegas sunset. (Mark Read) (Credit: Mark Read)

View image of Palm Springs is a private, desert city. Albert Freyâs Kaufmann House, a modernist great, is highlighted on architectural tours. (Mark Read) (Credit: Mark Read)

View image of Hidden high in the hills, Albert Freyâs Russell House blends with the landscape. (Mark Read) (Credit: Mark Read)

View image of A view near the top of the canyon shows the Indian Garden, an intensely green oasis of bright flowers and cacti that some assume is the canyonâs bottom. (Mark Read) (Credit: Mark Read)

View image of Mule caravans wind through the canyonâs expansive scenery. (Mark Read) (Credit: Mark Read)

View image of The magnificent landscape of the Grand Canyon, as viewed from the South Rim. (Mark Read) (Credit: Mark Read)

View image of The Totem Pole is one of Monument Valleyâs most famous rock formations, towering over 90m-high. (Mark Read) (Credit: Mark Read)

View image of The sun sets over Monument Valley, which overlaps with the USâs largest Native American reservation. (Mark Read) (Credit: Mark Read)

View image of _____________________________________________________________________________________ **[Related article: The perfect trip: Southwest USA](http://www.bbc.com/travel/feature/20110712-the-perfect-trip-southwest-usa)** (Credit: http://www.bbc.com/travel/feature/20110712-the-perfect-trip-southwest-usa)