Epic Southwest Road Trip: 4 Days Through Zion, Antelope Canyon, Grand Canyon & Las Vegas
- Tania Hird
- 4 days ago
- 6 min read
From soaring canyon walls to desert bends and neon lights, this 4-day itinerary takes you across some of the most breathtaking landscapes in the American Southwest. It’s a journey designed for memories that last a lifetime.
Day 1 — Los Angeles → Zion National Park
Drive approx. 2.5 hours from Los Angeles into Utah’s red-rock country. By afternoon, stretch your legs with one of Zion’s iconic short hikes:
Canyon Overlook Trail (about 1 hour, panoramic views) . This was sufficient in the scorching heat of the afternoon. We were rewarded with stunning views of the canyon below.
Watchman Trail (about 2 hours, closer look at sandstone cliffs)
Eat: We ate at Oscar’s Cafe in the Main Street of Zion . The restaurant is bright, packed and serves delicious Tex-Mex food with burgers and sandwiches The portion sizes wereq immense. Recommend!
Stay: Fairfield Inn & Suites Virgin Zion National Park One Camino Del Rio, Virgin, UT 84779, USA
Comments: You will need a Parks Canada Pass to enter national parks. A single-park pass is $35USD for seven days, or choose the annual pass for $85 USD. Both cover your whole vehicle. Buy online at parks.canada.ca/passes.
Day 2 — Zion Narrows Hike → Page (Horseshoe Bend)
Morning highlight: The Narrows hike.
We trekked the Virgin River, sometimes waist-deep, framed by towering canyon walls. Most hikers start bottom-up from the Temple of Sinawava—it gives you the flexibility to wade in just a little or push on for miles. If you’re moving at a steady pace, a round-trip journey to “Wall Street” (one of the narrowest, most dramatic sections) usually takes about 3–4 hours, while heading all the way to Big Springs and back can take 5–6 hours or more, depending on how many stops for photos or rest you make.
We hiked in for two hours and out for two hours, moving at a fast pace—or at least as fast as the water would allow us. Along the way we soaked in the beauty of nature at every turn, from towering sandstone cliffs to cool shadows dancing on the water. We paused where the two rivers meet, a spot where a smaller slot canyon feeds into the main gorge. It was an unforgettable walk where effort met wonder.
It is possible to walk to the start of the river on paved paths and still get a sense of the enormity . This hike is around 1 km in and back
Gear ; Zion Guru Outfitters (for Narrows gear rental: neoprene boots, socks, walking sticks, you can also get waterproof pants for colder weather )
Phone: +1 435-632-0432
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Afternoon: Horseshoe Bend
Approximately 2.5 hours drive takes you to Page, Arizona. Take the short 15-minute walk to Horseshoe Bend from the carpark , a dramatic natural wonder where the Colorado River sweeps in a near-perfect curve around a massive sandstone escarpment. We weren’t expecting much, but the scale is astonishing—standing at the rim, 1,000 feet above the river, you can see why it’s one of the Southwest’s most photographed viewpoints. Many recommend visiting at sunset, when the colors shift across the cliffs and water for an even more breathtaking view. It’s spectacular at any time of the day .
Helpful hint: arrive a little early, as the path and lookout can get very crowded during peak hours. Safety note: the edge is largely unprotected, so take care with children and when setting up for photos. $10 US per vehicle to park
Stay: Hyatt Place Page/Lake Powell
1126 N. Navajo Dr, Page, AZ 86040
Day 3 — Page → Grand Canyon (Tusayan)
Morning: Guided Via Ferrata climb at Antelope Ridge Adventure Park (approx. 2 hours)
This was a sensational activity—seeing the slot canyon from the inside in a way you simply can’t from the rim. Our guides were friendly, very experienced, and made us feel safe throughout, adjusting the challenge to suit our party’s comfort, and increasing difficulty where desired. Imagine scaling sheer sandstone rock faces, squeezing through narrow canyons, rappelling down cliff faces, and climbing with the help of fixed iron rungs and footholds—all while securely strapped to safety wires. There was exhilaration in every step, the crunch of your boots on the rock, and views that seemed to emerge out of a dream. We very much recommend this tour.
Note: It’s also possible to visit Upper or Lower Antelope Canyon if the Via Ferrata isn’t for you. These guided tours (with Navajo guides) allow you to explore the iconic slot-canyon formations and light plays that have made the area famous—gentler but no less breathtaking.
Activity Contact: Antelope Ridge Adventure Park (Via Ferrata)Website: anteloperidge.com
Afternoon: Grand Canyon
Drive approx. 2.5 hours to the Grand Canyon South Rim (Tusayan). You could choose from these hikes:
Rim Trail (30–90 minutes, easy)
South Kaibab to Ooh Aah Point (1.5–2 hours, steep but rewarding)
Bright Angel lower switchbacks (1–2 hours, classic canyon views)
We chose the rim hike and were rewarded with spectacular views . We walked 5 km one way and then back but there is also a shuttle bus running between the points so you can walk further one way and return by shuttle if you are happy to wait for the shuttle.
Stay: Holiday Inn at the Squire Grand Canyon
74 Hwy 64, Tusayan, AZ 86023, USA.
Activity Contact: Antelope Ridge Adventure Park (Via Ferrata experience – ladders and cables with sweeping views) Website: anteloperidge.com
Comments: You’ll need a Parks Canada Pass to enter national parks. A single-park pass is $35 USD for seven days, or choose the annual pass for $85 USD, which covers your whole vehicle for all parks . Buy online at parks.canada.ca/passes.
Activity Contact: Grand Canyon Visitor Center (South Rim) – maps, weather updates, and trail guidanceWebsite: nps.gov/grca
Day 4 — Grand Canyon → Las Vegas with stops
We departed Grand Canyon South Rim in the morning to ensure we would have a good amount of time in Las Vegas. It is a scenic road trip with two classic Route 66 stops and a stop at the Hoover Dam. If you love “ Cars” the movie or would enjoy some “Americana” stops the first two towns are for you!
Seligman (approx. 1 hr 30 min)
Kingman (approx. 1 hr)
Hoover Dam Memorial Bridge Overlook (approx. 1 hr)
“Cars” the movie is actually modelled on these first two towns . Motels, diners, signposts, even a Santa Fee Train await. A fun stop off
The Hoover Dam is a masterpiece of engineering and the stop from the overlook takes you to the memorial bridge for epic views. You do have the option to go to the visitors center however we decided on the overlook. It’s free , still has information and allows you to continue quickly onto Las Vegas
Arrive Las Vegas mid-afternoon.
Las Vegas has a multitude of free and pricey entertainment. We elected to include the following
Bellagio Fountains . These restart every 30 minutes and are gorgeous . Take the time to enter the Conservatory as there is a stunning display of flowers.
Venetian canals . Again go into the main part of the hotel to see gondolas weaving throughout.
The Sphere . There is an atrium/robot tour if you can time your arrival between shows. Otherwise it lights up the skyline from many vantage points.
Cirque du Soleil “Michael Jackson ONE” at Mandalay Bay (6:30 pm show) This show combined the brilliance of Cirque de Soleil with the incredible music and dance moves of Michael Jackson.
New York–New York. This hotel has an optional roller coaster and Hershey’s world of chocolate.
Wynn Lake of Dreams show runs from 9 pm+
Stay: Paris Las Vegas Hotel & Casino
3655 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109
Activity Contact: Michael Jackson ONE by Cirque du Soleil (Mandalay Bay)
✨ Four days, four highlights: Zion’s slot canyons, Page’s desert cliffs, the Grand Canyon’s vast expanse, and the glowing Strip of Las Vegas. A road trip that blends adventure, beauty, and unforgettable moments.