~ 14 Days / ~2,500 miles
Why this route?
Because it delivers sweeping landscapes, iconic parks, cultural surprises, and enough variety to keep even seasoned travelers inspired. From red rock deserts to alpine lakes, ghost towns to modern cities, this trip stitches together some of America’s most magnetic places.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
| Day | Route / Key Stops | What to See & Do | Overnight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Denver, CO → Rocky Mountain National Park | Begin in Denver: fuel up, get supplies. Drive into Rocky Mountain NP. Hike to Bear Lake, take in towering peaks, alpine meadows, wildlife (elk, marmots). Sunset over Estes Park. | Estes Park, CO |
| Day 2 | Rocky Mountain NP → Moab, UT | Cross rugged terrain toward Utah. Arrive in Moab. Explore Arches NP: Delicate Arch at sunset. | Moab, UT |
| Day 3 | Moab | Canyonlands NP (Island in the Sky), maybe a rafting trip or off-roading. Stargazing at night—clear desert skies. | Moab |
| Day 4 | Moab → Bryce Canyon National Park | Drive through scenic Utah: red rock vistas, hoodoos. Afternoon hike in Bryce. Night sky program if available. | Near Bryce / Panguitch, UT |
| Day 5 | Bryce → Zion National Park | Early drive to Zion. Take Zion’s Narrows, or easy hiking like Canyon Overlook. Sunset views at the Watchman. | Springdale, UT |
| Day 6 | Zion → Page, AZ | Scenic drive to Page. Visit Horseshoe Bend. In evening, maybe a slot canyon tour (Antelope Canyon). | Page, AZ |
| Day 7 | Page → Grand Canyon (South Rim) | Morning in Page. Drive the Desert View Drive into Grand Canyon. Sunset at Mather Point. | Near Grand Canyon Village, AZ |
| Day 8 | Grand Canyon → Sedona, AZ | Sunrise at the Canyon. Drive toward Sedona — red rock, vortex sites, relaxing yoga or spa in Sedona. | Sedona |
| Day 9 | Sedona → Phoenix → Tucson | Enjoy Sedona in morning. Then head to Phoenix (possible stop at Desert Botanical Garden), onward to Tucson with scenic landscapes. Evening: local food, maybe Mexican cuisine delights. | Tucson, AZ |
| Day 10 | Tucson → Saguaro NP → Las Cruces, NM | Morning in Saguaro NP to see massive saguaros. Then drive east across New Mexico. Night in Las Cruces. | Las Cruces, NM |
| Day 11 | Las Cruces → White Sands → Carlsbad Caverns | Visit White Sands National Park. Later head to Carlsbad Caverns, do the cavern tours, bats at dusk (if seasonally available). | Carlsbad, NM |
| Day 12 | Carlsbad → Santa Fe, NM | Long drive to Santa Fe. Afternoon: explore its historic plaza, museums, art galleries. Local cuisine (green chile!). | Santa Fe, NM |
| Day 13 | Santa Fe → Taos → Great Sand Dunes NP, CO | Morning detour via Taos. Then head into Colorado’s spine to visit Great Sand Dunes NP at twilight. | Alamosa / Buena Vista, CO |
| Day 14 | Great Sand Dunes → Denver | Final leg back to Denver. Option to stop in Colorado Springs (Garden of the Gods) if you have extra time. End with a celebration dinner in Denver. | Denver, CO |
Highlights & Tips
- Best time of year: Late spring through early fall (May–October) is ideal. Snow can block many of the high passes in Rocky Mountain or Utah parks outside those months.
- Pace: Mix of “big hiking/must see” days and lighter days to recover from long drives. Don’t overload with too many 200+ mile days back-to-back.
- Stay inspired: Morning and evening light are magic in the Southwest; plan your hikes and vista stops for those golden hours.
- Local food & culture:
- Santa Fe & Taos offer excellent Native American art and Southwestern cuisine.
- Tucson has great desert-Mex flavor.
- Try local artisans and small shops in Moab and Sedona.
- Gear: Bring layers (desert warm by day, cold at night in many places), sturdy hiking shoes, good camera gear, sun protection. A reliable map or offline GPS is helpful where reception drops out.
- Must-see photo ops:
- Delicate Arch at sunrise or sunset.
- Horseshoe Bend.
- Sunset at Grand Canyon South Rim.
- Zion Watchman and Canyon Overlook.
Variations & Add-Ons
- If your timeframe is shorter, you could focus on the “Mighty Five” in Utah (Arches, Canyonlands, Bryce, Zion, Capitol Reef) in 7-10 days.
- Or if you love big mountain scenery, extend north from Rocky Mountain NP into Yellowstone/Grand Teton.
- If you prefer coastal/maritime scenery, swap out the Arizona/New Mexico leg for Pacific Coast Highway or redwoods in California.
Why This Trip Will Change You
There’s something humbling about the scale of the Southwest … its deserts, skies, and rugged beauty force you to slow down, look up, and be present. The changes in light, terrain, flora, and culture from state to state give you a rolling collage of America at its most elemental.
You’ll come away with memories of silence and stars, unexpected side-roads, fresh air, and a deeper appreciation for the land itself, and perhaps your place in it.
