Trip Itinerary from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon, Lake Powell, Bryce and Zion
♦ Routes (free): Detailed travel itineraries in USA
The following itinerary is one of the most recommended routes suitable for any family, as it features an interesting combination of a visit to the most glittering city in the USA, Las Vegas, which is a man-made wonder, with a visit to three spectacular national parks where you will witness amazing natural phenomena.
The proposed route is circular and includes the Grand Canyon, Lake Powell, Bryce, and Zion. It starts and ends in Las Vegas. However, it is also possible to start it in Phoenix (Arizona), pass through Sedona with beautiful scenery of picturesque canyons, stay in Flagstaff, and from there continue to the canyons and finish in Las Vegas. It is also possible to start or end it in Denver, Colorado, and include the parks Arches and Canyonlands as described in the article about Glenwood Springs, Colorado.
It is recommended to leave the stay in Las Vegas for the end of the trip, because after several days of traveling in quiet and calm nature, Las Vegas with its lights and sounds will be especially welcomed by children (and adults) who will enjoy the non-stop activity the city provides. Also, for those interested in shopping in Las Vegas (a great place for shopping), it is better to do it after the park tour so as not to carry unnecessary heavy luggage. Details about the city of Las Vegas are provided in the articles: Hotels and Attractions in Las Vegas, Shows in Las Vegas.
The length of the route is about 1300 km. The recommended duration for the trip is 7-8 days, including a stay of 3-4 nights in Las Vegas, a night at the Grand Canyon, a night at Lake Powell, a night in Bryce Canyon, and a night in Zion National Park.
Booking Tours from Las Vegas
Tours and Tickets from GetYourGuide:
Tours from Viator:
♦ Guided tour from Las Vegas to Hoover Dam:
Small-Group 3 Hour Hoover Dam Mini Tour With Strip Pickup
The tour lasts about three hours in a small group and includes pickup from the Strip.
♦ Night flight over Las Vegas to view all the glowing hotels:
Las Vegas Helicopter Night Strip Flight Tour with Optional Dinner
The flight duration is about 10 minutes.
♦ Helicopter flight over the Grand Canyon:
Grand Canyon Deluxe Helicopter Tour with Landing from Las Vegas
Itinerary Description:
Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon (South Rim) – 445 km
The trip starts and ends in Las Vegas, so it is recommended to stay in the city for several days. To save on accommodation prices in Las Vegas, it is recommended to plan your schedule so that you stay there during the week rather than on weekends when hotel prices soar and the city is crowded with tourists.
♦ Recommended Main Hotels in Las Vegas:
5-Star Hotels
♦ The Venetian - The Venetian® Resort Las Vegas
A 5-star hotel with amazing design inspired by Venice in a central location on the Strip. The hotel has spacious suites, over 40 types of restaurants! A shopping complex with over 150 boutique shops, 10 outdoor pools! High-quality casino, free spa and gym, the Madame Tussauds wax museum is in the hotel, free internet and parking.
♦ Bellagio - Bellagio
A luxurious 5-star hotel with high-end furniture in the rooms, spectacular fountain shows every evening. Artistic design throughout the hotel. The hotel has 5 pools, a gym, and a wide variety of restaurants. Parking and internet for a fee. Central location on the Strip.
♦ Wynn Las Vegas - Wynn Las Vegas
A luxurious 5-star hotel with a large casino, several pools, a luxury shopping complex, and special restaurants. Free parking, internet for a fee.
4-Star Hotels
♦ New York New York: New York New York
A 4-star hotel built as New York City skyscrapers with a large Statue of Liberty in its front and a roller coaster surrounding it. Spacious rooms, various restaurants, pool, parking and internet for a fee. Central location on the Strip.
♦ Paris Las Vegas - Paris Las Vegas Hotel & Casino
A 4-star hotel with a Parisian atmosphere featuring an Eiffel Tower, French-designed rooms and more. Rooftop pool, 11 restaurants, 5 bars, and a large casino. Internet and parking for a fee. Central location on the Strip.
♦ Mandalay Bay: Mandalay Bay
A 4-star hotel with pools and a water park that includes a sandy beach. A variety of clubs, bars, and a casino. The hotel has an aquarium with a variety of sharks and other animals. Internet and parking for a fee. Rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows for maximum view. Located on the southern part of the Strip.
3-Star Hotels
♦ The STRAT - The STRAT Hotel, Casino and Skypod
A 3-star hotel with a high observation tower that includes cool amusement rides for the brave at the top of the tower! At the top of the tower, there is also a revolving scenic restaurant. Located on the northern part of the Strip. Free internet and parking. 2 pools and a variety of restaurants. Music with a DJ every evening, theater hall.
♦ Excalibur - Excalibur
A 3-star hotel in the center of the Strip, built as a castle, with 4 pools, 6 restaurants, gym, internet and parking for a fee.
Recommended Suite Hotels in a Central Location:
♦ Desert Rose Resort - Desert Rose Resort
A 3-star resort with one or two-bedroom suites plus a living room and fully equipped kitchen. Heated outdoor pool. Gym and hot tub. Free internet and parking.
♦ Marriott's Grand Chateau - Marriott's Grand Chateau
A 4-star hotel with rooms and family villas near the Strip, outdoor pool, gym, free internet and parking. Non-gaming and non-smoking hotel.
♦ Holiday Inn Club Vacations - Holiday Inn Club Vacations: Las Vegas at Desert Club Resort
A 3-star suite and room hotel. Suites feature a fully equipped kitchen. 5 heated pools, restaurant, 2 gyms, 5 hot tubs, game room, mini golf. Free internet and parking.
Description of the Route Start
From Las Vegas drive on I-515 southeast to the town of Henderson. From there drive south on Route 93 to the city of Kingman. This is a great opportunity to visit the famous Hoover Dam located on the Nevada-Arizona border. From Kingman drive east to the town of Williams, which is a reasonable place to stay and a starting point for visiting the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. The total driving time from Las Vegas to Williams is four hours and twenty minutes. From Williams drive north on Route 64 for about an hour and a half until you reach the Grand Canyon described in the article: Trip to the Grand Canyon.
Guided tour to Hoover Dam and Helicopter tours:
Recommended accommodation in the Grand Canyon
It is recommended to stay at the entrance of the national park in the town of Tusayan.
The most recommended hotels are:
♦ Best Western Premier Grand Canyon Squire
The hotel has rooms for 2-4 guests and is located a 10-minute drive from the entrance of Grand Canyon Park. Indoor and outdoor pool, bowling, gym, 4 restaurants, bar. Free internet and parking.
♦ Holiday Inn Express Grand Canyon
The hotel has rooms for 2-4 guests and is located a 15-minute drive from the entrance of Grand Canyon Park. Indoor pool. Free internet and parking.
Grand Canyon to Lake Powell (Page) – 300 km
From the Grand Canyon (South Rim) drive east on Route 64 and then north on Route 89 to the town of Page near Lake Powell, about which you can read in detail in the article: Lake Powell, Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, Indians and Active Vacation.
In special Lake Powell, you can cruise the lake in a boat or kayak, visit an Indian reservation, visit Antelope Canyon and the viewpoint over the Colorado River at the amazing Horseshoe Bend. Also, a visit to the Glen Canyon Dam is an experience.
Recommended hotels in the town of Page (near Lake Powell)
Most recommended:
♦ Hampton Inn & Suites Page - Lake Powell
A 3-star hotel, suitable for families, indoor pool, buffet breakfast, gym, free parking and internet.
Or slightly cheaper:
♦ La Quinta Inn & Suites Page at Lake Powell
A 3-star hotel, rooms for 2-5 people, free parking and internet.
♦ Sleep Inn & Suites at Lake Powell
A 2-star hotel, indoor pool, breakfast, gym, free parking and internet.
Booking Guided Tours from Page from GetYourGuide:
Lake Powell (Page) to Bryce Canyon – 245 km
From Lake Powell continue on Route 89 in a northwest direction to the state of Utah. Drive for about an hour and a half until the town of Kanab which is a good place to stop halfway for a meal or rest. There is a typical Indian camp there that you can visit. From there continue north on the same road through Mount Carmel Jct until Route 12 where you will turn east (right). The driving time to Bryce Canyon is about two hours. Dedicate a full day to Bryce Canyon. Details about it in the article: Trip to Bryce Canyon.
Recommended accommodation in Bryce Canyon
I recommend staying outside the canyon, right next to the park entrance at one of the two Best Western motels, both are 3-star level:
♦ Best Western PLUS Ruby's Inn, an established inn spanning a large area with spacious and pleasant rooms. The hotel has several restaurants (not expensive), an indoor heated pool, a large shop, laundry and all necessary services. During the summer months, rodeo shows are held on the hotel grounds and for most of the year, horseback riding tours depart from it near the canyon's edge. The horses are well-trained and obedient, and riding them will greatly please your children and the view will delight you. You can also depart from here for guided ATV tours, or rent ATVs and go on an independent trip in the ancient landscape. It is recommended to book this hotel as early as possible.
♦ Best Western PLUS Bryce Canyon Grand Hotel is a modern hotel of the same chain located adjacent to Ruby's Inn. This is the newest, most spacious and highest quality hotel near Bryce Canyon.
Several smaller and less attractive hotels are on the main road at a greater distance from the park.
Booking Guided Tours in Bryce Canyon from GetYourGuide:
Bryce Canyon to Zion National Park – 135 km
Return back on Route 89 south until Mount Carmel Jct. From there drive west on Route 9 until the eastern entrance of Zion National Park (Zion NP).
The road continues inside the park until the town of Springdale, near the southern exit. It is recommended not to drive on Route 9 (especially the part passing through the park) during hours of darkness because the road passes between cliffs and is steep and winding. The driving time from Bryce to the western entrance of Zion is about two hours. It is recommended to dedicate a full day to Zion National Park as well, details about it in the article: Trip to Zion National Park.
Recommended Hotels for Travelers in Zion Park
Inside the park there is one hotel: Zion Lodge which is open year-round. Besides motel rooms, it also has a restaurant and a souvenir shop. As in all the parks, it is required to book places long in advance.
It is recommended to stay in the town of Springdale adjacent to the park.
♦ Holiday Inn Express Springdale
A 3-star hotel. Located within the town of Springdale. Rooms and suites suitable for 2-4 guests. Each room has a microwave and small refrigerator. Outdoor pool, hot tub, gym, free internet and parking.
♦ SpringHill Suites by Marriott Springdale Zion National Park
A 3-star hotel. Located 13 km from the entrance of Zion Park. Rooms for a couple. Outdoor pool, gym, free internet and parking.
♦ Hampton Inn & Suites Springdale/Zion National Park
A 2-star hotel. Located about 2 km from the entrance of Zion Park. Rooms suitable for 2-4 guests. Each room has a microwave and small refrigerator. Outdoor pool, hot tub, gym, free internet and parking.
Zion National Park to Las Vegas – 260 km
From Springdale continue west on Route 9 for about half an hour until it meets Route I-15. Drive on Route 15 south for about two and a half hours to Las Vegas. In Las Vegas, it's worth staying for 3-4 nights for entertainment and shopping as detailed in the articles: Hotels and Attractions in Las Vegas, Shows in Las Vegas.
