The Ultimate Southwest Road Trip Itinerary: Las Vegas to Moab Through Utah’s National Parks
If you’ve ever dreamed of taking the ultimate Southwest road trip, this Las Vegas to Moab itinerary is the one you need to do at least once. This iconic route takes you through some of the most jaw-dropping landscapes in the United States, including Valley of Fire State Park, Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, Capitol Reef National Park, Arches National Park, and Canyonlands National Park. When we drove this amazing Southwest road trip itinerary we kept asking ourselves, “How is all of this in one region?” From fiery red rock canyons and narrow slot canyons to towering sandstone arches and Mars-like desert landscapes, this drive is truly one of the most unforgettable Utah national parks road trips you can take. In this complete guide, we’re sharing everything you need to plan the perfect Southwest road trip — including the exact route from Las Vegas to Moab, mileage and drive times between stops, where to stay, where to eat, hidden gems, and the must-see viewpoints and hikes at every destination. Driving Overview: Route Segment Mileage Drive Time Las Vegas → Valley of Fire 55 miles 1 hr Valley of Fire → Zion National Park 85 miles 1 hr 30 min Zion → Bryce Canyon 85 miles 1 hr 40 min Bryce Canyon → Capitol Reef 115 miles 2 hrs 15 min Capitol Reef → Hanksville 38 miles 45 min Hanksville → Arches (Moab) 110 miles 2 hrs Moab → Canyonlands (Island in the Sky) 35 miles 40 min ABOUT THIS SOUTHWEST ROAD TRIP This itinerary starts in Las Vegas, Nevada and travels northeast through Utah’s most stunning parks and adventure towns before finishing in Moab, home to Arches and Canyonlands National Parks. Total Distance: ~600 miles Recommended Duration: 5–10 days Best For: Families, couples, outdoor lovers, photographers, adventure travelers This road trip covers 6 major parks + 2 iconic desert regions, in this order: Valley of Fire State Park Zion National Park Bryce Canyon National Park Capitol Reef National Park Hanksville (Mars-like scenery at Factory Butte, Moonscape Overlook, and Long Dong Silver Spire and the Bentonite Hills!) Arches National Park Canyonlands National Park Moab (an adventure hub) Every destination is epic on its own—but together, this route tells the full story of the Southwest, from ancient sandstone waves to towering hoodoos to wide desert plateaus. BEST TIME TO DO THIS ROAD TRIP Any time of year is amazing to do this road trip; it just depends on what you’re looking for out of the trip. Below are a few comments on what each season brings and why you may want to take the road trip during this time of year. Spring (March–May) – Best overall season The spring provides perfect hiking temps, blooming desert plants, and fewer crowds before summer peaks. Zion and Bryce are exceptional in the spring. Summer (June–August) – Hot but manageable This is when sunrise adventures are prime. Wake early, rest during mid-day, and then in the afternoon enjoy the golden hour magic. The Narrows in Zion is epic this time of year. Fall (September–October) – Adventure Family’s favorite The fall brings with it crisp mornings, cool evenings, and warm canyon colors. The trail conditions are fantastic across this entire route this time of year. Winter (November–February) – Highly underrated In winter Bryce Canyon becomes a snow-covered fantasy world. It’s incredible! There’s fewer crowds everywhere so you’re not fighting for the best views, and you can almost feel alone during this time of year, which is unheard of in our National Parks! Be sure to bring layers and traction devices for hiking in the snow and ice. STOP 1: VALLEY OF FIRE STATE PARK 📍 From Las Vegas: 53 miles — 55 minutes Welcome to one of the most underrated desert parks in the country. If you’ve only ever seen Valley of Fire in photos, prepare to be shocked at how bright and colorful the landscape is in real life. Between bright red sandstone, candy-striped rock formations, and slot canyons carved by wind and water, Valley of Fire is the perfect warm-up for your Southwest road trip. Here are some things you should definitely try to do in Valley of Fire State Park. VALLEY OF FIRE STATE PARK HIKES Fire Wave Trail (1.5 miles roundtrip) This is one of those hikes where kids will actually want to keep walking because the landscape is so wild. The striped red-and-white sandstone really does look like a frozen wave, and every turn feels photo-worthy. The trail is short, but the payoff is huge, making it a great introduction to Southwest hiking for families. Family Tips: No shade — hike early morning or near sunset Bring more water than you think you need Great for kids who enjoy light scrambling Slickrock can be slippery after rain Pink Canyon / Pastel Canyon (Easy, unmarked exploration) Pink Canyon — sometimes called Pastel Canyon — feels like a hidden secret inside Valley of Fire. Unlike the deep red formations the park is famous for, this area features soft pinks, creams, and pastel tones that almost look painted onto the rock. There’s no official trail here, which actually makes the experience even more fun. You’re free to wander, explore, and discover your own route through smooth sandstone bowls and small canyon pockets. It’s a slower-paced, curiosity-driven stop that works incredibly well for families. Family tips: This is more exploration than hiking — perfect for younger kids Stay within sight of your group; it’s easy to wander Go mid-morning or late afternoon for the best colors Great spot for creative photos and letting kids explore safely White Domes Trail + Slot Canyon (1.2 miles loop) This trail packs a lot into a short distance: wide-open desert views, an arch, a narrow slot canyon, and even an old movie set. The slot canyon section adds excitement without being intimidating, which makes it especially fun for kids. It’s one of the best “variety” hikes on the entire road trip. Family tips: The slot canyon stays
A Complete Guide to Visiting Canyonlands National Park
In this guide, we’re sharing everything you need to know to plan an unforgettable trip to Canyonlands National Park—including the best hikes, when to go, where to stay and eat, and what to explore in the adventurous town of Moab. We recently explored Canyonlands as part of our Southern Utah road trip, and the sweeping vistas and towering mesas completely blew us away. From jaw-dropping canyon views to remote trails and backcountry adventures, Canyonlands is the kind of place that inspires awe at every turn. Whether you’re planning a family vacation, couples’ getaway, or solo road trip, this guide will help you make the most of your time in Utah’s wildest national park. If you’d like to see what it’s like in Canyonlands National Park, check out our YouTube video! About Canyonlands National Park Canyonlands National Park, located just outside Moab, Utah, is the largest national park in the state, spanning over 330,000 acres of dramatic desert wilderness. It’s split into four distinct districts—Island in the Sky, The Needles, The Maze, and the rivers that carved them all. With stunning overlooks, epic hiking trails, and countless opportunities for photography, solitude, and stargazing, Canyonlands offers something for every kind of adventurer. And while the park is remote and rugged, it’s surprisingly accessible—especially if you’re visiting the Island in the Sky district, which is only 40 minutes from Moab. Pro Tip: Canyonlands and Arches are only about 30 minutes apart—so you can easily combine both in one trip! Every time we visit Moab we make a point of visiting both national parks, and so should you! Before embarking on your adventure, please review the Leave No Trace principles to ensure you leave every place better than you found it, so that others can enjoy these beautiful places for many years to come! These seven principles include planning ahead and preparing, hiking and camping on durable surfaces, disposing of waste properly (pack out what you pack in!), understanding campfire rules and always fully extinguishing your fires, respecting wildlife, and being considerate of other visitors. The different areas of Canyonlands National Park Canyonlands is divided into four districts, but most visitors explore just one or two. Here’s a breakdown: 1. 🏔 Island in the Sky This district is the most visited and easiest to access, being only 35 mins from Moab It has incredible overlooks, short hikes, and incredibly scenic drives This district is great for first-timers, families, and sunrise photography Must-see spots: Mesa Arch (sunrise hotspot) – more on this later! Grand View Point Green River Overlook Upheaval Dome 2. 🥾 The Needles This district is best for hiking and backpacking It’s about 1.5 hours from Moab There are very unique rock spires and colorful sandstone Top hikes: Chesler Park Loop Druid Arch Elephant Hill 3. 🏜 The Maze This district is extremely remote and rugged It requires a 4WD and backcountry experience This is not recommended for casual visitors 4. 🚣♀️ The Rivers (Green & Colorado) This is very popular for rafting and kayaking trips Tours are available through outfitters in Moab, so definitely check them out! You can see the Confluence Overlook which is accessible via a hike or float When to Visit Canyonlands National Park 🌼 Spring (March–May) Pleasant temperatures (60s–80s°F) Wildflowers begin blooming Popular season, especially April ☀️ Summer (June–August) Very hot (90s–100+°F) Hike early and drink LOTS of water Great for stargazing and scenic drives 🍂 Fall (September–October) Cooler weather, fewer crowds Perfect time for hiking and photography ❄️ Winter (November–February) Cold and quiet Snow adds beauty but some roads may close Great for solitude and photography Getting To and Around Canyonlands National Park Moab, Utah is the gateway town for Canyonlands. Closest Airports: Canyonlands Field Airport (CNY) – 30 mins Grand Junction (GJT) – 2 hrs Salt Lake City (SLC) – 4 hrs 🚙 Getting Around There is no shuttle service so you’ll need to rent a car or drive your own The roads to Island in the Sky are paved Needles will require longer drives on rural roads The Maze definitely needs a high-clearance 4WD vehicle Best Hikes in Canyonlands Here are some must-do hikes in Island in the Sky, the most accessible district: 🌅 Mesa Arch (0.5 miles round trip) Ok, gotta tell ya…this is the hike to do at sunrise!! It’s short but iconic. I took the above picture at sunrise and was BLOWN AWAY! Don’t hesitate to go at sunrise for that golden glow through the arch. It’s SO WORTH the early wake up! 🏞 Grand View Point Trail (2 miles round trip) This is an easy hike but leads to breathtaking canyon views that stretch for miles. Don’t miss this incredible viewpoint! 🌋 Upheaval Dome (1–3 miles round trip) Wow…this was crazy! I’ve never seen anything like this…it’s such a unique geological feature. You’ll have the opportunity to see two viewpoints over this mysterious crater, and its origin is still debated by geologists. 🌄 White Rim Overlook (1.8 miles round trip) This is a quiet trail with panoramic views of the White Rim Road and Colorado River. How Much Time Do You Need at Canyonlands? The amount of time you’ll want to spend in Canyonlands really depends on how adventurous you want to get—and which district(s) you plan to visit. Here’s a quick breakdown: ⏰ 1 Day – Perfect for Island in the Sky If you’re short on time, one full day is enough to explore the Island in the Sky district, which is the most accessible and scenic area of the park. You’ll be able to: Watch sunrise at Mesa Arch Hike Grand View Point or Upheaval Dome Enjoy a picnic at Green River Overlook Take in the views along the scenic drive It’s a packed but rewarding day—and ideal if you’re combining your trip with Arches National Park or exploring Moab. 🥾 2 Days – Add The Needles If you have two days, consider spending your second day in The Needles district, where the real hiking magic happens. It’s