7 Days: High Desert Loop Through Utah & Arizona
This loop strings together Utah's most iconic stone landscapes—Arches, Canyonlands, Monument Valley—with long, meditative drives and world-class hiking. Ideal for photographers and anyone who needs space and light.
What to expect
- Hike Devil's Garden trail through natural stone arches at sunrise.
- Drive Monument Valley's 17-mile unpaved loop between Arizona and Utah.
- Explore The Needles district of Canyonlands by car or foot.
- Sleep under stars at Deadhorse Point State Park.
- Visit Canyon De Chelly and stand in 1,000-year-old cliff dwellings.
Day by day
Fly into Grand Junction, CO; rent a car and drive 2 hours south to Moab.
Settle into Moab, walk Main Street, eat lunch at Pita Pit.
Early dinner at Sunset Grill overlooking the Colorado River valley.
Pre-dawn start: Arches National Park, hike Devil's Garden (7.2 mi loop, 4–5 hrs).
Scenic drive to Island in the Sky, Canyonlands; stop at Grand View Point Overlook.
Return to Moab; dinner at Desert Bistro with local game and wine.
Drive 1.5 hours east to The Needles district; hike Confluence Overlook (10.6 mi, 5–6 hrs).
Continue to Deadhorse Point State Park; walk the rim trail at sunset.
Camp at Deadhorse or return to Moab; simple dinner at Gecko Grill.
Leave early, 2-hour drive south to Monument Valley; enter the Navajo Tribal Park.
Drive the 17-mile Valley Drive loop; stop at Artist Point, John Ford Point, Totem Pole.
Stay in Kayenta or Mexican Hat; dinner at Stagecoach Restaurant.
Drive 90 minutes to Canyon De Chelly; take ranger-led walk to White House Ruins (2.5 mi).
South Rim scenic drive; stop at Sliding House Overlook and Spider Rock views.
Return to Chinle; casual dinner at Garcia's Restaurant.
Long scenic drive back northwest (4 hours); stop at Mexican Hat for landscape photos.
Arrive Moab, rest, browse galleries and climbing shops on Main Street.
Sunset drink at Moab Brewery; pick a favorite restaurant for final dinner.
Optional: short hike to Corona Arch (3 mi, 90 min) if time allows before checkout.
Return rental car; drive to Grand Junction airport or stay another night.
Depart or relax by the Colorado River.
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