United States · 21 days · 5,200 km · One-way
11 Southwest national parks — the grand tour
The ultimate American Southwest marathon: Big Bend (Texas), Carlsbad Caverns and White Sands (NM), Saguaro and Grand Canyon (AZ), Joshua Tree (CA), Mesa Verde (CO), and Utah's Mighty 5 (Capitol Reef, Canyonlands, Arches, Bryce, Zion) + Great Basin (Nevada). 21 days, 5,200 km. Based on Cruise America.
Highlights
- Big Bend Rio Grande + 105° hot springs
- Carlsbad Caverns Big Room
- White Sands (sledding white dunes)
- Saguaro NP (50 ft cacti)
- Joshua Tree (Mojave + Colorado)
- Grand Canyon ranger programs
- Mesa Verde Cliff Palace (Pueblo dwellings)
- Capitol Reef scenic drive
- Canyonlands Island in the Sky
- Arches Delicate Arch
- Lehman Caves (Great Basin)
- 4,000-year-old Bristlecone Pines
Day-by-day itinerary
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Day 1
Austin → Big Bend NP (Texas)
Austin → Big Bend · 700 km
Overnight: Rio Grande Village RV Campground
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Day 2
Big Bend (rafting + hot springs)
Big Bend · 80 km
- · Rio Grande rafting or kayak
- · Natural hot springs (105°F)
Overnight: Rio Grande Village RV Campground
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Day 3
Big Bend → Carlsbad Caverns NP (NM)
Big Bend → Carlsbad · 480 km
- · Big Room (cave of 100+ caverns)
- · Bat flight at sunset
Overnight: Carlsbad RV Park and Campground
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Day 4
Carlsbad → White Sands NP
Carlsbad → Alamogordo · 280 km
- · White-sand sledding
- · Pink sunset over gypsum
Overnight: Alamogordo Roadrunner RV Park
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Day 5
White Sands → Saguaro NP (Tucson)
Alamogordo → Tucson · 540 km
- · Saguaro East + West districts
- · Hohokam petroglyphs
Overnight: Justin's Diamond J RV Park
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Day 6
Saguaro → Joshua Tree NP (California)
Tucson → Joshua Tree · 700 km
Overnight: Joshua Tree Lake RV
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Day 7
Joshua Tree (full day)
Joshua Tree · 80 km
- · Hidden Valley
- · Keys View
- · Cholla Cactus Garden
Overnight: Joshua Tree Lake RV
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Day 8
Joshua Tree → Grand Canyon NP (AZ)
Joshua Tree → Grand Canyon Village · 700 km
Overnight: Trailer Village RV Park
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Day 9
Grand Canyon (ranger programs + bike)
Grand Canyon Village · 50 km
Overnight: Trailer Village RV Park
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Day 10
Grand Canyon → Mesa Verde NP (Colorado)
Grand Canyon Village → Mesa Verde · 540 km
- · Cliff Palace (700+ years old)
- · Mesa Top Road
Overnight: Morefield Campground
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Day 11
Mesa Verde → Capitol Reef NP (Utah)
Mesa Verde → Torrey · 540 km
Overnight: Fruita Campground
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Day 12
Capitol Reef (scenic drive)
Torrey · 60 km
Overnight: Fruita Campground
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Day 13
Capitol Reef → Canyonlands NP
Torrey → Moab · 230 km
- · Island in the Sky district
- · Mesa Arch at sunrise
Overnight: Spanish Trail RV Park
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Day 14
Canyonlands → Arches NP
Moab · 80 km
- · Delicate Arch hike
- · Windows Loop
- · 43-mile scenic drive
Overnight: Spanish Trail RV Park
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Day 15
Moab → Bryce Canyon NP (via Capitol Reef)
Moab → Bryce Canyon · 430 km
- · Hoodoos at sunrise
- · Sunset Point + Inspiration Point
Overnight: Bryce Canyon Pines RV Park
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Day 16
Bryce → Zion NP
Bryce Canyon → Springdale · 130 km
- · Zion shuttle
- · Riverside Walk + The Narrows
Overnight: Watchman Campground
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Day 17
Zion (Angels Landing or Emerald Pools)
Springdale · 30 km
Overnight: Watchman Campground
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Day 18
Zion → Great Basin NP (Nevada)
Springdale → Baker · 460 km
- · Lehman Caves (guided tour)
- · Wheeler Peak
- · Bristlecone Pines
Overnight: Lower Lehman Campground
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Day 19
Great Basin (full day)
Baker · 60 km
- · Stargazing in one of the darkest skies
Overnight: Lower Lehman Campground
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Day 20
Great Basin → Las Vegas (Henderson)
Baker → Henderson · 600 km
Overnight: Henderson RV Park
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Day 21
Henderson — drop-off
Henderson · 30 km