Welcome to Phase 9 of our 2-Year North America road trip, 2015-2016, written by your favourite family travel blogger. This leg of our family road trip is the other half of the Grand Circle Road Trip with Kids.
We’ve broken this epic family gap year journey into 12 can’t-miss road trip phases, so it’s easy to follow:
Phase 1: We toured Eastern Canada for over one month.
Phase 2: A little under one month in the Midwest USA.
Phase 3: We made our way from Oregon to Vancouver, Canada.
Phase 4: We discovered Western Canada with a quick side trip to Alaska.
Phase 5: Drove more than 5,500 km from British Columbia to New York.
Phase 6: A meandering journey from New York to Florida with stops in Nashville & Atlanta.
Phase 7: 2,181 miles and one month crossing from Florida to the deep South – New Orleans, Texas, Santa Fe
Phase 8: The top half of The Grand Circle Vegas, Colorado, Utah
Phase 9: Another loop of the great Grand Circle Nevada, Arizona, and Utah
Phase 10: An intense week in Sacramento & San Francisco
Phase 11: A 2-week adventure through Nova Scotia
Phase 12: Our big finale 2-week discovery of Florida
Come along for the fun, chaos, and unforgettable family moments on this North America road trip with kids.
Phase 9 – Nevada → Utah → Arizona
Dates: 7th – 14th May
Total Distance: 934 miles (1,503 km)
Fuel Cost: US$347.84
Groceries: US$291.12
Just when I thought our epic North America road trip had wrapped up, we levelled up. Big Red was gone, but in his place? A full RV adventure across the Grand Circle.
Last year, I attended an industry event, the Travel Media Showcase (TMS), and met a wonderful lady, Joanne. Some months later, I was working away on my laptop when I received an email out of the blue that said, “Call me.” Intrigued, I called. Joanne’s spirited New Jersey accent captivated me, and as soon as she asked if we had ever considered an RV trip, I knew the answer. And the rest, my friends, is history.
We want to share our heartfelt thanks to TMS, Go RVing, El Monte RV , and KOA Kampgrounds, who helped put together our very first RV trip. And what better itinerary than traversing Arizona and southern Utah to explore some of the most scenic US national parks?
This was hands down one of the most memorable parts of our USA road trip with kids. A week living on the road, exploring some of the most iconic landscapes in the American Southwest, and embracing a totally new way of travel. Looking for the best road trips in the USA – we got you.
Here’s our Grand Circle map. AI struggled with this one. Hopefully, it helps for the most scenic drives in America.
Our RV Grand Circle Road Trip Itinerary – Nevada, Utah, Arizona
- Las Vegas, Nevada (RV pickup)
- Hurricane, Utah
- Zion National Park & Sand Hollow State Park
- Monument Valley, Utah/Arizona
- Page, Arizona (Horseshoe Bend)
- Williams, Arizona (Grand Canyon base)
- Kingman, Arizona
- Las Vegas, Nevada (RV return)
Check Utah Hotel Prices Here
Best Things To Do in Las Vegas USA
Hurricane, Utah – RV Life Begins & Sand Dune Adventures
Dates: 7th – 9th May
Accommodation: KOA Hurricane
Best Attraction / Tour: Sand Hollow State Park ATV Adventure
We kicked things off in Las Vegas, picking up our RV, aka our home on wheels, for the week. Excitement levels were through the roof. My sister had flown in the day before and was joining us, so this was a full family road trip moment.
The collection took longer than expected, a few hiccups, a bit of waiting, but once we were handed the keys, nothing else mattered. Driving out of Vegas in what was essentially our house felt surreal.
Tips for picking up your RV
- Don’t forget the essentials! Sheets, towels, and kitchen stuff like pots and pans aren’t included unless you buy or rent a set. Bring your own, or arrange to borrow some.
- Want a shiny new RV? Make sure you ask for the newest model when booking; otherwise, you might get a vintage ride.
- Check out the “leftover shelf” at the front of the office. Past renters drop off stuff they didn’t use, and it’s fair game. We scored drinking water, a king-size bed topper, instant noodles, and more. We also left a few things behind, including a bike – what goes around comes around!
- Give yourself plenty of time. Collection usually takes 1 – 2 hours, but hiccups can happen. Our RV didn’t roll out until after 5 pm, so don’t rush.
- Make use of the waiting area, which offers free coffee, free water, a kids’ play corner, magazines, and comfy couches.
We rolled into Hurricane after dark and met up with friends, quick hugs, quick chats, then straight to bed because adventure was calling in the Grand Circle Utah.
The next morning, Mother’s Day, no sleep-ins here. I chose adrenaline instead. We headed out to Sand Hollow State Park for an ATV tour that honestly blew me away.
Towering red cliffs, endless dunes, raw, untouched landscapes. I had never even heard of this place before, yet it completely stole the show.
If I had to choose between here and Zion National Park, I’d pick Sand Hollow every single time.
After our tour came to an end, we said our goodbyes and met up with our friends at Zion National Park. Opting for one of the simpler hikes with the kids, I think everybody was pretty exhausted by this time, so we didn’t last long.
That night, we celebrated my son’s birthday back at the campground. A Darth Vader piñata, way too much sugar, and the kind of chaos that turns into core memories.
Monument Valley, Utah/Arizona – Iconic Desert Landscapes
Date: 9th May
Accommodation: The View
Best Attraction / Tour: Monument Valley Guided Tour
We hit the road early, heading toward one of the most iconic stops on any Grand Circle road trip. A quick stop in Page to fix a minor RV issue, then straight to Horseshoe Bend.
Standing above that sweeping curve of the Colorado River, you realise photos don’t even come close.
By late afternoon, we rolled into Monument Valley, and wow.
Staying at The View was unreal. Front row seats to one of the most famous sunsets in the USA.
Golden light, red rock formations, and later that night, a sky full of stars that you just don’t see in cities. Pure magic.
Williams, Arizona – Grand Canyon Base & Family Fun
Dates: 10th – 13th May
Accommodation: KOA Williams/Circle Pines
Best Attraction / Tour: Grand Canyon & Arizona Highlights Tour
After a behind-the-scenes tour of Monument Valley, we took the long scenic byways to Williams, our base for exploring the Grand Canyon.
This KOA was next level.
Pool, mini golf, go karts, playground, arcade.
We actually stayed an extra day just to enjoy it. That rarely happens on a road trip.
We also visited the incredible Meteor Crater, which honestly felt like stepping onto another planet. Massive, surreal, and surprisingly fascinating for the kids, too.
Kingman, Arizona – Final Stop Before Vegas
Dates: 13th – 14th May
Accommodation: KOA Kingman
Best Attraction / Tour: Grand Canyon Scenic Flight & Route 66 Experience
I left the kids asleep in their beds and drove an hour to Grand Canyon International Airport for our Arizona Highlights tour with Viator. If you don’t have a full week to explore Arizona as we did, this tour has you covered. From a sunrise scenic flight over the Grand Canyon to a tour of Antelope Canyon, lunch at Horseshoe Bend, and rafting down the Colorado River, it’s the ultimate day trip.
While we were sightseeing for 12 hours, my sister stayed behind in the RV, enjoying some quiet time to herself after sharing space with our family of four.
After our tour we squeezed in one last Grand Canyon visit at Mather Point, because sometimes one visit just isn’t enough.
That final drive into Kingman felt like the beginning of the end. The kids were asleep, the road was quiet, and I was already feeling nostalgic.
The next day, we made our way back to Las Vegas, returned the RV, and officially wrapped up this chapter.
We dropped my sister off at the airport, unpacked all our belongings, and returned our home to the care of El Monte RV.
Grand Circle Travel Tips for Families
- Book RVs early, especially in peak season
- Allow extra time for pick-up; it’s not a quick process
- Bring essentials like bedding, cookware, and snacks
- Stay at KOA campgrounds, they are incredibly family-friendly
- Plan fuel stops; distances are longer than they look
- Mix adventure with downtime, kids need both
- Don’t skip lesser-known spots, like Sand Hollow, which can be highlights
Why an RV is Perfect for a Grand Circle Road Trip
Travelling the Grand Circle in an RV gave us total freedom. No packing and unpacking. No rigid schedules. Just wake up, open the door, and you’re already in nature.
By the end of the week, I was completely sold on RV life.
What We Missed on Our National Park Grand Circle Road Trip
Even with a packed itinerary, there are so many more Grand Circle national parks to see:
- Lake Powell
- Capitol Reef National Park
- Valley of Fire State Park
- Bryce Canyon National Park, we did in Grand Circle 1 with the Queens Garden Trail
- Arches National Park, we did in Grand Circle 1
Plenty of reasons to come back.
What is the Grand Circle?
The Grand Circle is a scenic loop of national parks, monuments, and natural landmarks in the American Southwest, mainly in Utah, Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico. It’s not a single park, but a connected network of iconic sites like Arches, Canyonlands National Park, Bryce Canyon, Zion, Capitol Reef, the Grand Canyon National Park, and Mesa Verde, offering dramatic deserts, canyon hikes, red rock formations, and historic landscapes.
The Grand Circle National Parks are perfect for a multi-day road trip, ideal for hiking trails, photography, stargazing, and experiencing Native American heritage and culture. The Grand Circle is a must-do adventure for road-trippers, families, and anyone seeking epic Southwest scenery.
What is the National Park Pass?
If you’re planning a USA road trip, the ‘America the Beautiful Pass’ is an absolute no-brainer. This annual National Park Pass gives you access to over 2,000 federal recreation sites, including iconic spots like Grand Canyon National Park, Zion National Park, and Arches National Park.
For one set price, it covers entry fees for your vehicle and passengers, which quickly adds up to huge savings if you’re visiting multiple parks, especially on a Grand Circle road trip. It’s easy to purchase online or at park entrances, and honestly, it’s one of the best-value investments you can make for a family road trip across the USA.
Wrapping Up Phase 9 of Our North America Road Trip – Grand Circle Road Trip With Kids
The Grand Circle road trip is hands down one of the best family road trips in the USA. The landscapes are next level, the experiences unforgettable, and doing it in an RV adds a whole new layer of adventure.
One week wasn’t enough for this road trip across America. Not even close.
And honestly, after this trip, I’m left with one very important question…
When’s the next RV adventure? And can we go back for more Utah and Arizona National Parks?
For more of our best family road trips across the USA, check out:
👉 Read Phase 10 a packed California Road Trip week from Sacramento & San Francisco
👉 Or head back to Phase 8 – Grand Circle Part 1
