5 days in Utah, Arizona, and Nevada with budget!
Let me start by saying that I would not consider myself an “outdoorsy” person. So if you are currently thinking, “No thank you, I suck at hiking,” believe me, if I can do it, you can do it! This guide is a snapshot of all the beautiful scenery a Southwest road trip has to offer. The guide first takes you along the border of Utah and Arizona to hike through some of the country’s best National Parks. Then, it rewards you with a finale in Vegas. I fondly refer to this travel guide as the “Hiking and Partying” guide.
Southwest Road Trip Day 1: Arrival, Drive to Utah, and Bryce Canyon
Daily Budget: $378 per person
Price Breakdown: Flight $222, 1 night accommodation $66, 1 day car rental $30, 1 day of gas $15, Bryce Canyon National Park permit per vehicle $30, $15 in food
You will likely start your Southwest road trip flying into Las Vegas (LAS), as this is the easiest and cheapest hub. Once you land, it may be tempting to start your “partying,” but resist! You have hiking to do. Grab your rental car and, with an obligatory stop at In-N-Out burger, hit the open road. In-N-Out is a mandatory stop if you are not from the West Coast. I highly recommend the grilled cheese off the “secret menu.” It is the best $3 meal you will ever have.
From there you will head to the Kanab, Utah area where you will base yourself for the next 2 days. Kanab, Utah is about 2 hours from Vegas. I recommend landing as early as possible, so that you can take in the views on your drive. This will also give you plenty of time to settle into your Airbnb or hotel, and get some much needed supplies for your next couple days of hiking.
With a little luck and good planning you will get to Bryce Canyon National Park at sunset.
Tip: If you have or know someone who has an annual National Park Pass, your entry fee is waived. You can have up to 2 “owners” on the pass thus saving you money when visiting the National Parks.
For us, this was a totally impromptu stop. We based ourselves out of Ogden, Utah and Bryce Canyon was only minutes away. When we got there, we had the trails all to ourselves. We saw the canyon going from red and orange to brown as the sun set. By the time we hiked back, the stars were slowly winking to life. At one point, we stopped talking and hiking long enough to hear the silence of the canyon around us. It was a wonderful experience and a great way to end day 1.
Southwest Road Trip Day 2: Attempt to get onto “The Wave,” and Zion National Park
Daily Budget: $196 per person
Price breakdown: 1 night accommodation $66, 1 day car rental $30, 1 day of gas $15, Zion National Park Entry Fee $30, $55 in food
Now if you have ever seen photos of “The Wave” in the Coyote Buttes North area, you know it is one of the most beautiful and delicate formations in our country. Hence, why the BLM only allow 20 people on it a day! Now, 10 people win permits through the lottery, and 10 win walk on permits. We entered the lottery several months before our Southwest road trip, and tried for walk on permits, and still didn’t get on. However, you HAVE TO TRY, it is a once in a lifetime opportunity.
Angels Landing
As soon as we got to Zion National Park, I immediately regretted not being able to spend 2 or 3 days exploring it. There are so many wonderful hikes that it was difficult figuring out which ones we could accomplish in one day.
We decided to hike Angel’s Landing, and then hike The Narrows until it was time to head back. Angel’s Landing was one of the most difficult hikes I’ve ever done, again I’m an accountant so I don’t do much hiking. It’s a beautiful hike, but as you get closer to the top, you have to hang on to chains in some places. I ended up stopping at Scout’s Lookout and not making it to the top because the chains were freaking me out. But I’ll get there next time!
The Narrows
We then went on to hike The Narrows, which was very different than Angel’s Landing. It was cooler and there were hanging gardens everywhere. The whole trail is 8 miles, but you can walk as far in and out as you want to. I loved The Narrows, there was a surprise around every turn. I highly recommend doing this hike in the middle of the day so you can avoid the draining sun. This hike is 100% through water, so wear appropriate footwear, or rent some from the park. We were only able to hike about 1 mile in, but there was so much to see during that mile. We walked a total of 12 miles the day we visited Zion National Park and were pleasantly exhausted by the end of the day.
Southwest Road Trip Day 3: Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon
Daily Budget: $202 per person
Price Breakdown: 1 night accommodation $72, 1 day car rental $30, 1 day of gas $15, Antelope Canyon Tour $30, $55 in food
On the third day of your Southwest road trip, you leave Utah and head to Arizona. As you’re driving it’s important to take note of the time. Arizona doesn’t participate in daylight savings time, so your time zone will change as you enter the state during the summer. It was pretty confusing. Horseshoe bend is a short walk that offer spectacular views. It is definitely worth a quick stop. Side note: If you have time, you should try to walk onto The Wave again.
Tip: Time zones between Nevada, Utah, and Arizona can get tricky. Nevada is on the West Coast time zone while Utah and Arizona are on Mountain time. However, Arizona doesn’t participate in daylight savings time, but the reservations do. So it’s always helpful when booking tours to confirm the time zone that the tour starts in. If all else fails, be early!
However, the reason we went to Page, Arizona was for Antelope Canyon. Antelope Canyon is a slot canyon that makes you feel as if you’ve landed on an alien planet once you get there. You cannot visit Antelope Canyon without a tour guide. The Navajo control all the tours for Antelope Canyon because the canyon is sacred to them. Your guide will be able to point out several shapes within the canyon and tell you some stories behind the shapes. In general, it is awe inspiring to see what mother nature can do with time and water.
Tip: Be prepared for crowds at peak light times as several tours are running at the same time. There will almost always be people in your shot. Either bring a ND filter or have something to shade your lens so you can take more pictures looking up through the canyon.
Southwest Road Trip Days 4 and 5: Vegas
Budget: $871 per person
Price Breakdown: 2 nights accommodations $331, Splurge breakfast at The Bellagio: $40, Vegas activities $400, $100 in food
Yes, Vegas really is that expensive. Shows are typically $100 a ticket or more. Entries into pools and clubs are $40 a person, and gambling is just a fun way to throw away your money. But after all that hiking and beauty you’ve experienced during your Southwest road trip, you’ve earned a few splurge days in Vegas. Below are a few things that I recommend you experience in Vegas.
- A splurge all you can eat (and bottomless mimosas) at the Bellagio. It’s the best breakfast in town, bar none.
- The oxtail fried rice at Blue Ribbon Sushi.
- A sandwich at 6 AM at Eggslut.
- Old Vegas and the Freemont Street Experience
Total budget is $1,669 per person. You can easily blow this budget with your 2 days in Vegas like I did. But after all, what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas. 🙂
Did you use this Globetrotting Guide to have your own adventure’s in America’s Southwest? Let me know in the comments or tag me on your instastories!
