The Final 3 Week American Southwest Highway Journey Itinerary

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In search of an unforgettable journey full of slot canyons, craggy ravines, vortex websites, and scenic drives? Then you definitely’re going to need to spend three weeks highway tripping via the American Southwest!

From the long-lasting Grand Canyon to the magical landscapes of Monument Valley, this 3-week American Southwest highway journey itinerary takes you to a few of the most magical websites in Arizona, Utah, and Nevada.

Think about climbing via towering canyons, witnessing unforgettable desert sunsets, and immersing your self within the wealthy historical past of Native American tradition – you probably have three weeks to spare and also you’re searching for thrilling out of doors adventures, this itinerary is for you.

The Final 3-Week American Southwest Highway Journey Itinerary

Though the official borders of the American Southwest aren’t outlined, we’re defining it as Nevada, Utah, Arizona and New Mexico.

You might also argue some elements of Colorado, Texas and California are included on this area, however we’re specializing in the above states as a result of they’ve extra awe-inspiring landscapes.

The next itinerary is for 3 weeks, however if you wish to shorten of prolong your itinerary – right here’s a two week American Southwest itinerary and a 4 week American Southwest itinerary.

We’ll begin and finish in Las Vegas as a result of it’s a straightforward level to fly into, and you may simply choose up a automobile rental.

Under you will see that driving occasions, suggestions for issues to do, and at last on the finish, some ideas for profiting from your itinerary.

You may need to spend money on a Nationwide Parks Move, as we’re going to go to lots of nationwide parks on this itinerary – you may even name it a Southwest Nationwide Parks highway journey!

The above interactive map reveals every cease and the route on this itinerary. It can save you this on Google Maps by clicking the share button within the high proper nook.

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Day 1: Vegas to Valley of Hearth State Park, Nevada

Positioned simply an hour north of Las Vegas, Valley of Hearth State Park is the place the gorgeous pure panorama of the Southwestern area of America takes kind.

Identified for its vibrant crimson sandstone formations, it has an otherworldly panorama formed by historical volcanic exercise, creating rock buildings that glow like fireplace within the solar.

Spend half a day strolling across the park, and climbing to the assorted viewpoints. The park’s Hearth Wave Path affords one of the crucial iconic views, with rippled rock formations in hues of crimson, orange, and pink.

Don’t miss the Mouse’s Tank Path, the place you’ll discover historical petroglyphs etched into the rocks by early Native American tribes.

It’s very straightforward to discover in only a few hours, or you would camp right here in a single day and benefit from the night time sky (it’s a chosen darkish sky zone) or transfer onto Zion Nationwide Park within the afternoon.

Really helpful issues to do in Valley of Hearth State Park are:

• Mouse Tank Hike
• Rainbow Vista Path
• Hearth Wave Path
• White Domes Path

Days 2-3: Zion Nationwide Park, Utah

Cross the border into southern Utah, and also you’ve reached Zion Nationwide Park, a mecca for out of doors lovers and thrill seekers.

It’s well-known for its towering crimson rock cliffs, deep canyons, and plush valleys, and has one in every of America’s most harmful hikes – Angels Touchdown.

The Angels Touchdown Path is a difficult however rewarding, with jaw-dropping views. It additionally connects to The Narrows, a well-known slot canyon within the park, which that you must wade via the Virgin River as a part of the path.

For a extra chilled expertise, drive the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive to entry to the park’s most iconic websites, or give the automobile a relaxation and make the most of the free shuttle.

Zion’s towering sandstone monoliths, slot canyons, rock formations, and hanging gardens are unmissable.

Really helpful issues to do in Zion Nationwide Park are:

• Angels Touchdown/The Narrows Hike (journey+)
• Riverwalk – you may 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 may very well be a morning expertise on the best way to Bryce Canyon)

Day 4: Bryce Canyon Nationwide Park, Utah

Bryce Canyon is one in every of our favourite nationwide parks within the USA.

It’s recognized for its surreal panorama of hoodoos (tall, skinny spires of rock) and distinctive geology, formed by erosion over hundreds of thousands of years.

One of the best ways to take all of it in is from one of many park’s scenic viewpoints, resembling Dawn Level and Bryce Level, that are much more magnificent at daybreak and nightfall.

Spend a day exploring the climbing trails. The Navajo Loop and Queen’s Backyard are two of our favourite trails that descend into the canyon, providing up-close views of the otherworldly formations.

It might probably simply be explored in sooner or later, though 2 days could be optimum particularly so you may see each dawn and sundown (plus it’s one other darkish skies designated space, so you could have a superb likelihood of tenting beneath the milky means!)

A few of our favourite actions in Bryce Canyon are:

• Hike or horse trip the Fairyland Loop Path
• Queens Backyard & Navajo Loop Path
• Sundown / Dawn from Inspiration Level

Day 5-6: Grand Staircase-Escalante Nationwide Monument, Utah

Spanning 1.87 million acres, Grand Staircase-Escalante Nationwide Monument is an unlimited panorama that appears virtually Martian, and but it’s lesser visited, preserving it an actual hidden gem in southern Utah.

Identified for its rugged magnificence and distant wilderness, this park’s identify comes from the sequence of colourful rock layers that kind a “staircase,” stretching from the Grand Canyon to Bryce Canyon.

One of the best ways to discover this wilderness is by climbing via its slender slot canyons. Spooky Gulch and Peek-a-Boo Canyon are probably the most well-known gradual canyons.

The monument additionally has some difficult scenic drives, together with the Gap-in-the-Rock Highway, whose identify leaves little to the creativeness!

Really helpful issues to do in Grand-Staircase Escalante Nationwide Monument are:

Day 7-8: Capitol Reef Nationwide Park, Utah

Tucked away in central Utah, Capitol Reef Nationwide Park is one other panorama that can have you ever in awe of Mom Nature and her sheer energy.

Within the coronary heart of the park is the Waterpocket Fold, an enormous, steady rock formation that creates dramatic cliffs, canyons, and rock arches.

Take a scenic drive alongside the Capitol Reef Scenic Byway to get an in depth up take a look at it.

It’s most likely a USA nationwide park you’ve by no means heard of, however will probably be glad you visited!

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 (together with Arches & Canyonlands Nationwide Parks)

Referred to as the Journey Capital of the Southwest, Moab is the place you may entry the towering crimson rock cliffs of Arches and Canyonlands Nationwide Parks.

Moab is the proper base for out of doors lovers, however there’s extra to see than the gorgeous desert landscapes that encompass the city.

From mountaineering to mountain biking to jeep excursions via rugged canyons, Moab can also be a primary spot for something to do with outside and journey.

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 you shouldn’t miss are:

• Bike Experience Colorado River
• Scenic Drive UT – 128
• Fort Creek Vineyard
• Jeep Rock crawling
• Fisher Towers Hike

Arches Nationwide Park

There are greater than 2,000 pure sandstone arches within the Arches Nationwide Park, making it house to the best density of pure arches on the earth. Many of those arches have been created over 100 million years of abrasion.

Drive round an 18-mile paved loop highway to witness the colourful and colourful panorama that connects these arches, and cease by varied viewpoints and climbing trails to get a more in-depth look pinnacles on the arches and home windows.

Put together to be amazed.

Don’t miss the next:

• Delicate Arch hike
• Panorama Arch hike
• North and South Window

Canyonlands Nationwide Park

Canyonlands is a rugged, untamed land with principally 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 means via the canyon.

Every part is way aside, so would require cautious planning. Right here’s what we advocate.

• Shaffer Path (4WD)
• Scenic Drive: Buck Canyon & Inexperienced River Overlook
• Grand View Level Overlook Path
• Mesa Arch Path
• Sundown at Lifeless Horse Level State Park

Day 14-15: Monument Valley, Utah

Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park is the place towering sandstone buttes and mesas rise dramatically from the desert ground.

You’ll be able to’t assist however cease, stare and ponder a greatness that exists means past your small self.

Positioned on the Navajo Nation border, this sacred land might already be recognized to you because of the numerous Western movies and Southwestern-inspired postcards which have graced our media over time.

You’ll be able to drive across the park to admire the buttes, or to actually expertise its magnificence, take a guided tour led by a neighborhood Navajo information, who will share the park’s cultural significance and historical tales.

Day 16: Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend, Arizona

Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend are iconic issues to do in Arizona, and they’re proper subsequent door to one another! You’ll be able to simply go to each in half a day on the best way to the Grand Canyon by way of Sedona.

Antelope Canyon is a photographer’s dream, the place gentle and shadow play with the pure marvel that’s the slot canyon.

This slot canyon is famend for its gorgeous, wave-like formations created by gentle shining down into its chambers. Cut up into Higher and Decrease Antelope Canyon, the one technique to go to these canyons is by guided tour (Higher is extra well-known, decrease is much less crowded).

We completely loved our Antelope Canyon tour. The way in which the sunshine beams via the slender opening on the high, making a dancing show of reds and oranges on the slot canyon partitions are unbelievable.

Make sure to ebook Antelope Canyon forward of time as it is extremely in style and excursions are restricted.

Horseshoe Bend is a viewpoint overlooking a canyon carved by the Colorado River. This view is superb, and one in every of our favourite vistas within the USA!

Day 17-18: Sedona, Arizona

Though the panorama seems acquainted to that of the American Southwest, there’s something particular about Sedona.

There’s a fantastic, non secular power that flows via right here. It turned iconic because of the various vortex websites within the space, that are recognized around the globe to supply non secular therapeutic power.

In addition to searching for vortex websites, it’s also possible to hike to see panoramic views, wander via the peaceable trails, or discover the city itself which has a number of artwork galleries and wellness retreats.

Our most beneficial issues to do in Sedona are:

Day 19-20: Grand Canyon Nationwide Park, Arizona

One of many world’s most well-known canyons and pure landmarks, the Grand Canyon Nationwide Park actually lives as much as the hype!

This large canyon has a number of entry factors. The South Rim is probably the most accessible, and is the place you will see that iconic viewpoints like Mather Level, and hikes to the canyon ground (the Shiny Angel Path is probably the most well-known one).

The North Rim is much less visited however nonetheless magical.

Really helpful issues to do within the Grand Canyon are:

• Hike the Shiny Angel Path
• South Rim Path
• Customer Heart film and Junior Ranger Program
• Hopi Level Sundown
• Desert View Watchtower (my favourite views)
• The South Kaibab Path

Day 21: Las Vegas, Nevada

Again the place all of it started, we’ve made it to Sin Metropolis!

Las Vegas is a blinding metropolis, recognized for its neon lights, high-end luxurious, and continuous leisure.

Well-known for its iconic Strip, lined with procuring malls and motels, Vegas is a vibrant hub of world-class casinos, dazzling reveals, and lavish resorts.

Past the playing, Vegas has quite a bit to supply (sure, even for households!). From spectacular performances by world-renowned artists and performers, resembling Cirque du Soleil, to driving on rollercoasters via a resort or ziplining over a mall, there’s no higher technique to finish an escapade in nature than with the glitz and glamour of Vegas.

A few of our favourite issues to do in Las Vegas are:

• Hoover Dam (on the best way via from Grand Canyon)
• Railroad Path at Lake Mead
• Loss of life Valley Nationwide Park (day journey from Vegas)
• Pink Rock Canyon (horse driving, 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 youngsters) and Downton East.

Ideas for Doing This American Southwest Itinerary

• Adapt the itinerary primarily based upon your departure and arrival occasions.
• As an alternative of including in occasions for every day, I’ve listed my suggestions so you may slot it into occasions that fit your schedule. Take into consideration the right way 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 may.
• Eating places and cafes aren’t an enormous a part of this American Southwest area expertise. Seize one thing the place you may, or pack your individual picnics and snacks.
• A nationwide park go will prevent cash within the Southwest.

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Remark: What are you most trying ahead to seeing within the Southwest USA? Inform us your ideas within the feedback and be at liberty to ask any questions!