A Nine-Day Journey Through Utah & Arizona's National Parks

• Fly into Las Vegas and stay in an airport hotel.

• The trip really begins the next day, when you can pick up a rental car. Splurge on a vehicle like a Range Rover, as you’ll be spending a lot of time in the car. This makes it feel like a part of the experience.

• Just as you’re about to hit the road for a four-hour journey to Zion National Park, grab your provisions at a Las Vegas Whole Foods and hit the road!

• At the halfway mark, make a pit stop at Muddy Bees Bakery for the best cinnamon roll.

• Check into Hampton Inn Springdale, drop your bags off and make your way into Zion National Park to hike the Narrows.

• Upon your return from the Narrows, you might be lucky to come across a beer festival at the entrance to the park.

• Dinner time! Walk over to Oscar’s Cafe for some good Tex-Mex.

• Start your day in Zion with a coffee and some good carbs at Deep Creek Coffee Company.

• Take the Zion National Park shuttle to make your way to your very first hike. All Trails is a very handy tool to decide which hikes you’d like to experience.

• Hike to Scout Lookout and, if you are brave enough, hike Angel’s Landing.

  • Tip: If you want to hike Angel’s Landing, apply through the lottery system. However, if you don’t win the lottery, some winners may decide they don’t want to do Angel’s Landing any longer, so they will kindly share their lottery winnings with you — if you’re brave enough to do it!

• Dinner time! After a successful day of hiking, rest up and then head to dinner at Bit & Spur, another fantastic Southwestern and Mexican restaurant. Sit outside to watch the night sky roll in over the mountains.

• Coffee and tasty carbs at Deep Creek Coffee Company to start your day.

• Head to Bryce Canyon to hike the Mars-like landscape.

• For lunch, make your way to i.d.k. Barbecue for some of the best barbecue! Be sure to check that they’re open for the season when you're visiting.

• Arrive back at the Hampton Inn Springdale for a well-deserved swim or hot-tub session before walking over to dinner at The Spotted Dog.

• Check out of Zion and head for your next stop on the itinerary, Lake Powell.

• On your way, make stop at a local supermarket to pick up lunch and snacks for your boat ride on the lake.

• Pick up your boat rental from Waheap Boat Rentals and explore the lunar-like lake all day.

• After a very thrilling and relaxing day on the lake, check into Under Canvas Lake Powell.

• Experience a slow morning in your glamping tent and head down to the cornucopia to grab some coffee.

• Experience Antelope Canyon with Adventurous Antelope Tours.

• After Antelope Canyon, have lunch at Birdhouse for the most tantalizing fried chicken.

• Need to walk off your delicious lunch? Go witness the breathtaking views of Horseshoe Bend.

• Wind down at the campsite and experience dining at Under Canvas. Imagine a singer and guitarist as your background music while you drink wine, play backgammon and gaze at the expansive views. Dreamy!

Check out of Under Canvas Lake Powell and drive three and a half hours to your next and final destination: Under Canvas Grand Canyon!

• The sheer size of the Grand Canyon is unimaginable but breathtaking, indeed. There are so many hikes and trails to experience. Whichever way you choose, you will be greeted with expansive and beautiful views.

• Pick up some lunch at the Grand Canyon Village.

• Just like the night before, Under Canvas Grand Canyon has great dining options.

Check out of Grand Canyon Under Canvas and drive four hours to Las Vegas, where you’ll be returning the car and departing to head home. Be sure to pick up a cheeky meal at In-N-Out Burger!