2-Week Southwestern USA Road Trip Guide
The USA is a large country with wildly different landscapes. Growing up here in America, we didn’t come to appreciate just how beautiful and unique it was until we started to get out and travel the world. As we began to see more vast and remote parts of the planet, we started to realize why so many people fly half way across the world so that they can see and experience the open countryside, otherworldly landscapes, and bustling cities that make up the USA.
As 2020 brought a drastically different life for all of us, COVID-19 completely shifted the travel landscape We thought there was no better time to get out and explore our own home country and see some of these amazing places we had taken for granted while growing up. First on the list for both of us was the southwestern region comprising national parks, insane hikes and viewpoints, gaping canyons, gorgeous red rock formations, and some of the most unique deserts in the world. Funny enough, we actually first met each other while attending school in Utah, where many of these parks were only a few hours away! For us, this trip was to get back to our roots while at the same time seeing it all through a different perspective after years of travel.
On a visit to the USA, a road trip really is the best way to see and experience the country (they don’t call it “the great American road “ for nothing). The country is spread out, with cities and landmarks far stretched from one another. It really only makes sense to connect them by car. Even still, to drive the whole country would take close to 40 hours end to end, so best to choose a specific route/loop you want to do. We decided on a 2 week itinerary for the southwestern USA that spanned through Southern California, Arizona, Utah, and Nevada. It was just the right amount of time to not be driving long hours every day while still trying out a few hikes in each park. And the distance between points of interest is short enough for a pretty action packed itinerary!
Why we chose the van life for this trip!
Simply, we wanted to make a memory. We already know how to road trip with a normal car, but we don’t do it as often in a camper van. We opted for van life in order to have the most freedom and take things at our own pace. It really is a different experience to take your home with you wherever you go. We tried it once before a few years ago in New Zealand and loved the adventure that came with it. We enjoyed cooking our own meals in the van each night and would eat them outside in our camper chairs. (And of course, we named our van ‘John Wayne’ because it felt very western :).
How to Book Campsites
Every night we needed a place to plug in for power and wanted access to bathrooms and showers (our van did not include that kind of plumbing), so we chose to stay in camper/RV parks most nights. This cost anywhere from $30-$50 per night depending on what amenities they offer. There’s a few ways you can reserve your campsites:
Pre-scheduling: You can schedule it all online before your trip. If you are the planner type, you might like to have the security to know that you already have a campsite reserved. This does limit your freedom though and may pinch your ability to change plans midway through the trip in the event you want to stay longer somewhere or keep driving etc.
Same day booking: This is the way we chose to structure our trip and loved it. We used the App iOverlander X which was super helpful in showing campsites that are nearby and what amenities they offer (such as Wifi, power hookup, water, showers). We used this every night as we were driving between parks and never had issues with availability, though we recommend calling ahead on the day of to make sure they have space and the type of site you are looking for. That way you don’t have to spend your time driving around from place to place, and if it is a busier season you lock in your site earlier in the day.
Van life EXPERIENCE
We rented our van through Traveller’s Autobarn and absolutely loved it. The space was large enough to stand up in, and the fridge had enough room to hold food for a couple days. We made it a practice to stop at the market every other day or so because we loved getting fresh vegetables! The cooktop itself is inside the van including two burners and a sink. This made cooking at night really easy because we had enough light inside the van and kept the bugs away. Since we went in the summer time and the desert cools down pretty quickly, nights were generally pretty mild but would imagine if you did this trip during the spring or fall it might be quite chilly if we had to cook outside at night or in the early mornings.
The van itself is a converted Chevrolet Express, so it didn’t feel like we were driving a very large vehicle either. At night we would plug in the van for electricity and open the windows to get some air flow. There are solar panels on the roof that generate enough power to keep the fridge cold and provide a simple phone charge but not enough power to run the lights all night and charge larger devices like laptops and cameras. That meant every night we needed a campsite with electrical plug ins to get work done and charge all of our gear. If you wanted to be more disconnected and off the grid you could probably plug in once every 2-3 days.
The van actually had 2 options for bed setup - one option was to set up a platform above the main area and another was to convert the two benches in back into a bed. This means technically you could sleep up to 4 (though would be close quarters). We chose to sleep down on the bottom because it provided a better view to wake up to and allowed more breeze at night. We were surprised at how quickly we could convert the common area into our bed for the night - it only took about 2 minutes to set up/take down.
Budget
One of the things we love most about van life is that it can very easily become a more budget friendly way to travel. When you take into account all the money you will be saving from being able to cook all your own meals and save on expensive hotel rooms (especially during high season) it becomes quite appealing. Here is our whole breakdown for what a 2 week trip like this might cost (keep in mind these are estimates and might fluctuate with high season pricing/gas pricing):
Van Rate per night: $90 - $110 USD
Campsite per night: $30 - $50 USD
Cooked Meals per day: $20 - $40 USD
Fuel for entire 2000 mile trip (estimated $2.00 - $2.50/gallon, 31 gallon tank and 13 MPG): $310 - $390 USD
National Parks Pass: $80 USD
Additional State Parks Fees : $50 USD (includes Dead Horse, Indian Canyons, Horseshoe Bend)
TOTAL 2 WEEK BUDGET: $2,400 - $3,320 USD
*Note: Budget excludes any airfare or transportation getting to and from Los Angeles to begin trip
Things to bring on a camper van road trip through the American Southwest
Audio books - Our favorite app to use is Overdrive / Libby - this allows us to access free audio books via our local library!
National Parks Pass - Costing $80, this paid for itself a couple times over. Be aware it will only work for NATIONAL parks. State parks you will still have to pay entrance fee.
Download offline maps - Crucial because service in National and State Parks is limited. If you download them before hand, you will have no issues finding the right trail! You can do this easily on the Google maps app by selecting settings —> offline maps —> type in the desired location —> download.
Bug Racket - If there is one necessity we have for all van trips it’s this one. Bugs will always be getting into your van at night because you will inevitably have to open the door at some point and or have the windows cracked to run the fan (even if you do have a screen). This can allow you to rid the van of pests before going to sleep and not have to wake up to buzzing inside your ear.
Plenty of water - Don’t underestimate the amount of water you will need, especially when hiking. This region is mostly desert, so make sure your are stocking up on water every few days and bring water with you on your hikes.
Camera - There’s some amazing scenery on this trip so make sure you have something to capture it with (even if it’s your phone!). You can check out the equipment we use HERE.
Perfect 2 week Southwestern USA
Road tRip ROUTE
Los Angeles (Starting point)
Palm Springs (1 night - 2 hour drive)
Joshua Tree National Park (1 night - 1 hour drive)
Sedona (2 nights - 5 hour drive)
Grand Canyon National Park (1 night - 2 hour drive)
Page (1 night - 3 hour drive)
Monument Valley (1 night - 2.5 hour drive)
Moab (2 nights - 2 hour drive)
Bryce National Park (1 night - 5 hour drive)
Zion National Park (2 nights - 1.5 hour drive)
Valley of Fire & Death Valley National Park (1 night - 5 hour drive)
Los Angeles (1 night - 4.5 hour drive)
If you are looking to do a shorter trip, you can skip the Moab and Bryce portion of the trip, connecting between Page and Zion National Park, but we HIGHLY recommend visiting if you can!
Now we’ll get into the details on each of the different places we went, our favorite hikes and photo spots, and where to stay whether traveling by camper van or car.
Palm Springs (1 night)
Palm springs is a posh desert oasis full of colorful and eclectic decorations, vintage style architecture, charming little cafes, hip boutique hotels, and palm trees lining every street. Only a few hours from L.A., it has all the glamour and dazzling character of Hollywood while at the same time offering a relaxed and carefree atmosphere. Since the 1900’s, movie stars and celebrities have been escaping to Palm Springs as it grew to heightened popularity in the 1950’s and 60’s with stars like Elvis and Frank Sinatra visiting often. Since then the town has preserved the style and decor of that time period with a modern twist giving it a retro chic vibe as a mix of golden-era Hollywood, hipsters, desert bohemian, and vibrant style. You could easily spend a whole week here if you like relaxing poolside at different hotels and bouncing around to different cafes and shops.
Things to see
Indian Canyons Palm Trees
This hidden oasis was a dream! We found a bunch of palm trees nestled up to the foothills of this area and drove over to explore a little bit. It had peaceful little stream and countless palm trees, making for the perfect spot to take a break from the summer sun. These trees were really unique with long fuzzy “beards” trailing from the palm leaves all the way down to the ground that we hadn’t seen anywhere else before.
Indian Canyons Neighborhood
We weren’t sure we were going to like this neighborhood until we started driving around it. But trust us, it is worth setting aside some time just to see in person. You’ll see the hype of the retro chic decor and upscale desert inspiration in these modern rambler style houses. We loved walking along the streets and enjoying the unique houses with vibrant doors and plant life. So many fun spots to see! If your looking for a spot to start we recommend heading over to La Verne Way and then weaving your way along the different roads up towards the golf course.
Windmill Farms
Catching these during sunrise or sunset golden hour is breathtaking. They are really easy to find as you will see heaps of them driving into and out of the city. We actually just parked on the side of the road and walked out to them to see up close. There were so many more than we imagined, they actually stretched out far into the horizon line and clear onto some of the surrounding mountains.
Retro Town Vibe
A simple drive through Palm Springs and visiting some of the cafes will give you a good feel for what this place is all about. With its stylish hotels, fashionable restaurants, chic shops and boutiques, Palm Springs is a must visit on your road trip through the southwest United States.
where to stay
Campsite
Cathedral Palms: There are several RV parks you can check out in Palm Springs area. This one only 7 miles out of the downtown Palm Springs area and is a quiet RV park. It has all the amenities you could want in a typical RV campground.
Hotel
La Serena Villas: The town is filled with chic boutique hotels and Air BnB’s that you could spend a whole week hopping from place to place. We stayed only 1 night and chose to spend it at La Serena Villas and loved it. It was an elegant Mediterranean-inspired hotel with only a hand full of rooms all complete with back patio and outdoor tub. They had a main communal pool to relax at in plush cabana beds during the day and sip drinks under the twinkle lights at night.
Avalon Hotel: Bright white decor and perfectly manicured gardens, the Avalon is a fresh and sophisticated place to stay. Amazing 1 and 2 room villas with all the chic and luxury touches just one block from downtown.
L’Horizon Hotel: All the details you could want for a desert oasis hotel. Chic design with copper touches and big open panels of glass. At the center is a beautiful triangle shaped pool with plenty of day beds to relax at during the day.
Joshua Tree National Park (1 night)
Joshua tree has a similar landscape to Palm Springs being only 1 hour away, but where Palm Springs it much more posh and glamorous, Joshua tree has much more of a hipster and eclectic vibe. It’s gained popularity in the recent years for it’s collection of one-of-a-kind Air BnB’s and vacation homes sporting everything from converted air streams to geoglobes made of glass out in the middle of the desert. The town itself is quite small, with a handful of bohemian shops and art installations, as most of the activities around are visiting the national park itself or some of the touring live music festivals.
Things to see
Joshua Trees
Joshua Tree National Park is on your way out of Palm Springs if you are heading east, so be sure not to miss it. There are specific pockets in the park where the trees grow more prevalent. Head to the main road between the West Entrance Station and Jumbo Rocks area to see the iconic Joshua Trees themselves.
Jumbo Rocks
If you are into rock climbing, this is a famous spot to visit, because of the large scalable boulders that lay around the valley. There are options for all levels, with many beginner-friendly hikes and climbs. If you are interested in taking photos with the rock formations check out the Hidden Valley Trail for some great photo spots including both the Joshua Trees and stacked boulders.
Cholla Cactus Garden
Our favorite spot though had to be the Cholla Cactus Garden. These little guys are a glowing yellow green color and are EVERYWHERE. They can be found at the edge of the park along the Pinto Basin Road. Be careful to not step too close, otherwise they latch on pretty good ;)
Where to Stay
Campsite
Van Camp: J-Tree: A hand built van life community in the desert. Text Aidan first (828) 571-0791 for availability. Great cell & hotspot service for remote workers and also has power hook-up available. We stayed here just one night, but loved watching the sunrise/sunset from this remote location. It is only 15 minutes from both East & West entrances of Joshua Tree National Park.
Hotel
Joshua Tree Cabin: Cozy getaway for two compete with fireplace, front porch for start gazing and hammocks. The interior is a bohemian desert chic with full kitchen, record player, and picnic tables out back.
Joshua Tree Acres: Have the unique experience of sleeping in an airstream! Updated with hip stylish Moroccan decor as well as modern appliances this will make for a beautiful and unforgettable experience.
Dome in the Desert: Stay in a geodome out in the middle of the desert! Stimulate your mind and spirit with natural wood and stone elements and library of books. Includes an authentic wood burning stove and full modern kitchen.
Sedona (2 nights)
Known for its cleansing energy and incredible hikes, Sedona is somewhere we have wanted to go for some time. It has become somewhat of a hub for holistic healing and spiritual mecca for retreats for soul searches and outdoor enthusiasts alike to disconnect and recharge in the gorgeous red rock scenery. The Native Americans that originally inhabited the land regarded Sedona as sacred, and many of the hikes are actually thought to be energy “vortexes” that can bring inspiring and mystical experiences. You’ll find the town is a mix of high end luxury spas & retreat centers, world-class restaurants, and rugged adventure activities that gives the town an elevated and sophisticated but still outdoorsy feel. It has also become a gathering spot for many artists bringing lots of boutique shops and local art galleries with everything from turquoise jewelry to hand made leather goods. You won’t miss the incredible red rocks that surround the town on all angles, but be sure to allot time for at least a few hikes as the views really are indescribable from the top.
Things to see
Cathedral Rock
We hiked here for sunset and were not disappointed. If you do plan a sunset hike, be sure to bring headlamps for the hike down. We found that most people start their return hike just after the sun disappears over the horizon, but we actually stay for a bit longer because that is when the colors become most vibrant. The hike up is about 30 - 40 minutes and pretty straight forward, though there are some steep points (would be challenging for strollers or dogs) where you may be on all fours scooting on your bum. If you get to the top and have a little time to spare, try exploring out to the left up a smaller ridge that leads to another incredible viewpoint.
Parking here is something to be conscious of with limited spaces, so be sure to arrive early to secure a spot!
Devils Bridge
We recommend visiting for sunrise if you can! As we came in the middle of the July, summer heat is pretty intense in this region. The hike itself takes about 45-60 minutes. You will start from the main parking lot and walk 20- 30 minutes along a dirt road to the trail head (unless you have a vehicle built for off road driving). When we arrived before sunrise, there were only a couple other people there to enjoy the vast overlook. The walk out over the actual bridge will give you some butterflies, but its definitely not be skipped over!
Bell Rock
Another great sunset spot, Bell Rock can be seen and photographed from a lot of different angles including the base close to the parking lot. The hike itself takes 20 -30 minutes but we actually loved the views so much from the bottom that we spent most of our time here.
Where to Stay
Campsite
Rancho Sedona RV Park: Fully shaded by grand Sycamore and Cottonwood trees and located a quick 3 minutes drive from the heart of town and is also next to beautiful Oak Creek. The park is within walking distance to galleries, shops and restaurants. This site includes spacious sites, clean facilities, laundry, volleyball, fielded areas, and Free Wi-Fi. We stayed here for a couple nights and loved it.
Hotel
L'Auberge de Sedona Resort & Spa: Peaceful and relaxing getaway in the heart of Sedona’s main town. Individual cabins complete with front porch to enjoy the calm quiet mornings.
Enchantment Resort: Luxurious and chic this resort on the outskirts of Sedona is perfect for those who want to completely disconnect. Big lavish pool and spacious rooms as well as onsite spa and wellness center offering traditional native American holistic treatments.
Grand Canyon National Park (1 night)
One of the Seven Natural Wonders of the world, the Grand Canyon is something that left us truly speechless. It’s mesmerizing to look out at canyons as far as the eye can see. To be honest we couldn’t comprehend just how expansive it was until we were there in person looking over the edge and taking in the magnitude of it all. This is probably the place that surprised us the most along the whole trip. We didn’t expect it to be quite that big and grand. Photos don’t even seem to do the place justice.
Things to see
Mather’s Point & Yavapai Point
These are the the main viewpoints along the south rim. They typically will have a shuttle that runs between the two, but you can walk as well. We found our favorite spots actually in between these two lookout points because we could just sit straight on the rocks and enjoy the view. We came during sunrise and it was very quiet. The majesty of this place is hard to describe in words. It is so deep and expansive and the variety of colors is simply stunning.
Shoshone Point
This spot was recommended to us by a local and we decided to give it a try for sunset. The hike took about 40 minutes but the views were incredible and completely remote. It is much lesser known than many of the other spots along the rim, so you will likely be able to have the whole spot to yourself. We enjoyed a small picnic on the edge as we watched the sun dip over the edge of the horizon. This was so fun to visit such an iconic place in complete seclusion. You will park HERE and walk along the main trail until you reach the ridge! If you come for sunset, don’t forget to bring head lamps!
Where to stay
Campsite
Grand Canyon Camper Village: Located just outside of the Grand Canyon park, they offer full hookups with showers and bathrooms. It was a pretty straight forward site and less expensive than the park inside the National Park. The other benefit was that we actually had phone service at this location :)
Hotel
Under the Canvas: Glamping at it’s finest! All the fun of sleeping out under a tent in the middle of nature with luxury touches like king size beds, in suite bathrooms and wood burning stove.
Grand Canyon Railway Hotel: Designed to resemble the century-old train depot combing adding a luxurious update to this historic site. Spacious rooms and variety of amenities including pool and fine dining restaurant.
Page (1 night)
Along the border between the Grand Canyon and Lake Powell, Page is a nice spot to enjoy both. Popular amongst boaters for enjoying a day or even a week out on the water, there’s also a lot of really nice beach spots along the shore to walk down to. Lake Powell is really unique place because it is sapphire blue lake, surrounded by red rock canyons on all sides, with portions of really bright white washed rock where the water has receded. The town itself is pretty small, but it’s worth a visit to add in some beach time to all the hiking adventures along this trip.
Things to see
Horseshoe Bend
There is simply nothing like the view at Horseshoe Bend. It’s another spot difficult to do justice in just photos. If you are heading this direction, be sure to make a note to stop here and soak it in. We came for sunrise and it was pretty quiet. The hike itself is really easy, a 10 minute walk down along gravel path. Once you arrive, there is a small fence but you can easily hike along the cliff to find a spot to yourself and enjoy the unobstructed views.
The Chains
This was a fun spot we happened to find as we were driving! If you park HERE, then make your way down to the water to a nice spot. There is not really a set trail, just follow the water and find a place that looks fun! We really loved this location because it was further away from crowds, but also has this really white rock set against the blue water of Lake Powell. It had a Mediterranean vibe about it for sure!
Lone Rock Beach
A bit more popular with the crowds, this iconic beach allows you to drive right up to the water. Be sure to watch other drivers go before you and follow their tracks, because the sand can be tricky! We saw a few people get stuck, so just be conscious of it. Luckily there are a lot of other people around with 4x4 vehicles who helped stuck vehicles. Once down on the beach, we drove over to the left where it was less crowded and there was a nice little beach area to enjoy with a good view of the rock in the bay. Similar to The Chains, the white rock paired with the blue water was so dreamy!
Where to stay
Campsite
Page Lake Powell Campground: Situated right in page and only a few minutes drive from Lone Rock Beach or Horseshoe Bend, this was a perfect spot for us to stay the night. They had full electric hookups with shower and bathroom access. They claimed to have Wifi, but to be honest, it was relatively nonexistent. Otherwise a well located spot!
Hotel
Amangiri: One of the most lavish and luxurious hotels in America, Amangiri leaves nothing to be desired. Located on 600 acres in Canyon Point complete with floating therapy pavilion, sauna, steam room, cold plunge pool and step pools, a fitness center and yoga pavilion.
Radisson Country Inn & Suites: Great central location with nice clean rooms, a spacious pool, gym and restaurant on site. Typical high standard quality you can expect from a large chain hotelier like Radisson.
Monument Valley Park (1 night)
Monument Valley has one of the most picturesque horizons in the whole southwest United States, flaunting an expanse of bluffs and plateaus carved into massive formations and delicately thin points. Technically not a national park, Monument Valley is actually Navajo owned land, though it functions similar to that of parks offering entrance to hikes and viewpoints. It’s possible to drive along the exterior and see some amazing view points, but if you want to get up-close and personal definitely check out going inside. As we came right after the outbreak of COVID, the park entrance was actually closed, but we still enjoyed a nice afternoon and evening along the scenic roads admiring the formations from a distance.
Things to see
Utah Sign
Not in the park itself but only about 10 minutes outside, this sign is too iconic to NOT stop HERE. This fun spot has an incredible view of the large rock formations on the horizon as well as this beautiful sign. Since we actually both met in Utah, we were all too happy to jump out and grab a photo.
Forrest Gump Road
We weren’t exactly sure where this one was until we drove all the way through the park and found it on our exit! To save you any troubles, see the spot HERE. As you can imagine, sunset views draw a crowd, but the views are fantastic from this simple road pull out spot. Just be careful and cautious with on coming traffic if you take photos in the road.
Where to stay
Campsite
Koa Campground: Located right off the main road cutting through the valley, the views here are fantastic. They offer full hookup RV and campsites with all other amenities you would expect from a high end RV Park. The stargazing here is stunning!
Hotel
Arizona Luxury Expedition: Luxury tents and private canopy beds in traditional dwellings called “Hogans” all at the base of Monument Valley. Wake up to incredible cliff side views and breakfast cooked fresh and hot from the wood fire pit.
Gouldin’s Lodge: cabin style accommodations offering clean and quiet residence to take in all the peace and serenity of Monument Valley. Cabins are simple but clean and offer tour/transportation options into the park.
Moab (3 nights)
Moab is a charming little adventure town situated at the base of three different incredible Red rock parks: Arches National Park, Dead Horse State Park, and Canyonlands National Park. There a huge variety of things you can see here and hike to do as well as a lot of different ways to experience them from 4x4 jeeps, to horseback riding, mountain biking, rock climbing or even hot air ballooning. Even though we spent three days here, there was no shortage of things to do and easily could have spent more time. We listed below some of our highlights of the time and must-see places, but it only begins to scratch the surface.
Things to see
Arches National Park
Delicate Arch
This spot can get very hot during the day, and crowded for sunset so we opted to do this hike at sunrise and did not regret it in the least. Because it is dark, we had to bring headlamps when we first started hiking. The hike itself took about 45 minutes and it was a steady uphill climb. There was a handful of other people who were hiking at the same time, so we were able to navigate the trail together. This can be difficult in the dark, because the trail just goes up a steady incline of sandstone with signs spread out. Needless to say, on our hike back down, we saw where the ‘real’ trail was 😊 Regardless, you’ll be making your way steadily uphill and once you see the arch on the horizon you can easily find your way there.
The arch is huge such a spectacle in the morning sun. We were fortunate to experience this early morning with only a few other people, but on the way down we saw the crowds starting to gather. So we would recommend either sunset for the light or sunrise to avoid the crowds. There is also a cool little nook near the top that has an arch you can see Delicate Arch through. It is just off to the right of the trail, you will know when you see it :)
Double Arch
This hike was only a 5 minute walk to these giant arches, and a nice break after sunrise hike at Delicate Arch. We came for sunset and witnessed one of our top sunsets for the whole trip. The best spot for photographing both arches is down below, but if you hike up to the second archway, you will see an expansive view of the valley. It really is a special spot and definitely worth visiting if you have time!
Scenic Drive
By visiting these arches you will be driving along this road. If you don’t have time for any hikes, the scenic drive will give you a pretty good feel for the park. The road winds through these giant rock formations and was so stunning at every corner. Balancing Rock is easily seen from along the road as well as many other large bluffs.
Park Avenue
They call this Park Avenue because the rocks look like sky scrapers on ‘Park Avenue’. This is located right off the main roadway and is only a 2 minute walk to the view point. You can hike through the whole canyon, which is only about 1 mile and not too difficult. We visited during the heat of midday, so chose to not hike on the trail but just enjoy the skyline. As this is located more toward the entrance of the park, it was a good first stop!
Deadhorse State Park
Viewpoint
As this is a state park, you will not be able use the National Parks Pass to get in. Entrance fee was only $10, and totally worth the view. The main viewpoint is at the end of the road and from there you can hike around the cliffs to find your favorite spot. We couldn’t just chose one, so we spent time at a couple! We came here for sunset and it was absolutely gorgeous! Our favorite lookout was just off to the right, before the main parking lot opens up.
Canyonlands National Park
Grand Viewpoint
We drove all the way to the end of the road to see what was here, and it did not disappoint! The view is quite ‘grand’ and what was interesting here is seeing the expansive canyons that have been eroded away. Because the view comes from so high up on the mesa, you are able to see all of the channels of canyons as they link up and break away from each other. It almost feels like viewing the canyons by aircraft, but you get to enjoy it only a few steps from your car.
Candlestick Tower
We enjoyed finding this little roadside gem as we were making our way through Canyonlands National Park. The views go on forever and we loved the specific shape of this rock formation. It’s a great spot for sunset too if you want to bring out a little picnic and enjoy the sun go down.
Mesa Arch
Only a quick 5 minute walk from the parking lot, Mesa Arch was interesting because of the views you can find under the arch. We came during midday and it was surprisingly not too crowded. The arch almost felt like a window or picture frame out into the vistas. But be careful along the edge of the arch, it drops straight down and can blow loose hats or clothes over if your not too careful.
Where to stay
Campsite
Sun RV Resorts: Located closest to the parks, we opted to stay in this well equipped campground. They had full hookup sites, campsites, and even cabins! Amenities included clean bathrooms and showers with a pool as well. We were really happy with how close we were to each of the park entrances and also to the heart of Moab with all it’s cool shops and cafes. Wifi was strong here as well!
Hotel
Sorrel River Ranch: The perfect mix of luxury and adventure, Sorrel River ranch offers high quality comfort cabins and ranch homes right along the working horse ranch of Sorrel River. Daily adventures include horseback riding, hot air ballooning, jeeping, and guided hikes.
Under the Canvas Moab: Similiar to that of the Grand Canyon, this is a great luxury glamping experience. The site in Moab is located close to the entrance of both Arches and Canyonlands Nation Parks. Sunsets and sunrise here are expectional against the desert red rocks that can be seen out the back of most tents.
Bryce Canyon National Park (1 night)
Coming to Bryce feels like landing on Mars. The intensely bright orange rock is layered with thick parts of pink and white making for a gorgeous color pallet and design. The canyon itself is full of these sandstone pillars (called ‘Hoodoos’) that look almost like giant drip drop sand castles as far as the eye can see. There are three main view points you can go to that are easily accessible by car, but the real magic is found from hiking down into the canyon. Although many of the trails are pretty steep, definitely take some time to go down into it and feel the otherworldly experience that is Bryce Canyon.
Things to see
Sunrise Point
After parking at Sunrise point head down on the Navajo Loop Trail towards Queen’s Garden. We loved this trail because it had more of the white washed rocks versus the burnt orange of other areas that felt really unique. If you hike down a bit before sunrise you can watch the color of the rocks start to glow from the early morning sun and it’s just magical. This is also where we found some of our favorite up-close views of the hoodoos themselves. We only hiked the first portion of the trail, because we found the hoodoos start to thin out after about 10-15 minutes.
Sunset Point
Technically connected to Sunrise Point through the Navajo Loop, or you can opt to just drive over and hike down. Like Sunrise Point, we found the most interesting views within the first 10-15 minutes of Sunset Point. If you head down the trail and veer to your right, you’ll come across “Wall Street” which is a path with hair pin bends that descends into the wall of canyon. It’s really cool to see the view from the top and gets even better as you start to hike down. If you come at sunrise you can even see the light start to peak over the canyon wall as you descend.
Inspiration Point
One of the farthest points along the canyon, Inspiration Point is amazing to see just how vast the park is. We didn’t hike down from this point, but chose to stay up near the top and just take in the view.
Where to stay
Campsite
Ruby’s Inn: Both shady and open campsites have electric and water, or full hook-ups as well as a large pull-through area. This was located RIGHT outside the park and we were at the hiking points within 5-10 minutes drive or so!
Hotel
Best Western PLUS Bryce Canyon Grand Hotel: Great location near the park and clean simple rooms you can count on. The little town of Tropic outside of Bryce is small and charming with this being offering one of the nicest accommodations in the area.
Zion National Park (1 night)
Zion National Park is different from the other parks in southern Utah by the sheer size of the cliffs and mountains. Still sporting the red rock colors, Zion mountains are also covered in evergreen trees and bushes giving it a unique look different from those of Moab, Sedona, or the Grand Canyon. Inside the park there are incredible sweeping valleys and grassy fields that reminded us of our time in New Zealand.
The hikes in Zion give incredibly expansive views, but also tend to be steeper, longer, and more strenuous because of the elevation. In order to access the main hikes of the park you will have to park and take a shuttle bus up so keep this in mind. If you plan on doing a few of the hikes, you may want to add a few additional days because of the time involved for the hikes and shuttling up.
Things to see
Scenic Drive
Right now due to COVID-19 the main Zion road is limited to only those with special day passes. You have to arrive early in the morning and they only have a limited amount of passes they give out. Alternatively you can rent bikes and ride them up the canyon. We chose to take the scenic route which was honestly perfect for our situation. We only spent one day here, so only drove through. The size of these rock formations is awe-inspiring and the road was fun carving through the side of the mountain and even taking a tunnel right through the middle of one.
Angel’s Landing
We did this hike a few years back during our first visit to Zion and loved it. It’s one oft the most strenuous hikes in the park and a bit precarious up at the top where it comes to a narrow point that you hang along the cliff with a chain rope, but one of the best views. The hike will take 2-3 hours and plan to bring a lot of water if you go during the day as well as sturdy hiking shoes.
The Narrows
Still to this day one of the most unique hikes we have ever done. You tread along through water 1-3 feet deep through the gap of two slot canyons. The views are incredible and the hike itself is such an adventure making your way through the river. Definitely recommend getting waterproof shoes and neoprene socks as you will be in the water for a few hours and can get blisters if not. The hike can be as long as you wish, turning back at any point. If your feeling adventurous and want to do the whole canyon, it’s 16 miles end to end and will require a special pass as there are some tricky maneuvers at the end. If you plan to do the full trail be sure to check the weather that there are no chance of rain storms that can flood the canyon.
Where to stay
Campsite
Zion Canyon Campground: Located in Springdale, just at the entrance of the Park, this campground is a perfect landing spot to take off for adventures into the park. They boast all the full amenities expected with a luxury RV campground and will not disappoint if you are looking for a place to hookup for the night!
Hotel
The Advenire Utah: Staying in St. George is a great option for experiencing Zion National Park. It’s only about 1 hour drive and has access to a great town and other surrounding parks like Snow Canyon. This hotel is part of the Marriott Autograph Collection giving you all the feels of a boutique hotel under the quality of Marriott name. The whole decor of the place was a chic western feel with touches of luxury and elegance.
Under the Canvas Zion: Another sister location to that of Grand Canyon and Moab, you can also camp under the stars here in Zion Park. The views are exceptionally good at this location, waking up at the base of the famous red rock canyons inside the park itself.
Valley of Fire State Park (Day Drive)
A great stop between St. George and Death Valley. The park itself is quite small but worth small detour to see. The rocks here are this intense cinnamon color and more sharp and triangular than any of the other parks. The rocks almost looks like a torn up construction site with boulders and piles every which way.
Things to see
Mouse’s Tank Road
We didn’t know what to expect as we drove up to the Valley of Fire. The landscape seemed brown and desolate. But as soon as we got past the ranger station, the rock formations started to turn a bright red orange color. And as soon as we turned up Mouse’s Tank Road, we were in the middle of fiery mountains with dramatic rocks jutting out from cliff faces. This road is iconic, because of the views that come along this beautiful straight way. If you come when the heat is not too bad, you can turn off onto some different hikes and see some interesting formations like Bacon Rock and Rainbow Vista.
Death Valley National Park (1 night)
Like no where else on the world, Death valley has some of the most incredible desert spots to experience. From salt flats to sand dunes, the scenery is quite otherworldly here with a remote peacefulness we didn’t expect. Temperatures soar in this part of California reaching upwards of 115F. There is usually a nice breeze coming through that makes it semi-tolerable but be prepared if you plan on visiting in the heat of the day or camping here at night. Also, remember to drink a lot of water!
Things to see
Badwater Salt Flats
This was Davis’ favorite spot on our trip. The descent into Death Valley is eerie and stark. It felt like we had driven onto the moon and there was no one and no thing around. It was really only the desert and foreboding mountain crags surrounding the horizon line. The air was super dry and we were prepared with several large bottles of water. Our goal was to see these salt flats at sunset and it was definitely a good choice. Keep in mind, the walk to the actual salt flats from the parking lot is another 20 minutes or so. Plan to come a bit before sunset and you can enjoy the space comfortably. The crowd disappeared shortly after the sun set, but we recommend staying around for the stars! If you don’t want to stay on the flats for the stargazing, be sure to pull over on the side of the road at least and enjoy the starlight for a moment!
Mesquite Sand Dunes
Some of the most dramatic lighting with sand dunes occurs just after sunrise and right before sunset. The long casting shadows are what we found to be most interesting at this spot. Similar to the salt flats, you may want to plan to walk for about 20-30 minutes before reaching some of the tallest most interesting dunes. Since we came before sunrise, the heat was not too bad. Some of these dunes stand over 100 feet tall.
Where to stay
Campsite
Furnace Creek Campground: We stayed the night in the middle of July, so it was pretty hot! But we enjoyed the full hookup for our van and also they had free water refilling at entrance station. It was only 15 minutes drive from the Badwater Salt Flats or the Mesquite Dunes!
Hotel
The Inn at Death Valley : Though it is one of the limited options to stay near Death Valley don’t be fooled. The Inn here is actually the perfect little desert oasis with an expansive pool, great on site restaurant, and hanging lights all along the courtyard for a romantic little setting.
Los Angeles
No place in the world quite like the sunshiny, palm tree-filled city of Los Angeles. People spend weeks exploring this place and even more flock to come live along the southern California coast every year for its mild temperature, gorgeous beaches, amazing restaurants, and bright sunny weather. We suggest fitting this in at the end of the road trip as a nice little “vacation” from all the adventure of the southwest as you enjoy some of the world famous beaches and all the dazzle that is L.A.
Things to see
Hollywood Sign
Too iconic to miss, we found the perfect little trail tucked into the Hollywood Hills. This neighborhood is fun to drive around, but if you come around sunset, the parking situation shouldn’t be too difficult. There are lots of hikers and folks just enjoying the views. There is also a hike to view the backside of the sign that takes about 1 hour, else you can take a short 5 minute walk to see from the base.
Santa Monica Pier
Down along PCH is the famous Santa Monica Pier. It’s a beautiful stretch of beach lined with palm trees and a winding sidewalk that leads into a vintage looking wooden board walk. The main attraction is the year round carnival at the end of the pier complete with roller coasters and ferris wheel. It’s a great spot to spend the whole day - laying at the beach, watching sunset behind the pier, and enjoying the rides and games into the night. Be aware that parking is difficult and traffic may be thick, especially in the afternoon, so recommend coming earlier in the day and leaving after the rush hour crowds.
Venice Beach
Venice beach is a hip spot alive with the energy of younger and eclectic crowds. It definitely has its own unique vibe with the man-made canals, hipster coffee shops, art walls and boutiques dotted along the main road. It’s much more laid back than Hollywood or Beverly Hills with a more artistic and funky air about it. Be sure to check out Abbot Kinnley Boulevard, named one of the ‘coolest blocks in America’ where you’ll find many pop up shops, art galleries, delicious little cafes as well as yoga studios to help you really soak in all that is life in Southern California.
El Matador
Up along the northern coast of L.A. you can find this unique beach. El Matador feels like the sandstone cliffs of Portugal. Most mornings you’ll find El Madador shrouded in a thick fog/marine layer that may burn off in the afternoon sun, but gives it a really great moody vibe to it (and perfect soft lighting for photos). The beach can get quite crowded but if you walk down to the base and keep going to the right you can find your own little private enclave.
Laguna Beach
From the famous show “Laguna Beach” this really is one of the most picturesque beaches in all of Southern California. The day that we went the sun was shining and made the water shine an electric blue color that reminded us of Indonesia. Our favorite beach here was 1000 Step Beach because it was situated between a few rolling hills with incredible houses all along the cliffs. Laguna itself is a chic and sophisticated beach town filled with amazing boutique shops and upscale restaurants.
Newport Beach
Slightly North of Laguna, Newport beach has a younger more vibrant energy to it. What gives Newport it’s popularity is the boardwalk that stretched for miles along the coast with incredible beach houses and cute little shops and ice cream parlors. One of our favorite ways to see the beach is to rent bikes and ride along the sidewalk to look at all the luxury houses and end at the pier with games and rides.
Where to stay
Los Angeles is such a vast and large region with many different places to stay. Here are just a few highlights:
Campsite
Leo Carillo State Park: Located along the northern PCH route from Los Angeles, this beach is unique with its rock formations and fun hikes nearby. It is a campsite tucked away from the hustle of L.A. but still close enough to drive in and visit!
Hotel
The Peninsula Beverly Hills: If you’re looking for posh, glamour, and Hollywood this is exactly the dazzling place you want to stay. Rooftop pool, private cabanas, perfectly manicured gardens, and lavish interior decorations complete with elegant chandeliers and upscale decor. Easy walking distance to Beverly Hill’s famous Rodeo Drive.
Shutters on the Beach: Just steps off the beach of Santa Monica, the location here couldn’t be better. The decor is Cape Cod vibe of shuttered doors and expansive patios straight onto the beach.
Montage Laguna Beach: Right along the beach this resort offers and expansive view into the rolling cliffs of Laguna. Complete with pool, golf course, spa, and fine dining restaurant this is the ultimate beach luxury experience.
And that’s a wrap on our 2 week Southwestern USA Road trip. If you have more time, you can certainly allow for more days at any location, or even think about heading north from L.A. along the Pacific Coast Highway! If you have done this trip before and have any feedback or questions for us, leave them in the comments below!