7-Day Southwest Road Trip

Leaving the Valley of Fire behind won’t be easy, but there is much more to discover as you continue north on I-15 weaving in and out of Arizona to Utah. Your day starts with a 2 ½ hour scenic drive following the Virgin River yielding dramatic landscapes along the way. Follow signs to UT-9 leading to Zion National Park, where you’ll find massive sandstone cliffs in shades of cream, pink and red. Spend some time driving the park’s winding roads, stopping for photos of the breathtaking vistas. A highlight, the 11-mile Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel dates back to the 1920s.

For an easy hike, Watchman Trail is three miles roundtrip and chock full of scenic viewpoints. If you’re up for a challenge and have a few hours to spare, Angel’s Landing ranks among the park’s most popular trails.

Leaving Zion National Park, a two-hour drive south on US-89 leads to Horseshoe Bend just outside of Page, Arizona. Start your Arizona hike with a short accessible trail to view the phenomenal rocks marking the horseshoe-shaped bend in the Colorado River as it flows toward the Grand Canyon.

When hunger strikes head to Big John’s Texas BBQ in Page. Join locals and tourists in the restaurant’s outdoor pavilion where live country music keeps everyone entertained.

Campsite recommendation: At Page Lake Powell Campground you’ll find plenty of amenities including e-bike rentals, fitness center, indoor swimming pool and hot tub, and scenic trails for more Arizona hiking. The basics are covered too with hot showers and laundry facilities.

Traveling south on Highway 89 from Page, the highway leads through the northern reaches of the Painted Desert as you take in another day of spellbinding views. In the distance, the snow-capped San Francisco Peaks appear as the landscape changes to a forested escape in the Coconino National Forest. Stretch your legs while hiking among the lava fields in the shadow of Sunset Crater National Monument.

Emerging from the forest, you’ll travel east on Interstate 40 to Winslow, Arizona where everyone stands on the corner paying homage to The Eagles 1972 hit, Take It Easy. Route 66 runs through this charming small town and there are plenty of Instagram-worthy spots for photos.

Taste the local flavors at The Brown Mug where Mexican cuisine and Navajo specialties fill the menu. Don’t miss the delicious Navajo Taco which is more like a taco salad atop Navajo Fry Bread.

On day four, drive into the Arizona desert to the Meteor Crater National Landmark. Formed over 50,000 years ago when a meteorite landed here exploding with a force 150 times greater than an atomic bomb. A guided tour leads visitors on a walk around the rim of the crater with the guide sharing stories of its origin and the interesting connection to NASA astronauts. A small museum delves more into this intriguing story.

Campsite recommendation: Located adjacent to an original section of Route 66 just down the road from a historic meteor crater, the Meteor Crater RV Park provides an ideal homebase for exploring Coconino National Forest and Route 66 attractions in Winslow, Arizona. Campground amenities include a convenience store, coffee shop, laundry room and private bathrooms with showers. Enjoy your morning coffee or tea at your campsite picnic table where you’ll be greeted with views of the San Francisco Peaks in the distance.

About an hour’s drive from the Meteor Crater RV Park the Petrified Forest National Park and Painted Desert deliver an unforgettable adventure. The park is filled with petrified trees dating back millions of years. Multichromatic trace minerals have taken residence in the hardened logs transforming them into a spectacular natural art show. Other Petrified Forest highlights include hiking in the badlands, petroglyphs dating back thousands of years, relics from Route 66, and the always inspiring Painted Desert.

Campsite recommendation: For a campsite close to Petrified Forest National Park, consider the OK RV Park in Holbrook, Arizona. This highly rated campground features a clubhouse with a kitchen, dog park, full restrooms with showers, and a petrified wood display. The campground is also within walking distance of Holbrook restaurants and kitschy Route 66 fun.

For an incredible scenic drive from Arizona to Utah, drive along US-89A. Highlights include the towering Vermillion Cliffs, gravity-defying rock formations in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area and a walk across Colorado River via the Navajo Bridge where majestic condors circle overhead. The stunning views continue with a drive through the Kaibab National Forest where the landscape changes from desert to pine trees reaching for the sky.

Satisfy your appetite at Peekaboo Canyon Wood Fired Pizza in Kanab. A vegetarian restaurant, you’ll find pizzas so tasty you won’t even miss the pepperoni!

Campsite recommendation: Located in Kanab, Utah just seven miles north of the Arizona border, Dark Sky RV brings a touch of luxury to an authentic camping experience. Sitting on 40 acres of untouched sagebrush, the family-owned and operated campground features 18 full-service sites and 10 Camp Luxury sites for vans with envy-worthy views of the Kaibab Plateau, Red Cliffs, and Vermillion Cliffs. An ideal home base for exploring nature’s bounty at five national parks, numerous national monuments, and plentiful state parks. Amenities include private bath suites with indoor or outdoor showers, an open terrace lounge, dog park, a kids’ zip line, laundry facilities, a market, and peaceful trails for sunrise or sunset strolls. If you want to ramp up your adventures, Dark Sky RV has e-bikes, jeeps, and 4x4s available for rent.

Continue taking in all the beauty Utah delivers with a drive north from Kanab on US-89 to Scenic Byway 12 leading to Bryce Canyon National Park and the Dixie National Forest. This is hoodoo country, so you can expect more otherworldly sights as you drive the winding road and explore hiking trails in this unimaginable landscape.

Add a short hike to your day in the Dixie National Forest along the Mossy Cave Trailhead leading to a pink waterfall cascading into the stream. Also, behind the tourist office in the Dixie National Forest you’ll find several trails for hiking among the hoodoos minus the crowds.

Campsite recommendation: For camping near Bryce Canyon check out Ruby’s Inn RV Park and Campground. A large campground with 250 sites, you’ll find plenty of amenities along with entertainment including a seasonal rodeo, ATV rides, a live country music dinner show, and a shuttle into Bryce Canyon National Park.