With all of the craziness happening in the world, 2021 was an interesting year for travel. Hesitant to go abroad due to constantly changing Covid restrictions, I decided to use this time to stay close to home and focus on my USA bucket list. An epic two week road trip starting and ending in Las Vegas, and including stops like Zion, Bryce and Grand Canyon National Parks quickly made my list. Below I’ve outlined a basic itinerary for this 14 day trip, however you can easily customize it to fit your own schedule and interests.
Getting ready to hit the road? Use this southwest USA road trip itinerary as a guide for an unforgettable two weeks.
Day 1: Las Vegas to St. George
After your flight lands at Las Vegas International Airport, grab your bags and head toward the McCarran Rent-A-Car Center free shuttle. The shuttle will take you to the offsite rental car center, which is located three miles south of the airport. LAS is an extremely busy airport so be prepared for a possible wait when boarding the shuttle and then again at the rental car counters.
Once you’ve picked up your vehicle and gotten on the road, it’ll be a two hour drive until your first stop in St. George, Utah, where you’ll spend the night. St. George has several hotels to choose from, as well as Target and Walmart stores. These will be the last big box stores you’ll see for a while, so I recommend stocking up on essentials for at least the next week.
Days 2-3: Zion National Park
Wake up early and drive about an hour to Zion National Park in Springdale, Utah. You’ll have the next two and a half days to spend however you choose, and Zion provides visitors with more than enough to keep you busy.
Where to Stay:
Hampton Inn & Suites Springdale is a great choice located outside the park’s south entrance.
where to eat:
Oscar’s Cafe is a Tex-Mex restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. Offering patrons a broad menu, this casual spot is located within walking distance to most accommodations in Springdale. Deep Creek Coffee Company is the perfect corner cafe serving locally roasted coffee and an organic menu of breakfast and lunch offerings.
What to do:
Hiking
Hiking is one of the top things to do in Zion and there so many different trails to choose from. Some of the best easy to moderate trails include The Watchman Trail, Pa’rus Trail, Riverside Walk, Emerald Pools Trail and the Canyon Overlook Trail. Two of the more challenging hikes are The Narrows and Angel’s Landing.
Day Tour
A day tour is another option for exploring the park. You can take a horseback riding tour with Canyon Trail Rides, go on a canyoneering or UTV adventure, or spend an evening stargazing.
READ MORE: Top 6 Things To Do On A Solo Trip To Zion National Park
Days 4-5: Bryce Canyon National Park
Enjoy your last morning in Zion, then drive to Bryce Canyon in the early afternoon. You’ll arrive just in time to check-in to your hotel, drop off your bags and hit the park for sunset.
Where to Stay:
Best Western Plus Ruby’s Inn is a convenient option located in Bryce Canyon City.
Where to eat:
i.d.k Barbecue is a highly rated barbecue restaurant in Tropic, Utah. It’s locally owned, affordable and the portions are large. Ruby’s Inn General Store is a good option if you’re looking for something simple to grab and go. Along with typical grocery items, they sell prepared sandwiches, salads, etc. Instead of going out for dinner, grab everything you need and head into the park for a picnic with a view.
what to do:
Hiking
Bryce Canyon is such a unique and gorgeous destination that you’ll want to see the hoodoos up close. Hiking down to the canyon floor should be on your to-do list if you’re able. A few easy to moderate hikes in Bryce include Mossy Cave Trail, Queen’s Garden Trail, and Navajo Loop Trail. If you’re up for more of a challenge, try the Fairyland Loop Trail or Peekaboo Loop Trail.
Horseback Riding
There’s nothing like trail riding through Bryce Canyon. You’ll feel like you’ve stepped back in time as you follow in the footsteps of legendary outlaws, like Butch Cassidy and the Wild Bunch. If you do decide to take a tour, Canyon Trail Rides is the only company operating within the park itself.
Bryce Canyon Scenic Drive
Bryce Canyon Scenic Drive is an eighteen mile out and back drive featuring thirteen incredible viewpoints. It’s the best way to get an overview of the park, so I’d advise doing this early in your trip. Natural Bridge Overlook, Rainbow Point, Yovimpa Point, and Pondersosa Point are definitely worth the stop on your drive.
READ MORE: 6 Tips For Visiting Bryce Canyon National Park
Days 6-7: Page
Wake up before the sun and head to Sunrise Point or Sunset Point in the park for your last Bryce Canyon sunrise. After returning to your hotel to check out and have breakfast, it’s time to hit the road again. Your next stop will be Page, Arizona. Staying in Page for a day or two is a great way to break up the drive between Bryce and your next stop at the Grand Canyon.
Where to Stay:
I stayed at Home 2 Suites by Hilton Lake Powell, but Page has many lodging options depending on your preferences and budget.
where to eat:
Slacker’s Quality Grub is the place to go if you’re craving a burger. Serving American pub food, it’s casual, reasonably priced, and a local favorite. Big John’s Texas BBQ is a laid-back restaurant offering outdoor seating with patio heaters, live music, and some amazing barbecue beef brisket. They close for the winter season, so double check their hours before visiting.
what to do:
Horseshoe Bend
Horseshoe Bend has become one of the most famous stops on a southwest USA road trip. This impressive section of the Colorado River is located a few miles south of Page, off U.S. Highway 89. If you’re visiting during high season, it’s best to arrive before 9:00 am because the lot can fill up quickly and parking along Highway 89 is prohibited.
Antelope Canyon X
Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon are two of the most visited slot canyons in Arizona, but I’d recommend touring Antelope Canyon X with Taadidiin Tours instead. Antelope Canyon X offers sightseers the same incredible experience as Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon, but with one clear advantage – a much smaller crowd. Because Antelope Canyon X is on the Navajo Nation Reservation, going on a tour is the only way to see it. Taadidiin Tours is the sole company operating here, which also contributes to a much quieter and more relaxed stop.
READ MORE: Guide To Visiting Horseshoe Bend
Days 8-9: Grand Canyon National Park
Check out of your hotel, top up your gas tank, and drive about two hours until you reach the next stop, the south rim of the Grand Canyon. Coming from Page, you’ll enter Grand Canyon National Park from the east, giving you the perfect opportunity to have a leisurely drive along Desert View Drive on your way into the park. You’ll have the rest of the day and the entire day tomorrow to explore however you want.
Where to Stay:
I stayed at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Grand Canyon in Tusayan. A short drive from the park itself, the hotel is very clean, in a great location, and they offer free breakfast.
where to eat:
I’ll be honest, the dining options in the area aren’t the best, but chances are you aren’t coming to the Grand Canyon for the food anyway. A few quick and reliable choices in Tusayan include Starbucks, Wendy’s, and Foodie Club.
what to do:
Desert View Drive
Desert View Drive is the scenic, 23 mile portion of Route 64 that connects Grand Canyon Village to the Desert View Watchtower. I’d recommend stopping at each of the incredible viewpoints along the way. My favorites were Duck on a Rock and Desert View.
Watch The Sunrise
The Grand Canyon is often voted one of the best place places in the world to watch the sunrise and I’d have to agree. Park at the visitor center near Mather Point, but instead of stopping at this popular lookout, keep walking along the rim trail toward Yavapai Point. Find a quiet spot along the trail to sit and enjoy a peaceful sunrise without the crowd.
Rim Trail
The Rim Trail is a thirteen mile paved trail that connects the Hermits Rest Point to Grand Canyon Village. One of the park’s most popular and scenic trails, the Rim Trail consists of fourteen shuttle stops, allowing you to choose how difficult you want the hike to be. You can take the shuttle to Hermits Rest and walk the full length back to the visitor center or hop on and off at whichever stops you feel like.
Days 10-11: Sedona
About two hours from Tusayan, Sedona is your next stop on this road trip itinerary. A desert town known for its red rock scenery and spiritual vortexes, Sedona is an interesting stop if you’re in the area. Truthfully, I didn’t like Sedona as much as I thought I would before visiting. In my opinion, the scenery in Zion, Bryce and the Grand Canyon was much more impressive and the traffic in Sedona was pretty crazy during my visit.
Where to Stay:
The Arabella Hotel Sedona was one of my favorite things about this stop. It features a huge pool area, quick access to hiking trails, and an on-site vista perfect for watching the sunset.
where to eat:
Wildflower Bread Company is local cafe chain offering a huge selection of salads, sandwiches, bread, and pastries. I liked it so much that I ended up going back twice during my short stay. Javelina Cantina is located in the Hillside Shopping Center and is within walking distance to the Arabella Hotel. Offering traditional Mexican fare, indoor and outdoor patio dining, and happy hour specials, it’s the perfect spot to relax after a day of outdoor activities. Sedona Food Truck, also based in the Hillside Shopping Center, is a great choice if you’re in the mood for something fast and low key. Go for the Mix N Match 3 Taco Combo to sample a variety from the menu.
what to do:
Tlaquepaque Arts and Shopping Village
Tlaquepaque Arts and Shopping Village is a must do in Sedona. Modeled after a traditional Mexican village, Tlaquepaque is a fun place to spend an evening wandering around. Cobblestone walkways, vine covered walls, and beautiful sycamore trees all contribute to the village’s charm.
Day Tour
There are several types of day tours you can take in Sedona. Some of the most popular include jeep tours, vortex tours, and stargazing tours. If you’re traveling solo be sure to look into it ahead of time because there’s often a two person minimum for booking online. It may be difficult to get in touch with the company by phone at the last minute, leaving you with limited options.
Hiking
Lace up your hiking boots and hit the trail! Hiking is one of the most popular things to do in Sedona. Some of the most popular hikes in the area include Devil’s Bridge Trail, West Fork Oak Creek Trail, Cathedral Rock Trail, and Bell Rock Trail. It’s important to note that parking for these trails can fill up quickly, so be sure to arrive as early as possible or have a backup hiked planned.
Day 12: Sedona to Las Vegas
Today you’ll drive the longest distance of the trip – 280 miles or around 4.5 hours from Sedona to Las Vegas. To break up the drive, stop in the tiny town of Seligman, around the halfway point. Seligman was once a popular stop for cross country travelers on Route 66, but it fell off the map after Interstate 40 was built in 1978. Luckily, this retro town was able to make a name for itself again in recent years, and is now recognized around the world as a nostalgic route 66 town and tourist stop. If you’re looking to add some color to your instagram, this is definitely the place to visit!
If you’re up for it, the Hoover Dam is another easy stop along the route. Located on the border of Arizona and Nevada, it’s one of the USA’s most well known tourist attractions. Spend as much time here as you like, then end the day back in Las Vegas.
Days 13-14: Las Vegas
After a jam-packed two weeks, your adventure ends here. You can either hop on a flight and head home right away or spend the next day exploring Las Vegas. Sin City offers no shortage of things to do, so you can tailor your itinerary to suit your own interests. Relax at a spa, hit the Strip for a glamorous night out on the town, take a day trip to Valley of Fire State Park, or go kayaking at Emerald Cave.
In summary, there’s so much to do and see in the southwest United States, but you can easily customize this itinerary to fit your own time schedule. I hope this two week road trip guide has been helpful when planning your own trip!
