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
My husband and I would like to follow your suggested itinerary for our7 day trip this September with flying in and out from Las Vegas. Our journey will starts early in the morning of September 27 and fly home at 1 pm on October 3. Is it possible if we want to include Sedona in our trip? If yes, please advise how. Many thanks….
Hi Halima!
First of all, you’ve picked a wonderful time to be here. Fall is our favorite season! Cooler temperatures, thinning crowds, and all the activities you want to do are still available.
If you wish to add Sedona to your itinerary, you will need to sacrifice one of the stops on this itinerary, and I suggest dropping Monument Valley. Not that it isn’t beautiful, but Sedona has so much to offer, you need at least 2 days there. Even then, I can pretty much guarantee you’ll be planning a longer return visit once you catch sight of that first view!
So here’s what I recommend:
September 27 – Drive from Las Vegas to Sedona (~4.5 hour drive), overnight in Sedona
September 28 – 2nd day in Sedona, hike to Bell Rock, Oak Creek, visit Tlaquepaque, Chapel of the Holy Cross, maybe a spa day, 2nd night in Sedona
September 29 – Drive from Sedona to Grand Canyon South Rim (~3 hour drive), overnight in Grand Canyon
September 30 – Drive from Grand Canyon to Page, AZ (~3.5-4 hours), stop at Grand Canyon and other viewpoints en route, lunch at Cameron Trading Post, visit Horseshoe Bend (parking permitting), tour Antelope Canyon
October 1st – Drive from Page, AZ, to Bryce Canyon, UT (~3 hour drive), OR drive from Page, AZ to Zion (~2 hour drive), overnight in Bryce or Zion
October 2nd – 2nd day in Zion, OR drive from Bryce to Zion, overnight in Zion (Springdale, UT, for lodging)
October 3rd – Drive back to Las Vegas, ~3 hour drive from Springdale
Hope that helps! Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
Hi Alley,
Thanks so much for your valuable input. However, on second thought, we would love to keep the Monument Valley this time and save Sedona for our next trip. If we extend for 1 more day, is it viable to include the Arches National Park between the Monument Valley and the Bryce National Park?
Your further advice would be most appreciated.
Halima
Hi Halima, thanks for hitting us up again!
So, in light of the fact that you’re going to save Sedona for another trip (good call; plan on spending at least 4-5 days), and that you’re in a position to extend your trip by one more day, here’s what I would suggest:
September 27 – Drive from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon South Rim (~4.5 hour drive), overnight in Grand Canyon
September 28 – Drive from Grand Canyon to Page, AZ (~3.5-4 hours), stop at Grand Canyon and other viewpoints en route, lunch at Cameron Trading Post, visit Horseshoe Bend (parking permitting), tour Antelope Canyon
September 29 – Visit Horseshoe Bend at sunrise if you couldn’t manage it the day before; drive from Page, AZ, to Monument Valley (~2 hour drive, be aware of the time zone change), take a backcountry tour, overnight in Bluff, UT (~1 hour North of MV, will give you a bit of head start on next day)
September 30 – Drive from Bluff, UT, to Moab, UT (~2 hours from Bluff), explore Arches NP, overnight in Moab, UT
October 1st – Explore Canyonlands National Park, spend 2nd night in Moab
October 2nd – Drive from Moab, UT to Bryce Canyon, UT, which is ~5 hour drive if you go direct, OR you might make a detour through Capitol Reef National Park, which will extend your drive by at least another hour, overnight in Bryce
October 3rd – Sightseeing in Bryce (if you had a late arrival the day prior), drive to Zion (~2 hours), overnight in Springdale, UT
October 4th – Drive back to Las Vegas, ~3 hour drive from Springdale
Another option would be to just spend one night in Moab (for Arches NP) and spend 2 nights in Zion, or drop Arches off the list altogether. Both Moab and Zion really do need more than a day to do them justice. Sure you can’t add another night? LOL I know, so many places, so little time 😉
Hope that helps. Feel free to write again if you want to bounce more ideas off us!
Take care,
Alley
Wow Alley, you’re marvellous! I need some time to digest your suggestions before getting back to you for more details. Thanks so much again for your valuable information.
Halima
🙂
Hi thank you so much for the great information! I’m using many of your ideas but could use a little guidance. We fly into Phoenix this Thursday 4/4 am and fly out Tues afternoon 4/9. I have 2 different plans and would like your opinion
option 1 ( wondering if should I skip Sedona and stay longer in Zion? with this option)
Th- day 1 phoenix to grand canyon, stay overnight Yavapni Lodge in Gc
Fri-Day 2 -GC to Page, antelope canyon tour at 4:30, overnight Page
Sat-Day 3-Page to zion, overnight Springdale, UT
Sun-Day 4 -Zion to Bryce to Page-overnight Page
Mon-Day 5-Page to Sedona, -overnight sedona
Tues Day 6 -sedona to airport
Option 2
Th- day 1 phoenix to grand canyon, stay overnight Yavapni Lodge in Gc
Fri -day 2- GC to zion-overnight springdale
Sat.-day 3 -Zion overnight sprindale
sun-day 4 zion to bryce to page, overnight page
Mon-day 5 Page, antelope canyon tour at 8 or 12:30, to Sedona, overnight sedona
Tues sedona to airport
any ideas you have would be appreciated.
Thank you
Hi Paula,
I’m assuming that since your trip is coming up so soon, you already have your lodging and tours booked? If so, it may be a bit difficult to change them at this point.
As for which plan is better, it’s “six of one, half a dozen of another,” and frankly, I think you’re trying to cram too much into a short vacation. You’ve got the right idea by planning for 2 nights in Zion, but when you get to the point where you’re proposing to drive from Zion to Bryce, then back to Page, AZ, before going on to Sedona, that’s easier said than done. It takes at least 2 hours to drive from Springdale to Bryce, then another 3 hours or so to drive from Bryce to Page. You don’t want to get caught having to make any part of this drive in the dark, as it’s very dark on these roads, and some of them cross through a popular migration route for deer and elk. A nighttime collision with one of these animals has ruined many a vacation! Sunset occurs at ~7:00 PM in Page, AZ. Another thing to keep in mind is that Bryce and Zion are on Mountain DAYLIGHT Time, and Page, AZ, is on Mountain Standard. Page is 1 hour “behind” Bryce and Zion, so you will “lose” an hour traveling from Page to Zion, then “gain” it back as you travel from Utah to Arizona.
If you’re inclined to go with option #1, as much as I hate to suggest it, you probably should take Bryce off the table and go directly to Sedona. That will also be a long drive, but that will give you more time in Sedona, which you’ll wish you had if you limit yourself to just an overnight stay. 3-4 nights minimum is suggested to do that area justice, and even then, people find that they could have spent a week or more there and still only scratched the surface! VisitSedona.com Or, leave Bryce in the mix and save Sedona for a future trip when you can give it the time it deserves.
I know it’s a hard choice, but I hope that helps somewhat.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
Thank you so much for your input! I only have one reservation for Thursday night for Maswik lodge at the Grand canyon, was trying to decide on route before making more reservations. I think springdale, UT might be the next hardest to find so guess I will look there next. Do you think Monument valley could be added to this trip and take out sedona? or still too much? If I take out sedona, where would that extra day be best spent? So much to see, so little time! Thanks again!
Hey Paula, thanks for seeking out further guidance!
I guess the thing to ask is do you think you could make it back out here in the foreseeable future to spend a week or so in Sedona? If not, then frankly, you’re going to have a hard time fitting Monument Valley into your plan at this point. The main reason being that lodging is going to be just about impossible to find. There’s not much to work with in the immediate area; The View and Goulding’s Lodge are the only hotels situated in Monument Valley “proper.” Other than that, there’s Kayenta, AZ, and Tuba City, AZ, but even they don’t have much to work with. The most convenient place to work it into your itinerary would be between Phoenix and Page, or vice versa, but I certainly wouldn’t recommend doing it as a “drive by.” That would make for a very long drive, ~6.5 hours at least.
Howeverrrrrrr………ha ha ha……..there might still be a way you can work it in: by flying over it. Westwind Air Service offers fixed wing airplane flights over Monument Valley out of the Page Municipal Airport (scroll about half way down that page to get to the info you need). Flights typically last ~90 minutes, and first thing in the morning is the best time to fly.
Hope that helps!
Let us know how things go,
Alley 🙂
We’re doing G.C. and Southern Utah in Nov 2019 over Thanksgiving and I have already booked places to stay that follow your suggested outline – GC South Rim, Page and then Springdale before back to Vegas (I must have had a good gut feeling b/c I booked before stumbling onto your site, which is awesome and will be super helpful! thank you!). It will be me, my wife and kids age 14, 12 and 7. Curious if you have advice on things we should definitely do and / or avoid given: 1) time of year; and 2) kids ages. We’re all active and love to hike but I don’t anticipate we’ll be overnighting or doing anything too strenuous. I assume any water activities are out of the question in November. Also, we have 10 days vs only 7 in case that inspires any more suggestions. Thanks in advance! Really appreciate your site!
Hi Wes and thank you for your inquiry!
The Thanksgiving holiday, while technically falling into the “shoulder” season period, is still a busy time in the Southwest. The primary difference between November and the summer months, obviously, is weather, which will have an affect on what activities you might partake of. Fortunately, most are still in full swing, like Antelope Canyon tours. As you’ve correctly deduced, many water-based activities are scaled back or wrapped up altogether at that time of year, but there are a few notable exceptions, such as the Glen Canyon Half Day Float Trip, which is open to kids 4 and up, and Antelope Canyon waterside boat tours, which have no age limit. These of course run weather permitting, and may be contingent on a certain number of people signing up.
With the extra time you have for your vacation, some destinations worthy of consideration for adding on include, but is certainly not limited to:
– Monument Valley, AZ/UT, ~2 hours from Page
– Sedona, Arizona, which is ~4.5 hours away from Las Vegas, or ~3 hours from Grand Canyon South Rim
– Bryce Canyon, Utah, which is ~2.5 hours from Page and you’d ideally hit before Zion/Springdale
– Death Valley, California, ~2.5 hours from Las Vegas, can be done as a day trip with an early enough start
There are all kinds of possibilities in the American Southwest! The hardest part will no doubt be choosing which place to see.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
We are staying in Brians Head UT for 7 days in October. Which parks and hikes (easy-med) do you recommend?
Hi Deb,
Honestly, I don’t think using Brian Head as a “base” from which to tour the parks and monuments of the Grand Circle is a great idea. You’re situated OK to do day trips to Bryce Canyon and Zion; both parks are ~1.5 hours drive, one way, from Brian Head. As for everything else, such as Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, Lake Powell, the Grand Canyon, etc., you’d be better off cancelling a few nights at Brian Head and staying closer to the afore-mentioned attractions. For Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, and Lake Powell, Page, AZ, would be the place to stay. Otherwise, you’re looking at a 3-hour drive, each way, from Brian head to Page. For the Grand Canyon, whether you visit the North Rim or South Rim depends on when your visit is. South Rim hotels, restaurants, and other visitor facilities are open year round. North Rim hotels, etc., close for the season on October 15th. Grand Canyon North Rim is 4.5 hours from Brian Head; the South Rim is ~5.5 hours.
Before I recommend any specific hikes or activities in any of the nearby parks, I’d strongly recommend rethinking your lodging choice. Not that Brian Head isn’t beautiful, it’s just a little too far removed for maximum enjoyment of all there is to offer in Northern Arizona and Southern Utah.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
I am trying to plan an trip in June that would include Kanub, UT and Flagstaff and Sedona in addition to Zion and Grand Canyon National Park flying in and out of Las Vegas. That makes a long drive back to the Las Vegas Airport from Sedona though. Am I trying to do too much in a week? Have never seen any of these places! Thanks for your input.
Hi Laura,
Putting Sedona at the end of your trip would definitely make for a long drive back to Las Vegas, about 5 hours. If you wish to minimize your drive on the back end of your trip, I would suggest hitting the attractions on your “wish list” in the following order:
2 days – Sedona
1 day – Flagstaff
1 day – Page, AZ (Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend)
1 day – Kanab, UT
1-2 days – Zion, overnighting in Springdale, UT
Staying in Springdale, UT, at the end of your trip would put you only 2.5-3 hours from Las Vegas, however, there is going to be road work in progress on a stretch of I-15 through the Virgin River Gorge, which is right on the route you’d take. It would probably be wise to pad your estimated drive time back to Vegas at ~4 hours.
One observation I can make is that the Grand Canyon is conspicuously absent from your itinerary. Are you using Flag (that’s what we call it out here) as a base from which to tour the park? If so, that’s less than ideal as it’s a 90-minute drive, each way, from Flagstaff, AZ, to Grand Canyon South Rim. Better to look for lodging closer to the park, either in Grand Canyon Village, or Tusayan, just 7 miles South of the park. Grand Canyon hotels
Hope that helps! Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
Hi! I read your article and I loved it! You’re too much!
Me and my husband will be in GC on May, from 8th to 13th.
We will flight to and from Las Vegas airport.
I was wondering if you can help me with the itinerary (I thought it’s impossible for us to follow the one you described above). Our biggest goals are: west and out rim GC, Antelope canyon. First, we were planning to go to Monument valley too, but maybe it’s too much for only 5 days.
Thus, I was thinking to add to our goals Bryce canyon and, if there is enough time, zion canyon.
Would you suggest us an unforgettable itinerary?
Thank you so much!!!
Manuela
Hi again, Manuela!
As you can see in my reply to your earlier inquiry, I recommended taking Grand Canyon West off the itinerary and doing a loop of Grand Canyon South Rim, Monument Valley, Page, and back to Las Vegas. At that time, I recommended spending 2 nights in Page so you could take one of the water-based tours, such as the Rainbow Bridge Boat Tour, Glen Canyon Float Trip, or Lake Powell Kayak Tour. If you prefer, you could take that second day I recommended spending and Page and allot it to Zion or Bryce. Unfortunately, you can’t really see both parks comfortably in one day, and Zion is right on your way to Las Vegas. Spend the night in Springdale, UT, which technically puts you ~3 hours from Las Vegas, but keep in mind that some extensive roadwork is being done on the main highway between Zion and Las Vegas at the time of your visit. It would be wise to pad your estimated drive time by at least 1 hour to be on the safe side.
RE: the time zones, Arizona is on Mountain STANDARD Time, Utah is on Mountain DAYLIGHT Time, so you “lose” an hour going from AZ to UT, but “regain” it going from Utah to Nevada as Nevada is on Pacific Daylight Time.
Hope you have a wonderful trip!
Alley 🙂
Thank you so much, your suggestions are precious for us!
Sorry for the two questions, I thought my first one was lost!
I think we’ll follow your advice and skip GC west.
At the meantime, I saw that following your itinerary we will able to visit even the Monument Valley! So cool!
Thank you very much again!
Manuela
You’re welcome, have a wonderful vacation! 🙂
Love the itinerary & hope to do it in May or September. We would like at add in the north rim. Any suggestions?
Hi Nena,
The North Rim of the Grand Canyon is amazingly beautiful and I don’t blame you one bit for wanting to work it into your vacation itinerary! The reality of the situation, however, is that lodging in that area is extremely hard to come by. Whereas Grand Canyon South Rim has 12 hotels in the immediate vicinity of the park, Grand Canyon North Rim has 3, and that’s if you count the Jacob Lake Inn, which is 1 hour North of the park. With a relative dearth of options to choose from, you can imagine that rooms there book up a year or more in advance. May 2020 is bound to be sold out already, and competition for rooms in September 2020 is going to be fierce since that timeframe is prime season for autumn foliage viewing, and rim to rim hiking.
If you are able to plan your trip for September 2020, you could alter the itinerary proposed in this post by dropping Monument Valley, driving directly from Grand Canyon South Rim to Page, then proceeding to Bryce, Grand Canyon North Rim, and Zion (Springdale, UT). If lodging availability dictates, you could hit GC North Rim after Page, then Bryce and Zion. Another option, in the likely event that North Rim lodging sells out, is to book an extra night in Springdale, UT, or Page, AZ, and visit Grand Canyon North Rim as a day trip. Granted, that method is less than ideal: it’s a 2.5 hour drive, each way, from either town to Grand Canyon North Rim. Another consideration is daylength, which in September is rapidly shortening. Sunrise occurs ~6:15 AM, sunset at about 6:30 PM. You’ll need to keep an eye on the time and make sure to start your return trip early enough so that you’re not doing any driving in the dark. Nighttime driving is strongly discouraged in this part of the U.S. due to the lack of artificial lighting on local roads (a deliberate move to preserve the natural quality of the night sky [see “Dark Sky Parks” for more information]), plus the strong possibility that deer, elk, free range cattle, and even wild horses may be around. Trust us, you don’t want to have a nighttime collision with a large animal in an area where cell service is non-existent or spotty, and a tow truck will be a long time in coming (not to mention super-expensive). If you use Springdale, UT, as your base city for a day visit, you’ll also need to keep in mind the time difference: Utah is on Mountain DAYLIGHT Time, whereas Arizona is on Mountain STANDARD Time. Therefore, you will “gain” an hour traveling from Utah to Arizona, but “lose” it traveling back. That’s one factor that might make Page, AZ, the better choice for a GC North Rim day trip; less math to do LOL
If all that sounds like a whole lot of hassle, frankly, it is. So — all that said, in my honest opinion, the best way to work the North Rim into this itinerary without jumping through all the afore-mentioned hoops is to take a scenic air tour over the North Rim from Grand Canyon South Rim. Fixed-wing airplanes and helicopters depart from Grand Canyon National Park Airport daily, and while sightseeing aircraft won’t land at the North Rim, they still allow for enough time over that side of the canyon to give you a sense of how different it is from the South Rim. Mornings tend to be the best time to fly for better light and less wind. Imperial Helicopter Tour with Eco-Star Grand Canyon Airlines Grand Discovery Tour
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
Hi!
My husband and I are planning a trip to GC. We have already bought the tickets for Las Vegas, NV: from May 8th, evening, to May 13th, evening. Thus, we have 4 full days and one-half day. I read your itinerary and I loved It! But I know it’s impossible for us to visit every place you inserted. Our biggest goals are the grand canyon south rim (and also west rim would be perfect!) monument valley, antelope canyon. Do you think it’s feasible? Could you suggest an unforgettable itinerary, since we are planning to rent a car?
I was also wondering how is the wheater like in May…
Thank you so much!
Manuela
Hi Manuela,
You are correct that it won’t be feasible or comfortable to hit all the attractions on your “wish list” in your timeframe. You’ll need to take at least one place off the table if you don’t want to spend every day driving, and my suggestion would be to drop Grand Canyon West.
Here’s why: it takes approximately 2.5 hours to drive from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon West. Once you get there, you’re looking at a sizeable sum of money to enjoy it fully, starting with a $25/person base entrance fee, then anywhere from $100-300 per person depending on what activities you wish to partake of, such as helicopter flights to the canyon floor, the Grand Canyon Skywalk, etc. Then, you’re looking at a 4.5 hour drive to Grand Canyon South Rim. There’s not much lodging to be had at Grand Canyon West; the nearest hotels are in Kingman, AZ, which is ~90 minutes away. Besides, the South Rim is where you’re going to find the iconic “picture-postcard” views that you’re expecting to see. At Grand Canyon West, not so much. Don’t get me wrong, GC West is beautiful in its own way (more rugged and desert-like), but with your limited time, and considering that GC West is already starting to get really hot, I’d recommend either skipping it, or if you have a full unplanned day in Las Vegas, you might use one of those days to explore GC West, either with a package tour, or self-drive.
In light of that, here’s what I would suggest:
May 9th: Drive from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon South Rim, with optional stopover at Hoover Dam. ~4.5-5.5 hour drive time, overnight at Grand Canyon South Rim.
May 10th: Drive from Grand Canyon South Rim to Monument Valley. ~3.5-4 hour drive. On this section of the trip, you’ll do a large chunk of your Grand Canyon sightseeing between Grand Canyon Village and Desert View Point. There are also many points of interest in the Navajo Reservation upon leaving the park. Stop at the Cameron Trading Post for lunch/brunch, take optional backcountry tour of Monument Valley, overnight in the area (Monument Valley, Kayenta, AZ, or Tuba City, AZ). **REMEMBER THAT THE NAVAJO RESERVATION OBSERVES DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME, THE REST OF ARIZONA DOES NOT, SO YOU’LL “LOSE” AN HOUR GOING FROM GC TO MV, THEN “REGAIN” IT TRAVELING FROM MV TO PAGE, AZ.***
May 11th: Drive from Monument Valley to Page, AZ. 2-hour drive time. Tour Antelope Canyon prior to arriving in Page, AZ, overnight in Page.
May 12th: Visit Horseshoe Bend just after sunrise (5:20 AM), then do a water-based activity, such as the Lake Powell Rainbow Bridge Boat Tour, the Glen Canyon Half Day Float Trip or a kayak tour into the waterside of Antelope Canyon. Spend 2nd night in Page.
May 13th: Drive back to Las Vegas (~4.5 hours direct), optional detours through Zion National Park or Valley of Fire State Park will extend drive time to 6-7 hours. Fly home.
Be sure that you have all lodging and guided tours reserved before you travel.
Hope that helps! Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
Alley-
We are planning a trip with our 13 and 15 year old daughters in July. Here is our plan so far but have a number of questions in the itinerary. Please help!
July 6- Arrive in Vegas in the early morning and drive to Grand Canyon. Spend afternoon at GC. Spend night at GC. Is 4-5 hours enough time in GC?
July 7- Drive from GC to Page to visit Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe bend. We will do a tour of the Canyon in the morning and then go to Horseshoe bend in late afternoon. Is the Lake Powell boat trip worth doing? Stay in Page.
July 8- Drive from Page to Grand Staircase-Escalante National Park and explore for the day. Any suggestions here? Stay at Bryce Canyon log cabins this night.
July 9- Spend day at Bryce Canyon Park. What do you recommend to do here? Do we need more than one day here? Stay night in Springdale.
July 10- Spend day at Zion National Park. What do you recommend to do here? Stay night in Zion
July 11- Spend day at Zion National Park. Stay night in Zion
July 12- NOT SURE WHAT TO DO THIS DAY…. I saw another itinerary where they drove to Las Vegas stopping by Red Cliffs, followed by late afternoon tour of Hoover Dam, then spend the night.
July 13- drive to Vegas and fly home mid afternoon.
Hello Gina and thank you for visiting,
Let’s dig right in!
1) Yes, 4-5 hours is enough time to spend in the Grand Canyon before moving on to Page. The reason for this is because a good chunk of your Grand Canyon sightseeing will actually occur on the drive to Page. The route takes you along the East Rim/Desert View drive of the park, where there are over half-a-dozen named viewpoints of the Grand Canyon. Upon exiting the park at Desert View, you’ll then be on the Navajo Indian Reservation, where there’s even more to see, including but not limited to the Little Colorado River Overlook, Chief Yellowhorse’s souvenir stand, the Cameron Trading Post, Chinle formation views and The “Cut” Overlook. For your night in the Grand Canyon, concentrate your sightseeing on the Grand Canyon Village area, and maybe take the free shuttles out to a couple of viewpoints on the Hermit’s Rest/West Rim Drive. Hopefully you already have your Grand Canyon lodging booked!
2) A Lake Powell boat trip is definitely worth doing, but you might need a second night night in Page, AZ, to pull it off, especially if you’re wanting to do a longer tour such as the Rainbow Bridge boat tour. For a shorter boat tour, such as the Antelope Canyon waterside, that can easily be accommodated in a single day along with Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend. I recommend visiting Horseshoe Bend just after sunrise to take advantage of cooler temperatures and smaller crowds.
3) For Grand Staircase-Escalante, that’s a huge area, with a lot of dirt roads that you shouldn’t try to navigate in a rental car. The good news, however, is that you’ll drive through a sizeable portion of it between Page, AZ, and Bryce Canyon. A good, easy hike you might stop for is the Paria Rimrocks/Toadstool Hoodoos Trail, which is located between mile markers 19 & 20 on US89 between Page, AZ, and Kanab, UT.
4) There are all kinds of cool things to do in Bryce for half a day or less! Choose from day hikes, horseback rides, ATV tours, mountain biking, and much more! 100 Things To Do In Bryce Canyon
5) For Zion, here again, no shortage of family fun to be had, and a 3-night stay is perfect for taking advantage of as many opportunities as possible! If you guys are relatively fit and adventurous, you might consider hiking the Narrows. In July, you’ll probably welcome the opportunity to get soaking wet in the cool Virgin River! If that sounds like too much, there are lots of easy but spectacular hikes you can take in the park. Those staying in Springdale, UT, will be required to utilize the shuttle system to visit the main scenic drive of the park.
6) If you have an extra day to work with, you might consider making a side trip to Mt. Charleston, near Las Vegas, NV. At 7,500’+ above sea level, it will be cooler, and it’s a beautiful area to visit. There’s not much in the way of lodging there, so if you need to, you can swing through the area en route to Las Vegas. Another neat area near Las Vegas is Valley of Fire State Park, but I’d recommend getting there early in July since mid-day temperatures will be scorching hot. Another possibility would be to do the Black Canyon Adventure Float Trip from the base of Hoover Dam to Willow Beach.
Hope that helps! Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
This is a fantastic itinerary, THANK YOU!!!! You have saved me hours of planning and it includes everything I want my family to do! 🙂 Safe and happy travels to you!
Becky
Hi Rebecca,
Glad it helped you and your family! Hope you have a wonderful time 🙂
Alley
What an amazing resource! I nearly have our spring break trip planned based on your itinerary, but am afraid we are trying to fit too much in travelling with 4 kids. We plan to arrive in Vegas before noon on April 13, but think the kids would like to see the lights and spend one night in Vegas. We would travel to Grand Canyon on 14th and start travelling from there. Our flight home would be at 1 am (eek) on Saturday the 20th, so we have a full day on the 19th to get back to Vegas. We need to cut one day from the itinerary in the blog. What do you recommend? Thank you!
Hi Kelly and thank you for your compliments.
With the time you have to work with, I’d recommend eliminating Monument Valley from the itinerary. It tends to not have much of a draw for younger kids, and being on the Navajo Indian Reservation, it is quite remote. Grand Canyon South Rim, Page, Zion, and Bryce are more developed and offer more in the way of visitor services. If all the kids in your party are at least 4 years old, plan to spend a couple of nights in Page, so you can tour Antelope Canyon, visit Horseshoe Bend, and take part in the Glen Canyon Half Day Float Trip. As the name of the latter activity suggests, the trip does not go through any rapids, but is a wonderful family activity full of beautiful scenery and fascinating history!
On the way back to Las Vegas, seeing as though you can take your time, you might make the short detour to the Valley of Fire State Park. Cool rock formations, and April is a decent time to visit.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
This is wonderful information and advice and I’m hoping to get a bit more. We’re taking a 70-day trip beginning in April and I’ve allowed 15 days after we leave Yosemite (on 5/10) before we need to be in Boulder, CO (on 5/25). I’m hoping you can recommend an itinerary to make the most of our time in the area. I especially want to see Zion, Bryce, Grand Canyon, Grand Staircase-Escalante, Antelope Canyon, Monument Valley and Mesa Verde, but don’t know if that’s feasible in 15 days. Thanks, in advance!
Hi Alise,
Wow, 70 days?!? Can I come with you? LOL
With 15 days to work with between Yosemite and Boulder, you should be able to pull off just about everything on your wish list, plus a few other attractions that may not have pinged on your radar.
So assuming you leave Yosemite on 5/10, the first stop on the itinerary I recommend is Grand Canyon South Rim. Since it’s a 12-hour drive from Yosemite to GC, I’d suggest breaking up the drive in Las Vegas, NV. On the “back end” of your trip, the drive from Mesa Verde to Boulder, CO is ~8 hours. Any number of cities or towns would be good places to divide that drive if you wish, and it’s certainly worth considering since it’s such a pretty drive. Gunnison, Crested Butte, or Montrose would get my vote.
A day by day breakdown would be as follows:
05/10 – Drive from Yosemite to Las Vegas (~8 hours), overnight in Las Vegas
05/11 – Drive from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon South Rim, ~4.5 hours, overnight at Grand Canyon
05/12 – Drive from Grand Canyon South Rim to Page, AZ (~3-3.5 hours), tour Antelope Canyon that afternoon, overnight in Page
05/13 – Visit Horseshoe Bend just after sunrise, take Glen Canyon Half Day Float Trip or Rainbow Bridge Boat Tour, spend 2nd night in Page
05/14 – Drive from Page, AZ to Zion (~2 hours), do some hiking in Zion, overnight in Springdale, UT
05/15 – 2nd day in Zion, overnight in Springdale
05/16 – Drive from Zion to Bryce, ~2.5 hours, take free shuttle around rim drive, overnight in Bryce Canyon area
05/17 – Drive from Bryce to Capitol Reef, ~2.5 hours, overnight in Torrey, UT
05/18 – Drive from Capitol Reef to Moab, UT, overnight in Moab
05/19 – Explore Arches National Park, overnight in Moab
05/20 – Explore Canyonlands National Park, overnight in Moab
05/21 – Drive from Moab to Mesa Verde, CO — driving direct, the trip would take ~3 hours; you could also opt to swing through Monument Valley and Four Corners, which would extend the drive time to ~6 hours — overnight in Cortez, Mancos, or Durango
05/22 – Take Durango-Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad trip, spend 2nd night in Durango/Cortez area
05/23 – Drive from Durango to Boulder, overnight in Boulder, OR break up drive in Gunnison or other area before continuing on to Boulder
05/24 – TBA
05/25 – Drive to Boulder
You may find that Grand Staircase-Escalante is conspicuously absent from this itinerary, but in reality, you’ll drive through a significant section of it between Page and Zion, as well as on the trip between Bryce and Capitol Reef.
Another possible variation of this itinerary would have you visiting Zion first, then popping down to Grand Canyon NORTH Rim on opening day, which is May 15th. The biggest obstacle to that will be availability of lodging, or lack thereof. Not many hotels to choose from on the North Rim, so they tend to be booked out a year ahead of time. As you can see, the possibilities are virtually endless out here!
Here is a map I’ve drawn up for reference:
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂
This is a huge help. Thank you so much! We’ll be camping, so lodging isn’t usually much of a problem, but would that change any of your suggestions?
Hi again, Alise,
If you’re camping, that shouldn’t affect your itinerary all that much, however, it has been known to snow in places like Yosemite, Grand Canyon, Bryce, and Colorado even in May! Start checking the weather for all your major stops about 2 weeks before you get set to travel.
Like traditional lodging, camping reservations should be made in advance as well.
Alley 🙂