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:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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!
- 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.
- 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:
- Hopi Point (accessible only by the Hermit’s Rest/Red Line shuttle bus March 1st-November 30th)
- Yavapai Point
- Mather Point
- Yaki Point (accessible only by the Kaibab/Orange shuttle bus)
- Moran Point
- Lipan Point
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
Thank you so much for all this! I was overwhelmed planning until I came upon your blog. What are your thoughts on swapping places on the itinerary Page and Zion specifically? I know it’s not convenient but I can get the half day horseshoe bend tour if I modify 🙂 Thank you for your help!
Hi Stacey,
Backtracking on one’s itinerary isn’t ideal, but if doing so affords you the opportunity to take the Horseshoe Bend Raft Trip (I assume that’s the trip you’re referring to?), go for it! You might contact Wilderness River Adventures from time to time to see if they have any cancellations for your preferred day. If not, don’t sweat it. It’s a very scenic drive, and doing it twice may turn you onto sites you may have missed the first time around.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
Alley,
Thanks for all of your tips and the wealth of information you have shared! Someone has suggested renting e-bikes at Zion National Park as a fun family activity. The places I have looked online all have age restrictions of over 12 or over 14. The person who suggested this as an activity said she saw child sized ebikes being used at the park last week. Do you happen to have a recommendation of a reputable company that services Zion National Park and will rent to 10 year olds?
Hey JP,
Yes, e-bikes are definitely a great family activity at Zion! Just about every company I was able to find, however, had a 12-14 year age limit. However, one company that rents kids bikes indicated that “exceptions could be made (to the age limit) on a case by case basis.” Also, they specify a certain height range for their kids bikes, in this case, 4’5″-5′. For more information, visit Zion Canyon Bike Rentals at ZionAdventures.com or you might try phoning them at 435.772.1001
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
Hi Alley,
I had a vacation booked for last September, following your itinerary, for my husband and me and two grown children, however had to cancel due to covid. We are going to try and do it again this september 25th (flying into Las Vegas), and leaving out of Las Vegas on October 2.
I have read some of your other e-mails and see that Antelope Canyon and Monument Valley are closed, along with road closures you also mention. And by September, we have no idea if these areas will be open, but being that you have to book everything so early, its hard to know how to plan.
I do have a reservation for a hotel room in the grand canyon for sep 26, as you stated that should be done first. And was just not sure what the itinerary should be, and if you could suggest how to go about the rest of the week with these closures.
I’m really hoping that things will be open by then, but so hard when having to book everything early.
Thanks so much!!!
Hi Jerri,
I’m so sorry it took so long to reply to your question, it kinda got buried… one of the drawbacks, albeit rare, to this format.
Anyway… late September/early October is a great time to be here, and we are crossing fingers and toes that these closures will be lifted by then!
That said, I would not count on being able to visit Antelope Canyon and Monument Valley.. in the traditional sense anyway. But there are still ways you can see them.
A popular alternative to the land-side tours of Antelope Canyons last year, that is continuing to see good traction this year, is to take a kayak tour into the waterside of Antelope Canyon from Antelope Point Marina, which include some hiking into the pre-slot portion of the Lower Canyon on the shoreline of Lake Powell, which is on Federal and not Tribal land.
Should Monument Valley remain off-limits at the time of your visit, a way you can still tick it off your wish list is to fly over it. Fixed-wing airplanes depart from the Page Municipal Airport daily, weather permitting, and usually first thing in the morning for better light and lack of wind. Monument Valley Air Tours out of Page, AZ, last approximately 90 minutes and will show you a good chunk of Lake Powell as well!
In light of those concerns, I would recommend spending at least 2 nights in Page, AZ. Any extra time you might end up with should be given to Zion. That’s a big and gorgeous park with lots to see and do.
Hope that helps. Again, sorry for the late reply, it wasn’t intentional at all.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
Hi Alley, I’m amazed with all your suggestions and deep knowledge about the area. We can feel the passion. Now we’re so excited to plan our summer trip. We have our National Parks Pass, not sure if all this parks are included.
We’re traveling with kids (11 and 8 years old), then we are looking to organize an available trip that all of us enjoy. We’ll start walking again soon to be ready for this. We are planning around 2 weeks, traveling from LA and finish in Las Vegas. Basically one week on your area.
We are planning to go to Grand Canyon, Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, Zion National Park and Valley of Fire State Park. Any special site / view points that we have to go?
We are not sure the places and sites to visit. If you can help us with a good plan / itinerary with kids, would be really helpful.
I loved this page.
Hi Liliana,
Thank you for further clarification of your trip plans.
Your National Park Pass grants you entrance to all National Parks, Monuments, and Federal Fee Areas in the U.S. for one year’s time. Areas where it won’t work are State Parks, Native American Tribal Parks, and City-administered parks. Horseshoe Bend in Page, AZ, is an example of a city park; even those with National Park Passes must pay the $10/standard passenger vehicle or $35/light commercial vehicle fee for admission to the parking lot. Monument Valley and Antelope Canyon (which are closed indefinitely due to COVID-19) are Native American Tribal Parks, so here again, your Park Pass wouldn’t work, but seeing as though they’re closed, it’s kind of a moot point. In Sedona, AZ, popular attractions such as Slide Rock State Park also require entrance fees (or you can get a Red Rock Pass)
During the summer months, you’ll need to plan on visiting any true-desert areas, such as the Valley of Fire State Park, just after sunrise if you want to enjoy any hiking or sightseeing. Otherwise, it will be too ghastly hot to even get out of your car.
If LA is your starting point, you should plan on breaking up the drive into two days, maybe with a stopover in Lake Havasu City, AZ (~5 hours from LAX), so the kids can enjoy some swimming? From there, here’s what I’d recommend:
Day 1: Drive to Grand Canyon South Rim, overnight in Grand Canyon
Day 2: 2nd day/night at Grand Canyon South Rim
Day 3: Drive from Grand Canyon South Rim to Page, AZ. Here again, you’ll hit a COVID-19 closure: due to AZ64 East being inaccessible from Desert View Point to Cameron, AZ, you’ll have to detour down through Flagstaff, AZ, then proceed North on US89 to Page, AZ, which is ~a 5-hour drive. Hit Horseshoe Bend on the way into town, overnight in Page
Day 4: Take kayak tour into waterside of Antelope Canyon that include some hiking into the pre-slot areas of the lower canyon, which is on Federal Land OR take a self-guided hike to Wire Pass Canyon/Buckskin Gulch; drive to Bryce Canyon that afternoon (~2.5 hours from Page, AZ), overnight in Bryce Canyon
Day 5: Drive to Zion National Park, sightseeing on the Zion Canyon Shuttle (advance ticket purchase may be required), overnight in Springdale, UT
Day 6: 2nd day/night in Zion National Park, time/desire/physical fitness permitting, you might hike Angel’s Landing or The Narrows on this day, 2nd night in Springdale
Day 7: Get an early start on the day, drive to Las Vegas (~3 hours), detour through Valley of Fire, end of vacay!
Custom trip map
If you find you have more time to spend, maybe give a 2nd night to Page, AZ, so you can explore that area further.
Hope that helps! Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
Hi Ms Keosheyan,
I sent an inquiry yesterday but now we’re wondering if end of March/beginning of April is too cold / windy in the Grand Canyon and surrounding area. We’re wondering if going in late May when our daughter is pretty much done with high school is better. We’ve heard summer is sooo hot 🙂 Anyway, any idea if Antelope Canyon and Monument Valley might open up by then? If so, then we’ll follow your recommended route to visit. If not, we’d love suggestions for a 9-night trip to the area. Thank you so much!
Hey again, Carolyn!
You might indeed encounter more stable weather in late May, but you’ll also encounter more people, and all that that implies 😉
As for whether Monument Valley and/or Antelope Canyon might reopen by then, short answer is, we don’t know. The best site to monitor for the status of that is Navajo Parks & Recreation Department.
One option I didn’t mention when replying to your original inquiry is that if Monument Valley remains closed at the time of your visit, whenever that should happen to be, it is possible to fly over it out of Page, AZ. Fixed-wing airplanes depart daily, weather permitting, and possibly contingent on a certain number of passengers traveling, out of the Page Municipal Airport. A scenic air tour over Monument Valley lasts approximately 90 minutes, and will show you a lot of amazing scenery, including a good sized chunk of Lake Powell.
Also: if that jeep tour I mentioned in reply to your previous inquiry does not appeal, there are still a number of good day hikes you can do in the Grand Canyon, but attempting to go from rim to river and back in one day’s time is strongly discouraged by the National Park Service. You might consider going as far as Cedar Ridge or even Skeleton Point on the South Kaibab Trail. Use of a shuttle is required to get to the trailhead, and that trail has no piped in water, so you’d need to carry your own. Grand Canyon day hikes
Good luck and have a wonderful time!
Alley 🙂
Hi Ms. Keosheyan,
We are going to visit the Grand Canyon area for our daughter’s high school grad trip (have to mark the event and what better way, right?). It’s been suggested we visit Zion National Park, Bryce, Page area, Antelope Canyon, Monument Valley, etc while there. We arrive in Las Vegas at 10am on March 26 and leave 10am on April 4. I’ve heard Antelope Canyon was closed but then restrictions are starting to be lifted in AZ. So, can you please tell us if these areas will still be closed in early April? We’d like to see some of the famous hotels while in Las Vegas, maybe the NY-NY roller coaster and a gondola ride at the Venetian (but not interested in casinos). We are totally into seeing the amazing sights having never visited the area and are in great shape so can hike for many (4+) hours. What itinerary would you suggest and would you suggest going down into the bottom of the Grand Canyon or save our hiking for cool trails we’ve heard of like “the narrows”?
Thank you so much!
Carolyn
Can you please suggest an itinerary. Thank you.
Hey Carolyn,
Unfortunately, any predictions for the reopening of the Antelope Canyons and/or Monument Valley are premature at this time, so I would advise counting the Antelope Canyons out of the equation just to be on the safe side. The good news is there are other slot canyons that are just as beautiful, and not subject to the closure of the Navajo Indian Reservation.
Another expectation you’re going to have to temper is hiking to the bottom of the Grand Canyon. This is definitely NOT a day hike, it should be done as an overnight camping trip, or with reservations at Phantom Ranch, both of which fill up months in advance. However, there might still be a way you can work bragging rights to having been to the canyon floor into your trip. More on that in a minute…
So, working with your arrival and departure times (which I SO appreciate you providing!), here’s what I’d recommend:
March 26th: Arrive in Las Vegas, drive to Williams, AZ (~3.5 hours), overnight in Williams
March 27th: Take the Inner Canyon Jeep Tour, which goes down the Diamond Creek Road on Native American Tribal Land, optional hike into Diamond Creek Narrows, 2nd night in Williams
March 28th: Drive to Grand Canyon South Rim (~1 hour each way from Williams), either overnight at the South Rim, or return to Williams
March 29th: Drive to Page, AZ — if you stay the night prior at the Grand Canyon, you’ll have to detour down through Flagstaff, AZ, then proceed North on US89 to Page, AZ, which is ~a 5-hour drive; if you overnight in Williams, AZ, the night prior, then the drive is more along the lines of ~3 hours. Hit Horseshoe Bend on the way into town, overnight in Page
March 30th: Take kayak tour into waterside of Antelope Canyon, which includes hiking into pre-slot portion of Lower Canyon on Federal Land, OR drive to Paria, UT ~45 minutes from Page, AZ, and hike Wire Pass Canyon/Buckskin Gulch, 2nd night in Page, AZ OR drive to Bryce that afternoon (~2.5 hours from Page)
March 31st: Drive to Bryce Canyon if you didn’t do it the day before (~2.5 hours from Page, AZ), sightseeing/hiking in Bryce Canyon, overnight in Bryce Canyon area
April 1st: Drive to Zion National Park (~2 hours from Bryce), take Zion Canyon Shuttle to popular trails such as Weeping Rock, Upper Emerald Pools, etc. Overnight in Springdale, UT.
April 2nd: Hike Angel’s Landing or The Narrows; the latter involves walking through water pretty much constantly, so you’ll need to rent a dry suit, poles, water shoes, etc. You can get these from a number of local outfitters. Overnight in Springdale, UT.
April 3rd: Drive to Las Vegas, NV (~3 hours from Springdale, UT), optional detour through Valley of Fire State Park (stunning!), sightseeing in Las Vegas. Great way to see Las Vegas’ famous hotels? Fly over them in on a nighttime helicopter flight!
Trip map
Whatever you decide, be sure that you time all your drives so that you’re at your final destination for the day by nightfall. Nighttime driving is strongly discouraged in this part of the U.S. due to local roads being very dimly lit, plus the possible presence of deer, elk, and other wildlife that could hike up your risk of an auto accident. Trust me, that’s not something you want to risk in an unfamiliar area that’s pitch black, freezing cold, where cell service is spotty (if you can get any bars at all), and help will be a long time coming, not to mention VERY expensive! At the time of your visit, sunrise takes place at around 6:15 AM, and sunset occurs approximately 6:45 PM. That’s Arizona/Mountain Standard Time. Utah will be one hour ahead of AZ.
Hope that helps! Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
Hi Alley,
We are planning to visit the Grand Canyon, Zion National Park, and Bryce from March 27th (arriving late night on March 26th to April 3rd and leaving midnight of April 3rd or morning of April 4th). We are planning to fly in and out of Las Vegas (coming from NJ). We really wanted to also visit Antelope Canyon (thankfully you told us that it is closed and the alternative Peek-a-boo) and Monument Valley. I was wondering if you suggest an itinerary. We are mostly interested in hiking (3-4 hours a day–we are in good physical shape) we also have not visited Las Vegas (but not the gambling or party type) and maybe we could also visit Sedona (since you suggested that it is nice).
Can you please suggest an itinerary. Thank you.
Hi Amod,
Glad you got the news about the Antelope Canyons being closed. Unfortunately, I have to relay another piece of bad news: Monument Valley is also a Native American Tribal Park, and is also closed to outsiders 🙁 Best to take it off the table this time around, but there might still be a way for you to see it. More on that in a minute 😉
Since Monument Valley has been taken off the itinerary, that frees up time for you to explore and enjoy Sedona, AZ! In light of that, here’s what I’d recommend:
March 27th: Drive from Las Vegas, NV, to Sedona, AZ (~5 hour drive), overnight in Sedona
March 28th: 2nd day/night in Sedona; no shortage of hiking and sightseeing! For suggestions, check out VisitSedona.com
March 29th: Drive from Sedona, AZ to Grand Canyon South Rim (~3 hours), hike paved Rim Trail, maybe go a short way down the Bright Angel Trail, overnight at Grand Canyon
March 30th: Drive from Grand Canyon South Rim to Page, AZ (this will be a 5-hour drive due to the necessity of detouring through Flagstaff, AZ, due to the COVID-19 closure of AZ64 from Desert View Point to Cameron), stop at Horseshoe Bend on the way into town, overnight in Page, AZ
March 31st: Take fixed-wing airplane flight over Monument Valley, drive to Kanab, UT (~70 minutes from Page, AZ), overnight in Kanab, UT
April 1st: Early AM tour of Red Canyon/Peek-A-Boo Canyon (several companies offer this, the one we’re most familiar with is Dreamland Safari Tours), then drive to Bryce Canyon (~90 minutes), overnight in Bryce Canyon area
April 2nd: Drive from Bryce Canyon to Zion (~2 hours), overnight in Springdale, UT ***Note that you’ll need to use the Zion Canyon Shuttle to access the main sightseeing area of the park, which may require advance purchase of tickets***
April 3rd: 2nd day/night at Zion OR drive back to Las Vegas in afternoon (~3-3.5 hour drive); if desired, detour through Valley of Fire State Park (gorgeous!) on the way back to Las Vegas
Trip map
If necessary, you could also do this itinerary in reverse if lodging availability (or lack thereof) dictated doing so. Lodging should be the first thing you get to sorting out, if you haven’t done so already.
Hope that helps! Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
horseshoe.bend.az@gmail.com
Alley,
Thank you very much. I really appreciate it. Yes, you are correct about lodging–we will plan accordingly.
Amod,
You are welcome! Hope you have a wonderful time. If you get a minute when you return home, let us know how things went 🙂
Alley
Alley – You appear to be a true miracle worker in navigating travel during these unique times! I’m getting confused on planning options as we prepare for a one week early November stay. Arriving in Vegas on a Friday, staying one night and departing for Grand Canyon Hotel Sat-Mon. The plan was to head north and visit Page (?) on our way to a three night stay in Zion. But what do you suggest for the one night between GC and Zion (La Verkin)? I’m not sure what we will be able to see and how much time we should plan in the car with our middle grade children. Any insight you can provide would be most appreciated.
Hi Lena and thanks for the compliments.
These are indeed trying times for travel in the American Southwest, but judging from the number of people we continue to see, folks are managing with a little creativity, and patience!
Under normal circumstances, the drive from Grand Canyon South Rim to Zion takes ~5 hours. Due to a crucial component of the shortest travel route between the two destinations being closed — specifically, AZ64 from Desert View Point to Cameron — it is now necessary to drive from GC South Rim all the way back to Flagstaff, then on to Zion via US89. This turns a 5-hour drive into more like a 6.5-7 hour drive. In both cases, however, there’s one common factor: you have to pass through Page, AZ, anyway. Therefore, I’d recommend planning to stay there in between the Grand Canyon and Zion.
With the detour factored in, it will take ~4.5-5 hours to drive from Grand Canyon South Rim to Page, AZ. Unfortunately, the Antelope Canyons are closed. Still, you can enjoy the hike to Horseshoe Bend, walk across the Glen Canyon Dam Steel Arch Bridge, enjoy panoramic views of Lake Powell and the surrounding terrain from the newly opened Grandview Overlook Park, maybe some sightseeing on the shoreline of Lake Powell at Wahweap Swim Beach or Lone Rock Beach. Note that the latter two areas are located inside the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, which means you’d have to pay the $30 entrance fee, or you could use the National Park Pass if you have one.
The drive from Page, AZ, to La Verkin, UT, via Zion National Park would then take ~3 hours. Note that in Zion National Park, a shuttle system is required to access the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive, which is considered to be the “main” part of the park. Due to COVID-19, capacity on the shuttles has been reduced to facilitate social distancing. Therefore, advance purchase of tickets for the shuttle is required if you want to use it. For more information on this, visit Recreation.gov: Zion National Park Shuttle Tickets
BTW, if you still wanted to tour a slot canyon while you’re here, you might think about touring Red Canyon/aka Peek-A-Boo Canyon in Kanab, UT. With twists and turns on par with the Antelope Canyons, Peek-A-Boo Canyon offers a short but memorable walk featuring classic slot canyon scenery, as well as some unique features such as ancient “moqui” steps, and “Shaman’s Needle,” a pencil-thin stone column located in a small sub-drainage near the canyon’s entrance. While a guided tour is not required to get to Peek-A-Boo, we strongly recommend that you take one anyway. While the walk through the canyon itself is usually not difficult, the drive to get there can be. 4WD vehicles with adequate clearance are a definite must, with tire pressure lowered to accommodate deep sand. Even then, people still get stuck. If you’re driving a rental car, forget it! You will void your insurance the minute your tires part with the pavement, which means you’d be on the hook for a very expensive rescue, should you need one, and have to foot the bill for any damage you’d sustain. Reputable tour companies that can get you to Peek-A-Boo Canyon are:
– Dreamland Safari Tours, (435) 412-1790, http://www.dreamlandtours.net
– TC Tours, (435) 668-5262, http://www.slotcanyontourskanab.com
– Kanab Tour Company, (435) 644-5525, http://www.kanabtourcompany.com
– Forever Adventure Tours, 435-644-5700, http://www.foreveradventuretours.com
– Grand Circle Tours, (928) 691-0166, http://www.vermilioncliffs.net
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
This is really a great itinerary. Do you have any suggestion of another option because we are flying to Phoenix (. Visit my sister in-law in Mesa, AZ at the end of the trip) We want to see Page, Grand Canyon, Sedona, Bryce and Zion. What do you suggest? We are planning to go there first week of November. Thanks.
Hey Sylvia!
Using Phoenix as your staging city, you can still pull off this itinerary, with a couple of adjustments. One important consideration at the time of year you’re visiting is weather. While it will be relatively mild in Phoenix at that time of year, temperatures up North will be much colder, and you could even encounter snow at that time of year. That “risk” (if you want to call it that) is particularly high at the Grand Canyon, which is 7,000′ above sea level (ASL) and Bryce Canyon, which is 8,000′ ASL. Of course it’s too soon to know what will actually materialize, but start monitoring weather about 2 weeks before you get set to travel, in all the areas you wish to visit. That will give you the best idea of what to pack.
Recommend asking yourself this question: do you prefer to get the longer drives out of the way first, or are you OK with having that last on the itinerary? Since most prefer to save the easiest part of the trip for last, here’s what I would suggest:
Day 1 – Drive from Phoenix, AZ, to Page, AZ (~5 hour drive), tour Antelope Canyon (if it’s open, if not, more on an alternative in a minute…), overnight in Page, AZ.
Day 2 – Visit Horseshoe Bend first thing in the morning, drive to Bryce Canyon (~3 hours). **If Antelope Canyon remains closed at the time of your visit, tour Red Canyon/aka Peek-A-Boo Canyon near Kanab, UT, on the way to Bryce** Overnight in Bryce Canyon area
Day 3 – Explore Bryce Canyon Rim Drive, then drive to Zion National Park (~2 hour drive), spend 2 nights in Springdale, UT, or Kanab, UT. **Be aware that the Zion Canyon Shuttle is operating with stipulations due to COVID-19, namely, that you must have advance reservations for tickets.**
Day 4 – 2nd day/night in Zion
Day 5 – Drive from Zion to Grand Canyon South Rim via Lees Ferry/Marble Canyon (very scenic, negates some backtracking), overnight at Grand Canyon South Rim **Normally this is a 5-6 hour drive, but could run as long as 7-8 hours depending on whether the Navajo Reservation reopens AZ64 from Cameron to Desert View at the time of your visit.**
Day 6 – Drive from Grand Canyon South Rim to Sedona, overnight in Sedona
Day 7 – 2nd day/night in Sedona, or drive back to Phoenix (~2 hour drive)
Trip map
If you’d rather have more “chill” time on the trip, I’d recommend dropping Bryce and maye even Zion from the itinerary and giving the extra days to Sedona. Trust me, you won’t regret that at all!
The big key is keeping an eye on the status of the Navajo Nation. They’ve been hit disproportionately hard by COVID-19 and as a result, wish to minimize contact with outsiders. AZ64 from Cameron to Desert View, a key component of the travel route to Grand Canyon South Rim from points North, has been closed for several months, necessitating a detour through Flagstaff, AZ, for tourists driving in from Page, Zion, Bryce, etc. For current information, visit http://www.NavajoNationParks.org
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
Alley, this is such amazing info, the best I’ve found. I’m planning my first motorcoach trip from Alabama to the Grand Canyon for senior adults next fall. Would you mind telling me which of the routes you suggested would not be appropriate for a motorcoach? If not, I understand. None of the long hikes will work for my group, but there is so much on your itinerary that is doable for a large group. My problem is always over-planning. Some of my group want to do Tucson at the end as well. I’d appreciate any advise that you can give me. My plan is to drive in on I70 to Moab which will take 3 days, visit the parks, staying in as many lodges as I can, each for 2 nights and staying in Sedona and Tucson each a night and then heading back on I10 AND I40 to Alabama. We are use to long trips. We try to stop along the way to do fun things. The biggest complaint is moving every night, so I like to plan as many stops for 2 nights as I can while still seeing the area. Thanks for your info. I will slap myself on the hand if this is inappropriate. Debbie
Hi Debbie,
Not inappropriate at all that you’ve reached out to us for guidance! We’d rather see people overplan than underplan any day of the week, especially with a large group.
In your situation, you’ll want to deal with the group sales departments of the hotels at the various parks you’ll be visiting. That way, you’ll be sure to get the best rates, and work with people who are used to coordinating arrangements for larger groups. Now would not be too soon to start making contacts as many parks, especially the Grand Canyon, book out months in advance.
Since there are no hotels in Arches and Canyonlands National Parks, the town of Moab, UT, will be your “base camp” from which to explore these areas. In light of that, you should plan on staying there at least 3-4 nights. Moab has ample choices of lodging, including chain and independently-owned hotels. Moab Utah lodging
From Moab, I imagine you’ll want to hit Capitol Reef, Bryce Canyon, Zion, Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon en route to the Grand Canyon? If that’s the case, Capitol Reef is another National Park without hotels inside the park. The gateway comnmunities for it are Hanksville, Fruita, and Torrey. Capitol Reef Lodging Or you might just hit Capitol Reef as a “drive-by” on your way to Bryce. That would make for a long drive (~5 hours, not counting sightseeing in Capitol Reef), but those are pretty much a fact of life out here! In Bryce Canyon, there is lodging in-park, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it was sold out already. It is managed by Forever Resorts, who manage lodging and other concessions in several National Parks. Because the the Lodge at Bryce Canyon is a historic property, guest rooms do not have TV’s, air conditioning (you don’t really need it up there because it’s 8,000′ ASL), or in-room wi-fi. If these are amenities your guests must have, then the gateway community of Bryce Canyon City would probably be the better place to stay. The Best Western Plus Ruby’s Inn is popular for motorcoach groups, so do check it out.
For Zion National Park, it’s a similar situation to Bryce, there is a hotel in-park, but it’s old, and as such may not be as conducive to group travel as newer properties. Zion has two major gateway communities for lodging: Springdale, UT, on the Western border of the park, and Kanab, UT, on the Eastern border of the park. Push comes to shove, you could stay in Kanab, UT and use it as a “base camp” for sightseeing in both Bryce and Zion.
For Horseshoe Bend, Antelope Canyon, and Lake Powell, the Lake Powell Resort & Marina is the sole in-park lodge in the downlake area of the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. It does host motorcoach groups, last I heard. The only disadvantage to staying there is it’s a bit isolated, about a 20 minute drive from the town of Page, AZ, where you’ll find the majority of restaurants, bars, shops, etc. However, Lake Powell Resort is quite large and self-contained; it has a number of restaurants, retail stores, etc. on-site, so pretty much everything you’d need would be on-site. Should you prefer to stay where there are more choices, then Page, AZ, would be where you’d want to look for lodging. If long hikes are out of the question for your group, you’d want to visit Upper Antelope Canyon. A guided tour is required, which must be booked in advance, especially for larger groups. How To Book A Tour For Antelope Canyon Horseshoe Bend may be an iffy proposition for some members of your group. While it is not a difficult walk, it is on the long-ish side at ~1.5 miles one-way. During the warmer months of the year, it’s best to hit it right at sunrise to enjoy cooler temperatures and smaller crowds. That’s something you could do on your way to Grand Canyon South Rim. At GC South Rim, there are 6 in-park hotels. The ones that host motorcoach groups most frequently are Maswik Lodge and Yavapai Lodge. Maswik Lodge is managed by Xanterra South Rim; Yavapai is managed by Delaware North Corporation. If you find in-park lodging to be sold out on your desired dates, Tusayan/GC Village South is your next best option. Tusayan, AZ, hotels
Now, let’s talk about Sedona: 1 day is not nearly enough time to allot for that area. Sedona is a stunning town, with lots to see and do. People report spending 3-4 days there and still feeling as though they’d only “scratched the surface” of all the area had to offer. Please consider spending more time there, you won’t regret doing so!
As for Tucson, it’s a beautiful town too with a fascinating history and a fair share of fun activities. I like the Sonoran Desert Museum and San Xavier del Bac Mission Church. It might still be pretty warm in Tucson, AZ, at the time of your visit, but going there will situate you perfectly to just hop on I-10 and head back to Alabama.
As for routes closed or not appropriate to bus traffic, I know of none where buses are expressly forbidden, but Scenic Byway 12 (between Capitol Reef and Bryce) might be one to avoid due to its narrow, twisty nature. Whatever you do, though, make sure that any and all driving is done during daylight hours. Nighttime driving is strongly discouraged in this part of the U.S. due to roads being very dimly lit (a deliberate move to preserve the natural darkness of the night sky), and the possible presence of deer, elk, free range cattle, and even wild horses. These and other factors can ratchet up your risk of an accident in an unfamiliar area that’s pitch black, where cell service is spotty to non-existent, and where help will be a long time coming, not to mention VERY expensive.
Hope that helps! Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂