The American Southwest packs more jaw-dropping scenery into a road trip than almost anywhere on Earth. This 10-day loop starts and ends in Las Vegas and links the region's greatest hits — Zion, Bryce Canyon, Antelope Canyon, Monument Valley, the Grand Canyon, and Sedona.
It's a driving trip, so a rental car is essential. The distances are very manageable between stops, leaving plenty of time for hiking and sightseeing. Times below are approximate driving times between bases.
Spring (April–May) and autumn (September–October) are ideal — comfortable temperatures across the desert and parks. Summer brings extreme heat (especially at lower elevations), and winter can bring snow and closures at higher parks.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Arrive in Las Vegas
Fly into Las Vegas, pick up your rental car, and get oriented. Spend the evening on the Strip or rest up for the road trip ahead.
- ✓ Collect rental car
- ✓ Evening on the Las Vegas Strip
- ✓ Stock up on road-trip supplies
🛏 Where to stay: Las Vegas.
💡 Tip: Book a car with good fuel economy and check the rental's mileage policy for the long drives ahead.
Drive to Zion National Park
Drive about 2.5 hours to Zion (Utah). Spend the afternoon riding the park shuttle through the canyon and hiking an introductory trail like the Riverside Walk or the Emerald Pools.
- ✓ Zion Canyon shuttle ride
- ✓ Riverside Walk / Emerald Pools
- ✓ Sunset over the canyon walls
🛏 Where to stay: Springdale (Zion's gateway town).
💡 Tip: Zion uses a mandatory shuttle in peak season — park early or stay in Springdale and walk in.
Zion Hiking & on to Bryce
Tackle a bigger Zion hike in the morning (Angels Landing requires a permit; the Narrows is iconic), then drive about 1.5–2 hours to Bryce Canyon for sunset over its famous hoodoos.
- ✓ Morning hike in Zion
- ✓ Drive to Bryce Canyon
- ✓ Sunset Point over the hoodoos
🛏 Where to stay: Near Bryce Canyon.
💡 Tip: Bryce sits at high elevation (8,000+ ft) — it's much cooler than Zion, so pack layers.
Bryce Canyon & Drive to Page
Walk among the hoodoos on the Navajo Loop/Queen's Garden trail in the morning, then drive about 2.5 hours to Page, Arizona, gateway to Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend.
- ✓ Navajo Loop & Queen's Garden trail
- ✓ Drive to Page
- ✓ Sunset at Horseshoe Bend
🛏 Where to stay: Page.
💡 Tip: Book your Antelope Canyon tour (for the next day) well in advance — they sell out and require a Navajo guide.
Antelope Canyon & Monument Valley
Take a guided tour of the surreal slot canyons of Antelope Canyon in the morning, then drive about 2 hours to Monument Valley, the iconic landscape of countless Western films.
- ✓ Antelope Canyon guided tour
- ✓ Drive to Monument Valley
- ✓ Sunset over the mittens
🛏 Where to stay: Monument Valley area (The View Hotel or Kayenta).
💡 Tip: Upper Antelope Canyon has the famous light beams (midday); Lower is less crowded and great too.
Monument Valley to the Grand Canyon
Take the scenic valley drive at sunrise, then make the roughly 3-hour drive to the Grand Canyon's South Rim for your first look at one of the world's great natural wonders.
- ✓ Monument Valley scenic loop
- ✓ Drive to the Grand Canyon
- ✓ Sunset at Mather or Hopi Point
🛏 Where to stay: Grand Canyon Village or Tusayan.
💡 Tip: Book South Rim lodging far ahead, or stay in Tusayan just outside the park if it's full.
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Grand Canyon & Drive to Sedona
Spend the morning at the Grand Canyon — walk a stretch of the Rim Trail or descend partway on the Bright Angel Trail — then drive about 2 hours to the red rocks of Sedona.
- ✓ Grand Canyon Rim Trail or Bright Angel Trail
- ✓ Drive to Sedona via Oak Creek Canyon
- ✓ Sunset at Airport Mesa
🛏 Where to stay: Sedona.
💡 Tip: The drive down Oak Creek Canyon into Sedona is gorgeous — allow time to stop at the overlooks.
Explore Sedona
Spend a full day in Sedona's red-rock country. Hike a signature trail like Devil's Bridge or Cathedral Rock, browse the galleries of uptown, and soak in the famous sunsets.
- ✓ Devil's Bridge or Cathedral Rock hike
- ✓ Chapel of the Holy Cross
- ✓ Uptown Sedona galleries
🛏 Where to stay: Sedona (second night).
💡 Tip: Start hikes early — Sedona's trailhead parking fills fast and midday heat is intense.
Sedona to Las Vegas
Enjoy a final Sedona morning, then make the roughly 4.5-hour drive back toward Las Vegas, optionally stopping at the Hoover Dam on the way in.
- ✓ Final Sedona morning
- ✓ Drive back to Las Vegas
- ✓ Optional Hoover Dam stop
🛏 Where to stay: Las Vegas.
💡 Tip: Fill up the tank before returning the rental to avoid the steep refuelling fees.
Departure
Return your rental car and fly home, having looped through some of the most spectacular landscapes in the United States.
- ✓ Return rental car
- ✓ Departure from Las Vegas
💡 Tip: Allow plenty of time for rental return and airport security at McCarran/Harry Reid.
Budget & Practicalities
Essential — the trip is built around driving. Budget for ~1,200+ miles of fuel over the loop.
An "America the Beautiful" annual pass covers entry to all the national parks and pays for itself on this route.
Antelope Canyon requires a paid guided tour; budget for it and book ahead.
Tips for This Trip
- → Get the America the Beautiful national parks pass — it covers Zion, Bryce, and the Grand Canyon.
- → Book Antelope Canyon tours and in-park lodging well in advance.
- → Carry plenty of water and snacks — services are sparse between parks.
- → Watch for time-zone quirks: Arizona doesn't observe daylight saving time.
- → Start hikes early to beat heat and parking shortages.
What to Pack for Southwest USA
Hiking Shoes or Boots
Canyon and park trails
From Antelope Canyon to Zion's trails, you will be on rocky, uneven ground daily — supportive hiking shoes save your feet and ankles across the whole loop.
Check Price on AmazonA Hydration Backpack
Desert hikes
The desert dries you out fast and shade is rare — a hydration pack keeps water on your back and hands free for the Grand Canyon and Zion hikes.
Check Price on AmazonA Packable Sun Hat
Open-sun viewpoints
Hours in open desert sun add up — a wide-brim packable hat beats sunburn at every overlook and trailhead.
Check Price on AmazonA Car Cooler
Long road-trip legs
On the long drives between parks, a cooler keeps water and snacks cold so you skip pricey, sparse gas-station stops in the desert.
Check Price on AmazonFrequently Asked Questions
Ten days is ideal for the classic loop from Las Vegas through Zion, Bryce Canyon, Antelope Canyon, Monument Valley, the Grand Canyon, and Sedona. You can do a shorter version in 5–7 days by cutting some stops, or extend to two weeks to add Arches and Canyonlands.