The Grand Loop

Sunrise at Mather Point

The canyon turns gold and pink. This is THE shot. Sunday crowds mean get here early — it's worth every second of lost sleep.

Bright Angel Trail — Morning Hike

Head down before the heat builds. Go to 1.5-Mile Resthouse (shade + water) or push to 3-Mile Resthouse for bigger views. Turn back from there — do NOT attempt the river in May heat. Budget 3 hours.

Carry 2L of water per person minimum. Start back up before 10am.

Lunch + Rest at the Lodge

Yavapai Tavern is attached to the lodge. Rest during peak afternoon heat.

East Rim Drive → Desert View Watchtower

Drive 25 miles east along the rim. Multiple pullouts with incredible views. Desert View Watchtower at the end offers 360° views including the Colorado River. You're already heading toward Page, AZ for tomorrow.

Dinner at El Tovar or Canyon Star

El Tovar is the iconic rim-side splurge (make a reservation!). Canyon Star in Tusayan does a fun Western dinner if you want something livelier.

Depart Grand Canyon — Head to Page, AZ

East on Hwy 64 then north on US-89. Beautiful open desert driving — top down!

🌀 Horseshoe Bend — Page, AZ

1-mile round trip walk to one of the most iconic views in America. Colorado River 1,000 ft below you in a perfect horseshoe. Rated 4.8/5 with 22,000+ reviews. Go early — $10 parking, beats the heat and crowds.

Glen Canyon Dam + Lake Powell Overlook

Quick 20-minute stop. The dam and impossibly turquoise Lake Powell stretching into the canyons is stunning. Free from the overlook.

🔴 Vermillion Cliffs — US-89A Pullover

Heading west on US-89A you'll literally drive through the cliffs. Striped red, orange, and white sandstone walls tower above the road. Pull over for 20-30 mins, take it all in. Rated 4.7/5. Completely free.

No detour needed — you drive right through them heading to Zion.

🦙 Arrive Hurricane Airbnb — Check In

30 mins west of Zion entrance. Meet the alpacas. Settle in. This is a Monday so Zion area is notably calmer than the weekend you just left. Grab dinner in Springdale or Hurricane.

Drive to Zion — Park at Visitor Center

Arrive before 8am to guarantee parking. Hop on the free park shuttle — cars aren't allowed in Zion Canyon in peak season. Have your America the Beautiful Pass ready at the gate.

The visitor center lot fills by 9am in May. No pass = $35 entrance fee.

🏞️ The Narrows — Riverside Walk + Into the River

Walk the paved Riverside Walk to the end (~1 mile), then step into the Virgin River and walk as far into the slot canyon as you like. No permit needed from the bottom. The towering walls get closer and more dramatic the further you go. Budget 2-3 hours.

Waterproof sandals (Chacos/Tevas) or water shoes are non-negotiable — your feet WILL be in the river. Rental gear available in Springdale if needed.

Angels Landing — Scout Lookout (No Permit Needed)

The full summit requires a permit lottery (which we missed), but hiking to Scout Lookout is permit-free and delivers absolutely insane views over Zion Canyon. The switchbacks (Walter's Wiggles) leading up are iconic. Budget 2-2.5 hours round trip.

Canyon Overlook Trail — Evening Wind-Down

Easy 1-mile trail near the east entrance tunnel. Big open canyon views in gorgeous late afternoon light. The perfect way to close out a massive day.

Optional: Zion Canyon Hot Springs

La Verkin, UT — right between Zion and Hurricane. 4.7 stars, multiple pools, adult area, cocktail bar. The perfect post-hike recovery. Open until 10pm.

Relaxed Morning at the Airbnb

Hang with the alpacas. Have coffee. Soak in the views before checkout. You've earned a slow morning.

Check Out + Drive to Bryce Canyon (~1.5 hrs)

Beautiful drive through UT-9 and US-89 north. Red rock country the whole way. Top down!

Check In — Best Western Plus Bryce Canyon Grand Hotel

26 S Main St, Bryce Canyon City. Hot tub, great breakfast included, 4.4 stars. Drop bags and rest up for the big day tomorrow.

🌅 Bryce Point — Golden Hour

Time your arrival for golden hour. The hoodoos lit up at sunset are completely otherworldly — orange, red, and amber as far as you can see. The best possible first impression of Bryce Canyon.

🌄 Sunrise at Sunrise Point — Most Photogenic Moment of the Trip

Thousands of hoodoos glowing orange, red, and pink in the early morning light. Bryce Canyon sits at 8,000 ft elevation so bring a layer — it can be 35-40°F at sunrise even in May. Worth every second of cold.

Queens Garden + Navajo Loop Combo Trail

~3 miles, mild-moderate difficulty. Goes DOWN into the hoodoos — not just along the rim. You'll feel like you're on another planet walking through the narrow passages between towering red spires. This is the definitive Bryce Canyon experience.

Lunch + Rest

Cowboy's Buffet at Ruby's Inn nearby. Hearty and exactly right after a morning in the hoodoos.

Bryce Point Overlook — Afternoon Light

Best panoramic view in the entire park. You saw it last night at golden hour — afternoon light gives a totally different look. Drive the full scenic road for additional overlooks.

Dinner + Hot Tub at the Hotel

Stone Hearth Grille in Tropic (10 mins away) is excellent for dinner. Hotel hot tub after = perfect recovery.

Depart Bryce Canyon — Head to Capitol Reef (~2 hrs)

Drive east on UT-12 — one of the most scenic roads in America. Red canyon walls, white sandstone domes, sweeping valley views. Slow down and enjoy it.

UT-12 alone is worth the detour — don't rush this stretch.

🏜️ Capitol Reef National Park

Massively underrated and barely any crowds. Two must-dos: Hickman Bridge Trail (2 miles easy, leads to a stunning natural arch) and the Capitol Reef Scenic Drive (paved, drive-through canyon views). Budget 2-3 hours total.

Lunch at Cafe Diablo — Torrey, UT

Genuinely exceptional food in the middle of nowhere. A legendary stop for Southwest road trippers. Don't skip this.

Drive to Salt Lake City (~3.5 hrs)

North on US-89 through the gorgeous canyon country then I-15 north to SLC. You'll start seeing the Wasatch Mountains rise up as you approach the city.

🏨 Check In — Little America Hotel SLC

500 Main St, Salt Lake City. A classic and genuinely great hotel for the final night. Celebrate the trip with a nice dinner downtown — you've earned it.

Depart Little America — Drive to Antelope Island (~50 mins)

Head north on I-15 to Syracuse/Antelope Island Causeway. Early start means you beat the crowds and catch the best morning light on the salt flats.

🦬 Antelope Island State Park

Free-roaming bison, surreal salt flat landscapes, and the Wasatch Mountains reflecting off the Great Salt Lake. A completely alien environment unlike anything else on the route. Drive the main road to find bison (they're usually near the road), walk the lakeside trail, and take in the huge open-sky views. Budget 2-2.5 hours.

Drive to SLC Airport (~25 mins)

Drop the Wrangler at Hertz SLC, check in, fly home. End scene. What an absolute trip.