the grand circle tour

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. 

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: 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. 

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. 

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.   

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. 

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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Now's the time to plan a fall road trip to these national parks The Grand Canyon: how to get the most from a short trip National Parks: Top 10 US travel experiences

This article was first published January 2020 and updated September 2020

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How to Plan the Perfect Grand Circle Tour

Explore cherished national parks on a road trip to remember.

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Commemorate the National Park Service's centennial by hitting picturesque trails and admiring storied sites and dramatic rock formations at iconic national parks across Utah and Arizona.

Today marks the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service , and to celebrate the occasion – and inspire the next generation of visitors to visit America's prized parks and historic sites – the parks will be offering free admission through Sunday. So, now is the perfect time to pile the family into the car, and head to Utah to embark on a Grand Circle Tour of top national parks. Popularized in the 1920s, when the Union Pacific Railroad created the route with the then newly developed National Park Service to encourage visitors to get outside and admire the plateaus and peaks of southern Utah and northern Arizona, this iconic route is not to be missed. If you're ready to embark on an epic road trip , packed with striking scenery, storied sites and plenty of time in great outdoors, here's how to plan a memorable tour of four inspiring national parks.

[See: 15 Must-Visit National Park Attractions ].

Zion National Park

Utah's first national park – established in 1919 – Zion sprawls across the southwestern Utah desert. There are many regions within Zion National Park, but the park is best known for its dramatic red rock cliffs. Visitors can stroll along the Riverside Walk hiking trail and wade into the water to cool off or, for a thrill, climb to top of Angels Landing for striking 360-degree views of the valley below. Not up for hiking? Take a scenic drive through the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel or the less-visited Kolob Canyons section of the park. Keep in mind cars are not allowed in the main Zion Canyon during the busy spring and summer months, when visitors must ride the free shuttle system to get to the hiking trailheads. However, visitors can drive their own cars through the Zion Canyon as the crowds diminish, from November to March.

[See: 7 Affordable Ways to Experience America's National Parks ].

Cedar Breaks National Monument

A hidden gem in the mountains above Cedar City, Utah, Cedar Breaks National Monument is a fantastic way to get away from the crowds of Zion and Bryce Canyon. Cedar Breaks' prominent feature is a majestic 2,000-foot-deep amphitheater of reddish-orange rock carved with intricate fissures, and hoodoos (skinny spires). Situated at 10,000 feet elevation, Cedar Breaks offers much cooler visiting conditions than Zion National Park's desert heat. Plus, nights are punctuated by dazzling stars speckling clear skies. Be sure to stick around after sunset when park rangers offer lessons about our solar system via telescope. And don't forget to take notice of the trees along Cedar Breaks' rim – the bristlecone pines are some of the oldest living organisms in the world. Along the Spectra Point/Ramparts Overlook Trail, you'll pass the oldest such bristlecone pine tree in the park, which dates back more than 1,500 years.

Bryce Canyon National Park

An otherworldly expanse of hoodoos and arches make up the geology of Bryce Canyon National Park. Easy access to Sunrise Point, Sunset Point and Inspiration Point allow visitors to watch the shadows creep over the land at sunrise or sunset. Hiking is a must in Bryce, and you need to get below the rim to experience the wonder and awe among the hoodoos. There are many paths leading into the network of formations, and one of the most popular and scenic combines the Navajo and Queen's Garden trails for one of the most spectacular 3-mile hikes in the world. After passing the entrance sign to Bryce Canyon National Park, before you reach the entrance toll booth, make sure to take the road to the left, which leads to the Fairyland Canyon section of Bryce. You'll find spectacular views of the orange-tinged spires without the crowds (or the park fee if you're planning a trip after Aug. 28).

[See: 12 State Parks That Should Be on Your Bucket List .]

North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park

Over 1,800 million years of geologic history stand before you at the strata of the Grand Canyon . The North Rim is less accessible than the South Rim and 1,000 feet higher in elevation but worth visiting. You can take your pick from hiking to Bright Angel Point for a spectacular view of the Grand Canyon, or sit in an Adirondack-style chair on the back porch of the Grand Canyon Lodge and partake in one of the ranger-led programs. Mule rides into the canyon date back to the 1920s and range from an hour to a half day. Prices start at $45 per person for a one-hour ride to $90 for a half-day trip. For a meal to remember, dine in the Grand Canyon North Rim Lodge's main dining room, which affords unparalleled park views. Just remember to make reservations ahead of time online as spots tend to fill up quickly.

While the Union Pacific Railway may not lead Grand Circle Tour trips anymore, an RV makes for a great family-friendly option, even while tooling down the highway. For more information about how to plan an RV road trip on your own, visit GoRVing.com to learn how to get started, where to go, what to bring and more.

Tags: National Parks , National Park Service , Travel , Vacations

About En Route

Practical advice on the art of traveling smarter with tips, tricks and intel from En Route's panel of experts.

Contributors have experience in areas ranging from family travel, adventure travel, experiential travel and budget travel to hotels, cruises and travel rewards and include Amy Whitley , Claire Volkman , Holly Johnson , Marsha Dubrow , Lyn Mettler , Sery Kim , Kyle McCarthy , Erica Lamberg , Jess Moss , Sheryl Nance-Nash , Sherry Laskin , Katie Jackson , Erin Gifford , Roger Sands , Steve Larese , Gwen Pratesi , Erin Block , Dave Parfitt , Kacey Mya , Kimberly Wilson , Susan Portnoy , Donna Tabbert Long and Kitty Bean Yancey .

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The Grand Circle: What It Is; Where It Is; and Why You Should Visit It

The Grand Circle encompasses 10 National Parks that are all near each other and are all vastly beautiful.

By: Jared Beeler + Save to a List

The Grand Circle is located in the Four Corners region of the US and covers most of Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, Arizona, and a small bit of Nevada. All of this region is gorgeous and worth a visit, but the many National Parks that are in this region are some of the most visited and some of the most photogenic. The National Parks that are in this area are Black Canyon of The Gunnison , Mesa Verde , Petrified Forest , Grand Canyon , Zion , Bryce Canyon , Capitol Reef , Arches , Canyonlands , and Great Basin . Each of these National Parks is very unique even though some of them are less than 100 miles apart.

• Mesa Verde National Park - This National Park is home to some of the best preserved cliff dwellings of the Pueblo people from more than 1400 years ago. The park offers many guided tours to visit these cliff dwellings as well as other hikes that are not guided. If you do not want to hike, there is also a great scenic drive that takes you through the National Park. Along the scenic drive, there are many pull-offs and small hikes to old native dwellings. The National Park runs one campground with many amenities and one fairly priced lodge as well as a restaurant. This park is also home to many species of large animals such as elk, black bears, mountain lions, and many species of birds. 

We want to acknowledge and thank the past, present, and future generations of all Native Nations and Indigenous Peoples whose ancestral lands we travel, explore, and play on. Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

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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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Towers of the Virgin, Zion Canyon

Zion narrows, double arch, arches national park.

• Bryce Canyon National Park

Horseshoe Bend

Grand canyon viewpoint, grand circle experience.

Spend 12 magical days exploring cascading petrified sand dunes, vibrant pine forests, and sunset-red deserts in 7 national parks of the Southwest. Join a small group of no more than 14 guests and a private guide on this 12-day luxury adventure. The Grand Circle of the Southwest National Parks with its hiking, scenic viewpoints, local eateries, hidden gems, and other fantastic experiences await you!

Tour Highlights:

• Zion National Park
• Grand Canyon National Park, North Rim
• Vermillion Cliffs National Monument
• Lake Powell & Glen Canyon Dam
• Float trip down the Colorado River
• Antelope Canyon (slot canyon tour)
• Tour of Monument Valley
• Four Corners Monument
• Mesa Verde National Park
• Train trip on the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad
• Million Dollar Highway over Red Mountain Pass
• Arches National Park
• Canyonlands National Park
• Goblin Valley State Park
• Capitol Reef National Park
• Grand Staircase-Escalante Monument
• Scenic Highway 12, All-American Road

Inclusions:

• Services of a Southwest Adventure Tours tour director – a professional tour guide
• Comfortable transportation in a Mercedes Benz Sprinter Van
• 11 nights hotel accommodations at 3-star hotels
• 11 breakfasts
• Colorado River Cruise
• Durango Silverton Railroad Experience
• Monument Valley Tour
• Antelope Canyon tour
• 700 Years Tour
• Park Entrance Fees
• Applicable Taxes and Fees

Daily Breakdown:

• Day 1: Arrive in Las Vegas
• Day 2: Zion National Park
• Day 3: Grand Canyon North Rim, Vermillion Cliffs, Lake Powell
• Day 4: Colorado River float trip, Antelope Canyon
• Day 5: Monument Valley, Four Corners
• Day 6: Mesa Verde National Park, Durango
• Day 7: Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad trip, Million Dollar Hwy, Ouray
• Day 8: Arches National Park, Moab
• Day 9: Canyonlands National Park, Goblin Valley State Park
• Day 10: Capital Reef National Park, Grand Staircase-Escalante Monument, Hwy 12
• Day 11: Bryce Canyon National Park, return to Las Vegas

Visual Itinerary Video:

Coming soon

Guest Video

Interested in learning more about the Grand Circle Experience? Watch this video that was created by one of our guests that led a tour.

Arrive anytime today at McCarran (now Harry Reid) International Airport and transfer to your lodging for the night. The hotel does offer a hotel shuttle, you can call for pick-up once you land in Las Vegas. Enjoy your evening in Las Vegas, NV.

You will receive a call from your guide today, if you haven’t heard from them by 4 pm, please call.

DoubleTree Las Vegas​, Las Vegas, NV

Your journey begins this morning as you meet your guide to depart for Zion National Park . Here, you will explore sites like the Great White Throne, Emerald Pools, Scouts Lookout , the Court of the Patriarchs , and the Narrows . Enjoy a welcome dinner with your group this evening.

Hotel DeNovo , Springdale, UT (B,L, D)

Your morning starts with breakfast and a drive up the Zion switchbacks to see a wild world of swirling sandstone, then out through the east entrance. You pass through Kanab, Utah , marveling at yet more fantastic rock formations along the way. Up you go up to the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park and visit viewpoints around the North Rim Lodge including Bright Angel Point and other areas. After lunch you will continue your journey to Page, Arizona by crossing the Navajo Bridge spanning the Colorado River , passing by the enormous Vermilion Cliffs , so named for their brilliantly crimson striations of sedimentary rock. There will also be a stop at the Navajo Bridge and Colorado River. Our lodging for the next two nights is on the shores of Lake Powell .

Courtyard by Marriott Page at Lake Powell​, Page, AZ (B, L)

Another dramatic drive, this time down an incline tunnel that brings you to the base of Glen Canyon Dam for a 14-mile float trip down the Colorado River . You’ll be surrounded by deep sandstone canyons, plus a stop to view some fascinating petroglyphs. Afterward, experience the undulating sandstone-sculpted walls of Antelope Canyon . The lighting and beautiful flow of the walls make this an experience to remember.

Enjoy the evening at the Red Heritage Experience in Page, Arizona. Red Heritage is a Native American Dinner Theater in Page, Arizona showcasing local dancers talented in colorful powwow dancing, flute playing, and live drum music. You will have an evening of culturally inspired food and an unforgettable show!

Courtyard by Marriott Page at Lake Powell​, Page, AZ (B,D)

Today you will head to Kayenta, Arizona , for a brief stop before entering Monument Valley in an open-air truck. Admire the gigantic formations up close or towering along the horizon. You'll also visit filming spots for classic Western movies and lesser-frequented outcroppings in the backcountry. After lunch, you will have some time to explore the historic Gouldings Lodge before continuing to Bluff, UT. Stops will be made at Sand Island Petroglyph Panel and Historic Fort Bluff to learn about the early settlers of the region before enjoying your evening in this quaint town.

Desert Rose Inn , Bluff, UT (B, L)

Start your day with breakfast before traveling to Four-Corners Monument where you will stop to shop and snap a shot at the famous spot where the borders of Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, and Utah all meet.

Travel into Colorado to Mesa Verde National Park . Here, you'll explore and experience the dramatic ruins of ancient Pueblo cliff houses, built into shallow caves and under rock overhangs. You will also stop at viewpoints and a museum along the mesa top before heading to the San Juan Mountains for Durango. This frontier town offers plenty of restaurants and shopping — just the place to enjoy your free evening.

Holiday Inn & Suites , Durango, CO (B, L)

Score a true frontier experience with a steam engine train ride on the Durango and Silverton Railroad , an impressive track built in 1881 that snakes along the canyons of the Animas River Valley . It'll be lunchtime when you arrive in Silverton, and the Shady Lady, Bent Elbow, and Natalie's--all former bordello and current restaurants--will be happy to accommodate you. Then, trek the twisting turns of the Million Dollar Highway , stopping in Ouray for some shopping before the final leg to Moab. (If traveling from March 1 to May 1, the train ride will be only up to Cascade Canyon.)

Lodging – Hyatt Place, Moab, UT (B)

Spend the day exploring Arches National Park and its 2,000 natural sandstone arches, up to 50 of which you'll experience firsthand as you hike to the Delicate Arch, Landscape Arch, Devil's Garden, and Courthouse Towers . Returning to the hotel, you'll have the afternoon free before an early dinner at a local restaurant, giving you plenty of time to head over to Dead Horse Point for a beautiful sunset overlooking the Colorado River.

Lodging – Hyatt Place, Moab, UT (B, L, D)

Today, you're treated to another scenic drive into Canyonlands National Park to see and experience the majestic Mesa Arch in the morning. This is the best time to photograph this formation. You will then enjoy the San Rafael Swell on the way to Capitol Reef National Park , where you'll hike up to Hickman Bridge , enjoy the Grand Wash , and look for Geodes and other activities within this fantastic park. Dinner and an enjoyable evening will be experienced at one of the local hotels in this area.

Lodging – Broken Spur Inn, Torrey, UT (B, L)

After a morning exploring Capitol Reef National Park, you will journey down Highway 12 , known as the All-American Road for its iconic vistas, and also the deep canyons that have been carved through the landscape before arriving at Bryce Canyon National Park , a Utah treasure filled with unearthly archways and rose-colored hoodoos. You'll spend the evening hiking the stunning canyon, relaxing, and dining on your own in Bryce Canyon.

Lodging – Best Western Plus Bryce Canyon Grand Hotel, Bryce Canyon, UT (B, L)

Your last day in the Southwest's fantastic landscape starts with a stellar sendoff of early morning sun lighting up pink cliffs during an unforgettable sunrise in Bryce Canyon . After hiking and exploring more of the canyon, you'll head back to Las Vegas, stopping for a few final views of Zion National Park from the Kolob Canyons and lunch at a local joint in Cedar City, Utah . After lunch begin your return drive to Las Vegas through the historic town of St George, UT .  Hotel drop off by 6:00 pm PST.  Thank you for traveling with us!

Lodging – DoubleTree Las Vegas , Las Vegas, NV (B, L)

Transfer to the Las Vegas Airport by hotel shuttle on your own for your departure flight home.

Tour Details:

Not included.

• Items of a personal nature, such as alcohol, room service, etc.)
• Any meals not listed
• Optional activities
• Gratuities for the tour director driver, local guides, and outfitters

Arrival / Departure Information

• Arrival Location: McCarran (now Harry Reid) International Airport (LAS)
• Arrival Time: Any time on Day 1
• Departure Location: McCarran (now Harry Reid) International Airport (LAS)
• Departure Time: Any time on Day 12

Physical Requirements

Clients should be comfortable walking on uneven terrain for an average of 1 to 3 miles at a time. Elevation gain and loss averages between 50 to 300 ft throughout the areas visited during this tour. Touring and overnight locations are above 6000 to 8000 ft above sea level

Southwest Adventure Tours is an authorized permittee of the following parks:

• Glen Canyon National Recreation Area
• $4,899.00 Per Person Double Occupancy
• $5,499.00 Per person Single Occupancy
• $4,599.00 Per person Triple Occupancy
• $4,399.00 Per person Quad Occupancy

2024 Departure Dates:

2025 departure dates:, similar tours:, mighty 5 utah from las vegas, mighty 5 utah from salt lake city, arizona adventure, from the blog, zion entrance project, meet our guide haydee schabelski, meet our guide kim palmer, meet our guide wayne parker.

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 !

• How To Choose The Best Car Rental – Turo, Zipcar, Hertz
• 7 Scenic Road Trip Ideas For Nature Lovers
• Yosemite 2-Day Itinerary: The Best Sights For Weekend Warriors

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:

Cold weather camping gear | Camping starter kit | Affordable hiking backpacks | Weekend camping trip planning + packing list | First-timer tent camping tips | Hiking boots for women | Rooftop tents for car camping

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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Grand Circle travel begins and ends in Utah! Visitors have a unique chance to experience all five Utah national parks, in addition to the Grand Canyon, Mesa Verde, Monument Valley and Lake Powell (Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. During a one-week trip you have time for a short stop in each location, but we recommend taking your time so you have plenty of opportunity to enjoy and learn about each unique destination.

The American Southwest is famous for incredible scenery, red rock pinnacles and formations, brilliant sunsets, and deep canyons. It is uncommon land, for an uncommon experience, and it's all within a stone's throw of Utah. Few states can boast of so much!

Maintained highways run between these destinations and access is possible year-round. Some of this country is remote and rugged, with many miles between gas stations, so plan your trip carefully.

Grand Circle Guides & Tours:

Want to check out the Grand Circle Tour for yourself?

Find the 11 day, 10 night Itinerary here.

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Join the Adventure: Start Your National Park Bucket List

National Park Bucket List

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 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.

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

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

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

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

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 

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

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

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

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

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 !

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• Destinations

An Epic 7-Day Grand Circle Road Trip Itinerary

If you’re looking for otherworldly views and dramatic landscapes, there’s no place like the southwest USA. A road trip itinerary through the “grand circle” (aka a loop between Las Vegas, Utah’s five national parks, and the Grand Canyon) is an epic way to see these landscapes firsthand.  

I took this road trip with my best friends and it’s still one of my favorite trips to date. The beauty of this area is unparalleled! I guarantee you’ll love it too.

Views from the road through Capitol Reef National Park. Are you ready for epic landscapes like this?!

Before we dive into the details of this grand circle road trip itinerary, let’s chat logistics. 

I’ll be upfront: this itinerary packs a lot into one week (six national parks, to be exact!). Obviously, you could spend a week at almost every one of these stops. There’s so much to see in this part of the country! However, I’ve designed this road trip itinerary to give you a taste of all the grand circle highlights so you can pack as much into your week vacation as possible! You can always come back and explore your favorite areas on a later trip. 

As with all national park trips , I recommend getting the Annual Parks Pass to save on your park entrance fees! It’s also fun to get a national parks passport that you can get stamped at all the park visitors centers.

This part of the country gets very hot in the summers (and also packed with tourists), so I recommend visiting in the shoulder season, like early spring or late fall. I visited in October and it was perfect. Mornings were a bit chilly, but the sunny afternoons quickly warmed things up. 

Finally, many parts of this itinerary are in remote areas, so cell phone reception may not be the best. Consider a GPS phone, and at the very least make sure to have your itinerary and directions available offline. 

Food, gas, and rest stops may be few and far between, so always make sure you have enough gas to get to the next major city. And, as my grandma always said, never skip a bathroom!

Bags packed and ready to go? Here’s my itinerary for an epic week-long grand circle road trip. 

Read more:   The Ultimate U.S. National Parks Guide

Grand Circle Road Trip Itinerary: Day 1

Arrive in las vegas.

4x4s make driving through the off-road section of Capitol Reef National Park a breeze.

The easiest way to start your grand circle road trip is from Las Vegas. There are plenty of flights to this airport (including many budget airlines like Southwest). Make sure to arrive in the morning so you can take full advantage of day one. 

It’ll be easy to rent a car directly at the airport. Opt for something with at least all wheel drive (or even four wheel drive), as some parts of this itinerary involve bumpy back roads. 

Finally, I recommend packing snacks or stopping at a grocery store on your way out of town. Parts of this itinerary are fairly remote, so you’ll want to have plenty of food and water with you. I packed a reusable water bottle that I filled up at the airport and bought some non perishable snacks (like granola bars, clif bars, jerky, bagels and peanut butter, and canned sparking water) at a Wal-mart not too far outside of Las Vegas. 

Visit Zion National Park

Our first park of the trip! Iconic Zion views.

After grabbing groceries and a quick lunch in Vegas, drive 2.75 hours northeast to your first stop: Zion National Park ! (Keep in mind that you’ll also lose an hour when you cross into Utah’s mountain time zone.) 

Make your first stop at the Zion National Park visitors center. Here you can grab a park map, get your park passport stamped, use the restroom, and fill up on water. The parking lot is fairly small, and this park is very popular, so you may need to circle a few times to find a spot. One thing to keep in mind is that many of the roads in the park are closed during the summer and require you to take park shuttles to trailheads, so make sure to check the park’s website before setting out. 

Next, stop at the photogenic Canyon Junction Bridge for some pictures. This spot is about ten minutes from the visitors center and will sneak up on you, so be aware! There are a few nearby pull offs that you can park in while you pop out for your pics. This stop will only take a few minutes but it’s worth it for the scenery. 

You’ve got time for one hike in Zion, so pick wisely! We skipped the ever-popular Angel’s Landing and the Narrows (we’ll come back another time for those!) and opted for a slightly less intense hike at Canyon Overlook that still packs in amazing views.  

The first of many beautiful sunsets on this trip!

The trailhead is about 15 minutes from the bridge. This is another one that sneaks up on you! This parking lot is VERY small. We had to park along the road shoulder and walk back to the trailhead. 

The Canyon Overlook Trail is a one mile out-and-back trail with about 160 feet of elevation gain. While short, consider that you are hiking at elevation which may take longer. Parts of the trail were slippery with sandy rock – don’t skip your hiking boots here!

The end of this trail is a spectacular viewpoint looking over Zion Canyon. You can see little cars winding up the road you just drove. Take a few minutes and enjoy the view, maybe while enjoying one of the snacks you packed! If you time it right, you’ll be getting here around sunset and can watch the sky light up beautifully. 

End the first day of your grand circle road trip by staying somewhere between Zion and Bryce Canyon. We opted for a rental property in Hatch, which is another hour north of Zion, and grabbed dinner at a local saloon. 

Grand Circle Road Trip Itinerary: Day 2

Sunrise at bryce canyon national park.

And the first of many sunrises!

Day two starts with an early wake up call – we left Hatch a little over an hour before sunrise. If you go in October like I did, it will be quite cold. It was even flurrying during our drive! Make sure to make yourself a hot coffee or tea before you leave and pack a warm, lightweight coat.

The drive from Hatch to the Bryce Canyon National Park entrance is about 35 minutes. Once you arrive, park near Sunset Point. There should be plenty of spots. (While there is also a Sunrise Point, I liked Sunset Point as you can see more of the sun on the rocks.)

After parking, take a short walk to the canyon rim and find a quiet spot where you can watch the sunrise peacefully. The views here are all amazing and you don’t need to be packed in at the overlook with the other sunrise photographers. Even before sunset, the views will be breathtaking – the canyon is filled with unique spiraling rocks called hoodoos and is unlike any other place I’ve seen. 

As the sun comes up, you’ll be rewarded for the early wake up call with a spectacular show! The sun will peek over the canyon and slowly warm up the hoodoos with golden light. This was one of the best sunrises I’ve ever seen, and I won’t soon forget it. 

Bryce Canyon is an absolute dream.

Once the sun is up, time for a hike! I recommend hiking the Navajo Loop Trail paired with the Queens Garden Trail for a 2.9 mile hike with 600 feet of elevation. This trail takes you down into the canyon, past plenty of hoodoos, through a forest, and back up some through some weaving hoodoos. Start at Sunset Point, then connect to Navajo, then Queens Garden, then Sunrise Point, then the Rim trail. 

Plan for 2-3 hours for this hike, as there are plenty of beautiful spots along the way to stop and take photos. Plus, this is the highest elevation of the trip, so if you’re like me, you may be a little breathless!

Once you’re done, stop at the visitors center for the usual items. Then, grab lunch near the entrance to the park (there are a few general stores), and head on your way to your next destination!

Off Road at Capitol Reef National Park

Dancing by the Temple of the Sun and Moon. One of the more remote places I’ve been!

Drive the 2.25 hours to the Capitol Reef National Park visitors center. Here, make sure you fill up on gas and water, because this afternoon is going to be remote!

Drive a little past the visitors center until you see a turnoff on your left; this will take you to the Temple of the Sun and Moon, two large rock formations in the remote part of this park. The drive is quite rough and will take almost two hours. Take your time and enjoy the epic views – you’ll likely be the only person for miles!

If you have a four wheel drive car and the river is low, you could also ford the river and drive to the epic Bentonite Hills. You’ve probably seen these on Instagram – these striped hills look like they’re the surface of mars, and at sunset turn amazing shades of blue and red. Unfortunately, the river was too high for us to safely cross (this is something to ask about at the visitors center!), but luckily there were a few similar hills on the way to the Temples of the Sun and Moon. 

Bentonite Hills or Mars?

After you’ve seen the Temples, turn around and drive out the way you came. I would try not to do this past sunset, as it will be incredibly dark on the remote road. 

Have dinner at one of the restaurants near the park (Pioneer Kitchen, Rim Rock, or Hunt and Gather). Then, rest up at the Capitol Reef Resort for the night. 

Grand Circle Road Trip Itinerary: Day 3

Explore more at capitol reef national park.

This morning is all about exploring the “on-road” part of Capitol Reef National Park. There is a main road that winds through this part of the park, so I recommend stopping at the various turnouts and hiking around. Some great spots to stop at include Panorama Point, Sunset Point, and Goosenecks Overlook. These all have their own parking lots and short trails you can wander through. 

More epic views of Capitol Reef – don’t sleep on this park!

Then, head to the trailhead for the Fremont River Trail for the main hike of the morning. This hike is 2.0 miles roundtrip and 440 feet of elevation gain. You will start with a quiet walk along the river before steeply ascending during the second half of the hike. However, the views from the top are breathtaking! If you keep going past the official trail “end” (you’ll see an unofficial path from others), you’ll get a great view of the canyon below. 

Reward yourself for all the hard work with one of the famous homemade pies at the Gifford Homestead. This historic home from the early 1900s serves up some delicious treats. Consider having a picnic lunch here with some of the snacks you bought on day one. Don’t forget to pet the horses!

Motivation for hiking steep trails.

On your way out of Capitol Reef, stop at Petroglyph Panel to see a series of historic drawings from the Native Americans who lived in this area, the Fremont Culture, between 600-1300 AD. There’s a convenient parking lot at the turnoff and a few boardwalks to explore. 

In my opinion, this is one of the most underrated parks in the US. Hopefully now that you’ve explored it for yourself, you’ll understand why!

Pit Stop at Goblin Valley State Park

The ~unique~ rocks in Goblin Valley.

Next, drive east for about 1.25 hours until you reach Goblin Valley State Park. This unique area is worth a pit stop (and the entrance fee). The white rock formations are completely different from the red hoodoos in Bryce Canyon. Many of them may resemble a melting *eggplant emoji*, if you catch my drift. 

You can free-roam through this canyon, so spend some time stretching your legs before the next leg of the itinerary, which is to drive another 1.75 hours to Moab. 

Moab is by far the biggest town so far in this road trip, so there will be plenty of options for accommodation, including hotels and funky vacation rentals!

Grab dinner and drinks at a local restaurant. There’s plenty of good food in Moab! We ate Vietnamese at 98 Center Moab and loved it. 

Grand Circle Road Trip Itinerary: Day 4

Sunrise at canyonlands national park.

Sunrise at Canyonlands – sadly cloudy for us, but still beautiful!

Today’s grand circle itinerary involves another early wake up call (but I promise it’ll be worth it). Wake up at least two hours before sunrise and drive the hour into Canyonlands National Park . Head to the famous Mesa Arch trailhead and hike the easy 0.7 miles to the arch. Consider headlamps so you can see where you’re going in the dark! 

There’s plenty of parking at the trailhead, but expect crowds at this famous sunrise spot. Getting there early will ensure you get a good spot to watch (or photograph) the sunrise over the Canyon and reflect off this giant arch. 

After sunrise, continue driving along the park’s main road and pull off at some of the turn-offs for more beautiful views. I recommend Buck Canyon Overlook and Green River Overlook.

These landscapes are just unreal.

If you have the time (and energy), hike the White Rim Overlook trail. This 1.8 mile roundtrip hike includes only 159 feet of elevation gain and will get you even closer to some of the canyon overlooks. 

Explore Moab

Moab is the largest town we’ve visited so far on this grand circle road trip itinerary, so after a busy morning in nature, spend a little time in the city. There are lots of cute shops selling local artisanal goods. There are also plenty of coffee shops, bars, and restaurants to explore! Don’t miss Love Muffin, our favorite little coffee and breakfast spot.

Sunset at Dead Horse Point State Park

Dead Horse Point State Park – sad name, good views.

There’s so much to do in this area that Dead Horse Point State Park is often overlooked by visitors. Don’t make that mistake! This is an incredible park that is certainly worth a visit. The landscape is similar to the famous Horseshoe Bend, but twice the bends! 

There are a few trails you can hike, but we just wandered around the main one along the canyon’s edge. The views are breathtaking, especially at sunset! 

This state park is about 45 minutes drive outside of Moab and requires a $10 entrance fee.

Grand Circle Road Trip Itinerary: Day 5

Sunrise at arches national park .

Delicate Arch is even bigger in person than we imagined!

Another day, another sunrise. Arriving early to the popular (and crowded) Arches National Park will give you plenty of time to explore its unique landscape.

You’ll start your day with a hike up to the famous Delicate Arch. Leave about two hours before sunrise to allow for the 45 minute drive into the park and the beginning of the hike. Again, I suggest bringing a headlamp so you can watch your step on the trail.

This 3.4 mile, 480 foot elevation gain hike is very popular, but also rather challenging. There are parts that are quite steep, as well as close to large drop-offs (including the end of the trail near the arch itself). If you’re afraid of heights, keep this in mind. Seeing this huge, mind-blowing arch in person will be worth the effort, though!

Nature is neat.

Once you’re finished with the Delicate Arch hike, there are a few other arches you can see from fairly near the parking lots. These include Windows Arch, Turret Arch, Double Arch, and Balancing Rock.

Before you leave, head out on one more (less strenuous) hike to Landscape Arch. This arch is long and thin and appears to almost defy physics. This hike is 1.8 miles and only 40 feet of elevation gain, so will be fairly easy compared to the first hike of the day!

Once you’ve finished, it’s time to pack up, fill up on gas and water, and head south for the next part of your epic grand circle road trip itinerary!

Detour Through Monument Valley

Run, Forest, run!

Take a slightly longer route to Page, AZ by driving through Monument Valley. You’ve seen this in countless photos and films (including Forrest Gump), and trust me, the extra driving time is worth it to see this beautiful area! The way the rocks rise up so high from the flat ground is amazing. 

Make sure to stop at the aptly named Forrest Gump point along Highway 163 for the famous view of the road with the iconic monument valley rock formations in the background. There’s a pull off on the right side of the road where you can park and snap a photo. The drive from Moab to here will take you about 2.25 hours. 

From here, drive another 2.25 hours to Page, AZ, where you’ll spend the night. We treated ourselves to Under Canvas Glamping and are so glad we did – it was such a unique stay. We got the stargazer room so we could see the stars from our bed. Just be warned that it gets a little cold at night so be prepared to stock your fire!

Note that if you do this, Under Canvas Lake Powell is in Utah, a separate time zone from Arizona. This part of Arizona is also a separate time zone from the part you just drove through (due to being on Navajo lands). It can all be a bit confusing so I recommend manually setting your phone to Page time so you don’t miss any tours or events! 

Grand Circle Road Trip Itinerary: Day 6

Squeeze through a slot canyon.

You could almost feel how mystical these slot canyons are.

Sleep in this morning (you deserve it!) before heading to a slot canyon tour. The most famous slot canyon is Antelope Canyon (specifically lower Antelope Canyon), which is on Navajo land. The canyon is sacred to the Navajo people and they are the only ones who can provide tours of the canyon. You can’t visit on your own, you must book one of these tours. 

It can get a bit crowded in Antelope Canyon, but there’s nothing like it so I think it’s worth a visit. The crowds are better in recent years now that they made the canyon one-way walking only. The best time of day to visit is midday so you can see the famous light beams! Sadly in October the sun doesn’t get high enough in the sky for this, but it was beautiful nonetheless. 

Abe Lincoln’s chin…can you see it?

Several tour companies offer package tours so you can see other slot canyons. Definitely do this so you get a contrast to Antelope Canyon, both in terms of style and crowds! Being alone in a quiet slot canyon is definitely a majestic moment. 

I was worried about the slot canyons being too narrow and getting claustrophobic, but they weren’t too bad. Looking up and seeing the sky really helped! 

Relax at Lake Powell

Grab lunch in Page on your way back and spend the afternoon relaxing at Lake Powell. You can rent a boat or kayak and enjoy some time on the water and in the sun!

Sunset at Horseshoe Bend

Famous, but for good reason.

Horseshoe Bend is probably one of the most famous viewpoints in the world, but honestly, it’s for good reason. This spot is just gorgeous! 

The viewpoint is a short, 10-minute walk from the parking lot. While there will be large crowds, the bend is quite large and there are plenty of large rocks for you to find a spot that’s a little less busy. Get here early, bring a picnic, and enjoy a beautiful sunset as it reflects off the canyon walls and Colorado river below. 

Grand Circle Road Trip Itinerary: Day 7

Explore grand canyon national park.

The grandest canyon of them all.

It’s time for one more national park on your last day of the grand circle road trip itinerary! Drive the 2.5 hours south to the south rim of Grand Canyon National Park for epic views of this incredible landscape. This is one of those places where pictures just can’t do it justice!

There’s no real itinerary for this section – just stop at various pull offs along the southern rim and enjoy the views! 

Witness History at the Hoover Dam

Hoover Dam!

After leaving the Grand Canyon, drive 3.75 hours west towards Las Vegas. The Hoover Dam is famous for being a depression-era feat of engineering. Conveniently, it’s also right off the highway on your way back, so it’s well worth it to stop! Depending on how much time you have, you can vary how long you spend here. We just parked and took a quick walk across the bridge, but you can definitely stay longer and learn more about the history and engineering of this massive dam.

Return to Las Vegas and Head Home

Unfortunately, it’s finally time to drive the final hour back to Las Vegas, return the rental car, and head home. It’s been an amazing trip! 

LGBTQ Considerations 

My wife and I went on this trip with another lesbian couple, and we all had an amazing time! While I’m always a little cautious in small towns, generally national parks attract a diverse crowd, which enabled us to relax, explore, and be ourselves. 

Read more:   Top Safety Tips for Queer Travelers

I hope you’ve enjoyed this grand circle road trip itinerary as much as I did! This is one of the most beautiful parts of the USA and being able to pack so much into one trip is just incredible.

Tell me, what was your favorite part of the grand circle road trip? 

Read more:   United States Travel Guide

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Hello, I’m planning a Grand Circle road trip and like the itinerary you posted. We will have 7 nights and was wondering where you would spend an extra night?

Great question! I would pick which park sounds most interesting to you and stay there! That being said, this itinerary probably spends the least amount of time in Zion – that park has so much more to offer, so if it were me, I would stay there!

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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 .

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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15 thoughts on “grand circle road trip itinerary”.

Thank you for sharing. I’m planning a similar itinerary but renting an RV. Do you think it is doable in february? I’m worried about snowing driving conditions. Thank you in advance for any comment on that subject.

Hi, I’d definitely be wary if you go in February. There can be a lot of snow and road closures around the Grand Canyon and elsewhere. The park itself could close. If you have decent weather with little snow fall though it could be very beautiful, and no crowds! So only plan then if you have flexibility to cancel or go elsewhere.

Hi, your site has been very helpful in planning our future trip. I was wondering if you could provide any feedback/suggestion on the below draft itinerary. Thanks

Day 1 (Tues.): Fly into Las Vegas, drive to Grand Canyon South Rim

Day 2 &3 (Wed. & Thurs.): Explore GCNP: (3 nights – Bright Angel Lodge)

Day 4 (Fri.): Drive to Lake Powell/Antelope Canyon (2 nights – Home2 Suites) • Antelope Canyon Boat Tour

Day 5 (Sat.): Lake Powell/Antelope Canyon • AM – Upper Antelope Canyon Tour — PM – Lower Antelope Canyon Tour

Day 6 (Sun.): Drive to Arches NP (2 nights – Moab Springs Ranch or Red Cliff) • Drive the park, Devil’s Garden Trail

Day 7 (Mon.) • Ranger guide hike: Fiery Furnace, Off-Road Hell’s Revenge Tour

Day 8 (Tues.): Drive to Capitol Reef National Park (1 night- Broken Spur Inn?) • Drive Capitol Gorge

Day 9 &10 (Wed. & Thurs.): Drive to Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument (2 nights -Escalante Yurts) • Hike the Lower Calf Creek Falls, Devil’s Garden, Willis Creek Slot Canyon, Escalante Natural Bridge, Hell’s Back Bone & Peekaboo Tour

Day 11 (Fri.): Drive to Bryce NP (1 night – Bryce Lodge) • shuttle to Inspiration Point, walk Rim Trail to Bryce Point/Mossy Cave Trail

Day 12 (Sat): Drive to Zion NP (2 nights – Zion Lodge) • Explore Park

Day 13 (Sun.): Zion: Narrows Bottom Up/Emerald Pool Hike:

Day 14 (Mon.): Drive to Las Vegas – return rental car (1 night)

Day 15 (Tues.): Fly back to MD

Hi, glad you could find it useful! Your itinerary looks great! It does a few things differently than I did but there’s nothing wrong with that. Going to Lake Powell/Antelope canyon is a great alternative to Mesa Verde, and I did consider going there instead on our trip, but will have to wait for next time! The only things I’d consider maybe differently is if you’d rather go to Canyonlands instead of having 2 days in Arches(Canyonlands is equally as beautiful), and also at Bryce you might want to do a short hike down into the canyon to see what it’s like https://cameraandacanvas.com/bryce-canyon-one-day/ But if you’re only looking at doing easy hikes it is best to stay above. I hope you have a good trip!

Thanks so much…just what I was looking for! Hope to do something similar in 2024.

Is there a way to contact anyone about these trips. Can’t find email or phone number.

Hi, these are just trip itineraries I went on personally and wrote about to help others. I don’t take personal phone calls or offer more advise than small questions, like others have asked here in the comments.

Hi. Love the itinerary. We are planning for a road trip but would like to include Page, AZ for Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe bend. What would you advise. We will be travelling with 2 kids ages 11 &7. Thank you!

Those would also be great places to visit! It really depends on how much time you have for your trip. If you have an extra 1 or 2 days or more you could definitely include Page/Antelope in this itinerary before you drive onto Monument Valley. Or you can substitute the trip to Page instead of Mesa Verde. Antelope Canyon also requires reservations so check their website when you’re planning.

I love the idea of this tour of Parks, We have a 29 foot travel trailer, would we be able to find spots to overnight at these parks or close to them? Not sure how that works, not knowing if there are RV parks in the area. Thanks for your suggestions. Laurie

Hi, yes I’m certain you could find spots in or near the parks with a trailer as many people bring their RV’s. You’ll have to be careful on certain roads however, such as on the way from Bryce to Zion, you’ll want to follow a certain road which I mention in my article here: https://cameraandacanvas.com/driving-bryce-canyon-to-zion-national-park/ Before you make your trip just look up campground around each national park you want to visit to find good spots for RV’s, they will be there!

This itinerary is exactly what I have been looking for! Thank you for sharing! Could you recommend any places to stay along the way? And what time of year did you make this trip?

Hi, I’m so glad it could help you! I made the trip at the beginning of October, the weather was beautiful then and it wasn’t too crowded! As for places to stay, as you scroll through this article, I do make recommendations on the different locations to stay at(and in more detail in the links about each place).

Such great information, thanks for sharing. It looks like you had a great time! It sounds like I need a month to explore over there because I love to hike too!

Yes a month would be a great amount of time! The 2 weeks that we had was enough to get a good feel for each place, but if you really want to explore and do more hikes and see other parts of the park, you’d at least need a month 🙂

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National Parks Grand Circle Road Trip

The Grand Circle road trip is like wrapping the best of the Southwest’s national park system up in a bow. Ancient volcanic mountains, protruding plateaus and buttes, and deeply carved canyons reveal themselves in a rainbow of colors. Civilizations dating back thousands of years, followed by the Navajo, Apache, Spanish, Mormons, crystal readers, and adrenaline junkies have created a multicultural mix unique to this part of the world. The Colorado Plateau has the densest concentration of national parks in the US and this Grand Circle tour connects the best of them.

Drive away from the neon metropolis of Las Vegas and the cityscape will quickly give way to the country’s most precious natural monuments, including Zion, Bryce, Capitol Reef, Canyonlands, Arches, and Grand Canyon national parks, and a slew of wonderful nature preserves and cultural destinations. This national park loop would woo any road tripper but it holds a special spot in our hearts because we completed the full circle (including the Utah Mighty 5) with my mom over the course of two road trips for her 77th and 78th birthdays.

To share some of our favorite destinations, take her glamping, and have some true firsts…like ice trekking slot canyons and sleeping on the rim of the Grand Canyon, were moments made more incredible with her on our travel team. This Grand Circle road trip guide includes all we’ve gleaned over the years of visiting these national treasures and how we connected the dots for an epic family road trip.

Table of Contents

Grand Circle Road Trip Map & Itinerary

What is the Grand Circle Road Trip

In its simplest definition, this iconic USA road trip travels between Utah and Arizona, hitting six national parks: Zion, Bryce, Capitol Reef, Canyonlands, Arches, and Grand Canyon. Though it can be a bit confusing because if you subtract Arizona’s Grand Canyon, this collection of national parks is also called Utah’s “Big Five.” So forget catchy titles and exact waypoints, the beauty and intrigue of this Southwest road trip goes well beyond definition. This is the heart of a geological wonderland with so much to see and do! With slight detours, you can explore Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Monument Valley Tribal Park, Goose Necks State Park, and more natural reserves, charming towns, and unique attractions that make it worth expanding your “Grand Circle” road trip into an unforgettable journey.

When to Go & for How Long

T he classic Grand Circle tour is doable in 1 0- 12 days . Though the longer you have the better and if you can break it up into two trips…that’s double the fun! Each season offers unique opportunities and appeal. Spring brings the most greenery and pleasant hiking weather, while winter has the fewest crowds and a dusting of snow on the red rocks is pure magic. Summer is by far the hottest and most crowded so if that’s the only time you can go, think about saving the second half for another time of year.

Where to Start

The best place to start this national parks road trip is really based on what’s the most convenient for you. While many people think of this trip as the “Grand Circle Utah” because this state boasts most of the national parks, Utah doesn’t have any big airports along the route. So if you are flying and renting a vehicle, our suggestion would be to land in Las Vegas, where flights, hotels, and car/RV rentals tend to be the most affordable and abundant. Plus, the airport is a mere 2.5-hour drive to the nearest Grand Circle park (Zion) so you can hit the ground running on your first day. We’ve written this blog traveling clockwise from Las Vegas, that said, if you’re finding better deals out of Phoenix, simply do this itinerary in reverse. Just remember, no matter which direction you begin the Grand Circle tour, it will be an epic drive!  

ZION NATIONAL PARK

As you approach Zion National Park, the Navajo sandstone cliffs grow taller and closer; the rocks redder and the vegetation greener from the Virgin River that sculpted this geological cathedral. Zion will leave your mouth agape and lift your foot off the gas. Since no one can help but pull over at each stunning vista, and there are so many visitors in high season, a hop-on-hop-off shuttle is the mandatory mode of transport from March through November. This does help congestion and preserve the park’s natural beauty, so roll with it or consider coming off-season.  

What to Do: Zion National Park

– Angel’s Landing . If you aren’t afraid of heights and love an adrenaline kick, hike along the steep switchbacks and hang on to the chain railing for one of the most rewarding hikes in the park. – Narrows . This is another iconic Zion hike, wading your way up the Virgin River and its sheer canyon. Due to its incredible popularity, you’ll need to get a permit in advance. – Canyoneering Orderville Slot Canyon . Rappel down the waterfalls and swim through the emerald pools on a full-day excursion.

Where to Stay: Zion National Park

– Zion Lodge . The only in-park lodging with upscale and recently renovated cabins. – Watchman and South Campgrounds are the go-tos for tent and RV campers in the park. Reserve your spot early on Recreation.gov. – Glamping…choices, choices ! A slew of glamping camps ( our favorite way to stay ) has recently opened around Zion. Open Sky and Zion Wildflower look particularly fab. – Dispersed Camping . If you’re the type to wing it and travel on a budget, check out Campendium’s roundup of free & affordable camping spots near Zion

BRYCE CANYON NATIONAL PARK

Continuing your national park loop, the incredibly scenic Route 12 winds 80 miles from Zion to Bryce. In a short distance, the smooth monoliths change to craggy pinnacles, and the color palette is cranked up to fiery hues. The desert’s extreme heat and nightfall’s temperature drop start a near-daily process of freezing and thawing which sculpts the landscape into hoodoos or as some call them, “fairy chimneys” for the rocks’ whimsical drip-castle effect.  

What to Do: Bryce Canyon

– The Scenic Drive . From the visitor’s center, take the 18-mile route for a fantastic park overview. Note, it’s an in-and-out road so if you’re short on time, the first half offers the most impressive scenery. – Fairyland Loop . Hike this eight-mile trail with scenery well worth your efforts. – Night Hike with Bryce Astronomy Rangers . During full moons, (1-2 consecutive nights each month), when the mix of shadows and light cause the hoodoos to take on an otherworldly look, join the pros for these ~2 mile-long magical moonlit hikes.

Where to Stay: Bryce National Park

To be honest, we’d suggest not staying in Bryce and driving the extra hour to Escalante at the end of the day. At 7,664 feet in elevation it’s a little cold for the campgrounds (Mike and I tented in July, trust us), RV boondocking spots are super remote, and the lodging outside the park is pretty outdated. If you do want to stay at the park, Bryce Canyon Lodge is definitely the best way to go, and if you’re looking for more options in the area check out this roundup :

GRAND CIRCLE ROAD TRIP BONUS: ESCALANTE NATIONAL MONUMENT

Unlike the manicured national parks, the beauty of Escalante is that it remains wild. This million-plus acres of rugged terrain (low-lying desert to coniferous forest) made it one of the last places in the lower 48 to be mapped. Don’t expect many ranger stations, signage, or paved roads; it’s made for blazing your own trail and remembering the land as it once was. For the purposes of this national parks road trip, you’ll likely only make it to the north half but we’ve included our favorites from the south, as well.  

What To Do: Escalante National Monument

– Willis Creek Slot Canyon . For an easier hike with a high reward, try this 2.6-mile roundtrip trail near Cannonville. You’ll dip into a river valley and walk the shallow waters (or in winter, have an impromptu ice skating session as we did) until it narrows to a rippling red slot canyon, framing a sliver of blue sky. – Spooky & Peek-a-boo Slot Canyon . This three-mile loop trail in the Dry Fork area is a full-body rock scramble through a labyrinth of narrow and multi-level passageways—some only a foot wide. While that may sound intimidating, we did this hike with our friends at y Travel Blog and Crazy Family Adventure, including kids as young as seven, and they had the time of their lives. Check out y Travel’s great hiking overview . – Pariah Canyon . In the southerly section of Escalante, adjacent to the Vermillion Cliffs, this striped mountain range and canyon system had us hiking for days! Start at the old “Movie Set” built for Western films in the 1930s to bop around or go deeper with the 8.4-mile round-trip hike to Buckskin Gulch.  

Where to Stay: Escalante

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Pariah Movie Set : This is one of our favorite camping spots of all time. Epic views of the rainbow mountains, the camping basics (table, pit toilet, etc), and endless hiking opportunities. Escalante Yurts . We used this glamping camp in the town of Escalante as our base for both the national monument and Bryce Canyon. It’s so lovely we featured it in our book Comfortably Wild . Hole-in-the-Rock Road . Tons of free dispersed camping options exist along this road to Spooky Canyon. Just keep driving and pull off where it suits your group, our crew rounded up 4 RVs, no problem.

CAPITOL REEF NATIONAL PARK

The gorgeous Highway 12 section of the Grand Circle Tour continues from Escalante to Torrey…the gateway to Capitol Reef National Park. What’s different about Capitol Reef? A Waterpocket Fold. This defining geological feature is a wrinkle in the Earth’s crust that has left colorful cliffs, canyons, domes, and bridges extending a hundred miles through the park.  

What to Do: Capitol Reef

– Capitol Gorge . Take this dramatic drive beyond the pavement, through an alley of sheer cliffs, with glimpses of the 1,400-foot-high Golden Throne formation, until you hit the trailhead. The two-mile trail is shaded most of the day for a nice walk, even in the hottest months. Pay close attention to the canyon walls, you’ll spot everything from pioneer signatures to Native American petroglyphs. – Catch a Ranger Talk . From a geologic and human history perspective, this is a particularly interesting park for a lecture. Check the ranger station to see what’s on. – Fruita . A green oasis in a sea of red rocks, people have lived in this valley for thousands of years. See the old Morman homesteader buildings, 2,000-tree orchard, and rock art from the Freemont culture.  

Where to Stay: Capitol Reef

– Capitol Reef Resort . This hotel and glamping camp is a great place to try covered wagons and tipis for a refined taste of the Wild West. – Fruita Campground . Adjacent to the river, orchards, historic village, and dramatic cliffs, this is a unique full-service campground in the middle of the park. Cabins also available. – Cathedral Valley . A great free camping option ; though with just six spots, don’t arrive on a Friday at 6 pm hoping for a spot.

GRAND CIRCLE ROAD TRIP BONUS: MOAB

Often dubbed the adventure capital of the Southwest, Moab (featured in Ultimate Journeys for Two ) is the gateway to Canyonlands and Arches national parks, plus Dead Horse Point State Park and countless adrenaline-pumping activities. The little city of Moab first boomed in the 1950s, when uranium was discovered in the hills. Those days are long gone, but the old mining roads are now legendary for 4×4 and biking trails along their grippy “slickrock” sandstone. Everyone from climbers to crystal readers flock to this stop, which means you’ll find more international cuisine, good brews, live music, and a whole lot of fun.

ARCHES NATIONAL PARK

The forces of erosion are working a special kind of magic in this park, crafting over 2,000 natural stone arches and hundreds of towering pinnacles, mega rock fins, and precariously balanced rocks. As if this landscape wasn’t pretty enough, viewing them through the lens of a soaring sandstone frame makes the Grand Circle that much more photogenic. Drive the entirety of the park, with special stops at the Windows Section, Devil’s Garden, Balanced Rock, and at least one trailhead for a multi-mile hike.  

What to do in Arches & Moab

– Off-Road Hell’s Revenge . Hop in a 4×4 and traverse the sandstone domes and slickrock fins on this legendary 6.5-mile trail. Steep climbs and descents ride rodeo-style through Abyss Canyon and past striking vistas of the La Sal Mountains and Colorado River. Stop to check out the fossilized dinosaur footprints, and take lots of hard-core selfies. – Devil’s Garden . This section of Arches National Park contains the largest concentration of significant natural arches in the country and arguably the world. Begin your hike between two sandstone fins and reach the 306-foot-long Landscape Arch. Admire the desert views framed in Partition Arch, and countless other wonders on this 7.5-mile loop. – Scenic Flight . Grasp the magnitude of the valleys, peaks, and plateaus of both Arches & Canyonlands with an hour in the air. Flying low in a Cessna, look into the Maze, the Island in the Sky, the confluence of the Colorado and Green Rivers, and spot rock formations you’d never see from land. – Dead Horse State Park . A great place for mountain bikers of all levels, this park lets you cruise up the mesa, ride the rim, and flow down groomed trails for 14 miles (or less with bail-out options). Not a biker? Just go gawk at the formations at twilight; it’s the best sunset spot in town.  

Where to Stay: Moab & Arches

– Moab Under Canvas . Try these sophisticated safari-style tents and tepees at the scenic juncture of Arches and Canyonlands. – Moab Springs Ranch . My mom and I loved this place, perfectly located at the edge of town (read: views!) with buildings on the national historic register and brand new bungalows. – Devil’s Garden Campground . Some Grand Circle national park campgrounds are more akin to a forested parking lot. Not Devil’s Garden. Tucked 18 miles from the park entrance, enjoying a quiet corner of the park under the stars is worth an advanced reservation .

CANYONLANDS NATIONAL PARK

The last national park in the series of Utah’s Mighty Five is the expansive Canyonlands. Unlike the other parks, Canyonlands has three distinct sections. With main entrances a couple of hours apart, it’s best to see the north section (Island in the Sky) from Moab, and on your way south, dive into the more remote Needles District, and skip the third section unless you want to get into some serious backcountry.  

What to do in Canyonlands

– Island in the Sky Scenic Drive + Hikes . The 34-mile out-and-back road up the mesa brings you 1,000 feet above the surrounding mountain and desert terrain with tons of excellent vista points and short hikes along the way. It takes an hour to get to Grand View Point but you’ll want to buffer in time for the half-mile hike to Mesa Arch or longer to hit up the 2.5-mile West Rim Trail. – Newspaper Rock . On the way to the Needles District Ranger Station, you’ll find one of Utah’s most famous petroglyphs. Over the course of 2,000 years, different Native American groups—starting with the Ancestral Puebloans to the Navajo—have left their mark, revealing different values and moments in time. – Needles’ Big Spring Canyon . Where the main park road ends, rocks poke out like thick spires, or “needles” as they say, hovering over the deep streambed. Hike the 2.6-mile trail along the upper canyon or just enjoy the panoramic views with a picnic. On the way back take the short trail to the Ancestral Puebloan granary tucked under the cliff.

For where to stay near Canyonlands, see Moab above.  

GRAND CIRCLE TOUR BONUS: BEARS EARS NATIONAL MONUMENT

The Utah Grand Circle road trip focuses on the national park system and all its natural beauty, but with a slight detour, you’ll experience a wealth of first nations culture for a well-rounded American journey. You’ve probably heard more about this national monument in the news than from travelers. This highly sacred region containing more than 100,000 Native American archaeological and cultural sites fell victim to Trump’s national monument cuts, despite its cultural value.

And we’ll admit, we didn’t know much about the region until we lived here for two months in the home of the park’s only ranger. In exchange for caring for their housesitting for this couple and not only did they leave us their house, car, and farmlet with 36 animals , they gave us their best tips to explore this little-known park. Ancestral Puebloan cave dwellings, granaries, petroglyphs, and artifacts are literally everywhere; the only caveat he gave was to leave no trace—words that are always true but hold even deeper meaning in sacred spaces at risk.  

What to Do: Bears Ears

– Butler Wash Ruins . Just off the main road and a short trail away, this village carved into the cliffs dates back to the 1200s. Good signage explains how the village was laid out and functioned. – House on Fire . This rock outcropping is a granary circa 1150 CE and when the light is right, the textured red rock looks like it’s going up in flames. While just a short 2.2-mile hike and unmanned area, be sure to pay the day-use fee at the collection box. – San Juan River Kayak Trip . We did a self-guided paddle (in our basic rec kayak) along the calm waters and red cliffs from the town of Bluff to Sand Island Petroglyphs and it was one of our favorite days during our two-month stay in the area. If you want to do a bigger guided trip, go all the way from Sand Island to Mexican Hat. – Moon House . This one requires a permit and 4WD to get here but it’s freakin awesome. These millennia-year-old cliff dwellings at the top of the mountain are spectacular and with a keen eye, you can spy even more hidden dwellings in the canyon. – Grist Mill Inn & Glow-in-the-dark Mini Golf . Grab a drink at the only bar in San Juan County. From the lobby, enter through the secret bookcase and it opens up to a speak-easy, serving top-notch cocktails like the Gun Smoke, a cinnamon-smoked peach pecan whiskey. Walk down the street to the ACE Hardware store, where their extra warehouse has been turned into a glow-in-the-dark, gold-mining-themed putt-putt course (it’s as bizarre and amazing as it sounds).  

VALLEY OF THE GODS TO GOOSENECKS STATE PARK

By adding Bears Ears to the Grand Circle road trip, you’ll see this park is right up there with the Utah Mighty Five and see so many more gorgeous places along the way. Heading south on Highway 261, take a short detour to Mule Point for views over Valley of the Gods all the way to Arizona. ( Pro Tip : Muley Point is epic for boondocking.) Continue down the famous Moki Dugway section for a 3-mile roller coaster of switchbacks. When you hit the flats, head to Goosenecks State Park for one of the most spectacular and little-known gems in the Southwest. This section of the San Juan River takes the sinuous shape of a gooseneck as it wraps around the canyon floor and exposes 300 million years of geology. Tip your hat to the town of Mexican Hat and keep on moving to Monument Valley.  

MONUMENT VALLEY

Following Highway 163, you’ll reach the rock skyline of Monument Valley and the heart of Navajo Nation. With sandstone pinnacles towering as high as 1,000 feet and with miles of mesas and buttes, you’ll have plenty to gawk at from the road but the way to truly explore the area is with a native guide to Monument Valley Tribal Park. This not only allows you to see much more of the park, but their local and ancestral knowledge will also vastly enrich your experience. FYI: Check the park’s website for possible closures.  

Where to Stay: Monument Valley

– Gouldings Lodge . An early 20th-century trading post and base for many a Western movie (including John Wayne’s Stagecoach ), Goulding’s has a wide range of options, from hotel rooms to RV sites to new tiny houses, set to a red rock backdrop. Monument Valley Tipi Village . When in the Navajo Nation, a hogan is the most authentic way to stay. The Navajo people’s traditional dwelling, an octagonal log cabin with an east-facing door to welcome the sun, is honored alongside the iconic Plains Indians tipis at this native-owned camp. Featured in the Living History chapter of Comfortably Wild .  

GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK

Welcome to Arizona and one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. The Grand Canyon needs no introduction, though it should be said that this profound gash in the Earth’s crust is 277 miles long and there are no bridges across, so you need to pick a side to explore. The South Rim is the most accessible and the most logical for this national parks road trip (we’re still dying to get to the North Rim but it’s so darn remote and closed half the year!). Unlike many of the other parks that are built for scenic drives, the Grand Canyon can only really be seen well on foot (or river raft, but that’s for another trip!).

The park also has a free hop-on-hop-off bus to help you skip ahead or get a break from the heat. While you shouldn’t hike to the bottom without good fitness and a sound plan to stay there overnight, it’s worth hiking down a wee bit to see the layers up close. Just remember this ranger rule of thumb: However long it takes you to hike to your destination, plan on twice the time to hike out.  

What to Do: Grand Canyon

– Wake up for Sunrise at Mather Point . While sunset is obviously gorgeous at the Grand Canyon, it’s the busiest time of day. Set your alarm, brew that coffee, and get out there before dawn to enjoy it without the throngs. – Hike South Kaibab Trail to Skeleton Point . This six-mile out-and-back trail is the best way to see the canyon walls up close without going all the way to the bottom. If three miles straight up sounds like too much, turning around at Ooh-Aah Point or Cedar Ridge will still give you a lovely winding trail and views to the Colorado River. – Have a meal at El Tovar . This grand historic lodge is the first one to be built (est 1905) in national park system. And while it’s tough to get a room and it’s a bit spendy, you should at least enjoy a meal in their grand dining room with painted ceilings and carved beams. – Get Your Kicks on Route 66 . The Grand Canyon Gateway town of Williams is one of our favorite stops along the iconic Route 66. Enjoy the retro vibes along their main street’s mid-century diners, bar, and gas stations. Extend your national parks road trip with the Arizona section of our Route 66 guide .  

Where to Stay: Grand Canyon

– Bright Angel Lodge : While El Tovar would be a fabulous place to stay, Bright Angel is also right at the edge of the canyon for a better price and its own charm as a registered historic national landmark. Spring for a cabin on the rim, sunrise from your room will blow your mind. (Just look at the photo from our room, above). – Wander Camp : This glamping outfitter actually has pop-up camps outside a number of the national parks on this list (Bryce, Zion, Arches, and the Grand Canyon), they are usually about 20-minutes from the park but offer far more serenity than the heart of the parks. – Forest Road 302 . Just south of the park entrance, this is the closest option for free camping AND there’s cell service!

More Grand Circle Lodging Resources

Everyone dreams of staying inside the national parks, which means they fill up fast. Book ahead or consider staying in the more laidback public lands or incredible glamping camps in the surrounding areas, they often provide more serenity, less advanced planning, and more unique experiences than the crowded campgrounds. Recreation.gov : The place to book all national park campgrounds on-site. Campendium.com . Great site for both formal and free campsites, with photos and reviews. HipCamp.com . Unique sites on private land near the national parks and along this Grand Circle route. Ultimate Public Campgrounds Project . “UC Pubic CG” is our go-to camping app! It maps out over 44,000 sites on public lands, (15,000+ of which are free). CampgroundViews.com . Can’t decide which spot will be better than the next? This site lets you look at photos and videos from over 16,049 campgrounds. Comfortably Wild . Our guide to the best glamping destinations in North America features 13 camps across the Southwest and 150 more across the continent. It’s the ultimate resource for unique outdoor accommodations and your purchase helps support our blog. Mix it Up! Stay at a historic hotel, go glamping, and sleep under the stars; changing up your lodging style will keep things interesting and make you appreciate nature in new ways.  

Making the Most of Your Grand Circle Road Trip

– Get the National Parks Pass . At around $30 per park, entrance fees add up fast. Get the annual pass for $80; it grants you (and a car’s worth of people) entry into all these parks and 100s more. – Always go to the visitor center for their maps, museums, and events and talk to the rangers to help you select the best activities for that day and your group. Ask them to mark up your map with their favorite vista points and hikes. – Time Your Week Right . Try to visit these popular national parks on weekdays and lesser-known regions on the weekends to minimize the crowds. – Get to trailheads early . Parking lots tend to fill up by 10 am and the heat comes on fast in the Southwest. Download AllTrails to scope out hikes, read recent reviews, and download offline maps. – Road Reads . Get copies of National Geographic’s Secrets to the National Parks & Scenic Highways & Byways books to find the hidden gems and cool stops along your route. And for extra Southwest tips, check out the Road Trip chapter of Ultimate Journeys or Two . – Rock Shop Hop . This is an incredible area for geology, paleontology, and quirky people passionate about it all. Stop at the rock shops, meet the diehard rockhounds and bring home a treasure from the store (not the ground. #LNT) – Do at least one big adventure . Rappel down waterfalls, take a slickrock 4×4 ride, soar over the golden buttes in a Cessna, and see some of the world’s most incredible landscapes with the wind in your hair. After all, this trip is what bucket lists are made off.

More Photos From Our National Park Loop

Grand circle reading companions.

We love this region of the Southwest so much, we featured it in both of our books! A special twist on the Grand Circle Road Trip and the Moab region each gets their own section of our National Geographic book, Ultimate Journeys for Two . And when it comes to finding more awesome accommodations in the Grand Circle states of Utah and Arizona, plus more of the Southwest, you’ve gotta check out Comfortably Wild: The Best Glamping Destinations in North America . Pick up a copy on Amazon or get it through HoneyTrek (below) and we’ll personally autograph a copy for you!

Signed Copy of Ultimate Journeys for Two

Signed Copy of Comfortably Wild: The Glamping Book

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24 Comments

I truly think this is one of the best road trips in the world! We’re so lucky to be able to visit so many stunning places and national parks all within a drive of each other. Canyonlands was my favorite, but Zion and Angel’s Landing was a close second!

We did much of the Grand Circle route on our trip to Utah and Arizona although we missed a few of the spots you visited. I agree with breaking the trip into two or more trips. In most places we had only a day or two and crammed those days full. Next time we would move slower. We sure would want to visit Escalante National Monument and Bears Ears National Monument on our next trip. We were happy we did an off road jeep and a speedboat adventure on this trip. A great way to add an exciting memory into the mix.

Glad you agree on breaking it up…the opportunities for adventure are truly infinite! love that you stepped it up with a 4×4 jeep and a speedboat–what fun! Hope you get to go back and do the national monuments!

The other day I was watching a video by an Indian YouTuber who has been doing the same circuit in his motorhome–it’s legendary! The views are indeed stunning, you did a beautiful job with the photography too.

it’s certainly one of the most iconic USA road trips. Sometimes we debate writing about such popular trips but we’ve found so many uncommon and awesome detours that we decided to finally put it together as one comprehensive post–hope you can give this trip a go someday!

Wow this looks such an amazing road trip covering the best National Parks.. I have of late been reading so much about the National Parks in US and it raises my desire to be there. Although I have been to National parks in other countries the reddish look of the Mountains is just fascinating. Great post for planning our trip. The wild beauty of Escalante is intriguing and love the looks of the Monument there. Capitol Reef Resort looks a lovely place to stay.

This is such an epic road trip. All the national parks are stunning and I wish I could travel to them now. 1000 miles road trip through these canyons and mountains would be mindblowing. I did have Zion and Grand Canyon National Parks and Monument Valley on my list. I am adding the rest of them too and I will definitely consider doing the Grand circle sometime in my life.

all these parks are incredible, and the national monuments are no exception. the lack of people alone makes them worth the addition.

“1,000-mile journey with hundreds of miles worth of awesome detours”??? I’m already hooked, but I know this means taking a sabbatical! Escalante National monument is a gem. I would spend so much time here photographing everything. The tipi glamping at Capital Reef would be definitely where I spend the night. Gouldings Lodge looks so picturesque. No wonder it was the shooting location of many movies.

while you could certainly have plenty to do if you made the southwest your sabbatical spot (love that idea ; ) it is totally do-able in a two-week trip…whatever amount of time you can give the grand circle, you def should!

I’ve been to a few of these, but it will be wonderful to do them in one road trip. I always like a bonus stop during a road trip, like the Bears Ears and Escalante NM. I would like to hike the Willis Creek Slot Canyon in Escalante. It looks pretty cool! Hope to finish the grand circle soon although doing it in part.

This area has infinite adventures and certainly leaves a huge impression to do it in a sequence. Bears Ears and Escalante are so underrated–people just blow by them on their way to the national parks and they don’t know what they’re missing.

What a great road trip and useful tips! These places never stop to amaze me. I’ve been to them all several times, and I still want to come back. The last time I visited them during an 8-month trip in an RV. Unfortunately, our journey was interrupted by the pandemic. From the described places I love the most, Zion, Grand Canyon, and Escalante. I add to my bucket list Night Hike with Bryce Astronomy Rangers. It seems to be a fabulous adventure. I also like the glamping accommodation you suggest. I would love to stay in such a fabulous glamping camp one day. And I haven’t been to Bears Ears yet, so I add it to my next road trip itinerary!

how cool you did an 8-month road trip, this area is the country’s best and brightest. Sorry to hear the pandemic set back your trip, you should definitely add glamping next time you go. We find it totally refreshes our RV journeys to have a couple of nights out of the rig and these camps are so dreamy!

So glad I found your website! I’ve been convincing my hubby we need to do a giant road trip (starting from Vegas) and hitting all the major parks in Utah/Arizona. We’ve been to Zion (and Grand Canyon North – which isn’t officially on this route), but all the other locations are on our bucket list. We’re hoping as life gets back to normal the national parks will be a little less busy before we head out. Thanks for the awesome info!

So glad you found us too : ) This is such an incredible road trip and even better when you get off the beaten track. We’re actually missing Grand Canyon North…it’s always been snowed in when we were in the area! How was it?

We haven’t been to the South Rim yet so it’s hard to compare, but the North was great! We went on a short hike and checked out the visitor center. If you’re coming from Zion (like we were), you get to go through the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel. Unique experience getting up to the tunnel if you’re wary of heights like I am. 😉

I love your blog guys. just wanted to say that.

Thanks SO much vernon. Means a lot!

I have visited all these places too and did a similar journey to you.

Love these national parks. Some of the BEST!

Both of You are really good adventurers. I appreciate your detailed information, Mike and Anne!

thank you! We live for adventure and are thrilled share the info to get more people exploring this wonderful world!

Good stuff. I think you were a little harsh on Bryce Canyon lodging, though. Yes, Ruby’s Inn & it’s nearby hotels are a little dated, but their rustic charm is part of the fun! Plus Ruby’s Inn’s included hot country breakfast is one of the best hotel breakfasts I’ve ever had. I suppose if you’re someone from Florida or Texas or Arizona who isn’t good with cool weather then you best not stay in Bryce/Ruby’s, but personally as a lifelong Utahn (SLC) with dozens of trips to this area under my belt, Bryce Canyon area is my *preferred* camping/lodging location in the summer because everywhere else is HOT HOT HOT (highs 100°+) during the day. Red Canyon campground or Tropic, UT, both within 20-30mins of Bryce, are also scenic locations for lodging and less crowded than the park itself or Ruby’s where you’ll need to reserve many months in advance.

Speaking of bonus sights, DO NOT look past the incredible wonders of highway 12 (between Bryce & Capitol Reef NPs) just because they are not in a National Park! While Bryce & CRNP are the most popular sights along UT12, this highway is one of the most scenic roads in the US, and much less crowded than the NPs so don’t be so awestruck by the NPs that you overlook this beauty. You will be well rewarded to take some extra time at any one of these sights along or near Hwy 12: the afforementioned Red Canyon, lower calf Creek falls (6mi non strenuous hike), Zebra slot & Devil’s playground & Coyote gulch in GSENM (Coyote gulch is a 14mi hike, so only for the adventurous, but WELL worth the effort), head of the rocks overlook, escalante natural bridge hike, the Hogsback, hell’s backbone. The route takes you from desert to Alpine landscapes, as it ascends the eastern slope of Boulder mountain on the Aquarius plateau, giving you some of the best scenic views of both alone forests and desert sandstone mesas anywhere. Hwy 12 ends in Torrey, Ut & CRNP. A part of the charm are the quaint little towns along the way: Bryce Canyon Town, Tropic, Escalante, Boulder, & Torrey. I hear that these towns have some of the best burger joints in the state. You’ll also pass by 3 State Parks: Kodachrome Basin, Anasazi, & Petrified Forest SPs. Don’t overlook the gem that is hwy 12!!!

Rich, we totally appreciate your thoughtful comments and travel suggestions. We’re in total agreement, people are way to national park focused and need to soak in the beauty in between. Highway 12 is absolutely stunning with tons of opportunity for adventure. And that’s great to hear you enjoyed the Bryce Canyon lodging and breakfast! And we’ll have to start training for Coyote Gulch, sounds epic!

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Grand Circle – Western National Parks

• Destination: United States RV Tours
• Duration: 31 days

Surround yourself with beauty and history

as you hit the highlights each park has to offer. Towering red-rock spires, river-carved canyons, sandstone cliffs, hoodoos, cascading waterfalls, and desert wildflowers await your discovery. Grab your cameras and a seat for a picturesque view to the rim of the Grand Canyon in a First-Class Observation Dome Train Car. Enjoy a scenic boat ride to the Rainbow Bridge on Lake Powell. A Navajo guide takes us out to witness extraordinary rock formations rising from the valley floor. Share stories and dessert around a campfire. Drift down the Colorado River at night, as dancing lights illuminate the canyon walls. Visit beautiful Sedona, with its energy vortexes, and stroll through Jerome and imagine life as it was over 100 years ago.

Tour Highlights

– Zion National Park – Bryce Canyon National Park – Capitol Reef National Park – Arches National Park – Canyonlands National Park – Mesa Verde National Park – Grand Canyon Rims

– Professional Adventure Caravans Staff – 30 Nights RV Camping – Tickets, Admissions and Gratuities for Shows, Events, and Activities Listed – 9 Meals Provided and 30 Events – 2 Days of Motorcoach Transportation – Local Step-On Guide for Area Tours – AVC Apparel, Name Badges & Tour Pins

Additional Tour Details

– Comfortable Walking Shoes Recommended – Total Miles 1,240 – Longest Travel Day 195 Miles – Frequent Caravan Miles Earned Upon Completion of Tour $65

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Great Moscow State Circus - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

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The Grand Tour Will Reportedly Be Rebooted, Who Do You Think Should Host?

With Clarkson, Hammond, and May bidding adieu to the show, The Grand Tour is getting ready for a reboot, complete with fresh faces and a revamped format

by Michael Gauthier

• Studio Lambert has reportedly won a contract to create an updated version of The Grand Tour.
• Little is known about the retooled show, but it’s expected to feature new presenters as well as a revised format.

With Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May leaving The Grand Tour , many thought the show was dead. However, a new report suggests that might not be the case.

According to Broadcast , Studio Lambert has been awarded a contract to “develop a fresh version” of the show. Details are limited, but the publication said the studio beat out rival pitches from Shine TV and Orchard Studios.

More: Jeremy Clarkson Says He’s Too “Unfit, Fat And Old” To Keep The Grand Tour Going

The show reportedly hasn’t been formally greenlighted at this point, but Studio Lambert is said to be working on an updated format. The reboot is also expected to have new presenters, although there’s no word on how many or who might get the role.

The latter is obviously the biggest question as the bond between Clarkson, Hammond, and May was almost as interesting as whatever they were doing on screen. It’ll certainly be hard to replicate that as Top Gear found out following their departure.

The Sun quoted an unnamed industry insider as saying, “The Grand Tour is one of Prime Video’s most watched shows and Jeremy, James and Richard have a devoted following, but the guys have made no bones about the fact they’re all advancing in years and they have lots of other projects to pursue.” They added the trio wanted to go out on a high note.

While there are more questions than answers at this point, the show isn’t exactly a stranger to reboots. While it initially had a Top Gear -like feel and roughly a dozen episodes per season, The Grand Tour was eventually retooled to focus on a handful of road trips.

It remains unclear if the latest evolution of the show will stick to this format or try to find its own path. However, with Top Gear taking a “rest,” there might be an opportunity to return to that style format.

With all that being said, what would you like to see out of a Grand Tour reboot and who do you think should host?

Lead image YouTube/The Grand Tour

2018 Primetime Emmy & James Beard Award Winner

In Transit: Notes from the Underground

Jun 06 2018.

Spend some time in one of Moscow’s finest museums.

Subterranean commuting might not be anyone’s idea of a good time, but even in a city packing the war-games treasures and priceless bejeweled eggs of the Kremlin Armoury and the colossal Soviet pavilions of the VDNKh , the Metro holds up as one of Moscow’s finest museums. Just avoid rush hour.

The Metro is stunning and provides an unrivaled insight into the city’s psyche, past and present, but it also happens to be the best way to get around. Moscow has Uber, and the Russian version called Yandex Taxi , but also some nasty traffic. Metro trains come around every 90 seconds or so, at a more than 99 percent on-time rate. It’s also reasonably priced, with a single ride at 55 cents (and cheaper in bulk). From history to tickets to rules — official and not — here’s what you need to know to get started.

A Brief Introduction Buying Tickets Know Before You Go (Down) Rules An Easy Tour

A Brief Introduction

Moscow’s Metro was a long time coming. Plans for rapid transit to relieve the city’s beleaguered tram system date back to the Imperial era, but a couple of wars and a revolution held up its development. Stalin revived it as part of his grand plan to modernize the Soviet Union in the 1920s and 30s. The first lines and tunnels were constructed with help from engineers from the London Underground, although Stalin’s secret police decided that they had learned too much about Moscow’s layout and had them arrested on espionage charges and deported.

The beauty of its stations (if not its trains) is well-documented, and certainly no accident. In its illustrious first phases and particularly after the Second World War, the greatest architects of Soviet era were recruited to create gleaming temples celebrating the Revolution, the USSR, and the war triumph. No two stations are exactly alike, and each of the classic showpieces has a theme. There are world-famous shrines to Futurist architecture, a celebration of electricity, tributes to individuals and regions of the former Soviet Union. Each marble slab, mosaic tile, or light fixture was placed with intent, all in service to a station’s aesthetic; each element, f rom the smallest brass ear of corn to a large blood-spattered sword on a World War II mural, is an essential part of the whole.

The Metro is a monument to the Soviet propaganda project it was intended to be when it opened in 1935 with the slogan “Building a Palace for the People”. It brought the grand interiors of Imperial Russia to ordinary Muscovites, celebrated the Soviet Union’s past achievements while promising its citizens a bright Soviet future, and of course, it was a show-piece for the world to witness the might and sophistication of life in the Soviet Union.

It may be a museum, but it’s no relic. U p to nine million people use it daily, more than the London Underground and New York Subway combined. (Along with, at one time, about 20 stray dogs that learned to commute on the Metro.)

In its 80+ year history, the Metro has expanded in phases and fits and starts, in step with the fortunes of Moscow and Russia. Now, partly in preparation for the World Cup 2018, it’s also modernizing. New trains allow passengers to walk the entire length of the train without having to change carriages. The system is becoming more visitor-friendly. (There are helpful stickers on the floor marking out the best selfie spots .) But there’s a price to modernity: it’s phasing out one of its beloved institutions, the escalator attendants. Often they are middle-aged or elderly women—“ escalator grandmas ” in news accounts—who have held the post for decades, sitting in their tiny kiosks, scolding commuters for bad escalator etiquette or even bad posture, or telling jokes . They are slated to be replaced, when at all, by members of the escalator maintenance staff.

For all its achievements, the Metro lags behind Moscow’s above-ground growth, as Russia’s capital sprawls ever outwards, generating some of the world’s worst traffic jams . But since 2011, the Metro has been in the middle of an ambitious and long-overdue enlargement; 60 new stations are opening by 2020. If all goes to plan, the 2011-2020 period will have brought 125 miles of new tracks and over 100 new stations — a 40 percent increase — the fastest and largest expansion phase in any period in the Metro’s history.

Facts: 14 lines Opening hours: 5 a.m-1 a.m. Rush hour(s): 8-10 a.m, 4-8 p.m. Single ride: 55₽ (about 85 cents) Wi-Fi network-wide

Buying Tickets

• Ticket machines have a button to switch to English.
• You can buy specific numbers of rides: 1, 2, 5, 11, 20, or 60. Hold up fingers to show how many rides you want to buy.
• There is also a 90-minute ticket , which gets you 1 trip on the metro plus an unlimited number of transfers on other transport (bus, tram, etc) within 90 minutes.
• Or, you can buy day tickets with unlimited rides: one day (218₽/ US$4), three days (415₽/US$7) or seven days (830₽/US$15). Check the rates here to stay up-to-date.
• If you’re going to be using the Metro regularly over a few days, it’s worth getting a Troika card , a contactless, refillable card you can use on all public transport. Using the Metro is cheaper with one of these: a single ride is 36₽, not 55₽. Buy them and refill them in the Metro stations, and they’re valid for 5 years, so you can keep it for next time. Or, if you have a lot of cash left on it when you leave, you can get it refunded at the Metro Service Centers at Ulitsa 1905 Goda, 25 or at Staraya Basmannaya 20, Building 1.
• You can also buy silicone bracelets and keychains with built-in transport chips that you can use as a Troika card. (A Moscow Metro Fitbit!) So far, you can only get these at the Pushkinskaya metro station Live Helpdesk and souvenir shops in the Mayakovskaya and Trubnaya metro stations. The fare is the same as for the Troika card.
• You can also use Apple Pay and Samsung Pay.

Rules, spoken and unspoken

No smoking, no drinking, no filming, no littering. Photography is allowed, although it used to be banned.

Stand to the right on the escalator. Break this rule and you risk the wrath of the legendary escalator attendants. (No shenanigans on the escalators in general.)

Get out of the way. Find an empty corner to hide in when you get off a train and need to stare at your phone. Watch out getting out of the train in general; when your train doors open, people tend to appear from nowhere or from behind ornate marble columns, walking full-speed.

Always offer your seat to elderly ladies (what are you, a monster?).

An Easy Tour

This is no Metro Marathon ( 199 stations in 20 hours ). It’s an easy tour, taking in most—though not all—of the notable stations, the bulk of it going clockwise along the Circle line, with a couple of short detours. These stations are within minutes of one another, and the whole tour should take about 1-2 hours.

Start at Mayakovskaya Metro station , at the corner of Tverskaya and Garden Ring,  Triumfalnaya Square, Moskva, Russia, 125047.

1. Mayakovskaya.  Named for Russian Futurist Movement poet Vladimir Mayakovsky and an attempt to bring to life the future he imagined in his poems. (The Futurist Movement, natch, was all about a rejecting the past and celebrating all things speed, industry, modern machines, youth, modernity.) The result: an Art Deco masterpiece that won the National Grand Prix for architecture at the New York World’s Fair in 1939. It’s all smooth, rounded shine and light, and gentle arches supported by columns of dark pink marble and stainless aircraft steel. Each of its 34 ceiling niches has a mosaic. During World War II, the station was used as an air-raid shelter and, at one point, a bunker for Stalin. He gave a subdued but rousing speech here in Nov. 6, 1941 as the Nazis bombed the city above.

Take the 3/Green line one station to:

2. Belorusskaya. Opened in 1952, named after the connected Belarussky Rail Terminal, which runs trains between Moscow and Belarus. This is a light marble affair with a white, cake-like ceiling, lined with Belorussian patterns and 12 Florentine ceiling mosaics depicting life in Belarussia when it was built.

Transfer onto the 1/Brown line. Then, one stop (clockwise) t o:

3. Novoslobodskaya.  This station was designed around the stained-glass panels, which were made in Latvia, because Alexey Dushkin, the Soviet starchitect who dreamed it up (and also designed Mayakovskaya station) couldn’t find the glass and craft locally. The stained glass is the same used for Riga’s Cathedral, and the panels feature plants, flowers, members of the Soviet intelligentsia (musician, artist, architect) and geometric shapes.

Go two stops east on the 1/Circle line to:

4. Komsomolskaya. Named after the Komsomol, or the Young Communist League, this might just be peak Stalin Metro style. Underneath the hub for three regional railways, it was intended to be a grand gateway to Moscow and is today its busiest station. It has chandeliers; a yellow ceiling with Baroque embellishments; and in the main hall, a colossal red star overlaid on golden, shimmering tiles. Designer Alexey Shchusev designed it as an homage to the speech Stalin gave at Red Square on Nov. 7, 1941, in which he invoked Russia’s illustrious military leaders as a pep talk to Soviet soldiers through the first catastrophic year of the war.   The station’s eight large mosaics are of the leaders referenced in the speech, such as Alexander Nevsky, a 13th-century prince and military commander who bested German and Swedish invading armies.

One more stop clockwise to Kurskaya station,  and change onto the 3/Blue  line, and go one stop to:

5. Baumanskaya.   Opened in 1944. Named for the Bolshevik Revolutionary Nikolai Bauman , whose monument and namesake district are aboveground here. Though he seemed like a nasty piece of work (he apparently once publicly mocked a woman he had impregnated, who later hung herself), he became a Revolutionary martyr when he was killed in 1905 in a skirmish with a monarchist, who hit him on the head with part of a steel pipe. The station is in Art Deco style with atmospherically dim lighting, and a series of bronze sculptures of soldiers and homefront heroes during the War. At one end, there is a large mosaic portrait of Lenin.

Stay on that train direction one more east to:

6. Elektrozavodskaya. As you may have guessed from the name, this station is the Metro’s tribute to all thing electrical, built in 1944 and named after a nearby lightbulb factory. It has marble bas-relief sculptures of important figures in electrical engineering, and others illustrating the Soviet Union’s war-time struggles at home. The ceiling’s recurring rows of circular lamps give the station’s main tunnel a comforting glow, and a pleasing visual effect.

Double back two stops to Kurskaya station , and change back to the 1/Circle line. Sit tight for six stations to:

7. Kiyevskaya. This was the last station on the Circle line to be built, in 1954, completed under Nikita Khrushchev’ s guidance, as a tribute to his homeland, Ukraine. Its three large station halls feature images celebrating Ukraine’s contributions to the Soviet Union and Russo-Ukrainian unity, depicting musicians, textile-working, soldiers, farmers. (One hall has frescoes, one mosaics, and the third murals.) Shortly after it was completed, Khrushchev condemned the architectural excesses and unnecessary luxury of the Stalin era, which ushered in an epoch of more austere Metro stations. According to the legend at least, he timed the policy in part to ensure no Metro station built after could outshine Kiyevskaya.

Change to the 3/Blue line and go one stop west.

8. Park Pobedy. This is the deepest station on the Metro, with one of the world’s longest escalators, at 413 feet. If you stand still, the escalator ride to the surface takes about three minutes .) Opened in 2003 at Victory Park, the station celebrates two of Russia’s great military victories. Each end has a mural by Georgian artist Zurab Tsereteli, who also designed the “ Good Defeats Evil ” statue at the UN headquarters in New York. One mural depicts the Russian generals’ victory over the French in 1812 and the other, the German surrender of 1945. The latter is particularly striking; equal parts dramatic, triumphant, and gruesome. To the side, Red Army soldiers trample Nazi flags, and if you look closely there’s some blood spatter among the detail. Still, the biggest impressions here are the marble shine of the chessboard floor pattern and the pleasingly geometric effect if you view from one end to the other.

Keep going one more stop west to:

9. Slavyansky Bulvar.  One of the Metro’s youngest stations, it opened in 2008. With far higher ceilings than many other stations—which tend to have covered central tunnels on the platforms—it has an “open-air” feel (or as close to it as you can get, one hundred feet under). It’s an homage to French architect Hector Guimard, he of the Art Nouveau entrances for the Paris M é tro, and that’s precisely what this looks like: A Moscow homage to the Paris M é tro, with an additional forest theme. A Cyrillic twist on Guimard’s Metro-style lettering over the benches, furnished with t rees and branch motifs, including creeping vines as towering lamp-posts.

Stay on the 3/Blue line and double back four stations to:

10. Arbatskaya. Its first iteration, Arbatskaya-Smolenskaya station, was damaged by German bombs in 1941. It was rebuilt in 1953, and designed to double as a bomb shelter in the event of nuclear war, although unusually for stations built in the post-war phase, this one doesn’t have a war theme. It may also be one of the system’s most elegant: Baroque, but toned down a little, with red marble floors and white ceilings with gilded bronze c handeliers.

Jump back on the 3/Blue line  in the same direction and take it one more stop:

11. Ploshchad Revolyutsii (Revolution Square). Opened in 1938, and serving Red Square and the Kremlin . Its renowned central hall has marble columns flanked by 76 bronze statues of Soviet heroes: soldiers, students, farmers, athletes, writers, parents. Some of these statues’ appendages have a yellow sheen from decades of Moscow’s commuters rubbing them for good luck. Among the most popular for a superstitious walk-by rub: the snout of a frontier guard’s dog, a soldier’s gun (where the touch of millions of human hands have tapered the gun barrel into a fine, pointy blade), a baby’s foot, and a woman’s knee. (A brass rooster also sports the telltale gold sheen, though I am told that rubbing the rooster is thought to bring bad luck. )

Now take the escalator up, and get some fresh air.

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The Grand Tour’s fate ‘revealed’ after Jeremy Clarkson’s exit in final episode

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The Grand Tour has reportedly been given a huge lifeline, with plans to develop a fresh version without Jeremy Clarkson .

The Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? host, 63, and his co-stars Richard Hammond and James May have filmed their final special of the Amazon Prime series, after it was revealed in November that it was coming to an end.

The trio, who first hit our screens together in 2003 on  Top Gear , announced their exit from the series in November last year, however, it could be coming back with a fresh presenting team.

According to reports, Studio Lambert – the production company who brought us The Traitors and Squid Game: The Challenge – has landed the contract to develop a fresh version of the motoring show.

An ‘update to the format’ is being prepped with new presenting talent, although has not been formally greenlit, Broadcast claims.

Clarkson, Hammond and May first launched the series in 2016, with their penultimate episode The Sand Job having aired earlier this year following a trip to Mauritania, and a final in Zimbabwe yet to reach our screens.

As the news of The Grand Tour coming to a grinding halt was announced in November, it was said to be ‘the end of an era’.

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A source revealed at the time: ‘It’s a surprising decision and everyone realises it very much marks the end of an era for the three presenters.

‘The Grand Tour is one of Prime Video’s most watched shows and Jeremy, James and Richard have a devoted following.’

The insider continued to  The Sun : ‘But the guys have made no bones about the fact they’re all advancing in years and they have lots of other projects to pursue.

‘They just felt like the time was right and wanted to go out on a high when the show remained popular.’

But, it may not be the end of Clarkson, Hammond, 54, and May, 61, on our screens together.

When asked if they’d reunite on another project, May said: ‘I wouldn’t rule it out, but you do have to bear in mind that we’re all getting on a bit.

‘We’ve got two (episodes) in the bag, there’s one coming out very soon, and another coming out a bit after that, but what happens between now and then we’ll have to wait and see.’

Clarkson also spoke about The Grand Tour ending and branded himself ‘unfit, fat and old’ when speaking about why he was done with the ‘immensely physical’ show.

‘I’ve driven cars higher than anyone else and further north than anyone else,’ he told The Times.

‘We’ve done everything you can do with a car.

‘When we had meetings about what to do next, people just threw their arms in the air.’

The future of The Grand Tour was thrown into doubt following Clarkson’s vile comments in a newspaper column about Meghan Markle  in January 2023, in which the broadcaster said he dreamed of the Duchess being paraded through the streets and publicly shamed.

It became Ipso’s most complained-about article after its publication, receiving more than 25,100 complaints, with Clarkson later issuing a lengthy apology to the Suits actress and her husband Prince Harry, and claims emerged that  Amazon reportedly ‘parted ways’ with him .

Meanwhile, Clarkson’s adventures at his Diddly Squat farm will continue to air on Amazon Prime for season four, while the third instalment of Clarkson’s Farm premieres next month.

Metro.co.uk has approached Studio Lambert for comment.

The Grand Tour is available to watch on Amazon Prime Video.

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If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us [email protected], calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.

MORE : Jeremy Clarkson wants to ‘shake’ people complaining about cultural appropriation

MORE : Alison Hammond finally lands perfect job on BBC after ‘gutting’ axe

MORE : Fans of ‘never-ending’ 2000s TV show beg for it to finally be axed

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Moscow city 360-degree virtual reality tour.

Take the virtual tour of the kremlin, moscow river, saint basil’s cathedral and red square.

The Moscow Kremlin  usually referred to as the Kremlin, is a fortified complex at the heart of Moscow, overlooking the Moskva River to the south, Saint Basil’s Cathedral and Red Square to the east, and the Alexander Garden to the west.

It is the best known of the Kremlins (Russian citadels) and includes five palaces, four cathedrals, and the enclosing Kremlin Wall with Kremlin towers. Also within this complex is the Grand Kremlin Palace. The complex serves as the official residence of the President of the Russian Federation.

The name “Kremlin” means “fortress inside a city”, and is often also used metonymically to refer to the government of the Russian Federation in a similar sense to how “White House” is used to refer to the Executive Office of the President of the United States. It had previously been used to refer to the government of the Soviet Union (1922–1991) and its highest members (such as general secretaries, premiers, presidents, ministers, and commissars). The term “Kremlinology” refers to the study of Soviet and Russian politics.

All of Moscow’s main streets start at  Red Square , so it’s easy to see why this is considered the heart of the city. A massive space of 330 meters by 70 meters, the square is flanked by the Kremlin, Lenin’s Mausoleum, two cathedrals, and the State Historical Museum. In 1945, a massive Victory Parade was held here to celebrate the defeat of Nazi Germany by the Soviet Armed Forces.

St. Basil’s Cathedral , one of the most recognizable buildings on the square, was built in 1555. The unique cathedral has architectural details inspired by Byzantine and Asian designs, as well as details that resemble those found in famous mosques. There are nine individual chapels inside the church, all decorated with colourful mural art.

Yuri Gagarin Is the First Man in Space. Yuri Alekseyevich Gagarin was a Soviet pilot and cosmonaut. He was the first human to journey into outer space, when his Vostok spacecraft completed an orbit of the Earth on 12 April 1961

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Report: the grand tour will continue with new presenters.

In something of a surprise twist, reports are emerging that Amazon’s car show, The Grand Tour, will continue with a new format and presenting lineup following the departure of hosts Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May.

The report comes from TV industry publication Broadcast , and suggests that production company Studio Lambert will take over the running of the show from its current producers, Flat Four Films.

It’s not yet clear who the new presenting lineup might be, or what the new format will entail, but it won’t be the first time the show has undergone a format change: after three studio-based series, the show moved to an irregular feature-length ‘specials’ format in 2019.

The announcement that Clarkson, Hammond and May would be leaving the show came in late 2023, with Clarkson later clarifying that he felt “we’ve done everything you can do with a car” and claiming he was “unfit and fat and old.”

There have been previous hints that the show would continue with new presenters: in a release promoting the most recent special, Sand Job , and the as-yet-untitled Zimbabwe special, Amazon said that the latter would be “the final special of The Grand Tour with the trio.”

The Grand Tour began after Clarkson, Hammond and May’s iteration of Top Gear fell apart in 2015 following Clarkson’s involvement in a ‘fracas’ with a member of the production crew. That show itself underwent a lineup change which was initially poorly received, before settling into a more popular format with Chris Harris, Freddie Flintoff and Paddy McGuinness. Of course, Top Gear now looks to have come to an end itself following Freddie Flintoff’s horrifying filming accident in 2022.

If these reports are true, then it looks like we won’t be entirely without a mainstream car TV show after all, although what the future of The Grand Tour might look like is anyone’s guess.

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Little Big Town, Sugarland Announce 2024 ‘Take Me Home’ Tour

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On the heels of their CMT Music Awards collaboration, Little Big Town and Sugarland have announced the “Take Me Home” Tour. Titled after the song they performed on the CMTs — Phil Collins ’ 1985 hit from No Jacket Required — the trek will kick off Oct. 24 in Greenville, South Carolina, and conclude Dec. 13 with a show at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville. Country trio the Castellows will open all dates.

This isn’t the first time the quartet of Karen Fairchild, Kimberly Schlapman, Jimi Westbrook, and Philip Sweet shared the stage with Sugarland, the reunited duo of Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush. In 2008, Little Big Town, Sugarland, and Jake Owen performed Dream Academy’s 1985 single “Life in a Northern Town” at the CMT Awards, and LBT would join Sugarland on their Incredible Machine Tour a few years later.

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Tickets for the tour, produced by LiveNation and Sandbox Live, go on sale April 12. The groups’ collab on “Take Me Home” will be released as a single.

“Take Me Home” Tour Dates: Oct. 24  – Greenville, SC @ Bon Secours Wellness Arena Oct. 25 – Raleigh, NC @ PNC Arena Oct. 26 – Columbus, OH  @ Nationwide Arena Oct. 31 – Boston, MA @ TD Garden Nov. 1 – Pittsburgh, PA @ PPG Paints Arena Nov. 2 – Buffalo, NY @ KeyBank Center Nov. 7 – Minneapolis, MN @ Target Center Nov. 8 – Milwaukee, WI @ Fiserv Forum Nov. 9 – Grand Rapids, MI @ Van Andel Arena Nov. 14 – Kansas City, MO @ T-Mobile Center Nov. 15 – Sioux Falls, SD  @ Denny Sanford PREMIER Center Nov. 16 – Moline, IL @ Vibrant Arena at The MARK Nov. 21 – Austin, TX @ Moody Center Nov. 22 – Fort Worth, TX  @ Dickies Arena Nov. 23 – Tulsa, OK @ BOK Center Dec. 11 – Biloxi, MS @ Mississippi Coast Coliseum Dec. 12 – Duluth, GA @ Gas South Arena Dec. 13 – Nashville, TN @ Bridgestone Arena

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