USA National Parks RV Road Trip: Grand Circle Itinerary (2026)

The Grand Circle: America’s Ultimate National Parks RV Trip

The Grand Circle in the American Southwest is the greatest concentration of national parks and scenic landscapes on Earth. Within a 1,500-mile loop from Las Vegas, you can visit six national parks, a dozen national monuments, and some of the most otherworldly landscapes you’ll ever see — all perfectly connected by good highways.

And there’s no better way to do it than in an RV. Camp under the stars at the Grand Canyon, wake up to the red rock spires of Bryce Canyon, and park your motorhome at the base of Monument Valley’s buttes.

💡 Tip: Compare RV rental prices from Las Vegas on CamperCompare. Many companies offer free or discounted one-way options for popular Southwest routes.

14-Day Grand Circle Itinerary (from Las Vegas)

Day	Location	Highlights
1	Las Vegas → Zion NP	Pick up RV, drive to Zion (2.5 hrs)
2–3	Zion National Park	Angels Landing, The Narrows, Canyon Overlook Trail
4–5	Bryce Canyon NP	Sunrise Point, Navajo Loop, Queen’s Garden, stargazing
6	Capitol Reef NP	Capitol Reef Scenic Drive, Fruita orchards, Hickman Bridge
7–8	Moab: Arches & Canyonlands	Delicate Arch, Mesa Arch sunrise, Island in the Sky
9	Monument Valley	Navajo-guided tour, The View Campground
10	Lake Powell & Page, AZ	Horseshoe Bend, Antelope Canyon (book ahead!)
11–12	Grand Canyon (South Rim)	Rim Trail, Bright Angel, Desert View Watchtower
13	Sedona, AZ	Red rock formations, Cathedral Rock, Oak Creek Canyon
14	Sedona → Las Vegas	Return RV (5-hour drive via I-17 and I-40)

The Big 6 Parks

Zion National Park

Angels Landing is the most famous hike in the American Southwest — a 5.4-mile trail with 1,488 feet of elevation gain, finishing with a chain-assisted scramble along a narrow ridge with 1,000-foot drops on both sides. Permits required (book at recreation.gov). The Narrows — hiking through a river canyon with 2,000-foot walls — is equally spectacular.

⚠️ RV Note: The Zion-Mt Carmel Tunnel (1.1 miles long) requires a $15 tunnel escort fee for vehicles over 11’4” tall or 7’10” wide. Most RVs require an escort. Check dimensions before you go.

Bryce Canyon National Park

Bryce Canyon’s thousands of orange-red hoodoos (pillar-like rock formations) are unlike anything else on Earth. Sunrise Point at dawn is magical. Walk the Navajo Loop + Queen’s Garden Trail (3 miles, moderate) for the best close-up experience. Bryce is also one of the darkest places in North America — ranger-led stargazing programs are free.

Arches & Canyonlands (Moab)

Arches National Park has 2,000+ natural stone arches. Delicate Arch (the icon on Utah license plates) requires a 3-mile hike — do it at sunset. Canyonlands is more remote and wild. Mesa Arch at sunrise is one of the most photographed spots in the Southwest.

Grand Canyon

No superlative does the Grand Canyon justice. It’s 277 miles long, up to 18 miles wide, and over a mile deep. The Rim Trail along the South Rim is flat and accessible. Bright Angel Trail descends into the canyon (don’t attempt the full descent in one day). Desert View Watchtower offers the best panoramic view.

RV Camping: Trailer Village at Grand Canyon South Rim has full hookups ($56/night) — the ONLY RV campground inside the park with hookups. Book 6 months ahead on recreation.gov.

Grand Circle Essentials

• America the Beautiful Pass: $80/year — covers entrance to ALL national parks. Essential for the Grand Circle (individual park entry is $30–35 each).
• Water: Carry at least 1 gallon per person per day. The desert is no joke — temperatures reach 100°F+ in summer.
• Book campgrounds early: National park campgrounds book 6 months in advance on recreation.gov. BLM land around Moab and Page has free dispersed camping.
• Avoid summer heat: May and September are the ideal months — warm but not extreme. July–August temperatures regularly exceed 110°F at the Grand Canyon.