The American Southwest is packed with natural wonders. This 7-day road trip itinerary visits iconic national parks and stunning scenery in Utah and Arizona, with start and endpoint in Las Vegas.

Day 1: Arrival in Las Vegas

Afternoon: Explore Las Vegas

Las Vegas is the perfect starting point for a road trip in Southwest USA, serving as a major hub for several airlines. Spend a couple of hours exploring Las Vegas and book a night in one of its emblematic hotels. For the best views over Sin City, head to Mandalay Bay’s Foundation Room. It’s perched on the 63rd floor, next to the famous Welcome to Las Vegas Sign.

Stay: The Strip, Las Vegas

The Paris Las Vegas Hotel is centrally located on the Strip, in front of the famous Bellagio fountains.

Day 2: Zion National Park

Morning: Drive from Las Vegas to Zion & Apply for The Wave

The two-hour drive from Las Vegas to Zion National Park cuts through the Utah mountains, with stunning views along Highway 9 before reaching the Zion South Entrance. Travel another 30 minutes along Highway 9 to reach the Zion East Entrance. Here you can apply for permits to hike Coyote Buttes North, known as The Wave. There is a daily lottery from 6 AM to 6 PM that awards 16 permits two days prior to hiking day. You have to be within the geofence area around Kanab to apply, which includes the Zion East Entrance. All information can be found on the NPS website.

Afternoon: Hike The Narrows

In the afternoon, cool down on one of Zion’s most popular hikes. The Narrows is a narrow section of Zion Canyon that can be traversed on foot. There is no trail through the canyon, so you’ll get your feet wet. Ride the Zion Park Shuttle until Temple of Sinawava to reach the trailhead. You can make this hike as long as you want to, from an hour to a full-day hike to Big Springs. It took us two hours to hike three miles upstream.

Stay: Zion National Park

By staying within the Zion park borders, you can enjoy the spectacular scenery from dawn till dusk. The Watchman Campground is easily one of the most scenic campgrounds we’ve ever camped at. The Zion Lodge offers hotel rooms and cabins within the park, but prices start upwards of $250/night.

Day 3: Zion & Bryce National Park

Morning: Hike to views of Zion National Park

Spend the morning hiking to amazing views of Zion from above. Angels Landing is the park’s most iconic hike, but requires a permit and steady feet. The West Rim Trail to Scout Lookout is a less daunting alternative and doesn’t require a permit. We hiked the Weeping Rock Trail to Observation Point, a spectacular viewpoint that looks out over Angels Landing and Zion Canyon. Unfortunately this trail remains closed for rockfall, but you can reach Observation Point via the East Mesa Trail.

Afternoon: Bryce National Park

Drive to Bryce National Park, located just 90 minutes from Zion’s East Entrance. Half a day is enough to explore the park and its impressive hoodoos, the largest collection in the world. From Sunset Point, follow the path to Sunrise Point, where the Queen’s Garden Trail starts. This trail can be combined with the Navajo Loop Trail for a perfect introduction to the park. Continue by car along Bryce Point Road to Inspiration Point and Bryce Point, before exiting the park.

Stay: Best Western East Zion Thunderbird Lodge

The Best Western East Zion Thunderbird Lodge is a cosy hotel with onsite diner, perfect to relax after a day of hiking. Its location in Mt Carmel Junction provides a head start the next day.

Day 4: The Wave OR Grand Canyon North Rim

Morning: Drive to Grand Canyon Lodge or start hiking The Wave

If you managed to get permits for the Wave, today is hiking day. We didn’t get lucky but explored a great off-the-beaten-path alternative. The Grand Canyon North Rim receives just 10% of all visitors to Grand Canyon National Park, allowing you to see the canyon from a completely different angle and without the crowds. Start at the North Rim Visitor Center, taking in views from Grand Canyon Lodge and Bright Angel Point [closed for repairs in 2025].

Afternoon: North Rim Scenic Road

The North Rim Scenic Road along Cape Royal Road is a one-hour scenic drive that provides access to five main overlooks. The road comes with spectacular views from start to finish and is the perfect way to take in the North Rim scenery. Cape Royal Road is only open from May to September.

Stay: Jacob Lake

The North Rim Campground and Grand Canyon Lodge provide accommodation within the park borders. We stayed an hour north of the park at Jacob Lake Campground, cutting short the drive of the next day. This quiet campground is part of Kaibab National Forest and a gateway to the North Rim. Just across the street, Jacob Lake Inn offers cosy wooden cabins and hotel rooms.

Day 5: Antelope Canyon, Lake Powell & Horseshoe Bend

Morning: Antelope Canyon

From Jacob Lake, it takes a little under two hours to reach Antelope Canyon. The canyon is divided in an upper and lower part, and can only be visited on a guided tour booked through one of these agencies. From March to October, the sun produces spectacular light beams in the Upper Antelope Canyon around noon, which makes it the most popular time to visit.

Afternoon: Lake Powell & Horseshoe Bend

The Glen Canyon Dam is one of the biggest reservoirs in the US, resulting in the man-made Lake Powell. You can take a boat tour on the scenic lake or simply admire it from the Wahweap Marina and Whaweap Overlook. For sunset, head to Horseshoe Bend, Arizona’s emblematic geological formation. A paved 1.5-mile round-trip trail leads to an overlook that can get extremely crowded, especially during golden hour.

Stay: Page, Arizona

As a popular stop on trips in the Southwest, the city of Page houses a wide range of accommodation options.

Day 6: Grand Canyon South Rim

Morning: Drive to Grand Canyon South Rim & South Kaibab Trail

The drive from Page to the East Entrance of Grand Canyon National Park takes two hours. Continue for 22 scenic miles along Desert View Drive to Grand Canyon Village, the heart of the South Rim. Here you can take the orange shuttle bus to the South Kaibab Trailhead. The full trail adds up to 14 miles out-and-back, but you can hike the first stretch to Cedar Ridge and back in two hours. The steep 1.5-mile descent is rewarded with spectacular 360º views of the Grand Canyon.

Afternoon: Rim Trail

The Rim Trail stretches for 13 miles along the majestic South Rim, connecting endless stunning views. With the free shuttle buses, you can hop on and off at different points along the route. Catch a gorgeous sunset at Hopi Point before dining at the elegant El Tovar Hotel.

Stay: Grand Canyon Village

There are several hotels in Grand Canyon Village, as well as a the Mather Campground. El Tovar is a legendary hotel right on the rim. It has welcomed many famous guests, from Theodore Roosevelt to Paul McCartney. In addition to the hotel, there is a restaurant and cosy cocktail lounge.

Day 7: Return to Las Vegas via Route 66

Morning: Sunrise at the South Rim

In the morning, head back to the South Rim for a beautiful sunrise over the Grand Canyon. Mather Point is the most accessible viewpoint and gets very crowded, but the views are spectacular.

Afternoon: Drive to Las Vegas via Route 66

From Grand Canyon Village, the drive back to Las Vegas takes around four hours. Follow the legendary Route 66 for 115 miles between Williams and Kingman, Arizona. Fuel up in one of Kingman’s Route 66 diners before covering the final stretch of 100 miles to Las Vegas.

Stay: Las Vegas

Las Vegas is the end point of this 7-day road trip itinerary in the American Southwest.

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