Grand Circle Road Trip: 14-Day Itinerary

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The American Southwest was made for road trips, and few routes capture its magic quite like the Grand Circle. Over two weeks, this itinerary lets you slow down and experience the region more deeply, exploring six national parks – including all of Utah’s Mighty 5 – while leaving time for longer hikes, guided adventures, and quiet moments between destinations.

Designed as a scenic clockwise loop, the journey covers roughly 1,350 miles and offers an immersive look at the Southwest’s most spectacular landscapes. Along the way, stay close to the parks with upscale glamping for comfort in nature.

Here’s your guide to planning the perfect 14-day Grand Circle Road Trip.

14-Day Grand Circle Road Trip in Utah and Arizona

This 14-day/13-night adventure begins and ends in Las Vegas, Nevada. You can start anywhere along the route, but Las Vegas offers easy access for air travel and car rentals.

14-Day Grand Circle Road Trip Snapshot

Total distance: 1,350 miles

Start/end point: Las Vegas

Best time to go: Late spring (May–early June) or early fall (September–October)

Day 1: Arrive in Las Vegas and Drive to Zion

Drive time: 2.5 hours | Distance: 160 miles

Fly into Las Vegas (LAS) and pick up a rental car to make the scenic drive to Springdale, Utah – the gateway to Zion National Park.

Stop at Valley of Fire State Park, known for its colorful Aztec sandstone formations, petrified trees, and ancient petroglyphs. Kick off your adventure with the 1.5-mile Fire Wave hike for striking views.

For more roadside stops, check out our road trip guide from Las Vegas to Zion.

Check in at Under Canvas Zion for two nights of safari-inspired glamping near the park’s entrance. After a travel day, it’s the perfect place to unwind, enjoy dinner with red rock views, and toast to the start of your adventure.

Day 2: Explore Zion National Park

With two days in Zion, you can explore Zion Canyon’s towering red cliffs, check off bucket-list hikes, and venture into quieter Kolob Canyon.

From March through November, the only way to get around Zion Canyon is via the free park shuttle or bike rentals. Park at the Zion Canyon Visitor Center or in Springdale and ride into the canyon.

If Angel’s Landing is on your agenda, secure a permit and plan your day around the hike. If you’re eyeing The Narrows, head to the Temple of Sinawava (shuttle stop #9) and follow the 1-mile paved Riverside Walk to the trail’s entrance. From there, this bucket-list hike wades through the Virgin River, surrounded by towering canyon walls.

Another option is the Emerald Pools hike. After crossing the river on a footbridge, the 3-mile round-trip trail climbs to a sandstone amphitheater with three pools: Lower, Middle, and Upper, where you can see hanging gardens.

Unwind with acoustic music, fireside s’mores, and stargazing at Under Canvas Zion.

Day 3: Zion’s Kolob Canyon

Spend your second day exploring the quieter side of Zion at Kolob Canyons, located in the northwest section of the park. The 5-mile Kolob Canyons Scenic Drive winds past crimson cliffs and dramatic canyon overlooks with fewer crowds than Zion Canyon. Stop at viewpoints along the route or stretch your legs on short trails like the Timber Creek Overlook for sweeping views.

Book a guided adventure, such as a Via Ferrata, where you’ll combine hiking with climbing canyon walls using fixed cables and ladders, or saddle up for a horseback ride through Zion’s desert landscape. Both offer a memorable way to experience Zion beyond hiking and driving.

Day 4: Zion to Bryce Canyon

Drive time: 2 hours | Distance: 84 miles

With two days in Bryce Canyon Country, you can see the park’s highlights and take in its otherworldly rock formations from every angle.

Take the scenic Zion–Mt. Carmel Highway through a historic tunnel carved into the cliffs on your way to Bryce. There are plenty of worthy stops on the drive from Zion to Bryce.

Check in at Under Canvas Bryce Canyon, just 15 minutes from Bryce Canyon National Park. Consider joining a half-day private sightseeing tour in the afternoon to learn more about the park’s hoodoos and to take in the best views of the Bryce Amphitheater from the Rim Trail. Claim a spot at Sunset Point or Inspiration Point to watch the sunset.

Day 5: Bryce Canyon

Savor a slow morning, having breakfast surrounded by high-desert juniper forest before heading into the park.

Hike the 3-mile Queen’s Garden / Navajo Loop to descend into the canyon among the hoodoos or the 8-mile Fairyland Loop along the plateau rim.

If you want to give your feet a break, book a guided adventure, like a UTV or e-bike tour. Along the way, guides share insights about the region’s geology and history while leading you through remote terrain that few visitors get to see.

End the day with stargazing inside this International DarkSky Park. Check with the visitor center for ranger-led programming.

Day 6: Bryce Canyon to Capitol Reef

Drive time: 2.5 hours | Distance: 116 miles

Drive Utah’s Scenic Byway 12 (UT-12), a designated All-American Road that’s considered one of the most scenic drives in the U.S.

Capitol Reef National Park is a sprawling landscape of cliffs, domes, and desert valleys, with plenty of hikes and fewer crowds than other parks. Start at the visitor center, pick up a map, and learn about the park’s history (including how it got its name) before heading out on the 7.9-mile Capitol Reef Scenic Drive.

Stop at the historic Gifford Homestead, about a mile south of the visitor center. The Gifford House is typically open from March 14 (Pi Day) through late November and is famous for its fresh pies – a great place to grab a snack.

Along Highway 24, walk the wooden boardwalk to view ancient petroglyphs. If you’re looking to stretch your legs further, hike part of the 4.4-mile Grand Wash Trail, an easy route through a canyon with towering walls that narrow down to just 16 feet in places.

End the day by checking in at a hotel in nearby Torrey, Utah.

Day 7: Capitol Reef to Moab

Drive time: 2 hours | Distance: 136 miles

En route to Moab, stop at Dead Horse Point State Park for one of the most dramatic overlooks in the Southwest. From Dead Horse Point Overlook, you’ll see the Colorado River winding nearly 2,000 feet below through a maze of red rock canyons, making for a breathtaking intro to the landscapes around Moab. It’s a photographer’s paradise.

Settle into Under Canvas Moab for three nights. Spend the rest of the day unwinding with s’mores around the fire, games, and star-filled skies.

Day 8: Arches National Park

Head to Arches National Park and follow the 36-mile round-trip Arches Scenic Drive to spot hundreds of natural arches and rock formations like Balanced Rock, the Windows Section, and Delicate Arch. Plan to spend about 5–6 hours exploring viewpoints and taking short hikes, like to Delicate Arch (the symbol of Utah) or Landscape Arch, one of the longest natural arches in the world.

Pack a healthy grab ‘n go lunch from Under Canvas Moab to maximize your time inside the park and stick around for sunset.

Day 9: Canyonlands National Park

Venture to Canyonlands National Park, which is about a 40-minute drive from downtown Moab. Focus on the Island in the Sky District, where you’ll see a dramatically different landscape carved by the Colorado and Green Rivers. Don’t miss Mesa Arch (it’s a wonder at sunrise) and enjoy a spectacular sunset at Grand View Point.

Day 10: Moab to Lake Powell

Drive time: 4.5 hours | Distance: 290 miles

Enjoy an early breakfast before hitting the road. Drive south for a change of scenery, with a detour into Monument Valley for one of the most cinematic landscapes in the American West before arriving at Lake Powell.

Check in at Under Canvas Lake Powell–Grand Staircase for two nights.

Spend the afternoon at Lone Rock Beach or take a guided boat tour from Wahweap Marina to soak in views from the water. Return to camp for al fresco dining above a slot canyon and an evening beneath the stars.

Day 11: Lake Powell and/or Antelope Canyon

Spend the day exploring the landscapes around Lake Powell and Glen Canyon. One of the area’s most popular experiences is visiting Antelope Canyon, a narrow slot canyon known for its beams of light that filter down into the canyon. Guided tours are required and depart from nearby Page, AZ.

If you prefer to spend more time on the water, rent a boat for the day from Wahweap Marina, or simply relax at Lone Rock Beach. It’s a perfect day to slow down and enjoy this oasis in the desert before continuing your Grand Circle journey.

Day 12: Lake Powell to the Grand Canyon’s South Rim

Drive time: 3 hours | Distance: 144 miles

And for the grand finale of your Grand Circle Road Trip – the Grand Canyon!

Just 30 minutes into the drive, stop at Horseshoe Bend for views high above the Colorado River. The overlook (and Instagram spot) is reached via an easy 1.5-mile round-trip walk along a paved path.

If time and energy allow, enter the Grand Canyon’s South Rim entrance and stop by the visitor center for an introduction to the park. Then head to the 13-mile South Rim Trail for breathtaking views of this natural wonder. Walk as much or as little as you like, stopping at popular viewpoints.

Check in at Under Canvas Grand Canyon, just 25 minutes from the entrance, and get settled in for an evening beneath the stars at this DarkSky resort.

Day 13: Grand Canyon South Rim

Fuel up with a delicious breakfast before heading to the South Rim.

Start in Grand Canyon Village to learn about the park’s history. Stop by the Yavapai Museum of Geology for sweeping canyon views and exhibits, then follow the nearby Trail of Time. This interpretive path tells the canyon’s geological story step by step.

If you’d like to venture into the canyon, hike a short section of the Bright Angel Trail. For more dramatic views, the 1.8-mile round-trip South Kaibab Trail to Ooh Aah Point is another great option, but it is steeper than the Bright Angel Trail.

Alternatively, take the 23-mile Desert View Drive east from Grand Canyon Village for a scenic route with multiple overlooks along the South Rim.

End the day with sunset along the South Rim Trail, where viewpoints like Mather Point and Yavapai Point offer unforgettable canyon views.

Depart from Las Vegas

Drive time: 4.5 hours | Distance: 280 miles

The Grand Circle Road Trip brings you full circle with a scenic drive back to Las Vegas for your return flight. Along the way, consider making a short stop at Hoover Dam to admire this National Historic Landmark, where the Colorado River is held back to form Lake Mead.

Tips for the Grand Circle Road Trip

• America the Beautiful Pass: An annual pass covers entrance to national parks and quickly pays for itself on this itinerary.
• Timed Entry Requirements: Check the National Park Service website for reservation, timed-entry, and permit requirements.
• Shuttles: Zion Canyon has a mandatory shuttle in peak season. Check with the NPS for map routes and times.
• Desert Essentials: Pack snacks, plenty of water, and sun protection to stay comfortable during warm desert days.
• Fuel & Cell Service: Gas stations are limited between Bryce, Moab, Lake Powell, and the Grand Canyon. Fill up when you can and download offline maps.
• Stay & Save: Staying at two or more Under Canvas camps gets you 20% off your multi-camp stay. Contact the reservations team at 888-496-1148 or reservations@undercanvas.com.

Where to Stay on the Grand Circle Road Trip

Immerse yourself in the great outdoors with safari-inspired glamping on the Grand Circle of Under Canvas locations throughout Utah and Arizona. Comfort meets nature with stylish canvas tents, upscale amenities, optional en suite bathrooms, cozy king-size beds, dining, and campfire traditions. Enjoy daily camp programming for all ages, nightly s’mores, and guided adventures for an unparalleled experience in nature.

BOOK YOUR STAY

For shorter trips, explore our 5-day and 7-day Grand Circle Road Trip itineraries.