Explore the Best National Parks of the American Southwest On The Grand Circle Road Trip
- Written by
- On Wednesday, December 21, 2022
Winding through the most impressive national parks in Utah and beyond for a comprehensive - and breathtaking - tour of the American Southwest, The Grand Circle road trip encompasses six national parks, as well as two national monuments, and a handful of state parks if you’re up for the adventure. Characterized by terracotta arches, sweeping canyons, unforgettable sunsets, and beautiful bridges, the trip takes approximately two weeks to complete.
One of the most famous national park road trips in the US traversing countless past civilizations, the tour usually begins for most in Nevada and ends in Arizona. Most travelers begin their journey in Las Vegas because it’s a large city to fly into where you can easily rent a car to begin your epic road journey. It’s also just two and half hours from your first stop - Zion National Park!
Stop 1: Zion National Park
There is plenty to see in Zion so we suggest camping overnight and spending a day or two in this stunning park. Featuring red rocks, emerald pools, breathtaking views, and a high altitude forest, Zion National Park offers tons of hikes and adventures to enjoy.
Zion's most popular hikes include The Narrows (which is best to hike during the summer), Canyon Overlook Trail, and Angels Landing. Be advised, Angels Landing is a 5.4 mile hike at death-defying heights so if you plan to go, get your permit secured ahead of time and carve out at least four hours for the trek!
And if you’re feeling like you want to take your time here, we suggest looking into booking a luxury glamping experience with Under Canvas.
Stop 2: Bryce Canyon National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park will be your next park in The Grand Circle road trip. Bryce is approximately 86 miles from Zion and you can enjoy beautiful, historic towns as you head from one location to the next. One of the best ways to experience Bryce Canyon is with a scenic 18-mile drive through the park - even if you’re only interested in checking out the first half, which has the most impressive scenery.
If you’re up for a hike, the Fairyland Loop is also a great way to explore the park. And if you’re there at the right time, we suggest the Nike Hike with Bryce Astronomy Rangers held during full moons. The 2-mile hike is nothing short of magical in the moonlight.
Stop 3: Capitol Reef National Park
Onto your next stop, riding along route 12 from Bryce Canyon to Capitol Reef National Park you'll have the option of stopping in Grand Escalante or Kodachrome Park for some bonus fun.
Once you make it to Capitol Reef National Park, you'll want to check out what it's best known for: the Waterpocket Fold that runs along 100 miles, forming a “wrinkle” in the earth’s crust. Leaving behind colorful cliffs, domes, and canyons, Capital Gorge is a gorgeously dramatic drive through the alleyway. At the end of the drive we suggest taking the 2-mile hike where you can catch a glimpse of Native American petroglyphs.
Stop 4: Arches National Park
Next up is Moab - basically a must. Also known as the adventure capital of the Southwest, Moab is the gateway to both Canyonlands and Arches national parks. Not only is there great hiking and exploring in Moab, the town is also brimming with amazing international cuisine, craft beer, live music and tons of fun.
Heading North on Highway 191 from Moab, Arches is just 5 miles away. Some of the best adventures in the area include off-roading Hell’s Revenge and hiking Devil’s Garden. Hell’s Revenge is a legendary 6.5-mile trail with sandstone domes with gorgeous views of the Colorado River where you can stop and check out fossilized dinosaur footprints. And Devil’s Garden within Arches National Park contains the largest concentration of natural arches in the entire country. The 7.5-mile look takes you between two sandstone fins that soar up to the Landscape Arch.
Stop 5: Canyonlands National Park
Canyonlands has three different sections with main entrances hours apart, so the easiest way to plan your road trip is to see the north section - Island in the Sky - on your way south out of Moab. Needles District is a bit more remote if you’d like to travel there as well, but the third section might take you a little too far off the beaten path.
Bonus nature spots to visit after Canyonlands include Bear Ears National Monument and Goosenecks State Park.
Stop 6: Grand Canyon National Park
Rounding out your Grand Circle road trip is Grand Canyon National Park! One of the seven natural wonders of the world, this is the perfect way to end the epic Grand Circle road trip. While this iconic national park needs no introduction, we suggest experiencing the 277 mile long canyon with the free hop-on-hop off bus.
Highlights include waking up for sunrise at Mather Point, hiking the South Kaibab Trail to Skeleton Point, and grabbing some grub at El Tovar, the first historic lodge built in the national park system. North Rim is perhaps the most scenic and stunning but be warned, it's very remote and closed half the year!
No matter what stops you make along the way, The Grand Circle Road Trip is guaranteed to be the adventure of a lifetime.
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