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The American Southwest is a area recognized for housing a kaleidoscope of colours, distinctive rock formations, and limitless desert landscapes.
It’s the place you’ll be able to kick off your footwear and let vortexes soothe you, the place you’ll be able to slip out of metropolis zone and into leisure, and get your coronary heart pumping with ATV adventures and difficult hikes that soar to new heights.
Whether or not you’re inching your manner by means of slim slot canyons, climbing up slim paths to spectacular vistas, crimson rock crawling in jeeps or embarking on enjoyable horse rides by means of canyons – this area will depart you in awe.
We spent a number of months exploring the southwest and have used that have to tug collectively our good 4 week American Southwest street journey itinerary.
On this information, we’ll present you how one can discover the most effective of Arizona, Utah, and Nevada in slightly below a month.
As a result of the extra time you’ll be able to dedicate to exploring the American desert area, the higher!
- About This American Southwest Highway Journey Itinerary
- 4 Week American Southwest Itinerary
- Day 1: Vegas to Valley of Fireplace State Park, Nevada
- Day 2-3: Zion Nationwide Park, Utah
- Day 4: Bryce Canyon Nationwide Park, Utah
- Day 5-6: Grand Staircase-Escalante Nationwide Monument, Utah
- Day 7-8: Capitol Reef Nationwide Park, Utah
- Days 9-13: Moab (consists of Arches & Canyonlands Nationwide Park)
- Day 14-15: Monument Valley, Utah
- Days 16-17 4 Corners / Mesa Verde
- Days 18-21 Santa Fe, New Mexico
- Days 21-22: White Sands Nationwide Monument by way of Albuqurque
- Day 23-24: Sedona, Arizona by way of Tucson
- Day 25-26: Grand Canyon Nationwide Park, Arizona
- Day 27: Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend, Arizona
- Day 28: Las Vegas, Nevada
- Suggestions Earlier than Embarking on An American Southwestern Highway Journey
About This American Southwest Highway Journey Itinerary
Earlier than we will go into the itinerary, we have to rapidly discuss boundaries – I’ve not discovered any settlement on what the boundaries of the American Southwest actually are.
We outline the American Southwest area as being comprised of Nevada, Utah, Arizona and New Mexico. Some folks will argue elements of Colorado (Canyon De Chelly, Mesa Verde), Texas, and California be included.
For me, one of the simplest ways to consider what encompasses and defines the Southwest area can be these desert areas.
The American Southwest to me is dry, arid, and wealthy in nature websites and cities with native American historical past.
Which is why our street journey will start and finish in Las Vegas, skipping California (sorry) and doing a loop round Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah, dipping somewhat bit into Nevada and Colorado too.
We embody driving occasions, suggestions for issues to do and fascinating excursions. We’ll additionally embody hyperlinks to extra in-depth posts and movies we’ve got on related locations or experiences.
The next itinerary largely visits nationwide parks and distant locations, so you will want your individual car or to lease a automotive and you could wish to put money into the Nationwide Parks Go.
The above map exhibits the route we might be taking on this itinerary, which is able to take round 4 weeks (28 days) to finish.
When you solely have two or three weeks at your disposal, see these different guides for inspiration:
Don’t wish to take down notes? No worries, we’ve obtained you lined with our printable PDF itineraries. They’re free to members of our free VIF e mail tribe. We frequently create helpful guides for our group. Fill within the kind under to entry them
4 Week American Southwest Itinerary
This itinerary begins and ends in Las Vegas, so in the event you don’t have a rental automotive, choose one up from right here.
We are going to discover Vegas on the finish of this 4 weeks, so don’t fear about lacking something at first!
Day 1: Vegas to Valley of Fireplace State Park, Nevada
I can’t consider it took me years of touring by means of the American Southwest earlier than I heard of Valley of Fireplace State Park in Nevada. It’s merely spectacular.
The vistas just like the photograph above could be seen all over the place you flip and in a number of hues of crimson, orange, pink, and yellow.
It’s very simple to discover in just some hours, and even on a day journey from Vegas. You can keep the night time right here, or transfer onto Zion Nationwide Park within the afternoon.
Some really helpful issues to do in Valley of Fireplace State Park are:
- Mouse Tank Hike
- Rainbow Vista Path
- Fireplace Wave Path
- White Domes Path
On the way in which to Zion, your subsequent cease, you’ll go by means of George which has a few of our favourite locations in Utah to go to.
You probably have extra time, you could want to incorporate them into your street journey, or mark them down in your subsequent go to.
Day 2-3: Zion Nationwide Park, Utah
Zion Nationwide Park will seize your coronary heart and provide help to create an enormous array of adventurous tales to share across the campfire for the remainder of your life
From its good blue sky to its immense crimson and white sandstone cliffs that attain out of the forested river mattress, Zion Nationwide Park is a pure marvel to not be missed.
Zion’s towering sandstone monoliths, slot canyons, rock formations, and hanging gardens attracts out of doors adventures and intrepid vacationers from everywhere in the globe.
Whereas in Zion Nationwide Park, ensure to not miss the next hikes and sights:
- Angels Touchdown/The Narrows Hike (for the extremely adventurous)
- Riverwalk – you’ll be able to incorporate this into the Narrows journey.
- Decrease and Higher Emerald Pool
- Weeping Rock
- Springdale IPA from the Zion Lodge
- Zion Carmel Tunnel Drive to Canyon Overlook ((this might be a morning expertise on the way in which to Bryce Canyon)
Benefit from the free Zion Shuttle to get round!
High tip:
For much less crowded alternate options to Zion Nationwide Park, take a look at:
Day 4: Bryce Canyon Nationwide Park, Utah
Bryce Canyon is one in all our favourite nationwide parks within the USA, and excessive on our Utah Bucket Record.
Bryce Canyon invitations you to get misplaced in its fairy story kingdom of vibrant orange and pink pastel spires and towers, archways and paths main into enchanted forests.
It could actually simply be explored in in the future, though 2 days can be optimum particularly so you’ll be able to see each dawn and sundown.
Really useful actions in Bryce Canyon to do are:
- Hike or horse trip the Fairyland Loop Path
- Queens Backyard & Navajo Loop Path
- Sundown and/or Dawn at Inspiration Level
Day 5-6: Grand Staircase-Escalante Nationwide Monument, Utah
The subsequent cease is Grand Staircase-Escalante Nationwide Monument, a world of 4×4 scenic drives, hidden waterfalls, undulating waves of colourful rocks, adventurous hikes by means of slim slot canyons, and limitless slick rock and rainbow coloured valleys.
Decelerate and admire the great thing about this gigantic hidden gem in Utah.
Really useful issues to do in Escalante are:
Day 7-8: Capitol Reef Nationwide Park, Utah
In native language, the world generally known as Capitol Reef means “the land of the sleeping rainbow.”
There’s most likely no extra correct poetic reference than this colourful playground of large domes, towering cliffs, twisting canyons, arches and bridges change with the sunshine, transferring from deep reds to pastel pinks, sunburnt orange, comfortable yellows and whites.
It’s most likely a nationwide park you’ve by no means heard of, however might be glad you visited!
A few of our favourite issues to do in Capitol Reef Nationwide Park are:
- Cassidy Arch Hike
- Hickman Bridge Path
- Capitol Gorge
- Sundown Level Path
- HWY 24 scenic drive
- Raspberry white chocolate cookie from the Fruita District
Days 9-13: Moab (consists of Arches & Canyonlands Nationwide Park)
Moab is the journey capital of the Southwest. It’s a small city in Utah surrounded by Pink Rock Nation and an abundance of outside journey.
It’s shut proximity to location to 2 of Utah’s nationwide parks, plus state parks and scenic areas, makes it the right base for a number of days (or longer) to discover this area.
You’ll admire the entry to some extra facilities as properly like eating places, procuring and café. We discovered a scrumptious Thai restaurant right here and loved a night of bluegrass in a small out of doors theater.
Issues to do in Moab are:
- Bike Experience Colorado River
- Scenic Drive UT – 128
- Citadel Creek Vineyard
- Jeep Rock crawling
- Fisher Towers Hike
- Go to Useless Horse Level State Park
Arches Nationwide Park
There are greater than 2,000 pure sandstone arches within the Arches Nationwide Park that body the great thing about this park. It has the very best density of pure arches on the earth which have been created over 100 million years of abrasion.
An 18-mile paved loop street will share with you a vibrant and colourful panorama stuffed with fins and pinnacles and mountain climbing trails that wind below arches and home windows.
Put together to be amazed.
Don’t miss the next issues to do in Arches NP:
- Delicate Arch hike
- Panorama Arch hike
- North and South Window
Canyonlands Nationwide Park
Canyonlands is a rugged, untamed land with largely unpaved roads and primitive trails. When you search journey, you could find it in abundance right here.
Canyonlands Nationwide Park is exclusive in that it’s separated into three districts stretching throughout 527 sq. miles. These three districts are created by the Colorado and Inexperienced Rivers carving their manner by means of the canyon.
Every part is way aside, so would require cautious planning. Right here’s what we advocate doing in Canyonlands NP:
- Shaffer Path (4WD)
- Scenic Drive: Buck Canyon & Inexperienced River Overlook
- Grand View Level Overlook Path
- Mesa Arch Path
- Sundown at Useless Horse State Park
Day 14-15: Monument Valley, Utah
Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park reaches proper into your soul and lifts you into the current second and plops you proper into marvel and awe.
You possibly can’t assist however cease, stare and ponder a greatness that exists manner past your small self.
It’s a lot greater than only a bunch of imposing buttes and mesas rising up out of the desert ground forming shapes corresponding to mittens, camels, sisters, suns eyes, and wind’s ear.
Don’t miss the Navajo Guided Tour!
Days 16-17 4 Corners / Mesa Verde
The 4 Corners Monument marks the situation within the Southwest of America the place 4 states meet: Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah.
It’s a legendary factor to do within the Southwest because it’s solely place in America the place 4 states meet in such a manner.
The spot additionally marks the boundary between the Navajo and Ute Mountain Ute Tribe governments, making it a wonderful location to be taught in regards to the indigenous tradition and historical past of the area.
Mesa Verde Nationwide Park is in southwest Colorado. It’s recognized for its well-preserved Ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings, notably the massive Cliff Palace.
You can keep right here 1 night time in the event you wished further time in Santa Fe or Albuquerque or White Sands (see word under)
Issues to do in 4 Corners and Mesa Verde are:
- Get your photograph on the 4 Corners
- Attempt Navajo Indian Fry Bread at 4 Corners
- Mesa Verde Plateau Drive
- Tour of Cliff Palace or Balcony Home
- Spruce Tree Home Lookout
- Mesa High Loop Drive
Days 18-21 Santa Fe, New Mexico
Santa Fe is the second oldest metropolis in the US and at 7,000 ft above sea stage, the very best capital metropolis within the nation.
There’s an Previous World feeling and a palpable sense of historical past on this metropolis.
A part of its magic comes from the intermingling of three distinct cultures: the Native People, the Hispanics and the Anglo. The opposite half is the encircling excessive desert with mountains, rock formations and beautiful sunsets.
- Strolling tour of historic adobe buildings
- Store for silver and turquoise Native
- American jewellery
- Miraculous staircase within the Gothic-style
- Loretto Chapel
- Canyon Highway Galleries
- Georgia O’Keefe Museum
- Meow Wolf
- Bandelier Nationwide Monument Cliff Dwellings
- Taos Pueblo
Days 21-22: White Sands Nationwide Monument by way of Albuqurque
Relying on time and the way you are feeling, you could want to skip White Sands Nationwide Monument (233 mi, 3 hours, 48 minutes) from Santa Fe and drive straight on to Sedona (8 hours).
You can additionally cease at Albuquerque on the way in which to White Sands Nationwide Monument, or head right down to Tucson in Texas for a little bit of metropolis time.
Including White Sands Nationwide Monument to your itinerary means the stretch again to Vegas is a protracted one, so we’ll depart it as much as you.
We do assume it’s price visiting in case you have the vitality.
Day 23-24: Sedona, Arizona by way of Tucson
Sedona is one in all my favourite locations within the USA. In every single place you flip is a charming view.
There’s additionally a fantastic vitality and spirit on this iconic place within the Southwest because of the many vortexes within the space. It’s well-known all over the world for it’s non secular therapeutic vitality.
There’s a lot to do right here from lovely hikes, epic practice journeys, adventurous 4X4 excursions over the crimson rock nation, and simply chilling with the views and the vortexes. Our posts under offers you all the data you want.
Really useful issues to do in Sedona are:
Day 25-26: Grand Canyon Nationwide Park, Arizona
Grand Canyon Nationwide Park shoudl be on everybody’s Southwest USA bucket checklist. It’s every part and extra.
We’ve got visited the Grand Canyon thrice, (Craig 5) and have beloved each go to.
We’ve got visited within the Grand Canyon within the winter, in the summertime with the ladies, Craig and I’ve hiked right down to Plateau Level, and we each loved a number of nights on the North Rim, additionally mountain climbing down within the canyon.
Really useful issues to do within the Grand Canyon are:
- Hike the Vivid Angel Path
- South Rim Path
- Customer Middle film and Junior Ranger Program
- Hopi Level Sundown
- Desert View Watchtower (my favourite views)
- South Kaibab Path
Day 27: Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend, Arizona
Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend are iconic issues to do in Arizona.
They’re simple to go to on the way in which from Monument Valley to Grand Canyon and you might do each in half a day.
You can simply preserve driving to Sedona or keep at close by Lake Powell.
We completely loved our Antelope Canyon tour, the coloured rock formations below the earth which change earlier than your eyes as the sunshine beams by means of the slim opening are unbelievable.
We didn’t know there have been two canyons you’ll be able to go to – Higher Antelope Canyon is probably the most well-known and extra touristy one, and Decrease Antelope Canyon is smaller and fewer visited (although nonetheless busy!).
You’ll want to ebook Antelope Canyon forward of time as it is rather fashionable and excursions are restricted. See our in-depth posts under for extra particulars.
Close by is Horseshoe Bend. The vista from Horseshoe Bend over the Colorado River is sort of WOW! It’s one in all our favourite viewpoints in the entire of the US.
Day 28: Las Vegas, Nevada
Let’s end this unbelievable American Southwest 3-week street journey in Sin Metropolis!
After all, you’ll be able to take your children to Las Vegas. Our ladies have been 4 occasions and like it! All these flashing neon lights, night exhibits, all you’ll be able to eat buffets, gigantic wheels, and fancy casinos.
You determine how lengthy you wish to go to. 4 days is MORE than sufficient for me.
Really useful issues to do in Las Vegas are:
- Hoover Dam (on the way in which by means of from Grand Canyon)
- Railroad Path at Lake Mead
- Pink Rock Canyon (horse using, Misplaced Creek – Youngsters’s Discovery Path)
- On line casino hop the Strip and gaze in marvel
- See a present
- Go to Downtown Las Vegas (earlier than 5pm if with children) and Downton East.
Suggestions Earlier than Embarking on An American Southwestern Highway Journey
- Adapt the itinerary based mostly upon your departure and arrival occasions.
- As a substitute of including in occasions for every day, I’ve listed my suggestions so you’ll be able to slot it into occasions that fit your schedule. Take into consideration find out how to incorporate dawn and sunsets.
- You are able to do these suggestions throughout a full-day or break up into afternoon/subsequent morning earlier than departing for subsequent vacation spot.
- Plan for early days and late evenings. Will probably be tiring however so price it to see as a lot as you’ll be able to.
- Eating places and cafes are usually not an enormous a part of this American Southwest area expertise. Seize one thing the place you’ll be able to, or pack your individual picnics and snacks.
- A nationwide park go will prevent cash within the Southwest.
Depart a remark: Are you able to embark on a 4 week journey in Southwest USA? Inform us when you’re planning to go to and ask questions within the feedback!
