Red rocks, deep canyons, and starry desert nights
Red rocks, deep canyons, and starry desert nights
Boulder City, NV 89005Paradise Valley, AZ 85253
Trip overview
Embark on an unforgettable journey through the heart of the American Southwest, tracking the dramatic evolution of desert landscapes from the colossal depths of the Grand Canyon to the mystical, towering red rocks of Sedona.
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1 — Boulder City
Mike O'Callaghan-Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge
Walk the high pedestrian path overlooking the monumental Hoover Dam and the rushing Colorado River far below.
US-93, Boulder City, NV 89005
Delgadillo's Snow Cap
A quirky, historical Route 66 roadside eatery loaded with vintage Americana humor, neon signs, and classic milkshakes.
301 Route 66, Seligman, AZ 86337
Bright Angel Lodge
An iconic Mary Colter-designed historic lodge sitting directly on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon.
9 Village Loop Drive, Grand Canyon Village, AZ 86023
Yavapai Point Sunset
One of the best vantage points to watch the sun dip below the horizon, casting deep purple and gold shadows across the canyon.
Grand Canyon Village, AZ 86023
Day 2 — Grand Canyon Village
Mather Point Sunrise
Watch the morning light sweep across the vast canyon walls, illuminating millions of years of geological history in glorious hues.
Mather Point, Grand Canyon Village, AZ 86023
Desert View Watchtower
Climb this stunning 1932 stone tower designed to mimic Ancestral Puebloan watchtowers, offering panoramic views of the eastern canyon.
Desert View Dr, Grand Canyon Village, AZ 86023
Horseshoe Bend
Stand 1,000 feet above a dramatic horseshoe-shaped meander of the emerald-green Colorado River carved into Navajo sandstone.
Milepass 545, US-89, Page, AZ 86040
Hyatt Place Page/Lake Powell
A comfortable, modern base camp offering incredible sunset views overlooking the Glen Canyon area.
1126 Scenic View Rd, Page, AZ 86040
Day 3 — Page
Lower Antelope Canyon Tour
Descend into a subterranean dreamscape of swirling, wave-like sandstone formations illuminated by beams of ambient desert light.
Indian Rte 222, Page, AZ 86040
Forrest Gump Point
Capture the iconic highway view made famous in cinema, showcasing a straight road cutting through the vast desert toward Monument Valley.
US-163, Mexican Hat, UT 84531
Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park Loop Drive
Drive among the towering, world-famous red siltstone buttes rising majestically from the desert floor of the Navajo Nation.
Indn Route 42, Oljato-Monument Valley, AZ 84536
The View Hotel
The only hotel located inside the tribal park, where every single room features a private balcony looking directly out at the iconic Mittens buttes.
Indian Route 42, Oljato-Monument Valley, AZ 84536
Day 4 — Sedona
Slide Rock State Park
An apple orchard turned natural water park, featuring a slick sandstone slide that runs directly into Oak Creek's cool waters.
6871 AZ-89A, Sedona, AZ 86336
Chapel of the Holy Cross
An architectural marvel built directly into the red rock buttes, offering a serene, contemplative space with soaring canyon views.
780 Chapel Rd, Sedona, AZ 86336
L'Auberge de Sedona
A luxury creekside oasis tucked under a canopy of sycamore trees, surrounded by Sedona's glowing red cliffs.
301 L'Auberge Ln, Sedona, AZ 86336
Elote Cafe
Award-winning, refined Mexican street food and creative cocktails crafted from local, organic ingredients.
350 Jordan Rd, Sedona, AZ 86336
Day 5 — Sedona
Cathedral Rock Trail
Embark on an exhilarating scramble up Sedona's most famous sandstone cathedral to stand in the saddle between its giant red spires.
Backo-Beyond Rd, Sedona, AZ 86336
Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village
A beautiful, Spanish-colonial-style outdoor marketplace shaded by sycamore trees, home to local art galleries and craft shops.
336 AZ-179, Sedona, AZ 86336
Airport Mesa Sunset Viewpoint
An easily accessible mesa top that offers a spectacular 360-degree panorama of the Sedona red rocks glowing fiery crimson at sunset.
483 Airport Rd, Sedona, AZ 86336
Day 6 — Camp Verde
Montezuma Castle National Monument
Marvel at a remarkably preserved, 20-room high-rise apartment carved into a limestone cliff by the Sinagua people over 800 years ago.
Montezuma Castle Road, Camp Verde, AZ 86322
Desert Botanical Garden
Stroll past thousands of towering cacti, rare desert blooms, and native desert flora beautifully integrated into paved art-strewn trails.
1201 N Galvin Pkwy, Phoenix, AZ 85008
Barrio Café
Savor chef Silvana Salcido Esparza's legendary cochinita pibil and table-side guacamole in a vibrant, mural-clad urban setting.
2814 N 16th St, Phoenix, AZ 85006
The Hermosa Inn
Celebrate the end of your journey at this historic, upscale boutique hacienda built by legendary cowboy artist Lon Megargee.
5532 N Palo Cristi Rd, Paradise Valley, AZ 85253
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 Horizons road trip covers about 943 mi and roughly 18h 20m of driving, comfortably spread across about 6 days.
This itinerary maps out 23 stops from Boulder City, NV 89005 to Paradise Valley, AZ 85253. Highlights include Mather Point Sunrise, Lower Antelope Canyon Tour, and Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park Loop Drive.
It begins in Boulder City, NV 89005 and ends in Paradise Valley, AZ 85253, following a mapped, road-following route the whole way.
The estimated cost is around $2,251, 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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