Our Canyon Adventures Self Drive tour is an eight day journey around the most remarkable national parks of Utah, Nevada and Colorado, bookended by time in the fabulously exciting city of Las Vegas. On the way you’ll see some incredible sights, including the red cliffs and forests of Zion National Park, the alien landscapes of Canyonlands and the unforgettable vision of the Grand Canyon.
In Las Vegas, you’ll have the time to take in a world class show and soak up the atmosphere of this wild desert city. You'll leave the neon lights behind as you head out into the country beyond, beginning in majestic Zion National Park – a red rock canyon overseen by the looming Three Patriarchs. Bryce Canyon will be another highlight, a place of eroded rock spires and dazzling colours.
In the ancient Moab Valley, you’ll see arches grander than anything built by human hands and delicate petroglyphs etched into the rock by civilizations that came before. In the Mesa Verde National Park, you’ll discover some of the oldest buildings in North America - built by ancient people centuries ago and mysteriously abandoned. For a real taste of the west, Canyonlands and Monument Valley are a major highlight. These places are every bit as strange and beautiful as they appear on the silver screen. Your journey will climax with a visit to the Grand Canyon, one of the world’s most breathtaking natural wonders

Trip Highlights
- See the breathtaking Grand Canyon as the sun rises over the South Rim
- Visit Monument Valley and Canyonland, the backdrop to hundreds of westerns
- Trek in stunning Zion National Park, where rivers roll through the red rock valley
- Visit the mysterious Cliff Palace in Mesa Verde National Park, which was built by an ancient people
Start your Journey
Arrive in Las Vegas
Arrive into Las Vegas’ McCarran International Airport, pick up your car and head to your hotel. The rest of the day is up to you. Risk it all on blackjack, hit the slots or take in a show at one of the city’s legendary venues. You’re also never far from a good restaurant or buzzing bar in this city.
Las Vegas
Today you’ll have another full day in Las Vegas. Why not drive out to visit the Hoover Dam? This vast structure squats in the middle of the Colorado River and is a genuinely impressive sight. On the other side is gorgeous Lake Mead, where you can enjoy a boat cruise around a series of rocky, secluded bays.
Las Vegas itself has some superb attractions. Check out the Mob Museum or partake in a Foodie Tour.
You can head out for dinner in the evening, followed by another stint at the tables. This is Vegas, after all.
Las Vegas - Zion National Park – Bryce Canyon
Leaving the city’s neon canyons behind you, you’ll venture into the desert surrounding the city. The awe inspiring Zion National Park will be your first stop. Located just over the border in Utah, this 593 km² preserve is a place of craggy red cliffs, verdant forests and tumbling rivers. At the park’s visitor centre you can pick up a map and explore the many trails on offer.
Just over an hour’s drive to the east is majestic Bryce Canyon, where bizarre red rock spires known as “hoodoos” dot the valley. The colours here are extraordinary - a tableau of pinks, reds, whites and greens.
Bryce Canyon – Moab Valley
From Bryce Canyon it’s a scenic four and a half hour drive up to the Moab Valley, which is the home of Arches National Park. These amazing natural structures were formed by erosion over millennia. Off the Delicate Arch hiking trail, you’ll get the chance to see some beautiful Native American petroglyphs etched into the rock. Don’t forget to discover the park’s history as well - the land has been home to many different people in its long history.
Moab Valley – Canyonlands – Mesa Verde National Park
Rise early and take your leave for Canyonlands, which is just an hour’s drive away. This astonishing site has been carved out by the constant flow of the mighty Colorado River – the very same power harnessed by the Hoover Dam. The Island in the Sky area is the most accessible and offers some unmissable views.
After a two hour drive you’ll reach Mesa Verde National Park. This UNESCO World Heritage site is famous for its cliff dwellings, which were built by the Ancestral Puebloans around the 13th century AD. The highlight is the enormous Cliff Palace, which truly has to be seen to be believed.
Mesa Verde National Park – Monument Valley – Grand Canyon
Today you’ll visit two of the most iconic destinations in North America. Take breakfast in your hotel before hitting the road, bound for Monument Valley two hours west. This brooding landscape has been the backdrop to countless westerns, its three looming towers of sandstone known as West Mitten Butte, East Mitten Butte and Merrick Butte.
In the early afternoon we’ll drive on through the atmospheric trading post of Cameron and the Navajo Reserve to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. Nothing can quite prepare you for the sight you’re about to see. This vast gorge measures an average of 16 km in width and 1.7 km deep.
Grand Canyon – Las Vegas
Today you can enjoy a full day of exploring the Grand Canyon. Be sure to get up before dawn to watch the sunrise over the rim. Along its length you’ll find numerous viewpoints offering unique vistas, including the popular spots of Yavapai Point, Pipe Creek Vista and Hopi Point. Yavapai Tavern is a good spot to grab a bite to eat before hitting the road bound for Las Vegas - a four and a half hour drive away.
Depart Las Vegas
This morning you’ll drive to the airport, drop off your car and connect to your onward flight. Your trip has come to an end, but the memories will last a lifetime.
Plan Your Dream Trip
What To Expect
Dream Carefree
Go ahead and dream big. Hayes & Jarvis experts are here to help you plan the ultimate escape. Tell us your vision for the trip of a lifetime and we’ll make it a reality.
Plan Carefree
One of our destination experts will reach out to craft a completely customized itinerary. Book your personalized journey and know that our flexible policies have you covered.
Travel Carefree
Relax and prepare for takeoff, knowing that your trip is perfectly planned and you have a personal concierge on call 24/7. Our experts are here to keep you safe and handle the details.
Includes
- International flights and airfare taxes
- Cost of accommodation (double room based on two people sharing) for a total of 7 nights (alternative but similar accommodation may be used at certain times of the year)
- Board basis: Room Only
- Car hire and insurance
- Taxes
Excludes
- Visa arrangements and fees
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses, such as beverages, telephone calls, laundry, camera fees, spa and business facilities in the hotel
- Gratuities
- Meals
- Attractions and excursions
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