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
Hello I need some help please. We are in need of a schedule we land in vegas (Not sight seeing there) and have 9 days.
We want to see Hoover Dam., Grand Canyon, Page AZ and then Sedona and fly out of Phoenix. Can someone help please?
Hi Marti,
With 9 days to work with, you could do something like this:
Day 1 – Drive from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon South Rim, stop at Hoover Dam, ~5.5 hour drive (factoring in stops), overnight at Grand Canyon
Day 2 – 2nd day/night at the Grand Canyon
Day 3 – Drive from Grand Canyon to Page, AZ, ~4 hour drive factoring in stops, tour Antelope Canyon and/or Horseshoe Bend, overnight in Page, AZ
Day 4 – 2nd day/night in Page, AZ, take Glen Canyon Float Trip or Lake Powell Rainbow Bridge Boat Tour
Day 5 – Drive from Page, AZ, to Monument Valley, ~2.5 hour drive, overnight in Monument Valley ,
Day 6 – Take backcountry tour of Monument Valley (could also do this day prior, time permitting), drive to Sedona, AZ (~4 hour drive), overnight in Sedona.
Day 7 – 2nd day/night in Sedona, take Pink Jeep Broken Arrow Tour
Day 8 – 3rd day/night in Sedona, take sunrise hot air balloon flight (if desired), or spend day at Slide Rock State Park
Day 9 – Drive to Phoenix (~2.5 hours from Sedona), fly home
The first order of business, IMO, is to check lodging availability at Grand Canyon South Rim. Then, Antelope Canyon tour availability would be the next step to take.
Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂
Alley-
I love reading your posts! So happy I found you! We are a family with 2 teenage boys planning a trip this summer and I was hoping to get some feedback from you…
June 28- arrive in Las Vegas
June 29- arrive Grand Canyon South Rim
June 30- arrive in Page
July 1- drive thru Momument Valley and arrive at Moab
We will then be heading into Colorado since we will need to check into a dude ranch near Laramie July 4.
I originally wanted to add Zion at the beginning of the trip but decided that might be too much. Unless you think we could squeeze it in?
Any advice or recommendations would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks so much!
Hi Tami, I’m glad you have found our site useful so far!
The only way I can see to squeeze Zion into your itinerary would be to reverse the order in which you visit Grand Canyon South Rim and Page, and visit Zion as kind of a “drive-by” between Las Vegas and Page. Note that there is some construction going on on a stretch of I-15 through the Virgin River Gorge that will add some time onto an already long drive, anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour. The article linked in the prior passage does suggest an alternate route.
Whether or not you can do this is contingent on whether or not you can change your lodging reservations in Page, AZ, and the Grand Canyon, as well as your Antelope Canyon tour reservations. If you are able to pull all that off, you can then hit Monument Valley and Moab, UT, as originally planned. BTW, you’re looking at a couple of long drives also from Grand Canyon South Rim to Moab (at least 6 hours), then from Moab, UT, to Laramie, WY (~7 hours). Hope you’re prepared for that. Nevertheless, plan on spending at least 2 days in Moab. Still, I can pretty much guarantee you’ll be planning a return trip for when you can stay longer!
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
I am so glad I found this site !! Planning a trip to Vegas and onward to drive around the Canyon and back… your 7 day trip seems a bit rushed, if I followed it but spread everything out over 2 days would you recommend that ? Or would you recommend some areas , one day is enough? just myself and my husband, we are very physically fit but not hiking fanatics , going for the view and and some R&R to celebrate our 25th anniversary ..
Hey Wendi, and congratulations on your upcoming anniversary!
If you have more time to spend on this American Southwest tour itinerary, then by all means, do it. You’ll find no shortage of things to see and do in all the different parks and monuments out here, or, as you say, just having some R & R should no doubt be welcome. Speaking of R & R, a good place for some intensive chill time is Sedona, AZ. If you’re flying into and/or out of Phoenix, Sedona is ~2 hours North of PHX, and warrants 2-3 days minimum of your time.
But then again, if you have 14 days to spend, you could do something like this: HorseshoeBend.com: Grand Canyon, Zion, Moab & More – 14 Days in the Grand Circle
The good news is, it’s hard to go wrong with any kind of vacation out here, whether you try and make the most of every moment, or let things unfold at a more leisurely pace.
Hope that helps. Feel free to his us up again if we can offer further guidance!
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
Hi there! Your itineraries are amazing!!! We are thinking of flying into Las Vegas and spending a day or two there and then heading to Grand Canyon for a couple of days. From there we would like to visit Monument Valley and stay there a night or two and then thinking of heading up to Salt Lake City to fly back home. What are your thoughts on this? We are thinking about 7-10 days for the trip. It is 2 adults and 2 children ages 12 and 8. Thanks in advance!
Hi Jennifer and thanks for the compliments 🙂
First off, you’ll definitely want to allow 10 days or more for this trip. Lots to see and do, and with the distance between airports, you’ll be glad you had the extra time! Assuming that you will indeed have 10 days, I’d recommend as follows:
Day 1 – fly into Las Vegas, stay overnight
Day 2 – 2nd day/night in Las Vegas. With the 2 kids being underage, you’ll be somewhat limited in where you can go/what you can do, but there is still plenty on offer to keep kids entertained! Kid-Friendly Las Vegas Activities
Day 3 – Drive from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon South Rim (~5 hours), stop at Hoover Dam if desired, overnight at Grand Canyon **IMO you’ll only need 1 night at Grand Canyon because a big chunk of your Grand Canyon sightseeing will be done the following day.
Day 4 – Drive from Grand Canyon South Rim to Page, AZ (~3.5-4 hours factoring in the stops you’ll make at various Grand Canyon viewpoints along the East Rim/Desert View Drive, maybe stop for brunch/lunch at the Cameron Trading Post in the Navajo Indian Reservation), overnight in Page, AZ
Day 5 – Visit Horseshoe Bend just after sunrise for ease of parking, cooler temperatures, then tour Antelope Canyon (consider bundling your Antelope Canyon tour with a visit to the Navajo Village Heritage Center or a boat tour of the waterside of Antelope Canyon), 2nd night in Page, AZ
Day 6 – Drive to Monument Valley (~2.5 hours), overnight in Monument Valley.
Day 7 – Take backcountry tour of Monument Valley, drive to Moab, UT (~2.5 hours), stop at Forrest Gump Point and/or Goosenecks State Park, overnight in Moab
Day 8 – 2nd day/night in Moab, explore Arches National Park
Day 9 – 3rd day/night in Moab, explore Canyonlands National Park **Visit Moab Adventure Center for suggestions on activities, including white water rafting, 4WD tours, horseback riding, etc.
Day 10 – drive to SLC (~4 hours), fly home
The first thing I would recommend verifying is availability of Grand Canyon lodging, then Antelope Canyon tours. You may need to be prepared to flip-flop this itinerary if availability of those two trip elements is more conducive to doing so.
Plan to purchase an America The Beautiful Federal Lands Access Pass also. For $80, this card grants you access to all National Parks, Monuments, and Federal Fee Areas in the country for 1 year. It won’t work in areas like Antelope Canyon and Monument Valley, which are Native American Tribal Parks, or State Parks, which Goosenecks of the San Juan falls under, but it will still pay for itself on this trip. If you’re in the US, you might pre-order it online, or simply purchase it at the first National Park you visit on your itinerary.
Hope that helps, feel free to hit us up again if you need/want to bounce more ideas off us.
Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂
Hi Alley,
For a 7 day trip including 4 corners what would you recommend. We can start any location! Thank you!
Hi Cecilia and thank you for your inquiry.
First of all, before you totally upend your vacation plans, you should decide whether or not you really want to include the Four Corners Monument in your itinerary. According to many who’ve been there, it’s just OK. If you truly want to tick it off your bucket list — having been there myself, I understand the appeal of doing so — it wouldn’t be too hard to incorporate it into this 7-day itinerary. On your Monument Valley travel day, simply head directly for 4 Corners, which is ~a 4 hour drive from the Grand Canyon, then return to Monument Valley via Bluff, UT. That would be ~a 90 minute drive from 4 Corners, and that way you can easily pop by Mexican Hat, and Forrest Gump Point.
If you’re not opposed to “reinventing the wheel” as it were, Four Corners is ~a 4 hour drive from Albuquerque, NM, which makes for a good starting point for a loop through Northern New Mexico and Southeastern Colorado, which would potentially include Mesa Verde National Park, the Durango/Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, Telluride, Ouray, Chama, Taos, and Santa Fe.
Hope that helps! Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
Hi Alley, Wow so much good information here! Thank you! We are retiring in a few months and to celebrate we’re hitting the road to visit the Western United States and could use your help with a bit of planning … it’s a little in advance of our travel but it’s gonna be a long trip and we are trying to make the best of our time there … We should arrive in Williams, Arizona about May 1, 2020 and we’ll have about 3 weeks to see as much as we can see during this section of our trip heading towards Las Vegas … we’d like to include the Grand Canyon, Sedona, all the National Parks in Utah … Page, Zion, Antelope Canyon, Bryce Canyon, Monument Valley, Moab … we want to see as much as possible … if we need more time then now is when we need to know that to make adjustments to our time line … we will be towing a 40′ 5th wheel so please keep that in mind as far as paved roads etc … also one last note – I am very into photography so if there is anything off the beaten path that you feel is a must see please let me know … we’ve dreamed about this trip for a long time and so excited that it’s within reach. We’ve been to Hoover Dam a few times so not necessary to stop there again. if you could suggest a route and about how much time we need at each area it would be greatly appreciated! Thank you again 🙂
Hi Kathy, and congratulations on your impending retirement! It’s definitely good that you are planning your American Southwest vacation well in advance.
At the time of year you’re visiting, you’ll definitely want to plan on staying in developed campgrounds. Early May is in that “transitional” zone between winter and spring, so what the weather will be like is anybody’s guess. You could get an early teaser of summer weather where you’ll be glad you had air conditioning, or, old man winter might decide to try for a last stand or two, where you’ll definitely want reliable heat. Also, being willing/able to unhook your 5th wheel from your tow vehicle will open up more possibilities for self-touring in the various locations you stop at.
With 3 weeks to work with, you can definitely tick off all the items from your “wish list,” and maybe include some time in Western Colorado, or take a swing up into Northern Utah, depending on the weather, and your particular interests. With a 40′ RV, you’ll want to verify that all roads you propose to travel are conducive to RV travel. If you haven’t done so already, I’d recommend joining TripAdvisor and consulting their regional travel forums as well as the “Road Trips” forum. RV.net is a good source of guidance, too.
With that in mind, a sample itinerary would go something along the lines of:
Day 1: Drive to Sedona, AZ. Overnight in Sedona.
Day 2: Visit Bell Rock, Chapel of Holy Cross, Tlaquepaque, etc. 2nd night in Sedona. 100 Things To Do In Sedona
Day 3: Take sunrise hot air balloon ride, Pink Jeep Broken Arrow Tour, 3rd night in Sedona.
**Driving to Sedona, you may wish to avoid taking 89A from Flagstaff as this road is very narrow and windy; it can be done, and has been done by people pulling trailers, but if you’re the least bit apprehensive about it, go in and out through the “back way” via I-17 and AZ179. Do not attempt to go through Jerome, AZ, as it has a 50′ total length limitation on local roads.***
Day 4: Drive to Grand Canyon South Rim (~3 hours from Sedona via ), overnight in Grand Canyon Trailer Village (in-park) or Grand Canyon Camper Village (in Tusayan, 7 miles outside the park).
Day 5: Sightseeing at Grand Canyon, use free shuttles to tour Grand Canyon Village area and overlooks on Hermit’s Rest/West Rim Drive. 2nd night in Grand Canyon.
Day 6: Drive from Grand Canyon South Rim to Page, AZ along East Rim/Desert View Drive, stop at overlooks that permit RV’s, Cameron Trading Post for lunch/brunch (~3.5-4 hour drive factoring in stops), overnight in Lake Powell Resort RV Park or Page/Lake Powell Campground in Page, AZ.
Day 7: Visit Horseshoe Bend first thing in AM, tour Antelope Canyon, possibly short Lake Powell Boat Tour. Antelope Canyon land/waterside tour bundles
Day 8: Take tour to White Pocket (great photography location, not much hiking required), spend 2nd night in Page, AZ.
Day 9: Drive from Page, AZ, to Monument Valley (~2.5 hour drive), overnight in Monument Valley.
Day 10: Take backcountry tour of Monument Valley, 2nd night in Monument Valley.
Day 11: Drive from Monument Valley to Durango, CO (~3.5 hour drive), overnight in Durango.
Day 12: Explore Mesa Verde National Park, 2nd night in Durango.
Day 13: Take Durango/Silverton Narrow Gauge train trip, 3rd night in Durango.
Day 14: Drive from Durango, CO, to Moab, UT (~3 hour drive), overnight in Moab.
Day 15: Explore Arches National Park, 2nd night in Moab Things To Do in Moab
Day 16: Explore Canyonlands National Park, 3rd night in Moab
Day 17: Drive from Moab, UT, to Capitol Reef National Park, overnight in Torrey.
Day 18: Drive from Torrey to Bryce Canyon (via UT24 & UT62 through Loa and Antimony, NOT via UT12), overnight in Bryce Canyon area
Day 19: Drive from Bryce to Zion, ~2.5 hours, overnight in Springdale, UT **please read this guide to taking RV’s in the Zion-Mt. Carmel Tunnel to determine if your 5th wheel will fit**
Day 20: Hiking in Zion, 2nd night in Springdale
Day 21: Drive from Springdale to Las Vegas (~4.5 hours [longer than usual due to a long-term construction project on I-15 through the Virgin River Gorge]).
Be sure to purchase an America The Beautiful Federal Lands Access Pass. Those 62 and over qualify for a lifetime pass. You can pre-order it online, or simply purchase it at the first National Park you visit.
Hope that helps. Feel free to hit us up again if we can be of further assistance.
Alley 🙂
Alley, Thank you so very much! You’ve been very helpful and I’m sure before we depart we’ll be in touch with you again! 🙂
🙂
Alley and Friends –
Can’t thank you enough for sharing all of this guidance – it has been both informative and educational to read through.
We’re planning a mini-grand-circle tour (~8 days) for our NJ family of 5 at the end of next month (June), including parents and three “children” (ages 20, 20, and 11). Trying to see and do as much as possible and keep everyone entertained without outstripping attention spans and our tolerance for too many back-to-back long car rides together : )
With this in mind, I’ve put together the loose itinerary below in the hopes that you may be able to further advise in terms of (1) a reality check toward “do-ability”, and (2) any notable sites we might want to hit along our circular route.
Thanks in advance for any further insights you can share!
Day 1: Arrive in LV (LAS) around noon
• Lunch in LV area
• Drive 45 min. to Hoover Dam for afternoon tour
• Drive 2 hrs. to Hualapai Lodge in Peach Springs, AZ
o Stop/Shop/Snack in Kingman, AZ en route
• Dinner at Diamond Creek (in Lodge)
Day 2: Peach Springs, AZ
• Breakfast in Lodge
• 1-day rafting trip with Hualapai River Runners (aka Rivers and Oceans?)
• Drive 2 hrs. to Hotel in Tusayan, AZ near South Rim of GC
• Dinner in Tusayan
Day 3: Tusayan/GC South Rim
• Breakfast at Hotel?
• Hit Grocery Store to fill cooler for picnic later
• FREE TIME?
• Grand Canyon Village
o Cooler Picnic Lunch
o Canyon View Information Plaza & Film
o Hike Bright Angel Trail?
o Be at rim for sunset
o Dinner in Village
• Drive 2.5 hours to Hotel in Page, AZ
o (Super Wal-Mart & Safeway in town)
Day 4: Page, AZ
• Combo Lower Antelope Slot Canyon Hike and Kayak Tour: https://www.kayakpowell.com/
o Hike 1.1 miles (~ 1.5 hrs.) @ 9:15 AM
o Big Lake Trading Post for food
o Kayak 4-5 miles (~ 3 hrs.) 20 min. away @ 12:30 PM
• Canyon X or Secret Canyon are alternatives
• Back to Hotel – RELAX
• Dinner?
Day 5: Page, AZ
• Morning Hike 0.6 miles to Horseshoe Bend (Colorado River) view
• Breakfast at Ranch House Grille or Canyon Crepes
• 1-2 hours Jetskiing on Lake Powell (from Antelope Point Marina?)
• Lake Powell
• See Rainbow Bridge? (would love to, but seems like a half-day commitment unto itself)
• Drive 2.5 hours to Hotel @ Bryce Canyon, UT
Day 6: Bryce Canyon, UT
• Tour canyon via ATV or MTB (if we can find a nice beginner to intermediate trail)
https://www.rubysinn.com/activities-in-bryce-canyon/
o Hike Canyon if we’re better off mountain biking in Zion
• Free shuttle to scenic spots from station north of park, or at Ruby’s Inn and the Grand Hotel?
• Drive 1.5 hours to [Hotel] at Zion National Park, UT Hotel
Day 7: Zion National Park, UT
• Upper Emerald Pools Trail (3-mile) or Narrows (riverbed) Hike?
o Perhaps MTB tour if not done at Bryce
• Dinner in Springdale, UT?
• Drive 2.5 Hours to [Hotel] Las Vegas, NV
o Leave evening or next morning
Day 8: Las Vegas, NV
• Hotel Pool
• Dinner Reservation
• Tour Strip
Day 9: Depart LV (LAS) mid-day
• Pool (if time)
• Leave for McCarran Airport
Hi AikiPapi,
Boy, I wish we had a trip planning prize, because if we did, I’d give it to you!
Your itinerary looks really fun and very well thought out, and as much as I hate to say it, it’s a trifle overplanned. Day 4, for example, the Combo Lower Antelope Slot Canyon Hike and Kayak Tour should be plenty of fun for one day! One thing you need to keep in mind is that June is going to be really hot in areas like Page, AZ, and Las Vegas, so you definitely want to get your more “labor intensive” activities done in the morning. By the time you get done with the kayaking part of the tour, you’re going to be more inclined to relax with a cocktail than see another slot canyon. If you do have more energy to burn, I recommend something that takes place indoors, where there’s air conditioning, such as visiting the John Wesley Powell Museum, or maybe firing off a few rounds at Gunfighter Canyon. For dinner, you might consider “Into The Grand” which is a cultural/historical experience more like a dinner theatre than a restaurant.
But I’m getting a little off-track…
You have the 1-Day Grand Canyon White Water rafting trip planned, which is awesome! Having taken that trip myself, however, I can tell you that the last thing you’ll want to do afterwards is face a 2.5 hour drive to the South Rim. If the helicopter airlift at the end of the raft trip is cancelled due to wind or whatever reason, that’s going to add another 2 hours onto your trip time. I’d recommend trying to get another night at Hualapai Lodge or maybe Seligman, AZ, if you possibly can, then head to the Grand Canyon after you’ve all had a good night’s sleep. Another consideration is that nighttime driving is not a good idea in this part of the country due to the dearth or sometimes complete lack of artificial lighting on local roads, and the tendency of deer, elk, free range cattle, and even wild horses to congregate around them at night. For a similar reason, I’d recommend leaving the Grand Canyon for Page, AZ, well before sunset, or seeing if you can overnight in the Grand Canyon area on Day 3. One thing working in your favor at the time of year you’re traveling is the longest daylengths of the year; sunrise occurs at ~5:00 AM and sun sets at around 8:00 PM (Arizona time).
On Day 5, there’s no way you’re going to be able to do a boat tour to Rainbow Bridge unless you ’86 all your other plans. You are correct in that Lake Powell boat tours will take the better part of a day, 7-8 hours usually. The current tour schedule is two daily departures, one at 7:30 AM and a second at 12:30 PM. Also, depending on the water level of Lake Powell, you may have to hike 2-3 miles round trip from the boat dock to the bridge. If that doesn’t appeal, one way you might still be able to check Rainbow Bridge off your wish list is to fly over it. Fixed wing airplanes depart from Page Municipal Airport daily. Mornings are the best time to fly for best light and lack of wind. Just after sunrise is also the best time to visit Horseshoe Bend for cooler temperatures and thinner crowds.
As for the rest of your trip, if downtime happens, don’t fret. Every vacation should have at least some unscheduled time where moments just “happen,” or… nothing happens at all.
One more thing: at the time of year you’re traveling, a construction project is scheduled to get underway on a small stretch of I-15 through the Virgin River Gorge. This will potentially add another hour on your drive time between Zion and Las Vegas.
Hope that helps! Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
Thank you very much for all of this information – I really appreciate it. One additional question – if we don’t include the Santa Fe area but keep your recommendations for Mesa Verde and the Bryce Canyon/Capital Reef/Arches areas, what would you suggest the itinerary look like? Thank you again.
Hey again, Jazmin, sorry again for taking a few days to get back to you. If you’ve already made your decisions/reservations, I truly understand!
So, a revised itinerary, sans the New Mexico destinations, would look more like this:
June 16th: Arrive in Phoenix, stay overnight
June 17th: Drive to Sedona (~2.5 hours), visit Chapel of the Holy Cross, Tlaquepaque, or explore the many art galleries and museums in the area.
June 18th: Second day in Sedona, in the morning, do one of several easy but scenic hikes in the area, perhaps take the Pink Jeep Broken Arrow Tour, hit some sites you may have missed the day prior. 2nd night in Sedona.
June 19th: Drive from Sedona to Grand Canyon South Rim (~3 hour drive), overnight at Grand Canyon
June 20th: first thing in the AM take a fixed wing airplane or helicopter flight over the North Rim, then drive to Page, AZ (~3.5-4 hour drive), tour Antelope Canyon that afternoon, overnight in Page.
June 21st: Visit Horseshoe Bend just after sunrise, then take AM Glen Canyon Half Day Float Trip (6:00 AM check-in, 7:00 AM departure), second night in Page.
June 22nd: Drive from Page, AZ, to Mesa Verde, CO, via Monument Valley (~5-6 hour drive), overnight in Durango, Cortez, or Mancos, CO.
June 23rd: Drive from Mesa Verde, CO, to Moab, UT, overnight in Moab.
June 24th: Explore Arches National Park, 2nd night in Moab.
June 25th: Explore Canyonlands National Park, 3rd night in Moab.
June 26th: Drive from Moab, UT, to Bryce Canyon via Capitol Reef National Park (~5-6 hour drive), overnight in Bryce.
June 27th: Drive from Bryce to Zion (~2 hour drive), overnight in Springdale, UT.
June 28th: Drive to San Diego, CA, via Las Vegas, ~9 hour drive, maybe stop at Hoover Dam if time permits.
As you can see, this has you doing one LOOOOOONG drive at the end of your trip, when you may be least inclined to do so. If you agree with that assessment, there are opportunities where you can shave some time off, for example, dropping that 3rd night in Moab, UT, or perhaps driving from Page, AZ, to Monument Valley and spending the night in that area instead of 2 nights in Page, AZ. Before you commit to those alterations, however, be sure that lodging availability in ALL proposed destinations would accommodate doing so.
Have fun and feel free to hit me up again for further guidance,
Alley 🙂
Hi Alley,
I’m trying to plan a road trip to the GC area but there are so many beautiful options that is very difficult to decide and overwhelming. We are taking 17 days for this trip and renting a car, we wish to do the following. We are landing in Phoenix June 16th at 10 am (staying 1 night tentative), visit Sedona, GCSR, Santa Fe, Mesas Verde Monument Valley, Horseshoes bend, GCNR, Zion, Hoover Dam and ending in San Diego for 3 days) and we are flying from San Diego to Connecticut on July 2nd 10 pm. We only have booked the hotel in San Diego so far. As I’m researching, this plan might not be doable. If the trip is possible, what would the schedule look like? If not, suggestions will be sooo appreciated. My husband and I and two children (15 and 11) enjoy walks and easy hikes but we don’t consider ourselves hiker. We would like to do some walks or swim by a river or a boat ride, do a guided tour of the mesas dwellings or a guided tour of the Monument Valley. Also I will like to include a stay at a ranch that offers horseback riding or rodeo show, maybe a living history museum. I’m open to any suggestion and thank you in advance.
Hi Jazmin, thanks for visiting us. I apologize for the delay in response to your inquiry.
As you’ve correctly deduced, you have a very ambitious “wish list” which will inevitably require some paring down in order to assure that your vacation is truly a vacation and not a constant “pack up and drive” exercise. Given the constraints you indicate, i.e, staying overnight in Phoenix on your arrival day, then capping off the trip with a 3-night stay in San Diego, that essentially gives you 11-12 days to work with in the Southwestern U.S. Another top-of-mind consideration is that you’re visiting during the hottest time of the year, which will have a definite affect on what you do and when. Essentially: do all your hiking or high-intensity activities in the morning. Here’s how I recommend you proceed:
June 16th: Arrive in Phoenix, stay overnight
June 17th: Drive to Sedona (~2.5 hours), visit Chapel of the Holy Cross, Tlaquepaque, or explore the many art galleries and museums in the area.
June 18th: Second day in Sedona, in the morning, do one of several easy but scenic hikes in the area. Overnight in Sedona.perhaps take the Pink Jeep Broken Arrow Tour, hit some sites you may have missed the day prior. 2nd night in Sedona.
June 19th: Drive from Sedona to Grand Canyon South Rim (~3 hour drive), overnight at Grand Canyon
June 20th: first thing in the AM take a fixed wing airplane or helicopter flight over the North Rim, then drive to Santa Fe, NM (~8 hour drive). On the way, you might take the opportunity to stop at the Acoma Pueblo just West of Albuquerque. Guided tours are offered, and should be reserved in advance. Overnight in Santa Fe.
June 21st: Second night in Santa Fe, explore the historic plaza area, or visit one of the many art galleries and museums in the area. Santa Fe NM Activities
June 22nd: Drive from Santa Fe, NM to Mesa Verde, ~5.5 hour drive, overnight in Durango, Cortez, or Mancos, CO Mesa Verde Lodging
June 23rd: Drive to Page, AZ via Monument Valley (~5 hour drive); tour Antelope Canyon that afternoon, overnight in Page.
June 24th: Visit Horseshoe Bend just after sunrise, then take AM Glen Canyon Half Day Float Trip (6:00 AM check-in, 7:00 AM departure), 2nd night in Page.
June 25th: Drive to Zion, ~2 hour drive, along the way stop at mile marker 19 on US89 for the relatively easy and fun Paria Rimrocks/Toadstool Trails Hike, overnight in Springdale, UT
June 26th: 2nd day in Zion, maybe hike the Weeping Rock, Watchman, or Emerald Pools Trail. There are lots of easy but beautiful hikes in Zion! , overnight in Springdale.
June 27th: Drive from Springdale to Las Vegas (~3-3.5 hours), overnight in Vegas.
June 28th: Drive to San Diego, CA, ~5.5 hour drive, stop at Hoover Dam on your way out of town.
June 29th – July 1st: San Diego
So — as you can see, some long drives are going to be required in order to pull this all off. If the prospect of all that time behind the wheel doesn’t appeal, you might consider taking New Mexico and/or Colorado off the table this time around and perhaps pulling your trip radius in a bit tighter. By doing so, you could add Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, and perhaps Arches/Canyonlands to the mix, which wouldn’t cramp your style in the least!
I know it’s a hard choosing what to leave in and what to leave out. Please don’t hesitate to let me know if you have further questions.
Good luck and save travels,
Alley 🙂
Hi Alley,
I love your website & I love that you give help with people’s itineraries. My wife & I are planning a short trip to Arizona/Utah the beginning of June 2019. We’ve been to the Grand Canyon & Sedona. I’ve never been to the other parks in AZ or UT. We have family in Prescott Valley, AZ that we wanted to visit at the end of this short park tour. We will be driving from Redlands, CA
This is what I think we should do. Please let me know if I should choose another path or go somewhere else instead.
Day 1 = 06/01 Saturday
Drive from Redlands, CA to Springdale, UT = 6 hours
Maybe see the sunset over Zion
Day2 = 06/02 Sunday
Hike Zion national Park
Drive from Springdale, UT to Bryce, UT = 1 hour 50 minutes
Day 3 = 06/03 Monday
Hike Bryce Canyon
Drive from Bryce Canyon to Moab,UT = 4 hour 20 minutes
Day 4 = 06/04 Tuesday
Arches national Park & Monument valley
Drive from Moab, UT to Page, AZ = 4 hours 25 minutes
Day 5 = 06/05 Wednesday
Antelope canyon & Horseshoe Canyon Tour
Drive from Page, AZ to Prescott Valley, AZ = 3 hour 28 minutes
My wife also wants to see Monument Valley. Where can I add this?
What would you change or do different?
Hi Rob and thank you for visiting our site!
Thanks also, for pointing out that you have already been to the Grand Canyon and Sedona 😉
Your trip looks pretty well-planned, but you really don’t have time to do Moab, UT justice. It takes 4-5 days, bare minimum, to explore Arches, Canyonlands, Dead Horse Point, maybe do some rafting or 4-wheeling, etc., etc. Another consideration is that the time of year is crazy-hot and crazy-busy, so you’ll burn a lot of hours just waiting in line at the entrance gate. In light of all that, I recommend taking Moab off the table, saving it for a future trip at a cooler time of year and either a. giving Zion an extra day or b. booking another night in Page, AZ, and visiting Monument Valley as a day trip from there. From Page, AZ, Monument Valley is a 2-hour drive, each way, but with a relatively long daylength working to your advantage (sunrise at ~5:00 Am, sunset around 8:00 PM Arizona time), a day trip is more doable in June than at any other time of year. Another way of seeing Monument Valley that doesn’t involve so much driving is to fly over it. Fixed wing airplanes depart from the Page Municipal Airport daily, usually first thing in the morning for best light and lack of wind. Scenic flights of Monument Valley last 90 minutes and also include a flyover of Rainbow Bridge!
Try to hit Horseshoe Bend just after sunrise so you can take advantage of cooler temperatures and fewer people to contend with. Between 9:00 AM and 4:00 PM parking is virtually impossible to find.
Another piece of advice: pad your drive times by 20-30%. Most of these drives are very scenic and you will be stopping to take photos often, I guarantee! On the way from Bryce to Page, AZ, for example, the Paria Rimrocks/Toadstool Hoodoos hike is a worthwhile stop at mile marker 19 of US89 between Kanab and Page. Also, on the drive from Redlands to Springdale, there’s a small section of I-15 through the Virgin River Gorge that’s scheduled to be under construction project at the time of year you’r visiting. That could delay your arrival into Springdale, UT, up to an hour.
Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂
Your itinerary is so very helpful! If you have 8 full days (arrive at 4 p.m. on June 10th and leave early morning on June 18th) where would you spend the extra day? We’re traveling with a young family (4 kids ages 1-9) so several of the activities are off the table. I’m also trying to keep my family sane even though I’m a “suck the marrow out of life” type vacationer. Thanks so much for your help!
Hi Sarah,
Thank you for your compliments on our itinerary!
If you have an extra day to work with, I’d say either a. give the extra day to Zion — there are lots of family friendly activities in that area, and you can easily spend 4-5 days there yet still feel as though you only ‘scratched the surface’; or b. go to Sedona — stunning area, also with an ample selection of activities and hikes in varying degrees of intensity, but I can pretty much guarantee that once you see it, you’ll wish you had more time there.
Hope that helps! Please feel free to hit us up again if we can be of further assistance.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
HI Alley,
I love your post! Thank you for the suggestions. My family and I are planning to do a road trip in late June. Thus far we plan to arrive in LV on 6/21, spend the night there, and drive east to the parks on 6/22. We will have to drive back to LV on 6/30 so we can fly out on 7/1. We were planning to rent an RV and drive, but I am wondering if we should rent a car and stay in hotels? We want to see the big parks in Utah as well as the Grand Canyon and Antelope Canyon. I would really love to get to Moab so my husband and kids could see Arches, but I realize it is the furthest away. I’ve seen most of the places before except for Antelope Canyon and canyonlands… so that is a must on our list. My husband and girls have not seen any of the southern Utah parks or the Grand Canyon. Our girls are 10 and 12 and quite fit so we are able to hike and do most activities. What would you suggest? I LOVED Zion and would happily spend two days there. I hadn’t planned to see Lake Powell… is it worthwhile? I love hiking, and the girls and I ride horses so some trail rides would be fun. Should we start at GC and loop around ending at Zion? Or should we do the opposite?
Hi Jennifer, and thank you for visiting our site.
RE: the hotel vs RV debate, many visitors consider going that route because they think it will save them money, but in reality, it usually ends up being a “wash.” Between typical summertime gas prices, and the fact that you’ll need to stay in developed RV parks for air conditioning (you’re traveling at the hottest time of year), don’t be surprised if you find this vacation ends up costing just as much as it would have if you had gone the rental car and hotel route. The area where you can potentially realize some significant savings is with the ability to prepare your own meals instead of eating out all the time. Long story short, it’s your call, and RV’ing is fun, but like with any situation, it has its pros and cons.
So, given your flight dates, you have 8 full days to work with on this vacation. In light of that, and the fact the Moab, UT, is SUPER-hot at the time of year you’re visiting, I’d recommend taking it off the table. It’s just too far afield to be realistic, and you really need anywhere from 3-5 days to do it justice. Here’s what I’d recommend instead:
06/22 – Drive from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon South Rim, stop at Hoover Dam along the way, overnight at Grand Canyon
06/23 – Drive from Grand Canyon to Page, AZ, drive time 3.5-4 hours (there are a lot of cool places to stop on this drive!), visit Horseshoe Bend (parking permitting) overnight in Page, AZ.
06/24 – Visit Horseshoe Bend after sunrise if you weren’t able to visit the day before, tour Antelope Canyon and Lake Powell (yes, Lake Powell is worthwhile!), spend 2nd night in Page, AZ.
06/25 – Drive from Page, AZ, to Bryce Canyon (~3 hour drive), overnight in Bryce.
06/26 – 2nd day in Bryce, take ATV tour, or one of many beautiful hikes in the area.
06/27 – Drive from Bryce to Zion, ~2 hours, overnight in Springdale, UT.
06/28 – 2nd day in Zion, maybe hike The Narrows or Angel’s Landing, overnight in Springdale.
06/29 – Spend 3rd day in Zion, or drive to Mt. Charleston, NV (~3.5 hours), overnight at Mt. Charleston or Las Vegas
06/30 – Free day in Las Vegas
07/01 – Fly home
Another option would be to hit Sedona, AZ, before the Grand Canyon and spend a couple of days there. I know your priority was the Utah parks, but Sedona, AZ, is a beautiful area with all kinds of beautiful hikes and fun activities that are family-friendly. You might also need to be prepared to flip-flop this itinerary in case lodging availability at the Grand Canyon (or lack thereof) is more conducive to hitting last on your tour.
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂