📍 United States

UTAH-ARIZONA ULTIMATE: RED CANYONS AND DESERT CATHEDRALS

Hoodoo forests piercing rose dawn, slot canyons swallowing afternoon light, ancient rivers carving painted stone. The Southwest, written in geologic time.

≈ 26
Days
2476
Km
13
Stops
📖 13 min read 🔄 Last updated: 2026-01-17

Walk through Zion at the foot of red cliffs, then reach Bryce and its light-bathed hoodoos. Continue to Capitol Reef and its rock folds, then explore Arches and its sandstone spans. End at the Grand Canyon's South Rim, where desert time takes all the space. An itinerary of icons, but above all of walking, silence and unforgettable viewpoints.

Your day-by-day itinerary

1
Day

Springdale

zion gateway narrows outfitters canyon base

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10 photos
Day 1
🔍

Discover

1
Zion NP – Zion Canyon Scenic Drive (shuttle): spotting the main stops
2
Short Riverside Walk trail along the Virgin River
🎯

Activities

→
Zion Visitor Center: maps and trail conditions
→
Sunset at Court of the Patriarchs / Canyon Junction Bridge (photo spot)
2
Day

Springdale

zion gateway narrows outfitters canyon base

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10 photos
Day 2
🔍

Discover

1
Zion NP – The Narrows (river walk, lower section)
2
Emerald Pools Trail (Lower + Middle)
🎯

Activities

→
Neoprene/poles rental if cold water level (depending on season)
→
Wildlife observation: bighorn sheep along Zion Canyon
3
Day

Springdale

zion gateway narrows outfitters canyon base

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10 photos
Day 3
🔍

Discover

1
Angels Landing (if permit) or alternative Observation Point via East Mesa
2
Canyon Overlook Trail (short panorama over east entrance)
🎯

Activities

→
Mount Carmel Highway – photo points (Great Arch, switchbacks)
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 139 km
Travel time: 1h50
4
Day

Bryce Canyon

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10 photos
Day 4
🔍

Discover

1
Bryce Canyon NP – Sunrise Point & Sunset Point (rim walk)
2
Navajo Loop + Queen's Garden (loop among the hoodoos)
🎯

Activities

→
Scenic Drive to Bryce Point & Inspiration Point
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 196 km
Travel time: 2h30
5
Day

Torrey

capitol reef orchards waterpocket fold gateway

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6 photos
Day 5
🔍

Discover

1
Capitol Reef NP – Scenic Drive (Fruita, Piegon to Fruita Schoolhouse, panoramas)
2
Hickman Bridge Trail (round trip to the arch)
🎯

Activities

→
Petroglyph Panel pullout – petroglyphs observation
6
Day

Torrey

capitol reef orchards waterpocket fold gateway

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6 photos
Day 6
🔍

Discover

1
Capitol Reef – Cathedral Valley: Temples of the Sun & Moon (4x4 track if conditions OK)
🎯

Activities

→
Scenic stop at Glass Mountain / Gypsum Sinkhole (if accessible)
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 116 km
Travel time: 1h30
7
Day

Hanksville

mars desert research station factory butte

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6 photos
Day 7
🔍

Discover

1
Goblin Valley State Park – hoodoos areas ('goblins') for free exploration
2
Little Wild Horse Canyon – slot canyon (round trip narrowest section)
🎯

Activities

→
Sunset among the formations (main area)
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 186 km
Travel time: 2h10
8
Day

Moab

arches canyonlands mountain biking adventure hub

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3 photos
Day 8
🔍

Discover

1
Arches NP – Windows Section (North Window, South Window, Turret Arch)
2
Balanced Rock & Park Avenue (short stops/scenic walk)
🎯

Activities

→
Sunset at Delicate Arch Viewpoint (lower) if hike planned Day 9
9
Day

Moab

arches canyonlands mountain biking adventure hub

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3 photos
Day 9
🔍

Discover

1
Arches NP – hike to Delicate Arch (round trip)
2
Canyonlands NP (Island in the Sky) – Mesa Arch (short trail)
3
Canyonlands – Grand View Point Overlook (rim walk)
🎯

Activities

→
Scenic flight (flightseeing) over Canyonlands/Arches (golden hour)
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 51 km
Travel time: 40min
10
Day

Bluff

bears ears cedar mesa ancestral lands

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10 photos
Day 10
🔍

Discover

1
Dead Horse Point State Park – Overlook Trail (loops on the rim)
2
Goosenecks State Park – great meander of the San Juan River (overlook)
🎯

Activities

→
Photo stops along UT-313/US-191 (plateaus and canyons)
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 188 km
Travel time: 2h25
11
Day

Kayenta

monument valley navajo nation iconic views

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10 photos
Day 11
🔍

Discover

1
Valley of the Gods (scenic drive ~27 km) – buttes and mesas
2
Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park – guided loop (Navajo guide)
3
Forrest Gump Point (US-163) – iconic photo point
🎯

Activities

→
Stop at Monument Valley Visitor Center – panorama of the mittens
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 157 km
Travel time: 1h50
12
Day

Page

horseshoe bend antelope canyon lake powell

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2 photos
Day 12
🔍

Discover

1
Page – Antelope Canyon (Upper OR Lower, guided tour)
2
Horseshoe Bend Overlook (short walk)
🎯

Activities

→
Lake Powell – Wahweap Marina: scouting for boat trip D13
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 117 km
Travel time: 1h20
13
Day

Page

horseshoe bend antelope canyon lake powell

Page - Photo 1Page - Photo 2
2 photos
Day 13
🔍

Discover

1
Lake Powell – boat excursion (coves & side canyons)
2
Glen Canyon Dam Overlook
🎯

Activities

→
Photography at sunset on Wahweap Overlook
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 120 km
Travel time: 1h20
14
Day

Kanab

best friends sanctuary grand staircase gateway

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6 photos
Day 14
🔍

Discover

1
Paria Canyon–Vermilion Cliffs: The Wave (if permit) – hike to Coyote Buttes North
2
OR White Pocket (4x4 guided tour) – domes and 'turtle shell' patterns
🎯

Activities

→
BLM Center Kanab – permit info/trail conditions
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 280 km
Travel time: 3h10
15
Day

Tusayan

grand canyon south rim helicopter tours

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10 photos
Day 15
🔍

Discover

1
Grand Canyon NP (South Rim) – Rim Trail (Mather Point → Yavapai → Verkamp's)
2
Desert View Drive shuttle (stops: Moran Point, Lipan Point)
🎯

Activities

→
Sunset at Hopi Point (depending on shuttle access/season)
16
Day

Tusayan

grand canyon south rim helicopter tours

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10 photos
Day 16
🔍

Discover

1
Bright Angel Trail – partial descent to 1st/2nd resthouse
🎯

Activities

→
Grand Canyon Visitor Center & Yavapai Geology Museum
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 205 km
Travel time: 3h30
17
Day

Havasu Campground

havasupai falls turquoise pools permit paradise

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9 photos
Day 17
🔍

Discover

1
Route to Hualapai Hilltop (Havasupai trail departure)
2
Hike Hualapai Hilltop → Supai Village (~13 km)
3
Supai → Havasu Falls / Campground (~3–4 km)
🎯

Activities

→
Setup at Havasu camping (permit required)
18
Day

Havasu Campground

havasupai falls turquoise pools permit paradise

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9 photos
Day 18
🔍

Discover

1
Exploration of the falls: Havasu Falls, Mooney Falls (chain/ladder descent depending on conditions)
🎯

Activities

→
Supervised swimming (according to current rules)
19
Day

Havasu Campground

havasupai falls turquoise pools permit paradise

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9 photos
Day 19
🔍

Discover

1
Hike to Beaver Falls (if open) along Havasu Creek
🎯

Activities

→
Free time by the river (photos and relaxation)
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 228.5 km
Travel time: 2h51
20
Day

Sedona

red rock vortex jeep tours spiritual

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6 photos
Day 20
🔍

Discover

1
Ascent Campground → Supai → Hualapai Hilltop (~16–17 km)
2
Drive to Sedona (arrivals in late afternoon/evening)
🎯

Activities

→
Scenic stops along AZ-89A if timing allows
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 300 km
Travel time: 3h45
21
Day

Sedona

red rock vortex jeep tours spiritual

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6 photos
Day 21
🔍

Discover

1
Cathedral Rock – climb up to the saddles (steep sections)
2
Bell Rock & Courthouse Butte Loop (moderate trail)
🎯

Activities

→
Chapel of the Holy Cross – viewpoint over red rocks
22
Day

Sedona

red rock vortex jeep tours spiritual

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6 photos
Day 22
🔍

Discover

1
Sedona – Guided vortex tour (iconic energy sites)
2
Airport Mesa – short loop and sunset at viewpoint
🎯

Activities

→
Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village – architectural stroll (no mandatory shopping)
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 192 km
Travel time: 2h
23
Day

Phoenix

sonoran desert scottsdale departure gateway city

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3 photos
Day 23
🔍

Discover

1
Phoenix – Desert Botanical Garden (Sonoran Desert flora)
2
Camelback Mountain – hike (Echo Canyon OR Cholla, depending on fitness/time)
3
Downtown Phoenix – Heard Museum (Native American cultures)
🎯

Activities

→
South Mountain Scenic Drive – final urban and desert panoramas

🗺️ Itinerary map

🗺️ Nearby itineraries

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🛡️ Travel advice - United States

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❓ Frequently asked questions

What weather should you expect?

Spring (April-May): Perfect weather across most regions (15-25°C) with blooming landscapes, moderate crowds, and excellent conditions for national parks and cities. Ideal for diverse activities nationwide.

Autumn (September-October): Excellent temperatures with spectacular fall foliage, harvest festivals, and comfortable weather. Perfect for outdoor activities, cultural events, fewer crowds than summer.

Summer (June-August): Peak season with warmest weather but highest crowds and prices. Excellent for northern regions, challenging in southwestern deserts, perfect for beaches and national parks.

Winter (December-February): Variable conditions from tropical Florida to snowy Colorado. Perfect for skiing, southern destinations, indoor attractions, lowest prices outside holiday periods.

How many days should I plan?

We believe you will enjoy this itinerary best by dedicating between 21 and 31 days. The next step will allow you to adjust the duration of your stay.

What to discover in United States?

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