Imagine starting your road trip surrounded by towering cacti and sun-soaked desert landscapes, then ending it among steaming geysers, thundering waterfalls, and wild bison roaming beside the road.
A Phoenix to Yellowstone road trip takes you through some of the most incredible scenery in the American West, with bright red rock formations, turquoise lakes, dramatic mountain peaks, and winding canyon roads along the way.
Whether you’re planning a weeklong adventure or taking your time to explore, this road trip itinerary covers the best stops, must-see attractions, and unforgettable experiences to help you plan an epic journey!
1. Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix, Arizona’s sunny capital and one of the largest cities in the United States, sits in the Sonoran Desert, surrounded by cactus-covered mountains, towering saguaro cacti, and has more than 300 days of sunshine each year.
Start your Phoenix to Yellowstone road trip by hiking the 2.4-mile Echo Canyon Trail up Camelback Mountain, which rises 2,704 feet above sea level and rewards you with incredible views of the city.
You can also explore the 140-acre Desert Botanical Garden, home to thousands of desert plants, or visit the Heard Museum to learn about Native American art and culture.
Or wander through Old Town Scottsdale for Western shops, restaurants, and art galleries.
For another fun adventure, head to South Mountain Park and Preserve, which covers more than 16,000 acres and offers scenic trails and fantastic sunset views.
2. Sedona, Arizona
Leaving Phoenix behind, drive nearly 2 hours to Sedona, Arizona, where massive red sandstone formations, winding canyon roads, and towering rock spires create some of the most jaw-dropping scenery in the Southwest.
One of the best things to do here is hike the Devil’s Bridge Trail, which leads to a massive natural sandstone arch where you can snap some seriously cool photos.
For more outdoor adventures, tackle the over-1-mile Cathedral Rock Trail, or take a scenic drive along the 7.5-mile Red Rock Scenic Byway to see famous formations like Bell Rock and Courthouse Butte.
Don’t miss the Chapel of the Holy Cross, a striking church built directly into the red rocks in 1956, or the shops and restaurants along Sedona’s Main Street.
3. Page, Arizona
From Sedona, continue with about a 3-hour drive to Page, Arizona, a small desert town near the Utah border that’s famous for its twisting slot canyons, massive blue lake, and some of the most photographed natural wonders in the Southwest.
Your first stop should be Horseshoe Bend, where a short 1.5-mile round-trip walk leads to a breathtaking overlook 1,000 feet above the Colorado River as it curves around a giant sandstone formation.
Next, explore Antelope Canyon, a narrow slot canyon on Navajo Nation land where guided tours take you through smooth, wave-shaped sandstone walls that glow orange and red when sunlight pours through the openings above.
You can also visit Lake Powell, a 186-mile-long reservoir with nearly 2,000 miles of shoreline at full capacity, where kayaking, boat tours, and swimming make for a fun break before continuing toward Yellowstone.
4. Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah
Next, make the 2-hour-and-40-minute drive from Page to Bryce Canyon National Park in southern Utah, where thousands of colorful hoodoos fill natural amphitheaters beneath viewpoints situated roughly 6,600 to 9,100 feet above sea level.
Start at Sunrise Point or Sunset Point for incredible views of Bryce Amphitheater, the park’s largest collection of hoodoos, including the famous Thor’s Hammer formation.
For a closer look, hike the 2.9-mile Queen’s Garden and Navajo Loop combination trail, which drops roughly 625 feet into the amphitheater and takes you past towering rock walls, narrow switchbacks, and formations that look like giant stone castles.
Before leaving, drive the 18-mile scenic road to Rainbow Point, the park’s highest overlook at 9,115 feet, and keep an eye out for mule deer, prairie dogs, and Utah’s famously dark night skies.
5. Salt Lake City, Utah
After exploring Bryce Canyon, head about 4 hours to Salt Lake City, Utah’s capital, where the snow-capped Wasatch Mountains rise above a bustling downtown filled with historic buildings, museums, and restaurants.
Start at Temple Square in the heart of downtown featuring the famous Salt Lake Temple, which took 40 years to build, or visit the Utah State Capitol for impressive views of the city and surrounding mountains.
For something completely different, check out the Natural History Museum of Utah which is home to fascinating dinosaur fossils.
Or visit the Great Salt Lake, the largest saltwater lake in the Western Hemisphere, where you can spot wildlife and explore Antelope Island State Park.
If you have extra time, drive about 40 minutes to Park City, a famous mountain town known for its ski resorts, historic Main Street, and outdoor adventures.
Please note that, at the time of writing, the Salt Lake Temple is currently closed for ongoing seismic and structural renovations, though the surrounding Temple Square grounds are open to the public.
6. Bear Lake State Park, Utah
From Salt Lake City, drive about 2 hours and 10 minutes to Bear Lake State Park, where a massive turquoise-blue lake stretches across the Utah-Idaho border.
Its stunning blue-green water has earned it the nickname “Caribbean of the Rockies.”
The lake covers roughly 112 square miles, stretches 20 miles long, and reaches depths of 208 feet, making it a fantastic spot for swimming, kayaking, paddleboarding, and boating during the warmer months.
Head to Rendezvous Beach on the southern shore for sandy beaches and shallow swimming areas, or visit Bear Lake Marina on the western shore to rent a boat and explore the lake’s crystal-clear waters.
Before continuing toward Yellowstone, stop in nearby Garden City for a famous Bear Lake raspberry shake, a local favorite made with raspberries grown around the lake.
7. Jackson, Wyoming
Leaving Bear Lake behind, drive about 2 hours and 40 minutes to Jackson, Wyoming, a lively Western town surrounded by the towering Teton Mountains.
Cowboy culture, wildlife, and outdoor adventures make this one of the most exciting stops on your road trip.
Start at Jackson Town Square, famous for its four giant arches made from hundreds of elk antlers, then explore the wooden boardwalks, browse the Western shops, and visit the historic Million Dollar Cowboy Bar, complete with real saddle bar stools.
For an unforgettable adventure, ride the Jackson Hole Aerial Tram up 4,139 feet to the 10,450-foot summit of Rendezvous Mountain, where you’ll find incredible mountain views and famous waffles at Corbet’s Cabin.
You can also visit the National Elk Refuge, covering more than 24,700 acres, where thousands of elk gather during winter and horse-drawn sleigh rides offer an up-close look at these impressive animals.
8. Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
For the grand finale of your road trip, head about 1 hour and 15 minutes from Jackson to Yellowstone National Park, America’s first national park.
Established in 1872, it covers more than 2.2 million acres across Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho.
Your first must-see is Old Faithful, the famous geyser that erupts every 35 to 120 minutes, shooting boiling water up to 184 feet into the air!
Next, visit Grand Prismatic Spring, the largest hot spring in the United States, which is over 300 feet wide, where bright blue water is surrounded by incredible rings of orange, yellow, and green.
Don’t miss the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, a spectacular canyon featuring the 308-foot Lower Falls, and drive through Lamar Valley, where you might spot wild bison, elk, grizzly bears, and even wolves roaming across the grasslands.
Related Posts
