Late March Family Road Trip Itinerary Critique/Suggestions

Question

Hello! My family is traveling from south Florida to Phoenix in late March. We have 11 days. We are two adults in their 50s and our 15 year old daughter. My daughter has never been to this part of the country. We love the outdoors and nature as well as odd, unusual and kitschy attractions. I'd say our fitness level/hiking tolerance is medium-ish, say 3 mile hikes would be fine and we are really excited to see caves and desert structures like spires and arches, maybe some dinosaur tracks? This is what I have at the moment and I was hoping for some advice on the trip. Is there anything that we should not bother with-- too busy, not worth it etc? Any must see places? This trip has us traveling every day, would we be better off investing 2 nights in one or two places and knocking a few off the list? Any advice is appreciated!

Day 1: 3/21/25 – Phoenix to Sedona, AZ

Montezuma Castle, Cathedral Rock or Bell Rock

Day 2: 3/22/25 – Sedona to Grand Canyon

Oak Creek Canyon, Mather Point, Desert View Watchtower

Day 3: 3/23/25 – Grand Canyon to Page, AZ

Horseshoe Bend, Glen Canyon Dam, Lake Powell

Day 4: 3/24/25 – Page to Kanab, UT

Toadstool Hoodoos Trail, Little Hollywood Museum, The Belly of The Dragon, Moqui Cave

Day 5: 3/25/25 – Kanab to Zion NP

Emerald Pools or Canyon Overlook Trail, Zion Canyon Scenic Drive

Day 6: 3/26/25 – Zion to Bryce Canyon

Bryce Canyon Rim Walk, Hoodoos

Day 7: 3/27/25 – Bryce to Moab, UT

Capitol Reef National Park en route

Day 8: 3/28/25 – Arches National Park

Delicate Arch, Double Arch, The Windows Section

Day 9: 3/29/25 – Moab to Monument Valley, AZ

Monument Valley viewpoints, Goulding’s Trading Post

Day 10: 3/30/25 – Monument Valley to Winslow, AZ

Meteor Crater, Standin’ on the Corner Park

Day 11: 3/31/25 – Winslow to Phoenix, AZ

Petrified Forest National Park

Answer

Your planned late-March road trip covers many of the Southwest’s highlights and offers a fantastic mix of desert landscapes, national parks, and quirky stops. However, with 11 days and your preference for medium-length hikes and outdoor exploration, the itinerary is quite ambitious and involves a lot of daily driving. Here’s a detailed critique and suggestions to optimize your trip.

Overall Observations:

The trip is packed, with almost every day requiring significant driving (sometimes 3-5+ hours between stops, not counting sightseeing). This could be tiring, especially for your 15-year-old and for days with multiple hikes.
Some stops could be combined efficiently, while a few may be less essential depending on your interests. Spending 2 nights in key areas like Sedona, Grand Canyon, or Moab could reduce driving stress and allow more relaxed exploration.
March is a good time weather-wise: Sedona and Grand Canyon are generally mild, but Bryce and parts of Utah may still be chilly or have snow patches at higher elevations.

Day-by-Day Notes and Suggestions:

Day 1 – Phoenix to Sedona: Montezuma Castle is worth a brief stop; Cathedral or Bell Rock are iconic and short hikes (~1-3 miles). Consider starting early to maximize daylight in Sedona. Overnight in Sedona is ideal.
Day 2 – Sedona to Grand Canyon: Oak Creek Canyon is scenic, but can be driven rather than hiked if pressed for time. Focus on South Rim viewpoints like Mather Point and Desert View Watchtower. Consider a 2-night stay near the Grand Canyon to reduce pressure and allow sunset/sunrise viewing.
Day 3 – Grand Canyon to Page: Horseshoe Bend and Glen Canyon Dam are must-sees; short hikes of ~1 mile each. Lake Powell can be viewed from scenic overlooks; boating can be optional.
Day 4 – Page to Kanab: Toadstool Hoodoos Trail is short and unique; Little Hollywood Museum and Moqui Cave are kitschy attractions, aligning well with your interests. This day is manageable, though it may feel slightly rushed.
Day 5 – Kanab to Zion: Emerald Pools or Canyon Overlook Trail are ideal 2–3 mile hikes. Zion Canyon Scenic Drive is a must; shuttle or drive depending on parking availability.
Day 6 – Zion to Bryce Canyon: Bryce Canyon Rim Walk is moderate; Hoodoos are stunning. March could still have snow patches, so check conditions. Consider staying one night here if you want sunrise at Bryce.
Day 7 – Bryce to Moab (via Capitol Reef): This is a long driving day (~5-6 hours). Capitol Reef is scenic; pick 1-2 key stops to avoid fatigue.
Day 8 – Arches National Park: Delicate Arch, Double Arch, and Windows Section are excellent choices. Short hikes only; avoid longer trails like Devil’s Garden if hiking tolerance is moderate.
Day 9 – Moab to Monument Valley: Monument Valley viewpoints are iconic; Goulding’s Trading Post offers kitschy charm. Driving time ~3.5-4 hours.
Day 10 – Monument Valley to Winslow: Meteor Crater and Standin’ on the Corner Park are quick stops. Consider Winslow as a base for the night, especially if flying out from Phoenix next day.
Day 11 – Winslow to Phoenix: Petrified Forest National Park is worth a stop; drive through the park rather than hiking extensively to save time. Plan departure to avoid backtracking too much.

Recommendations to Optimize the Trip:

Consider 2-night stays in Sedona, Grand Canyon, and Moab to reduce daily driving and fatigue. This would allow time for short hikes, scenic stops, and evening relaxation.
Be selective on “kitschy stops.” While fun, some minor museums or attractions may be skipped if time is tight. Focus on unique hikes, geological formations, and iconic viewpoints.
Early mornings are ideal for popular hikes and views (Cathedral Rock, Horseshoe Bend, Delicate Arch) to avoid crowds and heat.
Check road conditions in higher elevation parks like Bryce in March; some trails could be icy or snow-covered.
Factor in some buffer time for spontaneous stops; your family may find unexpected photo opportunities or scenic pullouts that are more memorable than scheduled attractions.

With these adjustments, your trip will feel less rushed, allow more enjoyment of each location, and still cover the amazing landscapes and quirky attractions you are excited about.

Late March Family Road Trip Itinerary Critique/Suggestions

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