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US Southwest Grand Circle — a 8-Day Plan You Can Actually Drive
The 8-day version for May: every day fits real transit, opening hours and daylight. Prefer more or fewer days? 5-day plan · 7-day plan · 8-day plan · best time to go.
8
days
1904 km
distance
23.8 h
driving
41
curated stops
💡 Good to know for this plan
- Heavy transit: day 8 (10h16) runs over 6 hours on the road. Around 8 days would keep daily driving comfortable on this route — or keep the dates and start each of those days by 08:00.
Day 1 Las Vegas → Zion
🌡 -5.4–33.3°C · 🌧 ~3 rain days · ☀ 14.0h light
09:00
UNLV Rebelshiking
You will enjoy college sports in an energetic university setting.
90 min · Las Vegas
10:30
Lee Canyonhiking
You will breathe crisp air and hear snow rustling on slopes.
50 min · Las Vegas
open: Winter: daily 9AM-4PM; summer: F-Su 10AM-6PM
11:20
National Finals Rodeomuseums & heritage
You will hear the cheers and see skilled riders at the rodeo.
90 min · Las Vegas
16:15
Zion Human History Museumhikinghistory & sagasmuseums & heritage
50 min · Zion
open: 10AM-5PM Daily, longer hours in the summer. Closed November through Fe
Overnight: Zion
e.g. Lava Point Campground · Zion Lodge
Day 2 Around Zion
🌡 -5.4–33.3°C · 🌧 ~3 rain days · ☀ 14.0h light
09:00
Taylor Creekhikingmuseums & heritagebeaches & cliffs
Feel the crisp air while walking past homestead cabins to a double arch alcove.
90 min · Zion
10:30
Kolob Archhikingmuseums & heritagebeaches & cliffs
Hike strenuous trails to view the world's second tallest natural arch.
90 min · Zion
12:00
Ranger Programshikinghistory & sagasmuseums & heritage
Listen to talks and hikes covering geology, biology, and human history.
90 min · Zion
13:30
Zion Canyon Visitor Centerhikingmuseums & heritage
You will see park exhibits and talk to rangers about exploration.
50 min · Zion
14:20
Zion Canyon Scenic Drivehikingvolcanic
Marvel at towering sandstone cliffs along a scenic road.
50 min · Zion
15:10
Zion-Mt. Carmel Highwayhikingvolcanic
Drive through dramatic landscapes and a historic tunnel.
50 min · Zion
16:00
Red Rock Grill
Savor homestyle American meals while listening to a serene waterfall.
60 min · Zion · $11-20
open: 6:30-10AM, 11:30AM-3PM, 5:30-9PM
Overnight: Zion
e.g. Lava Point Campground · Zion Lodge
Day 3 Bryce Canyon
🌡 -4.7–33.9°C · 🌧 ~2 rain days · ☀ 14.0h light
12:20
Queen's Garden/Navajo Loop Combinationhikinghistory & sagasvolcanic
Traverse the heart of the amphitheater on this scenic loop.
90 min · Bryce Canyon
13:50
Sunrise Pointhikingvolcanic
Witness breathtaking canyon views at dawn, bathed in golden light.
50 min · Bryce Canyon
14:40
Sunset Pointhikingvolcanic
Enjoy stunning canyon vistas as the sun paints the sky in hues.
50 min · Bryce Canyon
15:30
Natural Bridgehikingbeaches & cliffs
See a unique eroded hoodoo forming a natural bridge.
50 min · Bryce Canyon
16:20
Bristlecone Loophikingbeaches & cliffs
Hike through coniferous forest to a cliffside view.
90 min · Bryce Canyon
Overnight: Bryce Canyon
e.g. North Campground · Bryce Canyon Lodge
Day 4 Around Bryce Canyon
🌡 -4.7–33.9°C · 🌧 ~2 rain days · ☀ 14.0h light
09:00
Navajo Loophistory & sagasvolcanic
Explore iconic formations like Thor's Hammer in the amphitheater.
90 min · Bryce Canyon
10:30
Tower Bridgehikingbeaches & cliffs
Follow a trail to a natural arch nestled among the formations.
90 min · Bryce Canyon
12:00
Peekaboo Loophikingvolcanic
Ride or hike through striking formations in the amphitheater.
90 min · Bryce Canyon
13:30
Fairyland Loophikingvolcanic
Loop through the amphitheater, starting near Sunrise Point.
90 min · Bryce Canyon
15:00
Rim Trailhikingbeaches & cliffs
Stroll along the cliff edge, enjoying continuous canyon views.
90 min · Bryce Canyon
16:30
Canyon Trail Rideshikingvolcanic
Ride horses or mules into the amphitheater on guided trips.
90 min · Bryce Canyon
Overnight: Bryce Canyon
e.g. North Campground · Bryce Canyon Lodge
Day 5 Page
🌡 -2.2–37.7°C · 🌧 ~2 rain days · ☀ 14.0h light
12:48
Ken's Tourshikinghistory & sagas
Book guided tours to explore the Lower Antelope Canyon as required by tribal law.
50 min · Page · $8 + $20/$42
open: Summer 8AM-5PM; winter 9AM-3PM
13:38
American Aviationhikingchurches & landmarks
Soar above Lake Powell and Monument Valley on scenic flights.
90 min · Page · starting at US $160 per person (tax incl
open: Sunrise - sunset
15:08
Red Heritage Indigenous Entertainment Hallmuseums & heritage
Experience Native American dancing, flute playing, and live drum music over dinner.
50 min · Page
15:58
Lower Antelope Canyonhiking
Capture stunning photos in this more open slot canyon on guided tours.
90 min · Page
Overnight: Page
e.g. Shash Dine' Ecoretreat · Lone Rock Beach
Day 6 Around Page
🌡 -2.2–37.7°C · 🌧 ~2 rain days · ☀ 14.0h light
09:00
Antelope Canyon Park Officehiking
Obtain information and permits for nearby trails and canyons.
50 min · Page
09:50
Upper Antelope Canyonhiking
Explore a narrow slot canyon with a partially closed top.
90 min · Page
Overnight: Page
e.g. Shash Dine' Ecoretreat · Lone Rock Beach
Day 7 Monument Valley
🌡 -3.9–37.8°C · 🌧 ~2 rain days · ☀ 14.0h light
11:59
Hunts Mesahikingchurches & landmarkshistory & sagas
Stand at the remote southern end of Monument Valley.
50 min · Monument Valley
12:49
Sentinel Mesahikingchurches & landmarksmuseums & heritage
Behold the expansive mesa dominating the valley's horizon.
50 min · Monument Valley
13:39
Ancestral Puebloan Ruin and Petroglyphshikingchurches & landmarkshistory & sagas
Discover ground-level ruins fenced beside a narrow canyon.
50 min · Monument Valley
14:29
Sandstone Tourschurches & landmarkshistory & sagasvolcanic
Witness breathtaking sunrises and sunsets over Monument Valley's majestic scenery.
90 min · Monument Valley
15:59
Brigham's Tomb Buttehikingchurches & landmarks
View a butte named after the famed Mormon leader.
50 min · Monument Valley
16:49
Big Hogan Archhistory & sagasbeaches & cliffs
Feel the resonance of traditional Navajo music in the arch.
50 min · Monument Valley
Overnight: Monument Valley
e.g. The View Hotel · FireTree Bed and Breakfast
Day 8 Around Monument Valley
🌡 -3.9–37.8°C · 🌧 ~2 rain days · ☀ 14.0h light
09:00
Eagle Mesahikingchurches & landmarks
Gaze upon the northernmost mesa near Monument Pass.
50 min · Monument Valley
09:50
Mitten, Westhikingchurches & landmarks
Get a close view of the famous West Mitten from the Wildcat Trail.
50 min · Monument Valley
10:40
Rock Door Mesahikingchurches & landmarks
Spot the vast mesa marking Monument Valley's edge from Goulding's.
50 min · Monument Valley
11:30
Sleeping Dragon Buttehikinghistory & sagas
Spot the dragon shape from the north, a mythical silhouette.
50 min · Monument Valley
12:20
Spearhead Mesahikingchurches & landmarks
See the massive mesa forming a bold 'E' shape from above.
50 min · Monument Valley
13:10
Ancestral Puebloan Ruinschurches & landmarkshistory & sagas
Explore ancient ruins set into a cave, shrouded in history.
50 min · Monument Valley
14:00
The View Restauranthistory & sagas
Delight in flavorful Southwestern fare with breathtaking rock formations as your backdrop.
60 min · Monument Valley
Overnight: Monument Valley
e.g. The View Hotel · FireTree Bed and Breakfast