Holiday Overview
An epic and iconic road trip spanning some of the most beautiful and rugged regions of Western USA. The Mighty 5 ® national parks of Zion, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Canyonlands and Arches await, along with iconic Monument Valley the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. All of which contrast with the glitz of Las Vegas, the gateway to the region.
Utah's Red Rocks and Canyons includes:
- International Flights
- Car Hire
- 12 nights accommodation
Day 1 - Las Vegas
Arrive into Las Vegas in the afternoon and collect your rental car. Settle in and try and head out into the bright lights of the city to battle the jetlag.
Featured accommodation
Luxor
Day 2 - Zion National Park
Head northeast into Utah and the town of Springdale, bordering Zion National Park, check into your hotel before taking the shuttle along Zion Canyon Scenic Drive. To get a taste of the incredible scenery enjoy one of the shorter hikes such as Weeping Rock, a 10-minute walk which ends inside the cliff and overlooks the enormous canyon.
Featured accommodation
Best Western Plus Zion Canyon Inn and Suites
Day 3 - Zion National Park
Today spend a full day in Zion National Park. Explore to the extreme; walking up to the plateaus or down along the river-bed. The Angels Landing (permit required) route is a strenuous six-mile hike high on the canyon walls. It’s not for the faint-hearted but the views are spectacular! For another vantage point try Upper Emerald Pools trail, a moderate hike above the waterfalls and the Virgin River below. Alternatively drop in at one of the adventure outfitters in Springdale to hire the equipment you need to hike The Narrows, a slot canyon along the bed of the Virgin River, with cliff walls up to 2,000-ft deep and running for 16 miles. Go as far as you like before heading back.
Featured accommodation
Best Western Plus Zion Canyon Inn and Suites
Day 4 - Bryce Canyon
On the journey to Bryce Canyon National Park take the beautiful Zion Mt Carmel Scenic Byway, part of the Heritage Highway, and drive through the colourful sandstone tunnels of Red Rock Canyon as the road turns onto the All-American Road: Scenic Byway 12. Once inside the national park explore one of the world’s largest collections of hoodoos. Spot the ancient Bristlecone Pine as the trail descends into the canyon on The Queens Garden trail, then take the Navajo Loop back to Sunset Point. Horse rides are also available on certain trails.
Featured accommodation
Ruby's Inn
Day 5 - Capitol Reef National Park
Don’t miss the amazing sunrise over the canyon; the changing of colours and golden hues will be a memory that lasts a lifetime! After breakfast hit the road to enjoy some of Utah’s most spectacular scenery on Scenic Byway 12. A slight detour via Kodachrome Basin State Park (more than 60 upright chimneys called sand pipes, ranging from six to 170-ft) and Powell Overlook (at an elevation of 10,188-ft above) can be made before stopping for lunch in the town of Escalante. This afternoon take in more of the incredible scenery on Scenic Byway 12, suggested stops include Escalante Petrified Forest State Park. Calf Creek Recreation Area, the Burr Trail (a Scenic Backway winding through a deep slickrock canyon and rolling desert forest – allow 2 hours), and Anasazi State Park Museum before reaching the town of Torrey, your base to explore Capitol Reef National Park.
Featured accommodation
Broken Spur Inn
Unmissable Experiences
Torrey Experiences
Day 6 - Capitol Reef National Park
Capitol Reef National Park is the most expansive park in Utah. Due to the sheer size of Capitol Reef, it can take a little more time to explore, but the variety of natural bridges and narrow canyons will leave you mesmerised. Drive along the 25-mile Capitol Reef Scenic Drive, it is a great way to soak in the natural beauty. For a moderate hike take the spectacularly scenic trail to Hickman Bridge. Stop at Fremont Petroglyphs viewing area and use binoculars to view the ancient petroglyphs left by inhabitants of the park around 2,000 years ago. Gooseneck Overlook is a short trek to a dizzying viewpoint over Sulphur Creek and the San Juan River where canyons wind back to back.
Featured accommodation
Broken Spur Inn
Unmissable Experiences
Torrey Experiences
Day 7 - Moab
Head east to Moab, with a slight detour via the maze of miniature hoodoos at Goblin Valley State Park. Wander freely playing hide and seek among the Mars-like landscape of sandstone goblins, discovering the Three Sisters as you explore. Continue your scenic drive to Moab, your base for the next three nights.
Featured accommodation
Best Western Plus Canyonlands Inn
Unmissable Experiences
Moab Experiences
Day 8 - Moab
Arches National Park is a wonderland of over 2,000 natural stone arches. Have fun spotting smaller hidden arches and admire the scenery which is a photographers’ dream. Delicate Arch is a must see; it frames a backdrop of mesas, canyons and distant mountains. Get up-close and personal by taking the three mile roundtrip hike to it from Wolfe Ranch with some off-trail hiking. Or walk to Double Arch and the North/South Arches in around 40 minutes at The Windows section. Alternatively stay with your vehicle, using the 18 mile main road and stop at the various viewpoints to take in the incredible scenery. Still feeling energetic? Then take a 4x4 sunset tour from Moab, known as the adventure capital of Utah.
Featured accommodation
Best Western Plus Canyonlands Inn
Unmissable Experiences
Moab Experiences
Day 9 - Moab
Canyonlands National Park, Utah’s largest National Park has three sections: Island in the Sky (an easy walk is to Mesa Arch, a natural frame to the canyon below); Needles District (strenuous hikes with over 60 miles of interconnecting trails) and The Maze. Numerous viewpoints highlight stops for photograph opportunities. Just north of the park is Dead Horse Point State Park with panoramic views over the Colorado River.
Featured accommodation
Best Western Plus Canyonlands Inn
Unmissable Experiences
Moab Experiences
Day 10 - Monument Valley
Head South on Highway 191. Detour West on Highway 95 to visit Natural Bridges National Monument, or head East on Highway 262 to Hovenweep National Monument. Bluff is a popular town to stop for a break or lunch, before heading via Goosenecks State Park on the way to Monument Valley. Once you reach Monument Valley, explore the 17-mile scenic drive on a guided jeep tour, or get up close and personal with this natural wonder by hiking or horse riding through the valley. Half day and full day tours are also on offer, narrated by Navajo guides, with the dramatically beautiful sunrise or sunset emphasizing the rich colours of the desert.
Featured accommodation
Goulding's Lodge
Day 11 - Kanab
Straddle the border with a drive through Arizona’s Navajo Tribal Lands on the way to the Northern part of Lake Powell. Hike the red rocks for picture perfect scenery, swim the water’s edge of the man-made beaches or take a boat trip to Rainbow Bridge National Monument, the tallest natural bridge in the world. Drive on to the quintessentially American West town of Kanab for lunch, followed by a stroll down Main Street to soak up the movie heritage and spot the autographed film star posters. Drive 30 minutes west to the Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park where you can leave footprints in the sand and memories in your heart.
Featured accommodation
Holiday Inn Express Hotel and Suites
Day 12 - Las Vegas
Finish your road trip with a memorable day exploring the North Rim of the Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona, before returning to Las Vegas to drop off your hire vehicle ready for an evening flight home or enjoy the bright lights of Las Vegas to extend your stay.
Featured accommodation
Luxor
Unmissable Experiences
Las Vegas Experiences
Day 13 - Las Vegas
Spend the day at leisure in Las Vegas before returning your vehicle at the airport and catching your homeward flight.
Luxor Hotel
The pyramid at Luxor Resort in Las Vegas, with its beam of light, provides a striking visual even on the overtly glamorous Las Vegas Strip. One of the most recognizable structures in Las Vegas, the 30-storey pyramid – an architectural wonder – invites curiosity, while the inside rewards visitors with equal parts excitement, mystery and intrigue.
Best Western Plus Zion Canyon Inn and Suites
The Best Western Plus Zion Canyon Inn and Suites is located just outside the Zion National Park.
Rubys Inn
Ruby’s Inn is the closest lodging to Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah and is the perfect place to base your exploration of this beautiful area. Ruby's Inn at Bryce Canyon is also a destination in and of itself. You can enjoy Horseback Riding, Mountain Biking, Guided ATV Rides and Helicopter Tours, along with western experiences such as Rodeos and more.
Broken Spur Inn
One of the best values in town! The motel is one of the closest properties to that famous scenic drive that leads through the park. Torrey, Utah offers many exciting outdoor activities and attractions. Enjoy an up-close view of the unique and remarkable canyonlands from every room at the motel. After a long day of exploring, the motel’s cosy rooms and comfortable amenities will help you relax. Enjoy the rugged beauty of Capitol Reef National Park, and walk in the footsteps of pioneers, cowboys, and outlaws.
Best Western Plus Canyonlands Inn
Welcome to the Best Western Plus Canyonlands Inn located in the heart of downtown Moab, Utah. Guests staying at this Moab hotel will be conveniently near the Colorado River for river rafting, four miles from Arches National Park and 30 miles from Dead Horse Point State Park. This hotel is also near eastern Utah's Interstate 70.
Goulding's Lodge
Enjoy the stunning southwestern sights of Monument Valley at Goulding’s Lodge – the area’s premier lodging and recreation destination. Whether you choose the lodge or RV park and campgrounds, expect endless views with resort-style amenities. But Goulding’s is so much more than just a place to rest. Feast on authentic southwestern and Navajo flavours in the Stagecoach Dining Room. Relax and rejuvenate in the indoor pool or on the sun deck. Commemorate your visit to the gift shop or pick up supplies at the on-site convenience store. Take a glimpse into the past at the Goulding’s Trading Post Museum or catch your favourite Western in the Earth Spirit Theater. A private airstrip is also available. Goulding’s is a can’t-miss destination in your southwest sightseeing adventure!
Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites, Kanab
When you are traveling in Southern Utah, stay with Holiday Inn Express and enjoy the spectacular scenery. The hotel is close to seven major national parks and Lake Powell.
Image Gallery
Capitol Reef National Park
Monument Valley
Gunsmoke Set - Kanab
Bryce Canyon
Zion National Park
Las Vegas
Grand Canyon North Rim
Arches National Park
Canyonlands National Park
Bryce Cnyon
Kanab - Utah
Monument Valley
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