Southwest National Parks Road Trip

Route overview (updated)

1) Fly Columbus → Phoenix (PHX)

2) Phoenix → Flagstaff + Wupatki National Monument

3) Day trip to Petrified Forest National Park

4) Williams → ride Williams Station, Grand Canyon Railway to the South Rim

5) Grand Canyon National Park viewpoints day

6) Grand Canyon → Page + Horseshoe Bend

7) Smooth-water float day with Wilderness River Adventures

8) Page → Bryce Canyon

9) Bryce → Capitol Reef National Park → Torrey

10) Torrey → Springdale / Zion shuttle sightseeing in Zion Canyon Scenic Drive

11) Return to Columbus after Zion (prefer SGU; LAS backup if needed)

• 6:00 AM–12:00 PMFlight (CMH→PHX) + baggage

• 12:00 PM–1:00 PMPick up rental car + groceries/water stop

• 1:00 PM–2:00 PMDrive to hotel (Phoenix/Scottsdale)

• 2:00 PM–5:00 PMEasy reset time (pool/rest)

• 5:00 PM–7:00 PMDinner

• 7:00 PM–9:00 PMEarly night / prep for drive day

• Overnight: Phoenix/Scottsdale

• 8:00 AM–10:30 AMDrive Phoenix → Flagstaff (2.5–3h + break)

• 10:30 AM–12:00 PMLunch + stretch break in Flagstaff

• 12:00 PM–1:30 PMDrive to Wupatki loop start (45–60m)

• 1:30 PM–4:30 PMWupatki scenic loop + short walks (stop-and-go)

• 4:30 PM–5:30 PMDrive back to Flagstaff

• 5:30 PM–7:30 PMDinner + rest

• Overnight: Flagstaff area

• 8:00 AM–9:45 AMDrive Flagstaff → Petrified Forest (1.5–2h)

• 9:45 AM–1:00 PMPark scenic drive north→south with viewpoint stops + short walks

• 1:00 PM–2:00 PMLunch/picnic + rest

• 2:00 PM–4:00 PMFinish remaining overlooks/short trails (as energy allows)

• 4:00 PM–6:00 PMDrive back toward Flagstaff/Williams for positioning

• 6:00 PM–8:00 PMDinner + early night

• Overnight: Flagstaff or Williams (for best positioning)

• 7:30 AM–8:15 AMDrive to Williams rail depot + park/check-in

• 8:15 AM–9:00 AMCheck-in + boarding buffer (senior-friendly pace)

• 9:00 AM–11:15 AMGrand Canyon Railway: Williams → South Rim (approx)

• 11:15 AM–3:30 PMSouth Rim: shuttle viewpoints + easy Rim Trail sections near village

• 3:30 PM–5:30 PMGrand Canyon Railway: South Rim → Williams (approx)

• 5:30 PM–7:00 PMDrive to Grand Canyon Village/Tusayan (or stay in Williams if preferred)

• 7:00 PM–9:00 PMDinner + rest

• Overnight: Grand Canyon Village / Tusayan (or Williams if you prefer fewer hotel changes)

• 8:00 AM–9:00 AMVisitor Center + Mather Point (short, flat walks)

• 9:00 AM–12:30 PMHermit Road shuttle overlooks (stop-and-go sightseeing)

• 12:30 PM–1:30 PMLunch + rest

• 1:30 PM–4:30 PMDesert View Drive overlooks (watchtower area if desired)

• 4:30 PM–6:30 PMSunset viewpoint + easy rim stroll

• 6:30 PM–8:30 PMDinner + early night

• Overnight: Grand Canyon Village / Tusayan

• 8:30 AM–12:30 PMDrive Grand Canyon (South Rim) → Page (3–3.5h + stops)

• 12:30 PM–1:30 PMLunch in Page + hotel check-in if available

• 1:30 PM–4:30 PMRest time / easy scenic pullouts

• 4:30 PM–6:15 PMHorseshoe Bend visit (walk + photo time; aim for golden hour)

• 6:15 PM–7:00 PMDrive back into Page

• 7:00 PM–9:00 PMDinner

• Overnight: Page, AZ

• 7:30 AM–8:15 AMCheck-in + staging in Page (senior-friendly pace)

• 8:15 AM–9:15 AMBus transfer to river launch / Lees Ferry area (approx)

• 9:15 AM–12:30 PMSmooth-water float/raft through Horseshoe Bend with Wilderness River Adventures (mostly seated; minimal walking)

• 12:30 PM–1:15 PMShort stop + restrooms / stretch break (as offered on trip)

• 1:15 PM–2:15 PMReturn bus to Page (approx)

• 2:15 PM–3:15 PMLate lunch + rest

• 3:15 PM–4:30 PMGlen Canyon Dam overlook/visitor areas (minimal walking)

• 4:30 PM–6:30 PMDowntime

• 6:30 PM–8:30 PMDinner

• Overnight: Page

• Overnight: Page, AZ

• 8:00 AM–11:00 AMDrive Page → Bryce Canyon (2.5–3h)

• 11:00 AM–12:00 PMLunch + check-in (if available)

• 12:00 PM–4:30 PMBryce viewpoints loop (Sunset/Sunrise/Inspiration; short walks)

• 4:30 PM–6:00 PMOptional easy Rim Trail segment for the hikers (others relax)

• 6:00 PM–8:00 PMDinner + stargazing (as desired)

• Overnight: Bryce Canyon City/Tropic

• 8:00 AM–10:30 AMBryce final stops (Bryce Point + one more overlook)

• 10:30 AM–12:00 PMDrive to Capitol Reef (Torrey/Fruita area)

• 12:00 PM–1:00 PMLunch break + rest

• 1:00 PM–4:00 PMCapitol Reef scenic drive + Fruita pullouts (low walking)

• 4:00 PM–5:00 PMDrive to Torrey lodging

• 5:00 PM–7:00 PMDinner + early night

• Overnight: Torrey

• 08:00–10:30 Zion shuttle sightseeing window (pick 2–3 easy stops; plenty of sit breaks)

• 10:30–11:30 Early lunch in Springdale

• 11:30–12:30 Drive Springdale → St. George Regional Airport (SGU) area (~1h) or continue to Las Vegas if needed

• 12:30–14:30 Airport buffer + return rental car

• Best short-drive return: fly SGU → CMH with 1 stop

• Backup cheaper option: drive to LAS for a direct or cheaper flight if preferred

• Overnight: Home (Columbus) or airport hotel if flight timing requires