What if one road trip could take you from cactus-covered deserts to towering red rock cliffs, narrow slot canyons, and some of the most jaw-dropping scenery in the American Southwest?
This Phoenix to Zion National Park road trip is packed with unforgettable adventures that look almost too incredible to be real.
And the best part?
You don’t have to spend hours figuring out where to go or what to see because this itinerary covers the best stops, must-do activities, scenic drives, and helpful tips to make your trip unforgettable.
1. Phoenix, AZ
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, and makes the perfect starting point for your road trip to Zion National Park.
Known for its giant saguaro cacti, year-round sunshine, and incredible desert scenery, Phoenix is packed with fun things to do.
Don’t miss the 140-acre Desert Botanical Garden or for something a bit different check out the Musical Instrument Museum’s collection of over 7,500 instruments.
If you love hiking, tackle the steep 2.4-mile round-trip Echo Canyon Trail to the 2,704-foot summit of Camelback Mountain for amazing city views.
Before hitting the road, explore the colorful murals in Roosevelt Row, grab authentic Mexican food at Carolina’s Mexican Food, or catch a sunset at South Mountain Park and Preserve.
2. Sedona, AZ
Nearly a 2-hour drive from Phoenix, Sedona trades towering saguaro cacti for massive red sandstone formations, winding canyon roads, and some of Arizona’s most jaw-dropping scenery.
The town is famous for its bright red rocks, including the towering Cathedral Rock, Bell Rock, and Courthouse Butte, which look especially incredible when the afternoon sun lights them up.
For an unforgettable adventure, hike the Devil’s Bridge Trail to see Sedona’s largest natural sandstone arch, or tackle the 1.5-mile round-trip Cathedral Rock Trail for incredible views after a steep climb.
You can also drive the scenic 7.5-mile Red Rock Scenic Byway, explore the shops and restaurants along Uptown Sedona, or visit the Chapel of the Holy Cross, a striking church built directly into the red rocks.
3. Grand Canyon South Rim, AZ
After exploring Sedona’s red rock formations, head about 2 hours and 15 minutes to the Grand Canyon South Rim.
Here you’ll find one of the world’s most famous natural wonders, stretching 278 miles long, up to 18 miles wide, and over a mile deep.
Located inside Grand Canyon National Park, the South Rim is open year-round and offers incredible views of the Colorado River cutting through layers of colorful rock that reveal nearly two billion years of Earth’s history.
Start at Mather Point for sweeping canyon views, then walk part of the 13-mile Rim Trail or tackle the steep 1.8-mile round-trip hike to Ooh Aah Point along the South Kaibab Trail.
Don’t miss Desert View Watchtower, a 70-foot stone tower with panoramic views of the canyon and Colorado River.
4. Horseshoe Bend, AZ
Next, drive about 2.5 hours to Horseshoe Bend, one of Arizona’s most photographed landmarks, where the Colorado River makes a dramatic 270-degree turn around a massive sandstone formation near Page, Arizona.
Unlike the Grand Canyon’s endless viewpoints, Horseshoe Bend gives you a close-up look at a single giant river curve, with emerald-green water flowing roughly 1,000 feet below the steep red rock cliffs.
To reach the famous overlook, follow the 1.5-mile round-trip hike, a wide, mostly gentle path that takes around 30 to 40 minutes to complete, including photo stops.
For the best photos, visit around sunset when the sandstone glows orange and pink, but bring plenty of water, sunscreen, and a hat because the trail has very little shade.
5. Antelope Canyon, AZ
Just a 10-minute drive from Horseshoe Bend, Antelope Canyon takes you through its narrow sandstone slot canyon where twisting orange walls, wave-like patterns, and narrow passages create some of the most incredible photo opportunities in the Southwest.
Located on Navajo Nation land, this famous canyon has two main sections.
Upper Antelope Canyon is known for its magical sunbeams shining through the narrow openings above, while Lower Antelope Canyon features winding passageways, steep metal staircases, and ladders.
Upper Antelope Canyon is about 660 feet long, while Lower Antelope Canyon stretches roughly 1,335 feet, with both offering amazing views of sandstone walls shaped by thousands of years of rushing water and wind.
You can only explore Antelope Canyon on a guided tour led by an authorized Navajo guide, so book your tickets well in advance, especially during the busy spring and summer months.
6. Kanab, UT
After exploring Antelope Canyon, cross the Arizona-Utah border and drive about 1 hour and 20 minutes to Kanab.
It’s a small desert town surrounded by towering sandstone cliffs, hidden slot canyons, and some of southern Utah’s most unusual rock formations.
Nicknamed “Little Hollywood,” Kanab was once a popular filming location for classic Western movies, including The Lone Ranger, and you can learn about its movie-making past at the Little Hollywood Movie Museum.
For outdoor adventures, explore the short Belly of the Dragon tunnel, hike through the narrow sandstone passages of Peek-a-Boo Slot Canyon on a guided 4WD tour, or visit the colorful sand caves just a short drive from town.
Kanab is also a great base for visiting the famous Wave in Coyote Buttes North, a striped sandstone formation that requires a highly competitive permit lottery.
7. Zion National Park, UT
From Kanab, it’s just a 35-minute drive to Zion National Park, the grand finale of your Arizona-to-Utah road trip.
Here you’ll see massive sandstone cliffs rise up to 2,000 feet above the Virgin River and narrow canyons cut through layers of red, orange, and cream-colored rock.
As Utah’s first national park, established in 1919, Zion is famous for its towering canyon walls, scenic drives, and thrilling hikes.
One of the most popular hikes is Angels Landing, a challenging 5.4-mile round-trip trail with steep drop-offs and chains along its narrow ridge.
For another unforgettable adventure, hike The Narrows, where you’ll wade directly through the Virgin River between sandstone walls that reach up to 1,000 feet high.
Don’t miss the 1-mile round-trip Canyon Overlook Trail, which rewards you with incredible views of Pine Creek Canyon and lower Zion Canyon, or drive along the scenic Zion-Mount Carmel Highway, famous for its winding switchbacks and 1.1-mile tunnel.
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