The Ultimate Southwest USA Travel Bucket List

Ever wanted to explore some of the USA states including Nevada, Utah, and Arizona? Want to go on a southwest usa roadtrip to some amazing national parks? This is the ultimate Southwest USA travel bucket list to help you plan an amazing trip to the United States.

Planning a southwest usa road trip can take a lot of time to figure out what states you want to visit, what national parks you want to see, and even what activities and hikes you want to do during your US trip.

I planned a 1 week southwest usa itinerary to visit Nevada, Utah, and Arizona. It was such an amazing trip I want to share with all of you so you too can see these amazing places.

This post is all about the ultimate Southwest USA travel bucket list. 

Southwest USA Travel Bucket List

Nevada

Nevada was the beginning of my Southwest USA road trip. Las Vegas is on many people’s bucket lists with the famous Las Vegas Strip with tons to see and experience. Vegas is the perfect place to start your USA roadtrip. Here are some of the top things to do in Las Vegas.

Las Vegas Strip

  The Las Vegas Strip is the most famous area in Las Vegas with places like…

• Fountains of Bellagio
• Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Gardens
• The Venetian Las Vegas
• The Eiffel Tower
• Treasure Island

These are just a few of the places you can see when visiting the Las Vegas Strip.

Hoover Dam

  The Hoover Dam is another popular spot to visit when in Las Vegas. It is located out of the main city of Las Vegas on the border between Las Vegas and Arizona. If you are in Vegas or Arizona you should visit and see this huge dam and learn a bit about the history.   There are tours to the Hoover Dam on GetYourGuide. These tours include transport, entrance, tours, and more.

Utah

Utah is another state you NEED to visit during your southwest usa road trip. Utah has beautiful National Parks with amazing hikes and views you cannot miss.

Zion National Park

  Zion National Park is absolutely beautiful as has some amazing hikes to do. If you are an outdoors and hiking lover like myself you will LOVE Zion. Top Hikes in Zion National Park:

• Angels Landing
• Zion Narrows
• Emerald Pools
• Scouts Lookout

When I visited I had one full day and did two hikes with a nice picnic break in between. I hiked to Scout Lookout first and then the Emerald Pools Trail, both were absolutely amazing.   If you want a detailed Zion National Park itinerary click here.

Bryce Canyon National Park

  Bryce Canyon is another AMAZING USA national park you must visit when in Utah. Bryce Canyon National Park has amazing trails, scenic driving routes, and breathtaking lookouts.   Top things to do in Bryce Canyon National Park:

• Navajo Loop Trail
• Queens Garden Trail
• Peek-a-boo Loop Trail

If you are interested you can do the Figure 8 Combination which includes all three trails I mentioned before, Queens Garden, Navajo Loop, and Peekaboo Loop, into one amazing hike. This will take around 4-5 hours but have amazing views.

• Bryce Canyon Scenic Drive

Lookout points include Sunrise Point, Sunset Point, Inspiration Point, Bryce Point, Swamp Canyon, Piracy Point, Farview Point, Natural Bridge, Agua Point, Ponderosa Canyon, Black Birch Canyon, and Rainbow Point.

• Watch sunset

Some top spots to watch sunset include Sunset Point and Bryce Point.   If you want more information on Bryce Canyon Nation Park read this “One Amazing Day in Bryce Canyon National Park” blog post.

Capitol Reef National Park

  Capitol Reef National Park is a bit more of a hidden gem in Utah. But it also has amazing hikes like the other national parks. During your trip to Capitol Reef, I recommend spending your time hiking Hickman Bridge Trail and Fremont River Trail, driving the Capitol Reefs Scenic Drive, and visiting Gifford House. One or two days is the perfect amount of time to see the top spots in Capitol Reef during your road trip.   If you are hoping to visit Capitol Reef here is a guide on “How to Have the Best Half-Day in Capitol Reef National Park.”

Arizona

The next US state for your southwest road trip itinerary needs to be Arizona. Arizona has amazing parks, lookout spots, and canyons like nothing you have ever seen before.

Page Arizona

  Page Arizona is where you will find spots like Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyons. Both famous spots are a must-see when in Page. If you want to visit the Antelope Canyons you need to book a tour, you cannot visit these Canyons on your own. There are three canyons there is Lower Antelope Canyon, Upper Antelope Canyon, and Canyon X. All of these give you amazing views but if you are travelling on a budget like myself Canyon X has the most affordable tours. Check out GetYourGuide to find tours to these canyons.   Click here to read more details about the top sights in Page Arizona.

Grand Canyon National Park

  A trip to Arizona is not complete without visiting the famous Grand Canyon National Park. There are so many amazing things to do in Grand Canyon National Park. You can walk around the village, take the shuttle to a lookout point, go on a hike into the canyon, or bike ride around the rim trail. Here are some of the top things I recommend you do during your trip to the Grand Canyon:

• Hike Bright Angel Trail
• Walk or Bike the Rim Trail
• Walk around the village and window shop
• Watch the sunset at Hopi Point

The Grand Canyon I am sure is on many people’s bucket list and this southwest usa travel bucket list is no different. Read all about “How to Spend One Incredible Day in the Grand Canyon.”  

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  That brings us to the end of this Southwest USA travel bucket list. You should definitely plan a road trip to Nevada, Utah, and Arizona and visit these top spots and national parks. I visited all these destinations during my one-week road trip and it was an amazing trip around the southwest of the USA. I hope this bucket list helped you plan your own road trip. I hope you have an amazing trip and safe travels!