Las Vegas & Southwest USA Adventure: September 3 – September 23, 2025

Day 1: Arrival & Hoover Dam

Morning: Arrive at Las Vegas Harry Reid International Airport on Delta DL0421 at 1:26 PM and pick up your rental car.

Afternoon: Drive to the iconic Hoover Dam (≈30 min) and explore the visitor center and walk across the historic spillway.

Evening: Check‑in at The Venetian Resort and enjoy a relaxed dinner on the Strip.

Day 2: Red Rock Canyon & Tule Springs

Morning: Head to Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area for a scenic hike on the Calico Tanks trail.

Afternoon: Visit Tule Springs Fossil Beds National Monument and explore the desert wildlife and fossil sites.

Evening: Return to the Venetian for a dinner at a gourmet restaurant and a stroll through the casino.

Day 3: Eagles Concert

Morning: Leisurely morning at the resort, perhaps a spa treatment at the Venetian spa.

Afternoon: Explore the Strip’s attractions, such as the Bellagio Fountains and the Neon Museum.

Evening: Enjoy the Eagles concert at the venue (e.g., T-Mobile Arena) with the stadium’s energy.

Day 4: Jerome & Prescott

Morning: Drive to historic Jerome, Arizona, explore the ghost town vibe and the Jerome State Historic Park.

Afternoon: Continue to Prescott, visit the Sharlot Hall Museum and stroll the historic downtown.

Evening: Stay overnight at the Hotel San Carlos in Prescott.

Day 5: Sedona

Morning: Drive to Sedona and hike the Catalina Trail for stunning red‑rock vistas.

Afternoon: Visit the Chapel of the Holy Cross and enjoy a lunch at a local café.

Evening: Stay at the L'Auberge de Sedona for a relaxing night.

Day 6: Horseshoe Bend & Antelope Canyon

Morning: Drive to the Horseshoe Bend overlook near Page, AZ, and take in the iconic view.

Afternoon: Tour Antelope Canyon (Upper or Lower) with a guided tour for spectacular photography.

Evening: Overnight at the Hyatt Place Page – Lake Powell.

Day 7: Monument Valley

Morning: Depart for Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, join a guided tour to explore the iconic mesas.

Afternoon: Visit the Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Museum for cultural insights.

Evening: Stay at the Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park Hotel.

Day 8: Flagstaff & Montezuma’s Castle

Morning: Drive to Flagstaff, wander the historic downtown and the Lowell Observatory.

Afternoon: Visit Montezuma’s Castle National Monument to see the cliff‑side dwellings.

Evening: Stay at the Little America Hotel in Flagstaff.

Day 9: Grand Canyon South Rim

Morning: Drive to the Grand Canyon South Rim, start with the Rim Trail for spectacular views.

Afternoon: Visit the Grand Canyon Visitor Center and take a short hike to Bright Angel Trail.

Evening: Stay overnight at El Tovar Hotel on the South Rim.

Day 10: Grand Canyon to Capitol Reef

Morning: Sunrise at the Grand Canyon, then depart for Capitol Reef National Park (via Scenic Byways).

Afternoon: Explore the historic **Fruita** area, hike to the **Fruita Canyon** and see the **Hickman Bridge.

Evening: Stay at the **Capitol Reef Resort**.

Day 11: Capitol Reef to Petrified Forest

Morning: Drive to Petrified Forest National Park, start with the **Painted Desert** viewpoint.

Afternoon: Walk the **Blue Mesa Trail** and see the ancient petrified trees.

Evening: Stay at the **Petrified Forest Lodge in nearby Holbrook.

Day 12: Petrified Forest to Canyonlands

Morning: Depart for Canyonlands National Park (Island in the Sky district) and view the **Mesa Arch** at sunrise.

Afternoon: Hike the **Upheaval Dome** trail and enjoy the expansive vistas.

Evening: Stay at the **Moab Valley Inn** in Mo B.

Day 13: Arches National Park

Morning: Explore **Arches National Park**; hike to **Delicate Arch** and **Landscape Arch**.

Afternoon: Visit the **Visitor Center** and take a short hike to **The Windows**.

Evening: Return to Mo B for a comfortable night at the **Hyatt Place Moab**.

Day 14: Return to Las Vegas

Morning: Begin the drive back to Las Vegas via I‑70 and I‑15, stopping for lunch at **St. George, UT**.

Afternoon: Arrive back in Las Vegas, check‑in to the **Venetian Resort** for the final night.

Evening: Enjoy a farewell dinner on the Strip and relax before departure.

Day 15: Departure

Morning: Pack and enjoy a relaxed brunch at the Venetian’s buffet.

Afternoon: Return rental car, head to the airport.

Evening: Depart Las Vegas on Delta DL0748 at 11:35 AM.

Time and Cost Estimates

• Hoover Dam – 2 hours – $30 (tour & parking)
• Red Rock Canyon – 3 hours – $15 (entry fee)
• Tule Springs Fossil Beds – 2 hours – $10 (park fee)
• Jerome – 3 hours – $0 (self‑guided)
• Prescott – 2 hours – $5 (museum)
• Red Rock Trail (Catalina) – 3 hours – $0
• Chapel of the Holy Cross – 1 hour – $3 (donation)
• Horseshoe Bend – 2 hours – $0
• Antelope Canyon – 2 hours – $80 (tour)
• Monument Valley – 4 hours – $20 (park fee)
• Lowell Observatory – 2 hours – $12
• Montezuma’s Castle – 1 hour – $10
• Grand Canyon South Rim – 6 hours – $35 (park fee)
• Capitol Reef – 3 hours – $20 (park fee)
• Petrified Forest – 3 hours – $15 (park fee)
• Canyonlands (Mesa Arch) – 2 hours – $20 (park fee)
• Arches National Park – 5 hours – $25 (park fee)
• Hotel – The Venetian (9 nights) – $250 per night – $2,250
• Hotel – Hotel San Carlos (1 night) – $150
• Hotel – L'Auberge de Sedona (1 night) – $300
• Hotel – Hyatt Place Page (1 night) – $180
• Monument Valley Hotel (1 night) – $200
• Hotel – Little America (1 night) – $180
• El Tovar Hotel (1 night) – $300
• Capitol Reef Resort (1 night) – $200
• Petrified Forest Lodge (1 night) – $150
• Moab Valley Inn (2 nights) – $250 each – $500
• Rental car (21 days) – $60 / day – $1,260
• Flights (round‑trip) – $400
• Meals & Misc. – $50 / day – $1,050
• Total Estimated Cost – $13,247

Tips

If you need to shorten the trip, consider dropping the detour to **Montezuma’s Castle** and **Flagstaff**, and combine **Horseshoe Bend** with **Antelope Canyon** into a single day, which saves two nights of accommodation. To extend the adventure, add a day at **Lake Powell** for water activities, or spend an extra night at the **Grand Canyon** to explore the less‑crowded North Rim. Adjusting the order of the parks (e.g., visiting **Canyonlands** before **Arches**) can also optimize driving distances.