the grand trip

What Was the Grand Tour and Where Did People Go?

Freelance Travel and Music Writer

Nowadays, it’s so easy to pack a bag and hop on a flight or interrail across Europe’s railway at your own leisure. But what if it was known as a right of passage, made no easier by the fact that there was no such modern luxury? Welcome to the Grand Tour – and we’re not talking about Jeremy Clarkson’s TV series …

What was the grand tour all about.

The Grand Tour was a trip of Europe, typically undertaken by young men, which begun in the 17th century and went through to the mid-19th. Women over the age of 21 would occasionally partake, providing they were accompanied by a chaperone from their family. The Grand Tour was seen as an educational trip across Europe, usually starting in Dover, and would see young, wealthy travellers search for arts and culture. Though travelling was not as easy back then, mostly thanks to no rail routes like today, those on The Grand Tour would often have a healthy supply of funds in order to enjoy themselves freely.

What did travellers get up to?

Of course, in the 17th century, there was no such thing as the internet, making discovering things while sat on the other side of the world near impossible. Cultural integration was not yet fully-fledged and nothing like we experience today, so the only way to understand different ways of life was to experience them yourself. Hence why so many people set off for the Grand Tour – the ultimate trip across Europe!

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Typical routes taken on the Grand Tour

Travellers (occompanied by a tutor) would often start around the South East region and head in to France, where a coach would often be rented should the party be wealthy enough. Occasionally, the coaches would need to be disassembled in order to cross difficult terrain such as the Alps.

Once passing through Calais and Paris, a typical journey would include a stop-off in Switzerland before crossing the Alps in to Northern Italy. Here’s where the wealth really comes in to play – as luggage and methods of transport would need to be dismantled and carried manually – as really rich travellers would often employ servants to carry everything for them.

Of course, Italy is a highly cultural country and famous for its art and historic buildings, so travellers would spend longer here. Turin, Florence, Rome, Pompeii and Venice would be amongst the cities visited, generally enticing those in to extended stays.

On the return leg, travellers would visit Germany and occasionally Austria, including study time at universities such as Munich, before heading to Holland and Flanders, ahead of crossing the Channel back to Dover.

William Beckford’s Grand Tour route across Europe

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The Grand Tour
The Best Grand Tour Episodes

The Best Episodes of The Grand Tour

With 23 episodes from The Grand Tour Series 1 & 2 available to stream on Amazon Prime, now is a great time to rank all of the episodes available so far to see which is best. The list below is a direct result of hundreds of votes placed through our site by you, fans of The Grand Tour!

There were a few surprise results here, so without further ado let’s get into it!

1. S02, E09 – ‘Breaking, badly’

Richard Hammond and James May attempt to set a new British water speed record for amphibious cars. A staggering 85 percent of all people who try to break records on water are killed but this doesn’t put off Clarkson, Hammond and May as they set about building their own road legal machine from an unholy union of car, boat and jet engine and then use it to spear across the choppy waters of a vast lake during something called “Coniston Speed Week”. Rated 9.9/10.

2. S02, E10 – ‘Oh, Canada’

Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May reluctantly agree to test three SUVs in the rugged landscapes of Canada. Clarkson in the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio, Hammond in the Porsche Macan Turbo Performance Pack and May in the Range Rover Velar. The boys will test their cars’ sporting side at a race track and their utilitarian side with some enormous dogs, before ending in an epic race across the snowy mountains. Rated 9.8/10.

3. S02, E02 – ‘The Falls Guys’

Jeremy Clarkson drives the all-new, 647 horsepower Ford GT from New York city to Niagara Falls, a trip that is made more challenging by the car’s uncompromising, racing-car-for-the-road design and by James May who, using only public transportation, is trying to beat Jeremy to the finish line. Rated 9.4/10.

4. S02, E03 – ‘Bah humbug-atti’

Jeremy Clarkson asks if Europe’s glamour set still need their jets and helicopters to fulfil a busy day of breakfasting in St Tropez, skiing in the Alps and dining in Turin or if they’d be better off with a car. And it’s not just any car because he’s testing the new, 1,479 horsepower Bugatti Chiron with an epic cross-Europe dash. Rated 9.4/10.

5. S01, E13 – Past v Future

Clarkson compares his Volkswagen Golf GTI to May’s BMW i3 with a drag race at an airstrip and a road trip from London to Dartmoor to attend a Roger Daltrey and Wilko Johnson concert. Clarkson and Hammond make May hang out with “winchers” who drive their 4x4s deep into mud. Rated 9.4/10.

6. S01, E06 – Happy Finnish Christmas

Hammond welcomes the new right-hand-drive Ford Mustang GT and gives it a tour of London and Stonehenge before Clarkson arrives and proceeds to argue that Mustang has no place in Britain and that the Ford Focus RS is a better option. Meanwhile, May talks about the historic 24 Hours of Le Mans rivalry between Ford and Ferrari, which gave birth to the Ford GT40 and the Ferrari P3. Rated 9.3/10.

7. S02, E07 – ‘It’s a gas, gas, gas’

Richard Hammond and James May work out that the average motorist loses 36 days of their lives filling up with fuel. The pair vow to do something about it using their skill and ingenuity to invent a system for filling up on the move. Rated 9.2/10.

8. S02, E01 – ‘Past, Present, or Future’

Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May compare a V12-powered Lamborghini Aventador S, a hybrid Honda NSX and an all-electric Croatian supercar called the Rimac Concept One in a battle of past, present and future, set against the dramatic and car-unfriendly backdrop of Switzerland. Rated 9.2/10.

9. S02, E06 – ‘Jaaaaaaaags’

Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May set out to prove that old Jaguars are not only stylish and roguish but also strong and reliable with a road trip across Colorado. Along the way, they set laps around a punishing dirt track and test 0-100-0 performance at America’s highest commercial airport before embarking on one of the most perilous challenges they’ve ever attempted. Rated 8.9/10.

10. S02, E08 – ‘Blasts from the Past’

Jeremy Clarkson and Richard Hammond visit some evocative old motorsport locations in Europe using a pair of re-born 1950s sports cars, painstakingly rebuilt by their manufacturers to the original designs. With Clarkson in the Aston Martin DB4 GT lightweight and Hammond in the Jaguar XKSS, the pair start their adventure on the street circuit in Pau, France before their fun is interrupted by the arrival of James May in a modern Honda Civic Type R which he insists is better in every way. Rated 8.9/10.

11. S01, E12 – [Censored] to [Censored]

The presenters travel to Wank, Germany, where May in a Bentley Bentayga, Clarkson in a Range Rover, and Hammond in a Jaguar F-Pace plan a road trip on the Romantic Road via Kissing, Bavaria, then Petting, Bavaria, to Fucking, Austria. After passing Landsberg Prison and staying overnight in Fucking, Clarkson and Hammond suggest to May that they should skip Wedding (Berlin) and head for the Nürburgring instead. Rated 8.9/10.

12. S01, E03 – Opera, Art and Donuts

The presenters go “Grand Touring” in Italy with May in the Rolls-Royce Dawn, Clarkson in the Aston Martin DB11 and Hammond in the Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat. Clarkson and May’s tour starts at the Palio di Siena horse race, before viewing The Birth of Venus painting at Uffizi Gallery in Florence. Clarkson and Hammond race each other the Mugello Circuit. Rated 8.9/10.

13. S02, E05 – ‘Up, down and round the farm’

Jeremy Clarkson decides to make one of those Ken Block-style car skidding videos that are very popular on the internet using an old Subaru and a suitable swathe of English farmland. His endeavours are swiftly dismantled by Richard Hammond and James May who are on hand in the studio tent to reveal some of the embarrassing behind-the-scenes footage. Rated 8.8/10.

14. S01, E05 – Morroccan Roll

To settle an argument over the best sports car, the presenters go to Marrakech, Morocco to compare the Mazda MX-5, the Zenos E10S and the Alfa Romeo 4C Spider. During the road trip Clarkson suddenly pulls over due to a leg cramp while driving the 4C. Later, he challenges Hammond and May to weigh their cars to prove that the 4C is lighter, using an improvised scale and animal carcasses as counterweight. Rated 8.8/10.

15. S01, E07&08 – The Beach (Buggy) Boys

The presenters are set a challenge by their producer, Andy Wilman, who wishes to show that beach buggies are poor vehicles. Their challenge is to drive one thousand miles (1,600 km) along Namibia’s Skeleton Coast in three beach buggies, each built to their personal specifications but all derived from the Volkswagen Beetle. Rated 8.7/10.

16. S01, E01 – The Holy Trinity

In this very first episode of The Grand Tour , Clarkson, Hammond and May testing three hybrid hypercars; the McLaren P1, Porsche 918 and Ferrari LaFerrari at the Algarve International Circuit in Portugal. Rated 8.5/10.

17. S01, E09 – Berks To The Future

The tent is within the courtyard of Ludwigsburg Palace, where Clarkson praises Germany as the “cradle of the automobile.” May reviews the new Honda NSX. Clarkson fuses the body of a 1978 MGB Roadster with the chassis of a Land Rover Discovery to make a “proper” sport utility vehicle, but when the MG body falls off, he replaces it with a 1980s Mercedes-Benz SL. Rated 8.5/10.

18. S01, E02 – Operation Desert Stumble

Producer Andy Wilman sends the presenters to the King Abdullah II Special Operations Training Centre (KASOTC) outside Amman, Jordan for a SAS-style military training exercise. Rated 8.3/10.

19. S01, E10 – Dumb Fight at the O.K. Coral

The presenters then travel to Barbados to solve the problem of dying corals by dumping five car body shells into the ocean, but they lose two cars and a fishing boat on their first attempt before they are forced out of the premises by authorities. They manage to drop two cars into the reef site, and May is assigned to anchor them down while Clarkson and Hammond go jet skiing. Rated 8.0/10.

20. S01, E11 – Italian Lessons

To prove that a second-hand Maserati priced under £8,000 are a better buy than a Ford Focus, the presenters travel to Circuit de Croix-en-Ternois in France for a series of tests with Clarkson’s Biturbo S Coupé, Hammond’s 430 Saloon, and May’s Zagato Spyder. Because May injured his right arm prior to the challenge, he bought an automatic variant. The presenters then embark on a road trip through Northern France. Rated 8.0/10.

21. S01, E04 – Enviro-mental

The presenters travel to South Wales and set out to make the most environmentally friendly car bodies using the platform of a Land Rover Discovery. They take an 11 mile road trip to a dirt track, where they race against three normal cars. The idea of environmentally friendly car bodies is abandoned after Clarkson’s meat car is infested with maggots, Hammond’s garden car catches fire, and May’s mud and hay car falls apart. Rated 7.8/10.

22. S02, E04 – ‘Unscripted’

Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May attempt to show what would happen if The Grand Tour made a completely unscripted film with no pre-arranged locations, no set-up stunts, and no planned incidents. All they agree is that the starting point will be in Croatia, where Jeremy arrives in an Audi TT RS, while Richard turns up with a not-at-all-comparable Ariel Nomad. What follows is a demonstration of why some kind of script is generally a good thing. Rated 6.3/10.

23. S02 Mini-Special – ‘Feed the World’

In this mini-special, Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May take it upon themselves to try and end world hunger with an incredible journey across Mozambique. The three notice that people in the coastal regions of this country are well-fed on the bountiful supplies of fish from the ocean, while those in the interior exist on the brink of hunger. Their solution is to find a way to transport that fish inland but, predictably, they cannot agree on the best method to do this. Rated 5.7/10.

Were you surprised where some of your favourite episodes ended up? Let us know in the comments below!

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Top gear: series 25 episode 2 preview, related posts, ‘funeral for a ford’ – the grand tour series 3 episode 14 preview, ‘survival of the fattest’ – the grand tour series 3 episode 13 preview, ‘legends and luggage’ – the grand tour series 3 episode 12 preview, james may is our man in…japan, ‘sea to unsalty sea’ – the grand tour series 3 episode 11 preview, ‘the youth vote’ – the grand tour series 3 episode 10 preview.

Eres un figura… Gracias, Un saludo

Mozambique last !? This was for me the best and funniest of all the episodes!

I thought enviro-mental was one of the highlights in season one,although what James built was stupid and just not funny.They should re-do that episode except this time they all follow Richard Hammond’s concept idea.

Really disappointed with the mini special, was looking forward to it all series, think next time they should do a normal 2hr special cos that 1 was rubbish an just felt rushed :/

Yeah so was I to be honest. I wonder if carting around such a large crew puts a limit on how far they can go or what they’re able to do.

feels like all they do is talking while driving. usually we would’ve see them detour, buying souvenirs, ‘upgrading’ their vehicles, enjoying the view, etcetera etcetera

See 9 National Parks on This Picturesque Road Trip Through the American West — Including the Grand Canyon, Arches, and Zion

Plus, you'll drive through the Navajo Nation Reservation and visit the Four Corners.

Evie Carrick is a writer and editor who’s lived in five countries and visited well over 50. She now splits her time between Colorado and Paris, ensuring she doesn't have to live without skiing or L'As du Fallafel.

Don Elm/Travel + Leisure

With so much to do and see in the world , there’s something wonderfully efficient about a road trip that takes you through five states and nine national parks in one go. The Grand Circle road trip, best visualized here , starts in Nevada and passes through Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona before returning where it started. The giant loop provides a great introduction to the Southwest as it takes travelers to nine national parks, a national monument, and a handful of towns worthy of a lengthy stopover .

For a route that seems to have it all, there is very little information on it. Some versions of the route pass only through Utah and Arizona — a truncated version that still includes six national parks. But if you have the time, we recommend the Grand Grand Circle road trip, which also passes through Colorado and New Mexico and includes a visit to Four Corners National Monument where four states meet.

According to our calculations, the full loop covers well over 1,500 miles and will take a full 15 days (if not more) to complete. The route starts and ends in Las Vegas , a major flight hub that is less than three hours from Zion National Park — the first stop on the road trip. (You can also fly in and out of Albuquerque. Though, for simplicity's sake, we built the trip around arrival and departure from Las Vegas.) Here we go!

Day 1 and 2: Las Vegas to Zion National Park

After picking up a car in Las Vegas and making the three-hour journey to Zion National Park in Utah, the fun begins. The first park on the Grand Circle is also Utah’s first national park, and it’s become iconic for its red sandstone cliff walls and narrow slot canyons. Spend a full day exploring Zion’s not-to-miss adventures like Zion Narrows , a watery gorge hike with 1,000-foot-tall walls, and the Emerald Pools , which have waterfalls and a hanging garden.

Day 3 and 4: Bryce Canyon National Park and Capitol Reef National Park

Tessa Desjardins/Travel + Leisure

It takes less than two hours to drive to Bryce Canyon National Park from Zion, so you should be able to get in a full day of exploration. Like Zion, Bryce Canyon has lots of stunning red rock, which is extra vibrant in photos taken at sunrise and sunset. But while Zion is known for its sky-high canyon walls, Bryce is famous for the crimson-colored hoodoos (spire-shaped rock formations) and the Bryce Amphitheater . Your best bet is to hike the Rim Trail, which provides views over the amphitheater.

After a full day at Bryce Canyon, make the two-hour drive to the next park on the Grand Circle: Capitol Reef National Park .

Day 5 and 6: Capitol Reef National Park and Moab

Brad McGinley Photography/Getty Images

You’ll want to spend at least one full day at Capitol Reef National Park, which is known for the bizarre rock formations that surround the long “wrinkle” in Utah’s south-central desert known as the Waterpocket Fold . Highlights inside this national park include the Chimney Rock pillar, the Hickman Bridge arch, and a series of white sandstone domes. To the north, you can walk among the towering monoliths of Cathedral Valley.

After exploring the park, make the two-hour drive to Moab — an adventure town with mountain biking, rafting, and Jeeping that’s easily worth a full day of exploration (if not more). You’ll pass the next two national parks on your drive in, but both are within 30 minutes of Moab and an easy backtrack once you’ve had a day back in “civilization.”

Day 7 and 8: Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park

Suphanat Wongsanuphat/Getty Images

Arches National Park is less than 10 minutes from downtown Moab, so if you want to sleep in, this is the day to do it. Arches is small compared to most other Utah parks , but it packs a punch. Within the 120-square-mile park are over 2,000 towering sandstone arches, including the massive Delicate Arch and the unbelievably long and thin Landscape Arch.

From Arches, it’s just a 30-minute drive to Canyonlands National Park , which you passed on your way into Moab. Canyonlands has everything from Native rock paintings to the towering rock pinnacles found in the Needles area . For views over the desert, make your way to the Island in the Sky — a giant, flat-topped mesa with overlooks galore.

Day 9 and 10: Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and Telluride

Mark C Stevens/Getty Images

After a day in Canyonlands, hop back in your trusty vehicle and make the road trip’s longest segment yet — a three-hour drive out of Utah and into Colorado. Once you’ve crossed the state line, it’s around two hours to your next destination: Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park .

The red rock landscapes of Utah are long gone, replaced by dark Precambrian rock. But, like many of the parks in Utah, Black Canyon is built around a deep, steep-walled gorge. You can travel all the way down to the bottom of the gorge via the winding East Portal Road, or explore the South Rim Road and enjoy the 12 overlooks and mini hiking trails that wind off the route. (Pro-tip: don’t miss a stop at the striped Painted Wall cliff face !)

After a day in the Black Canyon, make the scenic, 1.5-hour drive to the mountain town of Telluride , which is wildly picturesque and offers plenty to do on your “down day” — including hikes to waterfalls and a free gondola up the mountain.

Day 11 and 12: Mesa Verde National Park and Four Corners National Monument

Jorge Villalba/Getty Images

The landscape goes from mountainous to high desert on the 1.5-hour drive between Telluride and Mesa Verde National Park . This Colorado park is particularly special because it protects several well-preserved ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings, including the huge Cliff Palace. These homes, which are built into the rock, can be explored on foot, or you can drive the Mesa Top Loop Road past the park’s many archaeological sites and overlooks.

Not long after leaving Mesa Verde, you’ll pass through the Ute Mountain Reservation and then into the Navajo Nation Reservation. In the latter, you can swing through the Navajo Nation’s Four Corners National Monument , where you can stand at the point where all four states — Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona — meet. The Four Corners National Monument is less than an hour from Mesa Verde, but the next park on the list — Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona — is still another three hours away.

Day 13 and 14: Petrified Forest National Park and Grand Canyon National Park

Lauren Breedlove/Travel + Leisure

Petrified Forest National Park is the first stop in Arizona, the final and fifth state in the Grand Circle Road Trip. This lesser-known park doesn’t see anywhere near the number of visitors as your next stop, Grand Canyon National Park, so soak up the solitude and enjoy the quiet trails that pass through the park’s colorful, petrified forest. For a dose of local history, check out the petroglyphs of Newspaper Rock and the ruined village of Puerco Pueblo.

After a day in Petrified Forest National Park, make the three-hour drive northwest to the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park , the final stop on the Grand Circle. The immense, mile-deep Grand Canyon has many viewpoints, including Mather Point and the Yavapai Observation Station. If you need to stretch your legs, the Bright Angel Trail is a popular and easy-to-access hike.

Day 15: Return to Las Vegas and Fly Home

The drive from the South Rim of the Grand Canyon to Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) in Las Vegas takes around 4.5 hours, so make sure to budget plenty of time.

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Age-Friendly Travel

The Grand Trip: Traveling With Grandchildren

Jan 1, 2009

See recent posts by Barbara Ramsay Orr

Grandparents and grandkids on a walk through the countryside.

Multigenerational travel with the entire family is popular, but vacations for grandparents and grandchildren are just as exciting (and likely welcomed by parents, who can enjoy a vacation of their own). Plus, many resorts and destinations offer activities specifically designed for grandparent-grandchild bonding on grandparent grandchild trips. Before you start planning your trip, we’ll help you hash out the important details, which include steps to ensure a truly “grand” time traveling with grandchildren, as well as some fun trips for grandparents and grandchildren alike.

What You’ll Need No matter where you travel, you’ll want to bring a few copies of the children’s photos with you, in case of an emergency. It is also a good idea to obtain a limited power of attorney if traveling abroad with grandchildren.

Domestic Travel

A notarized letter from the absent parent giving their permission for you to travel with the child. The letter must include the absent parents’ address, phone number and authorization to travel, as well as the destination and the length of stay. This should be carried with you at all times.
A notarized letter from the parents giving permission for medical care.
Copies of the grandchildren’s medical and dental insurance cards, as well as prescriptions (if applicable).

International Travel With Grandchildren

If you are traveling to Mexico, Canada or areas in the Caribbean, grandchildren ages 15 and under can use certified copies of their birth certificates instead of a passport, though a passport is the easiest solution.
To fly to Europe, children must have their own passports, as well as the documents necessary for domestic travel. You can check the U.S. Department of State’s website for country-specific information.

Grandfather and grandson cooking breakfast on a camping trip.

Best Places to Travel With Grandparents

Camping If you are healthy and physically fit, camping is a great way to travel with your grandchildren. You can camp almost anywhere, and there are special camping rates offered for seniors. Jellystone Park Camp-Resorts, for example, is a continent-wide chain of campgrounds that specialize in family-friendly camping experiences. We also like Great Camp Sagamore , located in the Adirondacks , which offers a Grandparents’ and Grandchildren’s Camp, complete with canoeing, swimming, hiking, crafts, campfires and sing-alongs. It also offers separate programs just for grandmothers and their granddaughters, perfect for a girls’ day.

National Parks America’s national parks are some of the best in the world, and even if you don’t camp in one, places like Denali, Everglades, Yosemite , Yellowstone and the Grand Canyon are fascinating places to visit. Plus, most admit seniors and children under age 16 free of charge — it’s a highly affordable and easy way to vacation, even if just for a day trip.

Related: 10 Best National Parks for Families

Grandparents and grandkids playing on the beach.

All-Inclusive Resorts The least work-intensive destination for a vacation with grandkids is an all-inclusive resort . Meals are provided and there are excellent programs to keep little ones busy. Plus, the facilities are all within reach, usually inside a gated and protected area. This reduces a lot of anxiety for first-time visits with young grandchildren. We’re not just talking about Caribbean all-inclusive resorts either — Lake Tahoe’s Sierra Club offers a Grandparents and Grandkids Only experience in rustic lodging that includes hikes along the Pacific Crest Trail, swimming in fresh mountain lakes, and a full program of evening activities. In the Caribbean, we like Beaches Resorts, as many of them offer large suites. We also suggest Franklyn D. Resort & Spa in Jamaica , which features complimentary nanny services. It also has a “Bring Your Own Grandparent” (BYOG) offer, which allows up to two grandparents to stay free with a family, plus a free upgrade for a shared suite.

Related: 10 Best All-Inclusive Caribbean Family Resorts for 2016

Specialty Group Tours Tour companies are beginning to tailor programs to Grandparent and Grandchildren travel experiences, and this can be an excellent and worry-free way to travel. It has the added advantage that your fellow travelers will be grandparents with grandchildren, too.

Road Scholars conducts such group tours, designed for grandchildren of different age levels. Destinations include Costa Rica , Italy and Africa, each one completely planned with activities for both grandparents and grandchildren and designed to be an intimate and memorable experience.

Grandparents and their grandchildren can enjoy dinner and conversation (practice in French!) with a family in Paris and have a portrait painted by an artist in Montmartre. They can also tour the control room and underground bunker at the bottom of the Eiffel Tower . On an African Safari in Kenya, visit the Wildlife Trust’s Orphan Project, where orphaned baby elephants are being prepared to return to the wild, or, in Spain, tour replicas of the Nina, the Pinta and the Santa Maria, and visit the monastery from which Christopher Columbus left on his voyage of discovery to the New World.

Related: 7 All Inclusive Multigenerational Tours for Families

Rental Properties For quality time with your grandchildren, a rented condo, villa or cottage can be ideal, since they provide all the amenities you usually have at home, and more. For example, one of our best experiences included an ocean-side villa in Kauai with our grandson. We were able to cook our own meals and enjoy breakfast on the balcony by the ocean. We also swam, boogie-boarded and visited the seals that came to sun on the sand. There were other children at the beach and at the communal pool, too, but there was still plenty of time for just us, looking at birds, marveling at roosters (who seemed to be everywhere), and just spending good, quality time together.

Plenty of popular vacation rental destinations offer similar amenities, and many are close to boardwalks and theme parks.

Related: 10 Best Vacation Rental Destinations for Families

Cruising Disney , Norwegian and several other cruise lines specialize in child-friendly sailings. These are floating palaces, with organized meals, activities and informal kid-friendly dining options. Children 5 years and older are sure to love one of these experiences. Disney Cruises feature animation classes, live productions of Disney favorites, like Aladdin, and family karaoke. Plus most cruises have excellent day programs for children and teens.

International Travel We believe children need to be at least 10 years old to appreciate — and endure — overseas and international travel. While it’s tempting to see as much as possible, too much moving around from hotel to hotel can be tiring and confusing. It’s better to plan to spend chunks of time in a few places. European countries are generally kid-friendly, particularly Italy — where it seems children are spoiled at every table. Conclusion: approach international travel with grandchildren with caution.

Grandparents and grandkids crowded around a laptop.

Additional Tips

1. Do a Test Run If you haven’t spent time alone with grandchildren, try it out before you go, for an overnight or a weekend visit. If all goes well, you are set to go. If not, you have a better idea of the problems that might arise and can plan for them.

2. Use FaceTime Set up FaceTime on your tablet or phone, and have regular chats with parents if little ones get homesick. But don’t overdo the contact either — a little distance is good for both sides.

3. Research Plans with Your Grandkids Do some sleuthing to find age-appropriate activities, restaurants and parks beforehand, and let your grandkids weigh in on the plans!

4. Consider Your Own Needs Don’t be overly ambitious about how much you can physically handle. Just as young children need their rest, grandparents do, too. Look for a destination with built-in babysitting for a break from busy children, if you think you might need it.

5. Follow Mom and Dad’s Rules You are not a stranger to your grandchildren but you are not a parent, either. We want to indulge our grandchildren, but we need to be respected, too. Don’t permit bad behavior that would not be approved of at home. Everyone will be happier.

6. Nexus and Global Entry Pass If you wish to use your Nexus Pass or Global Entry Pass, the grandchildren will have to have the pass, too, if you are traveling together. It will save you a lot of time — you can bypass long lines at customs.

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Grand Circle Road Trip Itinerary

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Want to see the amazing National Parks of Arizona and Utah, and a few extras in two weeks? This road trip itinerary takes you through The Grand Circle, which is a region in the southwest United States including Utah’s big 5 National Parks of Arches, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, Bryce, and Zion, plus the Grand Canyon, Monument Valley, Mesa Verde National Park, and Valley of Fire state park in Nevada!

2 Week Grand Circle Itinerary Summary:

Day 1: Las Vegas to Williams AZ
Days 2 & 3: Grand Canyon South Rim
Day 4: Monument Valley
Days 5 & 6: Four Corners and Mesa Verde
Days 7 & 8: Arches & Canyonlands
Day 9: Capitol Reef
Day 10: Bryce Canyon
Days 11 & 12: Zion
Day 13: Valley of Fire
Day 14: Las Vegas, travel home

If you don’t have two weeks, this itinerary can be modified easily to ten days by taking out the days to Monument Valley, Mesa Verde, and Valley of Fire. You could also drive straight from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon in one day if you want.

10 Day Grand Circle Itinerary:

Day 1: Las Vegas to Grand Canyon South Rim
Day 2: Grand Canyon South Rim
Days 3 & 4: Arches & Canyonlands
Day 5: Capitol Reef
Days 7: Bryce Canyon
Day 8 & 9: Zion
Day 10: Las Vegas, travel home

Now time to come along for an adventure tour of the amazing southwestern United States! 🙂

Las Vegas to Williams AZ

Las Vegas is a great starting point for a trip of the Grand Circle because it’s easy to get flights to and rent a car , which is what we did.

Staying in Boulder City instead of Las Vegas was a quieter overnight option , and waking up in the morning and seeing beautiful Lake Mead was so nice! You can get breakfast or stock up on groceries in town, and see some sights before hitting the road.

Sites to check out in Boulder City include:

Hemenway Park – a pretty little local park, nice place for a picnic and to see big horn sheep!
Lake Mead National Recreation Area – You do need to buy a pass to get into Lake Mead if you want to visit, but since you’ll be visiting many National Parks on this trip, I highly recommend picking up the National Park’s Annual pass here if you don’t already have one! There shouldn’t be much of a line to get it like there can be at the Grand Canyon.
Hoover Dam – (we took a walk on the Hoover Dam bridge for free , getting a beautiful view of the dam, instead of taking the tour which would have taken much longer)

The drive from the Hoover Dam to Williams was easy highway driving totally approximately 3 hours and 20 minutes. We made a lunch stop in Kingman, and when we finally got to our destination for the night we had a fun time walking around and exploring a little of the town of Williams on Route 66 !

You can read more details of the full drive to the Grand Canyon here .

A view of Mather Point at the Grand Canyon

Grand Canyon South Rim

Days Two and Three.

The drive from Williams to the south rim of the Grand Canyon is only an hour long. After that, you’ve got the rest of the day and all of the next to explore one of the wonders of the natural world! The Grand Canyon is breath taking!

We had almost 2 full days at the south rim. I would have preferred a third, but if you’re not into hiking then 2 days should be enough. You’ll be able to see all the viewpoints and stops, museums, gift shops, etc. with 2 days for sure. Even one full day is good for an overview if that’s all the time you have.

Things to check out at the south rim include:

Mather Point – Make this your first stop! It’s right next to the main visitor’s center(which should probably be your second stop 😉
Desert View Watchtower
Take the shuttle bus out to Hermit’s Rest and other viewpoints
Tusayan Ruins Museum and historic site
Go on a day hike down Bright Angel Trail
Take an easy walk along the South rim where there are art galleries, restaurants, and views galore!

Monument Valley

The drive to Monument Valley from the Grand Canyon was an easy 3 hours through dry desert landscapes. Monument Valley is located on Navajo lands, and is not an actual National Park. But it’s an impressive sight nonetheless, with towering “monuments” of red desert sandstone jutting out through the arid, flat lands.

The Navajo here have their own visitor’s center, museum, and even guided tours on jeep or horseback, or you can take your own car and drive the gravel road through the monuments. They do charge a fee to get into the main area.

I would say one day here is good enough for a visit. There’s enough things to do filling up a whole day , with time to sit and relax a little. Also if you’re up for camping-or glamping, I highly recommend it! We had one of the most beautiful nights of our trip sitting under the stars at a camp fire, playing music, and then watching the sun rise over the monuments the next morning!

Four Corners & Mesa Verde National Park

Days Five and Six.

Being in this part of the country, and with the Four Corners Monument so close by, I knew we had to stop and visit it. It’s really out in the middle of nowhere, so if standing in four states all at once thrills you, go there!

Getting there from Monument Valley was about an hour and a half, and you only need an hour or two max to visit. You get your photo taken at the four corners, and there’s a lot of Native American vendors to shop at around the perimeter.

Continuing on to Cortez, Colorado , the town just outside of Mesa Verde, took another hour drive. All said, with driving times and the stop at the Four Corners, took up half a day.

We split our time at Mesa Verde National Park from the afternoon on the first day, and morning on the second. We were able to see all the sites on Chapin Mesa , one of the two major sections of the park, and also take a tour of Balcony House.

Going on a tour of one of the cliff dwellings is a must at Mesa Verde!

There was still Wetherill mesa, and other cliff dwelling houses we could have toured, but we just didn’t have the time. I would recommend 2 full days for Mesa Verde. But one day was fine if you just want to get an overview of the place like we did.

After our tour of Balcony house the morning of day six, we continued on and drove on towards Moab for the rest of our day.

Arches & Canyonlands National Parks

Days Seven and Eight.

Both Arches and Canyonlands National Parks are right outside of the town of Moab, Utah. Moab is THE place you want to stay at when visiting these parks. It’s full of adventure seekers and there are even state parks around like Dead Horse Point adjacent to Canyonlands that you may want to check out if you have more time.

We gave ourselves 2 full days here, one for each park.

At Arches, we saw almost all the major sites , and hiked to the iconic landmark of Delicate Arch , as well as Landscape Arch .

The section of Canyonlands we visited was Isle in the Sky district (the park is made up of 3, with this one being the main part and most popular). We had so much fun at this park! It’s not as crowded or famous as Arches, but it’s absolutely beautiful, don’t miss it!

We drove and stopped at all the viewpoints, hiked the short trail to Mesa Arch , and then went to Grand View point to see the sunset.

So one day at each park was enough for a good taste of what these beautiful places are like.

Capitol Reef National Park

One of the lesser known National Parks, Capitol Reef was quite stunning, and I have to wonder why it’s so overlooked! It’s smaller than the others, and with one main road makes it easy to see the sites in one day.

Getting there from Moab was a 2.5 hour drive, not too long, so driving didn’t take up much of the day, and we had the rest of it to see the park.

With one day spent at Capitol Reef , we were able to view the petroglyphs and historic sites, have a picnic lunch near the river and apple orchards, stop in the gift shop and buy some delicious mini pies! You must get some of those deserts! Drive all the way down Capitol Gorge dirt road, and then even hike the Tanks Trail. It was a fun filled day!

We spent the night at an Airbnb in the town of Torrey which is the closest town outside of the park. There are of course some hotels there as well.

Bryce Canyon National Park

If I had another day on this trip, I would dedicate it to Bryce. Hands down. But, that’s because I like to go on hikes, to really explore places as much as I can. If you’re not into hiking, one day at Bryce is enough to see all the views and go on a short hike.

Driving to Bryce From Torrey was incredibly beautiful! We took the famous Utah Scenic route 12 , and I can’t recommend it enough!

We had an incredible day visiting Bryce Canyon , getting to all the scenic viewpoints along the drive, and hiking half of the Fairyland loop trail. It was so beautiful, and I don’t regret it, but this is where I do wish I did some more research beforehand (or simply had more time). If I knew better I think I would have chosen the Queen’s Garden and Navajo Loop trails. Simply because from the pictures I saw throughout the years afterwards, I SO want to go back and do that trail!

In a way though, it’s nice having reasons to go back to all of these places 🙂

Zion National Park

Days Eleven & Twelve.

Day eleven was taken up driving to Zion from Bryce , which was another beautiful scenic drive, especially on getting to Zion because you drive through part of the park, and there are tunnels and views galore!

We were staying overnight in the town of Hurricane, which was farther away from the park than what I would have liked, but only 30 mins so not too bad. Word of advice, book early if you want to stay in the towns close by !

The next day we got up, but not as early as I would have liked. Another word of advice: get to Zion early if you want a parking space x.x We spent about another half hour or more driving around looking for one. Finally we found a spot near the campground parking lot, and we walked a part of the Pa’rus trail, and got on the park shuttle to see the rest.

There’s many things to see and hikes to do at Zion . With one full day we did that small hike on the Pa’rus, visited every shuttle stop, hiked the lower and upper Emerald Pools Trail, and continued on to the Kayenta trail, hiked up to see the Weeping Wall, and also did the 1 mile River walk to the start of the Narrows.

We didn’t have time for any of the major hikes like Angel’s Landing, the Narrows, or Observation Point, but we got a great overview of the park! Of course if one of those hikes is important to you, you can simply spend the day doing that instead.

But for us…another time hopefully! 🙂

Valley of Fire State Park

I had no idea this place existed before planning this trip. When making plans, I look for places inbetween the major stops, to give ourselves a break driving and find other things of interest.

Valley of Fire is a gem , and just outside of Las Vegas!

We had such a fun day there, just as much fun as any of the National Parks!

We drove from Zion to Valley of Fire on our last day, and spent the whole day in the park. Doing as we usually do; stopping at the visitor’s center(you do have to pay a fee to get in), getting a map, driving the roads and stopping at all the landmarks if possible. As well as hike a few small trails.

You can easily fill up your whole day here with plenty of stuff to see. Just be sure to pack a lunch with you and plenty of water! There are no food stands in the park.

We dropped off our rental car, which we conveniently got right at the Las Vegas Airport , and flew home.

Ok, so you may have to count an extra day or two for travel in this itinerary. For our trip it was 13 days with 2 days travel, but that also depends on the flights you get, and how long it takes you to get to Las Vegas. If you’re from the East coast and you catch an early flight, you can definitely do the drive from Las Vegas to Williams on day one.

All said and done, this was a great trip, and I’d do it again any time! I hope these details can help you out planning your own trip 🙂

Let me know in the comments below if you have any alternate Grand Circle Trip itineraries, or special places along the way that are worth checking out!

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Outdoor Adventures

First-timer's guide to the grand canyon.

For those making their first trip to the Grand Canyon, here's an expert take on when to go, where to stay, and how to get around.

Before you pack your bags and make the trip to Grand Canyon National Park , a few words of practical advice:

With the kids out of school, summertime is undoubtedly the busiest time of year, making peak season at Grand Canyon between June-August. If you're staying during this time, be sure to book your lodging early, as reservations start filling up nine months to a year in advance .

For cooler weather, lighter crowds and better lodging availability, plan your trip during the shoulder seasons between March-May, and September-November.

South Rim or North Rim?

According to the Grand Canyon National Park's official page , though the width of the canyon is roughly 10 miles, driving from the South to North Rim can take at least five hours on a route that sometimes dips south through Tusayan and even Flagstaff before turning back north through Cameron or Bitter Springs. Hiking rim-to-rim is possible but is recommended only for the experienced hiker. (See " Grand Canyon Hiking " for more trail options.)

Most easily accessible from Phoenix, Sedona or Flagstaff, the South Rim welcomes more visitors than the North Rim and offers the most amenities and attractions in terms of lodging, dining, tours, transportation, viewpoints and family-friendly experiences. It is also open year-round. As this area tends to be much busier—particularly during peak season—be sure to book reservations well in advance.

Quieter, more remote and offering fewer visitor services, this rugged portion of Grand Canyon National Park experiences fewer visitors and offers a more outdoor-minded experience. Due to its higher elevation, the North Rim is also cooler in temperature and experiences heavy snowfall in winter, resulting in a shorter season. (It's open from mid-May through mid-October.)

Quieter, more remote and offering fewer visitor services, the North Rim experiences fewer visitors and offers a more outdoor-minded experience.

Where to stay

Bring your tent or RV to enjoy the great outdoors at one of the many campgrounds in the park.

Two of the three National Park Service campgrounds accept reservations: Mather Campground on the South Rim and North Rim Campground . Desert View Campground on the South Rim (open seasonally between mid-April and mid-October) is first-come, first-served, and Trailer Village is a concessioner-run RV park with full hook-ups.

If roughing it isn't quite your style, Grand Canyon National Park Lodges operates numerous hotels, both inside and outside the park.

Located at the top of Bright Angel Trailhead, the historic Bright Angel Lodge & Cabins , designed by Mary Colter in 1935, provides rustic accommodations close to outdoor adventure. Take your pick from budget-friendly lodge rooms with shared bathrooms, standard lodge rooms or private cabins (one of which was home to one of Roosevelt's "Rough Riders").

Perched on the edge of the South Rim, the European chalet-style El Tovar Hotel , which opened in 1905, offers spectacular views, one-of-a-kind rooms and suites, and fine dining in the famous El Tovar Dining Room.

Just a mile from the entrance of the park, The Grand Hotel at the Grand Canyon is the area's only Three-Diamond hotel, and the rustic chalet-style hotel offers an indoor heated swimming pool and hot tub, a steakhouse and saloon, and plush rooms with a kitchenette.

Meanwhile, Thunderbird Lodge and Kachina Lodge are popular choices for families, due to their casual, modern aesthetic and convenient location within walking distance to many of the park's attractions.

On the North Rim, book one of the cozy cabins at the historic Grand Canyon Lodge to stay amid towering pine trees and just steps away from the scenic Bright Angel Point Trail. This landmark lodge boasts cliffside views and an on-site restaurant serving up hearty, regionally inspired dishes such as venison meatloaf and wild rice primavera.

Getting around

Take advantage of the Grand Canyon National Park's free shuttle buses that operate on set routes throughout the park along the South Rim, including:

the Village (Blue) Route, connecting the visitor center with lodging and other facilities;
Kaibab Rim (Orange) Route, a figure-eight route between the visitor center and five scenic viewpoints;
Hermit Road (Red) Route, connecting Grand Canyon Village and Hermits Rest, with scenic overlook stops along the way; and
the Tusayan (Purple) Route, a park-and-ride service between the community of Tusayan and the park.

The early-morning Hiker's Express Shuttle transports hikers to the South Kaibab Trailhead from Bright Angel Lodge, the Backcountry Information Center and the Grand Canyon Visitor Center. For a $90 fee, the privately run Trans-Canyon Shuttle takes visitors between the North and South Rims.

You've arrived

You made it to the Grand Canyon. Welcome! Now what? We have you covered here, too. Read on to discover our three-day, activity-filled Grand Canyon itinerary —perfect for newcomers and returning visitors.

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Join the Adventure: Start Your National Park Bucket List

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How to Plan a Grand Circle Road Trip to Utah and Arizona National Parks

This Grand Circle road trip features the best national parks and outdoorsy adventures in Utah and Arizona.

the grand circle road trip includes Capitol Reef National Park where a road curves through a desert landscape with rocky hills

The longest arch in the U.S., miles of slot canyons, winding river gorges, and otherworldly rock formations — it’s all a part of this Southwest national parks road trip. The Arizona and Utah border shares a landscape of desert plateaus, deep canyons, sandy dunes, and red rocks. Some of the best parts are preserved in over a dozen national and state parks.

This Grand Circle road trip wraps six national parks into one epic Utah and Arizona itinerary, with tons of other recreation areas, scenic byways, and hiking trails along the way. This guide will help you map out the best route to see as much of it as possible, whether you’re planning a 7-day Southwest road trip or an extended vacation.

The included Grand Circle road trip itinerary has options for 7 to 14 days in Utah and Arizona. Plus, we’ve included a detailed bucket list of destinations you’ll want to target. After spending several weeks in the Southwest over the years, I’ve still barely scratched the surface of this breathtaking region. I know you’ll fall in love with it, too!

Southwest Grand Circle Map

This Grand Circle Map has tags for all the locations on the Southwest road trip below. Click to open a Google Map and save the destinations.

Grand Circle Road Trip Itinerary Options

These Grand Circle itineraries all start and end in Las Vegas since the city has an international airport close to the region. For more airport options, scroll down to the tips section at the end.

1 Week Grand Circle Road Trip Itinerary

Day 1: Las Vegas to Zion National Park Day 2: Zion to Bryce Canyon National Park Day 3: Bryce Canyon to Moab Day 4: Arches and Canyonlands National Parks Day 5: Moab to Monument Valley to Page Day 6: Page to Grand Canyon North or South Rim Day 7: Grand Canyon to Las Vegas

10 Day Grand Circle Itinerary

Day 1: Las Vegas to Zion National Park Day 2: Zion to Bryce Canyon National Park Day 3: Bryce Canyon to Capitol Reef National Park via Byway 12 Day 4: Capitol Reef National Park to Moab Day 5: Canyonlands National Park and Dead Horse State Park Day 6: Arches National Park Day 7: Moab to Monument Valley to Page Day 8: Page to Grand Canyon National Park Day 9: Grand Canyon South Rim or North Rim Day 10: Grand Canyon to Las Vegas

2 Week Grand Circle Road Trip Itinerary

Day 1: Las Vegas to Valley of Fire to Zion National Park Day 2: Zion National Park Day 3: Zion National Park or Grand Canyon North Rim Day 4: Bryce Canyon National Park Day 5: Kodachrome Basin to Capitol Reef National Park via Byway 12 Day 6: Capitol Reef National Park Day 7: Capitol Reef to Goblin Valley to Moab via Upper Colorado Scenic Byway Day 8: Canyonlands National Park and Dead Horse State Park Day 9: Arches National Park Day 10: Moab to Natural Bridges National Monument to Goosenecks State Park Day 11: Valley of the Gods or Monument Valley to Page Day 12: Page to Grand Canyon South Rim or North Rim Day 13: Grand Canyon National Park Day 14: Grand Canyon to Las Vegas via Historic Route 66

The Grand Circle Road Trip Stops

These Grand Circle national parks, state parks, and scenic drives should be on your radar. While you’ll need 2 weeks to fit them all in, you can skip some on a shorter Southwest national parks road trip.

This red rock arch with rock formations in the background is part of a Southwest road trip

Valley of Fire State Park

Valley of Fire State Park is a must-see on the drive from Las Vegas to Zion National Park. It’s located about an hour outside the big city in Nevada.

On a short visit, drive Mouse’s Tank Road , where the pavement cuts through a red rock landscape before opening up to sweeping desert views. With a little more time, you can add on a few of the park’s short hikes. The Fire Wave Trail (1.5 miles, easy) has a huge sandstone formation with swirling stripes of red, pink, and white. The White Domes Loop (1 mile, easy) passes through a slot canyon and alongside domes and ridges splattered with colors.

Recommended time : Half to full day

The pink and orange canyons at Zion are part of this grand circle national parks road trip.

Zion National Park

Zion is many people’s favorite Utah national park. It’s also the most visited one on this itinerary (yes, even more than the Grand Canyon). When you’re wading through a river staring up at soaring red and pink canyon walls, or climbing a narrow ridge that steeply drops a thousand feet to the valley below, it’s easy to see why.

Zion National Park isn’t only for adrenaline seekers, though. The scenic Zion-Mount Carmel Highway weaves through checkerboard hills and a historic tunnel before dropping to the canyon floor. And family-friendly walks along the river (try the Pa’rus Trail or Riverside Walk ) show off the landscape to mild adventurers.

If you’re able, though, don’t miss some of the bucket list hikes here. Two of the most popular are The Narrows trail (up to 10 miles, strenuous) in the Virgin River and the West Rim trail to Angel’s Landing (5.4 miles, permit required , strenuous). The Canyon Overlook Trail (1 mile, moderate) offers a view of Pine Creek Canyon. And the Emerald Pools trails (up to 3 miles, easy to moderate) lead to lower and upper waterfall basins. Most hikes are along the Floor of the Valley Road, which is closed to private vehicles from April through November. Allow extra time to park and ride the shuttle from the visitor center in Springdale.

With more than a couple of days here, don’t bypass the Kolob Canyon section of Zion. It’s 40 miles north of the Springdale entrance and less busy. Drive to the end of Kolob Canyon Road for the 1-mile Timber Creek Overlook Trail to a sweeping canyon view.

Recommended time : One to three days

Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park

Located near Kanab, Utah, Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park makes a great stop between Zion and Bryce Canyon. The 1,200-acre park allows dune buggies and ATVs on the hills. You can also just hike and play in the soft sand.

Recommended time : One to three hours

These orange rock hoodoos in a canyon with green trees are a part of the grand circle Utah road trip.

Bryce Canyon National Park

Bryce Canyon National Park is known for its hoodoo rock spires that sometimes vaguely resemble people or objects. The sides of the main Bryce Canyon amphitheater are full of these orange stone figurines, with a forest of green to contrast the scene on the basin floor.

On a short visit, aim to catch the sunrise or sunset from a handful of lookouts along the rim. Sunset Point, Sunrise Point, Bryce Point, and Inspiration Point are the must-sees. With a half-day, you can add in a hike to the canyon floor. The Navajo Loop Trail (1.3 miles, moderate) winds down the Wall Street switchbacks and passes a hoodoo named Thor’s Hammer. The Queen’s Garden and Navajo Loop (2.9 miles, moderate) crosses through the canyon and by the regal Queen Victoria hoodoo.

For a full day of adventures in the park, start with a challenging morning hike of the Figure 8 Combination (6.4 miles, strenuous) which included the Queen’s Garden, Navajo Loop and Peekaboo Loop. Then, head down the 17-mile Bryce Canyon Scenic Drive to some lesser-visited lookouts like Rainbow Point and Bryce Natural Bridge.

Kodachrome Basin State Park

Neighboring Bryce Canyon, Kodachrome Basin State Park is known for its 67 sedimentary pipes, towering stone spires that rise from a rusty-tinted landscape. A couple of the trails here are open to hikers, bikers and horseback riders . Try the Grand Parade Trail (1.5 miles, easy) on the floor of the basin to see a pair of box canyons or the Panorama Trail (3 to 6 miles, easy to moderate) for the best overview of the park’s geological features. For an elevated view of the surroundings, hike the Angel’s Palace Trail (1.5 miles, easy to moderate) up 150 feet. Or, climb the Eagle’s View Trail (0.25 miles, strenuous) to a 500-foot-high panoramic vista.

Recommended time : Half a day

The Scenic Byway 12 in Utah winding through a rocky landscape is featured on this road trip southwest.

Scenic Drive: Highway 12

The dramatic landscape of Utah’s Scenic Byway 12 takes you from verdant valleys to sweeping canyons and along ridges at the tops of plateaus, covering an elevation range of 4,000 to 9,000 feet. Designated an All American Road by the U.S. Department of Transportation, the route runs for 124 miles between U.S. 89 near Panguitch and Bryce Canyon and State Road 24 in Torrey, Utah, near Capitol Reef National Park.

Along the way are enough recreational, archaeological and scenic stops to keep you occupied for days. From here, you can access Bryce Canyon National Park, Capitol Reef National Park, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area , Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument , Kodachrome Basin State Park, and Anasazi State Park .

If you stretch this drive into a full day or two, some of the best destinations (besides the national parks) are Hole in the Rock Road outside Escalante for slot canyon hikes, Burr Trail Road to Singing Canyon, and the hike to Lower Calf Creek Falls (6 miles, moderate). Be sure to make a pit stop in Boulder for a burger and homemade pie at the Burr Trail Grill.

Recommended time : Half a day to two days

A wooden barn with pink cliffs behind it in Capitol Reef is included when you road trip national parks southwest.

Capitol Reef National Park

Capitol Reef National Park’s diverse features make it the perfect overview of the southern Utah landscape. Called a “wrinkle on the earth,” it’s on the Waterpocket Fold, where rock layers lift 7,000 feet to one side. The geologic features in the park include monoliths, domes, slot canyons, arches, bridges and gorges. Since the Freemont River runs through here, there’s also a contrasting verdant variety of orchards.

A day in the park is enough time for the 7-mile Capitol Reef Scenic Drive , with stops for a couple of hikes. The Capitol Gorge trail (1 to 2 miles, easy) leads to historic rock carvings. The Grand Wash trail (up to 4.4 miles, easy) winds through a narrow canyon. The Cassidy Arch trail (3.4 miles, strenuous) climbs up to a rock span. And the Cohab Canyon trail (3.4 miles, moderate) ends in a view over the orchards of Fruita. Hickman Bridge (1.8 miles, moderate) is another popular trek nearby off State Route 24.

You also don’t want to miss the historic town of Fruita , where you can see an old wooden schoolhouse dwarfed by towering canyon walls overhead, take photos of the old barn at the Gifford Homestead , taste homemade pie at the Gifford House, and seasonally pick heirloom fruit like cherries, peaches and apples from the orchards. Easy-to-reach lookouts like Sunset Point, Goosenecks Overlook and Panorama Point are the perfect spot to end the day.

With more time in the park, spend a full day driving the remote Cathedral Valley to see towering monolithic rocks. It takes about 6 to 8 hours for the full loop on an unpaved, rugged road.

Recommended time : One to two days

Goblin Valley State Park

The combination of an otherworldly landscape and remote location make Goblin Valley State Park seem like another planet. Some of the sandstone rock formations called “goblins” resemble mushrooms and others are taller hoodoos and spires.

The main feature, the Valley of Goblins , packs thousands of rocks into 3 square miles that you can explore freely. Unless you want to hike one of the four established park trails, you can spend less than a half-day here.

But, consider staying overnight in the campground to experience the light-pollution-free Milky Way views at the certified Dark Sky Park. There are also a couple of yurts available to rent!

Recommended time : Half a day

The Upper Colorado Scenic Byway runs along a river with red canyon walls looming overhead on this road trips southwest guide.

Scenic Drive: Upper Colorado River Scenic Byway

Spanning about 45 miles between Moab and Cisco, Utah, the Upper Colorado River Scenic Byway (State Route 128) follows the winding waterway through soaring canyons. While it’s slightly out of the way if you’re driving from Capitol Reef to Moab for Arches and Canyonlands national parks, the stunning route is worth a couple of extra hours of sightseeing.

If you have time to make stops, pause in Cisco for a ghost town, the Fishers Tower Trail (4.2 miles, moderate) for massive rock formations, JJ’s Mercantile for snacks and souvenirs, and the Moab Museum of Film and Western Heritage to see film memorabilia and backdrops. There are also spots to stop and picnic.

Arches National Park

With over 2,000 stone arches, plus pinnacles, balanced rocks, spires and other intriguing geologic features, Arches National Park outside of Moab is a must-see on a Grand Circle road trip. A timed reservation is required to visit between April and early October. Tickets open three to four months in advance.

Plan for at least a full day in the park if you like to hike. Most trailheads are along the 17-mile Arches Scenic Drive . You can pull over at lookouts like the Courthouse Towers, Balanced Rock, Panorama Point and the Fiery Furnace Overlook.

With a full day in the park, start at the end of the road for the Devil’s Garden area hikes to Landscape Arch (1.9 miles, easy), the longest one in North America at 306 feet, or Double O Arch (4.1 miles, strenuous). You can make a few quick stops during the middle of the day to spots like Skyline Arch (0.4 miles, easy), Broken Arch (1.2 miles, easy), Sand Dune Arch (0.3 miles, easy), Double Arch (0.5 miles, easy), and the North and South Windows and Turret Arch loop (1 mile, easy). The Windows and Double Arch are in the same area and quick to see if you’re short on time.

You don’t want to leave the park without seeing the 46-foot-high Delicate Arch , freestanding on a sloping red-rock face. The accessible Lower Viewpoint and the Upper Viewpoint (0.5-mile hike, moderate) are the easiest ways to see it from afar. But, adventurous travelers should plan to hike the Delicate Arch Trail (3 miles, strenuous) to the base of the formation. This makes the perfect sunset viewing spot to end the day. Recommended time : One to two days

A, orange-tinted canyon floor seen from the edge of a cliff is part of this 1 week grand circle road trip itinerary.

Canyonlands National Park

The least visited of Utah’s national parks, Canyonlands has four separate districts formed by the Colorado River and Green River. Most visitors head for the Island in the Sky district 30 miles from Moab, or the Needles , 75 miles away. The others are a bit more remote.

On a Grand Circle road trip that only allows a day for Canyonlands, stick to Island in the Sky area. Here, you can drive Grand View Point Road on the mesa top to viewpoints 1,000 feet above the river canyon. Pull over for the Shafer Canyon Overlook, Buck Canyon Overlook, Green River Overlook, and Grand View Point.

With a full day, there’s time to hit some of the park’s shorter trails to spots like the popular Mesa Arch (0.5 miles, easy), which sits on a cliff’s edge, Upheaval Dome (1 to 2 miles, moderate) to peek inside a crater, Whale Rock (1 mile, moderate), a sandstone dome, and Grand View Point (2 miles, easy), along the canyon rim.

In a four-wheel-drive vehicle, you can take the unpaved and winding Shafer Canyon Road 1,500 feet down a cliff. At the bottom, take Potash Road past a gooseneck of the Colorado River below Dead Horse Point State Park and Thelma and Louise Point (where the famous movie ending was filmed) back toward Moab. The drive takes a least a couple of hours. Recommended time : One to two days

Dead Horse Point State Park

A gooseneck wrap of the Colorado River forms the dramatic view at Dead Horse Point State Park. Located outside Moab, it’s down a side road on the way to Canyonlands and pairs well with the park.

Plan to visit around sunset to take in the view from the Dead Horse Point Overlook . Or, allow a couple of hours for trails along the rim.

Recommended time : Two to three hours

Natural Bridges National Monument

Though it’s only a couple of hours south of Arches, Natural Bridges National Monument gets less than 5% of the annual visitors that the national park does. This means far fewer crowds to see the sandstone spans at this park in southern Utah.

The main feature here is the trio of bridges named for the ancestral Puebloans who once lived in the area. Sipapu, Kachina, and Owachomo are all visible from easy-to-reach viewpoints along a 9-mile scenic drive. If you have a few hours to spend here, consider hiking to the base of a couple of them.

The path to Owachomo , the thinnest and likely oldest in the park, is only about half a mile. It’s about 1.5 miles roundtrip to 268-foot-long Sipapu and 1.4 miles on a strenuous trail to the thick Kachina . A 12-mile primitive and challenging route over mesas and through canyons connects all three. Recommended time : Half to full day

Scenic Drive: Moki Dugway

Highway 261 is both the quickest route from Natural Bridges down to Monument Valley on the Arizona border and a bucket-list drive. The Moki Dugway, a 3-mile dirt-road section carved into a cliff, narrowly twists down switchbacks at a 10% grade.

While it sounds dangerous, the drive is doable for most smaller vehicles, but not RVs. It has a great pullout spot that overlooks the Valley of the Gods below and Monument Valley in the distance.

The road is part of the Trail of the Ancients National Scenic Byway in the Four Corners regions of southeastern Utah and southwestern Colorado.

Recommended time : Less than an hour

Goosenecks State Park

Just outside the town of Mexican Hat, Utah, Goosenecks State Park is named for a pair of U-shaped bends of the San Juan River. Standing high above the rust-tinted water on the cliff rim, you can see it twisting around the layered canyon below.

It’s a quick stop just to take in the view, but the park also has primitive campsites along the rim.

Recommended time : One to two hours

Valley of the Gods

A quieter alternative with a similar landscape to Monument Valley, Valley of the Gods is 35 miles north in Utah. The 17-mile drive here is on unpaved roads with no services. Along the way, you can witness large sandstone formations named for their shapes, like Castle Butte, Battleship Rock, and the Seven Sailors.

The monoliths and pinnacles here are a little less dramatic than the ones in Monument Valley, but there are far fewer visitors and the experience feels more wild and remote. There are a few places for primitive car camping along the way.

The drive is located within the Bear Ears National Monument , under the cooperative management of five local Tribes, the USDA Forest Service, and the Bureau of Land Management.

Recommended time : Two to four hours

Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park

Red stone monoliths, buttes, mesas and pinnacles poke up hundreds of feet from the desert floor in Monument Valley . Hugging the border of Arizona and Utah, the park has been extensively featured in film and on social media, drawing crowds to a 17-mile driving loop on the Navajo Nation.

Vehicles can enter on a first-come, first-served basis, or you can book a tour to go further off the beaten path.

Recommended time : Two hours to half a day

An orange canyon where a river wraps around a rock cliff at Horseshoe Bend is featured on this 7 day southwest road trip.

Page and Glen Canyon National Recreation Area

You could spend a whole week in Page, Arizona, hiking through slot canyons, boating on Lake Powell, and exploring the remote reaches of Glen Canyon National Recreation Area.

Aside from the lake and Glen Canyon Dam, the town is best known for Horseshoe Bend , where a short hike leads to a view of the Colorado River wrapped in a U-shape around a canyon, and Antelope Canyon , where narrow slot canyons weave through copper-colored sandstone walls. The canyons are only accessible with a guided tour, so schedule a visit in advance to Upper Antelope Canyon, Lower Antelope Canyon, or the less-crowded Antelope Canyon X.

The 1.25 million-acre Glen Canyon National Recreation Area sweeps through this area and across the border into Utah with endless options for water activities and remote recreation in the backcountry. Rainbow Bridge National Monument , one of the more popular destinations, is about a 50-mile boat ride from Page.

Recommended time : Half a day to two days or more

Grand Canyon National Park

The Grand Circle road trip can include the northern or southern rim of the Grand Canyon (or both) to finish up a loop of Utah and Arizona national parks. The two destinations in Grand Canyon National Park are about 21 miles apart via the footpaths into the canyon, but driving from one to the next is a 220-mile trip. For this reason, most people opt for the popular South Rim, while the North Rim receives just 10% of the annual park visitors.

Grand Canyon North Rim

If you want a less crowded experience at the highest overlooks in the park, the Grand Canyon North Rim is the way to go. Start near the visitor center at Bright Angel Point , where a short but steep path leads to an overlook. You can continue from there on the Transept Trail (up to 4 miles, moderate) for more vantage points along the rim. Next, drive Point Imperial Road and Cape Royal Road to several lookouts, including the highest overlook in the park at 8,803-foot Point Imperial and a view of the Colorado River and Angel’s Window rock formation at Cape Royal (0.8 miles, easy). Other stops on the way include Roosevelt Point, the ancestral Puebloan ruins at the Walhalla Overlook, and Vista Encantada, a great picnic spot.

If you want to hike into the canyon from this rim, the North Kaibab Trail is the only path down. You should start early in the morning to avoid crowds and maximize your time. It’s 14.2 miles each way, but for a day hike you can just walk a couple of miles down or turn around at the Supai Tunnel rest stop (3.4-miles, moderate). Going back up generally takes twice as long as walking down, so plan accordingly and don’t overextend yourself.

The road to the North Rim is only open with full services between May 15 and October 15.

Recommended time : One day

A sunset creates light and shadows on a large canyon full of layers at the Grand Canyon in Arizona, included on this Southwest national parks road trip.

Grand Canyon South Rim

With miles of trails and overlooks along the rim, and a pair of paths stretching all the way to the canyon floor, the Grand Canyon National Park South Rim is full of things to do.

There are three primary zones in this park, the Grand Canyon Village and visitor center area near the entrance, Hermit Road to the west, and Desert View Drive to the east. For a short and low-adventure visit, you can check out the view near the visitor center from Mather Point and Yavapai Point and walk some of the Trail of Time (2.8 miles, easy), a rim route with geological exhibits.

With at least a half or full day, you can check out the other two areas. The 7-mile Hermit Road has nine official overlooks and is closed to private vehicles for most of the year. Ride the free hop-on, hop-off shuttle and stop as many times as you want on the ride out to Hermits Rest, which has restrooms and a snack shop at the final lookout. Hopi Point and Mohave Point on this route are popular for sunset, and the final three lookouts between Monument Creek and Hermits Rest) are connected on a 2.8-mile (each way) paved trail for walking or biking.

Desert View Drive spans nearly 25 miles between Grand Canyon Village and the East Entrance of the park. If you drive in this way from northern Arizona, you can stop at the Desert View area for a 1932 stone tower and observation deck plus amenities like a market, ice cream shop and gas station. Elsewhere along the road are about 10 designated overlooks, many with views of the Colorado River below. The shuttle does not go down this road, so it’s less crowded than other sections of the park.

Hikers should plan to spend at least two days in the park to try out parts of the Rim Trail (13 miles one way), which incorporates the trail of time and Hermit Road vistas, or to hike into the canyon on the South Kaibab Trail (6.8 miles one way) or Bright Angel Trail (9.3 miles one way). You should not attempt to make it to the floor and back in one day unless you’ve trained for it. Instead, aim for turn-around spots like Ceder Ridge (3 miles roundtrip, moderate) on the South Kaibab or Indian Garden (9 miles roundtrip, strenuous) on the Bright Angel.

Scenic Drive: Old Route 66

If you visit the Grand Canyon South Rim on this Southwest road trip, take old Route 66 back towards Las Vegas. The road diverts from Interstate 40 between Kingman and Ash Fork in Arizona and takes a couple of hours to drive. Along the historic route, you’ll pass abandoned gas stations, a couple of retro diners and saloons, and colorful roadside attractions like a giant green head sculpture.

Planning Tips for the Grand Circle National Parks

Jagged orange rock cliffs in Arches National Park are featured on this Utah Arizona road trip itinerary.

Where do you fly into for a Grand Circle road trip in Arizona and Utah?

The Grand Circle road trip loop above starts and ends from the airport in Las Vegas , Nevada, which is about 3 hours from Zion National Park and less than 5 from Grand Canyon National Park. The full 2-week southwest road trip itinerary would be approximately 23 hours of driving, not counting the scenic drives within the national parks.

Another option is to fly into Salt Lake City , Utah, and make a Grand Circle national parks loop starting in Bryce Canyon and doing the rest of the trip in order but ending in Zion for about a 26-hour Southwest road trip.

There is also an international airport in Phoenix , which would allow you to add Sedona onto the Southwest road trip loop on the way to the Grand Canyon. That drive would be 25-plus hours.

How many days do you need for a Southwest national parks road trip?

I recommend at least a 2-week Grand Circle road trip itinerary to hit all the destinations mentioned above. Even that amount of time will only give you a day in some parks. If you can only swing a week or 10 days, you’ll either have to cut out stops, briefly sightsee at some of the parks, or stick to shorter hikes. The Grand Circle itinerary options at the top of this post will give you an idea of what you can fit into different amounts of time.

How much does the Southwest Grand Circle road trip cost?

How much you spend on a Utah and Arizona road trip will vary widely depending on factors like flying and renting a car versus driving in your own vehicle or staying in hotels versus camping.

Grand Circle Road Trip Budget Tips

• Purchase an America the Beautiful pass for a year of admission to all the national parks. • Avoid booking hotels in the more expensive and popular areas like Springdale near Zion National Park and Moab near Arches National Park. • Rent a campervan to combine the costs of a rental car and hotel. • Book hotels and campsites a few months in advance for the cheapest options. • Look for hostels and cabins in RV parks to save on hotels. • Grocery shop instead of eating out for every meal (it’s more practical to have picnic lunches most days, anyway).

What is the best time of year for a Grand Circle road trip?

April through October is the busy tourist season for most national parks road trips in the Southwest, with peaks in summer. Summer is also very hot at the lower desert elevations and late summer is monsoon season, a dangerous time for hiking in slot canyons.

Fall and spring are ideal for a Grand Circle road trip, with temperate conditions for hiking. To avoid the crowds, aim for March , April, October, and November and skip school holiday times like Spring Break and Memorial Day, and Labor Day weekends.

Winter can be a great time to visit for lower prices on hotels, but some roads and trails may be icy or closed. These are 10 of the best national parks in January !

The Best Zion Bryce Grand Canyon Itinerary for 4 to 7 Days

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The Grand Circle is the ultimate US Southwest road trip

Sep 14, 2020 • 6 min read

White Pocket at Vermilion Cliffs National Monument in Arizona © Getty Images

Driving the Grand Circle can take up to three weeks, but a spectacular eight-to-10 day portion centers around the Grand Canyon and features bold colors, fascinating geological shapes and textures and living history of our indigenous culture at every turn. Amidst views, hikes and grandeur, it includes stops in town for local art, cuisine and culture and where to sleep at night. Here’s how to hit the road for the best of the Southwest.

The Grand Circle consists of five Southwestern states – Arizona , New Mexico , Colorado , Utah and Nevada – and has America’s largest concentration of national parks and monuments. It’s perfect for a majestic road trip of scenic byways, sheer cliffs, and purple, orange and indigo mesas.

White etchings mark a dark brown stone at Parowan, in Arizona

Parowan & Cedar City, Utah

Parowan is home to the first pioneer settlement in Utah, heritage museums, as well as famous landmarks such as the geometric petroglyphs at Parowan Gap. These ancient symbols were carved into cliff faces along the same path that local people have used for centuries.

Take a 23 minute drive “downtown” to Cedar City, Utah, and relax after hiking with a wine tasting at IG Winery & Tasting Room , featuring world-class signature blends. Be sure to try one of the famous cinnamon rolls in Parowan Cafe , which are made fresh every morning and can sell out by lunch.

Kanab, Utah

Both Parowan and Kanab, Utah, are ideal basecamps for the Grand Circle’s natural wonders.

One of them, Peekaboo Slot Canyon is a 10-minute drive from Kanab and needs an arranged tour. It is less crowded than the more well-known slot canyon at Upper Antelope (your next stop), but requires some rock scrambling, including about a 12ft hike to enter. The narrow, swirled arches are carved out of sandstone created by centuries of water rushing and are every shade of orange, depending on the sunlight.

Head to “downtown” Kanab for dinner at Rocking V , an eclectic art gallery/cafe for creative dishes. Sleep at Red Canyon cabin, which is set in a quiet area on the edge of town, but close enough to walk to the visitor center.

If you can afford it, splurge on a flightseeing trip in the morning to get to your next destination for an incredible air tour of Lake Powell and Horseshoe Bend and endless views of erosion-sculpted deep gorges weaving in and out of the shimmering blue lake.

Upper Antelope Canyon, Arizona.Ann Nelson.jpg

Upper Antelope Canyon: Page, AZ

Page is located directly on Lake Powell. Just four miles out of town is the most photographed slot canyon in the world, Upper Antelope Canyon ( currently closed ). Reservations are required here with a licensed guide , and tours are limited. The soft polished red sandstone has swirls of red, white, tan and pink and the walls glow as the dust particles drift in the shafts of sunlight. It’s highly Instagrammable and simply stunning.

Grab dinner at Lake Powell Resort and Marina’s waterfront spot, Driftwood for views, high-end burgers, and sustainable seafood. Book a lakefront room for lodging, a small Native American inspired room loaded with upscale amenities and chairs on the patio to enjoy the lake’s breathtaking sunset views.

View From Grand Canyon Rim.Ann Nelson.JPG

Grand Canyon, AZ

At last, your centerpiece. The Grand Canyon is 277 miles long and over a mile deep from the river to the rim in some spots – the largest canyon in the world. If you like, you can bicycle around the edge, or simply hike the many trails.

Highlights on the Southern Rim include Desert View Point and Watchtower, Moran, Lipan and Grandview Point. As you gaze at the scenery, make sure to take a look around at the viewpoint buildings too, such as the 70ft tall Desert View Watchtower ( currently closed ), designed by architect Mary Colter . Arrive before 11am for cooler temperatures, less traffic and fewer lines.

Drive downtown to Grand Canyon Village and dine at the internationally recognized 117-year-old El Tovar located in the historic hotel. Many a president and celebrity has dined here. Sleep at Yavapai Lodge in the national park, which lets you walk or bus about a mile to the South Rim.

Tourists explore the red orange Wukoki Pueblo Ruins of Wupatki National Monument.

Flagstaff, AZ

Drive 30 miles on historic Route 66 to get to the Wupatki National Monument , an old Indian cliff dwelling between the Painted Desert and Ponderosa highlands, outcropped on red rock across miles of prairie.

Only a mile out of town is where dwarf planet Pluto was discovered, the 125-year-old Lowell Observatory ( open only to private groups ). This is the world’s first International Dark Sky City. Gaze at the sea of stars, moon and planets for night or day tours.

Just off Route 66, grab dinner at Tourist Home All Day Cafe , a renovated 1926 house, for an upscale Hash Bowl and drive less than a mile to sleep at Hotel Monte Vista another 20’s era landmark replete with live music, all day happy hour, two swanky lounges, lots of ghost stories and a room as charming as the historic lobby.

Sedona is a well-known crystal and art lover’s New Age healing paradise, but it’s also an outdoor haven surrounded by 1.8 million acres of national forest. Amidst red-rock buttes, steep canyon walls and pine forests are numerous trailheads in the city to access Sedona’s stunning red rocks.

Drive seven miles south of uptown Sedona and start at Bell Rock for its bell-shaped striped earth-toned mesas. There is a vortex, said to be a zone of spiritual healing energy, near the breathtaking Chapel of the Holy Cross built by owner and rancher Marguerite Brunswig Staude which sits high atop the red rocks.

Sleep at Sky Ranch Lodge for the best views of the city and walk to Mesa Grill for southwestern inspired cuisine and stellar skyline views. Don’t leave without crystals and jewelry from the outdoor mall, Tlaquepaque.

Artwork In Jerome, Arizona.Ann Nelson.jpg

Driving into this small town you will see some of the most spectacular views in Arizona. Then, downtown is art gallery hopping, or a juicy ghost tour as Jerome was once the “wickedest town in the West” with brothels, opium dens and saloon gun fights replete with potential paranormal phenomenon.

Founded in 1876 and once a copper mining boom town of 15,000 it turned into virtual ghost town (population: 50 people) after the mines closed in 1953. Artists moved in and now the winding switchback streets are now filled with painters, writers, musicians and historians.

Eat at the Haunted Hamburger , for local draft beers, cocktails and supposedly hammer-yielding ghosts. Stay at the perhaps spirit-filled former hospital Jerome Grand Hotel with gorgeous views, gilded artwork, burgundy walls, fine dining and captivating views. Get up in the morning for your last stop.

Hiker at Watson Lake Prescott Arizona USA

Prescott, AZ

This mile-high city lies in the middle of pinon pine-covered Prescott National Forest, and has more than 15 distinctive hiking and biking trails where you can stretch your legs. Definitely hike Thumb Butte which is only a three and a half mile drive from downtown, but can get crowded. Parts are steep, but there are panoramic views of the city and neighboring mountains.

For a waterfront oasis, you can fish and boat at Watson Lake , which is only a four miles from downtown. Head back downtown for art, performances and dining – we recommend Murphy’s Prescott for elegant but moderately priced seafood. Sleep at the historic Grand Highland Hotel as it sits on Whiskey Row, which is just as famous as the town.

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This article was first published January 2020 and updated September 2020

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The Perfect 7-Day Grand Circle Road Trip (USA)

The Grand Circle road trip (USA) has always been a dream of mine. Ever wanted to visit the Grand Canyon , and the famous Horseshoe Bend ? Some have the luxury of time to explore, but if you only have 7 days here’s how to maximize time to experience national parks in Southwest Utah and the famous Grand Canyon in Arizona, and even enjoy Las Vegas in Nevada.

This article uses affiliate links where I make a small commission if you make a purchase through my links, at no additional cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

This is one the most popular road trips in the US because of the spectacular views and scenic drive. I am so thankful for the opportunity to do this with my family during spring. We rented an SUV for this trip, which was perfect for 4 of us.

Another cool thing to do would be renting an RV or campervan from Outdoorsy , a peer-to-peer camper rental community. That way, you can try out van life without committing to buying one, and it will already be built up for you. Check out the options near your location or Las Vegas and book in advance for the best prices and options !

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Best time to do the Grand Circle Road Trip

The best time for a Grand Circle Road Trip is just outside summer – from March to May, or September to November. This is when the weather is mild, which we experienced when we visited in May.

At night, the temperatures were just above freezing, but it felt alright when we were out camping. During the day, it was sunny and we felt warm but not weighted down by the heat while hiking.

For example, you can check the monthly temperature ranges at different parts of the Grand Canyon here . If you’re there closer to winter time, you may even get to see some snow!

Day 1: Arrive in Las Vegas

Las Vegas can be reached via a flight or drive. If you only have 7 days, I recommend resting from the jet lag, and choose to fly in to Vegas rather than drive. On this first night, have a good dinner and rest up before the hiking and exploration begins. Hit up any of the restaurants in Vegas, such as the Gordon Ramsay Burger place, or Sekushi Japanese Restaurant , etc. If you arrive early enough, consider having a sumptuous buffet, since many of them open till 9pm.

In terms of budgeting, I suggest going for a cheaper hotel at the start, and splurge at the end of the Grand Circle road trip loop. We stayed at Excalibur Hotel , a 3.5-star hotel in the heart of the Strip. Check latest prices on Booking.com or Agoda .

Day 2: Zion National Park

The first hikes in our Grand Circle road trip will start today. Zion National Park is a short 2.5 hour drive from Las Vegas. You could easily do a day trip to Zion National Park if you want to do 1 short hike during the day. If you have time, I suggest making a 1-hour detour to drive through the Valley of Fire State Park , a route that promises breathtaking scenery and towering rock formations.

Lower Emerald Pools trail (2 hours) is perfect for a family, as it is easy enough but also exposes you to the spectacular landscape of Zion every way you turn. Other popular trails are the Angel’s Landing, and hiking the Narrows , which are more time consuming and spending more than 1 day in Zion might be a better idea for those who are up for the challenge.

If you’re looking for hotels near Zion National Park , here are some cool places to consider:

Best for Luxury Glamping: Zion Glamping Adventures
Best for Convenient Location : Best Western Plus Zion Canyon Inn & Suites

We opted to stay in Glendale, Utah for 2 nights, as it is conveniently situated between Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon National Park . This way, it can be our base before and after we explore Bryce Canyon. It’s also more affordable compared to staying near the National Parks’ entrances.

Check out this tiny home – Apple Hollow Cabins !

Day 3: Bryce Canyon National Park

Bryce Canyon is a slightly smaller park, but there are many lookout points (sunrise point, sunset point, etc.) that are worth stopping by on the way to hiking trails. Hoodoos are the highlight of this park, pillar-like structures that have been brought about by various forms of erosion. Truly a geography lesson.

The most popular and doable trail is the Queen’s Garden and Navajo Loop trail (2-3 hours), where you descend down into the canyon, allowing you to get up close and personal with the Hoodoos, and view them from a different perspective. The landscape is almost unearthly, but very interesting to explore.

Day 4: Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend

The Antelope Canyons are split into the upper and lower section, with the upper being more expensive and crowded because of the light rays and the opportunities to photograph sand falling into the canyon. The lower section has fewer people (still crowded) and is generally cheaper, and the canyon itself descends deeper (more stairs).

In my opinion I think both would be great, and if you are not too picky, it would not make a huge difference as you will have a great time in either.

Do note that you will need to join a tour to enter the Antelope Canyons , you do not have access to them on your own. I booked my tour for $50 USD per pax with Ken’s Tours for 1-1.5 hours. One advantage of having a tour is that the guide might show you good photo spots and help you take pictures.

You can also browse more Antelope Canyon tour options on platforms like GetYourGuide , such as:

Lower Antelope Canyon tour
Upper Antelope Canyon tour

Alternatively, consider this variation of the Grand Circle tour from Las Vegas : Antelope Canyon + Horeshoe Bend day trip from Las Vegas

Also consider the time of day you choose for the tour, as you want to have optimal sunlight shining into the canyon. Most sources say that mid-day is the best. If it is too late in the day, the canyon could look dark in pictures.

Overall a very fun place to explore and take pictures in, but the crowd makes it difficult to take good photos and you might feel rushed.

In between our mid-day tour to Antelope Canyons and sunset viewing at Horseshoe Bend , we bought frozen yoghurt in the nearby supermarket to cool off. Then, we headed to the Glen Canyon Dam nearby where The Chains hike starts. We chose to stay near the parking lot, exploring rock formations and taking pictures. It was unexpectedly fun, and you can even see people fishing and going really close to the water.

Last but not least, a beautiful sunset to end the day. Aim to arrive at the observation area about 1 hour before sunset so that you can enjoy golden hour. You can also watch the colours of the sky change if you stay a while after the sun sets.

On hindsight, I should have brought some picnic mats/towels to put on the rocks for a more comfortable sunset experience.

You can stay somewhere between Tuba City and Moenkopi in Arizona , such as Moenkopi Legacy Inn & Suites (check on booking.com for latest prices). This will be on the way to Grand Canyon.

Do note that in Arizona there is time difference in the Navajo Nation regions, which includes Tuba City. The rest of Arizona follows Pacific Time.

Day 5: Grand Canyon National Park

This is probably where you will find the ‘Grand’ in the Grand Circle road trip. Our family camped 1 night in Grand Canyon National Park ( Mather campground ), giving us plenty of opportunities to enjoy the park. After all, it is one of the wonders of the world, a geographical landform visible from space. We rented camping equipment from Airbnb and collected them in Cameron, AZ on our way to Grand Canyon.

Going hiking or camping soon? Check out some of my tips and gear recommendations:

Best lookout points in Grand Canyon National Park

There are many lookout points in the park , and here are the ones I visited and recommend. You can also find a summary of these places, including sunrise and sunset spots color-coded in this map below.

1) Along east entrance, with views of the Colorado River:

Desert View
Lipan Point

2) Near the village and Mather campground

Mather Point/Amphitheatre (sunrise views, closest to campsite and has seating area)
Rim trail views

3) West of the village along Hermit Road (accessible only by shuttle bus from Mar-Nov)

Hopi Point (sunset views, toilets available)
Would have also gone to Mohave Point for sunset if we had more time

Most people also recommend hiking the South Kaibab trail (near the east side of the park). However, we chose another trail called the Bright Angel Trail , and hiked down to the Mile-and-a-Half Resthouse. The round trip hike takes 2-4 hours with 1,120 ft (340 m) elevation gain. This trail would be closest to Hermit Road where we will be going for sunset.

Where to go for sunset?

Hopi Point (red route)
Yavapai Point (drive, walk or orange route)
Lipan Point (drive)
Pima Point (red route)

Day 6: Grand Canyon, Las Vegas

As mentioned earlier, Mather Point is one of the best places to watch the sunrise (shown in the picture above). We also happened to meet 2 other Singaporeans and they were smart enough to bring coffee and breakfast along.

Where to go for sunrise?

Yavapai Point (Walk, drive or orange route)
Navajo Point (Drive)
Mather Point (5 minute walk)

Sunrise tips: arrive at the lookout point about 30-45 min before sunrise to watch the light slowly creep in. The photo shows the sun after it has risen. We woke up at 4:45am and waited till about 6am before leaving. Sunrise time was about 5:30am.

Cook some ramen and drink some coffee before starting the day. Head out to explore the Rim Trail to see more viewpoints of the Grand Canyon before driving to Las Vegas.

We passed through several towns and dropped by Williams to return the camping equipment. There was some decent coffee at Brewed Awakenings Coffee.

To end the day, we pigged out at a buffet place. It was perfect after many days of hiking. You could choose to watch a live show after dinner too, or simply walk around exploring the many hotels/the Strip.

Day 7: Leave from Las Vegas

On our last night in Vegas, we and booked a room in Bellagio Hotel to reward ourselves.

If you can wake up early, spend some time in the hotel pool area to soak in the sun. Spend this last day shopping at the outlet stores too. We shopped at the South outlet stores since it was nearest to McCarran airport and the car return area.

The time of the year to go to these places could play a role in several decisions. For example, camping at freezing temperatures and deciding which trail to hike as some might be closed due to snow. However, many of these places look spectacular with snow sprinkled on them, and not everyone gets to enjoy such view. I would love to visit Capitol Reef National Park and Monument Valley if we had more time.

With that, the perfect Grand Circle road trip has concluded. I hope that this has helped you in planning and getting inspired to hike a little. You can also check out these tips on how to take great photos of yourself hiking . Now let’s get packing !

What to bring for your hiking trip

To make the most of your adventure, it’s essential to come prepared. Here’s a checklist to ensure you have everything you need.

Hiking essentials and comfort items

Hiking boots or shoes : Comfortable and supportive footwear is a must so you’ll have the best experience. Waterproof boots can be useful for muddy trails.
Hiking day pack : It should have enough space to store snacks, water, and any extra clothing. Here are some affordable hiking backpacks below $100 to consider.
Water : Stay hydrated, especially during warmer months. Water reservoirs with up to 3-litre capacity are useful for longer hikes. In general, bring at least 0.5 litres for every hour of hiking.
Map and navigation : Having a map adds an extra layer of security. Offline Google Maps also helps.
Snacks : Pack energy-boosting snacks to keep you fueled throughout the hike. These could be energy bars, nuts, or some sweets.
Sunscreen and cap : Protect yourself from the sun, especially during the open sections of the trail.
Layered clothing : For example, bring a fleece sweater and wear a sweat-wicking base layer. Rain jackets can also act as a windbreaker.
Phone tripod: If you’re hiking alone, having a phone tripod is great for filming shots of yourself.
Trekking poles: Provide extra stability on uneven terrain and downhill sections.

Shop hiking gear

Gregory Jade 28L Backpack

A reliable hiking day pack for carrying essentials – even comes with a rain cover.

Patagonia Down Sweater Hoody

Lightweight and warm, perfect for staying cozy in chilly weather.

Patagonia Torrentshell 3L Rain Jacket

Keep dry and comfortable with a reliable waterproof jacket for unpredictable weather.

Cascade Mountain Tech Trekking Poles

Lightweight hiking poles that support you both uphill and downhill.

Columbia Benton Springs Full Zip Fleece

Insulating mid layer fleece that repels water and keeps you warm.

Columbia Newton Ridge Waterproof Hiking Boots

Budget-friendly waterproof hiking boots for casual hikers.

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Jaw-dropping Grand Circle road trip

Post last modified: March 21, 2024

You are currently viewing Jaw-dropping Grand Circle road trip

Hit the asphalt for the bucket list Grand Circle road trip, taking you to dramatic canyons and unearthly rock formations. It’s a loaded journey that combines the best sights in Arizona and Utah’s mighty national parks. Are you ready for a jaw-dropping drive through the American Southwest?

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Grand Circle route

Start: Las Vegas
Grand Canyon
Antelope & Horseshoe
Monument Valley
Canyonlands & Arches
Capitol Reef
Bryce Canyon
Finish: Las Vegas

Head southeast from Las Vegas towards the one-and-only Grand Canyon, breaking off the drive with a stop at the Hoover Dam. After visiting Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon, venture into Utah via the bordering Monument Valley.

While you can take your Grand Circle road trip in either direction, this itinerary runs counterclockwise. It begins with the longest drive (Las Vegas to Grand Canyon), saving the shorter legs and the red national parks in Utah for the end.

Map showing the classic Grand Circle route

Total distance: 1,177 mi / 1,894 km
Total driving time: 20.5 h

1. Las Vegas, NV

Yes, the Grand Circle road trip is mostly about the unique nature of the American Southwest. But if you’re down for it, the flashing Las Vegas is always ready to entertain.

Las Vegas Boulevard South is a melting pot of extravagance. Also known as the Strip, it’s a stark contrast to the rest of the Grand Circle itinerary.

On the Strip, one casino after another towers up. Caesars Palace, the Venetian and Bellagio are just a few of the many institutions where activity flows day and night.

If you feel lucky, there’s no better spot.

But you don’t have to gamble to have fun on the Strip in Las Vegas. A prime example is Bellagio’s popular musical fountain show, which caters to roadtrippers of all ages.

Rising Statue of Liberty at New York Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada

Extra stop: The Hoover Dam , an awe-inspiring National Historic Landmark, is located on the way from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon South Rim. It’s just too good of an opportunity to miss.

Route info: There are two Grand Canyon rims: North Rim and South Rim. This itinerary takes you to the South Rim. It’s the most renowned Grand Canyon rim, and it’s open year round.

2. Grand Canyon, AZ

Driving distance: 279 mi / 449 km Driving time: 4.5 h

Grand Canyon is so long, wide and deep that it’s hard to grasp. Luckily, this Golden Circle road trip takes you right to the start of the Grand Canyon adventure, where you can see the magic for yourself.

Grand Canyon National Park is one of the most visited national parks in the USA . It’s an Arizona wonder talked about around the entire globe.

Such celebrated views must be hard to access, right?

Actually, the opposite is true at Grand Canyon South Rim. You can drive your car more or less to the very edge of the over one mile (1,847 m) deep canyon — wow.

The Rim Trail beautifully stretches out along the canyon’s edge. By the easily accessible trail, there are more spectacular overlooks than you can count.

Sign marking out Ooh Aah Point at the edge of Grand Canyon South Rim

3. Antelope Canyon & Horseshoe Bend, AZ

Driving distance: 132 mi / 212 km Driving time: 2.5 h

The town of Page, Arizona, is spoiled with natural beauty. At its eastern end, you find Antelope Canyon ; across the city, Horseshoe Bend awaits.

Capture the otherworldly Antelope Canyon

Antelope Canyon, boasting wavy canyon walls, is on every photographer’s bucket list. Split into two distinctive parts, both Upper Antelope Canyon and Lower Antelope Canyon offer surreal shapes.

If you take the Grand Circle road trip during the year’s warmer months, you in Upper Antelope Canyon also have the chance to see the so-called light beams. These natural sunlight shows occur at midday between late March and mid-October.

Just pay attention to that you need a guide to venture down into Antelope Canyon. In particular during peak season, from June to August, Antelope Canyon tours book up long in advance.

Fall in love at Horseshoe Bend

It’s just over 5 miles (8 km) from Horseshoe Bend to the beginning of Grand Canyon National Park. Because of the proximity, Horseshoe Bend is often referred to as Grand Canyon East.

But the truth is that Horseshoe Bend offers something unique even for the mighty Grand Canyon.

At the Horseshoe Bend viewpoint, you can enjoy unrivaled views of the Colorado River, the tireless creator of the Grand Canyon. Especially if you visit early or late in the day, it’s one of the most romantic spots on the Grand Circle itinerary.

Pile of rocks at Horseshoe Bend, Arizona, during daytime

4. Monument Valley, AZ/UT

Driving distance: 121 mi / 195 km Driving time: 2 h

Monument Valley, on the Arizona-Utah border, may be the coolest road trip destination of them all. It’s a valley in the middle of nowhere where the landscape feels like a different planet.

If you know your movie history, this is nothing new. Monument Valley is where Forrest Gump, in the namesake movie, finally stopped his cross-country running.

The exact spot, the Forrest Gump Point, is as epic as easy to tick off.

For much more scenery, the nearby Monument Valley Tribal Park brims with huge stone structures. As you drive by, it’s certainly a must to enter.

Straight stretch of bitumen road leading past Forrest Gump Point, backdropped by iconic Monument Valley buttes

Extra stop: Want to include even more sights on your Grand Circle road trip? If so, on the way from Monument Valley, make a detour to Colorado’s Mesa Verde National Park, home to stunning cliff dwellings. However, it adds 151 miles (243 km) and about 3 hours to the itinerary.

5. Canyonlands & Arches, UT

Driving distance: 148 mi / 238 km Driving time: 2.5 h

The Grand Circle road trip welcomes you to Utah. A hub for adventurers, Moab is the gateway town to both Canyonlands National Park and Arches National Park.

Discover Canyonlands

Canyonlands National Park, southwest of Moab, is the first of Utah’s five mighty national parks on the itinerary. It protects three distinct areas: Island in the Sky, The Needles and The Maze.

Island in the Sky is the park district closest to Moab. Here, jaw-dropping pullouts — showcasing the surrounding desert landscape — and the front-cover Mesa Arch await.

Further south, The Needles stands out for its many rock spires, or needles. It’s a hiking paradise.

The final district, The Maze, requires a warning. It’s a remote four-wheel drive area, which demands both a lot of time and careful planning.

Balance through Arches

North of Moab, a collection of more than 2,000 natural arches has given name to Arches National Park.

Its most famous photographed arch is the Delicate Arch. You can see it from a roadside viewpoint, or for more intimate views, a 3-mile (4.8 km) round-trip hike takes you all the way there.

Beyond the arches, there are many other peculiar rock formations in Arches National Park. Towers, pinnacles and balanced rocks are other park features to enjoy.

The fascinating Balanced Rock continues to defy gravity. One day, its balancing boulder will come down. However, let’s hope it will keep its balance for many years to come.

Huge balancing red rock in Arches National Park, Utah

6. Capitol Reef, UT

Driving distance: 146 mi / 235 km Driving time: 2.5 h

Capitol Reef is a national park for travelers who appreciate the road less traveled. Say hi to the least visited of all the national parks on the itinerary.

Sure, you won’t find the most dramatic canyons or rock formations in Capitol Reef National Park. Yet, it may just be the best stop on the itinerary for history buffs.

Fruita Historic District, Capitol Reef’s heart, is a small national treasure.

From the late 1800s into the 1960s, pioneers planted and harvested fruit trees in the fertile valley. Over the years, to put food on their tables and money in their pockets, families planted loads of trees.

Still to this day, orchards of apples, pears, peaches, apricots and more thrive in Fruita. If you take the Grand Circle road trip during harvest season, be sure to include picking fruit in Fruita on the itinerary.

But the orchards are not the only traces of the historic community. Preserved structures, such as the Gifford Homestead and one-room schoolhouse, tell more stories about past life in Fruita.

Lonely wooden barn across the backdrop of red cliffs in Fruita Valley of Capitol Reef National Park, Utah

7. Bryce Canyon, UT

Driving distance: 118 mi / 190 km Driving time: 2.5 h

Bryce Canyon National Park, home to the world’s largest concentration of rock hoodoos, makes jaws drop daily. It’s a must to include this peculiar gem on your Grand Circle itinerary.

But what are hoodoos? Think sandstone pillars typically topped by higher density, less easily eroded rock. These formations, also known as tent rocks and fairy chimneys, come in thousands in Bryce Canyon.

In particular, the Bryce Amphitheater, the park’s main stage, is dotted with them. Bryce Point, Inspiration Point, Sunset Point and Sunrise Point are some of the best viewpoints easily reached by car.

For more adventure, Bryce’s famous overlooks also function as trailheads. When descending into the depths of the park, you get up close to the tall but friendly Bryce Canyon locals.

Rock hoodoos decorating Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah

8. Zion, UT

Driving distance: 73 mi / 117 km Driving time: 1.5 h

Zion National Park is last but certainly not least on your Grand Circle itinerary. Discover some of America’s most awe-inspiring hikes, lined by red sandstone cliffs and evergreen plants.

Angels Landing is the most storied of them all. This 5-mile (8 km) adventure features thrilling climbs with huge drops. Its demanding elevation change of 1,488 feet (453 m) is as hair-raising as unique.

Keep in mind that, due to its popularity, an Angels Landing permit is required.

Other strenuous, eye-popping hikes in Zion are the Narrows and Observation Point. The latter has an elevation change of 2,148 feet (655 m) but without the tight climbs of Angels Landing.

A less pulsating option, and family favorite, is the round trip 2.2-mile (3.5 km) Riverside Walk. It follows the Virgin River until the canyon gets so narrow that only the river can fit.

Elevated view of road winding through Zion National Park, surrounded by sheer cliff sides

Extra stop: Valley of Fire State Park makes your jaw drop one more time. The Nevada state park, between Zion and Vegas, is full of fascinating rock formations.

9. Las Vegas, NV

Driving distance: 160 mi / 257 km Driving time: 2.5 h

The final 160 miles (257 km) complete your ultimate Grand Circle road trip loop. As you arrive in Las Vegas with new memories that last for a lifetime, the road trip adventure is over for this time.

Blue road sign informing about a scenic turnout in 0.25 miles

Where to stay along the Grand Circle route

There’s no shortage of exceptional places to stay along the Grand Circle route. We think these two options stand out a little extra, though.

A gateway to Arches and Canyonlands, Red Cliffs Lodge makes eyes pop. Be wowed by the rippling Colorado River, towering rock faces and dusty horse corral (it’s no surprise that Hollywood has taken advantage of the setting).

When visiting Zion, treat yourself to a stay at Cable Mountain Lodge . Picture luxury surrounded by red cliffs, with the national park accessible right across the soothing Virgin River.

Best time to do the Grand Circle road trip

Driving the Grand Circle road trip appeals around the year. However, your timing will heavily influence your experience.

Take off in spring or fall to enjoy moderate temperatures, perfect for tackling tough trails, and uncrowded national parks.

Summer is the year’s busiest period for the itinerary’s national parks. Anticipate hot temperatures (bring plentiful water) and highly trafficked trails.

Go during winter to find a much quieter landscape. Freezing temperatures are likely, especially at high altitudes, but snow-dusted rock formations make up for it.

Grand Circle road trip FAQ

This ultimate Grand Circle road trip is 1,177 miles (1,894 km) long, taking 20.5 hours excluding the time you need for the stops along the way.

The main stops on the Grand Circle drive are Las Vegas, Grand Canyon, Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, Monument Valley, Canyonlands, Arches, Capitol Reef, Bryce Canyon and Zion. Additional destinations include the Hoover Dam, Mesa Verde and Valley of Fire.

The six national parks on the Grand Circle road trip itinerary are Grand Canyon, Canyonlands, Arches, Capitol Reef, Bryce Canyon and Zion. If you go for the additional Colorado stretch, between Monument Valley and Canyonlands, you add Mesa Verde National Park as a seventh national park.

Some spots on the itinerary, such as Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend, can quickly be explored. Others, including Grand Canyon and Zion, require more time to be fully appreciated. For a relaxing experience, with casual driving, hiking and stargazing, we recommend allowing two weeks or more.

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Here's what's replacing the former Kwik Trip on Wisconsin Avenue | The Buzz

Demolition on the former gas station has already begun..

GRAND CHUTE - The former Kwik Trip at 3825 W. Wisconsin Ave. is being demolished to make room for a new retail business.

The Town of Grand Chute has approved the construction of a Carpet City Flooring Center at the location.

The project includes a full redevelopment of the former Kwik Trip site, constructing a new, 10,200 square-foot building. Site access will come from a single driveway on West Wisconsin Avenue with a loading dock on the southeast corner of the building.

Carpet City was founded in Wausau in 1973 and has locations in 12 Wisconsin cities. It's the state's largest floor-covering chain.

Construction on the site has already begun. The developer, Bayland Buildings, did not respond to requests for comments on when the project would be complete.

Reach Jelissa Burns at 920-453-5107 or [email protected]. Follow her on X (Twitter) at @burns_jelissa or on Instagram at burns_jelissa.

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Package and Save this Spring with the Railway Getaway Package

All the staples to Make a Grand Trip the Grandest – train, lodging and meals – one easy way to book a vacation to the canyon. Make your spring grand!

Make a Grand Trip the Grandest This Spring!

All aboard to the Grand Canyon!

Stay Next to the Train Station in 3-Diamond Comfort

Grand Canyon Railway Hotel – 3-Diamond comfort, indoor pool, charismatic bar, walking distance from downtown and Route 66.

Your Own Private Rail Car

Ride like a baron – take your group in a private rail car

See One of the Seven Wonders

Standing on the rim of the Grand Canyon is life-changing. The train is the grandest entrance to the Grand Canyon.

Make a Grand Trip the Grandest

The historic Grand Canyon Railway departs daily from Williams, Arizona to the awe-inspiring Grand Canyon. Enhance your Grand Canyon experience with an entertaining train ride featuring western musicians and cowboy characters on vintage rail cars. You can plan a whole vacation – we offer many packages that include lodging at the Grand Canyon Railway Hotel and inside Grand Canyon National Park. Plan your adventure today!

All Aboard for Fun!

Since 1901, the Grand Canyon Railway and Hotel has been taking passengers on a fabled journey to the heart of one of the seven wonders of the world. Grand Canyon Railway is more than just a mode of transportation: it’s a trip back in time on lovingly restored rail cars with entertaining musicians and the antics of cowboy characters. Out your window, the terrain changes from high desert to prairie, prairie to pine. It’s a view that’s ever-changing until you come across a view so brilliant, it could very well change you.

Package and Save 10% on the Railway Getaway Package

All the staples to Make a Grand Trip the Grandest – train, lodging and meals – one easy way to book a vacation to the canyon. Perfect for spring break travel!

Departing Daily from Williams, AZ

The train departs daily at 9:30 a.m. Mountain Time (except during November/December when it leaves at 8:30 a.m.) and returns to Williams at 5:45 p.m. (except during November/December when it returns at 4:45 p.m.). Enjoy more than 3 hours at the canyon as the train drops you right in the Historic Village at the South Rim.

6 Ways to Ride

Explore each class of train service. Lovingly restored to their former glory, each class is distinctly unique.

Charter Your Own Private Car

The Railway offers private charters. Choose your car(s) – you get the whole space for your private party.

Entertaining

Enjoy a Wild West Shootout before the train departs. Then, keep your eyes open for bandits…. Enjoy the tunes of the West during the ride.

Stay Walking Distance from Downtown and Route 66

Riding the rails to the canyon is just one part of an unforgettable Grand Canyon experience. Whether you need lodging at both ends of our line or you’re driving an RV, Grand Canyon Railway & Hotel will take great care of you and even your pets! Our hotel and RV park are located adjacent to the historic Williams Depot and a couple blocks from downtown Williams and “The Mother Road” – Route 66. Plus, with a variety of Grand Canyon vacation deals to choose from, we’ll also save you money in the process.

The AAA 3-Diamond Grand Canyon Railway Hotel

The 298-room 3-diamond Grand Canyon Railway Hotel offers convenient lodging right next door to the train station. Enjoy an indoor pool and a location that’s walking distance to downtown and Route 66.

All Aboard on The Polar Express

Travel on a magical train ride to see Santa at the North Pole. The Polar Express departs this winter. Does the bell still ring for you?

Grand Canyon Railway RV Park

Adjacent to the train depot is our 124-site RV Park – walking distance to downtown and Route 66.

Historic Williams Depot

Built in 1908 the Williams Depot has sent off trains for more than a century and is an attraction unto itself. It’s now the ticket counter, a retail shop and coffee house.

Discover Offers & Packages

Find the perfect offer or package for your Grand Canyon Railway & Hotel adventure!

Departing Daily from Williams, Arizona

About 3 hours from Phoenix or Las Vegas, getting to Williams is easy.

Phoenix to Grand Canyon Road Trip

Here’s a suggested way to see the Grand Canyon state, originating from the Phoenix area.

Williams, Arizona is located off Interstate 40. The famed Route 66 runs right through downtown.

LA to the Grand Canyon Road Trip

If you’re traveling from the West Coast, here is an itinerary to help with your planning.

Planning Resources

Make the most of your trip to the grandest of canyons. Here are resources to help.

Travel by RV

The Grand Canyon Railway RV Park is an ideal place to stay if you’re traveling in an RV.

Join Us #GrandCanyonRailway #XanterraTravel @GCRailway @XanterraTravel

The grand ho tram

Điểm đến nghỉ dưỡng và giải trí hàng đầu châu á.

Được biết đến là một trong những tổ hợp giải trí lớn nhất Việt Nam, The Grand Ho Tram cách Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh khoảng hai tiếng rưỡi di chuyển và bao gồm hai khu nghỉ dưỡng 5 sao: InterContinental® Grand Ho Tram và Holiday Inn Resort Ho Tram Beach với số lượng phòng nghỉ lên đến 1100 phòng.

Với hơn 15 nhà hàng và quầy bar, 8 hồ bơi, 2 Spa đoạt nhiều giải thưởng danh giá và hệ thống sân golf The Bluffs hàng đầu Châu Á được thiết kế bởi golf thủ huyền thoại Greg Norman, The Grand Ho Tram tự hào là điểm đến thú vị, chứa đựng những trải nghiệm hấp dẫn, chắc chắn sẽ làm hài lòng du khách từ khắp mọi nơi.

TRẢI NGHIỆM BẤT TẬN TẠI THE GRAND HO TRAM

HƯỚNG DẪN DI CHUYỂN

The Grand Ho Tram cách Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh hai giờ đi ô tô.

Cần đặt trước để sử dụng dịch vụ.

Xe đưa đón hàng ngày của chúng tôi hoạt động thường xuyên với lịch trình bên dưới và hoạt động trên cơ sở ai đến trước được phục vụ trước.

The Grand Ho Tram cách Tp. Hồ Chí Minh khoảng 2 tiếng 30 phút bằng ô tô, tùy thuộc vào mật độ giao thông. Xe đưa rước miễn phí mỗi ngày xuất bến tại điểm tập trung là tòa nhà Hải Hà – 217 Nguyễn Văn Thủ – Quận 1 theo lịch trình bên dưới.

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Inside: the grand hotel, birmingham.

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Tucked away on Birmingham's Colmore Row, overlooking the grounds of St. Phillips Cathedral, sits The Grand Hotel Birmingham , an elegant Grade II-listed property dating back to 1879 that has hosted a myriad of notable figures, from Winston Churchill to Charlie Chaplin.

Swan through its imposing iron-bolted double doors, ascending gold-lined marble steps as you tiptoe across cool flagstone tiles flowing into The Grand's rich lobby adorned with antique granite pillars, towering oxidized mirrors, and glass-blown orbital pendant lights hanging from a tray ceiling.

Curving around olive velvet sofas and black marble coffee tables shielded by sprawling devil's ivy planted in mosaic stone pots, you'll glide under a retro arched doorway flowing into a wide reception.

Monochrome film portraits and gothic silver lamps garnish cream-woven walls with round layered oak tables, an art nouveau black vintage mailbox, and a copper vase filled with yellow Easter lilies, eucalyptus, and twisted twigs twining towards a stained-glass art deco ceiling.

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Whilst a forest green ribbed iron reception desk sits in front of a stained glass geometric wall topped with echeveria in weathered stone pots and mid-century brass lamps.

Mottled grey double-door elevators encased in oak arched frames whiz up to the lavish two-floor Penthouse Suite, set across 1,450 square feet, at a price tag of $2,500 per night.

Wandering past a long Bronx oak reception table sat on black titanium legs with potted eucalyptus, you'll climb up a vintage oak staircase as you gaze up at a black round barrel mesh chandelier and a grand portrait collage of floppy disks.

French double doors open into a commodious living room with chevron herringbone wool rugs, golden lava bowls, and orange Murano glass lamps on oak tree stumps beside regency brushed velvet and stitched cotton library armchairs.

The living room in the Penthouse Suite.

Espresso wraparound leather studded chairs surround a grand oak banquet table with dried orange blossom nestled in stone pots and a four-tiered rippled glass chandelier hanging above.

Whilst dahlias and daisies sit in glass bulb vases on stretching Italian marble coffee tables, which make the perfect spot for sipping an americano as you hear the sound of crackling flames from your white stone fireplace.

Cracking log fire

As the moonlight peers in, snuggle up on your golden velvet sofa, nestled deep into camel stitched cushions with sweeping panoramic views, or shoot a game of table football with a freshly made Pomegranate martini in hand, prepared at your dark oak liquor cabinet with single malt whiskeys, rose copper cocktail shakers, and potted terrariums.

Before diving into a Tolkien novel as you sink into a peach velvet tub chair with a copper lever arm floor lamp proving to be a sturdy reading companion.

Downstairs, modern pastel Charles Pedone artworks and dark oak cabinets line the walls of the master bedroom with pots of fern, marble geometric vases, glass bubbled tea lights, brass tea strainers, and a vintage bust of Beethoven.

A woven peach and cream sofa sits on licorice oak flooring in front of a magnolia granite fireplace with a mid-century orb chandelier overhead. Whilst Charcoal wool herringbone throws drape over a thin-framed four-poster bed guarded by obsidian bedside hutches faced with rustic metal caged doors.

Stretch out starfish-style and you'll spot bright roses and dahlias in a mint ceramic vase on a black granite coffee table bordered by plush burnt orange sofa chairs.

The bedroom in the Penthouse Suite.

Sliding glass doors glide into a paltial bathroom with geometric zebra floors, twining sword fern in rippled stone pots, a deep soaking tub, cozy cotton dressing gowns, Carrara marble countertops lit up by satin nickel wall lanterns, and a walk-in shower chamber wrapped in cream tiles.

Zigzag honey carpets flow into a dressing room with floor-to-ceiling fitted oak wardrobes and an art nouveau espresso point pouf perched in front of an oak dressing table with a Hollywood vanity mirror.

The lavish bathroom in the Penthouse Suite.

In the cellar of The Grand , down a dove grey stone staircase with a royal wool runner held in place with gold baroque rods, you'll stumble across a retro American diner, Isaac's .

Art deco stained glass double doors swing open to reveal this Emerald City suburb wrapped in forest green, with black and white honeycomb mosaic tiles, fresh corn plants in bronze studded pots, monochrome shots of New York City, brass coned wall lights, and a gold glass globe chandelier hanging from a French rosette ornate ceiling.

Little cozy nooks sit behind velvet curtains whilst an oak grand piano with a vintage brass gramophone marks the entrance to a raised dining area plastered in vinyl floral trellis wallpaper with brass crescent floor lamps, olive Chesterfield leather sofas, and gold pleated artworks.

Sip spicy margaritas and cherry bakewell sours at a rippled-marble bar with forest green tiles and chrome dome lamps as you graze on homemade nachos, baby back ribs, and seafood platters with rock oysters, scarlet prawns, dressed crab, and tuna tataki.

Juicy short rib burger at Isaac's.

Sat on the next floor up, stride through arched oak doors into The Grand's sumptuous Parisian cocktail bar and afternoon tea parlor, Madeleine .

Utopian gold snowflake orb chandeliers dangle from an espresso-coffered ceiling embellished with gold rosettes whilst copper antique mirrors with dried cherry blossoms adorn the walls.

Madeleine Bar

Danish high-back velvet armchairs with hot pink tassels float around mocha-rippled marble tables whilst burnt orange marble pillars support its huge Georgian windows with laser-cut bronze wall lights decorating espresso oak paneled walls.

Antique red leather stools surround a camel suede bar with Edwardian brass lamps where you can sip a glass of Perrier-Jouet Grand Brut or admire pencil sketched portraits and monochrome film photographs of the old Birmingham Bullring.

Curling up on a peach velvet Chesterfield sofa beside a Scandinavian fireplace, nibble on chicken lemon and thyme sandwiches, smoked salmon tarts, and Valrhona gianduja petit gateau with hazelnut financier and soft caramel, complete with an earl grey compote scone with whipped Rodda's clotted cream.

Chic, retro style at its finest.

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Former Sumo Grand Champion and Hawaii native Akebono Taro dies at 54

T OKYO (NEXSTAR) — Hawaii-born Akebono Taro, one of the greats of sumo wrestling and a former grand champion, has died at 54 . He was the first foreign-born wrestler to reach the level of “yokozuna” — or grand champion — in Japan.

Survived by his wife, daughter and two sons, they plan to honor his memory with a private celebration of life.

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“It is with sadness that we announce Akebono Taro died of heart failure earlier this month while receiving care at a hospital in the Tokyo area,” the family said in a statement.

His wife, Christine Rowan, in an email to The Associated Press, said he died “within the past week” but declined to give details.

“I had to tend to personal matters that needed to be done prior to publicly announcing my husband’s death,” she said.

Akebono grew up on the rural side of the Koolau mountains from Honolulu and was born Chad George Ha’aheo Rowan.

He moved to Tokyo in the late 1980s and won his first grand championship in 1993. He was an 11-time grand tournament winner and retired in 2001.

At the prime of his career he was a real giant, reported at the time to weigh 500 pounds (225 kilos) and stand 6-feet-8 — or 2.03 meters.

“At that time, late 80s and 90s. I mean, everybody was looking at Chad, everybody was looking at Kunishige. But Chad was the first. Chad was the first to break that ceiling,” said Kena Heffernan, Aloha State Sumo Association.

Heffernan said he helped pave the way, inspiring future generations.

“They know that, from watching these guys and from their practices, they gotta be all heart and fighting spirits gotta be coming first. And he cannot separate the sport of Sumo from the spirit,” Heffernan explained.

“Sumo goes all the way back to Japanese creation myths. In other words to the beginning of time,” explained author Mark Panek. “Up until Akebono time, he was only the 64th person to have reached this top rank.”

Panek spent a great deal of time with Akebono, writing his biography “Gaijin Yokozuna: A Biography of Chad Rowan.” Panek said Akebono was able to break down those cultural barriers and rise to the highest level of sumo because of his upbringing in Waimanalo, Hawaii.

“His accomplishment and what he has done not just for Japan, but for Hawaii, was done completely from the heart and he got really nothing materialistically or monetarily in return for that,” Panek added. “It was just all giving. And that really matches kind of the reason why he was able to have this cultural success over there. Is that not that he kind of learned how they do it, but that he did it in a Waimanalo way.”

Friend and restaurant owner Ryoji Soranaka said Akebono never forgot where he was from.

“We had karaoke at our restaurant, he would always sing ‘Waimanalo Blues,’” Soranaka said smiling. “Local boy at heart, he used to always come into the restaurant and say he needed to recharge…He was the real deal, he made it to yokozuna, and that’s what we always called him out of respect, not Chad but yokozuna, yokozuna. But he was always down to earth, just one of the boys.”

Those close to him say they’ll miss his heart and fighting spirit most.

“It wasn’t just some guy, this was like the embodiment of what Hawaii likes to think of itself as full of Aloha love and care for others,” Panek said. “To have even a single person like that pass is a real loss.”

The United States ambassador to Japan, Rahm Emanuel, sent his condolences on social platform X .

“I was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Akebono, a giant in the world of sumo, a proud Hawaiian and a bridge between the United States and Japan,” Emanuel posted.

“When Akebono became the first-ever foreign-born grand champion, sumo’s highest rank, in 1993, he opened the door for other foreign wrestlers to find success in the sport. Throughout his 35 years in Japan, Akebono strengthened the cultural ties between the United States and his adopted homeland by uniting us all through sport.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos.

Former Sumo Grand Champion and Hawaii native Akebono Taro dies at 54

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I was planning on visiting the South Rim. However, a family member that lives in Grand Junction said the North Rim is closer. While that appears to be true geographically, Uncle Google seems to indicate that it is somewhat faster to get to the the South Rim. Am I missing an obvious route or something?

If driving time is approximately equal, we would likely just do South Rim since the views all seem to be a short hike.

2 replies to this topic

The north rim is much slower roads to get to it. North rim is quieter, but south has more view points. North side is more primitive facilities.

Thanks very much!

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What Was the Grand Tour and Where Did People Go?

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Typical routes taken on the Grand Tour

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1. S02, E09 – ‘Breaking, badly’

2. S02, E10 – ‘Oh, Canada’

3. S02, E02 – ‘The Falls Guys’

4. S02, E03 – ‘Bah humbug-atti’

5. S01, E13 – Past v Future

6. S01, E06 – Happy Finnish Christmas

7. S02, E07 – ‘It’s a gas, gas, gas’

8. S02, E01 – ‘Past, Present, or Future’

9. S02, E06 – ‘Jaaaaaaaags’

10. S02, E08 – ‘Blasts from the Past’

11. S01, E12 – [Censored] to [Censored]

12. S01, E03 – Opera, Art and Donuts

13. S02, E05 – ‘Up, down and round the farm’

14. S01, E05 – Morroccan Roll

15. S01, E07&08 – The Beach (Buggy) Boys

16. S01, E01 – The Holy Trinity

17. S01, E09 – Berks To The Future

18. S01, E02 – Operation Desert Stumble

19. S01, E10 – Dumb Fight at the O.K. Coral

20. S01, E11 – Italian Lessons

21. S01, E04 – Enviro-mental

22. S02, E04 – ‘Unscripted’

23. S02 Mini-Special – ‘Feed the World’

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See 9 National Parks on This Picturesque Road Trip Through the American West — Including the Grand Canyon, Arches, and Zion

Day 1 and 2: Las Vegas to Zion National Park

Day 3 and 4: Bryce Canyon National Park and Capitol Reef National Park

Day 5 and 6: Capitol Reef National Park and Moab

Day 7 and 8: Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park

Day 9 and 10: Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and Telluride

Day 11 and 12: Mesa Verde National Park and Four Corners National Monument

Day 13 and 14: Petrified Forest National Park and Grand Canyon National Park

Day 15: Return to Las Vegas and Fly Home

Exiting nps.gov

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Grand Circle Road Trip Itinerary

Las Vegas to Williams AZ

Grand Canyon South Rim

Monument Valley

Four Corners & Mesa Verde National Park

Arches & Canyonlands National Parks

Capitol Reef National Park

Bryce Canyon National Park

Zion National Park

Valley of Fire State Park

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