Vegas as your base for five national parks and endless desert scenery
Arrive, check in on the Strip, walk the casinos for the experience. This is your last night of comfort. Tomorrow the road trip starts. Load the cooler and rent the car tonight.
The old Vegas experience: $5 blackjack tables, the LED canopy, and working-class energy the Strip has lost. Park on 6th Street and walk in. Last orders around 2am.
Zion, Bryce, and Grand Canyon all require timed entry reservations during peak season (May-September). Reserve at recreation.gov as soon as your dates are confirmed — they sell out weeks ahead.
Valley of Fire State Park is 55 miles northeast of Vegas — fire-red sandstone formations, petroglyphs, wave rock formations. Then continue north to Zion. The approach through the canyon is stunning.
5.4-mile round trip to a 1,488-foot summit above the canyon floor. Chains on the final stretch — permit required for the top. One of the ten best hikes in the US.
The Narrows is a 16-mile slot canyon hike through the Virgin River. Wade upstream as far as you want — no permit needed for the bottom-up approach. The walls narrow to 20 feet in places.
90 minutes north of Zion. Hoodoos: thousands of red spires rising from the canyon floor. Sunrise Point at dawn is the photograph. The Navajo Loop trail (1.3 miles) is the best short hike.
Cross Utah into Arizona on US-89. The approach to the South Rim on AZ-64 gives you the first canyon glimpse at Desert View Watchtower. The views from Mather Point are the introduction everyone needs.
3 miles round trip down to a saddle with 360-degree canyon views. Steep and exposed — hiking poles help. No water on this trail. The views of the Colorado River are the best on the South Rim.
Drive to Page, AZ on US-89. Upper Antelope Canyon requires a Navajo Nation guided tour — the light beam photos happen at noon in summer. Horseshoe Bend is a 1.5-mile walk from the parking lot.
Return to Vegas on US-93 through Boulder City. Hoover Dam is 30 minutes from the Strip — the tour of the dam interior is 45 minutes and worth it. Arrive back in Vegas in time for a final dinner.
Create a free Wanderer account to save “Southwest Road Trip from Vegas” and access the full block library.
Join free — become a WandererNo credit card required
Flights, stays, and experiences — find the best options for your dates.
Compare hundreds of airlines. See the cheapest dates and book directly — no markup.
Search flightsPowered by Travel Payouts
Bundle your flight and hotel to unlock package savings — usually cheaper than booking separately.
Powered by Expedia
Compare prices across hundreds of hotels, resorts, and rentals — free cancellation on most.
Search hotelsPowered by Expedia
Museum tickets, guided tours, and day trips — skip-the-line access, most with free cancellation.
Browse experiencesPowered by Tiqets
Pre-book a private transfer — fixed price, meet-and-greet, no surge pricing.
Book a transferPowered by Welcome Pickups
Compare rental cars from top agencies — pickup at airports, hotels, and city centers.
Compare ratesPowered by Expedia
Whole homes, cabins, and condos — more space, full kitchens, and local neighborhoods.
Browse rentalsPowered by Expedia
Trip cancellation, medical coverage, and emergency evacuation — get a free quote in minutes.
Get a free quotePowered by Travelex
One pass, unlimited top attractions — skip the lines and save vs. buying tickets individually.
See pass optionsPowered by Go City