From Bryce Canyon to Hoover Dam

After a proper night’s rest at a peaceful campground just outside Bryce Canyon, we woke to a crisp desert morning. The sun was just starting to peek over the horizon, casting golden light across the red rocks. Wild deer roamed freely in the open, their silhouettes a perfect contrast to the orange canyons.

There weren’t many people around—it was early, and that’s when Bryce Canyon is at its most magical. Every hoodoo and cliff glowed with the warmth of morning, and we felt like we had the entire park to ourselves.

After soaking up the views, we packed up and hit the road toward Nevada. That’s when things started to get real. Temperatures quickly soared past 114°F (46°C). The sun was relentless. We hit traffic just outside Las Vegas, and our RAM truck—our trusted overlanding rig—overheated again.

We were only 30 minutes from Hoover Dam. We pulled over, cooled the truck down, and slowly made our way to the security checkpoint at the dam. The guards inspected our rig, including our rooftop tent and gear. Cayden opened the tent while I opened the back for inspection. Cleared and waved through, we made it to one of the most iconic landmarks in the U.S.

The Hoover Dam Experience

Standing atop Hoover Dam was surreal. The scale. The power. The engineering marvel that has withstood nearly a century—it was humbling. We took in the views, snapped some content for our community, and tried to mentally prepare for the long drive ahead.

Little did we know, this day still had a lot in store.

After Hoover Dam, we cruised through Las Vegas—but only briefly. The heat was merciless. As we got back on the highway, the truck overheated again. We pulled over and let it cool. Frustration started to set in.

We had already shortened our trip by four days due to these recurring issues. But we didn’t want to end it stranded on the side of the road.

We drove late into the night and pulled into a rest stop at 11 PM, absolutely wiped. At 3:00 AM, we were back on the road. The plan: make it home no matter what. Windows down, heat blasting (to pull heat away from the engine), and water constantly topping off the radiator. It was an exhausting 17.5-hour push—but we made it.

We rolled into home sore, sunburned, and emotionally drained—but proud. Proud of the adventures, the sights, and the grit it took to complete this journey.

Watch the Full Vlog on YouTube

Want to see Bryce Canyon, Hoover Dam, and the gritty final miles in action? Don’t miss the Day 12 episode on our Vancity Adventure YouTube Channel!

Overlanding isn’t always pretty. It’s dusty. It’s hot. Sometimes it breaks your truck and your plans. But that’s what makes it real. Day 12 was tough—but it reminded us why we started this journey in the first place: to explore, to grow, and to do it all together.

Until the next adventure—stay wild and keep exploring.