10 Day Arizona To Utah Road Trip Itinerary You Will Love

Save to Find It Later!

Are you having a hard time choosing between Arizona and Utah? We absolutely understand. Arizona and Utah are two states we love dearly. We’ve been to many national parks, cities and smaller towns and areas across the two states and have unforgettable memories.

In this post, we’ve gathered our extensive travel experience in the states to craft the ultimate 10 day road trip between Utah and Arizona. This is one of our four Arizona to Utah road trip itineraries.

Overview of the route

• Total distance: 1127 miles/1813 km
• Driving time: 20 hours
• Pace: Moderate
• Departure: Phoenix
• Arrival: Las Vegas (Option A), Salt Lake City (Option C) or back to Phoenix (Option B)
• What you’ll see: Mostly National Parks and Recreational Areas including canyons and famous landmarks like Monument Valley
• Ideal for: Couples looking for a Phoenix to Utah road trip that they can turn into a 10 day adventure. This is the ideal itinerary to include in a road trip across the USA as well. 

10 day Utah Arizona road trip map

Day 1: Phoenix, Sedona & Red Rock State Park

• Phoenix to Sedona: 2h, 116miles/187km
• Sedona to Flagstaff: 48min, 30miles/48km

As this is the first day of your Arizona Utah road trip itinerary, you may arrive to Phoenix in the morning, afternoon or even the day before depending on your flight. That’s why this day is a light driving day and can be kept quite flexible.

Once you’ve landed, pick up your rental car and start driving to Sedona. Contrary to popular belief, Sedona is not a national park though it is a worthy spot to visit! It’s actually so beautiful that it is often mentioned as one of the best Arizona road trip ideas!

Morning & Afternoon: Sedona & Red Rock State Park

You can buy this low-budget self-guided Sedona tour on your phone to bring with you during your trip. It will tell you about each of the following stops while you’re in the park.  

Cathedral Rock trail

Your first stop in Sedona is the Cathedral Rock trail. This trail is recognised as one of the most iconic trails in Sedona as it delivers panoramic views of the valley.

The hike is about 1.2 miles/1,93km round trip and takes about one to two hours to complete. The elevation is 700 feet/214m but the trail is rated as moderate. This is a popular trail so you will most likely not be alone on it. That said, you do need to be a bit fit for this hike as it involves a couple of steep climbs and climbing over rocks in a couple of spots. The trail ends at a saddle where you have gorgeous views on the valley but also on the red rock formation that is shaped as a cathedral.

To get there, you have to options. The first option is to park directly at the parking lots on Back O Beyond Road. Here, there is room for about 45 cars which remains small and usually fill up very quickly in the summer. If you plan on parking there, it’s best to arrive before 7am, which, depending on the time of your flight, might not be possible. Instead, you can try the second option which is to take the Sedona shuttle. you’ll have to park at the SR 179 Park and Ride and take the free shuttle which operates from 8am to 6:30am. This option is the one we recommend.

Time recommended: 2 hours

Budget: Red Rock Pass for $5

Devil’s Bridge, one of the most popular Arizona road trip attractions

Located in the Coconut National Forest, the Devil’s Bridge is one of, if not THE, most popular spots in Sedona. This gorgeous orange arch stands 54 feet/16m tall and is about 45 feet/14m long. This is actually quite a short hike as it is only 2 miles/3.2km long and takes about one hour. Although a short hike, the view it delivers at this end is spectacular! 

A couple of things to note include to expect being surrounded by a lot of people and to be careful as the bridge is pretty thin and accidents happen fast. The hike is also classified as moderate.

To get there, we recommend taking the free Sedona shuttle. You can take any shuttle for Route 11 or Route 12 from the Posse Grounds Park and Ride and get off at the Dry Creek Trailhead.

Time recommended: 1h30min

Budget: Red Rock Pass for $5

Airport Mesa Scenic Drive

This drive is one of the best of Sedona as it lead to 360° views of the region. From the lookout, you’ll see Thunder Mountain, Ship rock, Chimney Rock and many others. The drive is quite short and takes about 5 minutes. From Highway 89, you’ll want to turn right on Airport Drive and go up the hill to the mesa. Halfway up, you’ll come across one of Sedna’s vortex which is thought to be a centre of energy. You can take a Vortex Jeep Tour here to discover all Sedona’s secret energies!

Time recommended: 30min

Budget: Free

Oak Creek Canyon

To finish exploring Sedona, we suggest heading to Oak Creek Canyon. We only recommend doing a section of the drive as you could spend all day exploring. You’ll have to take Arizona State Route 89A which descends into the colourful canyon. Before you head down, don’t forget to stop at the Oak Creek Canyon Lookout to see the view from above!

Time recommended: 1 hour of driving down and back

Budget: Free

End of the day: Drive to Flagstaff

Flagstaff is located on a section of iconic Route 66. Depending on how much time you have once you arrive in Flagstaff, you can take very informative tours of the Riordan Mansion or the Lowell Observatory. Alternatively, you can wander around the town for the rest of the evening. 

There are also a few tours you can take in Flagstaff to discover the town:

• Take a Segway Guided tour of Flagstaff
• Go on a Flagstaff Stargazing and Astrophotography Experience
• Take a Haunted Walking Tour of Flagstaff

Day 2: Grand Canyon National Park (North Rim) & Horseshoe Bend

• Flagstaff to Grand Canyon: 3h41mon, 208miles/335km
• Grand Canyon to Horseshoe Bend: 2h13, 120miles/193km
• Horseshoe Bend to Page: 9min, 4.4miles/7km
• Warning: heavy driving day
• Recommended departure time: 7am

Day 2 is the beginning go the Grand Canyon to Utah section of this road trip. This is also the beginning of the Arizona and Utah National Parks road trip section of this itinerary. Day 2 is a heavy driving day but the views and incredible experiences at the Grand Canyon will be totally worth it!

Morning: Drive to & visit Grand Canyon National Park, one of the best Utah road trip national parks

The Grand Canyon is one of the most stunning national parks on your Arizona to Utah road trip. It is famous for its huge layered rock formations in the red and orange colours. The Canyon is home to the Colorado River at the very bottom. The main viewpoints on the South Rim to observe this geological masterpiece are Mather Point, Hopi Point and Shoshone Point. However, the South Rim is quite far south from the natural development of the road trip so we would recommend focusing on the North Rim which reduces the driving time considerably. On the North Rim, you’ll want to check Bright Angel Point, Coconino overlook, and North Kaibab Trailhead.

Note that the North Rim is usually closed from October to May.

Time recommended: 2h

Budget: $35 per car 

Afternoon: Horseshoe Bend in Glen Canyon

Your next stop on this road trip from Arizona to Utah is Horseshoe Bend. Although it is often thought to be part of the Grand Canyon, Horseshoe Bend is actually part of Glen Canyon and right on the road towards the West. This gorgeous rock formation is located in the Colorado River and is shaped as a horseshoe making for some of the best views in the West. The Glen Canyon Dam is also one of the main landmarks to see in the area. It’s especially beautiful at the end of the day during golden hour.

Time recommended: 1h

Budget: $10 per car for parking

End of the day: Drive to and visit Page

Your last stop on Day 2 is the town of Page. The main attractions in the municipality of Page are actually the ones listed above so there aren’t too many things to in the town itself. We would recommend enjoying your evening at Horseshoe Bend and heading to Page for dinner, but there is no need to head to Page earlier. 

Day 3: Page, Lake Powell & Antelope Canyon 

• Page to Lake Powell: 9min, 3.8miles/6.11km
• Lake Powell to Antelope Canyon: 27min, 14miles/23km
• Antelope Canyon to Bluff: 2h32, 166miles/267km
• Recommended departure time: 8-9am

Morning: Lake Powell & Glen Canyon Recreational Area

The New Wave

The New Wave is located just East of Lake Powell in the Glen Canyon Recreational Area. It is a giant ocher coloured rock formations with strides that is shaped as a wave. The hike is about 1.25 miles/2km round trip and takes about one hour to complete. It is a hike that is classified as easy so it’s perfect whether you’re a hiking enthusiast or you just want to chill with gorgeous views.

To reach the New Wave, you’ll have to park at the Beehive Campground. From there, you’ll need to follow the path that is demarcated by rocks on each side. Once you get to the spot where the path forks, you’ll have to head right through the striated outcrops. Continuing along a lot of different rock formations, you’ll end up at the New Wave recognisable by the two buttes and the red and orange colours. The trail loops back to the parking lot.

Time recommended: 1h

Budget: Free

Glen Canyon Dam

Glen Canyon was built in 1964 and retains water which creates Lake Powell, a man-made reservoir. The arched dam is 1,560 feet/475m long and between 25 and 300 feet (8 to 91m) wide depending on the area. You can take a tour of the dam that takes about 45 minutes, to learn more about its construction and history. One of the best lookouts on Glen Canyon Dam is locate doff Highway 89. 

You can also see Glen Canyon, the Dam, Lake Powel and Horseshoe Bend by air on this 30 minute aerial flight which is quite fun and gives you a different grandiose perspective.

Time recommended: 2h

Budget: $5 per person for the tour + $25 per vehicle to enter Glen Canyon Recreational Area

Alternative for the whole morning: Rainbow Bridge National Monument

Rainbow Bridge National Monument is a sandstone bridge standing at 290 feet/88m and 270/82m feet wide.  It is one of the largest natural bridges in the world and is definitely a must-see on your Arizona to Utah Road Trip. More than just being a geological point of interest, it is also a sacred site to Native American Nations. 

There are no roads that lead to Rainbow Bridge so you will need to either rent a boat or book a boat tour. The other option is to hike to the bridge but that’s a 32 mile/51km round trip experience that we just wouldn’t do (lol). Hiking to Rainbow Bridge also requires a permit.

You can rent a boat at the Wahweap Marina or the Bullfrog Marina which are both located about 50 miles/80km from Rainbow Bridge. All together, you’ll need about 3 to 4 hours to get there and back without counting the time on site. If you’re interested in visiting Rainbow Bridge, we would recommend making it your entire morning activity. If you go with a tour, it is an all day excursion from Wahweap Marina. Note also that if lake levels are two low, you’ll need to hike the end of the journey. 

Time recommended: Half Day to Full Day

Budget: About $130 per person for a tour, about $500 for a powerboat rental. 

Afternoon: Lower and Upper Antelope Canyon

Antelope Canyon Upper 

Your next stop for Day 3 is Upper Antelope Canyon. There are two Antelope Canyons, one is upper and one is lower. The most famous and accessible one is Upper Antelope Canyon though they are pretty similar when it comes to colours and rock formations. A third one recently opened called Canyon X.

You’ll first have to hop on the back of a truck that drives you to the canyon. As this is a popular one, there are usually several trucks going there at the same time. Then you’ll follow your guide into the canyon to discover those beautiful ocher rock formations. Don’t forget to use our captions to share about your Antelope Canyon adventure on social media.

Time recommended: 2h

Budget: $8 per person for entry to the Park and $37 per person for the canyon visit. We recommend booking your tickets through one of the tour operators directly as tickets will be cheaper than on other websites, see here. 

Antelope Canyon Lower

Lower Antelope Canyon is less famous but also smaller than Upper Antelope Canyon. It’s also less busy which is nice if you’re trying to get away from the crowds. You’ll have to go down a few staircases inside the canyon to get to the bottom of it. There you’ll enjoy the beauty of the daylight beaming against the ocher colours. The whole visit is on foot and due to the stairs, ti’s not accessible to people with reduced mobility. It’s also the only Antelope Canyon section you can possibly visit without a guide.

Time recommended: 2h

Budget: $8 per person for entry to the Park (only need to pay this once for both canyons) and $28 per person for the canyon visit. We recommend booking your tickets through one of the tour operators directly as tickets will be cheaper than on other websites, see here.

An alternative to these two canyons is the new Canyon X. It’s a gem and can also be cheaper depending on when you book!

End of the day: Drive to Bluff

Day 4 of your road trip from Arizona to Utah: Monument Valley & Valley of Gods

• Bluff to Monument Valley: 1h, 49miles/79km
• Monument Valley to Valley of the Gods: 1h, 37miles/59km
• Valley of the Gods to Moab: 2h17, 122miles/196km
• Recommended departure time: 4am

On Day 4 of this 10 day Utah Arizona road trip itinerary, we are taking you to one of my (Marie) favourite places in the whole world: Monument Valley. My visit to Monument was quite incredible and marked me forever. As you’ll see below, I went horseback riding at sunrise with a Navajo guide and it was an unforgettable experience on all levels. I felt such a strong feeling of connection, and freedom that I haven’t stopped recommending the experience since! Day 4 holds some of the best adventures on this Phoenix to Moab road trip! 

Morning: Horseback riding in Monument Valley at sunrise for unforgettable memories

Horseback riding in Monument Valley, a incredible memory on your Arizona to Utah road trip

Lots of Arizona to Utah road trips are happening each year, but this activity will definitely make yours unique and memorable. To start this second day off right, we recommend that you go on a romantic Utah horseback ride date in Monument Valley, which is close to the Utah/Arizona border. You can find our tips to watch the best Monument Valley sunrise here.

Our experience was incredible from start to finish. This is a true and authentic activity that took me a while to even integrate as part of my travel experiences. When we went horseback riding through Monument Valley, we chose to do it at sunrise which meant we had the whole place to ourselves before cars and tourist crowds showed up. We rode with a Navajo guide called Adel who was amazing and taught us so much about the Navajo land. He made us gallop through Monument Valley while the sun was slowly going up and it was just an amazing feeling of peace and freedom I had never felt before. 

An alternative to horseback riding through Monument Valley is driving the 17 mile/27km loop. Know that you can drive the loop with any car when the weather is dry. However, Monument Valley is subject to thunder and rain and the roads can get flooded and muddy. Cars regularly get stuck down there so we wouldn’t recommend doing the loop if the roads aren’t dry. 

Time recommended: 1h30

Budget: $80 per person for horseback riding and $8 per person for driving the loop. 

Monument Valley & Visitor Centre

Your next stop is Monument Valley Visitor Centre. This is probably one of the most beautiful visitor centres you’ll ever see in your life as it provides one of the best views on Monument Valley’s main location. From here, you’ll have a direct and symmetrical view of the park including on Merrick Butte, East Mitten Butte and Mitten Butte. In the back, on your right, you’ll see Elephant Butte, Cly Butte and Camel Butte while on the left, you’ll see Sentinel Mesa, Stagecoach and Bear Butte and Rabbit and Castle Butte. So many of them and so much peace you’ll feel while looking at this incredible landscape. 

Time recommended: 1h

Budget: Free

Best view of Monument Valley

We have lots to say about Monument Valley and several viewpoints to recommend. However, one viewpoint you definitely shouldn’t miss is Highway 163. The good news is you won’t, since this is the way you’ll be leaving the site. 

As you drive away from Monument Valley, you’ll be able to decide for yourself which is the spot that you prefer. No matter where you stop, you’ll be able to see the iconic skyline of Monument Valley stunning rock formations by looking back. 

Time recommended: 30min

Budget: Free

Afternoon: Valley of the Gods

Valley of the Gods is a scenic area where you can observe large sandstone rock formations similar to Monument Valley’s. As it’s on your way to Moab, you might as well stop for a couple of hours! 

Some of the main orange and red geological formations include Castle Butte, Battleship Rock and Lady in the Bathtub.

To discover the Valley of the Gods, you’ll have to drive a 17 miles/27km loop from the East Entrance on Highway 163. You can check the mileage for every viewpoint here.

Note that the road isn’t paved. It is made of gravel and clay which works well for cars when the weather is dry. However, if it has been raining, you should check the weather and road conditions here. 

Time recommended: 2h

Budget: Free

End of the day: Drive to Moab 

At the end of the day, head on a two hour drive to the city of Moab. Moab is a popular adventurous spot as it is closed to Monument Valley, Canyonlands National Park and Arches National Park. If you have time, you can check Moab Museum or the Tom Till Gallery to see some art about Utah. 

Day 5: Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park for a memorable southwest road trip

• Moab to Canyonlands: 35min, 30miles/48km
• Canyonlands to Arches National Park: 30min, 26miles/42km
• Arches National Park to Green River: 46min, 47miles/76km
• Recommended departure time: 8am or earlier if you want to spend some time along in Arches NP
• Light Driving Day

Morning: Arches National Park, one fo the best parks to add to your Utah Arizona national parks itinerary

Arches National Park is one of the most gorgeous parks to add on your Arizona to Utah road trip. Although you could easily spend a day or two in the park exploring every nooks and crannies, for the purpose of seeing as much as possible, we recommend staying for a half day. 

If you are a morning person, we highly recommend heading to Arches National Park for sunrise! You can use our detailed Arches National Park sunrise guide to find the best sunrise spots!

When driving towards Arches National Park, you will start seeing the stunning orange coloured rock formations bordering the road. This is quite the scenic arrival! In Arches, we recommend seeing the following:

• Double Arch: Truly one that is not to miss, this double arch stands tall and is one of the main landmarks of the park. It’s an easy 0.6 miles/0.9km trail to the arch. there you can explore between the two arches and take lots of photos! 
• Balanced Rock Loop Trail: This is a 0.5km loop trail that takes you to a huge boulder that looks like it is balanced on a spire shaped rock formation. At the end of the trail, you’ll get a stunning view on the rock but also on the Windows Section and the La Sal Mountains. 
• Landscape Arch Trail: This is a 3.1km there and back trail which is easy and takes about 49 minutes to complete. This trail takes you to a giant thin arch while you’re surrounded by big boulders. There is a water refill station at the beginning of the trail so you can bring you reusable water bottle and fill it up here.

You can choose to do all three of these points or do less and spend more time at each, it is up to you and depends on your traveling style! While you go around to each arch, you can use this self-guided tour to learn about each arch.

If you don’t mind getting up early, we recommend this tour to discover Arches National Park at sunrise. This is a gorgeous way to explore the park before all the crowds show up. 

Alternatively, we highly recommend doing one of the best jeep tours from Moab for our most adventurous couples! These are super fun and definitely unique!

Time recommended: All Morning

Budget: $30 per vehicle

Afternoon: Canyonlands National Park

The Canyonlands National Park is home to similar huge and large sandstones as Monument Valley. The park offers some of the best views near Moab. One spot you should visit here is Island of Sky which is a plateau that overlooks the surrounding buttes and canyons. The White rim Overlook trail, the Grand View Point trail, and the Mesa Arch trail are all easy and short hikes (under an hour each) you can take to discover and explore the park. 

The Green River Overlook, located halfway through Canyonlands National Park, is one of the best spots for sunset! 

Time recommended: All Afternoon

Budget: $30 per vehicle

Day 6: Goblin Valley State Park, Twin Rocks & Capitol Reef National Park

• Green River to Goblin Valley State Park: 50min, 50miles/80km
• Goblin Valley State Park to Twin rocks: 1h23, 73miles/117km
• Twin Rocks to Capitol Reef National Park: 9min, 5.8miles/9km
• Capitol Reef National Park to Torrey: 2min
• Recommended departure time: 8-9am

Morning: Goblin Valley State Park

A mix between Monument Valley and Bryce Canyon, Goblin Valley State Park is a must see on your way to Capitol Reef National Park. With hoodoos and goblins, these orange coloured layered rock formations, the park is quite unique and still flying a bit under the radar.

As you’ll have limited time in the park, here is what we recommend. First, stop by the Observation Point to get a panoramic view of the park. Second, head to Valley 3 which is known for having the best hoodoos to explore. With lots of caves, nooks and crannies, you can also climb to the top of the hills. You can wander around the valley freely which is quite nice! If you’d like, you can then go on a hike at the Three Sisters. 

Time recommended: 3h

Budget: $20 per vehicle

On the way: Navajo Twin Rocks

The Navajo Twins are located in the small town of Bluff in Utah. They are essentially two almost identical rock formations standing next to each other looking like twins. 

Time recommended: 15min

Budget: Free

Afternoon: Capitol Reef National Park

Capitol Reef National Park is one of the “Big 5” in Utah but still majorly flies under the radar. As it was the last national park in Utah to get paved roads, it hasn’t been as advertised as Bryce or Zion National Parks. This means the park is generally quieter than those most popular ones, although it is just as beautiful.

Capitol Reef National Park is actually a nice mix between Zion and Bryce. With orange sandstones and greenery, part of the park resembles Zion while the other part, made of ocher-coloured canyons and buttes resembles Bryce Canyon more. 

Two hikes you can choose from are the Hickman Bridge Hike which is great at the end of the day as it offers gorgeous views on the park at golden hour, or the Tanks Hike which takes you across the ocher coloured rock formations and undulating waterpockets. The Hickman Bridge Hike is easy and takes about 1.5 hours to complete while the Tanks trail takes about one hour to complete. 

We recommend booking this self guided audio tour that will help you know what you’re looking at during your time in Capitol Reef. 

Time recommended: Rest of the day

Budget: $20 per vehicle

Day 7: Bryce Canyon National Park, one of the best canyons in Arizona and Utah

• Torrey to Bryce Canyon: 2h, 109miles/175km
• Bryce Canyon to Kanab: 1h27, 79miles/127km
• Recommended departure time: 9am

One of the best National Parks in Utah and Arizona to include to your itinerary is Bryce Canyon National Park. Known as a must-see on a Utah big 5 road trip, it’s equally a must to add it on your way to Utah from Arizona. 

Bryce Canyon was one of the most surprising stop on our USA West Coast road trip. If you think you’ve seen everything canyon related after the Grand Canyon, you’re wrong!

Bryce Canyon is a breathtaking place that will make you feel extremely small and that will remind you of what planet earth and nature can do.

There are a number of viewpoints to stop at in Bryce Canyon. Rainbow and Yovimpa Points are located at the south of the Canyon and provide stunning views from the Pink Cliffs to the Vermillion Cliffs. Natural Bridge is another point where you can see arches made by erosion from the rain and the wind into the canyon. Bryce Point is a viewpoint over Bryce Canyon amphitheater and the start of a couple of trails. We wouldn’t recommend embarking on a full trail as they can take several days to complete. However, you can walk for 5 minutes just to get into the canyon a bit more. 

Finally, Sunrise and Sunset Points are located on the north side of the canyon and deliver stunning views on a rock formation called Thor’s Hammer due to its shape. This spot is great at the end of the day especially! 

Pink Cliffs, located more south, is essentially another viewpoint with incredible views on the layered pink rock formations. Standing here will make you feel so small yet so free!

All together, Bryce Canyon is an absolute gem that you should add to your West Coast USA road trip itinerary.

Time recommended: all day

Budget: $35 per car

Day 8: Zion National Park, a gorgeous stop on your Arizona and Utah road trip

• Kanab to Zion: 33min, 30miles/48km
• Zion to Hurricane: 31min, 23miles/37km
• Recommended departure time: 9am
• Light driving day

Another one of the best Utah and Arizona national parks to add to your itinerary is Zion National Park. Although the park is close to Bryce Canyon, it’s actually quite different looking. At Zion, you’ll find high red cliffs surrounded by trees in contrast with Bryce Canyon which is essentially dry. The Virgin River travels through the canyon hence the greenery in the park. From waterfalls to beautiful sceneries, you could easily spend 5 to 7 days here. During your day in Zion National Park, below is what we recommend doing.

Note that you can book this budget-friendly self-guided audio tour of Zion to learn more about your park at your own pace. It all works on your phone!

Budget: $35 per car

Head to the Canyon Overlook

This trail is only one mile (1.6km) round trip and takes between 30 minutes to an hour to complete. To get to the trailhead, you’ll need to drive up Route 9 to the area by the upper east entrance of the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel. There you can park your car and head to the trail. The view from the overlook is absolutely incredible into the canyon. There is a sign there to point out all the main peaks and landmarks. 

Time recommended: 1h

Hike the Watchman Trail

The Watchman Trail is known as one of the Zion hikes you should do if it’s your first time in the park. Throughout the hike, you get views on the Watcham Tower and Bridge Mountain. You’re also surrounded by greenery and desert plants. At the end of the hike, you get a gorgeous panoramic view of the Springdale area.

The hike is considered moderate and is quite short as it takes only 1h and 33 minutes to complete. There is barely any shade on the trail though so it’s best to head early in the summer!

Time recommended: 1h35min

Zion-Mount Carmel Scenic Drive 

This beautiful drive, which connects the East and South entrance, goes across Zion National Park for a 10 miles/16km stretch. In our experience, we actually ended up in Zion by chance as it wasn’t the road we had initially planned! We ended up on the Zion-Mount Carmel Scenic Drive and absolutely loved it. The views on this scenic drive are stunning and you can stop at several pull outs to take photos or even walk around. On this winding road, you’ll be surrounded by the canyon and the buttes all around you. One of the main spots is called Canyon Junction Bridge which offers a stunning view on the Virgin River in the foreground and the Watchman Tower in the backdrop. The Switchbacks, standing at 800 feet/244m are also one of the main landmarks in the park. 

Time recommended: 3h

Kolob Canyons

The Kolob Canyons are a perfect visit to end the day away from the crowds! This is an underrated area of Zion National Park that most people don’t adventure to. However, it’s a gorgeous area that is definitely worth a visit! There is a 5 mile/8km scenic drive along the Kolob Canyons Road that takes you to the crimson canyons. With creeks, Kolob Arch and giant sandstones, it’s hard not to like this spot! It’s also especially beautiful in the winter when the canyons are covered in snow!

Time recommended: 2h

Horseback riding in Zion National Park

After having had the experience of horseback riding in Monument Valley, I can only recommend horseback riding in National Parks as much as you can! It’s such a unique way to discover a national park and the guides are usually very good. It also allows you to see more than the usual tourist points. In Zion, we recommend this one hour horseback riding tour or this one which is two hours long. We highly recommend booking in advance as they sell out fast!

UTV adventure to explore Zion off the beaten path 

Zion National Park is the perfect place to go on a UTV ( a sort go buggie meets ATV vehicle) adventure. If you like good sensations and want to explore Zion National Park off the beaten path, this is a great experience. You can book here. 

Stargazing at Zion National Park

One of the best experiences you can have at Zion is to go stargazing. The lack of light pollution is perfect to observe the Milky Way and learn a lot from a trained stargazing guide. Although you can do this yourself, we recommend booking this one hour stargazing budget-friendly tour to have the best experience. 

If you decide to stay longer in Zion and are looking for an adventure, you can go canyoneering in Kanab Canyon just outside of the national park.

Day 9: Las Vegas (Option A)

• Hurricane to Las Vegas: 2h, 137miles/220km
• Recommended departure time: 9am
• Light driving day

Welcome to Day 9 of this Arizona to Utah which is a full day in Las Vegas. Though Las Vegas is located in Nevada, it is really close to both Utah and Arizona so we recommend stopping there for a day, especially if you’ve never been ! You might think that Las Vegas is only for gambling but we hope we’ll change your mind! In my opinion, Las Vegas is a must-see on your 10 day Arizona to Utah road trip. It is a bustling city with lots to visit and do. It’s also perfect if you want to book a very nice hotel for a night and enjoy a bit of the luxury the city has to offer!

I (Marie) have been to Las Vegas twice and really enjoyed it both times. The vibe in the city is quite unique and fun! Below is what I suggest for your day in Vegas. Don’t forget to use one of our Las Vegas photo captions to illustrate your photos on social media!

Drive on the strip to Las Vegas sign

After arriving in Las Vegas, we recommend that you take a drive on the strip all the way to the Welcome to Las Vegas sign. The ride will give you a nice overview of what the city is about so you can see if there is anything specific you want to do on top of the attractions we have listed here.

The Welcome to Las Vegas sign is a must-see of course. Here you’ll have a cool view on the city and will be able to take photos as well.

Time recommended: 1h

Budget: Free

Hotel tour

Now, one of the main thing to do in Las Vegas is visiting the hotels. It sounds a bit weird but Las Vegas’ hotels are nothing like regular hotels. On the strip, most hotels are fancy with large halls, art exhibitions, and surprising designs.

The first hotel we recommend visiting is The Venetian. We actually recommend staying there for at least one night but if you don’t, a visit will be great too. The hotel was build and decorated in a Venice theme. Inside the hotel, you’ll find a river with gondolas taking you around. You’ll also find several famous Italian landmarks replicas! It’s quite an impressive hotel!

The second hotel you should visit is the Bellagio. More than the hotel, it’s the front fountain show that has rendered the hotel famous. Visitors gather at different times of the day to witness the beautiful water and light show.

Two other hotels to visit are the Caesar Palace, a luxury hotel famous for hosting Celine Dion’s residency, and the Luxor hotel, built and decorated in an Egyptian theme with pyramid and a Sphinx statue. 

Time recommended: As you walk along the strip. About 1h per hotel.

Budget: Free

Street Shows

Las Vegas is home to a range of performers including Elvis look-alikes, Moulin Rouge style dancers, costumed characters and more.

Walking to the hotels, there is no doubt you’ll see them. You can stop and take photos or just watch their show for a few minutes until you move to the next one. 

Budget: Free

Las Vegas’ Giant Ferris Wheel

The High Roller is located on the strip and is the second tallest Ferry wheel in the world. It is 520 foot in diameter and embarks you at 550 foot in height. This is one of my favourite memories from Las Vegas because it literally blew my mind!

The wheel embarks you in this giant egg looking cabins with windows all around. Those are standing cabins and you can walk around from one window to another. As it slowly takes you up, you can discover Las Vegas under a different perspective. As you reach the height of the tallest building and keep rising higher, you start seeing Las Vegas all lit up along with the desert all around. The view is truly mind blowing and I was surprised at how far we could actually see.

We recommend doing the Ferris Wheel at night as you’ll get to see the whole city completely lit up but it’s definitely one to do during the day if that’s your only option.

Time recommended: 1h

Budget: You can book your tickets here. 

Day 10: Red Rock Canyon (Option A)

• Las Vegas to Red Rock Canyon: 20min, 15miles/24km – 40min, 30miles/48km loop drive
• Recommended departure time: 8-10am
• Light driving day

The last day of your Arizona to Utah itinerary is dedicated to Red Rock Canyon with an alternative itinerary below depending on where you go next.

For this day, we recommend taking a couple hours to explore the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area. As its name indicates, Red Rock Canyon is a canyon famous for its red rock formations. From red sandstone peaks and waterfalls to Native American petroglyphs and scenic drives, it’s a great area to explore. As it’s close to Las Vegas, it’s also very easy to get there.

Once you’re back from the canyon, what you do next will depend on where you go next. You can either head to Las Vegas airport and fly from there or head back to Phoenix (see alternative Day 10) below. 

Budget: $15 per car for Red Rock Park

You can book electric bikes to visit Red Rock Canyon from Las Vegas.

Day 10: Las Vegas back to Phoenix through Route 66 (Option B)

• Las Vegas to Phoenix through Kingman and Flagstaff (Route 66): 6h, 397miles/639km
• Recommended departure time: 8am

In this Option B, you’re essentially going from Page Arizona to Flagstaff Arizona before heading back to Phoenix which allows you to do a full loop through Las Vegas. 

Las Vegas to Kingman

From Las Vegas, you’ll want to head to Kingman. There, we recommend stopping at Mr D’z Route 66 Diner for lunch. This is a unique American Diner with traditional American food in an eclectic decor. Then you can spend some time in Kingman. A couple of visits we recommend are Kingman Railroad Museum which is quite unique and the Arizona Route 66 Museum which is a classic. While in Kingman , you can also choose to stay the night at one of the best hotels on Route 66!

Time recommended: 1h-2h

Budget: $2 for the Kingman Railroad Museum, $10 for the Arizona Route 66 Museum

Kingman Arizona to Flagstaff Arizona

This is the portion of the route back to Phoenix that is actually part of Route 66. Route 66, also known as the Mother Road is one of the most famous roads in the USA as it crosses the country from Chicago all the way to the Santa Monica Pier in California. The route is famous for crossing vibrant cities and amazing nature landmarks!

Time recommended: 2h20

Budget: free

Flagstaff

You can take a break in Flagstaff to visit the Lowell Observatory if you didn’t get the chance to do it on Day 1. Otherwise, you can drive back directly to Phoenix. 

Day 9: Zion National Park to Salt Lake City (Option C)

• Zion to Salt Lake City: 4h40min, 308miles/496km
• Recommended departure time: 8am

After a long drive in the morning, you can enjoy the rest of the day exploring Salt Lake City. Salt Lake City is a stunning city surrounded by mountains in a pure Utah-style landscape. There are two areas of the city you should see: Temple Square and the Foothills Cultural District. 

Temple Square

This square is home to some of the main buildings that pertain to the LDS community. Although you cannot enter them unless you are LDS, you can still admire the architecture and history behind them. These buildings include the Salt Lake Tabernacle, the Salt Lake Temple, Assembly Hall, and the Beehive House. 

Time recommended: 1h-2h

Budget: Free

Utah State Capitol

Located near Memory Grove Park, this Neoclassical and Corinthian style building was built in 1912 and is part of the National Register of Historic Places. The building will remind you of famous American buildings like the White House. Nearby, you can find the Pioneer Memorial Museum.

Time recommended: 1h-2h

Budget: Free

Living Room Lookout Trail

To finish your day, we recommend hiking this 3mile/5km trail that takes you all the way up to a lookout on Salt Lake Valley. From the lookout, you can see the city with the mountains in the backdrop. It’s quite the view and also allows you to experience some of the nature around Salt Lake City.You can park near Huntsman Way.

Time recommended: 1h-2h

Budget: Free

Day 10: Salt Lake City Antelope Island or Bonneville Salt Flats (Option C)

• Salt Lake City to Antelope Island: 1h53, 60miles/97km
• Salt Lake City to Bonneville Salt Flats: 1h34, 111miles/179km
• Recommended departure time: 8am

Day 10 offers two options. You can either head to Antelope Island or to the Bonneville Salt Flats. They are close in time from Slat Lake City and both beautiful experiences so you can’t go wrong here, no matter what you pick. 

If your flight is in the morning

If you are flying out the morning of Day 10, we would recommend switching Day 9 and Day 10 so you see Antelope Island or the Salt Flats on Day 9. You could visit Salt Lake City in the morning of Day 9 and head to the parks in the afternoon of Day 9. If you don’t care much about the city itself, you could visit Antelope Island in the morning and the Salt Flats in the afternoon.

If your flight is at night

If you are flying late at night, you essentially have a full day to spend at either of these parks.

Antelope Island State Park

Located in the Great Salt Lake, the island is a stunning place that gives you one of the best views on the lake. Your first stop will be the visitor centre for any information, map and pit stop you need. But the main reason why Antelope Island is so interesting is because it is the home to one of the largest herd of bisons in the USA. While on the island, you can also see mule deer, pronghorn antelopes, coyotes and bighorn sheep. 

Time recommended: Half Day to Full Day

Budget: $15 per vehicle

Bonneville Salt Flats

The best time of the year to visit the salt flats is either summer or fall as this is the period where the flats are the driest. This is a popular spot to take photos as the salt creates a unique landscapes. The flats reveal itself when the Lake Bonneville dries out. It is quite the outwardly landscape! You can walk and sometimes even drive on the salt flats!

Time recommended: Half Day to Full Day

Budget: Free

If you have more time

If you have more time than 10 days for your Arizona to Utah road trip, here are some additional suggestions:

• Grand Staircase Escalante after Page;
• Extend your stay in the Grand Canyon and head to Havasu Falls & Little Navajo Falls;
• Little Wild Horse Canyon Hike near Goblin Valley. 

If you have less time

If you have less time, check out our other Arizona to Utah road trips:

• 7 days through Utah and Arizona
• 4 days through Utah and Arizona
• 4 days through Utah, Arizona and Nevada