Thinking of visiting the American Southwest or interested in a road trip that mixes city and nature? Then this itinerary is for you! A one-week road trip adventure that takes you all around Arizona (and Utah) from the urban jungles of Phoenix and Tucson to the wild landscapes of Zion, Saguaro, and Grand Canyon National Parks.
Note, this itinerary is not for the faint of heart. Each day has either a 4-hour drive or a 4-hour hike so that you can see the most of Arizona and Southern Utah in a short amount of time. If you'd like a more leisurely pace, follow the options to make this a 2-week road trip.
Table of Contents
Before You Leave
Get an America the Beautiful National Park Pass.
The pass costs $80 and most national parks cost around $30 to enter with your car. Using some girl math, if you plan on visiting 3 or more national parks in the year, then the pass will pay for itself.
Check the weather before you leave for each location.
The temperature change between Zion and Tucson or even Phoenix and Flagstaff can be surprising. You will want to make sure you have packed an option to keep you comfortable in each spot.
Think about the season.
Arizona is a stunning state, but for those who do not live there, it is very hard to enjoy during the summer when the temperature can soar well over 100°F (38°C).
I've visited in December and March, which were both months where it was chilly up north but warm down south. The best times to visit seem to be April through June and September through November if you are looking for trip that is warm but not too hot.
Pack based on your plan.
For the hiking portions of the trip, bring:
A reusable water bottle
Hiking boots
Backpack
Plenty of socks
Athletic wear
For the city portions, bring:
Regular shoes (so you aren't in your hiking boots all week)
Clothes you can wear to a bar or restaurant
A purse or wallet
For both portions, bring:
A hat
Sunglasses
Sunscreen
Check the weather
Slot canyons and desserts are prone to flash flooding. This makes it dangerous to drive and extremely dangerous to hike. For slot canyons, even if your area is dry, rain miles upstream will reach you quickly so you need to look across a wide area for potential rain. Be sure to check online and with park rangers, when possible, to see if your hike is safe.
Be sure to check out my post on how to plan a road trip for tips on when to book hotels and other logistics.
Day 1: Arrive in Phoenix
Welcome to the Grand Canyon State! Today is the day to get things sorted with your rent-a-car and buy anything you need (snacks for the road and trials, band-aids in case of blisters, and anything you forgot like deodorant or toothpaste). However, since this is only a week long trip, we're still going to make the most of this day!
Afternoon
Grab some lunch at Testal Mexican Kitchen or Barrio Cafe. Testal Mexican is closer to the airport making it a bit easier to get to, but it does not have alcoholic drinks so if your goal was to get a margarita, you'll want to go to Barrio . Both have absolutely delicious food and parking.
Check out the Desert Botanical Garden. This beautiful garden will give you an idea of the fora you'll seen out in the wild on your trip.
Papago Park, this free park is right outside of the Desert Botanical Gardens. It does not contain the same level of wild desert plants, but does let you see some cactuses and get a feel for the climate. Well worth a visit to get you excited about your trip.
Evening
Sunset at Hike the Hole. Take the roughly half mile walk up to this big rock structure to watch the sunset. When I went, it felt like all of Phoenix was there, so I would recommend getting to the Hole early and staking out a spot to sit. It was a great sunset and gives you a feel for the Phoenix community.
A post-hike ice cream and diner near your hotel
Early night to get some rest and adjust to the timezone
Don't worry if you weren't able to do everything you'd hoped for in your day in Phoenix. We will be back on the last day to fly out so there is time to visit anything you missed then.
Day 2: Grand Canyon National Park
Start the day off early. Grab your coffee, pack a meal (or at least snacks in case you are in the park when you get hungry), and head off for the Grand Canyon! It is a roughly 4 hour drive from Phoenix to the Grand Canyon and for this trip, we are entering through the southern exit.
I would recommend grabbing lunch in Grand Canyon Junction before you enter the park.
Start at the Gand Canyon Village Visitor Center. This is the most popular spot to view the canyon so be prepared for a crowd, but it is well worth it for a chance fill up your water bottle and use the bathrooms.
From here, walk along the Rim Trail to the Yavapai Geology Museum (1.4 miles round trip). Check out the museum and learn more about the Grand Canyon came to be.
Next, grab the bus down Hermit Road. Be sure to stop at Hopi Point and Powell Point. These are two of the best view points on the southern rim and great spots to watch the sunset if you decide to come back later in the day.
Once you've seen Hermit Road, it's time to get back in the car to check out the other great viewpoints on the souther rim. Check out Ooh Aah Point, Duck on a Rock Viewpoint, and the Desert View Watchtower.
Keep in Mind
The bus will stop running. The last bus of the night starts a final pick-up journey an hour after sunset. If you miss this bus, you will have to walk back. The hermit trailhead is between 5 and 7 miles from the start of the bus route (depending on the route you take), so it would not be a fun walk in the dark.
Additionally, keep in mind that there are limited options for lodging around the Grand Canyon. You can stay south in Grand Canyon Junction or Flagstaff, east in Cameron, or north in Paige. Each of these will require you to drive a bit to get to them, so if you are planning to stay for sunset (and I highly recommend you do), be ready to drive in the dark.
I stayed at the Marble Canyon Motor Lodge about 2 hours north of the Grand Canyon. My room was recently renovated, very clean, and had an incredible view from the parking lot. There was not a lot to do near the motor lodge and driving in the dark meant I missed a lot of the views on the way up, but I was stunned by how beautiful the drive to Kanab was the next day.
Option to make this a two-week trip
Spend another day in Grand Canyon National Park. The North Rim is open between May and October and is well worth the visit or spend more time at the south rim and check out:
Kolb Studio: The house/photo studio turned museum is located right on the edge of the canyon making it home stunning Grand Canyon views both inside and out.
Tusayan Pueblo Site and Museum: The site is an 800 years old small Ancestral Pueblo village. The museum teaches you more about the people who lived there here back then and how their culture lives on today.
The entire Rim Trail from the village to Hermit's Rest or another day hike in the park
Day 3: Kanab, Utah
Located around 4 hours north of the Grand Canyon, Kanab is the jumping off point for so many national and state parks, so you can find everything you need for outdoor essentials here. The town itself feels like it belongs in an old western movie so be sure to stop in for lunch and walk around for a bit. I would recommend Houston's Trail's End Restaurant for their wraps and sandwiches.
At Breakfast the Day Before Zion
Apply for permits to hike in Zion. Permits are required for the two biggest hikes in Zion: Angel's Landing and the Narrows. Be sure to check the Zion National Park website on how to get these permits. In March 2024, these permits were very easy to get and no one checked for my permit at the top of Angel's Landing. However, during the busy months, the rangers are a lot more strict so be sure to get the permit before you go.
From Kanab, there are a number of sights to see on your way to Zion. First up is the sand caves. Located around 5 miles north of Kanab on the right side of Highway 89, the hike to the sand caves is supposedly short (half-mile to the site). I had a hard time finding the right way up to the caves, but once I got up the cliff face and into the caves, it was well worth it.
Second stop, Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park. This park is around 10 miles off Highway 89, so if you are in a rush, know this will add at least a half hour to your day. I thought it was worth the detour and ended up pulling over on the side of the road to climb one of the dunes. The sand lived up to its namesake and was pretty pink.
Next is Belly of the Dragon. Another hike just off Highway 89, this time 16 miles north of Kanab. From the parking lot, you will go under the highway through a carved out tunnel. Bring a flashlight (or your phone). The hike through the tunnel is pretty short and easy but has your walking around large rocks. You can continue another roughly 4 miles to the end of the slot canyon or turn around and get back on the road. I chose to turn around since I wanted to get to Zion that night.
Finally, stop for pie (and diner) in Mount Carmel Junction at Thunderbird Restaurant. This place is famous for their "ho-made pies" and is the last stop before you enter into Zion National Park.
From here you will need to decide which side of the park to stay on. Mount Carmel Junction is closer than Springdale, but has fewer options for accommodations. I stayed on the west side of the park at Zion Wildflower Glamping Resort and really enjoyed my stay. There are options to stay in a covered wagon or a number of luxury tents. Since I visited in March, these options were not open (it was too cold), but I loved the bungalow I stayed in.
Day 4: Zion National Park
Driving Route 9 from Mount Carmel Junction through Zion National Park, the first glimpses of the park flash through the openings of the tunnel. You aren't allowed to stop, but I have never been so tempted. Red rocks, sharp cliff faces, and a soft green valley below took my breathe away. Driving the switchbacks down the mountain, I was so glad to be. the passenger and able to take in the scene. Be sure to have your camera out so you can capture everything (and share it with the driver).
For a full day in Zion, you'll want to start at the visitor center. If you can't find parking there, keep going into Springdale. A bus will take you from the parking lots outside of the park to the visitor center. Then a second bus will take you around the park.
Compared to the Grand Canyon, Zion feels smaller. The park is mostly along the one road the bus travels down, which means you are able to visit a lot of it in a single day. I would pick your long hike for the day (Angel's Landing or the Narrows) and then start with that.
I started with Angel's Landing. This hike is about 5.5 miles long. The majority of the hike (the first 4 miles) is open to the public via the West Rim Trail to Scout's Lookout. From there, it's time to hold onto the chains and brace yourself for scramble along a smooth rock face. Keep in mind that over a dozen people have fallen to their death from this trail, so there is no shame in turning around. The view from Scout's is still stunning.
If you have the energy, try some of the the easier hikes and view points like:
Lava Point Overlook
Pa’rus Trail (very short, paved trail)
Canyon Overlook Trail (on the east side of the tunnel)
When you're done for the day, you can sit back and relax at the Zion Canyon Brew Pub right outside the park or check out the dozens of other restaurants in Springdale.
Option to make this a two-week trip:
If you have more time, spend some extra time in the park. You could do whichever iconic long hike you weren't able to do yesterday. Due to the length of the Narrows, many people do the first few miles and then turn around.
Alternatively, you could spend the morning watching the sunrise from the park, soak in some more. of the scenery, and then head back to Kanab to check out the Wave (if you win a permit), Red Canyon Slot (Peekaboo), or White Pocket.
Day 5: Paige, Arizona
Located a little over 2 hours from Zion National Park, Paige is the gateway to Lake Powell, Horseshoe Bend, and Antelope Canyon.
Start the day at Antelope Canyon. This famous slot canyon is located on Navajo land that is not open to the public without a guide. I used the tour company Antelope Slot Canyon Tours by Chief Tsosie, which took us from downtown Paige out to the Canyon.
Grab lunch in downtown Paige. There are not a ton of options, but there is a range from sit down to fast casual to take-out. I went to R D's Drive-In and enjoyed the classic burger and shake.
Spend the afternoon at Horseshoe Bend. Bring some snacks (or a full dinner) and spend some time enjoying the view. I was here for sunset and the lighting is beautiful, but the sun sets off to the side making it hard to capture in photos. (For reference, standing in front of Horseshoe Bend, you are looking north). However, this famous viewpoint is well worth the price to get in.
If you end up with extra time at the end of your day like I did, take advantage of it and get on back on the road towards Sedona to cut down on your drive time tomorrow.
Day 6: Sedona, Arizona
At this point in the trip, you may be over red rocks. Luckily, Sedona is just different enough to bring back their wow factor.
Start your morning with a hearty breakfast at Coffee Pot or the Pump House or any of the places on Route 89A where you can sip your morning coffee looking out at the mountains.
Next, it's time for an easier but iconic hike, Bell Rock. This massive red rock seems to stand apart from the others. The hike to the rock is short, but you can continue up the rock if you are looking for more of a challenge.
Alternatively, if you wanted a more strenuous hike, you could hike Cathedral Rock. This hike has a few sections that are more like rock climbing than hiking, so it is not for the inexperienced. However, the view (even before the rock climbing) is incredible and well worth the trip up the rock face.
Spend the afternoon at Chapel of the Holy Cross, soaking in the sights. From afar, the chapel looks like it is carved into the mountainside. Up close, you can see it is separate, but looks out over the whole valley. While this is an active place of worship, you do not need to be religious to visit or enjoy the beautiful view from the chapel windows.
In the evening, check out Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village. You can stroll through the stores selling everything from high end art and little souvenirs. There are also a number of restaurants to get dinner in this area.
Option to make this a two-week trip:
Spend a second day in Sedona. There is so much to see and do that you could really spend a long weekend here (In fact, I have a whole blog on just that). However, if you only have one more day, I would stick to the highlights:
Airport Sunrise
Cathedral Rock Loop via Hiline and Templeton Trails
Devil's Bridge
Sedona Artist Market
Red Rock Loop (drive)
Day 7: Tucson, Arizona
Located 4 hours from Sedona, Tucson is the southern-most part of our journey. Depending on how you feel, you can turn your visit to Tucson into either a city visit or a trip to another national park.
Option 1: Saguaro National Park
Saguaro National Park is divided in two by the city of Tucson into an east and a west side. I visited the west side for the Picture Rock Petroglyphs and easy hiking trails.
When I visited in early March on a weekday, the park was very quiet. There was plenty of parking and you could hear tons of birds singing on each hike. I started at the visitor's center, which was the most popular spot that day, did the small walk around the center, then drove to each pull over spot in the park.
We set out hoping to do the Signal Hill hike, but ended up somehow seeing Petroglyphs and on the Sendero-Esperanza trail. Compared to all of the hikes on this trip, hiking in Saguaro was so flat, it felt like a breeze. However, when you are surrounded by towering Saguaro cacti, it is easy to get lost. Be sure to pack water and either your phone or a compass to navigate.
On the way back to your hotel, stop and get a big dinner. I stopped at Guadalajara's Grill and loved it. We got guacamole handmade right in front of us and delicious margaritas. It was so nice to be able to relax and enjoy the food after a long hike.
Option 2: Tucson the City
After a long trip with a ton of driving and a lot of hiking, it was nice to sit back and relax for the final day. Tucson had a laidback, artsy vibe that I loved and, if it weren't for the insane summer heat, I would move there in heartbeat.
Spending the day in Tucson, you'll want to take advantage of the city's free public transit to get around. The first stop is brunch at Cup Cafe. This historic hotel has an incredible brunch set up and both indoor and outdoor seating.
From here, it's time to walk up 4th Ave to check out all of the shops. Some must stop places are:
Thrift stores (there are a bunch on 4th Ave with some selling costumes and others being more traditional so take your pick)
Mystical Shops (like BRUJA or Celestial Rites)
Cute clothing stores (like Creations and Sky and Sand)
Any store with candles and cowboy hats
While you walk, you'll see signs reminding you that the Mexican food in Tucson is some of the best in the US. You'll want to take advantage of that. Stop in to anywhere that looks like it would serve chips, guacamole, and margaritas. On my trip, this chips, dips, and margs bar crawl was the most delicious (and fun) city activity. We walked down 4th Ave and over to Congress Street, which seemed to have fewer shops but more restaurants.
Some places to be sure to see are:
La yaquesita mexican cuisine (4th Ave)
La Chingada Cocina Mexicana (near Congress)
Penca (near Congress)
Option to make this a two-week trip:
Do both the city and the nature days for Tucson. You could even stay a third day and check out the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum or the east side of Saguaro National Park.
Day 8: Return to Phoenix
This is the last day of your trip! Time to re-visit the list of things to do in Phoenix in case you missed any. Alternatively, you can add some new things to your list as you drive from Tucson up to Phoenix like:
The Dolly Steam Boat
Scottsdale, Arizona for more shopping and dining along the river near Fashion Square
Check out a winery. The area south and east of Tucson are two of the three wine regions in Arizona (the third is up by Sedona). I tried the Sand Reckoner Tasting Room in Tucson and really enjoyed it.
Be sure to leave time to drop off the rental car before your flight. This last step may feel extra emotional after driving so much on this vacation or maybe it is just the symbolic end of the trip, but be sure to go easy on yourself. If you can, grab one last margarita and fresh guacamole before your flight and soak in your last few moment in Arizona.
I hope you have a great trip and enjoy this itinerary as much as I did. I can't wait to get back to Arizona (and to my travel buddy, Meghan who runs her own travel page you should definitely check out).
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