10 days · Utah, Arizona, and optional Nevada start
10-Day Southwest National Parks
By the Compass & Trails editor · Last updated 20 September 2026
Trip Overview
Ten days is the point at which the Southwest stops being a raid and starts being a trip. This plan still starts in Las Vegas, still uses paved roads, and still skips Monument Valley commercial loops and Antelope Canyon tours as defaults (those are separate, often guided, and crowded). You get two nights near Zion, a North or South Rim Grand Canyon decision, Bryce, Capitol Reef, and a Moab cluster. Heat, wind, and flash-flood season still run the show.
Driving timePlan 20–25 hours of connecting drives across ten days
HikingCorridor canyon hikes, hoodoos, slickrock, one rim walk
OvernightsSpringdale, Grand Canyon or Kanab, Bryce, Torrey, Moab
Ideal seasonApril–May and late September–October
Best Time to Go
Spring for longer days without the worst heat. Fall for slightly shorter lines at some gates.
Budget Considerations
- Park pass
- Two in-park or gateway lodges that cost more but save dawn driving
- Guided slot canyons omitted to keep the budget and the permit picture simpler
We do not list live prices. Check current park fees and lodging quotes.
Packing List
- Electrolytes
- Sun hat with a brim
- Printed lodging addresses—desert GPS can lag
Day-by-day structure
Day 1 — Las Vegas to Zion
Zion · Arrival · Driving: 2.5–3 hours
Morning. Land, grocery, drive.
Afternoon. Watchman Trail.
Evening. Springdale.
Hiking options. Watchman Trail
Scenic stops. Zion Canyon late light
Overnight. Springdale
Planning notes. Same as the 5-day plan’s first day, on purpose. Do not overfill it.
Day 2 — Zion deep day
Zion Canyon · Full day · Driving: Shuttle
Morning. Primary hike (Scout Lookout / permitted Angels Landing or another open route).
Afternoon. Rest and a short second walk.
Evening. Springdale.
Hiking options. Angels Landing or Scout Lookout
Scenic stops. Canyon from Scout Lookout
Overnight. Springdale
Planning notes. A second Zion night is the point of a 10-day plan.
Day 3 — East Zion and transfer
East side / Kanab or toward the Grand Canyon · Half hike, half transfer · Driving: 3–5 hours depending on rim
Morning. Canyon Overlook. Drive the tunnel with current large-vehicle rules.
Afternoon. Transfer toward Kanab or the South Rim depending on your Grand Canyon choice.
Evening. Gateway town.
Hiking options. Canyon Overlook Trail
Scenic stops. East Zion slickrock
Overnight. Kanab or Tusayan / South Rim
Planning notes. Do not hike a long canyon trail today.
Day 4 — Grand Canyon rim and corridor
Grand Canyon National Park · Full day · Driving: In-park shuttles
Morning. Rim walk at dawn. Then Bright Angel to a rest house or South Kaibab to Ooh Aah / Cedar Ridge.
Afternoon. Shade, water, indoor rest. Heat is the limit.
Evening. South Rim or Kanab.
Hiking options. Bright Angel Trail; South Kaibab to Cedar Ridge
Scenic stops. Hopi Point or another shuttle viewpoint at sunset if energy remains
Overnight. South Rim preferred
Planning notes. One corridor trail, not both.
Day 5 — Second Grand Canyon day or Page optional
Grand Canyon or a rest day · Flexible · Driving: Variable
Morning. A different viewpoint road (Desert View Drive) or a rest morning.
Afternoon. Begin the move toward Bryce if you are not taking a full second rim day.
Evening. On the road north or a second rim night.
Hiking options. Rim Trail sections only
Scenic stops. Desert View Watchtower area
Overnight. Toward Bryce or second canyon night
Planning notes. A rest day here prevents a sloppy Bryce hike.
Day 6 — Bryce Canyon
Bryce · Full park day · Driving: From Kanab / canyon country
Morning. Rim and hoodoo descent.
Afternoon. Fairyland or a second rim section only if the first hike was short.
Evening. Bryce area.
Hiking options. Queen’s Garden / Navajo
Scenic stops. Bryce Amphitheater
Overnight. Bryce
Planning notes. Colder night. Layers.
Day 7 — Highway 12 and Capitol Reef
Capitol Reef · Scenic day · Driving: Scenic, not fast
Morning. Byway 12.
Afternoon. Capitol Reef hikes and orchards.
Evening. Torrey.
Hiking options. Hickman Bridge or Grand Wash if conditions are dry
Scenic stops. Capitol Dome area
Overnight. Torrey
Planning notes. Grand Wash is a slot-like canyon: check storms.
Day 8 — Moab arrival
Moab · Transfer · Driving: 2.5 hours plus overlooks
Morning. Drive to Moab.
Afternoon. Dead Horse Point or a light Arches section if timed entry allows.
Evening. Moab.
Hiking options. Short overlook walks
Scenic stops. Colorado River corridor
Overnight. Moab
Planning notes. Grocery tonight.
Day 9 — Arches
Arches National Park · Full day · Driving: Short
Morning. Delicate Arch or Devils Garden to Landscape Arch.
Afternoon. Windows Section. Rest in town heat.
Evening. Moab.
Hiking options. Delicate Arch Trail
Scenic stops. Park Avenue
Overnight. Moab
Planning notes. One big hike, not three.
Day 10 — Canyonlands and exit
Island in the Sky then Las Vegas or Salt Lake · Half park, half exit · Driving: Long if returning to Las Vegas
Morning. Mesa Arch at a reasonable hour, Grand View Point.
Afternoon. Begin the exit. Las Vegas is a long afternoon; do not add Needles.
Evening. Airport city.
Hiking options. Mesa Arch
Scenic stops. Island in the Sky rims
Overnight. Exit city
Planning notes. A dawn Mesa Arch plus a noon exit is cleaner than a third Moab hike.
