The American Southwest is home to many thrilling landscapes and iconic national parks. The desert and wilderness transposes visitors into another world, sometimes noisy and colorful or at other times peaceful and quiet.

This article describes a 2-week itinerary in the American Southwest. The itinerary covers the majority of the most important attractions from that area and gave us the chance to see some of the most unique landscapes on Earth.

For this trip we rented a car and booked in advance only 3 nights via Airbnb. After that, we bought a tent from Las Vegas outlets to go camping in the national parks. This was our first camping experience in the US and it was totally worth it. At the same time, that was the cheapest 2-week trip we have had in America so far.

NEVADA

Famous for its extravagant City of Las Vegas.

ARIZONA

Home to world-famous Grand Canyon, Horseshoe Bend or Antelope Canyon.

UTAH

Famous for its scenic landscapes from the Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon or the Arches National Park.

Click on the small arrow from the map (top left corner) to expand the map legend and visualize all the touristic attractions mentioned in this article.

This article contains the following categories:

• We’ve been there → how we’ve organized our holiday
• Itinerary → how we’ve spent 2 weeks in the American Southwest (detailed itinerary per day)
• Tips for travelling on a budget → how we saved money and how much money we spent in total
• General travel impressions → personal impressions about American Southwest based on our experience

LOCATION

United States of America / North America – American Southwest: (California), Nevada, Arizona, Utah;

DURATION & MONTH

2 weeks spent in May-June 2018;

TRANSPORT

Flight ticket Bucharest-Viena-Los Angeles/Los Angeles-Toronto-Bucharest bought through momondo.com (airline companies Austrian Airlines/Air Canada);

Car rental from Thrifty.com;

ACCOMMODATION

Airbnb/Booking/campgrounds in Utah and Arizona;

2-week ITINERARY

Our itinerary was the one found below. The restaurants and campgrounds were always chosen on the spot, without any prior arrangements, but just a quick check on TripAdvisor and GoogleMaps reviews.

DAY 1 – Europe → California

• Flight from Romania (Europe) to Los Angeles
• Car rental pickup from Thrifty.com (LAX Airport office)
• Los Angeles – Santa Monica beach
• eating at Whole Foods Market in Los Angeles
• accommodation – Airbnb near Los Angeles

DAY 2 – California → Nevada

• hiking to Mt Baldy summit (Mt San Antonio, ‎10064 ft / 3068 m – via San Antonio Ski Hut)
• driving from Los Angeles to Las Vegas (270mi / 434km)
• accommodation – Airbnb in Las Vegas

DAY 3 – Nevada

• South Premium Outlets Las Vegas shopping
• eating at Whole Foods Market in Las Vegas
• accommodation – Airbnb in Las Vegas

DAY 4 – Nevada → Arizona

• North Premium Outlets Las Vegas shopping
• Las Vegas Strip
• driving to Arizona (180mi / 290km)
• eating at Whole Foods Market in Las Vegas
• sleeping in the car on the Historic Route 66 (near Seligman, Arizona)

DAY 5 – Arizona

• driving to the Grand Canyon National Park (106mi / 170km)
• camping at Mather Campground near Tusayan town

DAY 6 – Arizona

• hiking the South Kaibab Trail to Colorado River in the Grand Canyon National Park (via Skeleton Point, Kaibab Suspension Bridge, Bright Angel Trail Bridge)
• eating in Tusayan
• camping at Mather Campground near Tusayan town

DAY 7 – Arizona

• hop on/hop off South Rim Shuttle Bus
• eating at Whole Foods Market in Flagstaff
• accommodation – Airbnb in Flagstaff

DAY 8 – Arizona

• Lower Antelope Canyon
• Glen Canyon National Recreation Area
• Horseshoe Bend
• eating at Whole Foods Market in Flagstaff
• camping at Wahweap RV & Campground

DAY 9 – Arizona → Utah

• kayaking on Powell Lake
• driving to Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah (150mi / 240km)
• eating at Big John’s Texas Barbeque Restaurant in Page
• camping at Sunset Campground in the Bryce Canyon National Park

DAY 10 – Utah

• hiking the Queen’s Garden Trail and Navajo Loop Trail in the Bryce Canyon National Park
• hiking on the Peekaboo Loop in the Bryce Canyon National Park (via Wall of Windows)
• Brice Point scenic lookout
• eating at Ruby’s Inn Restaurant in Bryce Canyon City
• camping at Sunset Campground in the Bryce Canyon National Park

DAY 11 – Utah → Nevada

• driving to the Zion National Park (72mi / 115km)
• hiking on Angels Landing Trail in the Zion National Park
• driving to Las Vegas (166mi / 267km)
• eating at Whole Foods Market in Las Vegas
• accommodation – Hotel Las Vegas Oasis in Las Vegas

DAY 12 – Nevada

• Las Vegas
• eating at The Buffet at Bellagio in Las Vegas
• accommodation – Hotel Las Vegas Oasis in Las Vegas

DAY 13 – Nevada → California

• driving to Los Angeles (270mi / 434km)
• eating at Whole Foods Market in Las Vegas and Los Angeles
• accommodation – Airbnb near Los Angeles

DAY 14 – California → back to Europe

• Los Angeles (a drive through Beverly Hills and Bel Air neighborhoods)
• returning back home in Romania, Europe (takeoff from LAX)

DAY 1 – Europe → California

Flight from Romania (Europe) to Los Angeles

• 10h timezone difference;

Car rental pickup from Thrifty.com (LAX Airport office)

• A shuttle bus takes you for free from LAX to the Thrifty office (≅ 15min drive);
• We were asked to show the return flight ticket to Europe because we had a debit card, not a credit one;

Los Angeles – Santa Monica Beach

• the place where the historic Route 66 meets the ocean;
• nice atmosphere;
• there is a paved path along the beach where you can ride the bike/roller skates/skateboard;
• features free gymnastic equipment (swings, parallel bars, ropes, rings) for outdoor workout;
• the stroll along the beach helped us to feel refreshed even though we were jet-lagged; the daylight helped us to reset our body clock, forcing us to stay up until bedtime;

We ate at:

• Whole Foods Market in Los Angeles (≅ $35 for two people);

Accommodation:

• Airbnb near Los Angeles ($35/night);

DAY 2 – California → Nevada

Hiking to Mt Baldy summit

⚠️A permit is required to hike in the Cucamonga Wilderness (we bought it from the Range Office for $5).

• also known as Mt San Antonio;
• elevation 10064 ft / 3068 m; it is the highest point in Los Angeles County, California;
• distance ~12.5km / 8mi;
• moderate difficulty;
• hiking via San Antonio Ski Hut;
• the peak is flat, large, without trees;
• scenic and crowded trail during summertime;
• dog friendly (leashed);
• ski lift ride back down for saving time (via The Notch Restaurant; $15/ticket);

Check out this article for more photos from Mt Baldy.

Driving from Los Angeles to Las Vegas

• distance 270mi / 434km;
• duration ~4h;

Accommodation:

• Airbnb in Las Vegas ($31/night);

DAY 3 – Nevada

South Premium Outlets Las Vegas & Walmart shopping

• looking for a tent for camping;
• bought clothing, sportswear (North Face outlet) and mountain equipment (e.g. sleeping bag $40 from Walmart);

We ate at:

• Whole Foods Market in Las Vegas ($51);

Accommodation:

• Airbnb in Las Vegas ($31/night);

DAY 4 – Nevada → Arizona

North Premium Outlets Las Vegas shopping

• bought a tent for camping ($166, North Face outlet);

Las Vegas Strip

• visited the famous Las Vegas resorts;
• we ate our favorite ice-cream ($19/2cups; Co Co Lini II, The Venetian);

The Venetian Resort Las Vegas

Bellagio – Las Vegas Luxury Resort & Casino

Driving to Arizona

• distance 180mi / 290km;
• duration ~3h;

We ate at:

• Whole Foods Market in Las Vegas ($50);

Accommodation:

• sleeping in the car on the Historic Route 66 (near Seligman, Arizona);

DAY 5 – Arizona

Driving to the Grand Canyon National Park

• distance 106mi / 170km;
• duration ~2h;

⚠️Permit needed to enter the Grand Canyon National Park ($30/vehicle/one week). Otherwise, buy America the Beautiful Annual Pass to enter more than 2000 American Natural Parks and Recreation Sites ($80/valid 1 year).

We camped at:

• Mather Campground near Grand Canyon Visitor Center and close to Tusayan town ($18/site/night; a maximum of 2 vehicles, 6 people, 3 tents are allowed per site);

Mather Campground

✅big grocery store close to the campground (mobile phone and Wi-Fi signal in that area);

✅restrooms close to the camping site (having hair dryers);

✅picnic tables and grills;

✅flush toilets;

❌no mobile phone signal, no Wi-Fi in the camping site;

❌showers are located too far from the camping site;

❌coin-operated showers;

❌there is not much shade;

DAY 6 – Arizona

Hiking the South Kaibab Trail to Colorado River in the Grand Canyon National Park

• the trail gets you to the bottom of the canyon at the Colorado River;
• distance ~12mi / 20km;
• elevation 7200ft / 2195m;
• duration ~12h (we started the hike from the rim at 5am and came back at 4h30pm);
• intermediate points on the trail: Skeleton Point, Kaibab Suspension Bridge, Bright Angel Trail Bridge;

✅stunning views;

✅maintained trail;

?you can camp at the bottom of the canyon;

?you can get yourself or your stuff carried out on a mule for a fee;

⚠️very strenuous hike due to the extreme heat with numerous switchbacks; it has been the hardest hike for me so far;

⚠️it is not recommended to hike from the rim to the river and back in one day;

⚠️it is not recommended to hike alone because you may get lost, ill, or injured and there is no one to assist you;

⚠️the return hike may take twice as long;

⚠️almost no shade along the trail;

⚠️the only drinking water source is at the bottom of the canyon; make sure you have packed plenty of drinking water (and food, of course) if you are planning to do the hike;

Check out this article for more photos from the South Kaibab Trail in the Grand Canyon.

We ate at:

• a restaurant in Tusayan ($70 for two people); it has been one of the most well-deserved meal in my life?;

We camped at:

• Mather Campground near Grand Canyon Visitor Center;

DAY 7 – Arizona

Hop on/hop off South Rim Shuttle Bus

• too tired after the hike from the previous day , so we took the bus (for free) and visited the canyon’s rim;
• we spotted the blue-green Colorado River in the distance, the place where we arrived at on the previous day ;

We ate at:

• Whole Foods Market in Flagstaff ($95);

Accommodation:

• Airbnb in Flagstaff ($45/night);

DAY 8 – Arizona

Lower Antelope Canyon

• Antelope Canyon, created over millions of years by the forces of water and wind that carved the sandstone into spectacular shapes, includes 2 sections: Upper Antelope Canyon and Lower Antelope Canyon; we decided to visit the latter because it was cheaper;
• a slot canyon, very narrow and a great place for photographers;
• depth ~130ft / 40m;
• entry fee $96/two people (Dixie’s Tours);
• cheaper entry fee than for the Upper Antelope Canyon, very popular and more crowded;
• includes ladders to descend down into the canyon;

⚠️Before visiting the canyon, check if the weather is good. If there is any forecast of flash flood, flooding in the canyon can occur. Don’t ignore the danger.

? Photograph Peter Lik set the record for the world’s most expensive photograph ($6.5 million dollars) with a photo called “Ghost” taken in the Lower Antelope Canyon and capturing some light beams.

Check out this article for more photos from the Lower Antelope Canyon.

Glen Canyon National Recreation Area 

⚠️Park entrance $30/private vehicle/one week. Otherwise, buy America the Beautiful Annual Pass to enter more than 2000 American Natural Parks and Recreation Sites ($80/valid 1 year).

• natural canyon;
• it covers 170mi / 270km length of the Colorado River;
• Lake Powell is a reservoir created by the construction of the Glen Canyon Dam;

Horseshoe Bend

• horseshoe-shaped meander of the Colorado River that can be seen for free from the steep cliff above;
• this impressive landmark is a part of the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area;
• Horseshoe Bend Trail goes to the overlook point (1.5mi / 2.4 km round-trip) on a sandy terrain;
• little shade along the trail; be prepared with plenty of water;
• best time to take photos is at sunrise/sunset;
• parking area in the City of Page, Arizona;

Check out this article for more photos from the Horseshoe Bend.

We ate at:

• Whole Foods Market in Flagstaff;

We camped at:

• Wahweap RV & Campground ($30/night);

Wahweap RV & Campground

✅located very close to the Wahweap Marina (Lake Powell) from where you can rent a boat, kayak, jet ski;

✅mobile phone signal anywhere;

✅restrooms close to the camping site (having hair dryers);

✅groceries and souvenirs store in the Lake Powell Resort lobby;

✅picnic tables and grills;

✅flush toilets;

✅pet-friendly;

✅big supermarket, Walmart, ~15min away drive (in the City of Page);

❌Wi-Fi signal only in the Lake Powell Resort lobby;

❌showers are located too far from the camping site;

❌coin-operated showers;

❌no shade;

DAY 9 – Arizona → Utah

Kayaking on Powell Lake

• Lake Powell is the second largest man-made lake in the USA;
• it is a reservoir on the Colorado River;
• located at the border between Utah and Arizona;
• major vacation spot (sightseeing, boating, water sports, fishing);
• we rented a kayak paddling through the maze of bare rocks ($46/2 hours);

Driving to Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah

• distance 150mi / 240km;
• duration ~ 2h45;

We ate at:

• Big John’s Texas Barbeque Restaurant in Page;

We camped at:

• Sunset Campground in the Bryce Canyon National Park;

DAY 10 – Utah

Hiking the Queen’s Garden Trail and Navajo Loop Trail in the Bryce Canyon National Park

Bryce Canyon National Park

• it is the largest concentration on Earth of spire-shaped tall rock formations called hoodoos (irregular columns of rock);
• despite its name, the Brice Canyon is in fact a giant natural amphitheater with a unique geology;
• besides silt stones and mud stones, the predominant rock type is the limestone;
• stargazing is possible due to the high air quality and the lack of light pollution;
• it is my favorite natural attraction from America so far;

⚠️The entrance fee for Bryce Canyon National Park is $35/vehicle/one week, but we did an upgrade (that we didn’t know about until that moment). As we had already paid the park entrance for the Glen Canyon ($30), we paid an additional amount of $50 and we got an annual pass, America the Beautiful, that allowed entering to more than 2000 American Natural Parks and Recreation Sites ($80/valid 1 year).

Queen’s Garden Trail

• total distance 1.8mi / 2.8km;
• you will descend 320ft / 98m;
• the least difficult trail;

Navajo Loop Trail

• total distance 1.3mi / 2.16km;
• you will descend 550ft / 167m;
• moderate difficulty;
• the most popular trail;
• takes visitors down the rim;
• connected to Queen’s Garden Trail;

Hiking the Peekaboo Loop in the Bryce Canyon National Park (via Wall of Windows)

Peek-a-boo Loop

• total distance 5.5mi / 8.85km;
• you will descend 1555ft / 473m;
• difficult hike;
• takes hikers to the canyon floor;
• it is also an equestrian trail;
• one of the most spectacular formation: the Wall of Windows;

Brice Point scenic lookout

• scenic vistas over the full natural amphitheater;

Check out this article for more photos from the Bryce Canyon National Park.

We ate at:

• Ruby’s Inn Restaurant in Bryce Canyon City (all-you-can-eat menu, $40/two people)

We camped at:

• Sunset Campground in the Bryce Canyon National Park;

DAY 11 – Utah → Nevada

Driving to Zion National Park

• distance 72mi / 115km;
• duration 1h20;

Hiking on Angels Landing Trail in the Zion National Park

Zion National Park

⚠️Entrance fee $35/vehicle/one week. Otherwise, buy America the Beautiful Annual Pass to enter more than 2000 American Natural Parks and Recreation Sites ($80/valid 1 year).

• massive standstone cliffs;
• highest point in the park Horse Ranch Mountain, 8726 ft / 2660m;
• the Virgin River and its tributaries flows through the canyon, carving and shaping it;
• the 1.1-mile-long Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway tunnel cuts through the vertical sandstone cliffs;
• distinctive red asphalt road that perfectly blends with the surrounding reddish canyon walls;
• extreme heat during summertime; make sure you have plenty of water when going hiking;

Angels Landing Trail

• distance 5.4mi / 8.7 km (round trip);
• duration ~4h;
• elevation gain 1488ft / 453m;
• strenuous hike because of the many steep switchbacks and sharp drop-offs;
• popular trail, very crowded in summer;
• the trail is well maintained; there are also secure handholds into the cliff (bolted chains); the last part of the trail is narrow and steep;
• do not hike during summer afternoons (it’s very hot), during a thunderstorm or in winter;

Check out this article for more photos from the Zion National Park.

Driving to Las Vegas

• distance 166mi / 267km;
• duration ~2h45;

We ate at:

• Whole Foods Market in Las Vegas ($72);

Accommodation:

• Hotel Las Vegas Oasis in Las Vegas ($51/night);

DAY 12 – Nevada

Las Vegas

“O” by Cirque du Soleil 

• water-themed spectacular stage show at Bellagio Hotel&Casino;
• an aquatic extravaganza performed on stage by Cirque du Soleil;
• a combination of acrobatics and aquatics;
• very impressive, my favorite show so far;
• we bought the tickets with ~1h30 before the show, but it totally worth the money (253€/2 tickets);

Caesar’s Palace

The Venetian

We ate at:

• The Buffet at Bellagio in Las Vegas (all-you-can-eat, $84/2 people);

Accommodation:

• Hotel Las Vegas Oasis in Las Vegas ($51/night);

DAY 13 – Nevada → California

Driving to Los Angeles

• distance 270mi / 434km;
• duration ~4h;

We ate at:

• Whole Foods Market in Las Vegas ($57) and Los Angeles ($65);

Accommodation:

• Airbnb near Los Angeles (41€);

DAY 14 – California → back to Europe

Los Angeles (a drive through Beverly Hills and Bel Air neighborhoods)

Returning back home in Romania, Europe (takeoff from LAX)

?Choose to go camping when possible instead of staying in a hotel/Airbnb.

?Choose Airbnb over a hotel.

?Choose the Whole Foods hot food bar ($8.99/pound) over a fancy restaurant. They offer a wide range of organic, delicious and fresh food.

?If you are planning to visit more than 2 American National Parks, buy an America the Beautiful pass that allows you entering the majority of the American Natural Parks ($80/valid 1 year). Check out this website for the entire list of recreation sites covered by the pass.

?TOTAL amount spent for:

• flight ticket (1 checked baggage/person included)
• car rental & gas (~$3.1/gallon in 2018)
• accommodation (Airbnb, camping)
• food (many fresh juices, no junk food)
• Cirque du Soleil Show (126€/ticket)

≅ $1500/person in 2018 (excluding the shopping costs)

The American adventure has brought us so many memorable and nice experiences:

• looking for a tent that fitted our luggage
• having no plans in advance for where to sleep the next day
• camping in the middle of the nature surrounded by deer and squirrels
• staying until late in the night inside the campgrounds’ restrooms where there was a socket to charge my phone and talk to my family from Europe
• begging money from other tourists we found ourselves in the middle of nowhere, with no cash money, and where we had to pay the natural park entrance (which, by the way, was just a box left unattended in which you put a sealed envelope with your money inside, mentioning the license plate on it)
• hiking  12mi / 20km in a scorching summer day with no shade along the trail
• seing the jaw-dropping natural formations from the Bryce Canyon (hoodoos)
• going to the stunning “O” show of Cirque du Soleil
• enjoying almost daily a big fresh juice or an immunity shot at the Whole Foods Market

et cetera…

These are just a few of the memories from our 2-week trip in the American Southwest. I am totally in love with that area and I Do Recommend it. ♡

Keep on reading IDR’s articles to discover the amazing America and many other incredible places on Earth.