7-Day American Southwest Road Trip: Grand Canyons, Red Rocks & Desert Vistas
There’s something about the American Southwest that makes a road trip feel like a pilgrimage. Sun-scorched highways, red rock cathedrals, and skies so big they make your thoughts feel small. This 7-day itinerary leads you through Arizona, Utah, and a slice of Nevada, with just enough time to soak in the silence, the stars, and everything in between.
This route starts and ends in Las Vegas. It’s easy to fly in and out, and you’ll hit five national parks, a few under-the-radar gems, and enough photo stops to make your storage fill up fast.
Day 1: Las Vegas to Grand Canyon National Park
Pick up your rental car you booked on trip.com and head east. It’s about 4.5 hours to Grand Canyon National Park’s South Rim, so leave early.
Before entering the park, grab a late breakfast or early lunch at Coffee Pot Restaurant in Sedona if you’re up for the scenic detour. Kitschy and unapologetic, but the huevos rancheros hit the spot. Even the mugs are for sale.
At the canyon, start with the Rim Trail. Skip the crowds at Mather Point and drift toward Yavapai Point instead. There’s less chatter and more stillness. One of my favorite moments from this stretch was just standing near the edge, the canyon echoing a kind of silence that felt ancient.
For something quieter, consider catching the Desert View Watchtower around dusk. It’s further out but often near-empty, and the views downriver stretch endlessly.
Stay just outside the park in Tusayan at the fanciest Holiday Inn I’ve ever been to: Holiday Inn Resort the Squire at Grand Canyon
Day 2: Grand Canyon to Page, Arizona
Get up early—yes, again—and watch the sun pour into the canyon like it’s being ladled from the sky. Then drive to Page (about 2.5 hours). At the Cameron Trading Post, pick up a silver ring or a Navajo rug if you’re in the mood for something lasting.
Book a slot canyon tour of Upper or Lower Antelope Canyon through a provider like Dixie’s Canyon Tours. It’s crowded, but when you’re inside and the light slices through the sandstone like butter, you’ll forget about the other people.
If you’ve got extra time, try the less crowded Waterhole Canyon or boat on Lake Powell for a different angle on the sandstone world. I once drifted past a sandstone cliff that looked like melting candle wax, and for a second I forgot where (and who) I was.
Walk out to Horseshoe Bend near sunset—not just for the view (which is everywhere online), but for the wind in your ears and the sheer drop that wakes you up.
Stay overnight in Page at the Hyatt Place Page Lake Powell hotel.
Day 3: Page to Bryce Canyon National Park
The drive north is full of small moments. Watch for wildflowers near Big Water or the kind of gas station that sells turquoise jewelry alongside beef jerky.
Stop at the Toadstool Hoodoos Trail—just off Highway 89. It’s an easy walk and the formations look like they belong on Mars.
Bryce has always felt like a dream to me. Walk down into the hoodoos via the Navajo Loop and stand still for a while in Wall Street. It’s oddly silent, like the red rock swallowed sound, and it’s a beautiful place to reflect. One time, I sat alone against a warm rock wall with a PB&J and didn’t see another soul for 20 minutes. Freaky, reflective, and totally wonderful.
Sunset Point is where you’ll want to be around golden hour. Bring something warm. The elevation surprises people.
If you can, stay up late and stargaze from the rim. Bryce is an official Dark Sky Park, and the view overhead is staggering.
Stay near Bryce at the Best Western Plus Ruby’s Inn.
Day 4: Bryce to Zion National Park
Only a 2-hour drive, but everything flips. Bryce is open, almost lunar. Zion? Canyon walls rise and close in.
If you’re not doing Angels Landing (and honestly, you don’t have to), try the Watchman Trail. It’s quieter. There’s a spot halfway up where the Virgin River winds in view and the cliffs turn gold. I sat there for 30 minutes, shoes off, eating trail mix and not talking.
For a peaceful afternoon, rent a bike in Springdale and ride the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive. With shuttles only allowed most of the year, biking it is the best way to take in the walls without the windows.
Dinner in Springdale is easy. Try Oscar’s for something casual. Or head to Bit & Spur for live music if you’re lucky.
If you’ve still got energy, I recommend a twilight walk along the Pa’rus Trail. It’s paved and level, but the colors and shadows at dusk add another dimension. I once saw a herd of deer cross the path, like ghosts moving in slow motion.
Overnight in Springdale. Both the Driftwood Lodge and the Bumbleberry Inn have stunning views onsite.
Day 5: Zion to Kanab & Coral Pink Sand Dunes
Drive east out of Zion. Don’t miss Checkerboard Mesa. Stop even if it’s not on your list.
Coral Pink Sand Dunes feels like you stepped onto another planet. Fewer people. More silence. Rent a sandboard if you’re feeling wild. Or lie in the dunes and let the wind bury your ankles.
If you’ve got time and stamina, detour to Peek-a-Boo Slot Canyon or the Moqui Caverns outside Kanab. Less famous but eerie and perfect for photography.
Kanab itself is small, but they have some culinary gems, like the Wild Thyme Cafe, where everything on the menu is made from scratch. Don’t miss the Bison tenderloin!
If you’re into photography, this is the night to stay out late. The stars are absurd. I stayed out past midnight once, lying on the roof of my rental car with a blanket and some snacks, just watching the night sky.
There’s also the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary just outside of town—if you want something entirely different, the tours are free and the canyon location is surprisingly peaceful. This is an incredible organization–They’re the largest no-kill sanctuary in the US.
Stay in Kanab at the Parry Lodge. Locally owned and right downtown!
Day 6: Kanab to Valley of Fire via Vermilion Cliffs
Vermilion Cliffs isn’t flashy, and that’s the point. Drive slow. Pull over. Eat lunch on a tailgate with the red cliffs all around you.
Take a detour to Marble Canyon and walk the old Navajo Bridge over the Colorado River. You might spot condors overhead if the timing’s right. I did once, and they looked like something prehistoric.
Continue to Valley of Fire. It’s often skipped for flashier parks, but that works in your favor. Hike the Fire Wave or Duck Rock near golden hour. You’ll feel like you’re walking on another planet.
If you’re up for more exploring, check out the White Domes Trail. It’s short but cinematic, winding through narrow slot canyons and open desert. The kind of place you remember for how it smelled: hot rock, creosote, and dry air.
Camp inside the park or stay in nearby Overton or Mesquite at the CasaBlanca Resort & Casino for a fun evening (and great pool).
Day 7: Return to Las Vegas
Back to Vegas today. Stop at Lake Mead Overlook or walk across the Hoover Dam if you didn’t on the way out.
If you’re up for one last hike, try the Historic Railroad Trail. It’s a flat, easy path with tunnels overlooking the lake. Great way to decompress before the city hits.
If you have time, avoid the Strip. Go downtown instead. Fremont Street has grit and soul, and a rooftop bar called Carson Kitchen does a mean cocktail.
Travel Resources
Flights
- If you need to catch a flight, check out GoToGate for the cheapest flight options
Car Rentals
- I always use trip.com to book my rental cars
Hotels
- Expedia has some of the best prices for hotels
- Hotels.com for more options
- Booking.com is always a great hotel resource
Tours & Experiences
- Adrenaline has an incredible variety of adventure options in the Southwest. Think helicopter rides over the Grand Canyon, skydiving over Horseshoe Bend, and more.
Packing List
- Refillable water bottle, electrolyte tabs
- Sturdy hiking shoes
- Sun protection (hat, SPF, sunglasses)
- Layers—desert temps swing hard
- Daypack and camera – Check out our guide on when to bring your camera, and when a phone will do the trick
- Backup phone charger, extra SD cards
National Park Pass (America the Beautiful card)