HELENE’S TRIP

TO UTAH AND ARIZONA

10 NIGHTS/7 STOPS

A Road Trip Through Nature with Breathtaking Scenery.

We created a beautiful 10-day family road trip with eight stops. The children’s grandparents, Jacques and Françoise, also joined the trip. Our dream was to discover the spectacular national parks in Utah, Arizona and Nevada. We also wanted to experience the natural beauty of the parks and to hike in the magnificent surroundings. We stopped in Las Vegas to enjoy the unique gambling atmosphere of this legendary casino town. Location and comfort were key when we selected the hotels for this multi-generational road trip, where we stayed an average of one night per location.We travelled in April . Our budget for the whole trip was around $ 1200 per person for 10 nights (excluded food and activities).

10 nights & 7 stops
$
1700 km
from April to November
road trip & nature discovery

monument2

monument2

BACKGROUNDTILES

Helene-Monument-valley

Helene-LV

monument-valley

Helene-page

Antelope

Helene-arches

Helene-Zion

ABOUT HELENE: Hélène is from Belgium. She has three children, two twin boys and a daughter. Her passions include hiking in nature and observing wildlife and scenic landscapes. However, Helen is not a fan of camping and avoids this activity during her travels.Hélène always plans her own trips, spending hours on the Internet and in travel guides trying to find destinations off the beaten path. She prefers traveling in remote locations.

ABOUT HELENE: Hélène is from Belgium. She has three children, two twin boys and a daughter. Her passions include hiking in nature and observing wildlife and scenic landscapes. However, Helen is not a fan of camping and avoids this activity during her travels.Hélène always plans her own trips, spending hours on the Internet and in travel guides trying to find destinations off the beaten path. She prefers traveling in remote locations.

WHAT HELENE LOVED ABOUT THIS TRIP

Our stay at Castle Valley Inn in Moab.
The natural beauty of the iconic US national parks
Eat the best spare ribs in the world in Moab

Hiking

NEW YORK – LAS VEGAS

5 hours direct flight (more than 20 direct flights/day)

RENTAL CARS

1700 km in 10 days
21 hours on the road – 7 stops

AVERAGE BUDGET PER PERSON

$1600 / pp for 10 nights excluded food and activities
$900 /pp for 10 days (without breakfast)
$150 /pp for rental car & taxis

$550 /pp for rental car & taxis

AIRPORT TO
LAS VEGAS

10 km/20 min

Las Vegas

Las Vegas

Kitch

1 NIGHT

LAS VEGAS TO
GRAND CANYON

445 km/6h

Grand Canyon

Grand Canyon

Scenery

1 NIGHT

Where we stayed?
What we did?

On our way, we stopped at Hoover Dam. It is worth walking across this huge concrete arch-gravity dam in the Black Canyon on the Colorado River.

The first afternoon, we went to Hermit’s rest via the shuttle bus. We hiked from Hopi Point to Monument Creek Vista. The panoramas are stunning and offer a great view of the different layers formed over millions of years. There, we hopped on the shuttle bus to Hermit’s rest.

The next morning, we did the Desert View drive by car and stopped at the Grandview and Desert view.

GRAND CANYON TO
PAGE

225 km/3h

Page

Page

Sunset

1 NIGHT

Where we stayed ?
What we did?

On our way, we started with the Desert View drive, where you can enjoy stunning views.

Plan to arrive on time in Page to watch the sunset at Horseshoe Bend. This is the one thing that you absolutely have to do. It’s marvelous.

The next morning, we visited the Lower Antelope, followed by the Upper Antelope Canyon. For your visit to Antelope Canyon: you are required to tour them with a Navajo Tribe-authorized guide service, and advance reservations are an absolute must!

Timing here is key, as the best time of the day to go there is between 11 am and 1 pm to see the sunlight entering the canyon. This is a beautiful photo opportunity. Make sure to be prepared.

PAGE TO
MONUMENT VALLEY

200 km/3h

Monument Valley

Monument Valley

Wow!

1 NIGHT

Where we stayed?
What we did?

Before the heat of the day arrives, go for a nice walk on the Wildcat trail. It’s a 3.1-mile walk that circles the West Mitten Butte.

In the afternoon, we did one part of the Valley Drive by car. A 4×4 car is highly recommended. It was a real adventure driving experience for the kids! The drive is 17 miles long of which 13 miles is a one-way loop, and typical times for the full trip are 2 to 4 hours. 15 mph is the nominal speed limit, and some places are too rocky and bumpy to go any faster, though other sections are quite smooth (with a surface of hard pressed sand), and up to 40 mph is possible. The road can become very busy during summer days, with queues at the major overlooks; early morning is the preferred time to visit as the light is better for photography and there are far fewer people than later in the day.

MONUMENT VALLEY
TO MOAB

250 km/3h

Moab

Moab

Arches

2 NIGHTS

MOAB
TO BRYCE CANYON

250 km/4h

Bryce Canyon

Bryce Canyon

Hoodoos

2 NIGHTS

Where we stayed?
What we did?

We visited the Bryce Canyon national park.

Upon arrival in the afternoon, we did a small drive, starting from Bryce Point & Inspiration Point.

The next morning, we got up early to admire the sunrise at Sunrise Point. After breakfast, we prepared a picnic for a 9.3-mile hike in the Canyon. It is possible to do shorter hikes, but it is a must to go down in the canyon.

BRYCE CANYON
TO ZION

140 km/2h

Zion

Zion

Horse Riding

1 NIGHT

Where we stayed?
What we did?

When we arrived in the afternoon, we went horseback riding at the ranch. The kids loved it.

The next morning, we visited Zion National Park. We parked at the Visitor Center and took the shuttle bus to the end of the park. There, we hiked along the Narrows trail. A hike through The Narrows requires hiking in the Virgin River. You must get your feet wet since there is no trail. Most people choose to start their hike from the Temple of Sinawava via the Riverside Walk and then walk upstream before turning around and hiking back down to the Temple of Sinawava.

ZION
TO LAS VEGAS

270 km/3h

Las Vegas

Las Vegas

Last night

1 NIGHT

Where we stayed?
What we did ?

GOOD TO KNOW

April is the best time of the year for this trip. It’s not too hot and not crowded.
In the US National Parks, you will not find the most charming hotels. They are clean and practical. Some have great views.
The food tends to be boring and there is little variety, i.e. hamburgers and Caesar salads. Try to plan ahead and pick up a picnic and groceries on the way.
Restaurants close early, so plan on eating between 5 pm-7 pm.
Keep in mind that kids less than 21 years old are not allowed inside the Casinos.

Discover our Travel Route Design services. Save time and take advantage of our community & personal experiences to design your unique itinerary. Learn more >