A great 10-day western U.S. national park road trip balances spectacular scenery with realistic driving times. One of the best options is the Utah + Northern Arizona "Grand Circle" route. It packs in world-famous parks, scenic highways, and plenty of hiking without spending half your vacation in the car.
Option: Las Vegas Loop (Best Overall)
Start/End: Las Vegas, Nevada
Best time: April–May or September–October
Day 1: Arrive in Las Vegas → Zion
- Drive: ~2.5–3 hours
- Explore the park in the afternoon.
- Short hikes:
- Canyon Overlook Trail
- Riverside Walk
- Stay in Springdale.
Day 2: Zion National Park
Choose one major hike:
- Angels Landing (permit required)
- The Narrows (weather and water conditions permitting)
Spend a second night in Springdale.
Day 3: Zion → Bryce Canyon
- Drive: ~2 hours
- Stop at viewpoints along the way.
- Sunset at Bryce Amphitheater.
- Stay near Bryce Canyon.
Day 4: Bryce Canyon → Capitol Reef
- Drive: ~2.5–3 hours
- Hike:
- Navajo Loop Trail in the morning
- Afternoon drive to Capitol Reef.
- Try the famous fruit pies at the historic district.
- Stay in Torrey.
Day 5: Capitol Reef → Moab
- Drive: ~2.5 hours
- Explore Capitol Reef's scenic drive before leaving.
- Arrive in Moab for the evening.
Day 6: Arches National Park
Spend the full day in Arches National Park.
Highlights:
- Delicate Arch
- Landscape Arch
- The Windows
Stay another night in Moab.
Day 7: Canyonlands
Explore Canyonlands National Park (Island in the Sky district).
Don't miss:
- Mesa Arch
- Grand View Point
- Shafer Canyon Overlook
Stay in Moab.
Day 8: Moab → Monument Valley → Page
- Drive: ~5 hours total
- Stop at Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park.
- Continue to Page, Arizona.
- Sunset at Horseshoe Bend.
Stay in Page.
Day 9: Page → Grand Canyon South Rim
Morning:
- Tour Antelope Canyon (advance reservation required).
Drive to the Grand Canyon National Park.
Watch sunset from one of the rim viewpoints.
Stay inside the park if possible.
Day 10: Grand Canyon → Las Vegas
- Watch sunrise at the canyon.
- Short walk along the Rim Trail.
- Drive back to Las Vegas (~4.5 hours).
- Fly home.
Approximate Driving
| Segment | Drive Time |
|---|
| Las Vegas → Zion | 2.5–3 hrs |
| Zion → Bryce | 2 hrs |
| Bryce → Capitol Reef | 2.5–3 hrs |
| Capitol Reef → Moab | 2.5 hrs |
| Moab → Page (via Monument Valley) | 5 hrs |
| Page → Grand Canyon | 2.5 hrs |
| Grand Canyon → Las Vegas | 4.5 hrs |
Total driving is roughly 18–20 hours spread over 10 days.
Tips
- Buy the America the Beautiful Annual Pass if you'll visit three or more national parks.
- Reserve lodging 6–12 months ahead if traveling in spring or fall.
- Some parks require reservations or permits:
- Angels Landing permit
- Antelope Canyon guided tour
- Arches may require timed entry during certain seasons
- Start hikes early to avoid crowds and heat.
- Carry plenty of water—even short hikes can be very hot.
If you have different interests:
- First-time visitors: This Utah/Arizona loop is the best all-around choice.
- Mountain scenery: Fly into Salt Lake City and visit Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone National Park.
- Dramatic cliffs and giant trees: Visit Yosemite National Park, Sequoia National Park, and Kings Canyon National Park.
- Pacific Coast + redwoods: Combine Redwood National and State Parks with the Oregon Coast and Crater Lake National Park.
If this is your first trip to the American West, the Utah/Grand Canyon loop offers one of the highest concentrations of iconic landscapes anywhere in the U.S. within a manageable 10-day drive.
