The American Southwest is, without a doubt, one of the most beautiful driving regions in the whole globe. The crystal clear waters, narrow canyons, and bizarre rock formations. This itinerary for a road trip is modeled after the storied Grand Circle excursion, with a few variations on the general theme tossed in for good measure.

You are free to pick and choose which items to do and finish in a week and a half, or you may take as much time as you need to see everything on this list. Pick the path that best suits you. Prepare yourself because you're about to have one of the most unforgettable adventures in the wild west!

Nevada

Nevada is often connected with the vibrant nightclubs, bright lights, and poker tables of Sin City. While I'm a huge lover of the strip for a girl's getaway, I know there's much more to Nevada than simply Las Vegas. The surroundings may also be attractive, and if you are on a trip where your purpose is to admire the natural beauty, you're still in luck in picturesque Nevada.

Helicopter Tour Of The Grand Canyon

Since I only had about a week to go through my complete plan, I felt the best way to visit the legendary Grand Canyon would be to bypass the lengthy trip and crowds and fly directly into it at sunset. Fast, simple, and in style! But if you're beginning in Arizona, don't worry; we'll also speak about driving there later in the piece.

After the Magic Mountains, which departs from the strip during golden hour, then flies back to the strip at dusk, just as everything on the strip is lighting up.

I had always assumed that the Large Canyon would be pretty grand (and it was), but what truly shocked me was how lovely the countryside we flew through to get there was. It's a wonderful opportunity to catch a look at some distant and barren locations that you wouldn't normally see, plus it packs a lot of great activities into only a few hours. It's one of those splurging experiences that's oh-so worth it.

Valley of Fire

Valley of Fire is a state park in Nevada and my first overnight trip. After the helicopter trip, I traveled the extra hour to the first come, first serve campsites within the park boundaries and settled down for the night, awakening for sunrise the next morning. It was also deserted at daybreak, so I had the park more or less to myself in the early morning hours. That was very cool! That being said, you could choose a guided hiking excursion.

Zion National Park

Zion is one of the most popular national parks in the United States and a must-do on any southwestern road trip. The main park is reached via park shuttles that start operating about daybreak and terminate around sundown. Before making any plans, you should check here first because they vary throughout the year.

Throughout my two nights in the area, I trekked the Watchman Trail. Sadly, The Narrows was closed due to too much water, but that is one of Zion's most popular walks, and I was unhappy to miss it. I had visited Zion 10 years before and done the Angels Landing Hike.

The National Park of Bryce Canyon

Bryce is noted for its magnificent hoodoos, the natural theater, and the dawn and sunset perspectives. It's also far higher in altitude than Zion, so bring warm clothing.

If time is short, you may take one trek in Zion and then travel to Bryce the next day to do the same thing and watch the sun set or rise. On the other hand, this three-hour sightseeing trip visits Thor's Hammer, the Cathedral, and the Natural Bridge, giving you plenty of time to take it all in.

Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument

I can't say enough awesome things about the Grand Staircase-Escalante. With over a million acres of protected terrain to explore, you might spend a lifetime there and yet not see it all. The trails at Grand Staircase-Escalante are accessible by dirt roads, some of which are 4x4 only, which is one of the major contrasts between this region and the national parks. Water, paved pathways, flush toilets, and electricity will be something other than regular features. The reward is practically no tourists, free camping in the bush, and natural regions no less spectacular.