Do you only have a week for a Southwest road trip? Worry not! Even though the Southwest is enormous and has tons of amazing sights and things to do, a week is enough to get a pretty good feel of some of the best that it offers if you’re able to maximize your time and don’t mind a bit of a challenge. If you’re currently struggling to put together a perfect one-week itinerary through the Southwest, here’s the ultimate one-week itinerary that will get you in touch with the enchanting Southwest of the USA, taking you from the Mars-like landscapes of Arches and Canyonlands in Utah to the historical jewel of Mesa Verde National Park in Colorado.
The Ultimate One-Week Itinerary through the Southwest USA
Day 1 and Day 2: Moab
Stunning red rock formations that look like they belong on Mars, gorgeous canyons with sweeping vistas, and
Begin your road trip by checking out the iconic Delicate Arch, one of the most famous landmarks in the state (so much that it’s depicted on their license plates!). Next, get a pretty good feel of what hiking in the desert is like by doing the Landscape Arch trail, which leads to the largest natural arch in the USA.
Hop back in your car and drive down the Arches Scenic Ride, which will have you taking some of the best viewpoints in the park in no time. Put your trail shoes back on and prepare for an epic sunset by hiking the Double Arch trail and finishing at the Windows, where you can find a cozy spot to watch the sun go down and think back on the first day of your road trip!
Day 2 will be about visiting the main highlights of the Island in the Sky district at Canyonlands. Even though Canyonlands is huge, one day is enough to see some of the best it has to offer if you focus your attention on this district. The reason for that is that it boasts the most iconic sights at the park while also offering relatively short and easy trails, which means you can cover a ton in just a few hours.
To start an unforgettable day, set an early alarm and hike up to the emblematic Mesa Arch for an epic sunrise you won’t soon forget.
Afterward, pick a few hiking trails to follow (don’t worry, Island in the Sky’s trails are pretty short and gentle). A few must-do hikes include the Delicate Arch trail as well as the Landscape Arch trail, where you’ll get to see the longest natural arch in the United States.
For a stunning sunset with sweeping views of the canyons, you can head to Green River Viewpoint, where the sun shines over the walls of the canyons and makes the rocks come alive with color.
Day 3: Mesa Verde National Park
The third day is about driving to Colorado to visit one of the most intricate areas of the Southwest! Nestled deep in
Nobody quite knows why this ancestral society collapsed, but you’re welcome to come up with a theory or two while walking through the site!
Days 4 and 5: Grand Canyon National Park
No Southwest itinerary would be complete without a visit to Grand Canyon National Park.
Day Four will be for driving your way from Mesa Verde to Grand Canyon (5-6 hours), so take things slowly today. You
On day 5, you can challenge your desert hiking skills by braving the Bright Angel Trail, a 9.5-mile hike that will have you going past some of the most alluring views of the Grand Canyon. Although doing the complete hike out and back in a day is not recommended, there are many milestones where you can turn around and get back to the trailhead. It’s completely up to you and your skill level when to get back. As a tip, bring plenty of water (that means more than you think you’ll need).
Day 6: Zion National Park
Another day spent hiking in the desert in search of awe-inspiring views? Yes, please!
Before taking on the trails, be sure to visit the Zion Human History Museum, where you’ll learn about the indigenous
A few of the must to hikes include Emerald Pools, Canyon Overlook (perfect for families), and The Narrows, which will take you through canyon walls and wading through the river. Note that The Narrows hike is 16-miles long and not exactly doable in just a day, but you can turn back any time in order to maximize your time at Zion!
Next up, drive to Kolob Canyon, which is the less visited part of Zion. Park your car and hike Timber Creek Overlook at Kolob View Point, where you’ll get a 360-degree vista of the landscape (on clear days, you might even catch glimpses of the Grand Canyon’s North Rim!)
Day 7: Valley of Fire State Park
Finish an action-packed itinerary with a visit to Valley of Fire State Park, a place that will transport you into a world of epic red Aztec sandstone outcrops, petrified trees, ancient petroglyphs, and landscapes colored in all shades of red,
While at Fire State, gear up for another day of hiking in search of out-of-this-planet landscapes. Two must-do hikes are Fire of Wave and Rainbow Vista trails, both of which are relatively easy to follow and provide some of the most incredible views in the park.
If you prefer to relax on your last day, though, you can opt to explore Valley of Fire from the comfort of your car by taking Mouse’s Tank Road, which will have you going past some of the most breath-taking viewpoints you can calmly gaze at while bidding goodbye to the desert!
I hope this itinerary helped you plan a perfect one-week in the Southwest! Even though there’s a humongous array of incredible things to do in this part of the United States, these 4 destinations are a great place to get started exploring the best it has to offer.
Have you ever visited the Southwest? What are some other incredible places everyone’s got to visit at least once in their life? Let me know all about them in the comment section below!
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