Photo by Meenakshi Bose on Unsplash
Route Overview
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Day 6
Day 7
A ranger-style loop linking saguaros, petrified forests, canyon rims, and Zion's sandstone. Built around early starts, heat management, and golden-hour views.
Itinerary
09:00
60 min09:00
☕
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport - arrival + supplies
60 min
13:00
90 min13:00
🍽️
Tucson check-in + dinner
Saguaro National Park
90 min
18:00
60 min18:00
👀
Gates Pass sunset (Saguaro West)
Saguaro National Park
60 min
06:30
120 min06:30
🚗
Cactus Forest Scenic Loop (Saguaro East)
Saguaro National Park
120 min
08:45
60 min08:45
🥾
Valley View Overlook Trail
Saguaro National Park
60 min
16:00
90 min16:00
🏛️
Painted Desert Visitor Center (Petrified Forest)
Petrified Forest National Park
90 min
07:00
90 min07:00
🥾
Blue Mesa Trail
Petrified Forest National Park
90 min
09:00
60 min09:00
🏛️
Giant Logs and Rainbow Forest Museum
Petrified Forest National Park
60 min
10:30
150 min10:30
🚗
Petrified Forest Scenic Drive + Newspaper Rock
Petrified Forest National Park
150 min
17:30
60 min17:30
🏨
Grand Canyon South Rim check-in (Tusayan)
Grand Canyon National Park
60 min
06:00
60 min06:00
👀
Mather Point sunrise
Grand Canyon National Park
60 min
07:15
90 min07:15
🥾
Rim Trail to Yavapai Geology Museum
Grand Canyon National Park
90 min
10:30
180 min10:30
🚗
Hermit Road shuttle overlooks
Grand Canyon National Park
180 min
18:00
90 min18:00
👀
Desert View Watchtower sunset
Grand Canyon National Park
90 min
13:30
60 min13:30
☕
Drive to Springdale (Zion)
Zion National Park
60 min
18:30
60 min18:30
🥾
Canyon Overlook Trail (sunset)
Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area
60 min
06:45
30 min06:45
🏛️
Zion Visitor Center + shuttle queue
Zion National Park
30 min
07:30
240 min07:30
📍
The Narrows (if open)
Zion National Park
240 min
12:30
90 min12:30
🥾
Riverside Walk or Emerald Pools
Zion National Park
90 min
18:00
120 min18:00
🥾
Watchman Trail sunset
Zion National Park
120 min
13:30
60 min13:30
☕
Harry Reid International Airport - departure
60 min
Creates a copy you can customize
7
Days
21
Stops
moderate
Difficulty
Best Season
March-May and September-November for cooler days and clearer skies.
Tags
#desert#roadtrip#multi-park#saguaro#petrified-forest#grand-canyon#zion