Flagstaff - Monument Valley - Page - Las Vegas

Question

Hello everyone,

I'm hoping the Page forum may be appropriate for this question, it seems appropriate as a central point in my proposed trip.

I'm an Australian looking to plan a trip in the medium future (1-2 years), a couple of my bucket list destinations would be the Grand Canyon and Monument Valley.

I'm looking for some experienced guidance to suggest things that I may have overlooked, or things I should avoid. I live in a rural part of Australia, so travelling distances by car isn't an issue, nor are rough/unsealed roads.

Wife and I are Mid/Late 40's, 3 kids currently 12/14/16.

At this stage my rough itinery would be:

Fly into Flagstaff from East Coast

Hire car (suv or 4wd) - stay night at Grand Canyon

Sunrise Grand Canyon, check out Mather Point, Shooston Point and Desert View

Travel to Monument Valley - lunch at Tuba City?

Stay at the View - probably a cabin due to family size.

Next day MV guided tour

Travel to Page - if time allows do horseshoe bend and the dam

Stay in Page or nearby (Wahweap etc)

Do a antelope canyon tour

Zion NP

Drive to St George (stay?)

Drive to Las Vegas probably divert and do Hoover Dam before entering the city.

Is there anything obvious I've overlooked or have I included something that you would avoid?

I understand that Flagstaff airport may be painful to get flights to and that Pheonix will be another option.

Are there certain times of the year that a trip to these regions would be better? I'm assuming Spring or Fall to avoid the extremes?

Thanks in advance

Answer

Your proposed itinerary covers many of the iconic sights in Northern Arizona, Utah, and Southern Nevada, and is generally well-planned for a family road trip. There are, however, a few considerations and tips that can help optimize your trip and avoid common pitfalls.

First, your route and major stops look solid:

Flagstaff arrival and overnight stay near the Grand Canyon – this is good for easy access to sunrise viewpoints.
Sunrise at the Grand Canyon – Mather Point, Yavapai Observation, and Desert View are excellent choices. Consider adding a short walk along the Rim Trail for perspective.
Travel to Monument Valley via Tuba City – a good stopping point for lunch and refueling. Be aware that Monument Valley has a remote feel and limited services.
Stay at The View – cabins are ideal for families and provide iconic views of the valley right from your lodging.
Monument Valley guided tour – highly recommended as a guide can access areas not open to self-driving visitors.
Travel to Page – Horseshoe Bend and Glen Canyon Dam are both worthwhile if time allows. Plan early arrival for Horseshoe Bend to avoid crowds.
Antelope Canyon tour – book in advance. Upper Canyon is more popular and photogenic; Lower Canyon is less crowded but involves stairs and some climbing.
Zion National Park – consider staying in Springdale for easy access and shorter park commute. Some hikes like Angels Landing require a permit.
Drive to St. George – convenient base before heading to Las Vegas.
Hoover Dam – plan a stop en route to Las Vegas; early morning is best to avoid traffic.

Additional considerations and tips:

Flight options: Flagstaff airport has limited connections and higher fares; Phoenix Sky Harbor is more flexible and often cheaper. The drive from Phoenix to Flagstaff is around 2.5-3 hours.
Best travel seasons: Spring (April-May) and Fall (September-October) are ideal to avoid summer heat in Page, Monument Valley, and Las Vegas, as well as potential winter snow at the Grand Canyon.
Driving distances: Your itinerary involves long drives – Grand Canyon to Monument Valley (~3.5-4 hrs), Monument Valley to Page (~2 hrs), Page to Zion (~2.5 hrs), Zion to St. George (~1 hr), St. George to Las Vegas (~2 hrs). Allow buffer time for stops, meals, and photo opportunities.
Permits and reservations: Antelope Canyon requires guided tours booked in advance. Angels Landing in Zion requires a permit. Some Grand Canyon hikes can be strenuous; adjust according to family fitness levels.
Weather: Even in Spring and Fall, temperatures vary greatly by elevation. Pack layers, especially for early mornings and evenings at higher elevations like the Grand Canyon and Flagstaff.
Activities for kids: Consider adding shorter, interactive stops along the way such as Glen Canyon National Recreation Area near Page or small Navajo Nation cultural centers.

Minor adjustments to consider:

If traveling in peak season, ensure accommodations are booked well in advance, especially in Monument Valley and Page.
Consider dedicating a full day to the Grand Canyon and a separate day to Monument Valley rather than squeezing both tightly; this reduces fatigue and allows more flexibility for photo stops.
Page could be a base for 1 night if you want to visit Antelope Canyon at sunrise and avoid long back-and-forth drives on the same day.

Overall, your itinerary is ambitious but very doable for a family accustomed to long drives. Prioritizing early reservations, accounting for seasonal weather, and allowing extra travel time will help ensure a smooth and enjoyable trip.

Flagstaff - Monument Valley - Page - Las Vegas

More Page Travel Questions

The attractions mentioned in this question

Popular Destinations

Popular Travel Questions