Itinerary
- Day 1
Phoenix
You'll arrive in Phoenix and pick up your rental car to head to your accommodation. If you're not too tired after traveling, the Phoenix Desert Botanical Garden is worth a quick visit to get a feel for the desert plants you'll be seeing throughout the trip.
Optional Activities
- Phoenix Desert Botanical Garden (payable on site)
Landmarks Mazatzal Mountains Phoenix Desert Botanical Garden 
- Day 2
Phoenix
Spend the day exploring Phoenix's natural side. South Mountain Park has thousands of acres with multiple hiking trails and viewpoints, including the Holbert Trail and Hidden Valley route if you want to get out and walk around. Or check out Mystery Castle instead, which has 13 fireplaces and some pretty unusual architecture if you prefer something different.
Optional Activities
- South Mountain Park hiking trails (payable on site)
- Mystery Castle visit (payable on site)
Landmarks South Mountain Park Holbert Trail Hidden Valley Mystery Castle - Day 3
Phoenix to Superstition Mountains
Head out on a Wild West road trip adventure. The ghost town of Goldfield has a historic saloon and gold mine with the Superstition Mountains in the background. From there, drive along the Apache Trail and consider stopping in Tortilla Flat for prickly pear gelato if you want a quirky snack.
Optional Activities
- Goldfield ghost town visit
- Prickly Pear Gelato at Tortilla Flat (payable on site)
Landmarks Goldfield Superstition Mountains Apache Trail Tortilla Flat - Day 4
Grand Canyon
Make your way to the Grand Canyon and take in multiple viewpoints using your car or the free shuttle system along the South Rim. You can either drive between different spots or tackle the Bright Angel Trail if you're up for a serious hike. Plan to be at Hopi Point for sunset to watch the light change across the canyon.
Optional Activities
- Grand Canyon South Rim viewpoints (admission payable on site)
- Bright Angel Trail hiking
Landmarks Grand Canyon South Rim Bright Angel Trail Hopi Point 
- Day 5
Sedona
Drive to Sedona to see the red rock formations and pine forests. The Red Rock Loop Road connects several hiking options, and you'll find Cathedral Rock, Devil's Bridge, and Fay Canyon all worth checking out. Cathedral Rock blends nicely with its surroundings, while Devil's Bridge gives you some iconic photo spots.
Optional Activities
- Red Rock Loop Road drive
- Cathedral Rock hike
- Devil's Bridge hike
- Fay Canyon hike
Landmarks Red Rock Loop Road Cathedral Rock Devil's Bridge Fay Canyon Boynton Pass Road 
- Day 6
Monument Valley to Horseshoe Bend
Visit Monument Valley with those massive boulders rising from the desert floor. Drive the scenic route through this famous Wild West filming location. Later in the evening, head to Horseshoe Bend to see the Colorado River's dramatic 270-degree bend, and catch the sunset turning the landscape into different shades of red and orange.
Optional Activities
- Monument Valley visit (entrance fee payable on site)
- Monument Valley Scenic Drive
- Horseshoe Bend at Glen Canyon (admission payable on site)
Landmarks Monument Valley Monument Valley Scenic Drive Horseshoe Bend Glen Canyon Colorado River 
- Day 7
Antelope Canyon
Take a guided hike through Antelope Canyon to see the light beams that filter between the 40-meter-high curved walls. The canyon walls display orange, purple, red, and yellow tones as light moves through the space. Wind and water have carved this landscape over thousands of years into something really unique.
Optional Activities
- Antelope Canyon guided hike (optional, reservation required, payable on site)
Landmarks Antelope Canyon - Day 8
Lake Powell
Head to Lake Powell for water activities. You can try jet skiing for an adrenaline rush or take a kayak for something more relaxed along the red rock faces. If you'd rather not spend the whole day on water, you can revisit favorite spots like the Grand Canyon or Horseshoe Bend, or grab dinner at a local restaurant in Page.
Optional Activities
- Jet ski rental on Lake Powell (payable locally)
- Kayaking on Lake Powell (payable on site)
- Dinner at local restaurant in Page (payable locally)
Landmarks Lake Powell - Day 9
Zion National Park
Get to Zion National Park to see the big sandstone formations and deep canyons. Drive the Carmel Highway with its towering colorful cliffs, then hike Angels Landing if you want a challenging trail with canyon views. Kolob Canyons offers a quieter option if you prefer winding through canyons without the crowds.
Optional Activities
- Zion National Park visit (admission fee applies)
- Carmel Highway drive
- Angels Landing hike
- Kolob Canyons visit
Landmarks Zion National Park Carmel Highway Angels Landing Kolob Canyons - Day 10
St. George Area
This day is yours to do what you want. You can hunt for viewpoints you missed earlier, catch a sunrise somewhere you liked before, or just drive around and enjoy the Wild West landscape at your own speed with your rental car.
- Day 11
Bryce Canyon National Park
Drive to Bryce Canyon to see the hoodoos, those distinctive orange, pink, and gold rock towers. The scenic drive takes you to multiple viewpoints where you can look down at this massive amphitheater. Then hike down into the Navajo Loop to walk among the stone towers. Try to be at Sunset Point when the light gets dramatic and golden.
Optional Activities
- Bryce Canyon National Park visit (entrance fee payable on site)
- Scenic Drive
- Navajo Loop hike
Landmarks Bryce Canyon National Park Scenic Drive Navajo Loop Sunset Point - Day 12
Las Vegas
You'll arrive in Las Vegas and check into your hotel. Cool off in the pool during the hottest part of the day. Once the sun starts setting, head out to explore the Strip with its casinos and lights. Check out the Welcome to Las Vegas sign, catch the free Bellagio Fountains or Mirage Volcano shows, or take the Stratosphere Tower or High Roller Ferris wheel up for city views.
Optional Activities
- Stratosphere Tower visit (payable locally)
- High Roller Ferris wheel visit (payable locally)
- Bellagio Fountains show (free)
- Mirage Volcano show (free)
Landmarks The Strip Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign Stratosphere Tower High Roller Ferris wheel Bellagio Hotel Mirage Hotel 
- Day 13
Las Vegas
Spend time in Las Vegas's themed hotels that recreate Venice, Paris, and Luxor with their own unique designs. Visit the Neon Museum to see over 200 original neon signs from the old Strip, and some light up at night. It's quirky and chaotic, which is pretty much Vegas in a nutshell.
Optional Activities
- Venetian Hotel themed experience
- Paris Las Vegas Hotel themed experience
- Luxor Hotel themed experience
- Neon Museum visit (admission extra)
Landmarks The Venetian Paris Las Vegas Luxor Neon Museum - Day 14
Las Vegas Departure
You have your final hours in the USA, so knock out anything on your bucket list before heading to the airport. Take time to think back on everything you've done throughout the Wild West and get ready for the trip home.
- Day 15
Return Flight
You'll arrive back home with plenty of memories and stories to tell about your American adventure across the desert, canyons, and Las Vegas.
