Head north out of Las Vegas mid-morning and stretch your legs with a scenic stop at Valley of Fire State Park-walk among the red sandstone formations and snap photos at the iconic Elephant Rock and Fire Wave viewpoints. Continue into southwestern Utah with a relaxed lunch in St. George, then take the backroad drive through the scenic red cliffs toward Cedar City, keeping an eye out for wildlife and pulling over at roadside overlooks for golden-hour light as you approach the town.
After lunch and your Valley of Fire stop, ease into the afternoon with a detour to Snow Canyon State Park for a short hike among red Navajo sandstone, lava flows and scenic overlooks-try the easy Jenny's Canyon or the vista-rich Johnson Canyon Trail for 1-2 hours of exploration. As daylight softens, drive into Cedar City and check in, then wander the historic downtown to browse galleries and grab dinner near Main Street Park, catching the relaxed small-town atmosphere before evening plans.
After checking into your Cedar City lodging, take a twilight stroll to Downtown Cedar City Plaza to enjoy local shops and a craft beer or coffee at The Grind or Centro Woodfired Pizzeria; the relaxed street lamps and murals make for pleasant evening photos. If you're up for a short nightcap with a view, drive a few minutes to Cedar Canyon Scenic Overlook to watch the stars emerge over the red cliffs-ideal tonight given the clear forecast and the late afternoon light you chased earlier.
Start with a sunrise coffee and pastry at Espresso Works before driving a short way to explore the sandstone fins and petrified dunes of The Rocks Recreation Area, where a 1-2 hour loop walk offers dramatic photo angles and quiet viewpoints. Mid-morning, head east to tour the historic mining and pioneer exhibits at Frontier Homestead State Park Museum, then hit the road toward Page with a scenic stop at the red-tinged vistas of Duck Creek Overlook to stretch and enjoy sweeping canyon views as you transition into the Lake Powell leg of your trip.
Ease out of Cedar City with a visit to the leafy campus and art-filled grounds of Southern Utah University, then drive east and stop for a geology-rich walk along the hoodoos and slickrock of Cedar Breaks National Monument (short rim strolls and viewpoints are perfect for photos and a picnic). Continue your afternoon descent toward Page with a fuel and snack break in Kanab-browse the boutique shops or grab sandwiches at Rocking V Café-before rolling on to your lakeside arrival as the sun begins to warm the red cliffs around Lake Powell.
As the day cools, unwind with a riverside dinner at The Green Room in nearby Panguitch, savoring local bistro plates while watching sunset light wash the red cliffs; afterward, pause for a short walk along the banks of Sevier River Parkway to stretch your legs and spot migrating birds. If you prefer a stargazing stop before arriving at Lake Powell, take a scenic detour to Navajo Mountain Viewpoint for wide, unobstructed skies and dramatic silhouette views of the plateau as night falls, then continue toward Page for overnight.
Begin your day with a sunrise shoot at Lone Rock Beach, where the warm light glows across the sandstone shoreline-rent a kayak or paddleboard from a local outfitter for a quiet hour paddling into narrow inlets and photographing reflections on glassy water. Afterward, drive a short stretch to Glen Canyon Dam Overlook for an interpretive stop and panoramic views of the Colorado River carving through the canyon, then grab a hearty brunch in Page before setting out on a midday boat tour or self-guided exploration of the lake's slot canyons.
After a morning on the water, cruise or drive to Antelope Point Marina to board a mid-afternoon houseboat shuttle or rent a small powerboat for quieter coves, then glide into the photogenic narrows of Antelope Canyon Overlook for golden-hour light on sculpted sandstone walls. Follow with a shoreside walk along Lone Rock Beach East and a short hike up to the viewpoint at Wahweap Overlook to capture sweeping panoramas of the lake and layered cliffs as the late sun softens the colors.
As the light softens, drive to Glen Canyon National Recreation Area - Wahweap Marina for a lakeside cocktail or sunset cruise that slips into narrow inlets ideal for late-day reflections and quiet photography; many sunset charters include narration on local geology and wildlife. Afterwards, head up to Horseshoe Bend Overlook for a twilight view from above (the railings and trail lighting make a relaxed evening visit possible), then finish with dinner at Bonkers Restaurant in Page to sample local flavors and recount the day's highlights under a big starlit sky.
Leave Page after breakfast and head north along US-89, stopping to stretch your legs at Lee's Ferry Historic Site for river-side vistas and a short walk to the old ferry landing where the Colorado River narrows. Continue onto US-89A to detour through the Vermilion Cliffs corridor and take the scenic overlook at Marble Canyon before crossing the Navajo Bridge for dramatic canyon views and possible ranger talks about local geology and wildlife en route to Moab.
Drive east from Lee's Ferry toward the high desert and pause for a stretch at Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness where a short walk to the Paria River Narrows and colorful badlands offers striking photo ops and a chance to explore short slot-canyon features. Later, continue north with a lunch stop and quick exploration of Lees Ferry Historic Recreation Area's nearby overlooks (for river views different from the morning stop) before rolling on via scenic US-89/UT-95 toward Moab, watching the landscape shift to towering red fins and checking off roadside pullouts like Professor Valley for classic Moab-style vistas as you approach town.
After arriving in Moab, settle in and head for a relaxed sunset walk at Mill Creek Canyon to stretch your legs amid cottonwoods and a flowing creek-look for small cascades and petroglyph panels along the easy trail. For dinner, enjoy hearty Southwest fare and local brews at Moab Brewery, then finish the night with stargazing from the nearby overlook at Dead Horse Point State Park to take in a sweeping, illuminated canyon panorama under clear desert skies.
Rise early for a brisk sunrise hike to Delicate Arch Viewpoint (shorter approach) to catch warm light on the famous formation, then head to the quieter Windows Section for easy walks through double arches and photogenic sandstone fins before the crowds arrive. Mid-morning, drive the scenic La Sal Mountain Loop for sweeping vistas and a short, shaded stroll at Ken's Lake Recreation Area to cool off and watch migrating birds, linking the high alpine contrasts to the red-rock landscape you've been following since Cedar City and Lake Powell.
After a morning of iconic arches, spend the afternoon exploring the quieter, sculpted landscapes of Devils Garden Trailhead-tackle the route toward Landscape Arch and the alcove-rich spurs for fantastic close-up rock textures and fewer crowds. Later, drive a short way to Corona and Bowtie Arches for a photo-rich loop, then finish by descending into the shady canyon at Salt Valley Overlook to watch shifting light on fins and to enjoy an easy creekside picnic before returning to town.
Wind down with a golden-hour drive to Potash Road Scenic Overlook to catch sunset light on the Colorado River and the rust-colored cliffs, then follow the short riverside pathway to view the historic Moab Tramway remnants and dramatic petroglyph panels. Afterward, enjoy a relaxed dinner and live music at The Desert Bistro or sample local brews and wood-fired pizzas at Spanish Valley Brewery, finishing the night with a low-key stroll along Main Street for dessert and the town's cozy evening vibe.
Kick off with a pre-breakfast drive to Island in the Sky district of Canyonlands National Park for a sunrise viewpoint at Mesa Arch, then follow the short scenic rim trails to Grand View Point for sweeping panoramas of the confluence of the Green and Colorado Rivers. Afterward, return toward town and swap lenses for a hands-on afternoon: book a half-day guided 4x4 tour along Hell's Revenge or an experienced-led e-bike trip through the Sand Flats Recreation Area to feel the slickrock up close and bridge the high-desert vistas you've chased since Cedar City and Lake Powell.
Spend a sun-warmed afternoon paddling a guided raft or inflatable kayak trip through Cataract Canyon side channels on the Colorado River, where mellow current sections and sculpted walls offer close-up geology and possible birdwatching; many outfitters include convenient shuttle service from Moab. Later, trade water for wheels with a scenic late-afternoon drive on Fisher Towers Road-stop for a short hike to the base of the towers for dramatic spires and golden light, then return via the rim to catch sunset colors over the river corridor before a relaxed dinner back in town.
After an active day, unwind with a riverside sunset paddle at Moab Under Canvas's nearby launch (or a guided mellow SUP with a local outfitter) to watch warm light paint the canyon walls from water level, followed by a short drive to Gold Bar Recreation Area for an easy shoreline stroll and quiet birdwatching as the sky deepens. Finish with dinner and local craft beers on the patio at Quesadilla Mobilla or a relaxed meal at The Broken Oar, then take a late-evening walk to the Moab Waterfront Park to soak up stars and the gentle river breeze before turning in.
Leave Moab shortly after breakfast and detour west to the sculpted fins and river overlooks of Robbers Roost Overlook for a short morning hike and dramatic photo ops of the canyon-carved landscape; continue down scenic UT-313 and pause at Newspaper Rock to inspect the ancient petroglyph panel up close and connect with the region's deep human history. Before descending toward Nevada, stretch your legs with a riverside picnic at Green River State Park-a calm spot for birdwatching and a final slow look at the Green River waters that have shaped the canyons you'll have visited on this trip.
Roll west from Moab and pause at Fisher Towers Trailhead for a brisk 1-1.5 hour out-and-back to the base of the red spires-perfect for close-up rock textures and a snack break with sweeping river-valley views. Continue down US-191 toward Monticello and detour to Huntington Canyon for a scenic drive and short waterfall walk at Freedom Trail Falls, then cross into Nevada with a final photo stop at the broad vistas of Little Sahara Recreation Area to stretch your legs on the dunes before finishing the drive to Las Vegas.
On the drive west, pull off for a sunset stroll and panoramic photos at Canyonlands Overlook (a quieter rim viewpoint than Island in the Sky) before continuing toward the desert lowlands; the wide, layered colors at dusk make for a cinematic farewell to the Colorado Plateau. After dark, pause for a relaxed dinner and a last taste of regional cooking at Joseph's Steakhouse in Green River or a roadside diner in Richfield, then seek out a clear pullout near Mile Marker 90 on US-6 for stargazing and a final sweep of Milky Way-lit desert on your way into Las Vegas.