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The American Southwest is a area identified 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 means via slim slot canyons, climbing up slim paths to spectacular vistas, crimson rock crawling in jeeps or embarking on enjoyable horse rides via canyons – this area will go away you in awe.
We spent a number of months exploring the southwest and have used that have to drag 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 just 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 Street Journey Itinerary
- 4 Week American Southwest Itinerary
- Day 1: Vegas to Valley of Hearth 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 through Albuqurque
- Day 23-24: Sedona, Arizona through 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 Street Journey
About This American Southwest Street Journey Itinerary
Earlier than we will go into the itinerary, we have to rapidly speak 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 components of Colorado (Canyon De Chelly, Mesa Verde), Texas, and California be included.
For me, the easiest way to consider what encompasses and defines the Southwest area could 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 a little bit bit into Nevada and Colorado too.
We embody driving instances, 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’ll need your individual car or to hire a automobile and chances are you’ll wish to spend money on the Nationwide Parks Cross.
The above map exhibits the route we will likely be taking on this itinerary, which can take round 4 weeks (28 days) to finish.
In the event 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 bought you lined with our printable PDF itineraries. They’re free to members of our free VIF e-mail tribe. We often create helpful guides for our group. Fill within the kind beneath to entry them
4 Week American Southwest Itinerary
This itinerary begins and ends in Las Vegas, so if you happen to don’t have a rental automobile, choose one up from right here.
We’ll discover Vegas on the finish of this 4 weeks, so don’t fear about lacking something in the beginning!
Day 1: Vegas to Valley of Hearth State Park, Nevada
I can’t consider it took me years of touring via the American Southwest earlier than I heard of Valley of Hearth State Park in Nevada. It’s merely spectacular.
The vistas just like the picture above could be seen in every single place you flip and in a number of hues of crimson, orange, pink, and yellow.
It’s very straightforward to discover in just some hours, and even on a day journey from Vegas. You might keep the evening right here, or transfer onto Zion Nationwide Park within the afternoon.
Some really helpful issues to do in Valley of Hearth State Park are:
- Mouse Tank Hike
- Rainbow Vista Path
- Hearth Wave Path
- White Domes Path
On the best way to Zion, your subsequent cease, you’ll cross via George which has a few of our favourite locations in Utah to go to.
If in case you have extra time, chances are you’ll 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 assist you to create an enormous array of adventurous tales to share across the campfire for the remainder of your life
From its sensible blue sky to its immense crimson and white sandstone cliffs that attain out of the forested river mattress, Zion Nationwide Park is a pure surprise 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, be certain 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 may very well be a morning expertise on the best way to Bryce Canyon)
Make the most of 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 shiny orange and pink pastel spires and towers, archways and paths main into enchanted forests.
It will probably simply be explored in in the future, though 2 days could be optimum particularly so you’ll be able to see each dawn and sundown.
Really helpful 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 via slim slot canyons, and limitless slick rock and rainbow coloured valleys.
Decelerate and recognize the great thing about this gigantic hidden gem in Utah.
Really helpful issues to do in Escalante are:
Day 7-8: Capitol Reef Nationwide Park, Utah
In native language, the realm often called Capitol Reef means “the land of the sleeping rainbow.”
There may be in all probability no extra correct poetic reference than this colourful playground of huge domes, towering cliffs, twisting canyons, arches and bridges change with the sunshine, transferring from deep reds to pastel pinks, sunburnt orange, delicate yellows and whites.
It’s in all probability a nationwide park you’ve by no means heard of, however will likely 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 Crimson 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 proper base for a couple of days (or longer) to discover this area.
You’ll recognize the entry to some extra facilities as effectively like eating places, purchasing 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 Journey Colorado River
- Scenic Drive UT – 128
- Fort 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 this planet 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 crammed with fins and pinnacles and mountaineering trails that wind underneath 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. In the event 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 much aside, so would require cautious planning. Right here’s what we suggest 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 surprise and awe.
You possibly can’t assist however cease, stare and ponder a greatness that exists means 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 resembling 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 placement 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 means.
The spot additionally marks the boundary between the Navajo and Ute Mountain Ute Tribe governments, making it a wonderful location to study concerning the indigenous tradition and historical past of the area.
Mesa Verde Nationwide Park is in southwest Colorado. It’s identified for its well-preserved Ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings, notably the large Cliff Palace.
You might keep right here 1 evening if you happen to needed additional time in Santa Fe or Albuquerque or White Sands (see notice beneath)
Issues to do in 4 Corners and Mesa Verde are:
- Get your picture on the 4 Corners
- Strive 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 america and at 7,000 toes above sea degree, 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 encompassing excessive desert with mountains, rock formations and gorgeous sunsets.
- Strolling tour of historic adobe buildings
- Store for silver and turquoise Native
- American jewellery
- Miraculous staircase within the Gothic-style
- Loretto Chapel
- Canyon Street Galleries
- Georgia O’Keefe Museum
- Meow Wolf
- Bandelier Nationwide Monument Cliff Dwellings
- Taos Pueblo
Days 21-22: White Sands Nationwide Monument through Albuqurque
Relying on time and the way you are feeling, chances are you’ll 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 might additionally cease at Albuquerque on the best way to White Sands Nationwide Monument, or head all the way 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 go away it as much as you.
We do suppose it’s value visiting if in case you have the power.
Day 23-24: Sedona, Arizona through Tucson
Sedona is one in all my favourite locations within the USA. In all places you flip is a charming view.
There may be additionally a fantastic power and spirit on this iconic place within the Southwest because of the many vortexes within the space. It’s well-known around the globe for it’s religious therapeutic power.
There may be a lot to do right here from stunning hikes, epic prepare journeys, adventurous 4X4 excursions over the crimson rock nation, and simply chilling with the views and the vortexes. Our posts beneath gives you all the knowledge you want.
Really helpful 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 record. It’s every part and extra.
Now we have visited the Grand Canyon thrice, (Craig 5) and have beloved each go to.
Now we have visited within the Grand Canyon within the winter, in the summertime with the ladies, Craig and I’ve hiked all the way down to Plateau Level, and we each loved a couple of nights on the North Rim, additionally mountaineering down within the canyon.
Really helpful issues to do within the Grand Canyon are:
- Hike the Brilliant Angel Path
- South Rim Path
- Customer Heart 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 straightforward to go to on the best way from Monument Valley to Grand Canyon and you possibly can do each in half a day.
You might simply maintain driving to Sedona or keep at close by Lake Powell.
We completely loved our Antelope Canyon tour, the coloured rock formations underneath the earth which change earlier than your eyes as the sunshine beams via the slim opening are unimaginable.
We didn’t know there have been two canyons you’ll be able to go to – Higher Antelope Canyon is essentially the most well-known and extra touristy one, and Decrease Antelope Canyon is smaller and fewer visited (although nonetheless busy!).
Make sure you e book Antelope Canyon forward of time as it is vitally common and excursions are restricted. See our in-depth posts beneath for extra particulars.
Close by is Horseshoe Bend. The vista from Horseshoe Bend over the Colorado River is kind of WOW! It’s one in all our favourite viewpoints in the entire of america.
Day 28: Las Vegas, Nevada
Let’s end this unimaginable American Southwest 3-week street journey in Sin Metropolis!
In fact, you’ll be able to take your youngsters to Las Vegas. Our women have been 4 instances and like it! All these flashing neon lights, night exhibits, all you’ll be able to eat buffets, gigantic wheels, and fancy casinos.
You resolve how lengthy you wish to go to. 4 days is MORE than sufficient for me.
Really helpful issues to do in Las Vegas are:
- Hoover Dam (on the best way via from Grand Canyon)
- Railroad Path at Lake Mead
- Crimson Rock Canyon (horse using, Misplaced Creek – Kids’s Discovery Path)
- On line casino hop the Strip and gaze in surprise
- See a present
- Go to Downtown Las Vegas (earlier than 5pm if with youngsters) and Downton East.
Suggestions Earlier than Embarking on An American Southwestern Street Journey
- Adapt the itinerary primarily based upon your departure and arrival instances.
- As an alternative of including in instances for every day, I’ve listed my suggestions so you’ll be able to slot it into instances that fit your schedule. Take into consideration the way to incorporate dawn and sunsets.
- You are able to do these suggestions throughout a full-day or cut 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 value it to see as a lot as you’ll be able to.
- Eating places and cafes aren’t a giant 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 cross 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 find yourself planning to go to and ask questions within the feedback!