A 23 day road trip through arizona, utah and Colorado

In September 2023, I flew into Phoenix, rented a car, and set off on an unforgettable 23-day road trip through Arizona, southern Utah, and a slice of Colorado.

My first stop was Flagstaff, where I explored three fascinating National Monuments: Wupatki, Sunset Crater, and Walnut Canyon. Each site offered a unique glimpse into the past—especially intriguing if you’re interested in ancient pueblos and how people lived more than 1,500 years ago.

From Flagstaff, I drove north to Page, Arizona, which turned out to be one of the major highlights of the entire trip. While there, I took the Secret Antelope Canyon & Horseshoe Bend Tour—a stunning experience—and followed it up with the Horseshoe Bend River Tour and a short hike to the Horseshoe Bend Overlook. On my final day in Page, I joined an all-day boat tour through Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, crossing Lake Powell to reach Rainbow Bridge National Monument. Every moment was incredible—I honestly could’ve spent a couple of weeks in Page alone.

Next, I continued into Utah and stayed in Mexican Hat at the quirky and scenic San Juan Inn. Its official address? Just “US 163 & San Juan River”—which I found pretty funny. The driveway was steeper than expected, but I managed just fine. The following morning, I kicked off the day with a magical sunrise tour of Monument Valley.

Afterward, I explored the dramatic landscapes of Valley of the Gods before heading into Cortez, Colorado, where I visited Hovenweep National Monument, Canyons of the Ancients National Monument, and Mesa Verde National Park—each offering deep insight into the region’s ancestral history.

Back in Arizona, I made my way to Chinle to visit Canyon de Chelly National Monument, which turned out to be one of the most spectacular and moving places I’ve ever seen.

From there, I traveled to Holbrook to spend a couple of days exploring Petrified Forest National Park, then continued south to Camp Verde, where I visited Tuzigoot National Monument and stopped for lunch in Sedona.

My final leg took me to Chandler, with a day trip to Saguaro National Park, where I wrapped up this amazing journey surrounded by towering cacti and desert beauty.

This road trip was everything I’d hoped for—diverse landscapes, ancient history, and unforgettable experiences around every corner.

In September 2023, I flew into Phoenix, rented a car, and set off on an unforgettable 23-day road trip through Arizona, southern Utah, and a slice of Colorado.

My first stop was Flagstaff, where I explored three fascinating National Monuments: Wupatki, Sunset Crater, and Walnut Canyon. Each site offered a unique glimpse into the past—especially intriguing if you’re interested in ancient pueblos and how people lived more than 1,500 years ago.

From Flagstaff, I drove north to Page, Arizona, which turned out to be one of the major highlights of the entire trip. While there, I took the Secret Antelope Canyon & Horseshoe Bend Tour—a stunning experience—and followed it up with the Horseshoe Bend River Tour and a short hike to the Horseshoe Bend Overlook. On my final day in Page, I joined an all-day boat tour through Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, crossing Lake Powell to reach Rainbow Bridge National Monument. Every moment was incredible—I honestly could’ve spent a couple of weeks in Page alone.

Next, I continued into Utah and stayed in Mexican Hat at the quirky and scenic San Juan Inn. Its official address? Just “US 163 & San Juan River”—which I found pretty funny. The driveway was steeper than expected, but I managed just fine. The following morning, I kicked off the day with a magical sunrise tour of Monument Valley.

Afterward, I explored the dramatic landscapes of Valley of the Gods before heading into Cortez, Colorado, where I visited Hovenweep National Monument, Canyons of the Ancients National Monument, and Mesa Verde National Park—each offering deep insight into the region’s ancestral history.

Back in Arizona, I made my way to Chinle to visit Canyon de Chelly National Monument, which turned out to be one of the most spectacular and moving places I’ve ever seen.

From there, I traveled to Holbrook to spend a couple of days exploring Petrified Forest National Park, then continued south to Camp Verde, where I visited Tuzigoot National Monument and stopped for lunch in Sedona.

My final leg took me to Chandler, with a day trip to Saguaro National Park, where I wrapped up this amazing journey surrounded by towering cacti and desert beauty.

This road trip was everything I’d hoped for—diverse landscapes, ancient history, and unforgettable experiences around every corner.