When you ask me about the easiest way to discover the USA, I will not hesitate to say a street journey. Street tripping is by far my favourite technique to expertise the whole lot that America has to supply.
However, with the U.S. being such an enormous nation, deciding *the place* to street journey may be robust.
There are tons of nice street journey routes within the U.S. However my favourite a part of the nation for a brief(er) street journey is certainly the American Southwest. Not solely is the Southwest dwelling to various landscapes and a number of the coolest nationwide parks within the nation, nevertheless it’s additionally pretty straightforward to succeed in and does not require a ton of driving to see rather a lot!
Therefore why I am spilling all my secrets and techniques and street journey ideas on this Southwest itinerary!
When is one of the best time to take a Southwest street journey?
One query I’ve gotten fairly often since initially publishing this put up is about when to take a Southwest street journey like this.
You’ll be able to technically plan a model of this journey for any time of 12 months. A lot of the spots included listed below are open year-round, so it relies upon extra in your schedule, and your tolerance for crowds and excessive temperatures.
Summer time is often the busiest time for journey within the US (particularly at nationwide parks), and it will get VERY HOT on this a part of the nation in July and August particularly.
In winter, sure locations within the Southwest at increased elevation DO get snow and expertise colder temperatures (spots like Bryce Canyon and the Grand Canyon particularly can get chilly/snowy), however you undoubtedly can go to the Southwest in winter!
However so far as the finest time to go? I would say the shoulder seasons are one of the best time for a street journey out west. April-Could is sweet, as is September-October. You might run into some moist climate throughout these seasons, however the crowds will probably be thinner and you can absolutely get pleasure from the whole lot on this itinerary.
This itinerary is written with an April-October journey in thoughts; outdoors of these months, some issues could also be closed or unavailable!
The right 10-day Southwest street journey itinerary
So this is my model of a “good” 10-day street journey itinerary for the American Southwest, based mostly on a number of street journeys I’ve personally taken by means of this area through the years, together with mainly this actual one with my husband Elliot one 12 months in April.
Highlights of this itinerary (which you’ll mainly name a Southwest nationwide park street journey, since you will see so a lot of them) embrace:
- Valley of Fireplace State Park (Nevada)
- Zion Nationwide Park (Utah)
- Bryce Canyon Nationwide Park (Utah)
- Goblin Valley State Park (Utah)
- Capitol Reef Nationwide Park (Utah)
- Canyonlands Nationwide Park (Utah)
- Arches Nationwide Park (Utah)
- Monument Valley (Utah/Arizona)
- Sights in Web page, Arizona
- Grand Canyon Nationwide Park (Arizona)
This itinerary covers roughly 1350 miles of driving.
Get a printable model of this itinerary right here!
Earlier than we dive in right here, it is essential to notice that this itinerary does embrace traversing by means of or close to some indigenous lands within the Southwest. These embrace the Navajo Nation, the Hopi Reservation, and the Hualapai Indian Reservation. These persons are each the historic and present stewards of those lands, and it is essential to acknowledge and respect that if you journey right here.
Day 1: Vegas to Zion by way of Valley of Fireplace
I recommend you start and finish your Southwest street journey in Las Vegas. You possibly can additionally begin in Salt Lake Metropolis, Utah, however I discover that you would be able to nearly all the time discover reasonably priced flights to Vegas, regardless of the place you are coming from. So Vegas it’s!
You may possible land a Harry Reid Worldwide Airport in Vegas within the morning. (I like to recommend planning your journey this technique to maximize your time! If you are going to get in late at evening, you might need to plan at the very least one evening in Vegas, and choose up your rental automobile on the morning you intend to start out your street journey.)
You *can* choose up your rental automobile on the airport rental automobile middle, however you may as well choose up a automobile elsewhere in Vegas to avoid wasting cash.
Must hire a automobile for this street journey? There is no scarcity of rental automobile choices in Las Vegas. Needless to say you may have the ability to lower your expenses by choosing up from a location that is NOT on the airport. I take advantage of Uncover Vehicles to match automobile rental costs within the US. Seek for rental vehicles right here.
After which it is time to get out of Vegas! When you’ve by no means been to Las Vegas earlier than, you may undoubtedly add on an additional day or two to be able to absolutely expertise it, however for now it is time to make for Utah.
The drive from Vegas to Zion Nationwide Park in Utah takes nearly 2.5 hours.
You possibly can make straight for Zion, or you may make a short detour to Valley of Fireplace State Park. Valley of Fireplace is simply off I-15 (which you will be driving on anyway), and is an unbelievable park full of crimson rock formations. Enjoyable truth: It was Nevada’s very first state park.
Even should you simply have an hour or two, you may drive the epic White Domes Street and hike out to the Fireplace Wave – it makes for a superb introduction to the Southwest.
RELATED: Visiting the Valley of Fireplace in One Day
Valley of Fireplace is an hour outdoors of Vegas, and Zion Nationwide Park is one other 2 hours past that.
You possibly can decide to remain in St. George (nearer to Vegas) as a base for Zion, however I personally suggest the small city of Springdale, because it’s way more central and higher for getting into the park early on Day 2.
When you skip Valley of Fireplace, you may go to Zion within the afternoon/early night tonight. Or, do what we did and discover Springdale a bit earlier than getting an early evening to prep for mountaineering in Zion on Day 2!
Complete driving time: 2.5-3.5 hours (3.5 should you decide to cease at Valley of Fireplace)
Charges: $15 Valley of Fireplace entry (for non-NV automobiles); $35 Zion entry by automobile, $20 Zion entry should you take a shuttle from Springdale (should you resolve to go to at the moment)
The place to remain: I like the La Quinta Inn & Suites at Zion Park/Springdale. The resort has improbable mountain views, comes with free breakfast (full with contemporary waffles!), and is simply minutes away from a shuttle cease that can take you into Zion without spending a dime – which is nice throughout busy occasions since you will not have to fret in regards to the parking zone being full. (Learn critiques on TripAdvisor | Ebook right here)
One other good resort possibility is Springhill Suites by Marriott, or you may guide a cute cottage at Crimson Rock Inn Cottages.
If a trip rental is extra your velocity, you may attempt this townhouse in Springdale (nice for households), or this historic cottage.
The place to eat: We hit up Oscar’s Cafe (inside strolling distance from our resort) for scrumptious burritos.
Day 2: Zion Nationwide Park
Get up early to catch the free shuttle from Springdale into Zion Nationwide Park, the primary of the Mighty 5 nationwide parks you will go to on this street journey. From March by means of early autumn, no personal automobiles are allowed to make use of the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive, so you will want to choose up one other shuttle on the Guests Heart to be able to head additional into the park.
(When you’re doing this journey in winter, then you definitely may have the ability to drive your individual automobile into Zion and thru Zion Canyon. Verify for shuttle information right here.)
What you resolve to do together with your day in Zion actually will depend on your pursuits, the make-up of your group, and whether or not you are up for any intense mountaineering or not.
Professional tip: You completely will need to get your self a Nationwide Parks Go for this journey. They price $80 and are good for one 12 months (you should buy them on-line, or on the first Nationwide Park website you go to). You may save a lot of cash on this journey (doubtlessly greater than $100!) when you’ve got one!
Zion is thought for its rust-red mountains, winding canyons, and epic hikes. The preferred hikes in Zion are Angels Touchdown* and The Narrows, each intense hikes that ought to solely be tried if climate circumstances are good. (The Rangers on the Guests Heart can let you already know about incoming climate and path closures.)
*Notice that allows are actually required to hike to the highest of Angels Touchdown. You’ll be able to apply for a mountaineering allow throughout 4 totally different seasonal lotteries, or in a day-before lottery. Permits price $6, and certain will promote out. You’ll NOT have the ability to hike past Scout Lookout and not using a allow. Discover extra information on how you can get an Angels Touchdown mountaineering allow right here.
Elliot and I tackled Angels Touchdown early within the morning, which is a 5.4-mile hike that features a 1500-foot elevation acquire and half a mile of utilizing anchored chains to drag your self up alongside a slender backbone of rock.
It is NOT a simple hike, however is without doubt one of the most iconic within the Southwest – and we did not remorse doing it.
RELATED: I Hiked to Angels Touchdown and Did not Die!
Angels Touchdown took us about 4 hours to finish, which means we had time within the afternoon to journey the shuttle round the remainder of the park and do a shorter hike (we selected the straightforward Decrease Emerald Pool Path that begins at Zion Lodge) earlier than having a soothing night in Springdale.
When you resolve to do The Narrows, that hike will take you nearly all day.
If, then again, you resolve the strenuous hikes aren’t actually for you, take a look at the straightforward and average hikes on Zion’s mountaineering information. There are loads to select from that vary anyplace from half-hour to five hours to finish, all with nice Zion views.
Some not-as-difficult hikes inside Zion Canyon embrace the Pa’rus Path, Riverside Stroll, and the Decrease Emerald Pool Path that I discussed above.
You possibly can additionally go for a non-hiking exercise in Zion like renting a motorcycle, or simply using the shuttles to totally different view factors within the park.
RELATED: 5 Issues to Do in Zion Nationwide Park That Do not Contain Climbing
Day 3: Zion to Bryce Canyon
Head out of Zion on Day 3 by way of the Mount Carmel Freeway (the stretch of Route 9 between Zion’s entrance and Freeway 89), which incorporates some nice surroundings and a 1.1-mile-long tunnel. Maintain a watch out for bighorn sheep – but when you are going to pull over for pictures, ensure you do it at designated pull-out spots!
If you wish to slot in one other epic (however a lot less-strenuous) hike, you will be driving by the Canyon Overlook Path. There is a very tiny parking space on the trailhead, however should you get an early begin you must have the ability to park and do that mile-long hike.
The drive from Zion to Bryce Canyon Nationwide Park solely takes about 1 hour and 20 minutes, which means you will have loads of time for picture stops and no must rush.
When you get to Bryce Canyon, head straight into the park for some sightseeing! Bryce Canyon has some good mountaineering trails, too, although it is higher recognized for its 18 mile scenic drive and lookout factors like Inspiration Level, Pure Bridge, and Rainbow Level.
I like to recommend driving all the way in which out to Rainbow Level first, after which working your manner again to the park entrance, stopping in any respect the viewpoints alongside the way in which. If you get to Sundown Level, take the 1-mile rim path to Dawn Level for a few of my favourite views.
Bear in mind, although, that Bryce is at the next elevation – heat layers are a should! (Elliot and I visited in mid-April, and there was nonetheless some snow left over at a number of the lookout factors!)
Complete driving time: 1.5 hours
Charges: $35 Bryce entry (or free with Nationwide Parks Go)
The place to remain: There are only a few choices with regards to resorts proper close to the doorway to Bryce Canyon Nationwide Park. We stayed on the Greatest Western PLUS Bryce Canyon Grand Resort (Learn critiques on TripAdvisor | Ebook right here), although Ruby’s Inn proper throughout the road can also be in style.
The place to eat: We visited Bryce in April, which remains to be kind of low season on this a part of Utah. Due to that, many issues have been nonetheless closed for the winter. We ended up having dinner at Ruby’s Inn (they’ve a good buffet) and choosing up some snacks at their basic retailer since nothing else was open.
Day 4: Bryce to Moab by way of Goblin Valley
We took Day 3 off from mountaineering, however there’s one hike undoubtedly price doing at Bryce Canyon: the Navajo Loop Path. This path will take you down into the canyon, proper amongst all of the orange hoodoos.
The hike begins at Sundown Level, and may be joined up with the Queen’s Backyard Tail to finish at Dawn Level.
We tackled this hike on a foggy, moist morning, and it took us about 2 hours to finish. It makes an important morning hike earlier than you set off on the street once more, although you may in all probability do it on Day 3, too, should you’re not too sore after Zion.
RELATED: A Foggy, Soggy Morning of Climbing at Bryce Canyon
After the hike, it is time to pack up and head additional east. Your vacation spot for the evening is Moab, Utah, however I like to recommend making a detour on the way in which to Goblin Valley State Park.
There are two methods to get from Bryce Canyon to Goblin Valley, however we opted to take Route 12, which takes you thru Escalante and meets up with Route 24 so you may briefly drive by means of Capitol Reef Nationwide Park.
On the way in which, take into account stopping for lunch at Kiva Koffeehouse, which is a brilliant cool cafe inside Escalante Grand Staircase Nationwide Monument (about 1.5 hours from Bryce). They serve up selfmade soups, breads, and pastries, and now have a full espresso bar – an ideal lunch break amid some typical Utah surroundings.
You *might* spend a while in Capitol Reef Nationwide Park, however we opted to go to Goblin Valley as an alternative because it’s a spot far fewer individuals appear to learn about.
Wish to prolong this street journey? Then and an additional evening right here so you may spend a day exploring Capitol Reef Nationwide Park, too! You’ll be able to keep on the Capitol Reef Resort.
You may get to Goblin Valley within the afternoon, and may spend an hour or so exploring The Valley of Goblins. This can be a massive space full of quick, squat hoodoos which were dubbed “goblins.” Even by means of Bryce can also be recognized for its hoodoos, those in Goblin Valley are totally totally different.
From Goblin Valley, it is one other hour and a half to Moab, the place you may base your self for the subsequent couple of nights.
Complete driving time: 5.5-6 hours
Charges: $20 Capitol Reef entry OR $20 Goblin Valley State Park entry
The place to remain: Elliot and I stayed in a cute condominium rental in Moab (like this one), however there are additionally loads of resorts and motels on the town (together with a lot of eating places) to select from. Try the La Quinta Inn and Suites Moab, or the Vacation Inn Specific Moab.
Different cool trip leases within the space embrace this Adobe dwelling with a scorching tub and unbelievable views, and this 3-bedroom home that is proper within the middle of Moab.
The place to eat: Seize dinner at Moab Brewery, touted because the city’s largest restaurant and solely microbrewery. They’ve a bunch of beers to select from (largely ales and IPAs), and even brew their very own root beer in-house.
Day 5: Canyonlands Nationwide Park
Canyonlands Nationwide Park tends to get missed by guests to this a part of Utah as a result of Arches can also be so near Moab. However I firmly consider you must dedicate a full day to every park.
Canyonlands really has two foremost sections of park – Island within the Sky and The Needles – that are about 60 miles aside. The Needles is extra suited to hikers, so I like to recommend spending your day at Island within the Sky to combine in sightseeing with a little bit mountaineering.
This part of Canyonlands is simply about 45 minutes from Moab.
Begin out your morning with a go to to Mesa Arch. Many photographers will get right here earlier than dawn to be able to watch the arch be lit by the primary orange glow of morning, nevertheless it’s a lot much less crowded should you go to barely later within the day.
From there, drive to the viewpoints at Grand View Level and the Inexperienced River Overlook. Elliot and I additionally did the quick hike out to Upheaval Dome, which is a pleasant possibility if you wish to get your legs shifting.
In your manner again to Moab, be sure you cease at Useless Horse Level State Park, which gives up dramatic overlooks of the Colorado River and Canyonlands Nationwide Park. (Sure, it is an additional payment, nevertheless it actually is price it!)
Day 6: Arches Nationwide Park
Positioned even nearer to Moab (solely quarter-hour from city), Arches Nationwide Park is actually the star on this a part of Utah. And for good cause: the park has greater than 2,000 pure stone arches, together with pinnacles, cliffs, and balanced rocks all in an excellent orange-red hue.
When you’ve by no means been earlier than, you will undoubtedly need to dedicate a full day to this park.*
*Notice that Arches Nationwide Park now requires timed park entry by reservation to be able to assist alleviate congestion within the park between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. You may want to order a timed entry slot from April 1-July 6 and August 28-October 31 in 2025. Reservations price $2 and are being launched as much as 6 months upfront. Be taught extra and reserve your entry time right here.
After you have your entry time, I’d spend the primary a part of your day driving the 18-mile-long scenic street by means of the park, stopping off at a number of the viewpoints and shorter walks out to the arches. Park Avenue, Balanced Rock, the Home windows Part, and Double Arch could be my high picks.
Elliot and I left the park and went again into city for lunch and acquired take-away sandwiches for a picnic dinner, and that is nonetheless be potential even with the timed entry system (presently you should enter the park for the primary time throughout your designated time slot, however can then exit and re-enter the park all through the day if you would like).
You possibly can additionally pack lunch and dinner and simply keep contained in the park the entire day – simply keep in mind to pack loads of water, too!
I like to recommend ending your day at Arches with probably the most iconic hike within the park: the hike to Delicate Arch, probably the most well-known arch within the park and the image of the state of Utah. Most individuals deal with this hike at sundown, when the setting solar paints the 65-foot arch an unbelievable rusty orange colour.
The hike is hard going up, so permit your self 1-1.5 hours to succeed in the arch in time for sundown. We acquired there about an hour early and loved a little bit picnic as we watched the solar go down.
RELATED: Iconic Utah: A Sundown Hike to Delicate Arch
Complete driving time: Perhaps 2-3 hours (together with driving within the park)
Charges: $30 Arches entry (or free with Nationwide Parks Go)
The place to remain: Once more, Elliot and I stayed in a cute condominium rental in Moab (like this one), however there are additionally loads of resorts and motels on the town (together with a lot of eating places) to select from. Try the La Quinta Inn and Suites Moab, or the Vacation Inn Specific Moab.
Different cool trip leases within the space embrace this Adobe dwelling with a scorching tub and unbelievable views, and this 3-bedroom home that is proper within the middle of Moab.
The place to eat: We acquired our picnic sandwiches from Candy Cravings Bakery & Bistro.
Day 7: Moab to Web page, AZ by way of Monument Valley
After almost every week of exploring Utah’s nationwide parks, it is time to wave goodbye on Day 7. As we speak you will be crossing over into Arizona – however the nice surroundings will solely proceed!
Your vacation spot at the moment would be the city of Web page, Arizona, however I’d be a horrible journey blogger and terrible Southwest superfan if I did not insist that you simply cease at Monument Valley alongside the way in which.
Positioned on the Utah/Arizona border, Tsé Biiʼ Ndzisgaii (Monument Valley) is a Diné (Navajo) Tribal Park famend for its towering sandstone buttes. You might even acknowledge it from previous Western films, because it was a favourite filming location for administrators like John Ford.
Monument Valley is a 2.5-hour drive from Moab, and I like to recommend reserving a guided tour of the valley. There is a 17-mile loop street that may be pushed in your personal automobile, however to actually admire this website, you should get into the backcountry – and you may solely do that on a tour.
When you arrive a bit early, you may take within the views from The View resort earlier than assembly up together with your tour information.
RELATED: Monument Valley: A Should-Go to within the Southwest
When you’re in search of good tour choices, listed below are a pair you may guide on-line upfront:
A Monument Valley backcountry tour is, for my part, the ONLY technique to really admire this place (and to pay respect to its Diné stewards, since many of the tour corporations listed below are Navajo-owned).
After your tour is over, you may drive the remaining two hours to Web page to reach simply round dinnertime.
Day 8: Web page, Arizona
Web page is a tiny little city that packs a giant punch. Not solely is it close to Lake Powell and the Glen Canyon Nationwide Recreation Space, nevertheless it’s additionally only a quick drive from Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon.
Begin your morning off with a go to to Horseshoe Bend. It is only a 10- or 15-minute drive out of your resort, and is without doubt one of the most Instagrammable locations you are more likely to go to within the Southwest.
A brief hike will take you from the parking space to an overlook 1,100 ft above the place the Colorado River makes a large bend by means of a deep canyon.
The hike to the lookout is not lengthy (solely about 3/4 of a mile), nevertheless it’s nearly totally sand, so preserve that in thoughts if you’re planning your time AND your footwear.
(Notice that the above pictures have been taken at Horseshoe Bend earlier than the brand new viewing platform was constructed; I didn’t hop any fences or limitations to take these pictures, as a result of these issues did not exist at this website till pretty just lately.)
Earlier than lunchtime, I like to recommend reserving a tour out to Higher Antelope Canyon. Antelope Canyon really has two sections (Higher and Decrease), nevertheless it’s the Higher canyon that has the well-known mild beams that you simply see in all of the pictures.
As a result of these canyons are positioned inside the Navajo Nation, you may ONLY go to Antelope Canyon as a part of a guided tour. Excursions of the Higher canyon throughout prime light-beam-viewing hours (often 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.) promote out shortly and may be crowded, even if you’re visiting in shoulder season. (Elliot and I went in April, and all of the images excursions and many of the noon excursions have been bought out weeks earlier than we even left.)
So guide far upfront should you actually need to go to Higher Antelope Canyon. (There are a number of native corporations to select from, and so they all run very comparable excursions.)
RELATED: Is Antelope Canyon Actually Value Visiting?
Spoiler alert: I DO suppose Antelope Canyon is price seeing, however simply bear in mind that you will be sharing the expertise with a number of different individuals.
(If the Higher Antelope Canyon excursions are bought out, you may nonetheless go to different slot canyons within the space like Decrease Antelope Canyon, Canyon X, and Cathedral Canyon.)
Antelope Canyon excursions to take a look at:
Within the night (or within the afternoon should you resolve to skip Antelope Canyon), you may take into account reserving a sundown cruise on close by Lake Powell, or possibly hire a kayak or standup paddleboard.
(Simply notice that should you go to Lake Powell, you will need to pay an entrance payment into the Glen Canyon Nationwide Recreation Space, too.)
Day 9: The Grand Canyon
When my sister and I did a Southwest street journey in the summertime of 2011, we visited the North Rim of the Grand Canyon from Web page. It is a a lot quieter expertise (solely 10% of tourists to the Grand Canyon go to the North Rim), however nonetheless simply as epic.
Nevertheless, when Elliot and I did our street journey in April, visiting the North Rim wasn’t an possibility because the solely street resulting in this a part of the Grand Canyon closes for the winter and is simply open from mid-Could by means of mid-October. For that cause, we determined to spend a day on the South Rim as an alternative.
(And if you wish to go to each the North Rim and South Rim of the Grand Canyon, I like to recommend including an additional evening in right here; in any other case it is simply an excessive amount of driving in in the future!)
It is really faster to succeed in the South Rim entrance to Grand Canyon Nationwide Park from Web page than it’s to succeed in the North Rim, so it labored out properly for us, timing-wise.
Begin out at Desert View on the east entrance to the Grand Canyon, and make your manner alongside Route 64, stopping in any respect the viewpoints on the way in which to Grand Canyon Village and the South Rim customer middle.
After testing the customer middle and close by Mather Level, you may hop on one of many free park shuttles that journey alongside the South Rim all through excessive season on the Grand Canyon. These shuttles are an important stress-free technique to entry trails, viewpoints, and different factors of curiosity, a few of that are solely accessible by bus.
You’ll be able to hop on and off the Crimson Route bus all afternoon, visiting wonderful lookouts like Maricopa Level, Mohave Level, The Abyss, Pima Level, and extra. You’ll be able to even do a brief hike between two of the shuttle stops alongside the Rim Path.
If you wish to catch an important sundown on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, Hopi Level is probably the most well-known spot, however you could find nice views at Yaki, Pima, and Yavapai Factors, too.
We then determined to drive to Flagstaff for the evening to be able to avoid wasting cash on a resort (it is NOT low cost to remain anyplace close to the Grand Canyon throughout many of the 12 months).
When you guide far sufficient forward, although (or should you’re touring within the low season), you could find a resort room within the small city of Tusayan, which is simply outdoors the South Entrance. (On my third journey to the Grand Canyon, that is the place I stayed, and it’s extremely handy to the park!)
Complete driving time: 4 hours
Charges: $35 Grand Canyon entry (or free with Nationwide Parks Go)
The place to remain: We stayed on the Sleep Inn in Flagstaff just because it was reasonably priced and handy. When you guide far sufficient upfront, I can even suggest the Squire Resort on the Grand Canyon in Tusayan, which has enjoyable issues like a bowling alley on-site and is nearer to the park.
Day 10: Drive again to Las Vegas
Day 10 is when our Southwest journey got here to an finish. The drive from Flagstaff again to Las Vegas is slightly below 4 hours, which means you may simply guide your flight dwelling within the afternoon/early night, which is what we did.
When you’re not planning to depart tonight, you may need to add on a cease at the Hoover Dam in your manner again.
In your manner again into Las Vegas, you may as well cease to see the roadside artwork attraction referred to as Seven Magic Mountains, simply off I-15. It is a free, fast picture cease.
Complete driving time: 4 hours
BONUS: Sedona, Arizona
When you have an additional day or two, take into account including in a cease in Sedona, Arizona, after you go to the Grand Canyon. It is lower than an hour south of Flagstaff and is a brilliant cool city in crimson rock nation.
My sister and I spent two nights in Sedona on our cross-country street journey, and we each beloved it. (And I’ve since been again within the winter, too, and it is simply as nice!)
Some issues to do in Sedona (particularly should you go to in the course of the heat summer time months) embrace: taking a Sedona Trolley tour, getting out into the crimson rocks on a Jeep tour, splashing round at Slide Rock State Park, visiting a vortex, and probably mountaineering in Crimson Rocks State Park.
Within the winter, you may nonetheless do some hikes, driving excursions, and spend time buying round Sedona (I actually just like the Tlaquepaque Arts & Crafts Village).
Charges: $20-$30 for trolley tour; $20-$30 per automobile Slide Rock entry; $7 per particular person Crimson Rocks entry
The place to remain: Try the Arabella Resort (mid-range), or the Amara Resort & Spa (luxurious). For leases, this dwelling with a courtyard and scorching tub is nice.
The place to eat: Get a sandwich at Sedona Reminiscences Bakery Cafe, or attempt some cactus fries on the Cowboy Membership Grille. The Elote Cafe can also be extremely really useful.
Do not forget that you would be able to get a printable model of this itinerary!
Southwest street journey ideas
Try my checklist of street journey ideas for ALL my tips for street tripping within the U.S.
However listed below are the information which are most essential for this journey within the Southwest:
- Purchase a Nationwide Parks Go. When you observed, this street journey itinerary has you visiting 5 or 6 nationwide parks, all of which cost a per-car entrance payment. It can save you some cash by getting a Nationwide Parks Go both earlier than you allow or if you arrive at Zion. The move prices $80, after which is sweet for a complete 12 months at any NPS-managed website. It is an important deal, and can prevent fairly a bit on this street journey alone.
- Ensure you have further water. Dehydration just isn’t a joke, and is usually a very actual menace should you’re touring out West in the course of the summer time. All the time have further water (pack a cooler or massive water jug in your trunk!), since you by no means know if you may want it. Most nationwide parks can have water bottle filling stations, however be sure you have a reusable water bottle (I like my Camelbak Chute) or a hydration pack with you – and refill at each alternative.
- Permit further time. I’ve estimated driving occasions, nevertheless it’s all the time finest to imagine drives will take you longer than Google Maps suggests. Picture stops, rest room stops, and detours to take a look at random issues will add extra time to any drive!
What to pack for a Southwest street journey
A few of this will depend on what time of 12 months you go; the Southwest can get extraordinarily scorching in the summertime, and fairly chilly within the winter. However typically, listed below are a few of my must-haves for this kind of street journey:
For extra street journey packing suggestions, head over to this put up: USA Street Journey Necessities: What to Pack for a US Street Journey
READ NEXT: 25 Issues to Do within the Southwest USA to Placed on Your Bucket Checklist
Have you ever ever street tripped within the American Southwest? What are your favourite stops?
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Amanda Williams is the award-winning blogger behind A Harmful Enterprise Journey Weblog. She has traveled to greater than 60 international locations on 6 continents from her dwelling base in Ohio, specializing in experiential and considerate journey by means of the US, Europe, and remainder of the world. Amanda solely shares ideas based mostly on her private experiences and locations she’s really traveled!