Welcome to Phase 8 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 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 8 – Colorado → Utah → Nevada
Dates: 4th April – 5th May 2016
Total Miles: 992 miles (1,596 km)
Total Fuel: US$117
Big Red’s time with us came to an end on this leg of the trip. After a minor hold-up in Santa Fe, we finally hit the road north toward Colorado. Because of the delays in New Mexico, we only had three nights to explore Colorado before spending the next month discovering the wonders of Utah. But we did manage to sneak in a short beach getaway in Florida. Wrapping up our epic road trip in Las Vegas, where we said goodbye to Big Red and picked up a massive RV to tackle part II of the Grand Circle adventure.
So in this article, Phase 8 shares our best road trips across North America, taking us through the breathtaking landscapes of Colorado, Utah, and Nevada, exploring national parks, quirky towns, and unforgettable family adventures. The Grand Circle trip.
From historic Durango to Arches and Canyonlands, Bryce Canyon hikes, Salt Lake City chill time, Florida beaches, and ending in Las Vegas before our RV adventure – this is a family road trip you don’t want to miss. Check out our Grand Circle map. Isn’t it neat?
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, Bryce Canyon, Zion, Capitol Reef, the Grand Canyon, and Mesa Verde, offering dramatic deserts, canyons, red rock formations, and historic landscapes.
The Grand Circle National Parks are perfect for a multi-day road trip, ideal for hiking, 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.
Check Utah Hotel Prices Here
Best Things To Do in Las Vegas USA
Durango, Colorado, USA
Dates: 4th – 7th April
Accommodation: Strater Hotel (check latest prices)
Best Attraction: Historic Durango & Narrow Gauge Railroad
Durango is a mountain town straight out of a storybook. Fresh air, cute streets, and that Colorado charm everywhere. I carved out time to see a naturopath for some health advice, while Mia and Caius loved the historic Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad.
The Strater Hotel itself was a highlight – historic, elegant, and oh-so-comfortable. We even managed a trip to Mesa Verde National Park, soaking in the ancient cliff dwellings and imagining the lives of the Ancestral Puebloans. Scrambled eggs never tasted so good.
Moab, Utah, USA
Dates: 7th – 10th April
Accommodation: Airbnb trailer
Best Attraction: Arches National Park
On the way to Moab, we made a quick detour to Four Corners Monument, the only spot in the US where four states meet. Our trailer stay was simple, but gave Mia, Caius, and me a sneak peek at RV life for our next trip.
We hiked Canyonlands National Park and Arches National Park, marveling at rock formations that seemed too surreal to be real. Nothing beats that post-hike feeling of sun, sweat, and smiles.
Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
Dates: 10th April – 4th May
Accommodation: Airbnb cottage
Best Attraction: Family catch-up & local adventures
A few weeks of quiet life here in the Grand Circle Utah: catching up on writing, schoolwork, and preparing for our side detour to Florida for my son’s birthday. Salt Lake City gave us a cozy home base, grocery runs, and plenty of downtime before the next adventure.
Florida, USA
Dates: 16th – 23rd April
Accommodation: Hilton Doubletree, Coastal Joe Vacation Rentals
Best Attraction: Cape San Blas beaches
Yes, we sneaked in a Florida beach break! While Mia and Caius played on the sand, I attended the Family Travel Summit, gaining inspiration and connecting with incredible travel pros.
We wrapped up with three relaxing nights in Cape San Blas, cupcakes in hand and sand between our toes. Too soon, we said goodbye to the sun and headed back to chilly Salt Lake City.
LA, California, USA
Dates: 29th April – 1st May
Accommodation: KOA
One Friday, around noon, I was chatting on Facebook with a lovely girl I met the previous month at WITS, and she invited me to her birthday. The problem? It was starting that afternoon in Los Angeles. It would last 2 days.
In a spontaneous moment quite unlike anything I have ever done in my life, I booked a last-minute flight at 1:30 pm and packed like the Tasmanian Devil from Bugs Bunny cartoons. I arrived at the airport at 1:50 pm and boarded a flight to LA at 2:10 pm.
That weekend I spent with 4 amazing girls I hardly knew in a KOA cabin, zip-lining, creating tie-dye shirts, and having a marvellously fun time.
Bryce Canyon, Utah, USA
Dates: 4th – 6th May
Accommodation: Bryce Canyon Resort / Bryce View Lodge
Best Attraction: Bryce Canyon National Park & Queens Garden Trail
Finally, we were back on one of the most scenic drives in America. Finding a place in Bryce Canyon was tricky and pricey, but the payoff was spectacular. We tackled the Queens Garden Trail, soaking in the iconic hoodoos and stunning vistas. Hiking here was an absolute highlight of our Grand Circle adventures.
Both Utah and Arizona National Parks are worth visiting.
Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
Dates: 6th – 7th May
Accommodation: TownePlace Suites by Marriott Henderson (check latest prices)
Best Attraction: Best things to do in Las Vegas with kids
And just like that, our road trip across America ended again as we arrived in Las Vegas. Big Red’s journey was over, and we handed him back to his owners. Tears, hugs, and gratitude all around.
Did I say ended? NOT!
The next day, we picked up our RV to continue the Grand Circle road trip through Utah and Arizona. The adventure wasn’t over – it was just evolving.
Phase 8 marks 11 months since we first started back in June 2015 in New York City. We covered more than 15,645 miles (25,179 km) across 38 US states and 6 Canadian provinces. But the North America Road Trip Adventure is not over yet!
Our National Park Grand Circle Road Trip Itinerary Table – Phase 8
| Destination | Dates | Accommodation | Best Attraction |
| Durango, CO | 4 – 7 Apr | Strater Hotel | Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad |
| Moab, UT | 7 -0 Apr | Airbnb trailer | Arches National Park & Canyonlands |
| Salt Lake City, UT | 10 Apr – 4 May | Airbnb cottage | Local adventures & prep for Florida |
| Florida, FL | 16 – 23 Apr | Hilton Doubletree / Coastal Joe Vacation Rentals | Cape San Blas Beaches |
| LA, CA | 29 Apr – 1 May | KOA | Birthday getaway & cabin fun |
| Bryce Canyon, UT | 4 – 6 May | Bryce Canyon Resort / Bryce View Lodge | Bryce Canyon National Park |
| Las Vegas, NV | 6 – 7 May | TownePlace Suites by Marriott Henderson | RV pickup & transition to Grand Circle Part II |
Travel Tips – Grand Circle (Part I)
- Book early for Bryce Canyon & Moab – accommodation fills fast in peak season.
- Pack layers – Colorado and Utah can swing from hot days to chilly nights.
- Hydrate on hikes – Arches & Canyonlands require plenty of water.
- Check RV/trailer options – a great way to prep for longer Grand Circle adventures.
- Plan downtime – Salt Lake City gave us crucial rest and writing time before the next leg.
- Flexibility is key – Last-minute changes can lead to unexpected, memorable adventures.
Top 5 Things to See in Utah
- Arches National Park – Marvel at over 2,000 natural stone arches. Perfect for hiking, photography, and family exploration.
- Canyonlands National Park – Epic canyons, mesas, and breathtaking viewpoints. Ideal for sunrise or sunset adventures.
- Bryce Canyon National Park – Hike the Queens Garden Trail and discover hoodoos that look like another planet.
- Four Corners Monument – Stand in four states at once: Utah, Colorado, Arizona, and New Mexico. A quirky family photo op!
- Salt Lake City Highlights – Explore city parks, local museums, and take a breather between national park adventures.
Grand Circle National Parks
Here’s a list of the main Grand Circle National Parks in the Southwest USA:
- Arches National Park, Utah – famous for its over 2,000 natural stone arches.
- Canyonlands National Park, Utah – vast canyons, mesas, and rivers, perfect for hiking and photography.
- Capitol Reef National Park, Utah – colorful cliffs, canyons, and the historic Fruita orchards.
- Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah – iconic hoodoos and incredible sunrise views.
- Zion National Park, Utah – towering sandstone cliffs, slot canyons, and scenic hikes.
- Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona – the world-famous South and North Rims.
- Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado – ancient cliff dwellings of the Ancestral Puebloans.
- Monument Valley Tribal Park, Arizona/Utah border – stunning red sandstone formations (technically a Navajo Tribal Park).
- Arches & Canyonlands combination stops – sometimes included for practical road trip loops.
Optional national parks of the Grand Circle can sometimes also include:
- Death Valley National Park, California/Nevada – for extreme desert landscapes.
- Lake Powell / Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Utah/Arizona – boating, canyons, and scenic drives.
- Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Utah – remote slot canyons and colorful desert terrain.
Create Your Own Grand Circle Road Trip Itinerary Table
Looking for a 1 week grand circle road trip itinerary or a 2 week grand circle road trip itinerary, maybe it’s a 10 day grand circle itinerary you’re after. Whatever time you have, I’ve created a quick table for you to reference when planning your own Grand Circle road trip.
| Stop | Recommended Days | Best Attractions / Highlights | Approx. Driving Distance to Next Stop |
| Durango, Colorado | 3 | Historic Strater Hotel, Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, Mesa Verde National Park nearby | 220 mi / 354 km → Moab, Utah |
| Moab, Utah | 3 | Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park, Four Corners Monument detour | 234 mi / 377 km → Salt Lake City, Utah |
| Salt Lake City, Utah | 5 | Temple Square, Great Salt Lake, city museums, base for day trips | 271 mi / 436 km → Bryce Canyon, Utah |
| Bryce Canyon, Utah | 2 | Bryce Canyon National Park, Queens Garden Trail, scenic viewpoints | 270 mi / 435 km → Zion National Park, Utah |
| Zion National Park, Utah | 2 | Angels Landing hike, The Narrows, scenic drives | 130 mi / 210 km → Grand Canyon, Arizona |
| Grand Canyon, Arizona | 2 | South Rim viewpoints, Bright Angel Trail, helicopter tours | 150 mi / 241 km → Monument Valley, Arizona/Utah |
| Monument Valley, AZ/UT | 1 – 2 | Scenic drive, iconic red sandstone formations, Navajo Tribal Park tours | 200 mi / 322 km → Page / Lake Powell, Arizona |
| Lake Powell / Glen Canyon, AZ/UT | 1 | Boat tours, Antelope Canyon nearby | 150 mi / 241 km → Capitol Reef / Escalante, Utah |
| Capitol Reef National Park, Utah | 2 | Scenic drive, Fruita Historic District, petroglyphs | 120 mi / 193 km → Return to Salt Lake City, Utah or continue loop |
Notes / Travel Tips for Grand Circle:
- Plan 1 – 3 days per park depending on hiking and photography interests.
- Reserve lodging inside or near the parks early, especially in Bryce, Zion, and Grand Canyon.
- Driving distances are approximate; allow extra time for sightseeing stops.
- Carry plenty of water, sunscreen, and snacks – especially for Utah’s desert parks.
- National Park annual pass is worth it if visiting 3+ parks.
Wrapping Up Phase 8 of Our North America Road Trip
Phase 8 trips in the USA were all about mountains, canyons, and desert adventures. From the charming streets of Durango, Colorado, to the iconic red rocks of Moab, Utah, the quirky alien stops of Roswell, New Mexico, and the excitement of Las Vegas, Nevada, this leg of our USA road trip with kids showed just how epic a Southwest USA road trip can be.
We hiked, explored national parks, enjoyed spontaneous beach days, and soaked up the sun with Mia and Caius. It was a whirlwind of adventure, laughter, and a few car troubles along the way, but every mile created unforgettable family memories. And just like that, Big Red’s journey came to an end, marking another milestone on our North America road trip.
For more of our best family road trips across the USA, check out:
👉 Read Phase 9 as we continue our Grand Circle RV adventure through Utah & Arizona
👉 Or head back to Phase 7 – Southeast to South USA Road Trip
