For those who tuned into episode #164 of the Dear Bob and Sue Podcast, this post contains the map we refer to during that episode. We’ve also included below a summary of the itinerary.

Here is the down-and-dirty summary of the itinerary we talked about in our podcast episode:

First, a few notes

• Fly in and out of Las Vegas and rent a car for this trip.
• This loop takes you through four national parks: Grand Canyon (South Rim), Saguaro, Joshua Tree, and Death Valley.
• You don’t need a timed entry reservation for any of these parks so you can plan this trip spontaneously.
• The trip, as described here, gives you enough time to sample the activities in each park, not a thorough park exploration.

Stop 1: Grand Canyon National Park (1-2 days)

From Vegas, Take Hwy 93 to I-40, then just past Williams, you’ll turn north on Hwy 64 and head to Grand Canyon Village. This is about 4 hours in normal traffic.

The South Rim is about 7,000 ft in elevation, so it will likely be wintery. Average daytime temps in the winter are in the 40s. There are six lodges in the South Rim Village area, with more options outside the park in nearby Tusayan. One full day (two nights) is all you need.

Stop 2: Sedona, Arizona (2-3 days)

If you’ve been to the Grand Canyon before or wish to skip it, you could head to Sedona from Vegas instead. Sedona is south of Flagstaff and about a 4-hour drive from Vegas. Take state route 89A south from Flagstaff through Oak Creek Canyon for an incredibly scenic drive.

The elevation in Sedona is 4350, and it can snow occasionally. They get an average of about three inches a year.

Sedona has lots of scenic hiking and great margaritas. Some of our favorite trails in the area include:

• Seven Sacred Pools and Soldiers Pass
• Boynton Canyon to Subway Rock
• Devils Bridge
• Bell Rock- Courthouse Butte Loop Trail
• Cathedral Rock
• Birthing Cave

For most of these hikes you’ll need a Red Rock Pass. Or, since many of them are on federal land in Coconino National Forest, your America the Beautiful pass will work also.

Trailhead parking fills up fast so go early or consider taking a shuttle to the trailhead.

Stop 3: Tucson, Arizona, and Saguaro National Park (3 days)

From Sedona, head south to Tucson, which is about a 3.5 to 4-hour drive. Tucson is at about 2,400 feet elevation.

Hike in Saguaro National Park (named after the giant cactus.)
The park has two districts: Rincon Mountain (East) and Tucson Mountain (West). Both are great for desert hiking. Trails in Rincon have less elevation gain and more saguaros. Tucson Mountain trails have more elevation gain and broader vistas.

Also, check out Catalina State Park. Our favorite trail is Romero Pools, which is about six miles round trip.

Sabino Canyon Recreation Area is also a great place to visit. Bear Canyon to Seven Falls (8.4 miles round trip) is our favorite hike.

Also consider driving up the Mount Lemmon Scenic Byway. A ski resort at the top of the mountain gives you a chance to visit winter again if you are missing the snow you left back home. The good news is that you can drive back down the mountain to warmer weather when you’ve had enough.

No trip to Tucson is complete without a visit to the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum. It’s more of a zoo than a museum.

Stop 4: Joshua Tree National Park in California (2 days)

Joshua Tree is about a 5-hour drive from Tucson. The park sits at about 3,000 elevation.

You could stay off I-10 in the Coachella Valley (Greater Palm Springs, Palm Desert, Indio, La Quinta, Rancho Mirage). Or, in the communities of Joshua Tree or Twentynine Palms off Highway 62 north of the park.
 
Some of the most popular hikes in the park include,

• Ryan Mountain
• Black Rock Canyon Panorama Loop
• Barker Dam
• Hidden Valley
• Arch Rock
• Split Rock and Skull Rock
• 49 Palms Oasis

Stop 5: Death Valley National Park also in California (2 days)

From Joshua Tree, the drive to Death Valley is four to five hours, depending on your route.

This is the largest park in the Lower 48 states and has the lowest elevation: Badwater Basin is 282 feet below sea level. Death Valley will be the warmest park on the road trip.

There are only a few places to stay inside Death Valley: The Ranch at Death Valley and the Inn at Death Valley, both great locations for most things you’ll want to do. Stovepipe Wells Village Hotel and Panamint Springs Resort are also stay options. Beatty, Nevada, also has lodging and is convenient to the park’s east side.

What to do in the park?

• Viewpoints:
  • Zabriskie Point
  • Dante’s View
• Hiking:
  • Golden Canyon- Gower Gulch Loop, add on Zabriskie Point
  • Mosaic Canyon
  • Badwater Basin
  • Devils Golf Course
  • Artist Drive and Artist Palette
  • Ubehebe Crater
• Climb the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes at sunrise or sunset
• Maybe see a flower super bloom if you’re lucky

It’s only two hours from the Death Valley Visitor Center to the Vegas airport, so you could drive there and fly home the same day.