美国西南自驾游（Southwest USA Road Trip）
After flying from Philadelphia to Las Vegas, we'll embark on a two-week road trip along the American Southwest. The route will take us through the red rock canyons of Zion National Park, the fantastical rock formations of Bryce Canyon National Park, and the vibrant colors of Kodak Chrome Basin State Park. After witnessing the interplay of light and shadow in Antelope Canyon, we'll enter the dreamlike Wave Canyon, where layers of sandstone formations resemble waterfalls and ocean waves. We'll then drive through Monument Valley and Valley of the Gods, where solitary peaks and towering cliffs stand majestically against the backdrop of the setting sun. Continuing north, we'll see the towering arches of Arches National Park, overlook the Great Loop of the Colorado River at Dead Horse Point State Park, and finally, we'll quietly admire the vast twilight over the North Rim of the Grand Canyon.
See it on the interactive map · Flyby videos
Chapters
- Day 1, Fly from Philadelphia to Las Vegas · 6 pebbls
- The next day, we will visit Las Vegas. · 8 pebbls
- Day 3: Las Vegas → Zion National Park · 1 pebbl
- Day 4: Full-day tour of Zion National Park · 3 pebbls
- Day 4: Full-day tour of Zion National Park
- Day 5, Zion → Bryce Canyon
- Day 6: Bryce Canyon → Red Canyon Scenic Trail → Cordacrome Basin State Park · 7 pebbls
- Day 7, Escalante/Boulder → Page (Arizona) · 4 pebbls
- Day 8, Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon · 3 pebbls
- Day 9: Full-day hike in The Wave.
- Day 10, Page → Monument Valley · 1 pebbl
- Day 11: Monument Valley → Valley of the Gods Scenic Drive → Gooseneck Bay · 2 pebbls
- Day 12, Arches National Park · 4 pebbls
- Day 13: Narrow Valley National Park + Dead Horse Point State Park · 4 pebbls
- Day 14: Moab → Natural Bridges → Cape Royal Viewpoint
- Day 14: Moab → Natural Bridge → Royal Cape Viewpoint · 5 pebbls
- Day 15: Return to Las Vegas from the Grand Canyon North Rim.
- Day 15: Return to Las Vegas · 3 pebbls
- Day 16: Return to Philadelphia from Las Vegas
Day 1, Fly from Philadelphia to Las Vegas
Philadelphia International Airport Terminal E
13 May 2026 - 17:41
13 May 2026 - 18:56
The next day, we will visit Las Vegas.
14 May 2026 - 14:07
14 May 2026 - 14:10
14 May 2026 - 14:11
Day 3: Las Vegas → Zion National Park
Leaving Las Vegas
Day 4: Full-day tour of Zion National Park
Zion National Park, located in southwestern Utah, is one of the most popular national parks in the United States, renowned for its magnificent red sandstone canyons.
Emerald pool trail
16 May 2026 - 07:49
16 May 2026 - 15:34
Day 6: Bryce Canyon → Red Canyon Scenic Trail → Cordacrome Basin State Park
Explore this 0.5-mile loop trail near Holland Johan, Utah, and Kodachrome Basin State Park.
Bryce Canyon Lodge
Bryce Canyon snow scene (4)
Bryce Canyon snow scene (3)
Day 7, Escalante/Boulder → Page (Arizona)
Horseshoe Bend is a horseshoe-shaped bend in the Colorado River, located near Page, Arizona, USA. It is also known as the "East Rim of the Grand Canyon".
Horseshoe Bend
Horseshoe Bend is a massive loop formed by the Colorado River cutting through a sandstone plateau, and is one of the most iconic landscapes of the American Southwest. Standing on the edge of a cliff about 300 meters high and looking down, the turquoise river carves a near-perfect horseshoe bend through the reddish-brown canyon, a breathtaking sight.
Glen Canyon Dam
Glen Canyon Dam
Spanning the Colorado River, it is one of the most important water engineering projects in the United States. The dam, towering between deep canyons, not only created the famous Lake Powell but also altered the water resource landscape of the entire region.
Wahlwep Viewpoint
The Wachweep Viewpoint, situated high up near Page, offers panoramic views of Lake Powell, the desert plateau, and distant, layered mountain ranges. The expansive vistas and breathtaking landscape, with its constantly shifting colors of the lake, rock formations, and sky, make it an ideal location for photographing the vast expanse of the American Southwest.
Day 8, Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon
Upper Antelope Canyon, located near Page, Arizona, is a world-renowned slot canyon known for its "beams" cutting through the Navajo sandstone.
Upper Antelope Canyon (1)
The entrance to Upper Antelope Canyon is flat and easy to walk through. The canyon ceiling is relatively wide, allowing sunlight to penetrate more easily, often creating dreamy beams of light at midday. It's a favorite spot for photographers and also one of the most visited places. The rock walls have soft, flowing lines, presenting a wave-like, curvaceous beauty.
Upper Antelope Canyon (2)
Lower Antelope Canyon
Lower Antelope Canyon requires navigating metal ladders to ascend and descend the canyon; the passages are narrower and more winding, enhancing the sense of adventure. Due to its depth, the canyon offers rich variations in light, revealing more three-dimensional and intricate rock textures, making it ideal for photographing abstract lines and color gradations. Upper Antelope Canyon emphasizes classic light and shadow, while Lower Antelope Canyon offers a greater sense of exploration and diverse terrain.
Day 10, Page → Monument Valley
Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park is hailed as one of the most photographer-favored locations on Earth, with towering sandstone formations rising into the clouds in the valley.
Hotel I stayed at: Scenic View Inn
Day 11: Monument Valley → Valley of the Gods Scenic Drive → Gooseneck Bay
The Valley of the Gods Scenic Drive is a 17-mile dirt road in southeastern Utah. This route is often described as a quieter and free alternative to Monument Valley, with views of towering sandstone hills and mesas along the way.
Valley of the Gods Scenic Avenue
25 May 2026 - 01:21
Day 12, Arches National Park
Delicate Arch Trailhead
24 May 2026 - 04:03
Balanced Rock
Day 13: Narrow Valley National Park + Dead Horse Point State Park
Canyonlands National Park, located in southeastern Utah, is renowned for its stunning desert landscape sculpted by the Colorado River. Dead Horse Point State Park Overlook offers panoramic views of the Colorado River's massive horseshoe-shaped bend.
25 May 2026 - 07:41
25 May 2026 - 09:33
26 May 2026 - 07:12
Day 14: Moab → Natural Bridge → Royal Cape Viewpoint
The park's three natural bridges are named the Catchina Bridge, the Owachomo Bridge, and the West Pap Bridge (the largest), all in Hopi language. Cape Royal Viewpoint and Angel's Window are among the few spots on the North Rim offering panoramic views of the Colorado River.
26 May 2026 - 07:48
26 May 2026 - 07:49
26 May 2026 - 14:21
Day 15: Return to Las Vegas
Passing through Valley of Fire State Park and Coral Pink Dunes State Park