Before setting foot in America, I imagined a country of dry skyscrapers and crowded streets. But upon arriving, I realized America had much more to offer. Vast highways, diverse cultures, and the kindness of its people completely changed my preconceptions. In particular, the unspoiled natural beauty with majestic mountains, lush forests, and magnificent deserts ignited my passion for exploration. And so, I decided to return to discover the Grand Circle in the Southwestern United States on a memorable road trip.
Discovering the Surreal Beauty of the American West
The American West is not an easy destination for beginners. The wilderness and emptiness of this land can make you feel lonely and afraid. But in return, you’ll experience powerful and unforgettable emotions. I remember driving through the desert at night, surrounded by darkness and the distant howls of wolves. Or the anxiety when the campsite was warned about rattlesnakes.
A desolate road from Antelope Valley to Death Valley with hardly any people in sight
But gradually, I was no longer afraid. I felt small in the vast desert, embraced by nature, and able to admire the majestic landscapes. From sunrise to sunset, I reveled in the vast space and enjoyed the wonderful moments. The West conquered me with its wild and free beauty.
This 3-week road trip was a journey to explore the Grand Circle, with stops at stunning national parks. In each place, I could only stay for 1 to 3 days, but that was enough for me to find my favorite spots and plan for future returns.
Tip: The Grand Circle region is predominantly desert and red sandstone mountains, so sunset and sunrise are the two best times to admire the scenery and take photos. Plan to arrive at the most beautiful locations during the best light.
Detailed 3-Week Grand Circle Itinerary
Below is a detailed itinerary of my 3-week road trip, along with suggestions for beautiful photo spots and helpful tips:
Day 1: Los Angeles
- Arrive in Los Angeles, rent a car at the airport.
- Explore the city and shop for necessary supplies for the trip.
- Overnight in Los Angeles.
Day 2: Antelope Valley
- Drive from Los Angeles to Antelope Valley (1.5 hours).
- Explore Antelope Valley, a California poppy reserve. (Ideal time: Late April, early May, after 10 AM).
- Drive from Antelope Valley to Death Valley (2 hours 45 minutes) via Trona Wildrose Road.
- Overnight at Panamint Spring, Death Valley.
Antelope Valley in spring covered in orange blossoms stretching to the horizon
Day 3: Death Valley National Park (NP)
- Catch the sunrise at the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes.
- Drive along Racetrack Road to Racetrack Playa. (Note: 27-mile dirt road, not recommended in bad weather).
- Watch the sunset at Zabriskie Point.
- Overnight at Furnace Creek, Death Valley.
Day 4: Death Valley NP, Las Vegas
- Visit Badwater Basin, the lowest point in North America, at sunrise.
- Drive along Artists Palette, admiring the colorful sandstone.
- Drive from Death Valley to Las Vegas (2 hours).
- Overnight in Las Vegas, hotel on The Strip.
Volcanoes and snow-capped mountains, Death Valley has it all
Day 5: Valley of Fire State Park (SP)
- Drive from Las Vegas to Valley of Fire (1 hour) via NV167.
- Explore Valley of Fire, Nevada State Park with unique sandstone formations.
- Visit Atlatl Rock, Arch Rock (best light in the morning).
- Visit Jumble Rock, Elephant Rock (mid-afternoon).
- Explore White Dome, Rainbow Vista, Fire Wave (late afternoon until sunset).
- Overnight near Valley of Fire.
Winding roads through the desert, only seen in the West
Day 6: Zion NP
- Drive from Valley of Fire to Zion NP (2 hours 30 minutes).
- Hike Angel’s Landing (3-4 hours). (Note: Consider weather conditions).
- Hike Observation Point (4 hours from Weeping Rock parking lot).
- Drive from Zion NP to Bryce Canyon (2 hours).
- Overnight near Bryce Canyon.
Day 7: Bryce Canyon NP
- Catch the sunrise at Sunrise Point.
- Hike Queen Garden Trail and Navajo Loop Trail.
- Watch the sunset at Sunset Point.
- Overnight near Bryce Canyon.
Bryce Canyon has the most magical sunrise of any place I've ever been
Day 8: Bryce Canyon NP
- Catch the sunrise at Sunset Point and Inspiration Point.
- Drive from Bryce Canyon to Moab (5 hours) via Scenic Byway 12.
- Watch the sunset at Fisher Towers near Moab.
- Overnight in Moab.
Day 9: Dead Horse Point SP, Arches NP
- Drive from Moab to Arches NP (9 minutes).
- Catch the sunrise at Dead Horse Point SP.
- Hike Devil’s Garden Trail (4.2 miles).
- Visit Windows Section, see Double Arch (0.8 mile).
- Hike Delicate Arch Trail (3.0 miles) in the late afternoon.
- Overnight in Moab.
Early morning at Dead Horse Point SP
Delicate Arch, symbol of Utah
Day 10: Canyonlands NP
- Drive from Moab to Canyonlands NP (45 minutes).
- Catch the sunrise at Mesa Arch.
- Visit Murphy Point, White Rim Overlook, Grand Viewpoint, Green River Overlook, Shafer Canyon Overlook.
- Hike False Kiva Trail (2 miles).
- Watch the sunset at Grand Viewpoint or Green River Overlook.
- Drive from Canyonlands to Monticello (1 hour 40 minutes).
- Overnight in Monticello.
Day 11: Valley of the Gods, Goosenecks SP, Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park (NTP)
- Drive from Monticello to Monument Valley (1 hour 50 minutes), stopping at Valley of the Gods along the way.
- Visit Goosenecks SP.
- Hike Wildcat Trail (4 miles), one of the most beautiful trails in Monument Valley.
- Take a scenic drive through Monument Valley via Scenic Drive in the late afternoon.
- Watch the sunset at the viewpoint right in front of the Monument Valley Visitor Center.
- Overnight in Monument Valley.
Monument Valley Visitor Tips:
Monument Valley, also known as Tse’ Bii’ Ndzisgaii in Navajo, is an icon of the American Southwest. It has become a familiar backdrop in hundreds of movies, music videos, and magazine covers.
Valley of the Gods echoes Monument Valley's scenery and is completely free to visit
Monument Valley as seen from Mexican Hat
Important Note: Monument Valley is owned by the Navajo Nation, so it has different regulations than state or national parks managed by the government. This affects entrance fees and visitor activities. Research information carefully before visiting for a smooth trip.
Day 12: Page
- Drive from Monument Valley to Page (2 hours).
- Hike Thousand Pockets (2 miles).
- Visit Stud Horse Point.
- Overnight in Page.
Day 13: Antelope Canyon NTP
- Visit Lower Antelope Canyon (Hasdeztwazi).
- Visit Upper Antelope Canyon (Tse Bighanilini’) visit time 11 AM – 1 PM for the best light.
- Overnight in Page.
Day 14: Lake Powell, Horseshoe Bend
- Book a boat tour to explore Lake Powell.
- Watch the sunset at Horseshoe Bend.
- Overnight in Page.
Day 15: Grand Canyon NP
- Drive Page – Grand Canyon South Rim (2.5 hours).
- Stop by Lee’s Ferry.
- Hike Cathedral Wash (2.5 miles).
- Stop at Desert View.
- Overnight in Grand Canyon Village.
Day 16: Grand Canyon NP
- Sunrise at Mather Point.
- Hike Bright Angel Trail to 3-Mile Resthouse.
- Sunset at Hopi Point.
- Overnight in Grand Canyon Village.
Day 17: Grand Canyon NP
- Sunrise at Yaki Point.
- Hike South Kaibab Trail to Cedar Ridge.
- Walk Trail of Time from Verkamp’s Visitor Center to Yavapai Point (1.9 miles).
- Sunset at Yavapai Point.
- Overnight in Grand Canyon Village.
Day 18: Road 66
- Drive Grand Canyon – Williams – Twentynine Palms (8 hours).
- Drive along the legendary Route 66: Seligman, Hackberry, Kingman, Oatman, Essex, Newberry Springs.
- Overnight in Twentynine Palms.
Day 19: Joshua Tree NP
- Drive Twentynine Palms – Joshua Tree National Park.
- Explore Hidden Valley, Cholla Cactus Garden.
- Drive Joshua Tree Park – Santa Ana (2 hours).
- Santa Ana Jacaranda trees in May, near Myrtle Street, Morrison Park.
- Santa Ana – Los Angeles (1 hour).
- Overnight in Los Angeles.
Day 20: Los Angeles
- Explore Los Angeles.
- Overnight in Los Angeles.
Day 21: Los Angeles
- Explore Los Angeles.
- Return car.
Best Time to Visit
The Grand Circle has mountainous and desert terrain, so the weather is quite extreme. Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) are the two best seasons for a road trip. Summer months (June, July, August) are very hot, especially in Death Valley. Winter is cold and snowy, which can be dangerous if you are not used to driving on icy roads.
Sample Costs
- Round-trip airfare from Europe: $800 – $1000 USD
- Hotel: $50 – $100 USD
- Food: $10 – $20 USD / person / meal
- Car rental: $40 – $50 USD / car / day
Total cost approximately $5600 USD / 3 weeks for 2 adults.
Conclusion
This 3-week road trip exploring the Grand Circle in the Southwestern United States was a memorable and meaningful experience. I admired magnificent natural landscapes, explored unspoiled lands, and experienced powerful emotions. I hope my experiences and suggestions will help you have an enjoyable and memorable trip. Wishing you a wonderful journey exploring the American West!