For years, it has been a dream of mine to explore the American Southwest on a good ol’ fashioned Southwest road trip. This year, my husband and I finally made that dream come true.
In May, we embarked on a two-week Southwest road trip that took us through much of Arizona and southern Utah. In a word, the trip was EPIC. The scenery was BEYOND. And the trip rekindled in both of us a desire to spend more time in nature, appreciating the exquisite beauty of our world. (Don’t even get me started on the Grand Canyon!)
Now that I’ve had a chance to fully digest everything we saw and did on this trip, I’ve put together a blog post with all the tips and information you need for your own unforgettable Southwest road trip. (Trust me, it will be unforgettable. That’s why this is a trip you absolutely need to do in your lifetime!) But before we get started, there’s one quick thing I want to share with you in the box below.
If you love traveling but hate planning, I can help! I recently became a travel advisor with Fora and have already helped many people plan amazing trips around the world. So whether you want to embark on a Southwest road trip like the one my husband and I just did, or you want to spend a long weekend in Paris eating croissants, leave it to me to sort out all the details! Head to my Fora profile to get started because I can’t wait to help you plan the best trip ever!
And now, let’s get to the good stuff so you can start planning your Southwest road trip!
Where Did We Start Our Southwest Road Trip?
There are a few options for starting a southwest road trip. We chose to fly from NYC to Phoenix because it was a direct flight. Also, I wanted Sedona, Arizona to be our first stop. (I’ll get into why this was important later on in this post.) We also could have started our trip in Las Vegas, where we ended it. The great thing about a Southwest road trip is that many things are interchangeable!
Where you start and end your trip all depends on you. Is one airport easier to fly into than the other? Can you get a direct flight? Are you looking to have some raucous fun at the beginning or end of your trip? (Granted there are more things to do in Las Vegas than hit the casinos and epic pool parties, but everyone should experience the over-the-top decadence of Vegas at least once.)
In this post, I’m going to share our itinerary which started in Phoenix and ended in Las Vegas, but you can easily swap things around to start in Vegas or even Utah instead.
Here’s A Brief Overview of Our Southwest Road Trip Itinerary
- Day 1: We Flew into Phoenix, got our rental car, drove to Sedona, and checked in at the Amara Resort. We started in Sedona so I could relax a bit, because I had just finished working on a 9-month gig, running a new home renovation series for HGTV, and while it was a blast, I was exhausted!
- Day 2️: Spent the day in Sedona, hiking and exploring.
- Day 3️: Another full day in Sedona hiking, eating, taking a Pink Jeep tour, and enjoying spa treatments!
- Day 4️: We drove from Sedona to Under Canvas, Grand Canyon via the Red Rock Scenic Byway (Highway 179 which starts in Sedona and has spectacular views). If you have the time, make a pit stop for lunch and some sightseeing in Flagstaff before continuing on to the Grand Canyon.
- Day 5️: We explored the Grand Canyon and hiked the South Kaibab trail to Skeleton Point and then back up the Canyon. (Be forewarned, it’s a 6-mile round trip hike with a 2000 ft elevation loss and gain.) PACK MORE WATER THAN YOU THINK YOU NEED. Then we crashed at the Yavapai Lodge.
- Day 6️: We took it easier after our massive hike the day before. We got up for sunrise, walked the South rim of the Grand Canyon, (which is completely flat), stopped at all of the viewpoints along Desert View Drive (You can use your own car in this part of the park.), and then headed to Hopi Point via the redline shuttle for sunset.
- Day 7️: Got up early and drove to Page, Arizona for our 11 am Lower Antelope Canyon Tour. Made it to Horseshoe Bend for sunset and epic photos! We stayed at the Hyatt Place.
- Day 8️: We toured Upper Antelope Canyon to see the light beams and spent the afternoon kayaking on Lake Powell through Antelope Canyon.
- Day 9️: This was ambitious but we really wanted to visit Monument Valley, so we made the 4-hour, roundtrip drive to see the incredible buttes and desert scenery in one day.
- Day 10: We drove 3.5 hours to our final destination, the Red Mountain Resort in Ivins, Utah via Kanab, Utah. While we just drove straight to the resort, there are many stops you can make along the way. Points of interest include the Toadstool Hoodoos and Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park. Also of note is The Wave, a very popular sandstone formation at the Arizona-Utah border. You need a permit from the US Bureau of Land Management to hike there. (We entered the lottery for a permit but didn’t win.)
Where We Stayed During Our Southwest Road Trip:
The Amara Resort in Sedona, Arizona
The Amara Resort was perfect for us. My husband and I are at an age where we sometimes prefer to splurge on a bit of luxury, and Sedona is the place to do it. I liked the small, boutique feel of the property and the fact that our room looked out on the pool and grounds, with the towering red rock buttes beyond. We enjoyed eating at Saltrock Southwest, the hotel’s restaurant, for both dinner and breakfast, and the hotel has a gym and spa in addition to the outdoor pool and hot tub.
I planned this trip before I became a travel advisor and booked my room with my Platinum American Express card, through their Hotel Collection. While Amex did get me some great perks like a room upgrade, and $100 resort credit, I now know that as a travel advisor, I can get you those perks plus so much more!
Free breakfast? Yes, please! How about a welcome amenity like a bottle of wine? I can get that for you too! Not only can I match the Amex perks, but when you book with an advisor like me, I will make sure the hotel VIPs your reservation and ensures that you are at the top of the list (above Platinum Amex members) for room upgrades and early check-in/late check-out.
I promise I won’t go on and on in this post about why it can be so helpful to use a travel advisor, but since this hotel is a perfect example of the benefits I can get for you, I wanted to point that out so you know for future reference!
Under Canvas Grand Canyon, Arizona
If you want to try out Glamping, Under Canvas is the place to do it! The company has glamping sites located near other National Parks throughout the country, not just the Grand Canyon. But once we knew they were located on the route we were taking for our Southwest road trip, we were in for trying it.
The pros for us were talsohe following: We booked a deluxe tent which also had its own toilet, sink, and shower which was great for privacy. We alsp loved the cozy vibe inside our tent, and hands-down, the bed is one of the most comfortable we have ever slept in. (Who knew?!) In addition to our accommodations, we loved the communal setup for the rest of the camp area. We ate a delicious dinner in the main tent, and enjoyed the complimentary s’mores by the fire pit outside, under the stars.
The cons for us: There was really only one con, but it was a big one. When we went to bed in our tent, we were freezing. Each tent comes equipped with a wood-burning stove, but the fire doesn’t last that long, and honestly, even when it’s going full blaze, it doesn’t warm up the tent that much. It was also bad luck that the night we stayed there was the coldest night of our entire trip, with temperatures dropping down into the 30s even though it was May. I’m guessing that people who stay here in the summertime do not have this experience but I want to be honest so you can plan accordingly if you do stay here.
Overall, we did love our experience at Under Canvas and would stay again. I would just double check the weather before booking!
Yavapai Lodge, Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
For our remaining two nights at the Grand Canyon, I really wanted to stay within the National Park, so we would have easy access to the visitor’s center and all of the hiking trails. (There are 7 hotels within the park on the South Rim months to a year where you can stay. Please note that these hotels sell out months to a year in advance, so plan accordingly.)
The Yavapai Lodge is a basic hotel. The rooms are dated and a bit run down but for this part of the trip, location was more important to us than luxury. While the décor was tired, our rooms were comfortable and clean. I was also able to snag a room at a decent price at the last minute. I think that’s because the Yavapai does not offer canyon views. (In my opinion, it’s not worth spending the extra money for a hotel room with a canyon view. You’ll be spending all day outside, enjoying the Grand Canyon views, so why waste your money on a view when you’re just using the room for sleeping?!)
Pro-Travel Tip: Hotel rooms within the park are extremely popular so plan to book up to a year in advance. Also, if you stay at the Yavapai Lodge, request Yavapai East if you want air conditioning. The rooms in Yavapai West do not have AC.
Hyatt Place, Page / Lake Powell, Arizona
We actually loved this hotel. It was modern, clean, affordable, and in a great location. It had everything you’d expect at a Hyatt Place, including laundry rooms, which were critical for us after all of the outdoor activities we had been doing! If you stay here, I recommend spending a little more money on a room with a view, otherwise, your room will be facing the parking lot. We also loved that the bar/restaurant sold Starbucks coffee, including lattes, etc. (There’s also a Starbucks in town if you need to get your caffeine fix at a proper Starbucks.)
Red Mountain Resort, Utah
It’s hard to write a short blurb about why I love the Red Mountain Resort so much. This was my second time staying there in less than a year, and I know I will return many more times, whether on a Southwest road trip or just a stand-alone trip.
First, there’s the location, which is just outside of Snow Canyon State Park. Second, the wellness resort offers an array of outdoor activities as well as yoga and exercise classes. Plus you can indulge in one of the many spa treatments they offer, or do something a bit more spiritual, like a session with a Shamanic healer.
The first time I went, I stayed alone and loved it. This time, I wanted my husband to experience it was well, and it was a perfect way to end our trip, with a bit of R&R, plus a day of hiking at Zion National Park!
Where We Ate on Our Southwest Road Trip:
Restaurants in Sedona:
Saltrock Southwest Kitchen – The restaurant at the Amara Resort. Get the lobster tacos and the skirt steak asada!
Pisa Lisa – a casual spot that turns out superb pizza. It’s also the first restaurant opened by Lisa Dahl, the ‘culinary queen’ of Sedona.
Mariposa – Also owned by Lisa Dahl and one of the most upscale dining experiences available in Sedona. We loved the attention to detail and welcoming staff.
Whole Foods – Yes, I know this is a popular grocery store chain but it was clutch for us in Sedona when we wanted to grab lunch on the go to bring on our hikes.
Restaurants in Grand Canyon National Park:
Yavapai Tavern – A tavern with a sports bar vibe within Grand Canyon National Park. The eclectic menu hits the spot when you want something quick and casual. This is the only place we ate aside from grabbing sandwiches at a deli for lunch. There are other restaurants at the Grand Canyon but I can’t vouch for the food since we didn’t try them.
Restaurants in Page, Arizona:
Birdhouse – This casual restaurant in Page, Arizona serves up some of the best fried chicken I have ever had. (And I’ve had a lot of fried chicken in my life!)
Big John’s Texas BBQ – A BBQ joint in Page in a converted gas station? Sign me up! We loved the communal seating and the live music. Don’t be surprised if you see people get up and start line dancing and you will be good friends with the other people at your table by the end of the night.
Safeway – Yes, as in the grocery store. We were constantly eating lunch on the go so we ordered custom wraps and sandwiches every day at the deli counter. Even better, they were super cheap!
Restaurants in St. Ivins, Utah:
Canyon Breeze – the restaurant at Red Mountain Resort where we had most of our meals while staying there. While the setting is beautiful, the food itself is a bit lackluster. This is the only negative about the resort.
Feel Love Coffee – A short drive/walk from Red Mountain Resort is this adorable coffee spot that is stocked with great vegan, gluten-free and keto-friendly options. (I may have gotten the gluten-free donut more than once!)
What we did in Sedona:
Sedona is a small city in Arizona about two hours north of Phoenix. It’s known for its epic scenery, including towering red-rock buttes, sprawling canyons and pine forests. In my book, it’s an essential place to visit during a Southwest road trip.
Hiking! There are too many great trails to list here but some of my favorites include Devil’s Bridge, Cathedral Rock, Birthing Cave, and Bell Rock.
Spa Treatments – There are many places in Sedona to get spa treatments. While our hotel had a beautiful spa, we opted for more affordable treatments at Uptown Massage. It is a no-frills spa but it was clean and the staff was very friendly. We did a 75-minute couples’ massage and it was divine!
Pink Jeep Tours – I highly recommend taking one of their tours where you get to drive off-road in the canyons and visit places that are not readily accessible by foot. They have many options to choose from. We did their most popular tour which lasted for 2 hours.
Vortex Tours – Sedona is known for its vortexes, energy centers that are known for radiating a special energy. The four main ones are Cathedral Rock, Bell Rock, Boynton Canyon, and Airport Mesa. We did a tour of some of these vortexes with Crystal Weaver, where we learned more about the specific energies and did a guided meditation. It was one of the highlights of our stay there.
What we did at the Grand Canyon:
We visited the South Rim of the Grand Canyon during our Southwest road trip. The South Rim consists of three main areas, the Visitor’s Center, the Village, and Market Plaza. For the easiest access to the Canyon, we stayed at the Yavapai Lodge in the park near Market Plaza. While some viewpoints are accessible by car, others can only be accessed by the Park’s shuttle system. It is very easy to navigate and the shuttles operate frequently.
The South Rim Trail: This is a paved, flat, accessible trail that has access to various viewpoints. It’s a perfect way to take in the epic views of the Canyon without doing any strenuous hiking.
Hiking into the Grand Canyon – There are various trails you can take down into the canyon. (The two most popular trails are Bright Angel and South Kaibab.) Keep in mind, that they are steep, dusty, and at times slippery. They can also get quite crowded, depending on the time of year you visit. While you can hike down to the bottom of the canyon, the park rangers strongly advise against doing this in a single day. People have died from dehydration and heat exhaustion. They only recommend hiking to the bottom if you are staying overnight at Phantom Ranch or camping.
We hiked the South Kaibab Trail to Skeleton Point and loved it. It’s a 6 mile roundtrip hike with an elevation gain/loss of 2000 feet. Bring more water than you think you will need and remember that the hike will take you approximately double the time to return as going out since the return is all uphill. Plan accordingly!
Sunrise at Mather Point – It is 100% worth getting up early to witness the sunrise at the Grand Canyon. Either head to one of the viewpoints like Mather Point to watch, or pick a spot along the rim trail.
Desert View Drive – This 22 mile scenic stretch, starting east of the Visitor’s Center, is another great way to take in different views of the Canyon. You can use your own car for this. The drive ends at the Watchtower, where there is also a café, giftshop, and gas station.
Sunset at Hopi Point – I also highly recommend watching the sunset over the Grand Canyon. The best place to watch depends on the time of year you are visiting. When we were there in early May, we were told to watch at Hopi Point and it did not disappoint!
What We Did in Page, Arizona on Our Southwest Road Trip:
Page, Arizona is a great stop on a Southwest road trip because it’s a central location for exploring a lot of really cool parks, monuments, and for partaking in various outdoor activities in both Arizona and Utah. Situated near Lake Powell, the area has become known for all of the water sports you can do as well as great hiking and exploring.
Parks and sites that are accessible from Page include Upper and Lower Antelope Canyons, Horseshoe Bend, Glen Canyon Dam Overlook, The New Wave and the original Wave, Lake Powell, Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument, Monument Valley, Zion National Park, and Brice Canyon National Park. (Some of these Parks are a 2-hour drive each way, but still doable.)
I already have plans to go back there to do more of the things that we didn’t have a chance to see or do on this trip! But for now, here’s a snapshot of everything we did while we were in Page, Arizona.
Lower Antelope Canyon:
The only way to see Lower Antelope Canyon is through a guided tour because it is located on the Navajo Reservation. We booked a deluxe tour with Ken’s Tours. While the deluxe tour is more expensive, I highly recommend it because you are with a smaller group of people. This means you have more time to take photos in the slot canyon and you get more time to learn about the canyons and Navajo culture. Water bottles and lunch are also included with the deluxe tour. (Pro-Travel Tip: Request Lamor Joe for your guide. He is amazing!)
Upper Antelope Canyon:
Another slot canyon located within the Navajo Reservation. We did a tour with Upper Antelope Canyon Navajo Tours. This is the canyon where, if you go at the right time of day, you will see the light beams streaming down into the canyon. It is pretty spectacular to see in person.
The Main Differences Between Upper and Lower Canyon:
Lower Antelope Canyon is deeper and much longer than the Upper Canyon. You have to navigate stairs throughout the lower canyon, including about 75 steps at the beginning of the tour. Upper Antelope Canyon has no steps or stairs and is a much shorter tour. However, it is the Canyon where you can see the light beams if you book your tour around mid-day. (Pro-Travel Tip: The prime-time tours for seeing the light beams book up months in advance, so plan accordingly!)
Horseshoe Bend:
Horseshoe Bend was the entire inspiration for our Southwest road trip so of course, we had to visit more than once! Horseshoe Bend is aptly named for the massive horse-shoe shape of the rock that sits prominently in the canyon, with the Colorado River meandering around it. The only fee is $10 for parking. It’s about a 15-minute, easy walk to the actual Horseshoe Bend site. The views are incredible but please be careful when taking pictures and don’t stand too close to the edge!
Kayaking on Lake Powell
There are many ways to enjoy Lake Powell. We opted for a 3-hour kayak tour and it was phenomenal. Our guide was great and the scenery even better. It was spectacular to see the canyon walls hovering a few hundred feet above us as we paddled through the water.
What We Did in Monument Valley (Arizona & Utah):
I couldn’t complete this Southwest Road trip without visiting Monument Valley. Similar to Horseshoe Bend, it’s part of what inspired this trip and a place that has been on my bucket list forever.
Monument Valley, on the Arizona-Utah border, is known for its towering sandstone buttes that rise up from the desert and otherwise flat landscape. The buttes are otherworldly and it is quite a sight to see in person. The park was and still is frequently used as a filming location. The monument is located within Navajo Nation so there are restrictions as to what you can do without a booked tour.
We made the 4 hour roundtrip drive to Monument Valley in one day from Page. We decided this was better than staying in Monument Valley because other than the hotel and a couple of nearby gas stations and a supermarket, there isn’t much there.
The one thing you can do at the park without having a tour guide is the 17-mile Valley Drive. This loop allows you to view up close many of the stunning buttes in the area. You can drive the 17 mile scenic loop in your own car. The road is unpaved so it’s better if you have an SUV although we saw plenty of regular cars navigating the loop as well.
What We Did in Ivins, Utah:
We had to skip a lot of cool things on our drive to the Red Mountain Resort in Utah because we ran out of time. But if you’re planning a similar road trip, I recommend spending a night in Kanab, Utah so you can check out nearby attractions including Toadstool Hoodoos, Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park and the Wave. (We entered the lottery for a daily permit at the Wave but didn’t get it)
The last part of our Southwest road trip was mostly about relaxation. We stayed at the Red Mountain Resort in Ivins, Utah, and took advantage of their hiking program, the spa, and afternoons at the pool. One of the things I love about staying at the Red Mountain Resort is that they offer early morning hikes in Snow Canyon State Park as well as guided hikes in Zion National Park.
If you’re a reader of this blog, then you might remember that I hiked Angel’s Landing in Zion National Park last year. That was also with the Red Mountain Resort. I am so grateful for the guides I had on that hike. There is no way I would have been able to do it on my own!
Other hikes that I recommend at Zion National Park include:
- The Watchman
- Emerald pools
- Canyon Overlook Trail
If you are as excited about visiting the National Parks as I am, then check out my post about The National Parks on My Bucket List.
Are You Ready to Plan a Southwest Road Trip?
That pretty much sums up our epic Southwest road trip! But you know what? The funny thing is I feel like we just scratched the surface with all there is to see and do in the American southwest.
On our next trip, I hope to make it to the following National Parks: Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, and Bryce Canyon, all in Utah. Plus, there are so many great state parks and monuments we need to check out as well. And one of my favorite parks that I now visit every summer is the Grand Tetons National Park in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.
But what I’m most excited to plan next is a longer hiking trip in the Grand Canyon, either to Havasu Falls (if I get lucky with the lottery) or a rim-to-rim hike where I get the opportunity to stay overnight at Phantom Ranch.
However, any road trip you plan through the Southwest will be an amazing adventure. The scenery is spectacular, and you can’t go wrong with what you choose to see and do. I hope that this post has inspired you and helped you start planning your own epic road trip!
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