Southwest USA Road Trip: Zion, Bryce & the Grand Canyon (7-Day Itinerary)
A week looping the Southwest's greatest parks from Las Vegas — Zion's canyon and the Narrows, Bryce's hoodoos, the slot canyons and Horseshoe Bend at Page, and the South Rim of the Grand Canyon.
Four wonders on one loop.
This round trip from Las Vegas links four sharply different Southwest landscapes: Zion's green canyon, Bryce Canyon's orange hoodoos, Page's slot canyon and river bend, and the vast South Rim of the Grand Canyon.
The route keeps the rental car moving in one circle, with park gateways at Springdale, Bryce Canyon City, Page, and Grand Canyon Village or Tusayan serving as the overnight bases.
Best time: April–June and September–October. Summer is dangerously hot at lower elevations, while Bryce Canyon and the higher rims can receive winter snow. Check current park conditions before setting out.
- Fly into Las Vegas and collect a rental car; a car is essential for the loop.
- Buy the America the Beautiful pass through the official National Park Service page.
- Reserve the required Antelope Canyon tour and enter any Angels Landing permit lottery ahead of the trip.
- Download offline maps because signal can be spotty on remote stretches.
- Desert heat kills; carry far more water than you expect to need.
- Avoid midday exertion in summer and start exposed walks or hikes at dawn.
- Turn back before heat or thirst erodes your safety margin.
Where to Stay
Use the park gateways to keep the loop moving forward
Where to Stay
Use the park gateways to keep the loop moving forward
Springdale (Nights 1–2)
Stay by Zion for the arrival evening and the full canyon day; book gateway lodging early.
Bryce Canyon City (Night 3)
Use the Bryce gateway for the rim, stargazing and an early start among the hoodoos.
Page (Night 4)
Base in Page for Horseshoe Bend and the required guided Antelope Canyon visit.
Grand Canyon Village / Tusayan (Nights 5–6)
Stay close to the South Rim for sunset, a full park day and the final drive back to Las Vegas.
Official links & permits
Use official pages for current access, permits, shuttles, fees and safety conditions
Official links & permits
Use official pages for current access, permits, shuttles, fees and safety conditions
National parks
Current planning and condition information from the National Park Service.
Permits, shuttle and passes
Confirm current arrangements before each affected day.
Antelope Canyon
Antelope Canyon is on Navajo land and requires a booked guided tour.
Budget Snapshot
Getting Around
7-Day Itinerary Breakdown
Day 1: Las Vegas → Zion
Las Vegas → Springdale — collect the rental car and finish with Zion's first canyon views
Arrive Las Vegas (LAS), pick up the rental car
Land in Las Vegas and collect the rental car that makes the park loop possible. Keep the arrival flexible before beginning the drive toward Zion.
A quick look at the Las Vegas Strip before heading out
Take a brief look at the Las Vegas Strip, then leave the city rather than turning the arrival day into a full sightseeing day.
Drive to Springdale & first views of Zion (the Watchman)
Continue to Springdale and use the Watchman above the Virgin River as the first introduction to Zion's canyon landscape. Settle into the Zion gateway for two nights.
Day 2: Zion National Park
Base: Springdale — Zion Canyon viewpoints, the Riverside Walk and the Narrows
Zion Canyon & the Angels Landing viewpoint
Start in Zion Canyon and take in the Angels Landing viewpoint. The steep, exposed summit chain route requires a free permit lottery; do not treat the permit as an ordinary online attraction booking.
The Riverside Walk & the Narrows
Follow the Riverside Walk toward the Narrows and wade only as conditions and your comfort allow. Check flash-flood risk before entering the water; the route can close when rain threatens.
Zion Canyon shuttle & dinner in Springdale
Use the Zion Canyon shuttle for the park day and return to Springdale for dinner. Confirm current shuttle status through the official National Park Service link.
Day 3: Zion → Bryce Canyon
Springdale → Bryce Canyon City — scenic Highway 9, hoodoo viewpoints and dark skies
Drive to Bryce via the Zion–Mt Carmel Tunnel (scenic Hwy 9)
Leave Zion through the Zion–Mt Carmel Tunnel and follow scenic Highway 9 toward Bryce Canyon. Check current park-road conditions before departure.
Bryce Canyon's amphitheater from the rim
See Bryce Canyon's hoodoo amphitheater from the rim, using Sunset Point or Inspiration Point for the changing light. The viewpoints are free and need no activity booking.
Rim Trail stroll & stargazing (Bryce is a Dark-Sky park)
Use an easy rim stroll to connect nearby viewpoints, then look up after dark in Bryce Canyon's dark-sky setting. Higher-elevation cold and winter snow remain possible.
Day 4: Bryce hike → Page
Bryce Canyon City → Page — hike among hoodoos, then finish above Horseshoe Bend
Navajo Loop / Queen's Garden hike among the hoodoos
Descend among Bryce's hoodoos on the Navajo Loop / Queen's Garden route, including the Wall Street switchbacks when accessible. The trail is free, so no activity booking is needed.
Drive to Page, Arizona
Continue to Page and check in before the evening viewpoint. Use offline maps and refuel before remote stretches.
Sunset at Horseshoe Bend
Walk from the parking area to the overlook above the Colorado River's sandstone bend. There are no railings, so stay well back from the edge throughout the sunset stop.
Day 5: Antelope Canyon → the Grand Canyon
Page → Grand Canyon South Rim — required guided slot-canyon visit and sunset at Mather Point
Upper Antelope Canyon guided tour
Enter Upper Antelope Canyon on a booked guided tour. The slot canyon is on Navajo land and cannot be visited independently; rain can close tours because flash floods develop quickly.
Drive to the Grand Canyon South Rim (via Cameron)
Leave Page for the Grand Canyon South Rim via Cameron. Check road status, watch for wildlife and arrive with enough margin for the evening overlook.
Sunset at Mather Point, South Rim
Watch the canyon change color from Mather Point. The overlook itself is free; a guided South Rim or sunset tour is an optional bookable way to add context.
Day 6: Grand Canyon South Rim
Base: Grand Canyon Village / Tusayan — an unhurried day along the South Rim
The Rim Trail & the top of the Bright Angel Trail
Walk the Rim Trail and look down the Bright Angel switchbacks. Descending is optional; remember that the climb out is the hard part and turn around early with energy to spare.
Desert View Drive & the Watchtower
Use Desert View Drive to see the South Rim from another angle and stop at the stone Watchtower. Check current park-road status before the outing.
Sunset and dinner in Grand Canyon Village
Choose another official South Rim viewpoint for sunset, then return to Grand Canyon Village for dinner and rest before the long departure day.
Day 7: Grand Canyon → Las Vegas & departure
Grand Canyon → Hoover Dam → Las Vegas — allow a long driving day and protect the flight buffer
Hoover Dam on the drive back to Las Vegas
Break the return journey at Hoover Dam and Lake Mead on the Arizona–Nevada border. Keep the stop flexible so the airport buffer remains protected.
Arrive Las Vegas (LAS) & fly home (allow a long driving day)
Return the rental car at Las Vegas and fly home. Treat this as a long driving day and leave a comfortable flight buffer rather than adding another attraction.
Las Vegas Southwest parks loop
Seven master-image anchors trace the round trip from Las Vegas through Zion, Bryce Canyon, Page and the Grand Canyon before the return past Hoover Dam.
- 1
The Watchman
Springdale arrival and first Zion views
- 2
Angels Landing
Zion Canyon and Narrows day
- 3
Bryce Amphitheater
Bryce Canyon rim and stargazing day
- 4
Navajo Loop
Bryce hoodoo hike before Page
- 5
Upper Antelope Canyon
Guided slot-canyon visit before the South Rim
- 6
Desert View Watchtower
Grand Canyon South Rim day
- 7
Hoover Dam
Return to Las Vegas and departure
Frequently Asked Questions
How many days do I need for a Zion–Bryce–Grand Canyon loop?
About a week works well for this selective round trip from Las Vegas. Seven days allow two Zion days, an overnight at Bryce, Page for Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend, and an evening plus a full day on the Grand Canyon South Rim.
Which airport should I use for this Southwest road trip?
Las Vegas is the usual start and end for this loop because it supports a straightforward round trip through the parks. Phoenix is an alternative, but this itinerary is structured around arriving at and departing from Las Vegas.
Do I need a car for Zion, Bryce and the Grand Canyon?
Yes. A rental car is essential because the parks and gateway towns are far apart and there is no public transit connecting the full route. Inside Zion Canyon, use the park shuttle when it is operating.
What needs a permit or reservation?
The Angels Landing summit chain route uses a permit lottery, and Antelope Canyon can only be visited on a booked guided tour. Check the current Zion shuttle arrangements and confirm all current rules through the official links before travel.
When is the best time to take this road trip?
April–June and September–October are the best fit for this plan. Summer can be dangerously hot at lower elevations, while winter can bring snow to Bryce Canyon and the higher rims.
How hard are Angels Landing and the Narrows?
Angels Landing's summit route is steep and exposed with chains, while the Narrows involves wading in cold water. Treat both as conditions-dependent: secure the required Angels Landing permit and check the Narrows flash-flood forecast before committing.
Can I visit Antelope Canyon on my own?
No. Antelope Canyon is on Navajo land and requires a booked guided tour. Confirm current access and operator information through the Navajo Nation Parks link rather than relying on an old schedule or price.
Is one day enough at the Grand Canyon?
A full day covers the main South Rim highlights in this route, including the Rim Trail, the top of Bright Angel Trail and Desert View. More time is better if you want a slower pace or a deeper hike.
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