Experience 9 breathtaking national parks in one unforgettable 15-Day road trip. This epic itinerary takes you from the Grand Canyon through Zion, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Canyonlands, Arches, Mesa Verde, and Great Sand Dunes, all the way to a grand finale at Rocky Mountain National Park.
Here’s a quick heads-up: this itinerary is not for those who like to take things slow. Packing 9 National Parks and 4 states into 15 days is no small feat, so get ready to be on the move most days! But if you have limited vacation time and aren’t sure when you’ll get the opportunity to return, this route will help you hit all the iconic spots and must see destinations.
Trip Overview
- Total Days: 15
- Total Distance: 2615 km / 1625 miles
- Suggested Time of Year: Mid to Late September or Late May to Early June
Trip Notes
- START AND END: We flew in and out of Vancouver, BC, choosing start and end points that were affordable and convenient for flights. Depending on your location, you may choose to begin and end this trip elsewhere.
- MODE OF TRANSPORT / ACCOMMODATION: We rented a campervan for our journey, which I highly recommend. Alternatively, you could easily tent camp throughout the trip. However, I wouldn’t advise relying on hotels or Airbnb’s for this route and timeframe due to the difficulty of finding those kind of accommodations directly within the National Parks.
- NATIONAL PARKS: Given the popularity of US National Parks, it’s essential to plan ahead and reserve your campsite in advance. Some parks may also require a timed entry reservation if you don’t plan to camp there, which I’ve noted in my itinerary.
Day 1: Las Vegas to Grand Canyon National Park
- Drive Time: 4hr 30 min (447 km / 278 mi)
- Where to Stay: Mather Campground, Grand Canyon
- When to reserve: 6 months ahead of stay
- Suggested Stops:
- Hoover Dam
- Route 66
- Hackberry General Store
- Peach Springs
Las Vegas makes an ideal starting point for this trip, thanks to its accessibility by plane for both international and domestic travelers, and its close proximity to the Grand Canyon. We didn’t stay in Vegas at all—instead, we flew directly from Vancouver, picked up our campervan, and drove straight to the Grand Canyon, all in one day. This turned into a 20+ hour travel day! If you’d prefer a more relaxed start, consider staying in or near Las Vegas for at least one night.
We opted to travel along historic Highway 66. If you have the time, I highly recommend this route for a taste of the iconic highway and a stop in Peach Springs, the town that inspired the movie Cars.
Other than that, this day is mostly a straight-shot drive from Las Vegas to the campground at the Grand Canyon. If you started your day early, you’ll likely have time to possibly catch the sunset from South Rim or just hang-out by the camp.
Day 2: Grand Canyon to Lake Powell
- Drive Time: 2hr 40 min (233 km / 145 mi)
- Where to Stay: Wahweap RV & Campground
- When to reserve: 6 months ahead of stay
- Suggested Stops:
- At the Grand Canyon:
- Bright Angel Trail
- Mather Point
- Along the Route:
- Horseshoe Bend
- Antelope Canyon
- Lake Powell
- At the Grand Canyon:
The second day of the trip involves much less driving but a lot more sightseeing. Since we didn’t have time to explore the Grand Canyon on Day 1 (due to our 20+ hour travel day), we kicked off the day by tackling a portion of the Bright Angel Trail and stopping at Mather Point. I do wish we had more time to explore the Grand Canyon—or at least enough to complete the Bright Angel Trail! If you have the flexibility, I’d highly recommend spending a minimum of two nights at the Grand Canyon to take it all in.
After exploring one of the Seven Wonders of the World, you’ll head toward Lake Powell. Along the way, be sure to stop at the iconic Horseshoe Bend for incredible photo ops. And if you’re lucky, try to secure a booking to explore Antelope Canyon. Wrap up the day with a refreshing dip in Lake Powell, then settle in by your campsite to watch the desert sunset around a cozy fire.
Day 3: Lake Powell to Zion NP
- Drive Time: 2hr 20 min (180 km / 112 mi)
- Where to Stay: Watchman Campground
- When to reserve: 6 months ahead of stay
- Suggested Stops:
- Skylight Arch
- Checkerboard Mesa View Area
- The Narrows
On Day 3, you’ll cross into the third state of the trip: Utah. The drive into Zion National Park from the East Entrance is truly breathtaking—photos don’t do it justice. For much of the route, you’ll pass through arid desert landscapes and rolling farmlands. As you approach the East Entrance, the scenery begins to transform, with striking red rock mountains rising on either side.
The winding roads through the park take you along Zion Park Boulevard, where you’ll find numerous spots to pause and take in views of the Virgin River cascading through the iconic red rocks. This route also leads you through the famous Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel. Due to the tunnel’s narrow size, any vehicle that’s 11’4” (3.4 m) or taller, or 7’10” (2.4 m) wide (including mirrors, awnings, and jacks), will need to book a tunnel permit to access Zion via this route.
Having never experienced the Southwest before, both my husband and I were completely awestruck by the ethereal landscapes and breathtaking vistas that Zion National Park revealed—even just from the view along the road. Rolling into camp in the heart of Zion, we couldn’t wait to start exploring this otherworldly place.
Day 4: Zion NP
- Where to Stay: Watchman Campground
- When to reserve: 6 months ahead of stay
- Suggested Sights:
- The Narrows
- Watchman Trail
- Canyon Overlook Trail
With just 2 nights and 1 full day in Zion, you’ll want to jump right into exploring as soon as you arrive. We maximized our time by starting on the trails the first day, using our full day to hop around the park on the shuttle, and even squeezing in one last trail on the morning of our departure.
For more details, check out my full 3-Day Zion Itinerary. As I mention there, there’s truly no wrong way to experience Zion. The diverse trail options and convenient shuttle system let you choose your own adventure and make it easy to fit in a little bit of everything.
Day 5: Zion NP to Bryce Canyon NP
- Drive Time: 2hr (138 km / 85.9 mi)
- Where to Stay: North Campground
- When to reserve: 6 months ahead of stay
- Suggested Stops:
- Red Canyon Arch
Given the short stay in Zion, I recommend squeezing in one last trail in the morning before heading out to Bryce Canyon. The drive from Zion to Bryce is only about two hours, with minimal stops or sights along the way, so taking extra time to explore Zion a bit more is a great way to maximize your visit.
When you arrive in Bryce, you’ll have a few campground options. We chose to stay at North Campground because it’s close to the main Visitor Center and offers easy access to the trails we wanted to explore. While Bryce Canyon also has a free shuttle service, we opted to walk to all the spots we wanted to see, and it worked out perfectly.
Day 6: Bryce Canyon
- Where to Stay: North Campground
- When to reserve: 6 months ahead of stay
- Suggested Sights:
- Wall Street
- Navajo Trail / Queens Garden / Peek a Boo Loop
- Fairyland Loop
With Bryce Canyon’s unique and extensive trail network, you can easily spend a full day exploring its striking landscapes. We began our day at Wall Street, seamlessly connecting to the Peek-a-Boo Loop, then the Navajo Trail, and wrapping up with a climb through Queens Garden. This route made us feel like we were truly maximizing our limited time in the park.
If you’re up for an extra challenge, consider adding the Fairyland Loop to your itinerary. Or, like us, you can opt to wind down the afternoon at the North Campground General Store, catching up on laundry, and then spend a relaxing evening by the fire, stargazing under the vast night sky.
Day 7: Bryce Canyon to Capitol Reef
- Drive Time: 2hr 30min (194 km / 121 mi)
- Where to Stay: Fruita Campground
- When to reserve: 6 months ahead of stay
- Suggested Stops:
- Sunrise Point (Bryce Canyon)
- Torrey, Utah
If you’re up for an early morning, I’d highly recommend starting your final day in Bryce Canyon watching the sunrise from Sunrise Point. Seeing the sun slowly illuminate the red hoodoos is an unforgettable experience and a beautiful way to wrap up your time in the park.
With another short drive ahead, we headed from Bryce Canyon to Capitol Reef. We didn’t make many stops along the way, eager to reach Capitol Reef early to make the most of our time there.
Capitol Reef’s unique history and stunning landscape took me by surprise, leaving me wishing we had more time to explore. As you approach the campground, you’ll pass historic orchards, with one even situated right next to where you’ll stay for the night. If you’re visiting during harvest season, you might even get the chance to pick and enjoy some fresh fruit right from the orchard.
Day 8: Capitol Reef to Canyonlands & Arches
- Drive Time: 4hr 20min (346 km / 215 mi)
- Where to Stay: Devils Garden Campground
- When to reserve: 6 months ahead of stay
- Suggested Stops:
- Hickman Bridge Trail (Capitol Reef)
- Mesa Arch (Canyonlands)
- Grand View Point (Canyonlands)
- Murphy Point Trail (Canyonlands)
- Buck Canyon Overlook (Canyonlands)
Hopefully, you got some good rest in Capitol Reef on night 7, because Day 8 is an adventure-packed doozie! Day 8 takes you through three national parks with plenty of breathtaking viewpoints and trails along the way. If you have the luxury of extra time, I’d recommend slowing down and staying a night in or near Canyonlands to really soak in the scenery. However, with only a day, we still managed to fit in everything we wanted.
We kicked off Day 8 by exploring Hickman Bridge in Capitol Reef. Due to rain, we couldn’t hike it the previous day, but this scenic route is worth fitting in before heading to Canyonlands and Arches.
From Capitol Reef, we set off on a day trip to Canyonlands. With only a few hours to spend, we quickly checked off the major spots on our list, including Mesa Arch, Buck Canyon Overlook, and even hiked to Grand Viewpoint Overlook. It was a lot to pack into one day, especially given the long drive in and out of the park. If you have the luxury of more time, I’d highly recommend staying at least one night—either at the first-come, first-served Island in the Sky campground or at one of the many backcountry sites the park offers.
Finally, after a full day of desert adventures, we rolled into camp at Arches just in time for dinner and some stargazing by the campfire. If you’re camping or traveling by campervan or RV, I highly recommend staying in Arches. While day visitors need a timed-entry reservation, staying overnight gives you the freedom to come and go from the park on your own schedule. The Devils Garden Campground is in a great, central location, with many of the main trails within walking distance from camp.
Day 9: Arches
- Where to Stay: Devils Garden Campground
- When to reserve: 6 months ahead of stay
- Suggested Sights:
- Broken Arch
- Devils Garden Trail (Landscape Arch, Wall Arch)
- Double Arch
- Delicate Arch
Camping at Devils Garden Campground means you’re within walking distance to both Broken Arch Trail and the Devils Garden Trailhead. We started our day on Broken Arch and then headed over to Devils Garden Trailhead, hiking as far as Landscape and Navajo Arch. If you have more time, you could continue on to see Double O and Private Arch, but since we were on a tight schedule, we wrapped up our hike at Landscape Arch.
After a lunchtime nap, we drove out of camp and made our way to Delicate Arch. Visiting Arches National Park wouldn’t be complete without seeing this iconic landmark that even graces Utah’s license plates. The Delicate Arch trail was busier than the trails we’d tackled that morning, but it was well worth it. We finished the day with a quick stop at Double Arch before heading back to camp for more stargazing.
Day 10: Arches to Mesa Verde
- Drive Time: 4hr 34 min (305 km / 190 mi)
- Where to Stay: Morefield Campground
- When to reserve: 6 months ahead of stay.
- Suggested Stops:
- Moab, Utah
- Cliff Palace
- Balcony House
- Step House (from viewpoint)
On Day 10, you’ll cross into your fourth and final state of the trip: Colorado. The drive from Arches to Mesa Verde winds through miles of arid farmland and open desert—a bit on the bland side, with few places to stop along the way. However, if time allows, consider stopping in Moab, a charming spot with plenty of character and adventure.
If you’re only staying one night in Mesa Verde, as we did, be sure to book any guided cliff dwelling tours in advance and arrive on time for your reservation. I’d recommend booking at least one guided tour, which allows for a more up close experience of the ancient cliff dwellings. You can also experience a lot of the sights from afar using the self-guided experience.
One thing we didn’t anticipate was how long it takes to drive in and out of Mesa Verde from Morefield Campground, the nearest campground. The drive from the campground to the Cliff Palace parking lot alone is about 30 minutes one way. And if you’re planning to explore the Mesa Top Loop as well, you’ll add another hour or more of driving just to get to and from camp. With all this in mind, planning ahead is key to making the most of your time in Mesa Verde!
Day 11: Mesa Verde to Great Sand Dunes
- Drive Time: 4hr 4 min (334 km / 208 mi)
- Where to Stay: Pinon Flats Campground
- When to reserve: 6 months ahead of stay.
- Suggested Stops:
- Pagosa Springs
This part of the itinerary is flexible and can be adjusted based on your preferences—whether you want to head home earlier or extend your time in other parks or cities. Fitting in Great Sand Dunes can feel like a bit of a stretch, especially since it’s somewhat out of the way relative to Rocky Mountain National Park.
If you’re short on time, consider reallocating these days to explore Rocky Mountain or spend extra time in other nearby spots. Alternatively, if you’re open to some extra driving, the unique landscape of Great Sand Dunes—towering dunes set against mountain peaks—offers a memorable experience that’s well worth the detour if your schedule allows.
Great Sand Dunes is truly an otherworldly place. The striking contrast between the towering dunes and the distant mountains creates a surreal landscape that feels almost like another planet. We stayed at Piñon Flats Campground, where we had a stunning view of the dunes right from our campsite. In the afternoon, we hiked the dunes—which, fair warning, is no easy feat in the soft sand—but the effort was well worth it. Later, we relaxed as the evening clouds rolled over the massive dunes, adding to the incredible scenery.
Day 12: Great Sand Dunes to Rocky Mountain
- Drive Time: 5hr 42 min (452 km / 281 miles)
- Where to Stay: Moraine Park Campground
- When to reserve: 6 months ahead of stay.
- Suggested Stops:
- Golden
- Estes Park
I recommend starting Day 12 early, as you have a long drive ahead, winding your way through the interstate past Denver toward Rocky Mountain National Park. If you’re short on time, you could choose to end your trip here and fly home or depart from Denver. However, we decided to make the extra 70-mile journey to visit one final national park.
There are a few routes to choose from between Great Sand Dunes and Rocky Mountain. We opted for a detour through Golden, which added some time but was absolutely worth it. This charming mountain town is brimming with unique spots for lunch and delightful local shops to explore. If you go, I highly recommend stopping at Woody’s for pizza—don’t miss their honey dip for the crust; it’s a game-changer!
After a full day of travel, we kept things low-key that evening, relaxing at camp and preparing for an exciting day of exploring Rocky Mountain National Park.
Day 13: Rocky Mountain
- Where to Stay: Moraine Park Campground
- When to reserve: 6 months ahead of stay.
- Suggested Sights:
- Nymph, Dream + Emerald Lakes
- Chasm Lake
Rocky Mountain National Park requires timed entry reservations unless you’re staying at one of the campgrounds within the park. For this reason, I highly recommend camping inside the park to make the most of your time. During our visit, we took full advantage of the park’s efficient shuttle bus system. It allowed us to relax and enjoy stunning views from the bus while avoiding the hassle of parking at trailheads.
Unfortunately, we encountered poor weather during our stay, which limited what we could explore. We were lucky to have a dry morning to hike to Nymph, Dream, and Emerald Lakes, but an afternoon rainstorm kept us from hitting more trails. If your schedule allows, consider staying an extra day to fully appreciate all that Rocky Mountain National Park has to offer. There’s so much to see and do that one day simply isn’t enough!
Day 14: Rocky Mountain to Denver
- Where to Stay: Downtown Denver
- When to reserve: 6 months ahead of stay.
- Suggested Sights:
- One Fold
- West Bound + Down
- Wynkoop Brewery
- 1Up Arcade Bar
Since we rented a camper van for this trip, we needed to have it back in Denver by 11 a.m. After packing up, we made a quick drive into the city, eagerly anticipating the comfort of a hotel stay after 14 days of van life. If you’re not on a tight schedule, you could spend this day exploring more of Rocky Mountain National Park or making a leisurely stop in the charming town of Estes Park.
In Denver, we chose to stay in the Central Business District, which put us within walking distance of everything we wanted to check out. The city has plenty of great neighborhoods to explore, each with its own vibe. For our first night, we hit a few bars, indulged in some of Denver’s incredible food scene, and capped off the evening with arcade games at the 1Up bar—an absolute blast!
Day 15: Denver
- Suggested Sights:
- Syrup
- Avanti
- Coors Field
- My Brothers
We stayed in Denver for a second night before flying home, giving us time to catch a baseball game at Coors Field and continue indulging in the city’s vibrant food and drink scene. Denver is a haven for foodies and bar-hoppers, with no shortage of incredible spots to explore and a lively atmosphere to match. If your schedule allows, I highly recommend spending a day or two soaking in all that this dynamic mountain city has to offer—it’s the perfect way to wrap up a road trip!
And there you have it—your ultimate adventure-packed itinerary for a 15-day trip! Covering over 2,500 kilometers through four states and nine iconic national parks, this journey is not for the faint of heart. But for those short on time and eager to see and do it all, it’s an unforgettable experience. I hope this itinerary inspires your next amazing adventure—happy travels
