Now more than ever is the perfect time to take an epic, budget Arizona Utah roadtrip! Social distancing is high, wanderlust fulfillment is even higher, and chances are you need this time to get back in touch with yourself and nature!
Plus, you can easily do this Arizona Utah roadtrip solo like I did! Trust me, it’s liberating! And if you need gear to take your own photos, or some new photo-worthy outfits, or even some fashionable face masks, be sure to check out my Boutique!
This post was my “bucketlist” for all of the things I wanted to see on my Arizona and Utah road trip…now, it’s a guide to seeing the insanely awesome places I checked off, plus a few more! You can do this road trip in 10 days like I did, or you can space it out and take longer, or perhaps make it into two separate road trips in shorter periods of time!
I started in LA and drove to Vegas first then proceeded in the following order to do a loop around, then back to Vegas, then LA. You can do the same, or, fly into Vegas and rent a car, or another option is doing the same thing from Phoenix!
NOTE: This includes 4 National Parks, and 2 Indian Reserves, which means you have to pay a fee of $8-30 for each one. If you’re planning on doing everything, look into a National Park Pass which is only $80! Also note that these areas are very popular for tourists, and hotels/tours book up, so try to make reservations in advance!
Jump To:
1. The Grand Canyon
They don’t call it “grand” for nothing! This is one freaking cool crack in the Earth that has several view points you can get to by either hiking or using the free shuttle.
You can also look into other adventures here like rafting (dangerous, expensive, and takes a long time), hiking DOWN the canyon, and camping! I camped at Kaibab Lake Campground, which…I kind of just found, but it was only $20 a night for a nice little lot for my tent that had a driveway, picnic table, grill, and fire-pit, plus clean-ish toilets, and free drinking water!
This is definitely one of the main highlights of the Arizona Utah roadtrip so be sure to spend as much time as you want here!
2-1. Havasu Falls – Highlight of Arizona Utah Roadtrip
UPDATE 2022: Havasupai and Havasu Falls is still closed due to Covid.
This was a mission and a half to freaking get to. Essentially…it’s an 8 mile hike to the Indian reservation called Havasupai, then another mile to get to Havasu Falls. It rained (of course) when I went, and I had to get air lifted out, which was cool minus the cost…but if you want to go, DEFINITELY plan ahead because it really is difficult to get there. Here’s the full details on how to do it on a “day trip” – click me.
2-2. Mooney Falls
If you keep hiking past Havasu Falls for half a mile, you’ll get to Mooney Falls, which is way taller, but way harder to get down to. If you have enough time, you can hike down to its shore, but if you’re doing a day hike, I wouldn’t recommend it.
2-3. New Najavo Falls
This is before you get to Havasu Falls, about 0.5 miles into the hike. It’s a really cool waterfall, and you can even swim in it…but I couldn’t because the thunderstorm made it too aggressive. It’s called “New” Navajo Falls, because the first one dried up, and I believe this one was made from a flood a few years back.
3. Horshoe Bend
Horseshoe Bend is one of the most amazing sites I saw on my road trip, and even more amazing because it’s SO EASY to get to!!! I literally just stopped there on my way to Page where I was going to visit Antelope Canyon. It’s right off the side of the road on Interstate 98…just look for the lot of cars, then park yours and it’s an easy little hike over to it.
4-1. Upper Antelope Canyon
One of the main things I wanted to see on my Arizona Utah roadtrip was the cool, wavy, orange walls of Antelope Canyon! I didn’t know there were two different ones before I got there, but the main one most people talk about and post those “light beam” photos of, is Upper Antelope Canyon. It’s about 20 minutes from Page, AZ and costs $40 for a tour and $4 for the permit. You can only get to it by tour, but you can sign up there if you get there early enough before spaces fill up, or book in advance, which I’d highly recommend!
4-2. Lower Antelope Canyon
Across from Upper Antelope Canyon, is Lower Antelope Canyon, which doesn’t really make sense since it’s technically “above” it. It’s cheaper to do a tour there (only $20 with Ken’s Tours), although it doesn’t have the light beams like Upper does. It DOES however, stay lit up for a lot longer, and is A LOT deeper than Upper, which makes for some really awesome photos!
5. Lake Powell
I’d HIGHLY recommend renting a paddleboard from Lake Powell Paddleboards in Page, and either doing one of their tours, or going on your own to Lake Powell, Antelope Creek, or Lone Rock. You can paddle to deserted beaches, cool rock cliffs, and even through canyons!
6. Antelope Island
In the middle of Lake Powell is a random island called Antelope Island, where you can camp if you boat or paddleboard to it. Since it’s part of Glen Canyon National Park, you’ll have to pay another National Park fee of $20, but it’s good for 7 days so you can park over-night. I had a grand ole’ time doing it by myself, even though it got a little scary at night when the winds picked up.
VIDEO: Camping Solo on Antelope Island
7. Bryce Canyon
Have you heard of “Hoodoos”? I hadn’t either, but apparently they are these funny looking rock formations that stick up from Bryce Canyon! You have to pay another $30 for the National Park fee, but there’s a ton of different view points you can get to either by the free shuttle, or driving. I ended up driving because the buses were crowded, and went to the farthest viewpoints first where there were less tourists. I wanted to hike down the canyon in the photo above, but got cat called as soon as I started walking do decided to just drive to the farther ones instead.
8. Grand Staircase Escalante
I’m not entirely sure why it’s called a staircase, but there seemed to be signs for Grand Staircase Escalante all over the place when I was driving East from Bryce Canyon. I think there’s a hike you can do here, but I was more concerned with finding the waterfall that’s listed next than a desert hike.
9. Lower Calf Creek Falls
Since my hobby is chasing waterfalls, I decided to Google “hidden waterfalls in Utah” and happened to stumble upon Lower Calf Creek Falls. It’s about an hour and a half drive from the Bryce Canyon area, then a 6 mile hike roundtrip. The park fee is only $4 and there’s decent parking since it’s a lesser known little area. There were a few people camping there, so that’s an option as well, but it’s definitely in the middle of no where!
10. Zion National Park – Arizona Utah Roadtrip
Zion actually has a really fun little town before you enter the park, which would probably be really cool to stay in if you book in advance. I didn’t research the park that well, so kind of just went with someone’s suggestions on the hikes, but ended up doing Lower and Upper Emerald Pools (2 miles roundtrip), and the MUCH harder, Angel’s Landing (6 miles roundtrip plus strenuous inclines and rock climbing). You’ll get hit with another $30 National Park fee as well, but they have the free shuttles, and free drinking water which you’ll definitely appreciate after the hikes.
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Hello! Love your post! Wanted to include… You can actually pay $80 for an annual pass to ALL National Parks! FYI 😉
Great tip! I remember seeing that but wayyyyy too late since I had already gone to three parks haha, but def great to know!
Thank you your photos were fantastic would it be too much trouble to ask you the route that you went on when you went on your camping trip to see all these things I’m fixing to take a trip the 13th of April about everything just about ready to leave on and I might be included in a thank you once again
Hi Robert! The order that this post is in is the route I took! If you plug all the stops into a map you’ll see it makes a big loop!
that picture by the water fall is breath taking . I cant wait to check out sites like that when I go on my trip in the spring
Thanks!! Let me know if you come across other amazing waterfalls!
Glad I found your blog since I will be doing a trip to Horeshoe bend and Antelope Canyon. Stunning photos by the way! Never thought of going to Bryce and Zion National Park, but after reading your tips. I HAVE TO GO! THANKS ALOT!
Glad you found this helpful! Let me know how your trip goes! Can’t wait to hear about it!
This blog post is amazing! I did a similar trip with my family four years ago, but I’m looking forward to going back and making it as a more adventurous trip. Paddleboarding on Lake Powell looks amazing, such a great idea! Do you need any permit to SUP there?
Do you know how many hours is it from Havasu falls to Antelope?
Hi Sujey! Havasu Falls is a bit hard to get to since it takes an hour just to drive there from the main highway. I’d say a straight drive from there to Antelope Canyon would take about 9-10 hours. I stopped for the night half way!
Hi Alyssa,
This is Dolly i am planning to visit grand canyon in next 2 days just curious to know @ which point you are standing in the above grand Canyon pic??? I mean which trail did you took .. name of the trail …??? Eagerly waiting for your reply so that me & my husband can visit ….thanks
I’m curious too – please let us know! really want a similar shot of the GC.
Hi Alyssa,
This is Dolly i am planning to visit grand canyon in next 2 days just curious to know @ which point you are in the above grange Canyon pic??? I mean which trail did you took .. name of the trail …??? Eagerly waiting for your reply so that me & my husband can visit ….thanks
Stumbled across this post today and it looks like the perfect road trip! I tried to get havasupai Permits this year but was unsuccessful.
I went to escalante this summer and I was confused about the “grand staircase” too but I learned it’s called that because of all the different layers of sediment or something! (I don’t know geology haha not sure if I am using the right words even!) but yeah it has something to do with all the layers in the rocks.
Did you drive from Havasu Falls to Page? Wondering how long the drive took? We are headed out there in October, and trying to squeeze in as much as possible!
I stopped in Flagstaff for the night after Havasu Falls because I did it as a day trip and was absolutely exhausted afterwards! Havasu Falls is definitely an entire-day mission though, but if you’re going to do it, plan to stop there on the way to the next spot because it’s about 2 hours from anything lol
Such a beautiful pictures, I hope to get in some of these places for my 1st road trip in USA, maybe next year ?
Tony (France)
Most people who do this road trip spend several nights in Kanab, UT. It’s an amazing little town that has retained its old Western charm. It’s within easy driving distance to most of the spots on your trip, and also home to Best Friends Animal Sanctuary (free tours but call ahead). And don’t forget the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, which is wilder, more scenic, less touristy, and much higher in elevation.
Hi Alyssa. Is there one or maybe 2 areas where we could stay in a hotel and drive to each of these each day? Thanks so much!
Yup! There’s hotels near all of them! For Antelope Canyon(s), Horseshoe Bend, and Lake Powell, find a hotel in Page, AZ. For the National Parks just do a Google search, “hotels near (Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon, Zion, etc) and click on the map that comes up to see which ones are closest, and their prices!
The absolute best town to stay in is Kanab, UT (a few minutes from Page) which is right between Zion, Grand Canyon, and Bryce Canyon national parks; near Lake Powell; and minutes from Antelope Canyon and the Wave. Kanab is also home to Best Friends Animal Society which is an amazing trip in itself.
Hi Alyssa – Thank for the article, it is very helpful. I am planning to do AZ an UT with my family… Are the hikes at Zion and Bryce canyon kids friendly? I have 2 boy (6 & 10yrs)
Appreciate your help in advance.
Kiran
Hi Katie,
Thanks for the ideas to add to our AZ road trip, going to try to do the paddle out and camp on antelope island!
Wondering what kind of footwear you packed for your trip? Trying to pack light but want to make sure I have the right stuff for hikes (we’ll stop at antelope canyon and looking to do Angels landing in Zion), are sneakers enough or did you have hiking boots? also want to be sure I’ve got room for cute options for non-hike times as well 🙂 thanks!
Happy travels
I want to thank you for this article! I will be making the trip from Arizona, Utah and Colorado in May so I now have some point of interest. I’m have been thinking to buy a go pro… Is it possible just to take scenic shots with the GoPro rather than lugging around my DSLR. Any tips would be appreciated.
hi there! thanks for the article! how long did this roadtrip take you? thanks!
Hi Katie! It took me around 10 days to do everything, and I spent only a day or 2 in each place!
Hello Alyssa! Your blog is inspiring! We are planning to do a 3 day trip from glendale AZ. to Horseshoe bend, Antelope Canyon, Bryce, Zion and Arches. We wont be hiking much since we don’t have plenty of time. What do you think is the best sequence if we are starting from AZ ? If we need to be in SFO CA on the 4th day, should we book flights in Salt lake? Or better in LV Nevvada? Thank you!
Hi Crismae! I’d say you could get to Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon in one day, stay the night in Page, get up early, do Bryce, same day try driving over to the Zion area and stay the night, then do Zion all day (I hiked Angel’s Landing though, you may not need a full day if you don’t hike at all), then Arches on your way out, and then I think Vegas would be your better option for the flight!
This is amazing! I live in flagstaff, AZ, and I have only been to the Grand Canyon. Hard to believe all these beautiful places are within hours of me. I hope you checked out the red rocks of Sedona-they’re amazing!
Wow these pictures are fantastic. Did you use a go pro for all of these? Particularly curious about the lower creek falls pic. Thanks
Thanks! The Lower Calf Creek pic is actually with my iPhone 6 – in fact you can you can tell which pics are iPhone and which are GoPro bc I’m holding my arm out (holding the stick) with all the GoPro pics lol
This looks amazing! Really want to make it to Arizona soon!
I also live in LA and can kick myself for having never gone to the Grand Canyon and every time I see photos of Antelope Canyon I just want to hop in my car and go! This post is definitely an inspiration to cross this off my list and SOON!
hi Alyssa, amazing places and beautiful photoes, I was in Grand Canyon years ago and rent a car to travel around, visit Zion,Bryce, Monument and Arches…. i miss Antelope :-(…..well, it is a good reason to come back.
I just want to confirm the fact that beatiful places which are close to where we live are the ones which we are not hurry to visit…. I live in Madrid since 18 years, and I have been very lucky to travel plenty of places very far away such New Zealand por Patagónica…. But the thing is till yesterday I still had not visited Prado Museum in Madrid!! it is half an hour from my home!!!…I know…shame on me!!! yesterday I finally visited and it das justo awesome…I understood why some many people from al over the world come to visit it.
Thanks for your posts and your vídeos….travel is one of the things that make me feel good even if it is not me the one who travels, just listening and reading about that gives me some kind of electricity….
regards from Spain!!
Thanks for some ideas. I have forced vacation and doing a road trip to the west and I always wanted to hike Zion. I just got back from a Louisiana road trip to New York and back. It’s funny because my coworker asked if I went by myself again? I said of ya and he mentioned it’s hard to find someone who has that kind of time. And I just so happen to be perusing Huffington post and saw your blog about traveling ruining your love life. I relate because half my life is travel. It was a funny coincidence. But again thanks for the insight on Zion.
Two tents? You really roughing it, huh? 😉
Enjoy. Some of the most beautiful natural landscapes in the world. I’ve done Zion, Bryce, Capitol Reef, Arches, Canyon Lands several times. Each time I see different things and continue to be amazed.
Love how your arm aligns with the water at Mooney Falls.
By the way, where is your list of countries? I was curious to see where all you have visited. I couldn’t find the 30-something on your site anywhere. Are they all listed?
You can take a look at my homepage for a map of all the blogs I’ve written and all the places I’ve been!
Alyssa, try to get a permit for the Wave! I had tried for a solid year with the online lottery and finally got one in July….for 4 months out in October. I am hiking the Wave on 10/19 and then the 2 days before that, I am hiking the top-down Virgin River Narrows overnighter. Can’t wait. You can also do the Narrows as a day trip where you don’t need a permit, if you happen to not be familiar with the permit system there. But it is one of the most spectacular worldwide hikes out there! The Wave is spectacular, as well. And if you have already done these, GREAT!! 🙂 More time to see other stuff while out that way! 😉 (PS – one of my friends (who is 19 years older than me, btw) was best friends with your mom in high school, I think….that is how I found you. Our travels are very similar and quite a number of people have read your recent article and have come to me saying, “this girl (you) reminds me of you traveling around”. haha. I’m just a little older than you, though 🙂 Have fun!
Hi Emily! Your trip sounds amazing! I’m already up in Bryce Canyon now so didn’t get to do The Wave, but got some “wave like” pictures in the Antelope Canyons! By the way, my mom saw your comment and asked me who your friend was lol
Tell your mom Cheryl G! 🙂 Well, good!! Yes, I visited Lower Antelope in 2013 and it was surreal!! I see on the main Wave website where they are in discussions of changing up the lottery system for the Wave….with a twice per year lottery replacing the every single month lottery for 4 months out as it is now. They might also not allow people to show up for the walk in lottery the day before the desired hike day. So check it out. It will be worth it!! There is also a place called Buckskin Gulch near the Wave (don’t need a permit for that one, I think) and it is the largest slot canyon of all, I think I read. It is very much like Antelope, so if you ever win the Wave lottery, check it out. My dad and I are going to tack that on to our Wave trip in a few weeks. One last thing: as I mentioned, I am a good bit older than you (but thankfully, most tell me they think I am much younger…ha! helps when solo traveling, I think…) but everything you just wrote on the “traveling has ruined your dating life” writeup…..well, that fits me to the nth degree. For me, travel is sooo fulfilling that it almost overshadows everything else in a “normal life.” Not sure if that is good or bad though??? It is a true addiction of the soul that I cannot see myself giving up anytime soon….the greatest love affair of my life will be the beauty and adventure in this world God created for us. Anyways, sounding too philosophical….take care! Oh and if you ever need any of my travel planning documents, you are welcomed to them. I am a DIY trip planner, like yourself. I always research, plan and organize my travels to the point that they are wayyy cheaper than the advertised lowest-priced “tour” out there….kicka$$ itineraries, too. 🙂 So if I can ever help, let me know! (To find me, you can put my email into facebook and I should pop up.) Take care!
Hi Alyssa,
i am planning a trip from los angles this August
i was thinking about renting one of the cars with with the camping bed on top.
how many days would it take to visit all the placed you listed?
they all look so beautiful!
what order would be the easiest one to do if i am coming from LA
i have never done a raid trip before so this would be my first time planning one.
i would love to hear your feedback
Alyssa, reading and looking at your blog brought back my best memories. I’m also a solo female traveller that just did the mighty 5 Utah, the narrows, and yes Angels landings definitely not for people that a fear of climbing chains lol. in August 2015, And hiked into havasupai falls with my 24 yr son April 2015. And road trip from Phoenix ( picked up my 4 runner ) back home to vancouver,Canada 2014. Page /lake Powell was 1 of my favourites.lower antelope, horse shoe bend was amazing. I actually cancelled 2 nights in vegas to stay in lake Powell. 🙂 Emily, I just WON the lottery for the Wave Sept 6,2016, I will be in Utah/Arizona for 2-3 weeks if you have suggestions. Alyssa I am totally going to camp on antelope island. Can you tell me if they kayaks plz. You were definitely badass camping/solo traveller. Thanks for the inspiration to camp the Island. I will not forget the wine lol