Explore the Great American West

TAKE AN INCREDIBLE ROAD TRIP IN SEPTEMBER AND ENJOY A CORNER OF THE WILD WILD WEST.

While my travel style is much more budget backpacker, check out this itinerary I put together for some friends who were looking for a little more luxury on their trip! It's similar to a loop I did this past fall. I look forward to sharing that trip in all its grungy glory in a future post!

D A Y 1 : Fly into Las Vegas. Relax by the pool, walk the strip, see a show. Take in the lights and get acclimated to the desert heat.

D A Y 2 : Rent a car and drive an hour northwest of Las Vegas to Valley of Fire State Park. Often likened to Mars, this park features red rock formations. Drive the loop, and get out for a quick hike to see the natural arches and waved rocks of the Aztec Sandstone up close. The Fire Wave is a top rated 1.2 mile stroll featuring geologic formations and Mouse’s Tank, a .75 mile hike, features hundreds of petrogylphs. After taking in the natural beauty of the park, drive to Kanab, Utah to spend the night in Parry Lodge. Parry Lodge served as the home base for over a hundred movie and TV crews over the decades, and had many famous guests including Clint Eastwood, Sidney Portier, Ronald Regan, John Wayne, and Frank Sinatra.

DAY 3: If you are lucky enough to score a permit to hike The Wave at the Utah and Arizona border, head there in the morning. This is a 5.2 mile trek with about 400 feet of elevation change. Made famous by a Microsoft Windows background, the Wave is accessible only by permits, which are limited to just 20 per day. After spending the morning at this natural wonder, head to Paria, Utah. A famous ghost town, you can see the abandoned buildings, the old movie set, and the cemetery, all against a stunning backdrop of rainbow hills and buttes. Spend the night at Lake Powell Resorts & Marinas, in Page Arizona. With astonishing views of the lake, spend the evening relaxing with a drink or two on the terrace.

D A Y 4 : Today is best spent exploring Antelope Canyon. There are two canyons, Upper and Lower, and both are stunning natural cathedrals of swirling stone. Carved by water over the centuries, these canyons have captivated visitors from all over the world with their stunning hues. If you like, you can visit both in one day. Enjoy dinner in Page, and then drive a little down the road to Horseshoe Bend to watch the sun set. While majestic at any time of day, sunset here is truly incredible.

Make your way to Monument Valley for the night, and stay in The View Hotel, and be sure to reserve a room with a balcony.

D A Y 5 : While it’s a bit of a drive, to Monument Valley from Page, waking up to watch the sun rise through the buttes is well worth it. Sacred to the Navajo Nation, these natural formations have been featured in many a wild west movie.

After sipping on coffee while you watch the sun come up, head south to the Grand Canyon for the grand finale of the trip. Spend the afternoon exploring the south rim, and go on a Sunset Tour offered by the National Park Service, before enjoying a quality nights rest at El Tovar, which opened in 1905, and is considered the crown jewel of National Park Lodges. Many notable guests have stayed in these unique rooms, including Theodore Roosevelt, Albert Einstein, and Sir Paul McCartney.

D A Y 6 : Once again, it is worth it to rise early to see the sun rise over the Grand Canyon. After breakfast, take the Hermit’s Rest Tour to explore 16 miles of gorgeous desert roads with stunning views of the canyon, and a stop at Hermit’s Rest, g the tour is a stop at Hermit’s Rest, an exquisite structure designed by Mary J Coulter built in 1914. After lunch on the South Rim at Bright Angel, spend the afternoon exploring the Historic Village before dinner in the Arizona room. In the evening, enjoy a National Park Ranger Program, or enjoy a drink while watching the night sky unfold.

D A Y 7 : Drive back to Las Vegas for your flight home, or more time in Sin City.

THINGS TO REMEMBER:

On any hike or trek, always carry a daypack with plenty of water and sunblock. Be sure to have at least two liters per person per day of water, especially in extreme heat. Bring healthy snacks as well. Pack sturdy shoes that are comfortable and will protect your feet.