The ultimate American Southwest road trip – from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon

The journey to Utah’s Zion National Park takes roughly 2.5 hours along Interstate 15, giving you plenty of time to explore along the way. Our Las Vegas City Guide details all the best things to see, do, and experience in Sin City itself, while worthy stops on route include the breathtaking natural rock formations of Valley of Fire State Park. Most visitors end up overnighting in the hotels of nearby Springdale, but the best Zion National Park lodging is probably Under Canvas Zion glamping site. There are real beds, a ceiling of sparkling stars, and the sense of being luxuriously enveloped in the great outdoors.

It’s worth beginning your time in Zion National Park by heading to the Visitor Center. First off, shuttle buses take visitors further into the river gorges and eroded mountains during peak season (March to autumn) when private vehicles are banned from Zion Canyon Scenic Drive. Secondly, the rangers stationed here can guide you to the best hiking options for your time and experience should you fancy further off-road adventures. The hikes of Angel Landings and The Narrows carry the grandest reputations.

It would be remiss to leave Bryce Canyon without stepping out from behind the wheel, which is something you can do before heading the four hours to Moab. The Navajo Loop Trail is a firm favourite, leading hikers into the canyon basin where the spectacular weather-beaten columns of rock known locally as hoodoos rise above you. Further, squatter, hoodoos can be found in the Valley of the Goblins, from where Moab is just a 1.5-hour drive.

Moab is the gateway to Canyonlands and the much more famous Arches National Park. Split into two distinct sections, Islands in the Sky is the better portion for road trippers, with the huge flat-topped mesa (table) offering unforgettable views across the arid landscapes of eastern Utah and the Colorado River from the likes of Grand View Point and Green River Overlook. Mesa Arch is a favourite with photographers at sunrise, as a quick trip to Instagram will testify. The Needles is better suited to hiking, with finger-like projections making for constantly shifting vistas.

Start the day with the drive to Horseshoe Bend, a lookout rising more than 1000 feet over an elegant U-shaped bend in the flow of the Colorado River. Follow this up by visiting Antelope Canyon. While there is more than one signposted Antelope Canyon hike for those who like to head out on two feet, to see its famous shapely wind-carved walls of orange-red rock penetrated by bright beams of sunlight you’ll have to book a tour. It’s best to book them ahead of time if you can and be prepared for crowds.

The rather staid drive along US-89 makes your arrival at the Grand Canyon trails all the more uplifting. Quintessential views can be captured for prosperity and social media at Mather Point. The places to stay in Grand Canyon Village are a short walk from Mather Point, while Williams on the historic Route 66 is often considered to have the best Grand Canyon hotels to base yourself while discovering the area.