Red rocks, canyon sunrises & stellar desert nights
Red rocks, canyon sunrises & stellar desert nights
Boulder City, NV 89005Phoenix, AZ 85008
Trip overview
Embark on an epic journey through the heart of the American Southwest, marveling at the colossal Grand Canyon, the sculpted sandstone of Page, and the spiritual red rock monoliths of Sedona.
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1 — Boulder City
Hoover Dam
Marvel at this colossal engineering wonder bridging Nevada and Arizona, offering dramatic views of Lake Mead and the Colorado River.
NV-173, Boulder City, NV 89005
Route 66 Loop in Seligman
Step back in time in the birthplace of Historic Route 66, filled with retro Americana, vintage cars, and quirky roadside attractions.
22265 Historic Route 66, Seligman, AZ 86337
Bright Angel Lodge
Historic lodging right on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, designed by Mary Colter with rustic charm and unbeatable canyon access.
9 N Village Loop Dr, Grand Canyon Village, AZ 86023
Day 2 — Grand Canyon Village
Mather Point
Watch an unforgettable sunrise paint the dramatic, layered canyon walls in hues of brilliant gold, orange, and purple.
Mather Point, Grand Canyon Village, AZ 86023
Desert View Watchtower
Explore Mary Colter's architectural masterpiece, mimicking ancestral Puebloan watchtowers, offering 360-degree views of the eastern canyon.
Desert View, Grand Canyon Village, AZ 86023
Horseshoe Bend
Stand 1,000 feet above a dramatic, horseshoe-shaped incised meander of the Colorado River, a truly iconic Southwest vista.
Milepass 545, Highway 89, Page, AZ 86040
Hyatt Place Page / Lake Powell
Modern and comfortable lodging offering scenic desert views, close to both Lake Powell and Antelope Canyon.
1126 N Navajo Dr, Page, AZ 86040
Day 3 — Page
Ken's Tours Lower Antelope Canyon
Walk through the mesmerizing, swirling sandstone corridors of a world-famous slot canyon, illuminated by shafts of heavenly light.
Indian Hwy 222, Page, AZ 86040
Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park Loop
Drive among the towering, iconic red sandstone monoliths that define the cinematic landscape of the American West.
Indn Route 42, Oljato-Monument Valley, AZ 84536
Goulding's Lodge
Historic lodge nestled against red rock cliffs, established in the 1920s as a trading post and movie location hub.
1000 Gouldings Trading Post Rd, Oljato-Monument Valley, UT 84536
Day 4 — Mexican Hat
Forrest Gump Point
Capture the classic, straight-highway photo looking back at the spectacular, rising buttes of Monument Valley.
US-163, Mexican Hat, UT 84531
Slide Rock State Park
Slide down a natural water chute worn into the red sandstone of Oak Creek Canyon, surrounded by towering canyon walls.
6871 AZ-89A, Sedona, AZ 86336
L'Auberge de Sedona
Luxury creekside resort nestled under shady sycamores, offering tranquil red rock views and exceptional fine dining.
301 L'Auberge Ln, Sedona, AZ 86336
Day 5 — Sedona
Cathedral Rock Trail
Embark on a thrilling, steep scramble up Sedona's most iconic red rock spire to witness jaw-dropping panoramic views.
Back-on-Beyond Rd, Sedona, AZ 86336
Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village
Wander through an outdoor, Mexican-style artisan village filled with cobblestone paths, vine-draped stucco walls, and local art galleries.
336 AZ-179, Sedona, AZ 86336
Airport Mesa Sunset Viewpoint
Experience a vibrant Sedona sunset from a panoramic mesa, watching the red rocks glow with intense, fiery light.
483 Airport Rd, Sedona, AZ 86336
Elote Cafe
Savor award-winning, elevated Mexican and Southwestern cuisine crafted from local ingredients in a vibrant, stylish setting.
350 Jordan Rd, Sedona, AZ 86336
Day 6 — Sedona
Chapel of the Holy Cross
Admire this stunning architectural landmark built directly into the red rock buttes, offering a serene atmosphere and sweeping valley views.
780 Chapel Rd, Sedona, AZ 86336
Montezuma Castle National Monument
Gaze up at an incredibly well-preserved, 20-room cliff dwelling carved into a limestone cliff by the Sinagua people over 800 years ago.
2800 Montezuma Castle Rd, Camp Verde, AZ 86322
Desert Botanical Garden
Stroll through a breathtaking 140-acre garden showcasing thousands of species of desert plants, towering saguaros, and vibrant desert blooms.
1201 N Galvin Parkway, Phoenix, AZ 85008
Experiences & guides
Bookable tours and stops worth a detour along this route.
Experiences
Guide content may not reflect current conditions. Always verify information before your trip.
Frequently asked questions
The Southwest Vistas road trip covers about 879 mi and roughly 15h 19m of driving, comfortably spread across about 6 days.
This itinerary maps out 20 stops from Boulder City, NV 89005 to Phoenix, AZ 85008. Highlights include Mather Point, Horseshoe Bend, and Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park Loop.
It begins in Boulder City, NV 89005 and ends in Phoenix, AZ 85008, following a mapped, road-following route the whole way.
The estimated cost is around $2,135, covering fuel, lodging, food, and activities. Your actual total varies with the season, your pace, and the choices you make along the way.
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