there is something about the american southwest that captures you and you find yourself always daydreaming about it! the red rocks, endless blue skies that seem like a perfect scene out of an old western.

for our dream trip to the southwest we flew into salt lake city and drove to moab to start our adventure in arches national park. for this trip we explored some of the most breathtaking national parks & other incredible places in the u.s.: arches, canyonlands, lower antelope canyon, bryce canyon, zion, and the grand canyon.

each destination felt completely different, yet they painted an unforgettable picture of the power and beauty of nature.

arches national park:

We started our trip in moab, utah-the perfect location to both arches and canyonlands. driving into arches national park feels like you are literally stepping into another world with towering red arches rising up against the bluest desert skies.

we spent our first morning watching the sunrise at delicate arch-the park’s most iconic landmark. the light slowly painted the rocks in shades of soft oranges and gold-it was truly one of those moments that photos can’t fully capture (there is a steep walk right when you are about to reach the view of delicate arch-be careful as you walk it and have kids walk close to the rock wall).

other must-sees: the windows section and double arch, both are easy to access and incredibly photogenic. if you have time and i wish we had-hike the devils garden trail-it’s a bit longer but filled with arches around every corner.

Arches National Park-Delicate Arch — Arches National park-delicate arch

canyonlands national park:

just a quick 30 minutes from arches, canyonlands is completely different. it’s vast, rugged, and remote-almost like standing at the edge of the world.

we explored the island in the sky district, where every overlook takes your breath away.

if your short on time, drive the scenic drive and stop at grand view point overlook-and if you are wanting adventure, white rim road offers one of the most iconic 4x4 experiences in the southwest.

we just did a quick stop in canyonlands-i honestly think it’s one of the parks you do not need to spend that much time in if you need to cut one of the parks short.

Canyonlands National Park — Canyonlands national park

monument valley:

from canyonlands, we headed to monument valley which is a few hour drive and if feels like you are driving through the old west- there are towering sandstone buttes that rise from the desert floor glowing the most pretty red color against the horizon.

we drove the 17 mile scenic loop, stopping at times to take in all the different views and of course taking time to get some amazing photos at john ford’s point.

monument valley was one of my favorite places that we explored on our southwest trip because i literally felt like we landed on a different planet and it was just such a quiet and peaceful place! *make sure you stop and get a picture outside of monument valley where forest from forest gump stops and says “i am pretty tired. I think I’ll go home now.”

lower antelope canyon:

our next stop was page, arizona, home to lower antelope canyon- a narrow slot canyon carved out by centuries of wind and water. it’s really hard to explain just how beautiful this place is-there are waves of sandstone that surround you in beautiful shades of orange, red, and gold.

we booked a guided tour (required for entry) and learned so much about how the canyon was formed and how to get unique photos. the beams of light that shine through it make it feel almost otherworldly! they ended the tour with a song from our navajo guide that was truly magical

do yourself a favor and make sure to add antelope canyon to your trip-it was truly one of my favorite excursions we did on our trip!

Lower Antelope Canyon — lower antelope canyon

bryce canyon national park:

from page, we continued north to bryce canyon, and the landscape changed dramatically. the air was cooler, the elevation higher, and the views unlike anything else-thousands of orange and pink hoodoos (tall rock formations) rising from the canyon floor with the bluest desert skies as the backdrop.

we really enjoyed bryce point, where you can see the entire amphitheatre from below. we did not get the chance, but next time we go i would love to also hike queen’s garden trail that winds between the hoodoos-and I saw people also taking donkey rides through the trail!!

we ended our time in bryce canyon at the natural bridge-you can see this view from just parking your car and walking up. the natural bridge looks like a bridge that is sandstone that has been formed through wind and rain-Definitely worth checking out on your way out of the park.

Bryce Canyon National Park — Bryce Canyon hoodoos

zion national park:

After leaving Bryce, we headed to Zion National Park, and just driving into the park, it quickly became one of my favorite places. With its towering red cliffs, lush canyons, and the Virgin River winding through, Zion truly feels like a paradise for nature lovers!

Unfortunately, I experienced food poisoning during our stay in Bryce Canyon, which meant I couldn't explore Zion myself. Instead, I got to hear all about the amazing time my husband and daughter had together. They loved the scenic walk along the riverside that leads to the entrance of The Narrows, even though that area was closed during our visit.

For those seeking a thrilling adventure, Angels Landing presents one of the most iconic and adrenaline-pumping hikes in the U.S., offering breathtaking views of the park. I hope to return someday and attempt the Angels Landing hike—but I must admit, I'm completely terrified to try it! LOL!

grand canyon national park:

our final stop was the amazing grand canyon, and even after all the incredible places we’d seen, it still took our breath away. the scale of it is almost impossible to Comprehend until you see it in person.

we did two incredible excursions to see the grand canyon:

we did a helicopter tour that took us over the south rim and you land at the bottom of the canyon to enjoy lunch and champagne-it was an Incredible way to experience seeing the grand canyon!

the other way we experienced the grand canyon was skywalk- a glass bridge over the west rim of the canyon- it was incredible way to see the canyon also with a little fear LOL!

Skywalk-Grand Canyon — Skywalk-grand canyon

southwest road trip tips:

Best time to visit- spring and fall or early summer (may) for cooler temps & less crowds
book ahead-lodges, tours, and antelope canyon tickets go fast!
pack- layers (It can be cold in the parks in the morning & hot by afternoon depending on the time of year), hiking shoes, sunscreen, electrolytes, hiking socks
route idea- fly into las vegas or salt lake city, make a loop through utah and arizona

from the glowing arches of moab to the deep canyons of arizona and the cliffs of zion, the southwest is a place that stirs something deep in your soul. each park and destination offered something unique and magical- moments of peace, adventure, and awe that reminded us how powerful and beautiful nature can be.

if you’ve ever dreamed of a road trip through red rock country, this region will deliver it!

for those interested in our trip, including accommodation Recommendations, restaurant recommendations, excursions, must see spots, hiking recommendations- click the link below to check out our southwest custom curated travel Itinerary in pdf format that includes our full itinerary including links, custom map, tips, etc. (sign up for our email list, and receive a free pdf yosemite itinerary template download). additionally you can collaborate with me to create a personalized itinerary exclusively tailored to your vacation.

Happy Travels!

Mandy

Southwest Parks Itinerary

exploring the Southwest National Parks