Grand Circle Road Trip — One Trip, Nine National Parks!

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Podcast Episode Overview

Let’s talk about one of the greatest road trips in America! 

In this episode of Exploring the National Parks, we are talking about what we consider to be one of the top road trips that you can take — the Grand Circle. This amazing road trip includes nine western national parks! 

You get to see some truly cool stuff on this route, and we are so excited to be sharing what we love about it today. 

In this episode, we cover: 

• Where to start when road tripping the Grand Circle
• Cool things to do in Zion National Park
• What you have to see at Bryce Canyon
• Our favorite stops along Highway 12
• What we love about Kodachrome State Park
• What’s so amazing about Capitol Reef National Park
• Why Goblin Valley is a must-see 
• Why you should check out Little Wild Horse Canyon
• What to check out if you love Native American art
• What you need to do at Arches National Park
• The views in Dead Horse Point State Park
• The districts in Canyonlands
• The most underrated park that you need to visit
• Why we love the Million Dollar Highway 
• The coolest things about Mesa Verde 
• Why you should stop at Chaco Canyon
• Other off-route stops you might want to check out 
• The amazing fossils at Petrified Forest National Park 
• Why you should spend some extra time exploring the Grand Canyon

This epic road trip takes you through four different states and nine national parks. You really get the best of the southwest by traveling along the Grand Circle! 

Grand Circle Road Trip Overview

The Grand Circle, a legendary loop through the stunning American Southwest, takes you to nine national parks and countless unforgettable stops along the way. If you’ve got at least two weeks and a thirst for red rocks, hoodoos, deep canyons, and ancient history, this is the trip for you!

Kicking Things Off in Las Vegas

Most people start the Grand Circle from a major airport hub like Las Vegas, Salt Lake City, Phoenix, or Albuquerque. We recommend giving yourself about two weeks for the complete Grand Circle Road Trip. 

We started in Vegas, heading toward Zion National Park, but not before passing the incredible Valley of Fire State Park as our first stop. If you’ve got a few hours, stop and hike out to the Fire Wave. It’s a stunning spot and a perfect introduction to the scenic drive ahead!

If you find yourself hungry along the way, you might end up at Sierra’s Buffet in Mesquite, John’s favorite subpar buffet at the Virgin River Hotel and Casino. Not my pick, but it makes for a good road trip story!

Zion is Utah’s most-visited national park, and for good reason. Towering canyon walls, iconic hikes like Angels Landing and the Narrows along the Virgin River, and sweeping views from the Canyon Overlook Trail make this a must-see. Plan to spend a few days here if you can.

Want to make the most of your time in Zion? Grab one of our detailed itineraries and hit the trails with confidence!

Hoodoos and Homemade Pies in Bryce Canyon

From Zion, head east out of the park toward Bryce Canyon National Park, and definitely stop for some homemade pies at the famously quirky roadside spot with the hilarious sign. Trust us, you’ll know it when you see it!

Bryce Canyon has the largest concentration of hoodoos on Earth. It’s smaller and easier to navigate than Zion, and it’s an International Dark Sky Park. You can cover a lot of ground here in a full day, but staying longer never hurts.

Our Bryce Canyon itinerary takes all the guesswork out of your visit so you can make the most out of your day!

Scenic Views on Highway 12 to Capitol Reef

As you leave Bryce Canyon, you’ll drive along Scenic Highway 12, one of the most beautiful scenic byways in the United States. Don’t miss stops like Kodachrome Basin State Park with its colorful geological features or the trail to Calf Creek Falls, a personal favorite of mine!

You’ll pass through the Hogback, a stretch of road with dramatic drop-offs on either side. The towns of Boulder and Escalante add charm to the drive, and if you like fishing, there are some great reservoirs along the way.

Taking the Burr Trail into Capitol Reef National Park from Boulder, Utah, is a highlight. This dirt road winds through insane switchbacks and rock formations that make you want to tilt your head just to comprehend them.

Capitol Reef is centered on the Waterpocket Fold, a nearly 100-mile-long geologic wrinkle. You’ll find red cliffs, natural arches, and fruit orchards in Fruita. And yes, more pie!

We’ll guide you through Capitol Reef’s hidden gems with our step-by-step itinerary!

Goblins, Slot Canyons, and Ancient Art

Heading east from Capitol Reef, Goblin Valley is a magical stop with its rock formations. It’s a great place to explore, and the nearby Little Wild Horse Slot Canyon is one of the narrowest and most fun hikes we’ve done. Just make sure to check the weather first; this area is prone to flash floods!

Another can’t-miss is Horseshoe Canyon, home to the Great Gallery and the haunting Holy Ghost pictograph. It feels like walking through an ancient art museum in the middle of the desert.

Moab Adventures in Arches and Canyonlands

Moab is the basecamp for both Arches and Canyonlands National Parks. Arches has over 2,000 natural stone arches, and Delicate Arch is a must-see. Even if you’re not a big hiker, you’ll want to hike to Delicate Arch, because nothing compares to seeing it in person.

Canyonlands National Park is split into districts. Island in the Sky is the easiest to access and offers incredible views of the Colorado River. The adventurous White Rim Road runs along the canyon edge, and you’ll need a high-clearance vehicle to drive it. The Needles District has fantastic hikes like Druid Arch and Chesler Park if you’re craving something more remote.

And don’t forget to stop at Dead Horse Point State Park for an iconic overlook. It’s famous for movie scenes, but the scenery speaks for itself. 

Explore all the best arches, hikes, and canyons without the crowds using our easy-to-follow Arches itinerary and our Canyonlands itinerary!

Into the Depths of Black Canyon of the Gunnison

Leaving southern Utah behind and entering the second week of your road trip, your next stop is Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park in Colorado. With sheer cliffs and dizzying viewpoints, it’s not for the faint of heart. There are two rims to explore and even a steep drive down to the river. This park is all about vertical drama.

We camped nearby and stumbled upon amazing Himalayan food in Montrose, a surprise highlight of the trip!

Not sure where to begin at Black Canyon? Our free resources will lead you to the best views!

Million Dollar Views in the San Juan Mountains on the way to Mesa Verde

As you head toward Mesa Verde National Park, make sure to pass through Ouray and the San Juan Mountains. It feels like Europe in Colorado, and the Million Dollar Highway between Ouray and Silverton is a jaw-dropper.

Along the way, we stopped at the Outlaw Restaurant, famous for its John Wayne connection. It’s a fun piece of Western film history, and yes, John still wears a belt buckle that reads ‘Duke.’

Mesa Verde is all about the ancestral Puebloans. Balcony House is my favorite tour, with ladders bolted into the cliff. These dwellings are carved right into the rock, and it’s humbling to imagine what life was like here thousands of years ago.

Dive into the history of the ancestral Puebloans with our Mesa Verde free resources!

Exploring Native American Heritage

From Mesa Verde, your route to Petrified Forest can include even more cultural stops. Drive past Shiprock or detour to places like Chaco Canyon, Canyon de Chelly, and Monument Valley.

Chaco Canyon was the heart of this region’s ancient civilization, with roads and buildings unlike anything else. Monument Valley is breathtaking, with its towering buttes and sacred lands. You can even take a guided tour through areas closed to the public with a Navajo guide.

And yes, that road from Forrest Gump? It’s just outside Monument Valley!

Fossils and Route 66 in Petrified Forest

Petrified Forest National Park is packed with fossilized trees that are over 200 million years old. This place is so different from the rest of the parks on this trip. You can see the Agate House, built from petrified wood, and hike among colorful badlands in northern Arizona.

The park also preserves a stretch of Route 66. Holbrook is nearby, with kitschy motels like the Wigwam and all kinds of Route 66 memorabilia. Stop in Winslow, Arizona, and stand on the famous corner for a sarsaparilla and a sing-along!

Use our Petrified Forest free resources to explore the park’s most colorful and fossil-filled spots.

Wrapping Up at the Grand Canyon

Your road trip will wrap up at the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. It’s the grandest part of the Grand Circle and an unforgettable way to end your trip.

Spend time on the rim, but also take a hike below. The South Kaibab and Bright Angel Trails offer totally different views and a genuine sense of the canyon’s size. Don’t just do the Chevy Chase version, give this park the time it deserves!

The forested rim, the hidden viewpoints, and the sheer magnitude of the canyon will take your breath away. It really is the perfect conclusion to this Grand Circle road trip.

Our Grand Canyon itinerary is your best companion for hiking, viewpoints, and everything in between!

From there, it’s an easy drive back to Las Vegas. You’ve just covered nine national parks across four different states, seen ancient ruins, danced through narrow slot canyons, driven breathtaking scenic roads, and tasted some seriously good pie in a true collection of national parks.

Thanks for coming along on this epic adventure. And don’t forget to get some dirt in your shoes!

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Links mentioned in this podcast episode:

• Zion National Park Can’t-Miss List
• Bryce Canyon Can’t-Miss List
• Capitol Reef National Park Can’t-Miss List
• Arches National Park Can’t-Miss List
• Canyonlands National Park Can’t-Miss List
• Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park Can’t-Miss List
• Mesa Verde National Park Can’t-Miss List
• Petrified Forest National Park Can’t-Miss List
• Grand Canyon National Park Can’t-Miss List
• Himalayan Pun Hill Kitchen
• The Outlaw, Ouray, Colorado
• Horseshoe Bend Trail Guide
• Monument Valley
• Kodachrome Basin State Park
• Lower Calf Creek Falls
• Goblin Valley State Park
• Little Wild Horse Slot Canyon
• Million Dollar Highway
• Chaco Culture National Historical Park
• Canyon de Chelly National Monument
• Holbrook, AZ
• Winslow, AZ

Are you hoping to visit all of the national parks? Sign up for your FREE NATIONAL PARKS CHECKLIST so you can easily see where you’ve been and where you still need to go!