Red Rocks and Canyons12 night self drive tour
Day 1: Las Vegas, Nevada
Arrive into Las Vegas and collect your rental car. Settle in and try and head out into the bright lights of the city to battle the jetlag.
1 night – Las Vegas
Day 2: To Zion National Park (161 miles)
Leave the bright lights of Las Vegas behind and head northeast into Utah and to the town of Springdale, bordering Zion National Park. This afternoon visit your first of many national parks, by taking the tram along Zion Canyon Scenic Drive. To get a taste of the incredible scenery, explore by foot by taking one of the shorter hikes such as Weeping Rock, a 10-minute walk which ends inside the cliff and overlooks the enormous canyon.
Day 3: Zion National Park
Today spend a full day in Zion National Park. Explore to the extreme, walking up to the plateaus or down along the river-bed. For an amazing vantage point try Upper Emerald Pools trail, a moderate hike above the waterfalls and the Virgin River below. Alternatively drop in at one of the adventure outfitters in Springdale to hire the equipment you need to hike The Narrows, a slot canyon along the bed of the Virgin River, with cliff walls up to 2,000-ft deep and running for 16 miles. Go as far as you like before heading back. This evening try some star gazing which can be arranged at the park’s visitor centre.
2 nights - Springdale
Day 4: To Bryce Canyon National Park (85 miles)
On the journey to Bryce Canyon National Park take the beautiful Zion Mt Carmel Scenic Byway, part of the Heritage Highway, and drive through the colourful sandstone tunnels of Red Rock Canyon as the road turns onto the All-American Road: Scenic Byway 12. Once inside the national park, stop at the Visitor Centre, to meet the local Rangers and watch the exhibits and videos explaining the history of Bryce Canyon. Explore one of the world’s largest collections of hoodoos, hundreds of towering red, yellow and orange sandstone pinnacles from various vantage points within the park. Spot the ancient Bristlecone Pine as The Queens Garden trail , then take the Navajo Loop back to Sunset Point..
1 night - Bryce Canyon
Day 5: To Torrey (128 miles)
Don’t miss the amazing sunrise over the canyon; the changing of colours and golden hues will be a memory that lasts a lifetime! After breakfast hit the road to enjoy some of Utah’s most spectacular scenery on Scenic Byway 12. A slight detour takes you to Kodachrome Basin State Park which has more than 60 upright chimneys called sand pipes, ranging from six to 170-ft and Powell Overlook. Visit Escalante Petrified Forest State Park, one of Utah’s most accessible displays of petrified wood, before continuing Scenic Byway 12, through Boulder to the town of Torrey, your base to explore Capitol Reef National Park.
Day 6: Capitol Reef National Park
Capitol Reef National Park is the most expansive park in Utah boasting natural bridges, striking rock formations and narrow canyons. Drive along the 25-mile Capitol Reef Scenic Drive, it is a great way to soak in the natural beauty. For a moderate hike take the spectacularly scenic trail to Hickman Bridge. Stop at Fremont Petroglyphs viewing area to view the ancient petroglyphs left by inhabitants of the park around 2,000 years ago. Gooseneck Overlook is a short trek to a dizzying viewpoint over Sulphur Creek and the San Juan River where canyons wind back to back. Capitol Reef is a certified International Dark Sky Park, so make sure you fit in some relaxing stargazing!
2 nights - Torrey
Day 7: To Moab (168 miles)
Next stop is Goblin Valley State Park, a maze of miniature hoodoos, before you head to Moab, the gateway to Arches and Canyonlands National Park. One of the largest towns in Utah, Moab has a wild-west feel and has good selection of shops and restaurants. With a scenic backdrop of mountain peaks and rolling dunes, Moab is ideal for outdoor enthusiasts who love hiking, biking, rafting and off-road adventures.
Day 8: Arches National Park
Arches National Park is a wonderland of over 2,000 natural stone arches. Have fun spotting smaller hidden arches and admire the scenery which is a photographers’ dream. Delicate Arch is a must see; it frames a backdrop of mesas, canyons and distant mountains. Get up-close by taking the three mile roundtrip hike to it from Wolfe Ranch with some off-trail hiking. Or walk to Double Arch and the North/South Arches in around 40 minutes at The Windows section. Alternatively stay with your vehicle, using the 18 mile main road and stop at the various viewpoints to take in the incredible scenery.
Day 9: Canyonlands National Park
Canyonlands, Utah’s largest National Park has three sections: Island in the Sky (an easy walk is to Mesa Arch, a natural frame to the canyon below); Needles District (strenuous hikes with over 60 miles of interconnecting trails) and The Maze. Numerous viewpoints highlight stops for photograph opportunities. Make sure to stop at Dead Horse Point State Park, located just north of the park which boasts mesmerising views over the Colorado River.
3 nights – Moab
Day 10: To Monument Valley (240 miles)
Head South on Highway 191 and venture west on Highway 95 to visit Natural Bridges National Monument, or head East on Highway 262 to Hovenweep National Monument. Bluff is a popular town to stop for a break or lunch, before heading via Goosenecks State Park. Get your camera at the ready as you get closer to Monument Valley – the ever-changing colours and different angles are spectacular! One of the USA’s most iconic images and, made famous from countless western movies, Monument Valley has to be seen to be believed!
Day 11: To Kanab (195 miles)
Head into the ancient Navajo Tribal Park of Monument Valley, the set of so many famous westerns synonymous with John Wayne and the wild west. If there wasn’t a chance yesterday to see the sunset, catch an awesome sunrise. Or take a trip to Mystery Valley to see the ancient homes, pictographs and petroglyphs. Later, continue the journey to Kanab through desert landscape before admiring the contrasting sandy shores of Lake Powell. Arrive in Kanab and head out this evening to experience the eclectic dining scene of this classic western town.
1 night Monument Valley
Day 12: Kanab
Today head to the lesser known, but equally as spectacular North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park, which is 1000ft higher than the South Rim is an incredible sight for sore eyes! The rim is surrounded by wildflowers and aspen and spruce trees and offers spectacular rugged beauty. Return to Kanab for a further night.
2 nights Kanab
Day 13: To Las Vegas (201 miles)
Take a short drive to Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park, where mountains of red sand can move up to 50 feet per year. Moqui Cave, a natural history museum on the way to the park, and Best Friends Animal Sanctuary are both great places to pop in to along the way. Later, return to the bright lights of Las Vegas, arriving in time for your departure flight, or please contact us if you want to extend your stay in Las Vegas.
