Grand Circle Road Trip Overview
- Day 1 and 2: Las Vegas to Zion National Park
- Day 3 and 4: Bryce Canyon National Park and Capitol Reef National Park
- Day 5 and 6: Capitol Reef National Park and Moab
- Day 7 and 8: Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park
- Day 9 and 10: Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and Telluride
- Day 11 and 12: Mesa Verde National Park and Four Corners National Monument
- Day 13 and 14: Petrified Forest National Park and Grand Canyon National Park
- Day 15: Return to Las Vegas and Fly Home
With so much to do and see in the world, there’s something wonderfully efficient about a road trip that takes you through five states and nine national parks in one go. The Grand Circle road trip, best visualized here, starts in Nevada and passes through Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona before returning where it started. The giant loop provides a great introduction to the Southwest, taking travelers to nine national parks and a national monument, along with several towns worthy of a lengthy stopover.
For a route that seems to have it all, there is little information on it. Some versions of the route pass only through Utah and Arizona, a truncated route that still includes six national parks. However, if time allows, we recommend the Grand Grand Circle road trip, which also passes through Colorado and New Mexico, including a visit to Four Corners National Monument where four states meet.
According to calculations, the full loop covers well over 1,500 miles and takes a full 15 days (if not more) to complete. The route starts and ends in Las Vegas, a major flight hub located less than three hours from Zion National Park— the first stop on the road trip. (You can also fly in and out of Albuquerque, but for simplicity’s sake, we built the trip around arrival and departure from Las Vegas.) Here we go!
Day 1 and 2: Las Vegas to Zion National Park
After picking up a car in Las Vegas, the three-hour journey to Zion National Park in Utah begins. This first park on the Grand Circle is also Utah’s first national park and is iconic for its red sandstone cliff walls and narrow slot canyons. Spend a full day exploring Zion’s must-see adventures like Zion Narrows—a breathtaking gorge hike with 1,000-foot-tall walls—and the Emerald Pools, which feature waterfalls and a hanging garden.
Day 3 and 4: Bryce Canyon National Park and Capitol Reef National Park
The drive to Bryce Canyon National Park from Zion takes less than two hours, allowing time for a full day of exploration. Like Zion, Bryce Canyon is known for its stunning red rock, vibrant during sunrise and sunset. However, while Zion is famous for its towering canyon walls, Bryce is celebrated for its unique crimson-colored hoodoos (spire-shaped rock formations) and the Bryce Amphitheater. Hike the Rim Trail for the best views over the amphitheater.
After a full day at Bryce Canyon, drive two hours to the next park on the Grand Circle: Capitol Reef National Park.
Day 5 and 6: Capitol Reef National Park and Moab
Spend at least a full day at Capitol Reef National Park, known for its unusual rock formations and the long “wrinkle” in Utah’s desert known as the Waterpocket Fold. Notable highlights of this national park include the Chimney Rock pillar, the Hickman Bridge arch, and a series of white sandstone domes. To the north, explore the towering monoliths of Cathedral Valley.
After exploring the park, drive two hours to Moab—an adventure town boasting mountain biking, rafting, and Jeeping. It’s worthwhile to dedicate a full day to exploring Moab’s outdoor activities and vibrant town.
Day 7 and 8: Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park
Arches National Park is less than 10 minutes from downtown Moab, making it easy to sleep in. Although Arches is smaller compared to many other Utah parks, it is impressive, housing over 2,000 towering sandstone arches, including the famous Delicate Arch and the stunning Landscape Arch.
From Arches, drive just 30 minutes to Canyonlands National Park. Canyonlands features a range of experiences including Native rock paintings and towering rock pinnacles in the Needles area. For expansive views, head to Island in the Sky—a flat-topped mesa with numerous overlooks.
Day 9 and 10: Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and Telluride
After a day in Canyonlands, embark on a three-hour drive from Utah into Colorado. Once across the state line, it’s about two hours to your next destination: Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park.
Here, the red rock landscapes of Utah transition to dark Precambrian rock. Like many other parks in Utah, Black Canyon showcases a deep, steep-walled gorge. Drive down the winding East Portal Road to access the bottom of the gorge or explore the South Rim Road, which offers 12 overlooks and several mini hiking trails. (Pro tip: don’t miss the striped Painted Wall cliff face.)
After exploring Black Canyon, enjoy the scenic, 1.5-hour drive to Telluride, a picturesque mountain town, perfect for a relaxing “down day” with hikes to waterfalls and a free gondola ride up the mountain.
Day 11 and 12: Mesa Verde National Park and Four Corners National Monument
Drive 1.5 hours from Telluride to Mesa Verde National Park, a Colorado park that features well-preserved ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings, including the large Cliff Palace. These remarkable homes built into the rock can be explored on foot, with additional scenic routes accessible via the Mesa Top Loop Road.
After departing Mesa Verde, pass through the Ute Mountain Reservation and into the Navajo Nation Reserve. Visit the Navajo Nation’s Four Corners National Monument, where you can stand at the point where Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona meet. Although it is less than an hour from Mesa Verde, reaching the next park—Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona—requires an additional three hours of driving.
Day 13 and 14: Petrified Forest National Park and Grand Canyon National Park
Petrified Forest National Park marks the first stop in Arizona, and is a quieter alternative to your next destination—Grand Canyon National Park. This lesser-known park offers solitude and peaceful trails amidst its colorful, petrified forest. Visitors can explore the petroglyphs at Newspaper Rock and the remains of the Puerco Pueblo village.
After a day at Petrified Forest National Park, drive three hours northwest to the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park, the final stop on the Grand Circle road trip. The vast, mile-deep Grand Canyon features numerous viewpoints, including Mather Point and the Yavapai Observation Station. To stretch your legs, consider hiking the Bright Angel Trail, which is popular and easily accessible.
Day 15: Return to Las Vegas and Fly Home
The drive from the South Rim of the Grand Canyon to Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) in Las Vegas takes around 4.5 hours, so be sure to allow ample time for your journey.
