The American southwest is one of the USA’s best road trip destinations. It’s unbelievable how much there is to see and do here. There are the breathtaking vistas of the Grand Canyon, thrilling hiking trails in Zion National Park, and millions of hoodoos to photograph in Bryce Canyon. Are you getting excited yet? The list keeps going, with the sweeping views of Monument Valley, dusty, off-road adventures in Grand Staircase-Escalante, and numerous slot canyons to scramble through. On this American Southwest itinerary, you get to experience all of these things.
To really explore the American Southwest, you need weeks, maybe even months, to see it all. But with ten days, you have just enough time to explore the main sites, plus get to a few less popular (but no less awesome) places.
If you are like us, after this trip, you’ll be dreaming about coming back again someday.
Table of Contents
About this American Southwest Itinerary
This itinerary includes some of the most popular places to visit in the American Southwest, such as the Grand Canyon and Zion National Park. But you also get to go off-the-beaten-path, and explore lesser known by no less amazing places like Willis Creek and Spooky Gulch.
It might look like I put too much time into Monument Valley and Page, Arizona. Maybe I did, but Tim and I really enjoyed both of these places and the extra time let us really explore both of them. At the end of this itinerary, I give suggestions on how to shorten your time in Page and Monument Valley in order to give you more time for another destination.
Finally, this itinerary has a big emphasis on hiking. The American Southwest makes the perfect road trip destination, but it also makes an epic hiking destination. On this itinerary, Tim and I hiked over 60 miles, most of them in Zion, Bryce, and Grand Staircase-Escalante.
Since taking this American Southwest road trip (May 2017), we have returned to Arizona and Utah numerous times and this article has been updated with current information.
Places You Will Visit on this American Southwest Itinerary:
- Sedona, Arizona
- Grand Canyon National Park
- Antelope Canyon
- Horseshoe Bend
- Monument Valley
- Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument
- Zion National Park
- Bryce Canyon National Park
- Las Vegas
10-Day American Southwest Itinerary
Day 1: Phoenix, Arizona and Sedona
Day 2: Grand Canyon
Day 3: Grand Canyon & Monument Valley
Day 4: Monument Valley
Day 5: Page, Arizona: Horseshoe Bend & Antelope Canyon
Day 6: Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument
Day 7: Bryce Canyon
Day 8: Zion
Day 9: Zion
Day 10: Las Vegas
Alternate Route: Round Trip from Las Vegas
With More Time
With Less Time
Planning Checklist & Important Links
10 Day American Southwest Itinerary Map | map adapted from Google
Get a Digital Download of this Itinerary
Do you want a printer friendly version of this itinerary? How about an e-book version of this itinerary that can be downloaded onto your computer or mobile device?
Our 10 Day American Southwest Road Trip Itinerary e-book includes this full itinerary, with detailed daily schedules, insider tips, interactive maps, and travel planning resources. It is an 18-page version of this post that you can download to take with you or print at home.
Click here to purchase the e-book on Etsy.com.
American Southwest Itinerary: Day 1
Arrive in Phoenix, Visit Sedona
On the Road: 2 hours (120 miles)
To get the most out of today, try to schedule your flight to arrive in Phoenix in the morning. This gives you the afternoon to explore Sedona. From the Phoenix airport, it is a two-hour drive north to Sedona. Enjoy the views as you enter Sedona on Red Rock Scenic Byway (Route 179).
Devils Bridge
If you like hiking, spend the afternoon on a hiking trail. There are several relatively short, thrilling trails that we recommend. For each of these hikes, click the link for more details.
Cathedral Rock. This is an essential hike in Sedona. This hike is short and sweet, and with some rock scrambling and jaw-dropping views, it’s tons of fun from start to finish. It’s 1.2 miles round-trip with 700 feet of elevation gain. Allow 1 to 2 hours.
Bell Rock and the Courthouse Butte Loop. Hike around Courthouse Butte and Bell Rock, a 4 mile trail that is easy and suitable for all ages and ability levels. For even better views, take the Bell Rock Climb spur and hike up onto Bell Rock.
Devils Bridge. This is the most popular hike in Sedona. It is 4 miles long, if you not have a high-clearance 4WD vehicle. The highlight is standing on Devils Bridge, a natural arch and one of the best photo-ops in Sedona.
PRO TRAVEL TIP: Since you will be arriving in Sedona midday, consider starting your hike at 4 pm in order to avoid the spring/fall crowds and the summer heat.
If you are not a big fan of hiking, there are still plenty of things you can do in Sedona. Visit the Chapel of the Holy Cross, go shopping at Tlaquepaque Arts and Crafts Village, and drive up onto Airport Mesa for views over Sedona.
Our top picks for dinner are Mariposa, The Hudson, Vino Di Sedona, and Elote Café. Make your reservations in advance.
Where to Stay in Sedona: We stayed at a wonderful bed & breakfast called A Sunset Chateau. This is a beautiful property located just outside of the town of Sedona. This property has a pool, hot tub, and a lush garden filled with tropical plants and trees. I also recommend the Courtyard by Marriott in Sedona. It is a beautiful property in West Sedona and some rooms have views of Cathedral Rock. For many more recommendations, read our guide to the best hotels in Sedona.
Plan Your Visit to Sedona
American Southwest Itinerary: Day 2
Grand Canyon
On the Road: 2 hours (115 miles)
In the morning, drive north to the Grand Canyon.
As you leave Sedona, take the scenic Route 89A north to I-17. After that, the drive is rather unexciting, and it can be hard to believe that you are heading towards one of the most awe-inspiring spots in the world. Once you arrive at the Grand Canyon and have your first view, it can take your breath away.
Spend the day viewing the canyon from its numerous viewpoints and consider doing a short hike.
How to Plan Your Time:
- Morning: Hike out to Ooh Aah Point or walk the Rim Trail.
- Midday: Have lunch. Take a helicopter flight over the Grand Canyon (midday is the best time for photography) or visit the viewpoints located around Grand Canyon Village.
- Afternoon: Walk, bike, or take the shuttle to the viewpoints along Hermit Road.
- Evening: Have dinner. Watch the sunset over the Grand Canyon.
READ MORE: How To Spend One Day in the Grand Canyon
Where to Stay in the Grand Canyon
There are five hotels located in the Grand Canyon Village (El Tovar, Thunderbird Lodge, Bright Angel Lodge, Kachina Lodge, and Maswick Lodge). Staying here gives you the advantage of easy access to the shuttles, short walks to several of the viewpoints, and no hassles driving into and out the park every day. However, the hotels get mediocre reviews and many people say they are expensive for what you get.
Click here to view the lodges and get updated pricing. These hotels fill up very far in advance. Make your reservations 4 – 6 months in advance.
You also have the option to stay in Tusayan. From Tusayan, it is a 15-minute drive into the park. There are several hotels to choose from as well as some restaurants.
We stayed at The Grand Hotel in Tusayan. It is the highest rated hotel in the area. The hotel looks impressive from the outside and the lobby is very nice but the rooms are nothing special. It is listed as a 5-star hotel but it looks and feels a lot more like a 3 to 4 star hotel. However, the rooms are clean and quiet and fit our needs.
The Squire Resort and the Holiday Inn Express are two more hotels to try in Tusayan.
American Southwest Itinerary: Day 3
Monument Valley
On the Road: 3 hours 15 minutes (180 miles)
On this American Southwest itinerary, you will spend two days in Monument Valley. Why so much time? For one thing, it takes a while to get to Monument Valley. And by spending one night here, you get to see Monument Valley at sunset and sunrise, beautiful times to be here.
In the morning, start your drive to Monument Valley.
The quickest and most scenic way to drive to Monument Valley is by taking Desert View Drive. This stretch of road is 25 miles long and it takes about 35 minutes to drive the entire length of it. However, it will take you longer as you stop at the viewpoints along the way. For the full list of viewpoints, and to see lots of photos, take a look at our post about the South Rim Viewpoints.
Before arriving in Monument Valley, I recommend stopping in Kayenta for lunch. The restaurants in Monument Valley are overpriced and serve mediocre food. However, in Kayenta, you can eat at Amigo Café, a local restaurant that serves Mexican food and Navajo Fry Bread.
Monument Valley
Spend the afternoon touring Monument Valley. Drive the 17-mile Valley Drive, a scenic drive past some of the most popular sites in the park.
You should also consider taking a tour of Monument Valley, which you can do this afternoon or tomorrow. On your own, you can only drive the Valley Drive. But there is a lot more to see and taking a tour is the only way to do it. There are lots of options, including photographic sunrise and sunset tours, cultural tours, and even an all-day excursion out to Hunt’s Mesa.
In the evening, a great place to watch the sunset is right from the Visitor Center, where you will overlook The Mittens.
Where to Stay: We stayed in a premium Cabin at the View Hotel. We had a deck with a view and we could lie in bed and look out at West Mitten Butte. It was pretty awesome and we would not hesitate to stay here again.
American Southwest Itinerary: Day 4
Monument Valley & Page, Arizona
On the Road: 2 hours (125 miles)
You have the option to take a sunrise tour of Monument Valley. This is a must if photography is your hobby and it’s a great thing to do if you want to watch the sky light up around the buttes and mesas. Just be prepared for a very early morning and know that it can be quite cold. We did this in May and temperatures were in the 30’s!
In addition to scenic drives and tours in Monument Valley, there are a few nearby spots that are worth exploring. You won’t have time to get to all of these today, so choose the ones that look most interesting to you. With that being said, don’t miss Forrest Gump point. It’s quick and easy to get to and offers iconic views of Monument Valley.
Forrest Gump Point
This is the place where Forrest Gump announced that he was finished his long distance run, stating “I’m pretty tired. I think I’ll go home now.” But it also gives you one of the best views of Monument Valley. This iconic spot is just 20 minutes north of the Monument Valley Visitor Center (located on US-163, GPS coordinates: 37.101393, -109.990973).
If you want to go off-the-beaten-path, here are several options for you:
Valley of the Gods. Valley of the Gods features a landscape similar to Monument Valley. It may not be quite as spectacular, but it also has much less tourist traffic. If you like scenic drives and want to leave the crowds behind, put this spot on your list.
Moki Dugway. This short but scenic drive is located very close to Valley of the Gods. Moki Dugway is an unpaved road that is carved into the cliffs, offering stunning views over Utah and Valley of the Gods. At the top of Moki Dugway, take Muley Point Road to the end for spectacular views.
Mexican Hat. This rock formation is named for its Mexican Sombrero-like appearance. You can see it from US-163 on the drive to the Valley of the Gods. If you want, you can hike up onto the formation.
Goosenecks State Park. For a view of the San Juan River snaking through a canyon in the shape of a gooseneck, visit Goosenecks State Park. You will pay a $5 entry fee and it is a short drive to the viewpoint. Imagine two Horseshoe Bends right next to each other!
Teardrop Arch. This is an unpopular, off-the-beaten-path tour in Monument Valley. We were able to do a little hiking, explore caves, and get a unique view of Monument Valley. It’s not for everyone, especially if you are short on time, but we recommend it if you want a little adventure or like to get away from it all.
Once you are finished in Monument Valley, drive west to Page, Arizona (2 hours, 125 miles).
Where to Stay in Page: We stayed at the unexciting but clean, convenient, and budget friendly Holiday Inn Express. The Wingate by Wyndham Page Lake Powell and Hyatt Place Page Lake Powell are two of the highest rated hotels in Page. You will stay here for two nights.
American Southwest Itinerary: Day 5
Page, Arizona and Antelope Canyon
On the Road: Less than 15 miles (quick drives around Page, Arizona)
There are two must-do things in Page: Horseshoe Band and Antelope Canyon.
Horseshoe Bend
Horseshoe Bend is one of the most photographed spots on the Colorado River.
For photographers, the best times to visit Horseshoe Bend are at sunrise and sunset. You have the option to do both, since you will be in Page the entire day.
We visited Horseshoe Bend at sunrise and sunset. At sunrise, crowds are light and it’s a peaceful place to be.
Sunset is a much different experience. It was incredibly crowded and hard to find a spot with a clear view of the river. Even though it can be painful getting up before sunrise, for us, it was the better time to be here.
However, if you are here just for the thrill of seeing Horseshoe Bend, you can visit any time of the day. If you get here in the late afternoon, you should be able to get a good spot to watch the sunset.
Getting here: Horseshoe Bend is located a few miles south of the city of Page, on Highway 89. Park in the large parking lot and from here it is a 0.75-mile walk to the viewing location. It costs $10 to park in the parking lot. Read more here.
Antelope Canyon
Antelope Canyon is a gorgeous place to visit. With its glowing red canyon walls and narrow, twisting passageways, this place is fun to visit and a joy to photograph.
Antelope Canyon is made up of two slot canyons, Upper Antelope Canyon and Lower Antelope Canyon. When people refer to Antelope Canyon, they are usually referring to Upper Antelope Canyon. With its darker canyon walls, falling sands, and light beams shining through the dusty air, the Upper canyon has been the more popular of the two slot canyons.
With one full day in Page, you can visit both Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon. Each canyon offers a slightly different experience.
However, if you only want to visit one, how do you decide?
For more information about visiting Antelope Canyon, we have not one, not two, but three posts to help you out:
Should You Visit Upper or Lower Antelope Canyon?
The popularity of Antelope Canyon has skyrocketed in the recent years. To avoid disappointment, make your reservations far in advance (at a bare minimum, four months in advance, but up to six to nine months in advance for the summer season). If you can’t get tickets on the official website, you might have better luck here:
Where We Ate: For dinner, we ate at the Mexican restaurant called El Tapatio. It was wonderful and you can get some oversized margaritas if you want. Another place that gets great reviews, both online and by word of mouth, is Big John’s Texas BBQ.
American Southwest Itinerary: Day 6
Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument
On the Road: 6.5 hours (200 miles)
Today is the day when this trip becomes more of an adventure. It’s also time to go off-the-beaten-path and explore some less crowded but truly amazing places in the American Southwest.
Grand Staircase-Escalante National Park is enormous. There are almost 2 million acres of protected land here, and with that comes tons of hiking trails, unpaved roads, and canyons to explore.
Since most people gravitate to the more popular parks like Zion, Bryce, and Arches, Grand Staircase-Escalante is pleasantly quiet and uncrowded. This just may be one of your favorite days of the trip.
Cottonwood Canyon Road
From Page, drive north on Highway 89 past Lake Powell and enter Utah. Just past Big Water is Cottonwood Canyon Road, a very scenic unpaved road that travels through Grand Staircase-Escalante.
Cottonwood Canyon Road is 46 miles long. It takes about 2 to 2.5 hours to drive from Big Water to Cannonville. You do not need a 4×4 for this drive but an SUV or high-clearance vehicle is strongly recommended. You can get updated road conditions at the visitor center in Big Water, Utah, which is just a short drive from the start of this drive.
If you don’t like the idea of driving on dirt/gravel roads, or Cottonwood Canyon Road is impassable due to wet conditions, there is an alternate route. From Big Water, continue west on Highway 89 almost all of the way to Panguitch and then take Highway 12 past Bryce Canyon to Escalante, Utah. It’s a huge detour but since you are on paved highways it does not add much extra time (3 hours for the Highways 89 and 12 versus 2 to 2. 5 hours for Cottonwood Canyon Road).
Hole-in-the-Rock Road
From Cannonville, drive to Escalante and the start of Hole-in-the-Rock Road using Highway 12. Hole-in-the-Rock Road is another dirt and gravel road that leads to some amazing hiking spots and really cool slot canyons. Devils Garden, Zebra Slot Canyon, and Peek-A-Boo and Spooky Gulch are all located on this road.
Devil’s Garden
Devil’s Garden is a quick visit just off of Hole-in-the-Rock Road. With hoodoos, crazy rock formations, and arches, Devil’s Garden is a fun spot to explore.
Zebra Slot Canyon
Zebra Slot Canyon is a very short slot canyon, named for its striped walls. To get here, it’s a 5.2-mile round trip hike and takes between 3 and 4 hours.
READ MORE: How to Hike Zebra Slot Canyon
Peek-A-Boo and Spooky Slot Canyons
If you are looking for a super fun hike to do, put Peek-A-Boo and Spooky slot canyons on your list. Peek-A-Boo Gulch has several sections of challenging rock scrambling, including a 12-foot climb just to enter the canyon. Spooky Gulch is one of the narrowest slot canyons around, only 10 inches wide in some spots! If you’re up for the challenge, these two slot canyons are tons of fun.
If you get an early start to the day and are a fast hiker, it is possible to see all of these spots in one day. It’s a long day with a lot of driving but if you like the idea of exploring slot canyons, then Zebra, Spooky, and Peek-A-Boo are some of the best in the American Southwest.
If you don’t want to drive all of the way out to Hole-in-the-Rock Road, there are two optional places to visit near Cannonville. These can also be added on to the end of day 7 if you finish early at Bryce Canyon.
Kodachrome Basin State Park
With colorful sandstone spires, red rock mountains, and bright blue skies, Kodachrome Basin is a gorgeous little spot to explore. Its name, Kodachrome, fits it perfectly, describing the multitude of vivid colors that are found here.
It is located on Cottonwood Canyon Road south of Cannonville. There are a bunch of quick hikes to choose from and this makes a great family hiking destination.
Willis Creek Slot Canyon
This is another slot canyon to explore, although this time the hike has you hopping and skipping over the Willis Creek. It’s fun to do and perfect for all ages and ability levels.
READ MORE: Hiking Willis Creek Slot Canyon
After a day full of hiking and exploring, it’s time to get settled into your next accommodation. Tomorrow morning will be spent at Bryce Canyon so we recommend staying near the park.
Where to Stay
Tropic is a small town that is located 15 minutes away from the entrance into Bryce Canyon National Park. This town has a great selection of small properties where you can stay in a bed and breakfast, cabin, or motel. Bryce Country Cabins, Bryce Vistas, and Bybee’s Steppingstone Motel all get very good reviews.
The town of Bryce sits right outside of Bryce Canyon National Park. The top pick here is the Best Western Plus.
American Southwest Itinerary: Day 7
Bryce Canyon National Park
On the Road: 4 hours (150 miles); includes Kodachrome Basin and Willis Creek
Bryce Canyon National Park…a fantasyland of hoodoos, bizarre rock formations, and sandstone pillars. This is a crazy beautiful place, and its unique landscape sets it apart from other national parks. Although Bryce may not have the same sweeping, expansive vistas as the Grand Canyon, it’s still a breathtaking experience the first time you see this view.
Bryce Canyon is compact, at least for a national park. One day is all you need to explore this park. With one day, you can hike through a garden of hoodoos, take in the view from multiple viewpoints, and thoroughly explore the park.
For more information on the best hiking trails, viewpoints, and how to plan your day, read our post:
What We Did: Depending on how fast you visit Bryce Canyon, you can visit Kodachrome and/or Willis Creek in the afternoon. Tim and I started at Bryce Canyon at sunrise, finished Bryce Canyon by lunch, had lunch in the town of Bryce, spent the afternoon hiking Kodachrome and Willis Creek, and then drove to Zion National Park. It is a long day but it can be done.
Tonight, sleep in Springdale, Utah, the gateway into Zion National Park. When we visit Zion, our go-to hotel is the Holiday Inn Express in Springdale, one of the best Holiday Inn properties we have seen. It is located along the Springdale Shuttle route, so you can get around town and into Zion National Park without a car.
American Southwest Itinerary: Day 8
Zion National Park
On the Road: 10 – 15 miles, mostly on the Zion Shuttle
Zion National Park is one of the best spots in the United States to go hiking. From the awe-inspiring hike up Angels Landing to the family friendly Riverside Walk to multi-day backpacking adventures, there is something here for everyone.
Hidden Canyon Trail
Take your pick from a wide variety of hikes, some just a mile or two in length to longer, full-day adventures. With two days, you can choose several hikes, especially if you get an early start in the morning.
READ MORE: 10 Great Hikes in Zion National Park
We recommend starting as early as possible. From February through November, when the Zion Shuttle is operating, it’s best to be on one of the first shuttles of the day. Being on the first shuttle of the day puts you first on the hiking trail for the day. Yes, it’s not fun to get up at the crack of dawn, but it’s so much better than waiting literally an hour or longer in line for a shuttle.
Put your longest hike first thing in the morning. Angels Landing, Observation Point, and the Narrows all fall into this category. During the hotter months, we do a big hike in the morning, take a break midday, and in the late afternoon hike a shorter trail.
Important Note: Zion National Park is dealing with some unique challenges right now, with trail closures and high crowd levels. For important planning information, read our post 5 Things to Know Before Visiting Zion National Park. Also, you now need a permit to hike Angels Landing.
American Southwest Itinerary: Day 9
Zion National Park
On the Road: 10 – 15 miles, mostly on the Zion Shuttle
Spend the day hiking and exploring the park. We have lots of suggestions on how to plan your time in Zion in our Zion Itinerary Guide.
The view from Observation Point
Recommended Restaurants in Springdale
Tim and I have visited Zion several times and we have been lucky enough to try a bunch of restaurants.
King’s Landing Bistro. This place was so good that we have eaten dinner here three times. This restaurant has a “fine dining” feel to it with an amazing menu. This is our favorite restaurant in Springdale.
Café Soleil. This place is quick, reasonably priced, and serves delicious sandwiches.
Oscar’s Café. The perfect spot after a long day of hiking. Oscar’s café serves great nachos and huge portions of Mexican food.
Zion Pizza and Noodle Café. This is another budget friendly place that serves pizza, pastas, and salads.
Jack’s Sports Grill. This was the only place that we don’t recommend. Expect mediocre food in a sports bar setting.
American Southwest Itinerary: Day 10
Las Vegas
On the Road: 2.5 hours (160 miles)
Today, travel to Las Vegas to catch an afternoon flight home or spend a night on the Vegas strip.
10 Day American Southwest Itinerary: Interactive Map
How to Use This Map: Click the tab in the top left hand corner of the map to view the layers (points of interest and the driving route). You can click the check marks to hide or show layers. If you click the icons on the map, you can get more information about each point of interest. If you click the star next to the title of the map, this map will be added to your Google Maps account. To view it on your phone or computer, open Google Maps, click the menu button, go to “Your Places,” click Maps, and you will see this map on your list.
10 Day American Southwest Itinerary: Alternate Route
If you want to do this same itinerary but do it as a loop, here is an alternate route. This itinerary starts and ends in Las Vegas. Two advantages of doing it this way are (1) arriving and departing from the same airport and (2) eliminating the rental car drop fee that you get on the above itinerary. However, we have recently been hearing from our readers that the drop fee is low enough that it might not make a difference. Still, it’s a factor to consider.
On the itinerary below you get some extra time in Grand Canyon. However, since you are no longer starting in Phoenix, you will not get to see Sedona on this itinerary (unless you add more time).
Day 1: Arrive in Las Vegas, Drive to the Grand Canyon
Day 2: Grand Canyon
Day 3: Grand Canyon, Monument Valley
Day 4: Monument Valley
Day 5: Page, Arizona: Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend
Day 6: Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument
Day 7: Bryce Canyon National Park
Day 8: Zion National Park
Day 9: Zion National Park
Day 10: Drive to Las Vegas and fly home
Day 1: Arrive in Las Vegas, Drive to the Grand Canyon
If you can, plan for an early morning flight to give yourself plenty of time to drive to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. This drive is 280 miles and takes just over 4 hours. Sleep in Tusayan or the Grand Canyon Village.
Day 2: Grand Canyon
Spend the day on the South Rim. For ideas on how to plan your time, read our post One Day in the Grand Canyon.
Day 3: Grand Canyon, drive to Monument Valley
In the morning, drive to Monument Valley. Drive Desert View Drive, visiting the viewpoints along the way. In the afternoon, drive Tribal Loop Drive or take a tour of Monument Valley.
Day 4 to Day 10 is the same as the itinerary above.
With More Time
Add More Time to the Grand Canyon
Add more adventure to the itinerary by hiking below the rim or taking a helicopter ride over the Grand Canyon.
Canyonlands, Arches, and Capitol Reef National Parks
These are three more great national parks located in Utah. Adding these parks to the itinerary requires several more days but these are epic destinations to add to your itinerary if you have the time.
For an epic road trip that is very similar to this 10 day American Southwest itinerary, but also includes Arches, Canyonlands, and Capitol Reef National Parks, check out our Two Week American Southwest Road Trip Itinerary.
More Time in Zion or Las Vegas
If you have an extra day or two, add some more time to Zion (for hikers) or to Las Vegas, if this your first time in the city.
With Less Time
You can eliminate two days of this American Southwest itinerary by altering the beginning of this itinerary. Skip Sedona and head right to the Grand Canyon from Phoenix. Spend the afternoon and night at the Grand Canyon. On day 2, visit Monument Valley as a quick day trip from the Grand Canyon and then sleep in Page. Then start this itinerary on day 5.
If you think that one full day in Page is too much time, on the morning of day 4, drive right to Page, tour Antelope Canyon, and then sleep in Page. On day 5, drive to Grand Staircase-Escalante. Visiting Page and Monument Valley quickly eliminates one day on this itinerary.
American Southwest Itinerary: Planning Checklist
Hotel Reservations
For this American Southwest road trip, you will need to make the following hotel reservations:
- Sedona – 1 night
- Grand Canyon – 1 night
- Monument Valley – 1 night
- Page, Arizona – 2 nights
- Tropic or Bryce – 1 night
- Springdale – 3 nights
Rental Car
For this itinerary, a high-clearance SUV is recommended. Standard vehicles can do fine on Cottonwood Canyon Road and Hole-in-the-Rock Road as long as it is dry and the roads are well-maintained. However, road conditions are constantly changing, so we recommend having a high-clearance SUV for the best experience.
National Park Fees
Here are the fees to enter each park. When you pay the entrance fee, it is valid for 7 days.
- Grand Canyon: $35
- Bryce Canyon: $35
- Zion: $35
Grand Total: $105
America the Beautiful Pass
If you have plans to visit the Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon and Zion, it is worth it to purchase the America the Beautiful Pass. This annual park pass costs $80 and is valid for one year. Not only will you save money on park fees for this trip but you will also get free admission to any other national park or federal recreation sites that you visit within 365 days of purchasing this pass.
Purchase your pass at the first national park that you visit (in this case, at the Grand Canyon) or you can get it online.
Get a Digital Download of this Itinerary
Do you want a printer friendly version of this itinerary? How about an e-book version of this itinerary that can be downloaded onto your computer or mobile device?
Our 10 Day American Southwest Road Trip Itinerary e-book includes this full itinerary, with detailed daily schedules, insider tips, interactive maps, and travel planning resources. It is an 18-page version of this post that you can download to take with you or print at home.
Click here to purchase the e-book on Etsy.com.
Are you planning an American Southwest road trip? Comment below if you have any questions!
More Information for Your Trip to the American Southwest
UTAH’S MIGHTY 5: Utah’s Mighty 5 is a collection of five national parks in Utah. Learn more about the parks and how to plan your visit in our Guide to Utah’s Mighty 5.
UTAH: To read all of our articles about Utah, check out our Utah Travel Guide.
SEDONA: Get links to all of our articles in our Sedona Travel Guide. To help you plan your visit, we also have guides to the best things to do in Sedona, the best hikes in Sedona, and how to plan the perfect Sedona itinerary. Learn where to stay in our Sedona Hotel Guide.
PLACES TO GO IN ARIZONA: Go hiking in Sedona, visit Saguaro National Park and Petrified Forest National Park, explore Monument Valley, photograph Antelope Canyon, and visit the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. Learn how to put all of this together in our Arizona Road Trip Itinerary.
VISIT THE US NATIONAL PARKS: Looking for your next big adventure? Read our article about the 15 Best National Parks, where we narrow down the long list into 15 must-see parks. You can also learn more about the national parks (and get the full list) in our Guide to the US National Parks. Finally, if you are traveling as a family, here are the best parks to visit with kids.
If this is part of a bigger road trip through the USA, visit our United States Travel Guide for more inspiration and travel planning tips.
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All rights reserved © Earth Trekkers. Republishing this article and/or any of its contents (text, photography, etc.), in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited.
Comments 155
Hi Julie,
We just came back from our trip in the Southwest using this itinerary as our base with a few tweaks based on some of your other posts too and the advice you had given us on a couple of my questions. And first off: what a success: my husband and 10 yo twins LOVED it. so THANK YOU. I thought I would share how we did it:
We are based in NY so took one of the last flight out to Phoenix on Friday night. Arrived at midnight so we spent the night at the Phoenix airport.
Day 1: Picked up Rental Car and we got a Jeep Wrangler!! Drove to Sedona, and hike the Bell Rock Climb by late morning. Parking was full but waited a few min until someone came back. Grabbed lunch to go in Sedona (at Wildflower which we found quite good) then it was a hot day so chose to spend the afternoon at Slide Rock State Park (there was a line to enter and took 30min roughly but we ate while waiting) which was fun and perfect to cool down. Then drove to Tusayan to spend the night and start early the next day.
Day 2 : Grand Canyon. Started the day early with hiking to Ooh Aah Point then went to Yaki Point (loved both and felt pretty isolated/alone). Then we headed to Hermit Road using the shuttle and hiked a portion of the Rim Trail from Powell Point to Mohave Point- that part was a lot more busy (waiting for shuttles with long lines etc) and less enjoyable. To finish the day, we chose to do a picnic at Shoshone Point and watched the sunset there. This was the most amazing thing: the picnic table was right on the edge of the canyon with amazing views and afterwards at the viewpoint, we were only with 6 other people or so.
Day 3: Morning Desert View Scenic Drive in Grand Canyon stopping at Desert view Tower, then drove to Monument Valley. Stopped for lunch at Blue Coffe Pot – cheap and big portions but average quality we thought. Drove the Monument Valley Scenic Loop and stayed at the Cabins as recommended for the night – what a VIEW and more than worth it. We watched the sunset and sunrise from the cabin (we were front row too) which was a unique experience.
Day 4: Morning: Horseback riding in Monument Valley (the highlight of the trip for our girls), then Goosenecks State Park (quick stop), hiked/climbed the Mexican Hat and drove to Page to spend the night. El Tapatio for dinner was very good.
Day 5: Page. Horseshoe bend somewhat early (and thank god because it was already busy but when we left buses where coming in). Then prime time tour at Upper Antelope Canyon (we were a bit disappointed even though they are doing a good job managing the tours so it did not feel packed). Lunch and then Lower Antelope Canyon. We all loved that one a LOT and boy I am glad we did not skip it as I was debating doing both given how expensive Upper has become. It was a lot busier than Upper though with waiting inside to move forward at the start but we found it a lot more impressive to visit. Big John BBQ for dinner was a hit too with live music.Night in Page again.
Day 6: that was the day you helped me decide on. we drove from Page to Bryce through Cottonwood Canyon Road (what a unique feeling with no one around). That day we did Grosvenor Arch, then hiked Angel’s Palace Trail in Kodachrome Basin. Followed by a hike in Willis Creek canyon (the #2 favorite experience of the girls from the whole trip). finished the day hiking Bryce Canyon (the Navajo loop and Queens Garden Trail). night in Bryce
Day 7: Morning in Bryce doing Inspiration Points (Lower, Middle and Upper) and Bryce Point. Then headed to Red Canyon nearby to hike the Arches Trail (all by ourselves – it was a chilly and overcast day). Around lunchtime started heading toward Las Vegas but on the way did the detour through the Valley of Fire and hiked the Seven Wonders loop combined with the White Domes Trail. Finished driving to Vegas. It was a long day with lots of driving but the Valley of Fire blew our mind. I had never heard of it before your blog and it was so worth it.
Day 8: we explored Las Vegas, walking between the different casinos. We did the roller coaster at New York New York and that rounded the top 3 favorite things for our kids to do on that trip.
Day 9: early morning we went to Red Rock Canyon and hiked the Calico Tanks trail – very nice experience again. And in the afternoon we flew back to NY. We loved finishing our trip with another hike rather than with the city…
Our kids ranked this trip as their favorite one so far (we did a Scotland road trip last summer and Rome/Pompeii and Florence for Thanksgiving in 2022)
This summer we are going to Portugal and I am also using all your amazing posts to plan that trip! we cant wait! thank you for all you do
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I really enjoyed reading your recap of your trip…thank you so much for taking the time to write it up! I’m thrilled you and your family loved the experience and have a great time in Portugal! We will be in Portugal this summer too (about 10 days in Madeira and 2 days in Lisbon). You have a lot to look forward to and please let us know if you have any questions as you plan your trip! Cheers, Julie
Good evening, I’d like to start off by saying that since finding your page, it has helped me, being the planner, tremendously. I appreciate what you do and your efforts. Now to the good stuff… I purchased this itinerary and I am trying to fit this itinerary in 10 days. Day 1 I arrive in PHX late, and Day 10 I leave Vegas early, so it’ll really be 8 days. Im thinking ill have to sacrifice a few things to fit it in. I’ve been to Sedona once before, so if I bypass it and go straight to Grand Canyon, it’ll save me a day. I’m looking forward to Zion and Bryce and want to give them their time. My Question is, would you suggest sacrificing Grand Staircase? Or Sacrificing one day in Monument Valley? Monument Valley is a bucket list item, for sure. I have also been to Antelope Canyon (although the cloudy put a damper on it) and Horseshoe bend before. Any suggestions, any advice, any considerations would be appreciated. I really don’t want to miss out on a must see by removing the wrong destination from the itinerary
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Hello Manuel. By skipping Sedona that saves a day, so that is easy. If Monument Valley is a bucket list item, keep that section of the itinerary as it is. You could also take out the Page day, from Monument Valley drive via Cottonwood Canyon to Bryce, skipping the northern part of Grand Staircase. That should get you back on track with enough time in Bryce and Zion. I still think it is worth seeing some of Grand Staircase, since I think it is underrated, plus you’ll be skipping things you have already done, even though maybe they weren’t under the best circumstances. I hope this helps and I hope you have a great road trip! Cheers, Julie
Is there much to do aside from hiking? ATV or kayaking or shopping… wondering about down time or breaks from hiking.
Thank you!
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There is a lot of hiking on this trip. I don’t remember seeing places to do ATV rides and there’s not a whole lot in the way of shopping in the small towns. Cheers, Julie
Thank you for this itinerary. It was a very helpful template. We had a great trip.
We did a bike tour at the Grand Canyon and an e-bike tour at Zion; both were a great way to explore.
UTV in Page with Epic Adventures – a really fun evening activity as the sun sets. Page also has a huge lake with options for renting a boat, kayak, or taking tours on the water.
AllTrails app is a great way to choose paths to explore.
Monument Valley is far off the beaten path with one restaurant that has limited hours and the closest town (30+ minutes) doesn’t have much to offer either. If you’re looking for more than hiking, you may want to spend an extra day in Sedona in place of the time at Monument Valley.
Stopped in Kanab on the way to Bryce, hiked a great trail, and walked the cute town after lunch.
Use this great template and make it your own.