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The Grand Canyon and Beyond: The Ultimate 7-Day Itinerary in Northern Arizona & Southern Utah

Pack your hiking boots, sunscreen and selfie stick. You’re going to need all of them for what promises to be your Best. Week. Ever.

If you have seven full days to explore the star attractions of the area of the American Southwest known as the Grand Circle, you already know how lucky you are. What you may not know is which order to visit them in, how many days to spend at each place, and what you can do there. Well, grab your tablet, phone or – gasp! – pen and paper, sit back and relax and get ready to start planning the ultimate 7-day vacation to the Grand Canyon and  beyond!

Before we dive into it, there are a few things to keep “front and center” in your mind:

  1. Since Las Vegas, NV is a popular “jumping off” point for a good majority of travelers to this area, this itinerary will be based on the assumption that you’re staging your trip from there as well.
  2. Buses, trains and other mass transit options are scarce to non-existent in this part of the country, therefore, this will be a self-drive itinerary. Click here if driving is not an option.
  3. Speaking of driving, drive times are on the long side. That’s how we roll in this part of the country, and you should be ready to do so as well. You’ll also notice that we give rather wide variations on drive time estimates. The first number is an estimate for “direct drive,” which rarely happens. You always have to factor in bathroom breaks, meal stops, and the inevitable “oh, wow, look at that!” moment.
  4. Grand Canyon South Rim lodging will be the most time-sensitive element of your trip plans. Hotel availability in this National Park should be the “lynchpin” around which your plans revolve, and evolve. Though this itinerary will go off the assumption that it will be the first stop on your tour, be prepared to hit these attractions in reverse order should Grand Canyon hotels be fully booked for the first part of your trip. Don’t worry, you’ll still have a great time!
  5. This itinerary includes several National Parks which charge anywhere from $20-$30 per vehicle to enter. Save money and time by purchasing the “America The Beautiful National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass.” For just $80, this handy little card grants you access to all National Parks, Monuments and other Federal Fee Areas for 1 year’s time. Exclusions: Native American Tribal Parks such as Monument Valley, Antelope Canyon, the Little Colorado River Overlook, Moenkopi Dinosaur Tracks. Pre-order online (allow 6-8 weeks for processing) or simply purchase it in-person at the first National Park you visit.
  6. Book everything in advance, and we do mean everything, especially if your visit will take place during the peak visitation times, which is typically between March and November. Hotels, tours, dinners at higher-end restaurants, all should be prearranged. You can’t just “wing it” and hope for the best. Trust us, we live here.    

Here’s how we’re breaking down your week:

  • Day 1 – Las Vegas to Grand Canyon
  • Day 2 – Grand Canyon to Monument Valley
  • Day 3 & 4 – Page/Lake Powell
  • Day 5 – Bryce Canyon
  • Day 6 & 7 – Zion National Park

So let’s do this!

Day 1

Morning: Drive from Las Vegas, NV to Grand Canyon South Rim: driving time – 4.5-6.5 hours.*

Head Southeast on US93. With an early enough start, you might stop at Hoover Dam, tour the visitor’s center and watch a short film presentation on the construction of this enormous yet elegant structure that made the West what it is today. If making good time is your first priority, proceed directly over the Pat Tillman-Mike O’Callaghan Memorial Bridge and enjoy the view of Hoover Dam from a lofty perch of 900’ above the bedrock!

Continue South to Kingman, AZ and head East on I-40. If you’re getting hungry at this point, Kingman has a good number of restaurants to choose from. Mr. D’s Route 66 Diner is a favorite in this area for its retro decor and hearty Mexican and American fare. You might also use this opportunity to stop into a grocery store, purchase a small cooler and stock up on supplies for a rimside picnic at the Grand Canyon. More on that later.

In Williams, AZ, head North on AZ64. Train, history or Route 66 buffs may also enjoy a stop in this Grand Canyon gateway community that is home base of the Grand Canyon Railway.

3 miles South of the entrance gate of Grand Canyon South Rim is the small town of Tusayan, AZ, also known as Grand Canyon Village South. Here you can stop and see the world-famous IMAX film presentation, “Grand Canyon: The Hidden Secrets” or do a little shopping before you head into the park.

Upon arrival at Grand Canyon South Rim, stop at the Canyon View Information Plaza located near Mather Point. Browse the informational displays to learn more about how the canyon was formed, talk with a helpful park ranger on how to make the most of your time at the South Rim, or hop on the free Village Loop Shuttle and tour the Grand Canyon Village Historic District. Don’t forget to grab that cooler and sandwich fixins you bought earlier. Park restaurants tend to get crazy at mid-day, so better to enjoy a relaxing “al fresco” lunch than to waste valuable sightseeing time waiting for a table at a restaurant.

Early afternoon: check into your Grand Canyon hotel and do a little decompressing from the day’s drive and activities. Not ready to downshift? Take in more Grand Canyon views on the free Hermit’s Rest/West Rim (Red) shuttle (or self-drive the route if you’re visiting between December 1st and February 28th), walk the easy paved Canyon Rim Trail, or get a taste of the inner canyon with a short hike on the Bright Angel Trail. If you take us up on the latter, remember to double your time down as your estimated time to hike back out. 30 minutes down = 60 minutes out. Water and sun protection must also be carried.

Sunset: be somewhere – anywhere – on the canyon rim! Try to get to your chosen spot 30 minutes prior to sunset, and remain for another 30 minutes afterward to experience the full range of light changes, and the best photo ops. Popular viewpoints for Grand Canyon sunset viewing include, but are not limited to:

For dinner, choose from one of six restaurants within Grand Canyon Village, the deli at Grand Canyon Market Plaza, or the diverse array of options in Tusayan/Grand Canyon Village South.

In the course of your trip plans, you may have heard that dinner at El Tovar Hotel is a culinary don’t-miss, and you’d have heard right! Reservations are required for lunch and dinner can be made 30+ days out for guests of El Tovar and other Xanterra properties. Guests at non-Xanterra properties may book within 30 days of their stay. Click here for contact information. If the prospect of lunch or dinner here doesn’t appeal or work out, breakfast at El Tovar is just as memorable and seated on a first-come-first-served basis. 

Day 2

Sunrise: If you missed sunset the night before, or even if you didn’t, greet your day in “grand” style by witnessing sunrise over the Grand Canyon. Like the sunset, there’s no such thing as a “bad” place to be for sunrise, but there’s no denying that the best views are on the Desert View/East Rim Drive, which you’ll be conveniently passing through on your way to your next destination: Monument Valley!

Morning: Drive from Grand Canyon South Rim to Monument Valley, UT: Drive time: 3-5 hours

Note that the Navajo Indian Reservation observes Daylight Saving Time whereas the remainder of Arizona does not. You will “lose” an hour traveling from Grand Canyon South Rim to Monument Valley.

Head due East on AZ64 toward Cameron, AZ. Time permitting, stop at:

  • Grandview Point (the author’s personal favorite for sunrise!)
  • Navajo Point
  • Zuni Point
  • Moran Point
  • Lipan Point
  • Desert View Watchtower

Upon exiting the park, you’ll be on Navajo Indian Tribal Lands. A stop at the Little Colorado River Overlook will give you a greater appreciation for the beauty and complexity of the Colorado River ecosystem, and its spiritual significance to the native peoples of this area.

Visit the Historic Cameron Trading Post at the junction of AZ64 and US89 for a bathroom break/leg stretch, or breakfast. The Navajo Taco with an egg on top must be seen (and eaten) to be believed! Don’t be surprised, or concerned, if you end up with leftovers. Remember that cooler you bought? Grab a to-go box and enjoy your leftovers as a snack later on.

Head north on US89 for a short distance, then turn off on US160 East toward Tuba City and Kayenta. Time permitting, you might stop at the Moenkopi Dinosaur Tracks just West of Tuba City. One of the largest sites of its kind in the world, you can see clearly where a three-toed dinosaur left its indelible mark in the sandstone millions of years ago.

In the mood for some hiking? Make a detour off US160 to AZ564 and visit Navajo National Monument. A 2.5-mile round-trip hike up the Sandal Trail (no, that doesn’t mean you should wear sandals on it!) rewards you with a bird’s eye view of the Betatakin/Talastima cliff dwelling complex, one of the most sophisticated and well-preserved examples of Ancestral Puebloan architecture in the Southwest.

Continue East-Northeast to Kayenta, AZ, then proceed due North on US163 toward Monument Valley. Time permitting, and/or if you’re craving a Whopper®, stop at the Kayenta Burger King and learn more about the Navajo Code Talkers, a group of 29 soldiers who used their native language to help the U.S. transmit coded messages that were virtually indecipherable to Japanese and German radio operators during World War II. Featuring authentic artifacts and first-hand accounts, the Navajo Code Talkers’ Exhibit is regarded as one of the best and most comprehensive exhibits on the subject matter in Northern Arizona – and it’s free, how cool is that? Other local restaurants include but are not limited to: 

  • Amigo Cafe
  • Reuben Heflin (in the Hampton Inn)
  • Blue Coffee Pot
  • Pizza Edge 

Early afternoon: arrive in Monument Valley. **Note that effective 2022, entrance tickets for self-driving the 17-mile scenic loop drive must be purchased in advance*** Stop at the Tribal Park Visitor’s Center and take in the iconic views of Merrick Butte and the Mittens. One look at this dramatic panorama and you’ll know why movie producers fell in love with this area! The displays here will inform you about how these formations were made, and acquaint you with the traditional “Blessing Way” lifestyle observed by many residents of this area. If you’ve followed our advice at the beginning of this article, you’ll have purchased a Tribal Park Entrance Ticket (link provided above) OR made advance reservations for a guided tour of Monument Valley. If not, the staff at the Visitors Center can advise you about available options and make bookings for you.

Monument Valley Guided Tours: 

  • Monument Valley Safari, LLC ph. 435-220-0539
  • Three Sister Navajo Guided Tours ph. 602-327-2472
  • Blackwater Tours ph. 928-429-1479
  • Monumental Tours ph. 435-444-9529
  • Tinhorn Tours ph. 928-383-0783
  • MV Dineh Bekeyah Tours ph. 928-409-0088
  • MV Twin Warriors Tours ph. 928-429-8628
  • Sandstone Tours ph. 435-200-5450
  • Monument Valley Rain God Mesa Tours ph. 928-606-9422

Check into your Monument Valley hotel, relax or enjoy dinner at your hotel’s on-site restaurant, or one of the local spots in Mexican Hat, UT or Kayenta, AZ.

Day 3

Morning: rise early, eat a good breakfast, and enjoy a guided tour of Monument Valley. The valley interior can only be accessed by a 17-mile dirt road. Though private vehicles are allowed to drive on this road by advance purchase of an entrance ticket, the practice is discouraged, especially for those driving rental cars. Car rental contracts expressly forbid off-road driving and any damage sustained by disobeying this rule will be your responsibility. A guided tour is not only safer, but will be more informative and memorable since they are conducted by local Navajo guides.

Depending on your traveling party, personal preference, physical fitness, interests and budget, you can choose from:

  • Guided jeep or 4×4 tours
  • Horseback rides
  • Guided hikes

Tour durations vary from 2 hours to all day. Horseback tours are typically conducted on gentle trail horses walking nose-to-tail; age and weight requirements may apply. Hiking tours may require previous desert hiking experience and may not be suitable for younger children. Click here for more information on guided Monument Valley Tours.

Late morning/early afternoon: Drive from Monument Valley, UT to Page, AZ – Drive time: 2-3 hours.

Note: Page, Arizona does not observe Daylight Saving Time. You will “gain” an hour as you pass from the Navajo Reservation to Page, AZ. Even though Antelope Canyon is situated on Navajo Indian Tribal Land, most Antelope Canyon tour operators go by Mountain Standard Time for the convenience of Page visitors.

From Monument Valley, UT, head South on US163, West on US160, then Northwest on US98. Unfortunately – or fortunately, depending on your point of view – this stretch of road doesn’t offer much in the way of points of interest to stop at, until you hit Antelope Canyon Navajo Tribal Park just outside of Page, AZ. This world-famous slot canyon is on the “must-do” list for 99.99999% of travelers to Northern Arizona. Consequently, it’s become very popular. Advance reservations for tours is a must!

From the Tribal Park Entrance gate on US98, you can tour Lower or Upper Antelope Canyon, or both. Lower is the more physical of the two, requiring some stair climbing and mild boulder scrambling. Upper is mostly a cakewalk, 100 yards of flat, easy trail, punctuated by some areas of deep sugar sand depending on weather conditions at the time of your visit. ***Effective July 2021, all passengers are required to walk a 1/4-mile long network of metal walkways from the exit of the canyon back to the tour vehicle parking area. Video***

Though mid-day is considered “prime time” to tour these canyons, there is no such thing as a bad time to visit. Touring Antelope Canyon during the later afternoon or earlier in the morning has several advantages. The shapes and colors of the canyon walls are still beautiful, morphing into richer, deeper hues as the sun sinks lower in the sky. The biggest plus is not paying “prime time” ticket prices.

Allow 90-minutes to 2 hours to experience each side of Antelope Canyon. Antelope Canyon Tour Reservations

If all that walking has made you hungry, take a late lunch or early dinner at the Sandbar, a lakeside restaurant in the Antelope Point Marina complex, or pick up some hand-made sandwiches for another “al fresco” picnic lunch from the Deli at Big Lake Trading Post.

Late afternoon: After touring Antelope Canyon, head West on US98 to US89 and turn left. Between mile markers 544 and 545 you’ll see signage for the Horseshoe Bend Overlook, another natural wonder that has helped put this corner of Northern Arizona “on the map.”

A .6 mile walk on a dirt trail will take you to a stunning view of a hairpin turn of the Colorado River, or an “entrenched meander” in geologist-speak. Be sure to allow 60-90 minutes to enjoy the view, maybe even take in the sunset (or a few bites of your sandwiches from Big Lake), but be sure to keep children and pets under control at all times. There are no guardrails here and it’s a long drop to the river! Also, remember to pack out your trash. “Leave no trace” is your M.O. for this trip.

Though manageable for most people in good physical condition, the uphill incline at the beginning of the Horseshoe Bend Overlook trail may be a challenge for anyone with mobility issues. Tips for those unable to walk to Horseshoe Bend. This area is also completely exposed to the elements, so water, hats and sunscreen should be carried with you.

Evening: Check in at your hotel in Page, AZ, get a good night’s rest, or a good dinner at one of many quality Page, AZ restaurants.

Day 4

Sunrise (optional): Does your day back home usually start with a brisk walk or jog to get the motor running? Just because you’re on vacation doesn’t mean you have to take a vacation from your fitness regimen. Here, you can get some exercise and do a little sightseeing on the Page Rim View Trail. Popular with local walkers, runners and cyclists, this unpaved trail makes a 10-mile circuit around Manson Mesa, Page’s original townsite. Most adults and children who are at least moderately fit report enjoying this walk that offers beautiful views of Lake Powell (but no lake access). Springtime visitors are treated to a visual bonus of desert  wildflowers in bloom. Once on the trail, you aren’t committed to doing the full 10 miles! There are several paths back to “civilization” you can take if you wish. Keep in mind it is completely exposed to the elements, so bring water, wear sunscreen, and of course, appropriate walking or running shoes.  

Your day is going to be busy, and a good breakfast will keep your energy up. Select Page, AZ hotel room rates include continental or cooked-to-order breakfast. Guests at vacation homes or repurposed apartments can do their own cooking. Groceries can be purchased at Super Wal-Mart or Safeway. Hot & Sweet Coffee & Donuts, the Ranch House Grille, and Canyon Crepes are among Page’s most popular breakfast stand-bys.

Option 1 – 6.30 AM: Check in for the Glen Canyon Half-Day Float Trip. This scenic raft trip travels 15 miles down a flat stretch of the Colorado River, through Glen Canyon and Horseshoe Bend. Suitable for children 4 and up, rafts launch from the base of the mighty Glen Canyon Dam. At Petroglyph Beach, you can take a cool dip in the river, and ponder the meanings of carvings in the canyon walls left by Ancestral Puebloan people thousands of years ago. This is also the perfect time to enjoy a snack or bag lunch from one of the local grocery stores or restaurants. After disembarking from the your river raft, a motorcoach will pick you up at Historic Lees Ferry, and bring you back to Page at approximately 11:30 AM.  

After lunch, or a quick bite,  drive to the Glen Canyon Dam & Steel Arch Bridge to peer 700′ down to the base of the dam. Then head over to the Hanging Garden Trail for an easy and scenic hike to a stalwart colony of plants and flowers, eking out a life off the precious drops of water provided by a nearby underground seep. 

Option 2 – 7:00 AM: Check in for the Antelope Canyon Waterside Kayak or Paddleboard Tour at Antelope Point Marina. This 4.5-hour excursion will take you to where Antelope Canyon joins with Lake Powell. Paddle and hike with a knowledgeable local guide as you explore beautiful sandstone canyon walls on sapphire blue water. 

**This tour is open to both kayakers and paddleboarders. It covers approximately 2.5 miles (5 miles round trip) to the waterline, from there you hike through the NPS section of Antelope Canyon (approximately 2 miles round trip). Due to the distance and physical requirements, this tour is not for beginner paddleboarders. Kayak experience is helpful but not necessary.***

Afterwards, everything from light appetizers and custom coffee beverages to gourmet entrees with a world-class wine list can be had at Antelope Point Marina, in the town of Page, AZ, or one of five on-site dining outlets at Lake Powell Marina. Wherever you decide to go, the food is bound to be delicious, and the view might be pretty tasty as well!

Relax and reflect on your day’s discoveries back at your hotel, shop for mementos of your visit, or check out your options for dinner. Those with energy to burn later might take the short drive off the mesa to the Glen Canyon Dam Overlook, also known as the “White House” overlook, or put on your dancing shoes and cut a rug to some great local bands at Gone West Family Restaurant (formerly Ken’s Old West), the Dam Bar, or State 48 Tavern before hitting the hay.

Day 5

Early morning: Drive from Page, AZ to Bryce Canyon National Park, UT – Drive time: 2.5-4.5 hours

Note: Utah does observe Daylight Saving Time, whereas Arizona does not. You will “lose” an hour traveling from Arizona to Utah during DST.

Grab a breakfast burrito or bagel and cream cheese from your hotel’s continental breakfast spread and hit the road for Bryce Canyon. A straight-through drive is unlikely to happen as there are several points of interest to stop at along the way, including, but not limited to:

  • The “New Wave:” just past the Glen Canyon Dam and opposite the Lake Powell Resort turn-off on US89 is an unmarked road to a small cluster of rock formations that bear an uncanny resemblance to “The Wave.”  Unlike the “Old” Wave, the “New Wave” doesn’t require a permit, or charge admission. Because the road is not regularly maintained, it does wash out occasionally. If signage states “no admittance,” you’ll have to skip it.   
  • The Big Water Visitor Center: 15 miles Northwest of Page, AZ and just over the Utah border on US89, this unassuming facility offers up some impressive surprises, such as dinosaur bones excavated locally, a topographical relief map of the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, and paleontology and geology displays kids and adults will love.
  • The Paria Rimrocks-Toadstools Trail: Between Page, AZ and Kanab, UT on US89 between mile  markers 18 and 19 is a 1.5 mile round-trip trail leading to an unearthly rock garden where bizarre hoodoos, balanced rocks and other geological oddities grow. A moderate walk, don’t stop at what appears to be the end of the trail; the main hoodoo area is located up a short rock scramble.
  • Kanab, Utah: a charming small town with a star-crossed path of a different sort, Kanab was once a popular site for Western movies and television shows. These days, tourism gets top billing on the economic marquee. A good stop for shopping or dining, the Rocking V Cafe and Houston’s Trail’s End Restaurant are popular among locals and visitors.

Option 1 – 1:30 PM UTAH TIME (12:30 PM Arizona Time): Check in at the Bryce Canyon Lodge for your horseback ride to the very bottom of Bryce Canyon! From Sunrise Point, well-trained trail horses will descend into the canyon as local cowboys orient you to the compelling history and fascinating geology of Bryce Canyon. Go ahead and bring your cameras, because you will be able to take pictures and experience the Canyon at your fingertips on this ride that is safe for people of all riding experience levels, even none at all! Bryce Canyon Horseback Riding Reservations

Option 2 – 1:30 PM UTAH TIME (12:30 PM Arizona Time): Take the free National Park Service tour to Rainbow Point. From Rainbow Point and its “neighbor” Yovimpa Point, you can see a good portion of Bryce Canyon to the North as well as some impressive cliff formations and hoodoo structures in the distance. You can board the buses at any one of six shuttle stops:

  • Ruby’s Inn
  • Ruby’s Campground
  • Shuttle Parking and Boarding Area (across the street from Ruby’s Inn)
  • Bryce Canyon Lodge
  • North Campground
  • Sunset Campground

The tour consists of approximately eight stops at scenic viewpoints in the southern section of the park. Visitors are advised to dress appropriately for the weather and bring lunch, snacks, water, etc. Reservations are required and can be made in advance by calling 435-834-5290 between the hours of 8:00 AM and 7:00 PM local time.

Option 3 – 2:30 PM UTAH TIME (1:30 PM Arizona Time): Check in at the Bryce Canyon Car Care Center (Sinclair Station) for a guided ATV ride. In just one hour, you’ll experience the lesser known areas of Bryce Canyon in a manner that’s fun, exciting and best of all, very safe. This guided ride on well-maintained ATV’s will get your blood pumping, while providing you with views of a primeval alpine landscape, and Bryce Canyon itself. Bryce Canyon ATV Tour information

Enjoy dinner at Bryce Canyon Lodge or one of the dining establishments at Ruby’s Inn, Bryce Canyon City, or nearby Tropic, Utah before retiring for the night and getting a good rest before the next day’s adventures!

IMPORTANT: PLEASE TAKE THE ROUTE FROM PAGE TO BRYCE CANYON MARKED IN BLUE! THE ROUTE MARKED IN GRAY IS AN UNPAVED, INCONSISTENTLY MAINTAINED ROAD THAT IS PRONE TO WASH-OUTS, ROCK FALLS AND OTHER WEATHER RELATED DAMAGE. TAKING A RENTAL CAR ON THIS ROUTE WILL VOID YOUR RENTAL INSURANCE AND YOU COULD BE HELD LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGE SUSTAINED.

Day 6

After breakfast, explore Bryce Canyon a bit more before going on to Zion National Park.

Option 1 – Ride the free hop-on/hop-off park shuttle to some of the viewpoints you might have missed on your first day here. The voluntary shuttle can be picked up at the shuttle station north of the park, or at Ruby’s Inn and the Grand Hotel. It then stops at:

  • Bryce Canyon Visitor Center
  • Sunset Campground (Southbound/does not enter campground)
  • Bryce Point
  • Inspiration Point
  • Sunset Campground (Northbound/on main road/does not enter campground)
  • Sunset Point
  • Bryce Canyon Lodge
  • Sunrise Point (General Store & High Plateau Inst. are nearby)
  • Bryce Canyon Visitor Center

Option 2 – Take one of several easy but spectacular hikes along the canyon rim, such as:

  • Mossy Cave (.8 mi / 1.3 km round trip) – a streamside walk up to a mossy overhang and small waterfall
  • Sunset Point to Sunrise Point Trail (1 mi / 1.6 km round trip) – see the amphitheater and its hoodoos via a paved and fairly level trail
  • Bristlecone Loop (1.0 mi / 1.6 km round trip) – a hike through a spruce-fir forests to bristlecone pine-adorned cliffs and canyon vistas
  • Queens Garden (1.8 mi / 2.9 km round trip) – the least difficult trail into the canyon, featuring ‘Queen Victoria’ (use your imagination) at the end of a short spur trail

Option 3 – Take one of several moderate scenic hikes into the canyon:

  • Navajo Trail (1.3 mi / 2.2 km round trip) – this trail begins at Sunset Point and goes through a slot canyon where tall Douglas Firs reach skyward in a quest for sunlight and water, ending down in Bryce Amphitheater
  • Tower Bridge (3 mi / 4.8 km round trip) – ancient Bristlecone Pines and the China Wall whet your appetite for the 1/4-mile shaded spur trail leading to the Tower Bridge formation
  • Hat Shop (4 mi / 6.4 km round trip) – observe a cluster of balanced-rock hoodoos after the descent to the Under-the-Rim Trail; not for visitors with bad knees

Note: what goes down must come up! Remember to double your hiking down time in order to calculate your hiking out time (1 hour down = 2 hours out) if you venture onto inner canyon trails. Adequate footwear, sun protection and water must be brought on any of the listed hikes.

Grab lunch to go (remember, you have that cooler!), then drive to Springdale, Utah: 2-3.5 hours

Afternoon: check into your Springdale, UT, hotel, take the free Springdale shuttle, then transfer to the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive Shuttle (mandatory for those not staying at in-park lodging) to the Zion Human History Museum. Here, you can get an excellent “pre-trip briefing” on the scenery and sanctuary that have made Zion National Park so famous. A free 20-minute video provides an overview of activities and park facilities, plus rangers are on hand to answer any questions you might have.

Get back on the shuttle and head up to Zion Lodge. Even those that are not staying at the historic hotel are welcome to stroll the grounds, dine at the on-site restaurants, or rent bikes for one hour or a full day from Xanterra Parks & Resorts, the authorized in-park concessioner. But as they say, the best things in life are free, and one of the best things about Zions is that the most fun can be had without spending a penny, in the form of hikes ranging in difficulty from “easy-peasy” to “are-you-kidding-me?” One of our favorites is the Upper Emerald Pools trail, a 3-mile round-trip hike requiring some uphilll walking, leads to a picturesque waterfall and pond. Swimming is not allowed, but generations of families have enjoyed this iconic Zion Canyon trail for many years. The Riverside Walk, also known as the “Gateway to the Narrows,” is an easy, scenic walk from the Temple of Sinawava to the shores of the Virgin River. Wear Tevas, Chacos or other footwear that hold up to water, but are still good for hiking. You’ll definitely want to get your feet wet! Easy Zion National Park Hikes

Head back to Springdale, UT for dinner. Restaurants are plentiful here, so choosing might be hard, but enjoying your meal won’t be. Get some sleep, and be down for some serious adventure in the morning!

Day 7

Option 1 – Hike the Narrows. This is the hike to take in Zion National Park for the ultimate bragging rights. Traversing a cool riverbed through a narrow slot canyon, a hike in the Narrows can be virtually whatever you want to make of it: a quick hour’s jaunt to get your feet wet (pardon the pun), or a 10-mile round-trip all day slog. Doing the hike from the “bottom up” (from the Temple of Sinawava as far as Big Spring) does not require a permit and is therefore the easier way to go; the “top down” approach (from Chamberlain Ranch to TOS) does require a permit, and more in the way of advanced planning. Don’t want to do any planning at all? Hire a licensed guide to hike the Narrows and let them do all that for you! Caution: The Narrows are subject to flash flood dangers, especially during the monsoon season of late July – early September. It may be closed to hikers during this or any other timeframe, or in weather conditions determined to be dangerous.

Option 2 – Hike to Angel’s Landing. This is the grand-daddy of all Zion National Park hikes, which effective 04/01/22, will require a permit obtained 3 months in advance through an online lottery held on Recreation.gov. It’s not for the faint of heart, out-of-shape, or terrified of heights. Don’t believe us? A few people have fallen off the trail. We’ll just leave that there. Named for a terminus that evoked images of an angel landing on the head of a pin, Angel’s Landing is not a super-long hike (5 miles round-trip), but it’s a strenuous one on a steep uphill grade. Chains are placed on either side of the trail to aid those who might need extra leverage on the section between the Hogsback to the Landing. For those who initially think they might be able to handle it, but change their minds midway, Walter’s Wiggles makes for a good turn-around point. The trail begins and ends at the Grotto in Zion Canyon. Do your research, watch YouTube videos, and do more research before you commit to this hike. As with all hikes in the Southwest U.S., water and snacks should be brought, and appropriate broken-in footwear worn.

Option 3 – Take a spa day. Prefer an activity for your last day of touring that’s a little more kickback and relax-y and a little less huffy and puffy? Book a massage, rejuvenating facial, aromatherapy, or any number of therapeutic indulgences at one of several day spas in Springdale, UT. Your hotel may even have a spa right on the property! 

Option 4 – Go horseback riding. Rides of one and three hours in length show you natural wonders of Zion National Park both out in the open, and behind the scenes such as the Three Patriarchs, the Beehives, and beautiful cactus gardens. The 1 hour ride (open to children 7 and up) follows the Virgin River to the Court of the Patriarchs and back to the loading corral. For those more adventurous (and at least 10 years old) the three-hour trip will take you around the Sandbench Trail, gradually ascending 500,’ culminating with a breath-taking view of the Southern portion of Zion National Park. Advance reservations strongly recommended. Book a Zion National Park Horseback Ride.

Go back to your hotel, and if it has a hot tub, enjoy a nice long soak, order in for dinner, then rest up for the 2.5 hour drive back to Las Vegas.

Like the sound of this, or did we leave anything out? Feel free to leave us a comment below. And remember, your experiences – the good, the bad and the ugly – will always be of help to future travelers in the area. Travel-related sites like TripAdvisor, Frommer’s, Fodors, even Facebook and Instagram love trip reports. Don’t forget to post one when you get back home!

413 Responses

  1. Hi Alley,
    I just visited your website and it was very interesting and informative I just need a few suggestions from you for the arizona trip we are planning this month october 20-27. we will I was thinking of driving to sedona after renting the car and spent 2 days in sedona. our itinary is as follows: please make changes if it is not doable.
    Day 1 sunday : fly into phoenix and take rental car and drive to sedona
    day2&3 monday and tuesday . spent 2 days in sedona
    day 3. wednesday : drive to page and see antelope canyon and horse shoe bend
    day 4. thursday :other attractions in page like, lake powell, monument valley etc
    day 5 friday: zion and bryce canyon
    day 6: saturday: arhes national park and drive to salt lake city.
    day 7. fly out from salt lake city(flight is in the evening)
    I like to get your thoght on this itinary and is it possible to follow this plan and also would like to know if we have any time to add any more places or have to take out places. we are not big hikers, most of it will be drive by. is it possible to do grand canyon on the way? I hope to get some feed back from you as soon as possible so I can make the hotel booking and book antelope canyon ticket. Thank you….

    Reply

    1. Hey again, Susan!
      Thank you SO much for further clarification on your itinerary and goals for your vacation. Unfortunately, I still have to tell you that your plan is not realistic. You’re going to have to whittle back your expectations a bit, unless you want to be packing up and driving every single day of your vacation.
      For example, Bryce Canyon and Zion cannot be fully explored in one day. You need at least one day for each park. Kanab, UT, makes for a good central location to base yourself for this purpose. Also, the Moab, UT, area really requires at least 4-5 days to do justice to. Arches National Park only represents a small fraction of all there is to see and do there. There’s also Canyonlands National Park, Dead Horse Point State Park, Corona Arch, Hell’s Revenge, Castle Valley, ziplining, wine tasting… just to name a few! 25 Best Things To Do in Moab, UT So you’ll either need to take it off the table, or go into this trip knowing that you are only going to scratch the surface of Moab’s potential.
      If you want to add the Grand Canyon to your itinerary, the most logical place to do it would be between Sedona and Page. It’s possible to do it as a “drive-by,” but not ideal. It takes ~3 hours to drive from Sedona to the Grand Canyon, then another 3.5-4 hours to drive from Grand Canyon South Rim to Page, AZ. These are not Google maps figures, mind you, they’re more like “real life” figures, factoring in the many stops you’ll make along the way to take photos, grab a meal (Cameron Trading Post – Navajo tacos – yummo!), bathroom breaks, etc. To pull it off, you’ll need to keep an eye on the clock and be aware of when sunrise and sunset occur. You don’t want to do any driving after dark in this part of the U.S. due to roads that are very dimly lit, and populated by deer, elk, and other wildlife that pose a collision risk. Trust me, you don’t want to hit a deer in an area that’s pitch black, where cell service is spotty at best (if you can get any bars at all), and help will be a long time coming, not to mention VERY expensive. In late October, sunrise occurs at ~6:45 AM, and sunset takes place at around 5:30 PM.
      In light of those concerns, here’s what I’d recommend:
      Day 1 Sunday: fly into phoenix and take rental car and drive to sedona
      Day 2 Monday: tour Sedona (Pink Jeep, hiking, etc.), spend 2nd night in Sedona
      Day 3 Tuesday: drive from Sedona to Page, AZ, via the Grand Canyon, visit Horseshoe Bend on way into town, overnight in Page, AZ
      Day 4 Wednesday: tour Antelope Canyon in AM, drive to Moab, UT, via Monument Valley (~5.5 hour drive), overnight in Moab, UT — note I have you doing Monument Valley as “drive by” due to lack of lodging in the immediate area and possibility that all rooms are booked
      Day 5 Thursday: tour as much of Arches/Canyonlands area as possible, drive to Kanab, UT (~5 hour drive), overnight in Kanab, UT
      Day 6 Friday: Explore Zion National Park, 2nd night in Kanab, UT
      Day 7 Saturday: Drive to Bryce (~90 minutes from Kanab), explore the area for a couple of hours, then drive to SLC (~5 hours) for flight home

      If you were to take Moab off the table, that would free up more time to take a “quality over quantity” approach and enable you to take things at a more relaxed pace. But I understand if this trip is a “once in a lifetime” or at least a blue moon type of opportunity.
      Good luck and safe travels!
      Alley 🙂

      Reply

      1. Hi, Alley!

        Wow! I am blown away by your knowledge of the area and would love your advice. I am looking to plan a similar trip, arriving in Phoenix late afternoon of Nov. 12 and departing late morning from Salt Lake City on Nov. 18. I’ve been to Sedona, so no need to spend time there. I also have the annual national parks pass that’s itching for a good workout before it expires. 🙂

        What would your recommended itinerary be? Would like to walk/hike 3-8 miles each day (intermediate hiker; nothing too strenuous). I’ll likely be traveling solo, so safe travels by car/accommodations are hugely welcomed!

        Thank you for your time and expertise!

        Reply

        1. Hi Kellie, and thanks for your compliments, and for letting me know that you’ve already hit Sedona. That helps a lot!
          So, given your flight times, you essentially have 5 days to work with on this vacation. Another consideration: your trip coincides with the transitional period between fall and winter. You will encounter cooler weather, and quite possibly snow. Be ready to do some on-the-fly adjusting of your plans should you get delayed or detoured by inclement weather.
          That said, here’s what I’d recommend
          November 12th – arrive in Phoenix, overnight in Phoenix
          November 13th – drive from Phoenix to Grand Canyon South Rim (~5 hour drive), overnight at South Rim
          November 14th – hike to Cedar Ridge, drive to Page, AZ, in the afternoon (~3.5-4 hour drive factoring in stops), overnight in Page
          November 15th – visit Horseshoe Bend, tour Lower Antelope Canyon in AM, drive to Kanab, UT (~1.5 hour drive), hike Paria Rimrocks/Toadstool Hoodoos Trail en route overnight in Kanab, UT
          November 16th – hike Angel’s Landing in Zion, 2nd night in Kanab
          November 17th – drive from Kanab, UT, to Bryce Canyon (~2 hour drive), hike Navajo Loop and Queens Garden Trail, overnight in Richfield, Salina, Gunnison, or other town mid-way between Bryce and SLC
          November 18th – drive to SLC, fly home

          All roads are fully-paved and well-traveled, so you should’t have any problem there. The main thing is to be sure that you do any and all driving during daylight hours. Roads in Northern AZ and Southern UT tend to be very dimly lit, and at the time of year you’re traveling, deer, elk, and other wildlife are migrating to their winter feeding grounds, and can be on the move anytime day or night. At the time of year you’re visiting, sunrise occurs at ~7:00 AM, sunset takes place around 5:15 PM.
          The one spot that’s most likely to warrant a change of itinerary is Bryce: at 8,000′ above sea level, it tends to receive snow well before other areas. In the unlikely instance a storm ends up closing the roads into the park, or causes you hesitation, simply give that extra day to Zion. Believe me, there’s no shortage of hikes in that park in varying degrees of difficulty and length.
          Good luck and safe travels,
          Alley 🙂

          Reply

  2. Hi Alley, I was reading your trip planning and it looked awesome. I am planning a trip from oct 20 -oct 27 2019. we fly into phoenix early afternoon on 10/20 and planning to rent a car and drive to Sedona. I like to see Sedona, antelope canyon, horse shoe bend, Colorado river discovery float trip, grand canyon, page, zion, Bryce canyon,arches national park, monument valley. Navajo national monument etc. I don’t know which order I should plan the trip and how many days I need at each place. could you please advise on an itinerary?

    Reply

    1. Good morning Susan!
      I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but there’s no way you’re going to accomplish everything on your “wish list” with the limited time you have. First thing you’ll have to take off the table: Arches/Canyonlands. This area is simply too far out of the way to be realistic using Phoenix as your staging city, plus it requires at least 4-5 days to do justice to. Monument Valley may have to go as well, not so much because of the lack of time, but more due to the lack of lodging in that area; there’s not much to work with in the first place, and rooms are probably booked up already. Otherwise, you’ll be packing up and driving every single day of your trip, and that doesn’t sound like my idea of a vacation. You need some “chill time,” and Sedona is the most good place to get that. However, it’s another area that deserves 4-5 days time minimum to fully enjoy and explore, so don’t be surprised if after 2 days, you find yourself wishing you could stay longer! There might still be a way you can work Monument Valley in, even if you don’t go there; more on that in a minute….
      One piece of information I wish I had is where you’re flying out of, as that would help me advise you most accurately. In all honesty, this trip would work a lot better if you were flying out of Las Vegas, but for now, I’ll assume you’re flying into and out of Phoenix. How you structure your itinerary will depend on 3 things: 1. whether you want to get the longer drives out of the way first 2. availability of Grand Canyon lodging and 3. availability of Grand Canyon tours. Assuming that you’ll hit Sedona first, here’s how you can make the rest of it work.
      October 20th – Arrive in Phoenix, drive to Sedona (~2 hours), overnight in Sedona
      October 21st – Pink Jeep Broken Arrow tour, 2nd night in Sedona
      October 22nd – Drive to Zion National Park (~6 hours, factoring in stops), overnight in Kanab, Utah
      October 23rd – Drive to Bryce (~90 minutes from Kanab), hike and explore, 2nd night in Kanab, UT
      October 24th – Drive to Page, AZ (~60 minute drive, remember that Kanab is 1 hour ahead of Page), check in 10:00 AM for Glen Canyon Float Trip, visit Horseshoe Bend afterward (parking permitting), overnight in Page, AZ
      October 25th – Visit Horseshoe Bend first thing in AM if unable to do say day before (sunrise is at 6:45 AM), tour Antelope Canyon, then drive to Grand Canyon South Rim (~3.5 hour drive factoring in stops), overnight at South Rim
      October 26th – Sightseeing at Grand Canyon in AM, drive back to Phoenix (~4.5 hour drive), overnight in Phoenix
      October 27th – Fly home

      Back to the subject of Monument Valley: if you really want to see it (which I don’t blame you one bit for!), a couple of ways you could go about it in the likely event you can’t find lodging in the area, you could visit as a day trip from Page, AZ. It’s a 2-hour drive each way, and you’d have to keep an eye on the time so that you’re not doing any of the return trip in the dark. There’s also a time difference to contend with since the Navajo Reservation DOES observe Daylight Savings Time, but Page, AZ, does not, therefore, you’d “lose” an hour driving from Page, AZ, to Monument Valley, then “gain” it on the drive back to Page. Another option: you could swing by Monument Valley on the drive between Page, AZ, and the Grand Canyon, but if you did that, you’d be looking at a 2 hour drive from Page, AZ, to MV, then a 3.5 hour drive from MV to Grand Canyon South Rim. Day trips and “drive-by’s” are less than ideal, but with an eye on the clock and careful planning, they can be made to work. I know, I’ve done it 😉 The best solution to the problem of how to work Monument Valley IMO is to fly over it out of Page, AZ. Fixed-wing airplanes take ~90 minutes to fly over not only Monument Valley, but Rainbow Bridge, Lake Powell, and the Glen Canyon Dam. It’s a beautiful flight; I know, I’ve done that, too 😉 Mornings are the best time to fly for good light and less wind. For more information on Monument Valley air tours out of Page, AZ, visit Westwind Air Service Page/Lake Powell Air Tours
      Hope that helps – good luck and safe travels!
      Alley 🙂

      Reply

  3. Wanted to get you thoughts on our possible itinerary for September 2020. I’ve checked places to stay & that is not an issue this far out. This will likely be our only trip to the Grand Canyon area so we prefer not to do a round trip.
    Day 1: Morning flight to Phoenix & drive to Sedona
    Day 2: Drive to Grand Canyon South Rim
    Day 3: Drive to Monument Valley – mid afternoon tour
    Day 4: Possibly sunrise tour then drive to Page, Horseshoe Bend
    Day 5: Antelope Canyon in the morning then drive to Grand Canyon North Rim
    Day 6: Grand Canyon then drive to Bryce
    Day 7: Bryce then drive to Zion
    Day 8: Zion
    Day 9: Drive to Las Vegas via Hoover Dam, evening show
    Day 10: Fly out of Las Vegas

    Reply

    1. Hey Leigh,
      Your itinerary looks really fun! The only change I would propose making is try and squeeze out another day or two for Sedona. Trust me, you’ll be glad you did. It’s a stunning area with lots to see and do. Folks often report that after spending 4-5 days there, they still felt as though they’d only “scratched the surface.” The most logical place and manner to accommodate this would be to drop that day in Monument Valley and just drive straight to Page, AZ, from the Grand Canyon. If you did that, yet still really wanted to see Monument Valley — which I wouldn’t blame you one bit for! — one way to “have your cake and eat it too” would be to fly over it out of Page, AZ. Fixed-wing airplanes take ~90 minutes to fly over not only Monument Valley, but Rainbow Bridge and a sizable chunk of Lake Powell. Mornings are the best time to fly for the most dramatic light and lack of wind. For more information on Monument Valley flights from Page, visit Westwind Air Service Page, AZ
      Good luck and safe travels!
      Alley 🙂

      Reply

  4. Hi Alley,
    we are planning a trip to Vegas and the parks nearby for Christmas and we dont know whether it is better to hire a car and organise it ourselves or to get a company to do it for us. On the one hand we like the freedom but, (we are 3 adults) but we dont know if it is very difficult to organise mainly around Christmas when some parks might not be open or not the best time to visit, so maybe a bit of inside knowledge wouldnt be a bad thing.
    Could you recommend somenone?
    Best,
    Marta

    Reply

    1. Hi Marta and thank you for your inquiry.
      The good news is, all popular National Parks and Monuments in the Southwestern U.S. are open over the Christmas holiday. The bad news is you might encounter difficulty finding lodging or availability on tours since that is a very popular time of year to travel.
      You have correctly deduced that self-driving is the best way to enjoy optimal freedom and flexibility, but without a place to stay, it won’t do you much good. If you find that you are unable to secure hotel or tour reservations, you might indeed consider going with an escorted tour. For ground tours (vehicle) out of Las Vegas we recommend MaxTour. If you’re open to doing an air/ground combination tour, Scenic/Grand Canyon Airlines Las Vegas-Antelope Canyon Expedition can show you Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, and a whole lot more in one day.
      Whatever you decide, be prepared for winter weather, up to and including snow at that time of year. Pack jackets, gloves, etc. and be prepared to make alternate plans in the case of inclement weather. A day trip to Death Valley might be a nice alternative in that situation.
      Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels,
      Alley 🙂

      Reply

      1. Hi Alley,

        Thank you for sharing! We are planning a family trip to Grand Canyon and beyond for 6 days around Christmas 2019. Below is my itinerary. I know I’m a bit ambitious but the kids really want to explore as many parks as possible. My husband thinks we should skip Canyonlands and Arches but I really want to keep them on the list if we can. Can you please comment on my plan and let me know if you think it’s feasible. Your suggestion would be greatly appreciated!
        Day 1 Morning- drive about 3 hors from Phoenix to Grand Canyon South rim; explore in Grand Canyon in the afternoon, Overnight at Grand Canyon south rim.
        Day 2 Early morning – explore more at Grand Canyon, then drive 2 hours to Antlope Canyon Upper and Horseshoe Bend, Glen Canyon Dam; Late afternoon drive 3 hours to Monument Valley, overnight at Monument Valley
        Day 3: Morning – explore at Monument Valley, Afternoon – drive 3 hours Canyonlands National Park, overnight at Moab
        Day 4: Morning – drive 30 minutes to Arches National Park, late afternoon – drive 4 hours to Bryce National Park, overnight at Bryce
        Day 5: Morning and early afternoon – explore at Bryce National Park, late afternoon- drive 1.5 hours to Zion National Park, overnight at Zion
        Day 6: Morning and early afternoon – explore at Zion, late afternoon, drive 3 hours to Las Vegas

        Reply

        1. Hey Shirley,
          I hate to say this, but I’m with your husband on this one: you don’t have time to fully explore and enjoy Arches and Canyonlands this time around. Moab, UT (the gateway community) deserves at least 4-5 days to do justice to, and even then, people report feeling as though they’ve only scratched the surface!
          In light of that, I’d recommend modifying your overly ambitious itinerary, which is underestimating several key drive times, as follows:
          Day 1 Morning- drive about 4.5 hours from Phoenix to Grand Canyon South rim. Stop at Sunset Point just North of Phoenix, lunch in Flagstaff, see IMAX movie “Grand Canyon: The Hidden Secrets” at National Geographic Visitors Center in Tusayan, sunset on canyon rim, overnight at Grand Canyon south rim.
          Day 2 Sunrise on canyon rim, concentrate sightseeing on Grand Canyon Village Historic District and overlooks on the Hermit’s Rest/West Rim Drive using the free shuttles, spend 2nd night at Grand Canyon South Rim
          Day 3 Morning – drive from Grand Canyon South Rim to Monument Valley, approximate drive time (~3.5-4 hours) factoring in stops along the Desert View/East Rim Drive, Cameron Trading Post for brunch/lunch, etc., backcountry tour of Monument Valley, overnight in Monument Valley
          Day 4: Drive from Monument Valley to Page, AZ (~2.5 hour drive), tour Antelope Canyon Upper, visit Horseshoe Bend, Glen Canyon Dam, overnight in Page, AZ
          Day 5: Drive from Page, AZ, to Bryce (~3 hour drive) with stop at Paria Rimrocks/Toadstool Hoodoos, explore Bryce Canyon, drive to Kanab, UT (~1.5 hours) for overnight
          Day 6: Morning and early afternoon – drive from Kanab, UT, to Las Vegas via Zion, approximately 4.5-5 hour drive including detour through Zion and possible delays due to construction on section of I-15 through Virgin River Gorge
          If you would prefer to overnight in Zion, I wouldn’t blame you a bit, in which case, the way to accommodate it would be to drop Monument Valley. You’re going to have a hard time finding lodging there anyway since there’s not much to work with in the first place. If you really want to see Monument Valley, which again, I wouldn’t blame you a bit for, you could “have your cake and eat it too” by taking a scenic flight over it out of Page, AZ. Fixed wing airplanes take ~90 minutes to fly over Monument Valley, as well as Rainbow Bridge and a good chunk of Lake Powell. For more information on Monument Valley flights, visit Westwind Air Service Page AZ.
          Another few things to keep in mind at the time of year you’re traveling:
          1. It’s going to be busy around Christmastime, so all lodging and guided tours must be booked in advance.
          2. It’s winter, so it will be cold, possibly snowing, especially in areas such as the Grand Canyon and Bryce, which are 7,000′ and 8,000′ above sea level respectively; start monitoring local weather about 2 weeks before you get set to travel, and pack jackets, gloves, etc. regardless.
          3. Days are going to be short — sunrise occurs at ~7:30 AM, and sunset takes place at around 5:20 PM — and you want to be sure and do all your driving during daylight hours. Roads in this part of the country are very dimly lit, which is a deliberate move to preserve the natural darkness of the night sky, and deer, elk, and other wildlife might be wandering about. Believe me, you don’t want to have a collision with one in an area that’s pitch black, where cell phone service is spotty to non-existent, and help will be a long time coming, not to mention VERY expensive.
          Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels,
          Alley 🙂

          Reply

          1. Hi Alley,
            Based on your informative and helpful advice, I revised my itinerary to two versions as below. Your comments on them would be greatly appreciated.
            Plan A: (with Monument Valley)
            12/25 Morning- drive about 3 hors from Phoenix to Grand Canyon South rim; explore in Grand Canyon in the afternoon, Overnight at Grand Canyon south rim.
            12/26 Early morning – sunrise at Grand Canyon, then drive 3-5 hours from Grand Canyon to Monument Valley , early afternoon arrive in Monument Valley, explore at Monument, overnight there
            12/27 Early morning– explore a little bit more at Monument Valley, Late morning or early afternoon – drive 3 hours to Page, afternoon – Antlope Canyon Upper and Horsehoe Bend, overnight at Page
            12/28 Morning – drive from Page to Bryce National Park for 2.5-4.5 hours, explore at Bryce National Park, overnight at Bryce
            12/29 Early Morning – explore a little more at Bryce and then leave for Zion before lunch, drive 2.5 hours and arrive in Bryce National Park early afternoon, overnight in Spingdale and explore Zion National Park in the afternoon
            12/30 Morning and early afternoon – explore more at Zion, late afternoon, drive 3 hours to Las Vegas.

            Plan B: (without Monument Valley and 2 overnights at Grand Canyon)
            12/25 Morning- Phoenix to Grand Canyon South rim, afternoon – explore at Grand Canyon, overnight at Grand Canyon South rim
            12/26 Explore at Grand Canyon, overnight 2nd night at Grand Canyon South rim.
            12/27 Early morning– drive 3 hours to Page, afternoon – Antlope Canyon Upper and Horsehoe Bend, overnight at Page
            12/28 Morning – drive from Page to Bryce National Park for 2.5-4.5 hours, afternoon – explore at Bryce National Park, overnight at Bryce or Kanab
            12/29 Morning – Drive from Bryce or Kanab to Zion National Park, afternoon – explore at Zion and overnight at Zion
            12/30 Morning explore a bit more at Zion and then drive to Las Vegas.

          2. Hey again Shirley!
            Honestly, both versions of the trip look really fun. Which one you’ll end up doing will probably boil down to lodging availability at Monument Valley. There’s not a heck of a lot to work with there to begin with, and what with your trip coinciding with the Christmas/New Year’s holiday week, I wouldn’t be surprised if the area was fully booked. The View Lodge is generally (and rightfully) considered the best place to stay there, seconded by Goulding’s Lodge. If those two properties are booked, the next best places to stay would be Mexican Hat, UT, Kayenta, AZ, or Tuba City, AZ. If you do luck out on getting a room in the immediate vicinity of Monument Valley, remember that you’ll be on Navajo Indian Tribal Land, which means the sale, transport, possession, or consumption of alcohol is strictly prohibited.
            Have a great trip, and let us know how you get on!
            Alley 🙂

  5. Dear Alley,

    We are planning for a family trip in June 2020. We are in our fifties with three kids from 18-28 yo. Please comment on our plan. Wonder if we should change the plan to stay in Zion for 2 days and 1 day in Page. We don’t know if there are enough things to do and see in Page.

    Day 1 Fly to LAS from LAX, overnight at LAS
    Day 2 LAS to Zion – arrive in the afternoon, do The Narrows hike…
    overnight at Springdale
    Day 3 Zion to Bryce – do the Angel’s Landing hike in the morning (hope it’s not too difficult) then drive to Bryce
    overnight at Ruby’s Inn Bryce
    Day 4 Bryce to Page – boat trip or some activities before driving to hotel in Page
    overnight at Page
    Day 5 2nd day at Page – Lower Antelope tour in the morning and Upper Antelope or other slot canyon tour in the afternoon,
    overnight at Page
    Day 6 Page to Grand Canyon – go to Hoseshoe Bend just after sun rise before heading towards Grand Canyon
    overnight booked at Maswik Lodge, the other in park lodges are full
    Day 7 2nd day at Grand Canyon – plan to do a helicopter tour in the morning
    overnight at Maswik Lodge
    Day 8 Grand Canyon to Las Vega
    Day 9 Fly back to LAX

    Reply

    1. Hi Anissa, and kudos for planning your Grand Circle vacation well in advance.
      In the summertime, activities in Page, AZ, and the surrounding parks are in full swing. IMO you won’t have any problem finding things to see and do on any leg of your trip! If you are wanting to free up a day to allocate to Zion, I’d recommend dropping at night at the Grand Canyon in order to do so. I know, that sounds totally crazy, but here’s the deal: you’ll end up doing a good chunk of your Grand Canyon sightseeing on the drive down from Page, AZ. The route will naturally and logically take you along the East Rim/Desert View Drive of the park, where there are over half a dozen named Grand Canyon viewpoints you can stop at, as well as the Tusayan Ruins & Museum. Before you even get to that part, however, there are plenty of other photo ops to pique your interest on the Navajo Reservation, such as Chinle formation views, the Little Colorado River Overlook and Chief Yellowhorse’s souvenir stands. The Cameron Trading Post is a good place to stop for breakfast/brunch, too! So by the time you arrive at Maswik Lodge (which is a perfectly fine place to stay, you’re inside the park and that’s the important thing), you’ll have already seen a lot of the canyon. When you do the helicopter flight, you’ll see even more. With that in mind, you could scoot by with just one night at the Grand Canyon.
      BTW, re: your time in Page, AZ, I’d recommend changing the order in which you do some of the activities, namely the “boat trip.” If you’re referring to the Glen Canyon Float Trip, Rainbow Bridge Boat Tour or other half-day+ water-based activities, these are best taken first thing in the morning so you can enjoy cooler temperatures. Daytime temps in June tend to get up above 100; not so comfortable for being on the water for hours at a time with little or no shade.
      RE: Angel’s Landing, it is regarded as one of the most difficult hikes in Zion National Park. Definitely do your homework before committing to it, and if you should decide against it, no worries: there are plenty of awesome hikes available in Zion that won’t have you seeing your life flash before your eyes!
      Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels,
      Alley 🙂

      Reply

  6. Hi
    We are traveling to the Grand Canyon and Beyond Area in September 2020. We already have a one night reservation at the El Tavor Hotel in the South Rim for Tuesday, 8 September. I believe air fare is typically less expensive on Saturday’s and Tuesday’s so I thought we should fly in on Saturday, 5 September and fly home on Friday or Saturday, 11 or 12 September. (as well as for work purpose so we can take off Monday>Friday) Some of the sites that we would like to see are the South Rim Grand Canyon, Lake Powell/Page Area, Zion and Bryce Canyons. Can you suggest an itinerary that makes sense to be able to accomplish these areas? I thought we could do:
    Day 1: Saturday – Flight from Maryland>Las Vegas, then drive to Zion Canyon, spend the night in Springdale

    Day 2: Sunday – View Zion Canyon, then drive to Bryce Canyon, spend the night outside of park

    Day 3: Monday- Visit Bryce Canyon (maybe drive a portion of the way to Grand Canyon to spend the night so less driving the next day)

    Day 4: Tuesday-drive to Grand Canyon, spend the night at El Tavor

    Day 5: Wednesday-visit Grand Canyon, either spend the night outside of Grand Canyon or drive to Lake Powell/Page area & spend the night

    Day 6: Thursday – visit Lake Powell area, spend the night

    Day 7: Friday, either fly home or if more time is needed continue visit of Lake Powell

    Day 8: Drive from Page/Lake Powell area to Las Vegas and fly home

    This is the only itinerary that I could come up with since the Grand Canyon visit is not at the very beginning or end of the trip. If you also have any suggestions for stops to visit along the way to each of these, it would be greatly appreciated.

    Thank you so much.

    Reply

    1. Hey Dorothy!
      Kudos on planning your Grand Circle vacation well in advance, and congratulations on scoring that reservation at El Tovar! As you’ve correctly deduced, you need to build your trip itinerary around that highly-coveted reservation, which may necessitate some backtracking. In order to minimize that, however, here’s how I’d recommend changing it:
      Day 1: Saturday, flight from Maryland, overnight in Las Vegas
      Day 2: Sunday, get an early start, drive to Page, AZ. Make short detour through Valley of Fire State Park (stunning!), then, instead of traveling via Kanab, UT on US89, take US89A through Colorado City, Jacob Lake, and Marble Canyon, maybe stop for late lunch/early dinner at Cliff Dweller’s Restaurant (delicious!). Time/parking permitting, stop at Horseshoe Bend for sunset, overnight in Page, AZ. Factoring in stops, what’s listed as a 5-hour drive could take anywhere from 7-8 hours, but it’s very scenic and the time will go by quickly!
      Day 3: Monday, tour Antelope Canyon and Lake Powell, spend 2nd night in Page, AZ.
      Day 4: Tuesday, drive from Page, AZ, to Grand Canyon South Rim. Stop at Horseshoe Bend that morning if you couldn’t manage it in days previous. Stops to make include but aren’t limited to: The Cut overlook, the Gap Trading Post, Chinle formation views, the Cameron Trading Post (good breakfast/brunch stop), Little Colorado River Overlook, Desert View Point, Tusayan Ruins & Museum, other Grand Canyon overlooks. Overnight at El Tovar (make dinner reservations 6 months out!). Drive time factoring in stops: ~3.5-4 hours
      Day 5: Wednesday, Drive to Bryce Canyon (~5-6 hour drive), overnight in that area. Potential stops: Big Water Visitor Center & Dinosaur Museum, Paria Rim Rocks & Toadstools Trail
      Day 6: Thursday, take free shuttle around Bryce Canyon Rim Drive, then drive to Zion/Springdale (~2.5 hour drive) for overnight.
      Day 7: Explore Zion National Park, lots of hiking available in varying lengths and degrees of difficulty! 2nd night in Springdale
      Day 8: Drive back to Las Vegas (~3 hour drive), fly home

      Hope that helps! Good luck and safe travels,
      Alley 🙂

      Reply

      1. Hi Alley,

        Thank you for the great suggested changes to optimize our itinerary and the many points of interest to visit along the way. We are really looking forward to this trip and always heard to make plans a year in advance so your input is very helpful in making the other reservations we will need to make. I can’t wait to see this beautiful part of our country. Thank you for all your help.

        Dorothy

        Reply

  7. Hi Alley,

    I’m so excited to share with you my family trip plans and to get your ever-so-knowledgeable review on it as it would be most helpful and greatly appreciated.

    First of all, we plan to do this in April as this is when we get the most time off of work in the year apart from December. Secondly, you’ll note I’ve already taken into account your previous recommendations for times of certain tours.

    The itinerary goes as such:

    Day 1 – Santa Monica to Havasu Springs, Arizona – 1 Night stay
    Drive: 4hrs35min – 290 miles from last destination
    Stay: Havasu Springs Resort
    Highlights: Joshua Tree N.P.
    Sandal Trail – Navajo National Monument
    Hoover Dam Lookout
    London Bridge Visit
    Seligman (Route 66) Visit
    Tusayan for Imax film
    Mr D’s Diner

    Day 2 & 3 – Havasu Springs, Arizona to Grand Canyon Village – 2 Nights stay
    Drive: 3hrs50min – 248 miles from last destination
    Stay: 7 Mile Lodge
    Highlights: Grand Canyon N.P.
    Little Colorado River Outlook
    Breakfast at Historic Cameron Trading Post
    Havasu Falls
    Moenkopi Dinosaur Track
    Navajo National Monument hike to cliff dwellings
    Lunch at Kayenta

    Day 4 – Grand Canyon Village to Monument Valley, Arizona – 1 Night stay
    Drive: 3hrs16min – 182 miles from last destination
    Stay: Goulding’s Lodge
    Highlights: Monument Valley N.P. (Afternoon)
    Arches N.P. (Morning)

    Day 5 & 6 – Monument Valley to Page, Arizona – 2 Nights stay
    Drive: 2hrs15min – 131 miles from last destination
    Stay: Lake Powell Resorts and Marinas
    Highlights: Horseshoe Bend (Early Morning)
    Antelope Canyon Tour (Lower Canyon)
    Lake Powell and Rainbow Bridge Tour (Morning)

    Day 7 & 8 – Page to Bryce Canyon, UT – 2 Nights stay
    Drive: 2hrs 37min – 149 miles
    Stay: Air B&B – Panguitch and Duck Creek Village
    Highlights: Zion N.P. – Angel’s Landing (Morning)
    Bryce Canyon N.P. (River Rafting)

    Day 9 – Bryce Canyon to Vegas, NV – 1 Night stay
    Drive: 4hrs 11min – 262miles
    Stay: Air B&B / hotel
    Highlights: Vegas Strip
    Show

    Day 10 – Vegas to Santa Monica, CA
    Drive: 4hrs 33min – 285miles

    I have four burning questions to ask. Firstly, who would you recommend for the river rafting tour and is this even the right time of year for it? Secondly, which parks do we need a guided tour with us and where would you recommend we do this? Thirdly, I will be taking my camera with me to document this trip and to take photos, however, I see that I need a permit for certain places like Antelope Canyon and Monument Valley. Do I need it for anywhere else and where do I acquire this? Lastly, my brother has a US National Parks card but now we are in Navajo Parks territory so which parks will we need to purchase other permits for?

    I eagerly anticipate your reply.

    Chad from South Africa.

    Reply

    1. Hi Chad, and thank you for visiting our site.
      You’ve obviously spent a great deal of time planning your trip out, which is why it pains me to say that it’s in need of a serious reality check. It seems to me you haven’t looked at a map and gotten a sense of where things are really located, so some highlights of certain days need to be shifted either forward or back, or eliminated altogether. Havasu Falls, for example (which you’ve indicated wanting to see on day 2 and 3) — it’s not going to happen, friend. This is a very remote area, only accessible on foot, and permits for lodging and camping are booked out months in advance. You also need at least 3 days to do the area justice (you are required to commit to at least that many days to get a camping permit anyway). For more information, visit http://www.HavasupaiReservations.com and think about saving this very special place for a future visit.
      So let’s get down to it: first of all, when you state you’ll be going to “Havasu Springs,” I think you’re actually referring to “Lake Havasu City,” unless you’re referring to the Havasu Springs Resort, which is located in Parker, AZ, a suburb of Lake Havasu City. In any case, your drive time estimate is slightly off. According to Google Maps, it’s more like a 5-hour drive, and that’s wheels turning, no stops. That rarely happens since the drive does have some scenic, cultural, and historic highlights that have already piqued your interest, so you should pad drive times by anywhere from 20-30% just to be on the safe side.
      You’ve also got the sequence of a few trip highlights mixed up on different days. On Day 1, for example, your travels will take you by Joshua Tree National Park, which is worth a stop, but other attractions, such as Seligman, and Tusayan, are closer to Grand Canyon Village, and Navajo National Monument is located between Grand Canyon Village and Monument Valley. Getting back to your first day’s plan, at 90 minutes minimum (one way) from Parker, AZ, Mr. D’s Diner in Kingman, AZ, is too far out of the way to be realistic. Ditto for Hoover Dam, which is another 90 minutes minumum (again, one way) from Kingman, AZ. If you’re prepared to get a very early start out of Santa Monica, CA, and are open to re-arranging your itinerary a bit, you could do something like this:
      Day 1: Drive from Santa Monica, CA, to Hoover Dam (~6.5 hour drive with brief stop near Mojave National Preserve)
      Continue on to Mr. D’s Diner in Kingman for late lunch/early dinner (90 minute drive from Hoover Dam)
      Drive to Havasu Springs Resort to stay overnight (90 minutes-2 hours from Hoover Dam)

      Still, man, you’re looking at a LOT of driving, anywhere from 8-9 hours, at a time of year when you only have about 12.5 hours of daylight to work with. Personally, I’d recommend taking Hoover Dam and Mr. D’s off the table and just concentrate on getting to Havasu Springs, with a stopover at Joshua Tree. That will make for a shorter drive at a more relaxed pace.
      On the drive to Grand Canyon Village for day 2 and 3 of your trip, here’s where you’d want to hit Seligman, AZ, then see the IMAX movie in Tusayan, AZ. Regarding Havasu Falls?

      The Little Colorado River Outlook, Historic Cameron Trading Post, Moenkopi Dinosaur Track, Navajo National Monument and the Navajo Code Talkers’ Exhibit would be the agenda for Day 4, when you drive from Grand Canyon Village to Monument Valley. That’s really cool that you got reservations at Goulding’s Lodge!

      Unfortunately, Arches National Park needs to come off the agenda, too. For one thing, it’s a 3-hour drive, one way, bare minimum, from Goulding’s Lodge to Moab, UT, the gateway community for both Arches and Canyonlands. This is another area that requires at least 4-5 days to explore fully. That’s time that you just don’t have. Sorry 🙁
      Monument Valley is an area where you should plan on doing a guided tour. There are a variety to choose from, including jeep tours, horseback riding, guided hikes, and photography tours. For more information, visit the Navajo Tribal Park authority’s website, where you can find a complete list of authorized Monument Valley tour companies. Regarding photography permits, unless you plan on selling your photos or using them to promote a product or generate some sort of profit for yourself, your tour price typically includes the right to take as many photos as you want. Your tour ticket will also include your Navajo Tribal Park entrance fee, so be sure to keep your receipt as you should be able to apply it to your Antelope Canyon tour ticket, too.
      In Page, AZ, the Rainbow Bridge Boat Tour departs at 7:30 AM and can last anywhere from 6-8 hours depending on the level of Lake Powell. In any case, be prepared to take a 2-3 mile round-trip hike to see Rainbow Bridge, and not to plan any other activities for that day. Even though the weather in April is typically pleasant, being out on the water and in the sun for that length of time can zap your strength if you’re not used to boating, so, all you’re likely to want to do afterward is grab a good dinner and maybe a cocktail and go to bed. Fortunately, the Lake Powell Resort complex has all that on site. Horseshoe Bend is best visited just after sunrise, which you’re apparently already planning to do, which is good. Be sure to book your Antelope Canyon tour in advance, which you’ll be able to do in November-December of this year, when the tour companies open up seat inventory for 2020.
      On Day 7 & 8 where you indicate you’d do “river rafting in Bryce Canyon N.P.,” here again, that’s not quite right. There are no river rafting trips offered in Bryce Canyon National Park itself. There are some offered in nearby Marysvale, UT, on the Sevier River, but they don’t start running until Memorial Day. Limited rafting opportunities have been available on the Virgin River near Zion National Park in the past, but recent low water levels have rendered that portion of the river “unraftable” of late. Of course, things could change by the time you arrive, but obviously it’s too soon to call. If you are wanting to include river rafting in your trip, a more reliable option would be the Glen Canyon Half Day Float Trip out of Page, AZ. It does not go through any rapids, but it does include a lot of beautiful scenery and compelling history. The downside is you’d probably have to give up the Rainbow Bridge Boat Tour in order to accommodate it in your schedule. I know it’s a hard choice!
      So… now to answer your “burning questions:”
      1. See the above paragraph for advice re: river rafting
      2. Antelope Canyon definitely requires a guided tour; for Monument Valley, it’s strongly recommended, but not 100% required
      3. See the advice on Monument Valley for information on commercial photography permits (which I don’t think you’ll need)
      4. You acquire your Navajo park permit when you purchase a guided tour in any Navajo Nation Tribal park
      5. Your brother’s National Park Pass will cover you for all National Parks, Monuments, and U.S. Federal Fee areas on your trip
      Oh, time permitting on the drive from Bryce to Vegas, try and make the easy detour to the stunning Valley of Fire State Park. It’s a beautiful area that you won’t regret making the time for!

      I know that’s a lot to digest, and I get that you’re coming from a long way away and that this trip might be a once in a lifetime opportunity. Still, we want you to remember it as a vacation and not a constant race against the clock to get to your next destination.
      Feel free to contact us again if we can be of further assistance,
      Alley 🙂

      Reply

      1. Hi Alley,

        It seems that my idea of where some of these places was a bit far off so having said that the first day we will travel from Santa Monica to Havasu Springs resort, AZ and will pass via the Joshua Tree N.P.

        I think it’s best to drop Seligman and reserve more time for hiking in the Grand Canyon.

        I will definitely follow the idea for the itinerary before arriving at Monument Valley.

        I will sadly remove Arches N.P. as per your advice.

        Everything else is noted and greatly appreciated. I actually forgot to ask you about the Valley of Fire so that’s a plus.

        You are a star. Thanks for all your help.

        Reply

        1. Hey again, Chad,
          Glad our suggestions helped. Hard as it may be, I think it’s a good call to remove Arches/Canyonlands from the itinerary. Not that the Moab, UT, area isn’t beautiful — it is, amazingly so — but you just don’t have enough time to explore and enjoy it fully. If there’s any chance you can make a return trip to the American Southwest in the future, check out how you can include Arches, Canyonlands, and so much more on this 14-Day Grand Circle Itinerary on our companion site, HorseshoeBend.com.
          Take care, have fun, and let us know how you get on!
          Alley 🙂

          Reply

  8. I will be traveling to all of the location’s mentioned on a 11 day tour. Can you please forward article so I can print?
    Thanks

    Reply

  9. My sister and I are considering a trip in February 2020, possibly Feb 15-22. We could fly into Phoenix or Las Vegas, just not sure about the weather conditions that time of year. We would like to see Grand Canyon, and we are not necessarily hikers, altho we did average about ten miles/day last February walking around all the Disney and Universal parks in Orlando for a week!! As far as nature hiking, we are inexperienced and in our mid-60’s. We enjoy taking scenic photos, and we are open to jeep tours, etc. Is this a place we might enjoy for a February trip? I was somewhat thinking of flying into Phoenix, and staying in Sedona as our base and just doing day trips perhaps??

    Reply

    1. Hi Judy,
      To coin a phrase, there’s good news and bad news here: the good news is that you don’t have to be a hard-core hiker to have a fabulous time in Northern Arizona! The bad news is that in February, your plans might be kaboshed by winter weather, up to and including snow. But then again, the scenery is even more beautiful with a coat of “white frosting,” and the area tends to be less crowded, so there’s an upside there, too!~
      That said, I wouldn’t recommend using Sedona as a “base camp” from which to explore the various attractions in the area. For one, it’s a 2.5-3 hour drive, each way, from Sedona to the Grand Canyon, and also to Page, AZ, home of Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend. Another thing working against you at the time of year you’re visiting is daylength: it’s short. Sunrise occurs at around 7:15 AM and sunset takes place shortly after 6:00 PM. You want to be sure that any driving is done during daylight hours in this part of the U.S. due to lack of lighting on local roadways (a deliberate move to preserve the natural darkness of the night sky), and the possible presence of deer, elk, free range cattle, and other nocturnal wildlife. The last part of the drive to Sedona through Oak Creek Canyon is very twisty, which can be crazy-scary at night — trust me, I’ve done that drive myself at night and won’t do it again!
      A better plan would be to stay overnight near the attractions you wish to visit for optimal safety and comfort. With your timeframe, you could do something like this:
      February 15 – fly into Phoenix, overnight in Phoenix
      February 16 – drive to Page, AZ (~5-6 hour drive factoring in stops), lunch in Flagstaff, AZ, tour Antelope Canyon, overnight in Page, AZ
      February 17 – drive to Grand Canyon South Rim, stop at Horseshoe Bend on way out of town, breakfast/brunch at Cameron Trading Post, enter the park at Desert View Point, visit Desert View Watchtower, stop at other Grand Canyon viewpoints as desired, overnight at Grand Canyon
      February 18 – 2nd day at Grand Canyon: if hiking is not practical due to snow on trails, don’t worry, there’s plenty to see and do! Possible activities include driving the scenic Hermit’s Rest/West Rim Drive of the park, which is open to private vehicles during the winter months. Ranger programs are also occurring on a limited basis. Overnight at Grand Canyon
      February 19 – drive from Grand Canyon South Rim to Sedona (~3 hours), if desired, visit the National Geographic Visitors Center in Tusayan and see the IMAX movie “Grand Canyon: The Hidden Secrets” or take a scenic airplane or helicopter flight over the canyon, overnight in Sedona
      February 20 – 2nd day in Sedona, take Pink Jeep Broken Arrow Tour, visit Chapel of the Holy Cross, Tlaquepaque, Airport Mesa, other easy but scenic hikes, etc., overnight in Sedona
      February 21 – 3rd day in Sedona – possible spa day? Overnight in Sedona
      February 22 – drive back to Phoenix (~2.5 hours), fly home

      Of course, you can flip-flop this itinerary if you prefer to get your R&R on at the beginning of your trip instead of the end.
      Hope that helps! Good luck and safe travels,
      Alley 🙂

      Reply

      1. Great info! Thank you for taking the time to help us out with our trip planning! This is very helpful and I will study this itinerary carefully!

        Reply

  10. Hi Alley,

    we are planning trip sometime in july or august 2020.

    Would like to add Sedona to your suggested plan …

    Day 1 – Las Vegas to Grand Canyon
    Day 2 – Grand Canyon to Monument Valley
    Day 3 & 4 – Page/Lake Powell
    Day 5 – Bryce Canyon
    Day 6 & 7 – Zion National Park

    what would you recommend? we can do up to 10 days

    also we would like to do some mountain biking -> where would you recommend

    Thank you

    Todd

    Reply

    1. Hey Todd!
      If you can lengthen your trip to 10-12 days, you could easily work Sedona into your itinerary. The best place to do that would be between Las Vegas and Grand Canyon South Rim. Allow 3 days for that area as it’s absolutely stunning and there’s lots to see and do in Sedona!
      So a revised trip plan, still using Las Vegas as your staging city, would go roughly like this:
      Day 1: Drive from Las Vegas to Sedona (~5 hour drive), stop at Hoover Dam if desired, overnight in Sedona
      Day 2: Full day in Sedona, suggested activities: sunrise hot air balloon ride, Pink Jeep Broken Arrow Tour, Chapel of the Holy Cross, sunset on Airport Mesa, 2nd night in Sedona
      Day 3: 3rd day in Sedona, possible activities: mountain biking, shopping at Tlaquepaque, wine tasting tour, day trip to Montezuma’s Castle/Well and/or Jerome, Verde Valley scenic railroad, 3rd night in Sedona
      Day 4: Sedona to Grand Canyon (~3 hour drive), overnight in Grand Canyon **you might also do some bike riding here with Bright Angel Bike Rental
      Day 5: Grand Canyon to Monument Valley (~4.5 hour drive factoring in stops), overnight in Monument Valley
      Day 6: Drive from Monument Valley to Page, AZ (~2 hour drive), tour Antelope Canyon, overnight in Page
      Day 7: 2nd day/night in Page, AZ – possible activities: Glen Canyon Half Day Float Trip, Rainbow Bridge Boat Tour, you might also do some electric mountain biking on the Page Rim View Trail
      Day 8: Page, AZ, to Bryce Canyon (~3 hours), overnight in Bryce Canyon area
      Day 9: Bryce Canyon to Zion/Springdale, UT (~2 hour drive), use Zion Park Shuttle to explore the park and take hikes as desired, overnight in Springdale, UT.
      Day 10: 2nd day/night in Zion
      Day 11: Drive back to Las Vegas (~4 hour drive due to possible construction on I-15 through Virgin River Gorge), fly home

      Even though you’re planning your trip well in advance — which we definitely commend you for! — it’s not too early to start making hotel reservations. Monument Valley will be the hardest place to find a room since there’s not much to work with in that area to begin with. If for some reason you can’t find lodging in the immediate vicinity of Monument Valley, you might consider adding a 3rd night to Page, AZ, and visiting as a day trip. It is a 2-hour drive each way, but with days being long at the time of year you’re visiting, you should be able to pull it off.
      Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels!
      Alley 🙂

      Reply

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