7 day Southwest road trip

The USA’s Southwest will always hold a special place in my heart.

I spent my last days in the US here before I moved back to Australia, and boy was it a memorable week! 

If you’re a fan of road trips, taking a Southwest road trip and visiting the states of Utah and Arizona is a must.

Read on for my version of the perfect 7-day southwest road trip, based on our own trip…

Here’s a quick snapshot of my suggested itinerary…

Day 1: Las Vegas

Days 2 – 3: Grand Canyon

Day 4: Monument Valley/ Navajo Tribal Park

Day 5: Page (Horseshoe Bend + Antelope Canyon)

Day 6: Bryce Canyon

Day 7: Zion National Park

Psst: yes this 7-day southwest road trip packs a lot in. If you have extra time, I would recommend adding a few days so that you have breathing time + can explore more.

For my time-short travelers, this itinerary is for you!

Day 1 – Las Vegas, Nevada

Las Vegas is one of the most popular cities to begin your Southwest road trip.

Las Vegas also has many flight options from major cities in the US as well as many international options.

We were itching to get on the road, so stayed near the airport (where we picked up our car rental).

There are also a couple of car rental companies based on the strip, but we didn’t want to have to deal with traffic. A bonus is that most of the airport hotels have free shuttle services to/from the airport.

Things to do in Las Vegas:

• Pick up your car rental
• Recover from any jetlag that might be plaguing you (more for my international travelers)
• Explore Las Vegas + the various casinos

Recommended Accommodation in Las Vegas: 

Las Vegas is the kind of city where you can really spend big if you wanted to. But you don’t have to! This 1 bedroom condo on Airbnb is a great way to avoid crowds (near the Las Vegas strip) but close to the airport. It also has a full kitchen, washer/dryer, and is a great way to avoid crowds!

Days 2 – 3: Grand Canyon National Park

The Grand Canyon is on many people’s bucket lists – for good reason!

While incredibly busy (even during winter) Grand Canyon is worth battling the crowds. The drive here from Las Vegas takes over 4 hrs, so make sure you factor in driving time.

When visiting you can either visit the South Rim and/ or the North Rim. The North Rim is closed during the winter season (make sure you check before visiting), however, it has smaller crowds during other times of the year.

Things to do at Grand Canyon National Park:

• Short rim trail walk from the Grand Canyon Visitor’s Centre to Yavapai Point (beautiful at sunset + a great first-day walk)

• Pima Point to watch the sunrise

• Hike into the canyon via the South Kaibab Trail to Ooh Aah Point (approximately 2hrs return)

• Take the shuttle to Yaki Point for incredible views

• Drive towards Desert View + stop at the Tusayan Museum and Ruin (small exhibit about local history)

• Desert View Watch Tower / Desert View Point for views at sunset

• Navajo Point is also a great alternative for sunset views (with smaller crowds!)

Driving time:

4.5 hr drive from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon

Recommended Accommodation at Grand Canyon: 

There are endless options near the Grand Canyon. I’d recommend:

• Grand Canyon Village: yes you can actually stay in Grand Canyon National park! This is the most convenient and will allow you to make the most of sunrise/sunset views. We stayed at Yavapai Lodge and loved our stay. Check out reviews on TripAdvisor here | Book on Expedia now

• Tusayan: this small town is a short drive from Grand Canyon (15-min drive from south rim entrance). If you’re traveling with your family, this bungalow is a great option with self-check-in and a full kitchen.

• Williams: This is another great town to stay in (and is a 1 hr drive from Grand Canyon). This Airbnb is a great option for families, alternatively for couples, you can even rent a dome house with a stargazing roof!

• Flagstaff: is considered the busiest of all these towns, which makes it a place that has all the conveniences of a town near Grand Canyon (think many more food options!) There are endless budget-friendly options like this family-friendly apartment or this house which has self-check-in available for those looking to avoid crowds. Note: Flagstaff is a 1.5 hr drive from Grand Canyon.

Are you planning a trip to the Southwest? I have a free, downloadable itinerary (plus a map you can download to your phone!)

Just click the image below to get access:

NOTE: if you’re planning on hiking in the Grand Canyon, bring plenty of water and make sure to visit the Visitor’s Centre for current hiking conditions. Many people visit the Grand Canyon unprepared. We were there in winter but still made sure to bring plenty of water. If you’re visiting in Summer, make sure you have more than enough water and food. 

Day 4 – Monument Valley / Navajo Tribal Park

No visit to the USA’s Southwest would be complete without a visit to the Navajo Tribal Park.

Also known as “Monument Valley”, this spot is also famous for being the filming location of many old country western movies. It was where most of John Ford’s movies were shot!

You can drive yourself around the area (there is an entry fee!) or you can take a backcountry tour (which allows you access to off-road locations).

We ended up taking a Backcountry tour! You can read more about our experience with the Majestic Monument Valley Touring Company here.

Things to do in Monument Valley:

• Take a self-driving tour around Monument Valley

• Take a Backcountry Tour of Monument Valley and learn about local history

• Check out the incredible views from the Information Centre

• Enjoy a delicious Navajo inspired meal from The View Hotel

Driving time: 

• 2.5 hrs from Grand Canyon South Rim to Monument Valley

• 30min from Monument Valley to Kayenta (next stop)

Recommended Accommodation:  

We stayed at the Wetherill Inn in Kayenta, which was clean, quiet and we found the staff super helpful and friendly. Remember: Kayenta is a 30 min drive from Monument Valley! When we visited, there was no availability in nearby Page. Check out the TripAdvisor reviews for Wetherill Inn here | Book on Booking.com now

Depending on hotel/motel availability and how much driving you want to do on this day, spending the night in Page is also a great option. We’d recommend La Quinta Inn & Suites if you’d like to stay in Page. Rooms are spacious (and especially affordable if you’re traveling in a group!) Breakfast is also included in your rate. Check out the TripAdvisor reviews here | Book on Booking.com now | Book on Expedia now

Are you planning a trip to the Southwest? I have a free, downloadable itinerary (plus a map you can download to your phone!)

Just click the image below to get access:

Day 5: Page (Horseshoe Bend + Antelope Canyon)

This day is all about seeing 2 incredible sights here in Page: Horseshoe bend and Antelope Canyon.

Horseshoe bend is accessible by car, where you can park at the car park in Page (parking costs $10) and walk to the platformed area.

Antelope Canyon on the other hand, is a completely different matter entirely. Antelope Canyon is part of the Navajo Nation, which means it is only accessible via tour.

You can visit either the Upper Antelope Canyon (busiest and most popular) or the Lower Antelope Canyon (less busy).

I visited Canyon X, which is part of the Lower Antelope Canyon which has smaller crowds and less stressful atmosphere for photography. We booked a Photography tour to visit Canyon X, with a company called Taadidiin Tours.

Check out the TripAdvisor reviews here. 

You can read more about what you need to know before visiting Antelope Canyon here!

Things to do in Page:

• Visit Horseshoe Bend

• Visit Antelope Canyon (this needs to be done via a pre-booked tour!)

Driving time:

1.5hrs from Kayenta to Page  

2.5 hrs from Antelope Canyon/ Page to Bryce Canyon (next stop)

Recommended Accommodation:  

We spent the night at Bryce View Lodge, which is located just outside Bryce Canyon National Park (which is on the itinerary for tomorrow!) This is convenient if you’re short on time and would like to wake up early to see the sunrise. We found the accommodation to be super comfortable, clean quiet. Check out TripAdvisor reviews here | Book on Booking.com now | Book on Expedia now

The historic town of Panguitch is a great alternative. This tiny house in Panguitch is a great option for those looking to avoid crowds and self cater during their stay! Note: Panguitch is a 30-min drive from Bryce Canyon.

Day 6: Bryce Canyon

I’ve seen photos of Bryce Canyon and always wanted to visit. The rock formations, otherwise known as Hoodoos make you feel like you’re on another planet, rather than in a National Park in the US.

Things to do in Bryce Canyon:

• Watch the sunrise at Sunset Point (yes, you read that correctly!)

• Go for a walk via the Navajo Loop Trail

• Go for a more challenging walk via the Queens Garden Trail

• Sunset to Sunrise rim trail for an easier walk

• Go for a scenic drive (drive out towards Yovimpa Point, and stop at the lookouts on your way back to the Bryce Amphitheater

Driving time: 

2 hrs from Bryce Canyon National Park to Springdale

Recommended Accommodation:  

Springdale is the best (and most convenient!) place to stay if you want to visit Zion (see next day itinerary). This area is located right outside Zion National Park and has a couple of great food options (especially good if you’re too tired to cook after a day of hiking!)

We stayed at the Bumbleberry Inn, Springdale. We found the inn to be quiet, comfortable and the staff to be really helpful. Check out TripAdvisor reviews here | Book on Booking.com now | Book on Expedia now 

For those looking to self-cater, this home in Springdale has everything you need (kitchen, washing machine etc) and has incredible views from the balcony!

Day 7: Zion National Park

Zion National Park is one of the most popular National Parks in Utah. And for good reason – this is one of the most incredible places in Utah!

If you’re planning to visit during long weekends or public holidays, go as early as possible, and plan your day.

Parking here can be a nightmare, and when we visited after Christmas, they’d stopped letting cars in by midday.

After exploring Zion National Park, we then drove to Las Vegas where we spent our last night. If you want to spend more time in Zion (and love hiking), you can add extra time here.

Things to do at Zion National Park:

• Angels Landing Hike: make sure you are well prepared + read all warnings prior to doing this hike (people have lost their lives hiking this trail!)

• Emerald Pools and The Grotto Trail: for an easier hike with less death-defying cliffs

Since we were on a tight time frame, we didn’t have time to see more of the park. There are so many more hikes and walks to do in Zion National Park so I recommend exploring if you have the time!

Driving time: 

2 hrs 40min from Zion National Park, UT to Las Vegas, NV

Recommended Accommodation:  

Las Vegas (you can add extra days to your itinerary here if you’d like to explore Las Vegas)

Are you planning a trip to the Southwest? I have a free, downloadable itinerary (plus a map you can download to your phone!) Just click the image below to get access:

The southwest is an amazing part of America.

We loved being able to explore the national parks in Arizona and Utah.

While I wish we had more time, 7 days was just enough time to enjoy the best of what the southwest had to offer!

If you’re planning to visit the US or want to see more of your home country, a southwest road trip is a must on your itinerary.

Are you planning an American Southwest road trip? Leave me a comment a let me know!

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