Hey, fellow adventurers! Tired of the city lights and craving some nature? Well, buckle up because we’ve got the perfect wintersouthwest road trip lined up for you! Picture this: cruising through the desert, chasing sunsets, and hiking through some of the most jaw-dropping landscapes you’ve ever seen-all without the heat. From the majestic canyons of Zion to the fiery rocks of Valley of Fire, we’re in for a wild ride. So, grab your favorite road trip snacks and let’s hit the road – it’s time to make some unforgettable memories!

Section 1: Pre-Trip Planning

This shorter winter southwest road trip was perfect for Austin and I to do after Christmas over New Year’s. We’ve decided to make it tradition to plan a small trip over the new year so we can start each year off with new trails and adventures.

Since we decided to do our first campervan trip in the winter, our packing list looked a little different. While I’ve already mentioned some essentials for a first-time campervan trip, there are some extra things to prepare for when traveling in the winter months.

We used Escape Campervans, and one of their add-on options includes a heater that you can plug in and run into the van at any campsite that has power. While most of our trip was in the 40s and 50s (and off-grid boondocking), the heater is highly encouraged for any nights where it gets closer to freezing and you have access to power. Trust me, as cute as the campervan is, it turns into a very cold tin can during the long, winter nights.

Another preparation tip is to plan your route ahead of time (like by using this itinerary!). Some roads in higher elevation areas are closed during the winter, which affected how we planned this trip. If snow or ice are common in the area you are traveling to, just be sure to check any seasonal road closures ahead of time.

Lastly, pack lots of layers! Brooke gets hot easily while Austin tends to be an ice cube. Layering up on hikes and at night helps regulate your temperature and also helped us eliminate the need for a super bulky coat when packing.

Section 2: Day by Day Itinerary

Day 1 – Departure from Vegas to Valley of Fire State Park

Once you’ve landed at the airport and picked up your mode of transportation, it’s time to head straight for our first state park: Valley of Fire. If you rented a campervan like we did, before leaving Vegas is the perfect time to hit up the grocery store and stock up on your food supplies as we are heading straight into the southwest desert!

Valley of Fire State Park is only about an hour from Vegas, so unless you’ve landed late in the afternoon or evening, there should be plenty of time to fit in a hike or two before the sun sets. For Valley of Fire, it’s important to be finished with your hikes by dark as the park closes up and everyone not in a campsite will be considered trespassing and can be ticketed. Thankfully, most of the park’s best trails are actually shorter hikes, allowing you to easily complete a few of them back-to-back.

Our top suggestions:

Fire Wave and Seven Wonders Loop

White Domes Loop

Rainbow Vista

Here’s a previous blog post where we talk more about this amazing state park!

Day 2 – Exploring Valley of Fire State Park and Heading to Zion NP

Whether you camped in the park or if you stayed nearby in Overton, we highly recommend finishing up any other trails in Valley of Fire before heading to your next stop: Zion National Park! On the way out of the state park, you can also easily stop along Valley of Fire Highway to see the different formations and attractions just off the road. We thought The Beehives and Petrified Logs looked like something from Mars.

Zion is about 2 hours from Valley of Fire and boy are you in for a scenic drive! You’ll drive through the Virgin River Gorge on Veterans Memorial Highway when passing from Nevada into Arizona and the views of the towering rock all around made us drop our jaws.

If you need more supplies or if there is something on your list you forgot we recommend stopping in St. George to pick it up. There are stores in Springdale, but they will have limited options and may not have everything you need.

Once you arrive at Zion, you may have time for a short hike! If you can find parking at this popular trail, we recommend starting with the Zion Canyon Overlook Trail, a quick 1.0 mile out and back trail with a great payoff in views. This is a popular hike and may be one of the few you can actually drive to depending on if the shuttle is running. Even if you can’t find parking, the drive along the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway is gorgeous as you rise up the canyon walls and go through the tunnel at the top.

Day 3 – Exploring Zion NP

This is where the real hiking begins! Zion National Park is renowned for its challenging yet rewarding Angels Landing/Scouts Lookout Trail but be prepared: you’ll need a permit to summit the Angels Landing portion of this trail. This iconic hike takes you along a narrow ridge with sheer drop-offs on either side, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding canyon. With its challenging terrain and steep switchbacks, Angels Landing promises an exhilarating experience for hikers seeking an adrenaline rush. Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife and prepare to be awestruck by the majestic beauty of Zion from this lofty vantage point. When we took our trip in December, too much ice was present to hike so that is something to consider if you are dead set on this trail. If conditions permit, we highly recommend investing in mini spikes for extra traction. These can be found at several outfitter shops located just outside the park.

You can also choose to do the famous The Narrows trail, where you hike a short distance along the Virgin River before immersing yourself and wading upstream into the majestic canyons. With towering walls rising on either side, The Narrows offers a surreal and unforgettable experience. And yes, you can do this in the winter as well! There are two outfitters the rent dry pants/bibs with special shoes that allow you to hike the frigid Virgin River waters, check out our winter experience with this bucket-list hike!

Again, this hike is also weather dependent as rainy conditions will increase the flash flood warning and no hikers will be allowed on the trail.

Day 4 – Exploring Zion and Heading to Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area

Whether you stayed in the park or in Springdale, we recommend trying to fit one more hike in at Zion NP before heading back towards Vegas.

Emerald Pools Trail, a moderate 3-mile loop hike, was perfect to finish off our time at Zion. This picturesque hike leads you through lush vegetation and towering cliffs to serene pools of emerald waters. Along the way, you’ll encounter a 360-foot waterfall, shallow water crossings, and the chance to spot some wildlife. With its captivating scenery and engaging features, the Emerald Pools trail offers a memorable adventure for all.

After finishing up at Zion NP, it’s a 3-hour drive back to our next stop: Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area. You’ll once again pass through the Virgin River Gorge, take it in one last time! Depending on your arrival time and how much extra time you spent in Zion NP this morning, you may want to stay on the westside of Vegas or check out a campground near the canyon. If you have time to fit any hikes in, our top recommendations are in this post!

Calico Tanks Trail

Ice Box Canyon Trail

Day 5-Visit Hoover Dam and Return to Vegas:

If the Hoover Dam is on your list to visit, it’s a nice break from the hiking and its history is interesting to learn about. A walk across the bridge and around the area is plenty to see if you’re not as interested in the history and function of the dam. Be sure to snap a pic of the Mike O’Callaghan–Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge, which you get a great view of from the dam. If you plan to drive there, note that there is a checkpoint before reaching the dam that prohibits you from passing if you have certain items. Check out the updated info here. We purchased the Guided Dam Tour onsite, which included a tour of the powerplant within the dam, walking through the original inspection tunnels inside the dam walls, and viewing the Colorado River from a ventilation shaft within the dam. We love learning about the history of the places we visit and how things function, so this was perfect for us.

And just like that, our epic winter road trip through the Southwest has come to an end. From the fiery landscapes of Valley of Fire to the towering cliffs of Zion National Park, and the rugged beauty of Red Rock Canyon to the engineering marvel of Hoover Dam, we’ve been treated to an unforgettable adventure filled with breathtaking scenery, heart-pounding hikes, and plenty of memorable moments.

Notes:

If you are planning a trip to Zion in the winter, it is likely that their shuttle will not be running. The parking at the 9 stops in Zion is pretty scarce, so start your day early or have patience when looking for a spot. If you arrive around Christmas or New Year’s, Zion restarts the shuttle service to take you to the 9 different stops where you can access the different trails.

If you have extra time and love kayaking, we thought this kayak tour of the Colorado River starting at the Hoover Dam would be awesome! Our tour got cancelled due to wind but we’ll be back in the future to do this!

Where to Stay:

Here’s a list of campgrounds we looked at or stayed at during our trip!

Valley of Fire State Park: Atlatl Rock campground or Arch Campground

Zion National Park: Watchman Campground

Red Rock Canyon: Red Rock Canyon Campground or Lovell Canyon

Hoover Dam: Kingman Walsh

Here’s a map of the route, click on the image to view and customize on RoadTrippers!