The Best 14-Day Southwest Road Trip Itinerary

A tour of the South Western States is an American road trip like no other. The scenery includes iconic locations and incredible landscapes that will have you reaching for your camera at every turn.

If you love big open spaces and exploring the great outdoors, then you’ll love a southwest road trip!

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The Great American Southwest

The American Southwest is a broad term covering Southern Nevada, Southern California, Arizona, Utah and New Mexico. To cover all of these areas in one trip would take a several weeks or even months, so I would recommend breaking it down into smaller sections.

I’ve spent a lot of time exploring this beautiful area over the years. I’ve run four overland tours from Mexico to Alaska, worked on conservation projects in the Southwestern National Parks and have enjoyed a few of my own road trips through these vast landscapes.

The result?

This epic 14 day itinerary which showcases the best of what the southwest has to offer. This itinerary involves a good amount of hiking so it’s physically quite demanding, however these hikes can be adjusted to suit your own fitness levels.

For this trip I recommend either car camping or using an RV/ campervan. For a complete, printable car camping packing list, see this article. Camping is by far, the best way to complete a south west road trip on a budget.

I would also recommend buying an Annual National Parks Pass as this will work out more economical than paying for each National Park individually. State Parks and Tribal Land entries will be additional costs.

A southwest road trip is an American road trip like no other

Southwest Road Trip Map

To make your road trip easy to navigate I have pinned all the stops on this itinerary. Red pins indicate overnight stops and blue pins indicate hikes and photo stops.

14 Day Southwest Road Trip Itinerary

This two-week itinerary is based on the Grand Circle loop but with a few extras thrown in. On this adventurous south west USA road trip you will visit no less than 8 National Parks, 3 State Parks, 2 Tribal Reservations and 1 National Monument. Phew!

Before you set off be sure to check out these top tips for enjoying a US road trip. Now saddle up and get ready to enjoy an epic road trip around the American Wild West!

  • Day 1 – Arrive in Las Vegas
  • Day 2 – Drive to the Valley of Fire State Park or directly to Zion and hikes the Narrows
  • Day 3 – Hike Angels Landing or Observation Point
  • Day 4 – Drive to Bryce Canyon and spend the day exploring. Stay in Kodachrome basin state park
  • Day 5 – Drive to peek-a-boo slot canyon or to Lower Calf Creek Falls, then onto Capitol reef National Park for the afternoon
  • Day 6 – Drive to Moab and visit Arches National Park
  • Day 7 – Visit Canyonlands National Park and enjoy sunset at Dead Horse State Park.
  • Day 8 – Morning activities in Moab then drive to Monument Valley to join an afternoon tour
  • Day 9 – Drive to Page for an afternoon tour of Antelope Canyon. Take a short walk to enjoy sunset at Horseshoe Bend
  • Day 10 – Relax at Lake Powell 
  • Day 11 – Drive to Grand Canyon and explore south rim
  • Day 12 – Take an early flight over the Grand Canyon, then explore a Lava river tube before spending the night at Flagstaff
  • Day 13 – Drive to Petrified Forest National Park to explore with the option to wild camp in the Badlands. Alternatively spend the night in Winslow
  • Day 14 – Drive back to Las Vegas taking a detour along Route 66 and stopping to see Hoover dam

Top Tip: Much of the land in Arizona and Utah is run by the Bureau of Land Management. This is public land which means it’s free to wild camp, (called dispersed camping) as long as you leave the land as you found it and don’t adversely affect it in any way.

Coleman Steel Creek Fast Pitch Dome Tent with Screen Room, 6-Person, White, 10′ x 9′
  • 6-person dome tent features a separate screen room for insect-less lounging and extra sleeping space
  • Fast Pitch tent design sets up in about 7 minutes
  • WeatherTec system and rainfly keep tent interior dry and comfortable
  • Durable Polyguard fabric and strong frame designed to last season after season
  • Measures 10 x 9 feet with 10- x 5-foot screen room; accommodates 2 queen-sized airbeds

I love this style of quick-erect tent as they’re so much easier to put up at the end of a busy day. They are ideal for wild camping.

Day 1

Spend the first day of your southwestern road trip exploring Las Vegas. Even if you’re not interested in gambling, it’s still worth spending at least a day here to explore the craziness of this impossible desert city.

I strongly recommend watching a Cirque du Soleil show, catching the fountain show outside the Bellagio and enjoying views of the strip from the top of the Eiffel Tower.

Top tip: If you’re renting a car in Vegas it’s worth comparing rental prices at the airport versus the strip. Car rentals are often cheaper at airports. Click here to check prices.

Las Vegas is the first stop on a  southwest road trip of the USA
Bellagio Fountains from the Eiffel Tower

There are so many places to stay in Vegas but a solid budget right in the centre of the strip option is the Rio. I’ve stayed here multiple times.

Booking.com

Day 2

The first stop out of Sin City is the Martian-like landscape of the Valley of Fire. There are several options for great short hikes here such as Fire Wave and Elephant Rock.

Alternatively, if you want more time to explore Zion National Park then drive 2.5 hours directly to Zion. 

Zion operates a shuttle bus only system in the valley, so park up at your camping spot first before heading out for the afternoon. A good hiking option for today is the Narrows. This huge gorge offers welcome relief from the heat of the valley and is a fun walk through the beautiful water filled canyon.

River shoes are a must for this hike so be prepared and pick some up before you go. Alternatively, basic river shoes are sold near the entrance to Zion NP.

The Valley of Fire

Day 3

Today there is a full day today to explore more of what Zion has to offer. The iconic hike in Zion is Angel’s Landing. This is a relatively short but steep hike along very exposed cliff edges. 

Metal ropes guide hikers along a narrow trail with 1000ft drops either side. The views from the end point, Angel’s Landing, are definitely worth it but if you aren’t comfortable with heights I wouldn’t recommend this hike.

A great alternative with equally impressive views is Observation Point. This hike is longer and climbs higher to a point that overlooks the whole valley, including Angel’s Landing. As an overall hike I actually prefer this one as it offers more varied views throughout the hike.

In the afternoon cool off with a dip in the river or explore the Narrows if you didn’t do so yesterday. 

The view of Zion Valley from Observation Point

If you love these southwest national parks, you’ll love the national parks of the west coast

Day 4

This morning, drive the short 1.5 hours to Bryce Canyon. There are several scenic/photo stops along this drive out from Zion and it also includes an epic drive through the tunnel cut straight out from the cliff-side.

Once at Bryce drive to sunset point to enjoy panoramic views of some of the most crazy rock formations you will ever witness. These eroded rock pinnacles are very unique and the best example of hoodoos I’ve ever seen. (Although Cappadocia in Turkey is a very close contender!)

Be sure to hike down into the canyon to fully appreciate the hoodoos. A top 3 mile hike is the Queen’s Garden/Navajo Loop combination. You could easily spend more time in this area, so check out this post if you want to  explore more of Bryce Canyon.

A great option for camping tonight is at the largely overlooked Kodachrome Basin State Park, which is a 30 minute drive from Bryce. If you have the energy for another walk, try Angel’s Palace Trail and enjoy the red and orange glow of the rock in the soft evening light. For an easy stroll try Kodachrome Nature Trail.

Bryce Canyon

Day 5

There are two great options for this morning depending on which activity you prefer – a scramble through a slot canyon or a hike to a waterfall. Both are super fun ways to explore Escalante National Monument. 

The first option is to drive 1 hour to Escalante. Check in at the information centre to make sure the weather forecast is good, as flash flooding is a serious danger in the slot canyons.

From there, pull off highway 12 and take the gravel, Hole-In-The-Rock Road to the start of the trailhead. This road is rough but ok for regular vehicles as long as it’s dry.

Peek-a-boo and Spooky Gulch are two slot canyons which can be linked together to form a 3 mile loop. You don’t need technical gear or knowledge but you will need decent navigational and scrambling skills. Some of the holes are quite tight to squeeze through also.

The other option for this morning is to drive from Kodachrome for 1.15 hours to the trailhead for Lower Calf Creek. This 6 miles round hike is quite popular as the reward is a beautiful 126 ft waterfall to swim under.

In the afternoon continue along Highway 12 (seriously epic scenery along this highway!) and then 24 to Capitol Reef National Park. There are a variety of hikes to choose from depending on your needs but be sure to reward yourself with a delicious fruit pie at the end of the day!

Fun Tip: In Escalante there is a chalkboard where you can leave your own uplifting message for others to enjoy 🙂

Day 6

This morning there is a short 2 hour drive towards the adventure playground of Moab, where you will be based for 2 nights. If you’re feeling energetic you could squeeze in a visit to Goblin Valley State Park for some short walks.

Otherwise, drive straight to Arches National Park where you can spend most of the day exploring this popular park. 

Highlights include the Windows Arch area, Landscape Arch and Utah’s most iconic arch, Delicate Arch. The hike to delicate arch is quite a steep 3 mile round trip. It’s a great hike to do at sunset.

Another option for sunset is one of my all time favourite things to do in Moab – a sunset Hummer Tour. Bumbling around the unbelievably grippy sandstone in one of these impressive machines is a seriously fun way to explore this area.

Delicate Arch is an icon of the American Southwest

Day 7

Today is the halfway point on this southwest USA road trip and there’s still so much more to see!

There’s another awesome Utah National Park located in close proximity to Moab which is Canyonlands National Park. Canyonlands is split up into several areas which need multiple days to be fully explored. The easiest and perhaps best area (at least for panoramic views) is the Islands in the Sky district.

If you’re an early riser, venture first to Mesa arch to enjoy sunrise with the photographers. Spend the rest of the day enjoying a series of short hikes along the scenic drive. These include whale rock, upheaval dome and the absolute must-do, Grand View-Point Overlook.

A great place to enjoy sunset tonight is at Dead Horse State Park, which is located near the entrance to Islands in the Sky.

After you’re finished be sure to head to Moab Brewery to enjoy some well-earned craft beer.

Grand View-Point Overlook in Canyonlands NP

Day 8

Take this morning to further enjoy some of  the activities on offer in Moab such as Mountain biking, rafting or canyoneering. There are so many things to do in Moab I definitely recommend spending more time here, especially if you’re an adrenaline junkie!

For a full list of things to do in Moab, take a look at this post.

After lunch drive 2.5 hours to another icon of the American Southwest, Monument Valley. En-route be sure to stop at Mexican Hat rock and then Forest Gump Hill for those awesome insta-worthy photographs.

On my first visit to Monument Valley I simply admired the buttes from the Visitor Centre Area, however in subsequent visits I enjoyed overnight tours down into the valley.

Spending a night sleeping under the stars and watching sunrise from within the valley is an experience that’s hard to beat. These are a big expense if you’re on a tight budget but I guarantee you won’t be disappointed. 

For a full description on what to expect on a visit to Monument Valley, click here!

Monument Valley is a highlight of any  southwest road trip itinerary
View of Monument Valley from Forest Gump Hill

Day 9

After a magical night in Monument Valley there’s no rest as you head towards another incredibly photogenic location. Drive 2 hours to Page and take a tour of the magnificent Antelope Canyon.

To visit Antelope Canyon you must take a tour as it’s on Navajo Land and I  recommend booking a tour well in advance to avoid disappointment. Be warned these tours are always busy and be prepared to be ushered along like a cattle, however it’s definitely worth it.

In the evening take the short drive out of town to enjoy sunset at another epic location, Horseshoe Bend. It’s a short walk from the car park to the viewpoint and arrive early to get a prime spot for that picture-perfect photo.

Top tip: A wide angle or fish eye lens is needed to fit the whole horseshoe in.

Horseshoe Bend is a must-see on a southwest road trip itinerary
The fish eye lens on a GoPro is perfect for capturing the whole of Horseshoe Bend
Mesmerising Antelope Canyon

Day 10

After 9 action-packed days on this American southwest road trip, it’s time to relax a little bit with a day on Lake Powell. Lake Powell is a man made lake and is under the protection of the Glen Canyon Recreation Area.

Take a trip to the visitor centre to learn about Glen Canyon Dam and then head to the lake for a refreshing swim. Or if you can’t get enough of those natural arches, take a boat trip to Rainbow Bridge.

The arid landscape around Lake Powell is a unique landscape on an American Southwest Road Trip

Day 11

Today it’s time to visit the most famous destination on this southwest road trip. No road trip around the American south west would be complete without a visit to the Grand Canyon.

From Page drive 3 hours to the South Rim. A shuttle bus service runs along the length of the south rim allowing you to hop on and off along the various view points.

Hiking into the canyon is a great way to appreciate the geology of the canyon, although on this itinerary there isn’t sufficient time to hike to the very bottom. To escape the crowds hike the South Kaibab Trail and to really escape the crowds hike Hermit’s Trail.

If you’re interested in hiking to the bottom of the Grand Canyon, take a look at this guide where I explain how to get camping permits and provide a hiking itinerary.

The Grand Canyon is the most famous stop on an American southwest road trip
View from inside the Grand Canyon which is a must-visit destination on any Southwest Road Trip

Day 12

If the purse strings allow take an early morning scenic flight over the Grand Canyon. It’s the only way to truly appreciate the vastness of the canyon. Again booking in advance is essential if you have a tight schedule.

After you’ve gotten over the thrill of the helicopter ride, drive towards Flagstaff but branch off the 180 onto Forestry Road 245. Follow the signs to the Lava River Cave. This old lava tube stretches for 1 mile and makes for a fun side trip before reaching Flagstaff.

Take the afternoon to wander around historic Flagstaff sneaking down alleyways to spot the brightly coloured murals. Flagstaff has plenty of options for a fun night, as there’s often live music on offer.

Downtown Flagstaff

Day 13

There’s one more National Park to visit before this Southwest US road trip is through, one which is often overlooked. Petrified Forest National Park is less than 2 hours from Flagstaff and has many short hikes available. Crystal Forest, Giant Logs and Long Logs all offer great opportunities to learn about and view petrified wood, whilst Blue Mesa trail explores the Badland hills.

Petrified Forest has some excellent backcountry hiking and permits are easy to obtain, even on short notice as I once did. If you really want to get off the beaten track, get a backcountry permit and head into the badlands for a night of wild camping!

Alternatively drive to Winslow and spend the night there.

Badlands at Petrified Forest NP, AZ

Day 14

This may be the last day of your Southwestern US road trip but there’s still lots to fit in. If you camped in Petrified Forest last night make a quick stop in Winslow and get your photo taken on the famous corner. (If you’re an Eagles fan, you’ll know what I mean!)

Then drive back towards Las Vegas. Branch off the Highway at Seligman to cruise a section of the famed Route 66. Stop in Seligman to buy some Route 66 souvenirs and grab a shake from Delgadillo’s Snow Cap. Stop in Kingsman to eat lunch at a Route 66 Classic Diner.

Rejoin the Highway and drive onto Hoover Dam. There is a strict security check to drive over Hoover Dam but you can drive over it and once over the other side there is free parking.

There’s a $10 fee to enter the Visitor’s Centre as this is not covered by the National Park Pass. It is also possible to park next to the security check point and walk up onto the bypass bridge for views over the dam.

Finally, from the Dam it’s around a 1 hour drive back to Las Vegas and the end of this epic south west road trip.

Cruise along Route 66 on your American Southwest road trip
Quirky Seligman on Route 66, is a fun stop on your US south-west road trip

Itinerary Extras

If you have more time to explore there are a few extras that could be added to this itinerary. These are seriously dreamy locations which require advanced planned and/or a good amount of luck. 

The Wave

This Instagram-heaven landscape requires a permit in order to visit. Only 20 permits are issued every day. 10 from walk-ins at the Grand Escalante Visitor Centre in Kanab and 10 from booking online, both via a lottery system. Doors open at 9am so it’s best to get there early!

Havasupai Indian Reservation

This is where you can find the majestic Havasu Falls. To visit this dream bucket-list spot you need to make a reservation, usually 1 year in advance and only 3 night packages are sold. Bookings open in February.

Havasu Falls

The Best Time for a Southwest Road Trip

I’ve typically travelled around the southwest in the spring and summer months. The summer months will be the busiest time to travel which means RV parks and campsites get booked up fast. In the summer, temperatures can be uncomfortably hot in some places and can make hiking really unpleasant. However, days will be long and evenings will be warm.

In the spring and fall, days will be warm and enjoyable although the nights can be cold, especially in higher elevation areas like the Grand Canyon and Bryce Canyon. The National Parks will be a little quieter out of school holidays and campsites will not be so full. 

If you love colder temperatures and snowy adventures you could do this trip in winter, but you’ll need to be fully prepared with all the right gear. Discover all the best national parks to visit during winter in this guide.

Taking everything I’ve said above into consideration, my favourite month to do a South West Road Trip in the US is May.

Essential Items for your Road Trip

A good quality camera to capture the beautiful landscapes. I use a Sony A6400 as it’s light and compact.

Sale
Sony Alpha 6400 | APS-C Mirrorless Camera with Sony 16-50 mm f/3.5-5.6 Power Zoom Lens
  • FAST AND PRECISE AUTOFOCUS: rely on 0.02s AF, Real Time tracking and Eye AF (human/animal) to keep your subject sharp in any situation.
  • PERFECT FOR VIDEO CREATORS: High resolution 4K HDR movie recording and Full HD slow motion feature (120p) with autofocus.
  • NEVER MISS A MOMENT: Up to 11fps with Autofocus.
  • CAPTURE CREATIVE ANGLES: easily frame up your subject when shooting from low or high angles with the tilting touch monitor.
  • IDEAL FOR: starters and advanced users who wants a compact everyday lens (Sony 16-50mm) and an additional zoom (Sony 55-210mm) to capture sports and nature.

A good pair of hiking shoes. Boots are too hot and bulky for most of these trails so I prefer a lightweight trail shoe.

Salomon X Ultra Pioneer Aero Women’s Hiking Shoes, Secure Foothold, Stable & Cushioned, and Extra…
  • Secure foothold : the reinforced sensifit construction holds your foot comfortably in place, especially on those tough downhills
  • Stable and cushioned : surrounded by foam cushioning for comfort, the advanced chassis connects directly to the sole to stabilize your heel
  • Extra grip : we packed in two different types of rubber and a patterned heel area to grab the ground, giving you more control in the wet and mud

Plenty of sunscreen to protect yourself from the strong desert sun. I like this organic, ocean-friendly sunscreen from Green People.

Sale
Green People Scent Free Sun Cream SPF30 200ml | Natural, Organic Sunscreen | Eczema Friendly,…
  • NATURAL & ORGANIC sun cream provides broad-spectrum UVA & UVB sun protection whilst being gentle on skin. High factor SPF30 sunscreen to protect against 97% of UVB rays. Safe, non-toxic UV filters….
  • Use by date: This product’s use by date is determined by the Period After Opening symbol (symbol is marked by a box with a numerical number followed by letter M for months). The symbol denotes that…
  • EASY TO APPLY, NON-GREASY formula allows smooth application with quick absorption. Sinks in quickly without leaving whiteness. Breathable, silicone-free formula is water repellent and suitable for…
  • ALOE VERA, GREEN TEA & EDELWEISS naturally nourish and protect skin. Moisture-retaining for a longer-lasting tan and rich in antioxidants to protect skin from free radical damage. Protective Myrrh…
  • REEF SAFE & CRUELTY FREE ingredients mean you can enjoy beach holidays safely whilst being kind to the ocean and marine life. 20p per sale of this product is donated to the charity the Marine…

A filtering water bottle so that you can always have safe drinking water. Staying hydrated is a vital in the desert areas. Discover the best filtering water bottles for travel and hiking in this handy guide!

WATER TO GO Active BPA-free reusable water purifier sports bottle with leakproof filter – perfect…
  • PURIFIES WATER: water filter bottle transforms dirty water to pure water in seconds. Ideal for cyclists. mountain bikers and athletes
  • NEW LEAK-PROOF LID: new 2020 lid design is guaranteed not to leak, comes with a money-back guarantee
  • ELIMINATES UP TO 99.9999% OF CONTAMINANTS: including viruses, bacteria, parasitic protozoa, chemicals, heavy metals and microplastics
  • SINGLE HAND USE: Squeeze bottle with one-hand flip-cap action for fast drinking water on the go
  • SIMPLE AND FAST:  Just scoop, replace lid and drink. Pure water in seconds.  No waiting. No plunging. No iodine. No chemicals. No batteries or UV light

US Southwestern Road Trip Summary

The American Southwest covers a vast area of land which requires many weeks to explore. However, on this 14 day road trip itinerary, it’s possible to visit the major highlights of Arizona and Utah.

The perfect way to enjoy this USA southwest road trip is through car camping or with the use of a campervan/RV. The best time of year to enjoy this itinerary is in Spring or Fall.

I hope you enjoy this epic area as much as I have!

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Louise

Louise is a Mountain Leader and Snowboard Instructor from South Wales. As a former Adventure Tour Leader she has spent the last 15 years travelling Asia, Africa and the Americas. Louise is a published photographer and is currently based in the UK.

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