The Perfect 4 Day Southwest Road Trip Itinerary

In this post we’ll be sharing our recommended 4-day itinerary for a road trip through the stunning Southwest region of the United States. From sweeping desert vistas to red rock formations, this journey is sure to take your breath away. While there are many regions of the Southwest, this itinerary focuses on the Nevada and southern Utah regions.

Disclosure: All opinions expressed here are our own. This post may contain affiliate links that at no additional cost to you, we may earn a small commission.

Responsible Recreation in the Southwest

The desert heat is unforgiving, so the best time for this road trip is Fall through Spring. If visiting in the Summer, plan to adventure at sunrise and sunset and plan other activities during the hottest part of the day. Additionally, since cell service is spotty in this part of the US, we recommend downloading an offline map in the Google Maps mobile app. Finally, you should download offline trail maps with the AllTrails app.

In order to recreate responsibly in these remote areas, follow the 7 Leave No Trace Principles:

1. plan ahead and prepare: research current weather and trail conditions, bring enough food and water, bring/download an offline map, prepare for crowds in certain areas
2. travel and camp on durable surfaces: be sure not to hike off trail or use social trails! Camp at designated areas only
3. dispose of waste properly: even an orange peel or cherry pit can disturb the ecosystem and take years to decompose. Be sure to pack out absolutely everything! 
4. leave what you find: do not take rocks or build cairns of rocks, do not carve into trees, rocks, or other natural objects
5. minimize campfire impacts: know current fire restrictions, keep fires small and only use established fire rings
6. respect wildlife: be sure to stay at least 100 yards away from bears and 25 yards away from all other animals
7. be considerate of other visitors: do not play music on the trail, give the right of way to uphill hikers

Where to Start your Southwest Road Trip

We recommend starting your Southwest road trip in Las Vegas, as it has a major airport that is closest to the areas in this itinerary.

Once you fly into McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas, you have two options to get to your first destination of the trip, Valley of Fire State Park:

1. spend the night in Las Vegas and drive 1 hour to Valley of Fire State Park the next day
2. head closer to Valley of Fire State Park and stay closer to the park

We chose the latter and stayed at the North Shore Inn at Lake Mead. Keep in mind accommodation options are limited near Valley of Fire State Park. There are also 73 campsites available in the park and are all first come-first served.

Day 1: Valley of Fire State Park

Sunrise at Valley of Fire State Park

Day 1 of the Southwest road trip starts with sunrise at Valley of Fire State Park. One of the reasons we stayed so close, is so that we could easily catch sunrise this morning. There are tons of incredible options for sunrise at this park, but we chose the famous Mouse Tank Road Viewpoint.

After turning onto Mouse Tank Road from Valley of Fire Highway, you’ll drive until you see a small parking turn out. You can put these coordinates into your GPS: 36.461651, -114.520567. Just be aware that cell phone service is limited in the park.

Once at the parking area, you can climb a small hill to access the view.

Fire Wave Trail

The Fire Wave Trail is one of Valley of Fire’s most popular hikes and for a good reason! Round trip, the hike is only 1.5 miles with minimal elevation gain. At the end of the trail is the Fire Wave, a massive striped sandstone formation that looks like a desert wave. We had great light here shortly after sunrise! This is a must do in the park.

White Domes Trail

Another short trail with SO much to see. The variety of geological features and colorful landscapes you will see on this short trail are truly incredible. The 1.1 mile White Domes Trail is easy to add on to your day and another must do, in our opinion. Our favorite feature on this trail is the slot canyon and the yellow and pink mounds of rock that reminded us of sherbet. There are even “ruins” left over from a film set from the 1960s!

Drive to St George, Utah

The last thing you need to do at Valley of Fire State Park is drive around and stop at some of the turnouts and viewpoint. There is seriously so much to see in this small park and you will be amazed by the variety of landscapes. After you’re satisfied, it’s time to head to St. George, Utah! You’ll drive 2 hours to reach St. George, a charming town that will act as your home base to tons of epic outdoor adventures.

Lunch at Wood. Ash. Rye.

Sunset at Snow Canyon State Park

It’s been a long day, so for your last adventure of the day, you’re staying close by. Only 20 minutes from the Advenire is the severely underrated Snow Canyon State Park. Compared to nearby Zion National Park’s 5 million visitors per year, Snow Canyon State Park only receives 300,000 visitors per year. It’s a great place to go to escape crowds if you want incredibly epic views to yourself!

We highly recommend the Petrified Dunes Trail for sunset. We’ve never done anything like this unique trail and the sunset we saw on the trail ended up being the best of the entire trip! The petrified dunes rise from the canyon floor and create a playground for you to explore. There’s a small official trail, but you can explore where you want.

Day 2: Zion National Park

E-bike Canyon Scenic Drive

Emerald Pools Loop Trail

This is an easy, family friendly hike that is across from the Historic Zion Lodge. At 3 miles, this is an easy one to add on. You can even hike to Lower Emerald Pool only if you’d like. The trail will take you to three beautiful pools that cascade through the canyon. Due to its accessibility, this trail can become very crowded, so it’s a good idea to start it early.

Lunch at the Zion Lodge

We stopped for a quick lunch at the Zion Lodge since it is right across from the Emerald Pools Loop Trail. We loved that they had black bean veggie burgers! You can also check out the gift shop and visitor center as well as lay on the grass and enjoy the views.

Sunset at Zion Canyon Overlook

After returning our bikes in Springdale and picking up rental gear for the Narrows at Zion Outfitters, we set off on our last adventure of the day: sunset on the Zion Canyon Overlook Trail. Only 1 mile, this short hike leads to a big reward!The trail itself is interesting and winds around cliffs, but the view of the canyon at the end of the trail is the reason this trail is a must do for anyone visiting Zion. Keep in mind you cannot take the shuttle to this trail and will have to self-drive. Parking can be difficult, so get there a bit early.

Day 3: The Narrows

Hike the Narrows

The Zion Narrows can be hiked from top-down (a 15 mile technical canyoneering route that requires a permit) or bottom-up (accessible to day hikers). Check out our full guide to the Narrows.

Dinner and relax in St. George

After hiking the Narrows, we returned to the Advenire for a final dinner at Wood. Ash. Rye. Their menu is so extensive, we were happy to eat there again to try more dishes. If you are looking for something else to eat, check out all the amazing restaurants in St. George. Finally, relax with a drink at the bar or in the rooftop spa.

Day 4: Kolob and Kanarra

Kolob Canyons

Kanarra Falls

If you still have time and energy before you leave, Kanarra Falls is a great last adventure. On this 4 mile round trip hike, you’ll wade along the creek and through a slot canyon until you reach beautiful Kanarra Falls, a gorgeous waterfall with a ladder to the top. Most people turn around at this point as the trail is not maintained past the waterfall. The hike to the waterfall should take 3-4 hours. Waterproof shoes are highly recommended and flash flooding is always a risk. Due to the popularity of this hike, reservations are required and they are $12/person and non-refundable. Purchase the tickets here.

We hope that our 4 day southwest road trip itinerary was helpful in planning your trip! We have loads of other southwest content, so if you are looking for other things to do check out some of our Utah blogs.