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Epic Southwest USA Road Trip: From Phoenix to Monument Valley and Beyond

Viewed by 155 travelers

Day 1: Northern Arizona Monuments

Phoenix to Walnut Canyon, AZ on June 16, 2025

7:30am

Breakfast at Matt's Big Breakfast, Phoenix

Enjoy classic American breakfast favorites made from fresh local ingredients to fuel your adventure.
USD20, 1h0m

9:00am

Drive to Walnut Canyon National Monument

Travel about 2.5 hours north to Walnut Canyon, known for ancient cliff dwellings and a scenic trail.

11:30am

Explore Walnut Canyon National Monument

Hike the Island Trail to see Sinagua cliff dwellings built into the canyon walls, giving a glimpse into ancient Puebloan life.
USD15, 2h0m

1:30pm

Lunch at Downtown Flagstaff

Stop for a casual lunch at Diablo Burger, famous for organic grass-fed burgers.
USD15, 1h0m

3:00pm

Visit Wupatki National Monument

Explore the expansive ruins of Wupatki Pueblo, a large ancient settlement, open until 5pm.
USD15, 1h30m

5:00pm

Check-in to Flagstaff hotel and freshen up

7:00pm

Dinner at Beaver Street Brewery, Flagstaff

Enjoy a hearty southwestern dinner and craft beers in a lively downtown setting.
USD25, 1h30m
Find Hotels in Phoenix to Walnut Canyon

Day 2: Volcanic Landscapes & Castle Ruins

Flagstaff to Montezuma Castle, AZ on June 17, 2025

7:30am

Breakfast at Early Head Market

Grab a delicious quick breakfast from this popular local spot focusing on breakfast burritos and coffee.
USD10, 0h45m

8:30am

Visit Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument

Discover the volcanic cinder cones and lava flows that shaped the landscape, with trails suitable for all skill levels.
USD15, 2h0m

10:45am

Drive to Montezuma Castle National Monument

A short 30-minute drive to view remarkable well-preserved cliff dwellings built by Sinagua people.

11:30am

Tour Montezuma Castle National Monument

Explore the 5-story prehistoric cliff dwellings set in limestone cliffs with interpretive exhibits.
USD15, 1h0m

12:45pm

Lunch at Verde Valley Café, near Montezuma Castle

Enjoy fresh Mediterranean-inspired dishes in a cozy relaxed atmosphere.
USD20, 1h0m

2:00pm

Drive to Petrified Forest National Park

Travel east about 1.5 hours to this unique park known for colorful petrified wood and Painted Desert vistas.

3:45pm

Explore Petrified Forest National Park

Visit the Blue Mesa Trail and Painted Desert Rim for spectacular landscapes and fossilized trees.
USD25, 2h0m

6:00pm

Check in to Holbrook or nearby accommodation

7:30pm

Dinner at Joe & Aggie's Café, Holbrook

Dine on authentic Southwestern cuisine in a historic Route 66 setting.
USD20, 1h0m
Find Hotels in Flagstaff to Montezuma Castle

Day 3: Ancient Ruins & Navajo Culture

Holbrook to Page, AZ on June 18, 2025

7:00am

Breakfast at Yellow Mug Café

Hearty breakfast in a friendly small-town diner.
USD15, 1h0m

8:30am

Visit Navajo Moenave Dinosaur Tracks near Tuba City

View preserved dinosaur footprints offering insight into prehistoric life in the region.
Free, 1h0m

10:00am

Drive to Elephant's Feet near Tuba City

See some of the largest and most colorful petrified wood logs known as Elephant's Feet.
Free, 0h45m

11:00am

Drive to Page, AZ

Travel about 1.5 hours to Page, base for Antelope Canyon and Glen Canyon.

12:30pm

Lunch at Big John's Texas BBQ Restaurant, Page

Savor authentic Texas-style BBQ in generous portions.
USD20, 1h0m

2:00pm

Guided tour of Antelope Canyon Upper or Lower

Book a memorable guided photo tour of this stunning slot canyon famed for light beams and wave-like formations; tours run until sunset but best light is early afternoon.
USD60, 1h30m

4:00pm

Visit Glen Canyon Dam Overlook

Enjoy panoramic views of the Colorado River and Lake Powell from this scenic overlook.
Free, 0h45m

6:30pm

Dinner at Blue Buddha Sushi Lounge, Page

Relax with creative sushi and Asian-inspired dishes in a contemporary setting.
USD30, 1h30m
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Day 4: Canyon Landscapes & Trading Posts

Page to Canyon de Chelly, AZ on June 19, 2025

7:00am

Breakfast at Ranch House Grille, Page

Start your day with hearty American breakfast specialties.
USD15, 1h0m

8:30am

Drive to Canyon de Chelly National Monument

A scenic 3-hour drive northeast leads to Canyon de Chelly, a remarkable Navajo tribal park with ancient petroglyphs and pictographs.

11:30am

Explore Canyon de Chelly

Take a self-drive or guided Navajo tour to iconic sites like Spider Rock and ancient cliff dwellings. The visitor center is open 8am-5pm.
USD10, 3h0m

2:30pm

Lunch at Thunderbird Lodge

Located within Canyon de Chelly, enjoy lunch with canyon views featuring Navajo specialties.
USD25, 1h0m

4:00pm

Visit Hubbell Trading Post near Ganado, AZ

Drive about 1.5 hours south and visit the historic general store and trading post managed by the National Park Service.
Free, 1h0m

6:30pm

Drive to Chinle for overnight stay

7:30pm

Dinner at Claw's Indian Cuisine

Experience southwestern dishes with authentic Navajo flavors in Chinle.
USD20, 1h0m
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Day 5: Monument Valley & Pueblo Ruins

Chinle to Monument Valley to Aztec Ruins, NM on June 20, 2025

7:00am

Breakfast at hotel or local diner in Chinle

Fuel up for the day with a simple American breakfast.

8:00am

Drive to Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park

About 2 hours' drive to iconic red sandstone buttes and mesas; visitor center opens at 9am.
USD20 entrance fee

10:00am

Guided jeep tour of Monument Valley

Explore inaccessible landmarks with a Navajo guide, learning about the geology and cultural significance.
USD70, 2h0m

12:30pm

Lunch at The View Restaurant inside Monument Valley

Lunch with stunning panoramic views of the valley’s red rock formations.
USD25, 1h0m

2:00pm

Drive to Aztec Ruins National Monument, Aztec, NM

Travel roughly 2.5 hours east to Aztec Ruins, a UNESCO World Heritage site showcasing Ancestral Puebloan structures.
USD10

4:30pm

Tour Aztec Ruins National Monument

Walk the trails to see well-preserved masonry walls and learn about the ancient community’s architecture.
1h30m

6:30pm

Overnight in Aztec

Check into accommodation and rest.

7:30pm

Dinner at The Local Gastropub, Aztec

Enjoy creative dishes using local ingredients in a relaxed setting.
USD25, 1h0m
Find Hotels in Chinle to Monument Valley to Aztec Ruins

Day 6: Tent Rocks & Santa Fe Charm

Aztec to Santa Fe, NM on June 21, 2025

7:00am

Breakfast at local Aztec café

Enjoy pastries and coffee to start the day.

8:00am

Drive to Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument

About 3.5-hour drive south; Tent Rocks features unique cone-shaped rock formations and scenic hiking trails.
Free

12:00pm

Hike Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks

Take the 1.5-mile round-trip Slot Canyon Trail to explore these geological formations up close, allowing about 2 hours total.
2h0m

2:00pm

Drive to Santa Fe

Short 45-minute drive to the historic New Mexican capital.

2:45pm

Lunch at Café Pasqual's, Santa Fe

Savor organic, locally sourced southwest-inspired cuisine in an artistic atmosphere.
USD30, 1h0m

4:00pm

Explore Santa Fe Plaza and historic sites

Visit the Plaza, Loretto Chapel, and the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum, open until 5pm.
USD18 for museum, 2h0m

6:30pm

Dinner at The Shed

Famous for traditional New Mexican red chile dishes in a vibrant, historic setting.
USD25, 1h0m
Find Hotels in Aztec to Santa Fe

Day 7: Albuquerque & National Forest Adventures

Santa Fe to Albuquerque and Gila National Forest on June 22, 2025

7:30am

Breakfast at Tia Sophia's, Santa Fe

Classic New Mexican breakfast favorites with a local flair.
USD15, 1h0m

8:30am

Drive to Albuquerque

Short 1-hour drive south.

9:30am

Visit Old Town Albuquerque

Walk the historic plaza and visit shops and galleries within adobe buildings.
Free, 1h30m

11:00am

Drive to Gila National Forest

About 3-hour drive southwest toward the Gila Cliff Dwellings area.

2:15pm

Tour Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument

Discover well-preserved Mogollon cliff dwellings and hike scenic trails; open 8am-5pm.
USD10, 2h0m

4:30pm

Explore the Gila National Forest Catwalk Trail

Walk the historic catwalk trail along a narrow canyon with stunning river views; trail open until dusk.
USD5, 2h0m

7:00pm

Dinner at nearby Silver City

Enjoy local fare with southwestern influences in this charming town.
USD20, 1h0m

8:30pm

Overnight stay in Silver City area

Find Hotels in Santa Fe to Albuquerque and Gila National Forest

Day 8: Western New Mexico & White Sands

Silver City to White Sands National Park on June 23, 2025

7:30am

Breakfast at Downtown Silver City café

Light breakfast before a longer day of travel.
USD10, 0h45m

8:30am

Drive to El Malpais National Monument

1.5-hour drive focused on lava flows and caves with breathtaking landscapes.

10:00am

Explore El Malpais National Monument

Hike trails through lava fields and visit Sandstone Bluffs overlook; park open all day.
Free, 2h0m

12:00pm

Drive to El Morro National Monument

30 minutes east to the historic inscriptions and water pool.

12:30pm

Lunch picnic at El Morro

Enjoy a packed lunch at shaded picnic areas near the monument.
Free, 0h45m

1:30pm

Visit El Morro National Monument

See centuries of inscriptions carved by travelers; the park is open 8am to 7pm in summer.
USD10, 1h15m

3:00pm

Drive to White Sands National Park

About 3-hour drive east with scenic desert views.

6:30pm

Explore White Sands National Park

Enjoy sunset on the gypsum sand dunes; the visitor center is open until sunset.
USD25, 1h30m

8:30pm

Dinner at Las Cruces

Dine at a local New Mexican restaurant after arrival in Las Cruces area.
USD25, 1h0m
Find Hotels in Silver City to White Sands National Park
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