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Southwest Adventure – September 3 to September 23, 2025

Viewed by 58 travelers

Day 1: Arrival & Evening in Las Vegas

Morning: Arrive at McCarran International Airport, collect rental car and settle into a centrally‑located hotel on the Strip. Evening: Stroll down Bellagio Conservatory and enjoy a casual dinner at Mon Ami Gabi with classic casino views. Night: Relax with a cocktail at the rooftop SkyBar, soaking the neon skyline.

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Day 2: Las Vegas Exploration

Morning: Explore the vintage charm of Fremont Street Experience, then bite into a gourmet breakfast at Eat. Afternoon: Visit the immersive Neon Museum and then wander the artsy Arts District. Evening: Attend the spectacular Eagles concert at Allegro Venue, ending the night with a late‑night bite at Lotus of Siam.

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Day 3: Journey to Death Valley (South) – Travel & Sunset

Morning: Drive 2‑hour west to the entrance of Death Valley National Park with a quick stop for coffee at Stovepipe Wells. Afternoon: Explore the Furnace Creek Visitor Center while learning about the desert ecosystem. Evening: Sunset at the iconic Zabriskie Point and a night under the stars at Stovepipe Wells Lodge.

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Day 4: Death Valley Highlights

Morning: Hike the gentle Golden Creek Trail to see the historic ghost town of Rhyolite. Afternoon: Visit Badwater Basin, the lowest point in North America, and enjoy a quick picnic at Artist’s Palette for vivid colors. Evening: Relax, stargazing and a dinner of desert‑grown cuisine at the Riverside Restaurant.

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Day 5: Travel to Joshua Tree National Park

Morning: Depart early for the 3‑hour drive to Joshua Tree, stop at Barstow for a quick brunch at Pioneer Café. Afternoon: Walk the Hidden Valley Trail to see iconic Joshua trees and rock formations. Evening: Sunset at Keys View with starlight view followed by dinner at Phoenix Inn in Joshua Tree Village.

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Day 6: Joshua Tree Adventures

Morning: Moderate Ryan Mount Hike (2 hours) with spectacular views. Afternoon: explore the Cholla Cactus Garden, then cool off at the Joshua Tree National Park Visitor Center. Evening: dinner at the historic Crossroads Café and a night‑time guided stargazing walk.

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Day 7: Travel to Grand Canyon South Rim

Morning: Drive 6 hours to Grand Canyon National Park, with a stop for lunch in Williams. Afternoon: Check‑in at El Tovar Hotel and take the easy Rim Trail from Yavapai Point to Mather Point. Evening: Sunset at Hopi House, dinner at El Tovar Dining Room.

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Day 8: Grand Canyon Exploration

Morning: Hike the moderate Bright Angel Trail to the 1.5‑hour waypoint at Plateau Point; breathtaking vistas of the canyon interior. Afternoon: Visit Grand Canyon Village attractions: the Kolb Studio and Grand Canyon Railway museum. Evening: Dinner at Arizona Steakhouse, followed by a sunset stroll on the west rim.

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Day 9: Antelope Canyon & Horseshoe Bend

Morning: Drive to Page, AZ (2 h). Guided tour of Upper Antelope Canyon (moderate) with an experienced guide. Afternoon: Take a short hike to the iconic Horseshoe Bend for spectacular river vistas. Evening: dinner at Blue Rainbow with a view of Lake Powell, followed by a relaxing night at Lake Powell Resort.

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Day 10: Monument Valley & Navajo Tribal Park

Morning: Drive 2 h to Monument Valley for a Navajo‑guided jeep tour of the iconic sandstone buttes. Afternoon: Visit the Navajo **Cultural Center** and explore John Wayne’s House. Evening: Dinner at the **Canyon Rendezvous** with traditional Navajo cuisine.

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Day 11: Petrified Forest National Park

Morning: Drive 3 h to Ponderosa‑topped Painted Desert region; stop at Wupatki Ruins. Afternoon: Walk the **Blue Mesa** and the **Giant Logs** of the Petrified Forest, then visit the **Petrified Forest Visitor Center**. Evening: Dinner at the historic **Merrick Inn**, enjoying local Navajo dishes.

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Day 12: Journey to Capitol Reef National Park

Morning: Drive 2 h from the Arizona‑Utah border to **Capitol Reef**; settle into the modest **Canyon Overlook** cabins. Afternoon: Visit the **Fiery‑Pride Lodge** for a quick lunch, then hike the easy **Grand Wash** for vistas of the red‑toned cliffs. Evening: Dinner at the **Canyon Ridge** restaurant, enjoy a night‑time star‑watch over the “Waterpocket Fold”.

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Day 13: Capitol Reef Exploration

Morning: Hike the **Canyon Overlook Trail** (2 hours) for iconic vistas of Cathedral Valley. Afternoon: Picnic at the **Gifford Homestead** and learn about early settler life. Evening: Dinner at **Ziggy’s**, a local favorite, and enjoy a short night walk in the **Alpine Loop Trail**.

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Day 14: Arches National Park

Morning: 3 h drive to Moab, UT - check into a boutique hotel in *Moab*. Afternoon: Walk the iconic **Delicate Arch** (2 hours) for world‑renowned photography. Evening: Dinner at the **Moab Brewery** and a sunset views from the **Windows** area.

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Day 15: Canyonlands (Island in the Sky) & Red Rock

Morning: Drive 2 h to **Canyonlands** – explore the **Mesa Arch** and the **Grand View Point** trail. Afternoon: Return to Moab and take a short drive to the **Red Rock Canyon** for a scenic drive, stop at **Viewpoint**. Evening: Dinner at **The Cowboy Bar** for a laid‑back evening.

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Day 16: Great Basin National Park

Morning: Long drive (7 h) to **Great Basin**; check into the rustic **Ridge Villa**. Afternoon: Explore the **Mammoth Lakes** Trail for a gentle hike around the glacier‑carved lake. Evening: Dinner at the **Historic Merrill Lodge** restaurant, followed by stargazing – the Park is a Gold Tier dark‑sky site.

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Day 17: Great Basin Exploration

Morning: Hike the moderate **Bridger Peak** (6 h) for panoramic views of the Great Basin. Afternoon: Visit the **Lehman Caves**, guided tour through spectacular limestone formations. Evening: Dinner at the **Kelley’s Ranch** with local trout.

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Day 18: Return to Las Vegas – Hoover Dam & Red Rock Canyon

Morning: Drive 5 h back to Las Vegas; stop at the historic **Hoover Dam**, take a guided tour of the power plant and walk the **Mike O'Rourke–Baba** site. Afternoon: Visit the **Red Rocks Canyon Conservation Area**, moderate hike on **Calico Hills** for dramatic vistas. Evening: Dinner at **Eiffel Tower Restaurant**, overlooking the Strip.

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Day 19: Tule Springs Fossil Beds & Mojave National Preserve

Morning: Drive 1.5 h to Tule Springs to explore the **Bark Beetle** and **fossil dig** exhibits; a short desert hike. Afternoon: Continue to **Mojave National Preserve**, visit the **Mojave Dam**, and take a short **Kelso Dunes** hike for a unique sand experience. Evening: Return to Las Vegas for dinner at **Raku** for Japanese steak‑house.

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Day 20: Jerome, Prescott & Sedona

Morning: Drive 3 h north to historic mining town Jerome**—** explore the **Copper Mine**, local art galleries, and the charming **Jerome Pizza** for lunch. Afternoon: Continue to **Prescott** for a short stroll through the historic **Courthouse Plaza** before heading to **Sedona** for sunset at **Cathedral Rock**. Evening: Dinner at **The Hudson** with red‑rock view, stay overnight at **Sedona Real Inn**.

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Day 21: Sedona, Flagstaff & Monte Casa Castle

Morning: Moderate hike on **Bell Rock** trail (2–3 hours) for sunrise. Afternoon: Drive to **Flagfoot** for a quick lunch, then continue to **Montezuma Castle** for a guided tour of the ancient cliff dwellings. Evening: Return to Las Vegas (4 h) for final night; dinner at **Jaleo** and a farewell stroll along **The Strip** for a final glimpse of neon lights.

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Time and Cost Estimates

  • Las Vegas (arrival, concert, dining) – 3 hours / $30
  • Death Valley (Zabriskie Point, Furnace Creek, Badwater) – 6 hours / $30
  • Joshua Tree (Hike, Hidden Valley, Ryan Mt.) – 5 hours / $25
  • Grand Canyon South Rim (Rim Trail, Bright‑Angel Trail) – 8 hours / $40
  • Antelope Canyon & Horseshoe Bend – 4 hours / $50
  • Monument Valley (Navajo tour) – 4 hours / $70
  • Petrified Forest (Giant Logs, Blue Mesa) – 3 hours / $20
  • Capitol Reef (Grand Wash, Canyon Overlook) – 5 hours / $25
  • Arches (Delicate Arch, Window Section) – 5 hours / $30
  • Canyonlands (Mesa Arch, Grand View) – 4 hours / $25
  • Great Basin (Mammoth Lakes, Levin Caves) – 6 hours / $35
  • Hoover Dam & Red Rock (viewpoints, Canyon) – 3 hours / $15
  • Tule Springs Fossils & Mojave Preserve – 3 hours / $20
  • Jerome, Prescott, Sedona (viewpoint, dinner) – 6 hours / $45
  • Monte Casa Castle / Flagstaff – 3 hours / $15
  • Overall Food, Accommodation, rentals (per person) – 21 days / $2 250
  • Total estimated cost: $3 730

Tips

For a more leisurely pace, add an extra day or two after the Grand Canyon to explore nearby **Lake Mead** and enjoy water activities, or extend your time in **Sedona** for extra hikes such as **Boynton Canyon** and a night‑time stargazing tour. Conversely, combine the **Mojave** and **Tule Springs** stops into a single day and skip the night in **Great Basin** if you need to shorten the trip, allowing you to reach the **Las Vegas** area earlier for a relaxed departure.

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