December 2021, with our kid: Sedona and the Grand Canyon, Monument Valley, Arches, Bryce and Zion, plus a day in Death Valley
At a glance
Our winter Grand Circle road trip took nine nights and about 1,880 miles: 15 stops in a loop from Las Vegas through Arizona and Utah, with one day in Death Valley. December works. We had snow, ice and one rainy day, but most days went fine, and some views, like snow-covered hoodoos, only exist in winter. Below are the route, a day-by-day table, where we slept and what to book first.
- 9 nightsDecember 17–26,
2021 - 1,880 midriven in the
rental car - 15 stopsincluding 7
national parks - 4 statesNevada, Arizona,
Utah, California
Winter Grand Circle road trip: 9 nights on one map
We landed in Las Vegas on the night of December 17, drove straight to Kingman to sleep, and then looped counterclockwise. First came Sedona and the Grand Canyon, then Page and Monument Valley, and up into Utah for Canyonlands and Arches from Moab. We swung west past Goblin Valley and Capitol Reef, took Utah Scenic Byway 12 to Bryce Canyon, came down through Zion and returned to Las Vegas. We spent two nights there, with one day trip to Death Valley.
Save all 15 places from this trip in Google Maps →
The 15 stops from this trip. Save the list and it opens right in Google Maps on your phone.
Day by day
| Day | Stops (map number) | Drive | Night |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1Fri, Dec 17 | Arrive in Las Vegas → KingmanNight: Kingman | about 115 mi 2 hr 5 min | Kingman |
| Day 2Sat, Dec 18 | Kingman → I-40 → 1 Sedona → 2 Grand CanyonNight: Grand Canyon | about 312 mi 6 hr 10 min | Grand Canyon |
| Day 3Sun, Dec 19 | 2 Grand Canyon South Rim → PageNight: Page | about 138 mi 2 hr 35 min | Page |
| Day 4Mon, Dec 20 | 3 Horseshoe Bend → 4 Antelope Canyon → 5 Monument ValleyNight: Monument Valley | about 145 mi 2 hr 50 min | Monument Valley |
| Day 5Tue, Dec 21 | 5 Monument Valley → 6 Canyonlands → MoabNight: Moab | about 283 mi 5 hr 25 min | Moab |
| Day 6Wed, Dec 22 | 7 Arches → 8 Goblin Valley → TorreyNight: Torrey | about 190 mi 3 hr 35 min | Torrey |
| Day 7Thu, Dec 23 | 9 Capitol Reef → 10 Utah Scenic Byway 12 → 11 Bryce Canyon → 12 ZionNight: Zion | about 215 mi 4 hr 35 min | Zion |
| Day 8Fri, Dec 24 | 12 Zion → 13 Las Vegas StripNight: Las Vegas | about 174 mi 2 hr 55 min | Las Vegas |
| Day 9Sat, Dec 25 | 14 Death Valley day trip → 15 Cirque du Soleil KÀ in Las VegasNight: Las Vegas | about 304 mi 5 hr 55 min | Las Vegas |
| Day 10Sun, Dec 26 | 13 Las Vegas: Wynn buffet → hotel walk → The STRAT observation deck → airportNight: None, night flight out | None, night flight out |
Drive distances and times run from each day’s starting hotel to the next hotel, by Google Maps. The days with more than five hours of driving were Day 2, Day 5 and Day 9.
Book before you go
- Flights to Las VegasCompares fares across airlinesView on Trip.com
- Car rental at Las Vegas airportCompares rentals at the airportView on Trip.com
- eSIM for the USUS eSIM, no physical SIM cardView on Airalo
Stops and parks
| No. | Place | Type | State | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sedona | Red-rock area and town | Arizona | Dec 18 |
| 2 | Grand Canyon South RimGrand Canyon National Park | National park | Arizona | Dec 18–19 |
| 3 | Horseshoe BendGlen Canyon National Recreation Area | Overlook | Arizona | Dec 20 |
| 4 | Upper Antelope CanyonNavajo land near Page | Navajo tribal park | Arizona | Dec 20 |
| 5 | Monument ValleyNavajo Tribal Park | Navajo tribal park | Arizona, Utah | Dec 20–21 |
| 6 | CanyonlandsCanyonlands National Park | National park | Utah | Dec 21 |
| 7 | ArchesArches National Park | National park | Utah | Dec 22 |
| 8 | Goblin ValleyGoblin Valley State Park | State park | Utah | Dec 22 |
| 9 | Capitol ReefCapitol Reef National Park | National park | Utah | Dec 23 |
| 10 | Utah Scenic Byway 12 | Scenic byway | Utah | Dec 23 |
| 11 | Bryce CanyonBryce Canyon National Park | National park | Utah | Dec 23 |
| 12 | ZionZion National Park | National park | Utah | Dec 23–24 |
| 13 | Las VegasThe Strip | City | Nevada | Dec 24–26 |
| 14 | Death ValleyDeath Valley National Park | National park | California | Dec 25 |
| 15 | Cirque du Soleil KÀMGM Grand | Show | Nevada | Dec 25 |
The 15 places
Listed in map-number order.
1SedonaArizona
Sedona was a stop on the way to the Grand Canyon. We saw the Chapel of the Holy Cross built into the red rock and climbed Bell Rock. Green trees, rust-colored soil and a blue sky made it feel like the American West at last. Our kid stared at the cactus plantings outside the visitor center for a long time. At sunset we watched the rock turn red from Airport Mesa.
Night beforeEl Trovatore Motel, Kingman (a Route 66 motel)View on Expedia
NearbyLa Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham KingmanView on Expedia
Where we ateIn-N-Out before leaving Las Vegas, a root beer at the A&W in Seligman, the McDonald’s with turquoise arches in Sedona, and bread and coffee at Late for the Train café
TipParking at many Sedona trailheads needs a Red Rock Pass (it was $5 a day when we went; check the current fee). An America the Beautiful annual pass works instead.
If you’d rather tour Sedona
- Sedona Scenic Rim jeep tourAbout 2.5 hoursScenic red-rock drive, not a vortex-focused tourView on GetYourGuide
2Grand Canyon South RimGrand Canyon National Park
We checked into a lodge inside the park late at night and watched the sun come up from the rim the next morning. At midday we drove the western viewpoints along Hermit Road, and in the afternoon the eastern viewpoints on Desert View Drive, then left the park. In December the shaded trails were snowy.
Where we sleptBright Angel Lodge (inside the park)View on Expedia Official site
NearbyHoliday Inn Resort Grand Canyon (The Squire), in TusayanView on Expedia
Where we ateA late lunch at the Maswik food court
TipIn winter (December to February), Hermit Road is open to private cars and there is no shuttle.
If you’d rather not drive to the rim
- Grand Canyon South Rim by bus from Las VegasAbout 14–15 hoursPark fee includedStops at the Visitor Center, Mather Point and Bright Angel LodgeView on GetYourGuide
- Grand Canyon, Lower Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend in one day from Las VegasAbout 17 hoursHotel pickupEntry fees includedThe Antelope stop is Lower, not UpperView on GetYourGuide
3Horseshoe BendGlen Canyon National Recreation Area
After a night in Page we walked out to Horseshoe Bend, where the Colorado River curls like a horseshoe. On the red sandy path our kid stopped to play in the sand, and the low sun stretched our shadows. It was about 20 minutes after sunrise, so the light only reached the top of the bend.
Night beforeHampton Inn & Suites PageView on Expedia
NearbyHyatt Place Page/Lake PowellView on Expedia
Where we ateThe Walmart in Page, the night we arrived late
TipFor light on the water, go a little later, once the sun is higher.
Horseshoe Bend on a tour
- Grand Canyon, Lower Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend in one day from Las VegasAbout 17 hoursHotel pickupEntry fees includedThe Antelope stop is Lower, not UpperView on GetYourGuide
4Upper Antelope CanyonNavajo land near Page
From the outside it looks like an ordinary rocky hill. The tour vehicle drove us in, and Upper Antelope Canyon was hiding underneath. A Navajo guide pointed out what the rock formations resemble. The light makes photography tricky, but the canyon is beautiful. Back in Page we ate lunch and left straight for Monument Valley.
Where we ateBirdHouse, a fried chicken place
TipYou can only enter on a guided tour, and the bright midday slots sell out first. Book the tour as soon as your dates are set.
Antelope Canyon tours
- Upper Antelope Canyon guided tour with entry ticketAbout 1.5 hoursMeet in PageView on GetYourGuide
- Lower Antelope Canyon entry and Navajo-guided tourAbout 1 hourMeet in PageView on GetYourGuide
5Monument ValleyNavajo Tribal Park
From the balcony of the hotel inside the park we watched the sunset, the stars and the next morning’s sunrise, all from the same spot. Our kid said the top of one rock looked like a giant opening its mouth to say “ah.” In the morning we drove the dirt valley loop ourselves, then headed north.
Where we sleptThe View Hotel (inside the park)View on Expedia
NearbyHampton Inn Kayenta (outside the park, in Kayenta)View on Expedia
Where we ateThe restaurant inside The View Hotel
TipRooms at The View Hotel face Monument Valley directly, so book early.
Monument Valley tour
- Monument Valley backcountry jeep tour with a Navajo guideAbout 2.5 hoursView on GetYourGuide
6CanyonlandsCanyonlands National Park, Island in the Sky
We started down the road toward the Needles district, turned back, and spent the afternoon in Island in the Sky, at Mesa Arch and the Green River Overlook. Our kid danced at the spot where the flat ground suddenly drops into a canyon. If the other parks are the showroom, Canyonlands is the warehouse out back, left just as wild.
Where we sleptHampton Inn MoabView on Expedia
NearbyWingate by Wyndham MoabView on Expedia
Where we ateSingha Thai Cuisine in Moab
TipThe districts are not connected by road, so set your navigation to the district name, not the park.
7ArchesArches National Park
In the morning we hiked the Delicate Arch trail, still frosty with a thin film of ice, and our kid broke the ice on every puddle along the way. In the photos in front of the arch, we look tiny. At midday we saw Landscape Arch from the Devils Garden side, then left the park past Balanced Rock.
Where we ateLunch from the McDonald’s in Moab, bought on our way out
TipFor the Delicate Arch trail, bring shoes with good grip and plenty of water.
Arches on a tour
- Canyonlands and Arches 4×4 day tour from MoabAbout 9 hoursPark fees and lunch includedNeeds 3 travelersEnters Arches by a separate entrance (Tower Arch area); does not go to Delicate ArchView on GetYourGuide
8Goblin ValleyGoblin Valley State Park
A field full of short rock pillars. Few other people were there, which made it feel even more otherworldly, and our kid played hide-and-seek among the rocks. We went in just before sunset, came out as it got dark, and drove on to Torrey.
Where we sleptBroken Spur Inn & Steakhouse, TorreyView on Expedia
NearbyCapitol Reef ResortView on Expedia
Where we ateThe Broken Spur steakhouse, attached to our inn
TipThe park asks visitors not to climb the fragile hoodoos, so follow the signs on site.
9Capitol ReefCapitol Reef National Park
Our inn was close, so we stopped in for a short morning visit. We followed the wooden boardwalk to a rock wall carved with petroglyphs, walked along the icy Fremont River, then hiked the Hickman Bridge trail. We posed in the hollows under the rock ledges for photos. After a look around the visitor center, we set off on Utah Scenic Byway 12.
Capitol Reef on a tour
- Capitol Reef private tour to the Temples of the Sun and MoonAbout 4 hoursPrivateCathedral Valley, a different area from the Fruita and Hickman Bridge walks we didCheck winter road conditions before bookingView on GetYourGuide
10Utah Scenic Byway 12Torrey to Bryce Canyon
This scenic road runs from Torrey through Boulder and Escalante to Bryce Canyon. Snowy aspen groves, plains with herds of cattle, pale ivory terrain and red cliffs took turns, and we stopped along the way for photos.
TipThere was still snow in the roadside forest when we drove through, so in winter it is better to do this stretch in daylight.
11Bryce CanyonBryce Canyon National Park
We looked down on a forest of snow-covered hoodoos from the viewpoints and walked the icy path from Sunrise Point to Sunset Point. The zigzag trail down into the canyon was icy, and we decided not to go down it. We walked a short stretch of the Navajo Loop instead. Our kid had a snowball fight with my wife. Snow began to fall around dusk, and I think it was the first time we had been snowed on at a landmark.
Where we ateBryce Canyon Pines, with big loaves of bread and soup
TipIn December the trails below the rim can turn to sheet ice. Slip-on traction cleats for your shoes help.
If you’d rather see Bryce and Zion on a tour
- Bryce Canyon and Zion day tour from Las Vegas by vanAbout 13 hoursHotel pickupAbout 1.5 hours at BryceOnly about 30 minutes at the Zion visitor centerView on GetYourGuide
12ZionZion National Park
We checked into the lodge inside the canyon at night. The next day it rained, so we had a slow breakfast at the lodge, then put on rain jackets and headed out. On the Emerald Pools trail the rain had swollen the waterfalls, and we took the shuttle deeper into the canyon to walk the Riverside Walk.
Where we sleptZion Lodge (inside the park; guests can drive in)View on Expedia
NearbyHyatt Place Springdale/Zion National ParkView on Expedia
Where we ateIn-N-Out in Washington, Utah, on the way to Las Vegas
TipAs of the 2026 winter schedule, the shuttle does not run for most of December, so you can drive the canyon road yourself. From December 26 to early January it is shuttle only. We rode the shuttle in 2021, so check the schedule for your dates.
13Las VegasThe Strip
We reached the Las Vegas Strip on Christmas Eve night and caught the Bellagio fountain show. We spent the whole last day on Las Vegas itself: the buffet first, then a walk through the hotels, then the observation deck at night before heading to the airport. Our step count was far higher than on the park trails.
Where we sleptBally’s Las Vegas, two nights (now Horseshoe Las Vegas)View on Expedia
NearbyHilton Grand Vacations Club on the Las Vegas StripView on Expedia
BuffetThe Buffet at Wynn Las Vegas
HotelsThe Venetian, the Flamingo and Bellagio
Observation deckNight view of the Strip from The STRAT
TipAs of 2026, the Wynn buffet costs $59.99 for brunch and $79.99 for the seafood dinner before tax, and children ages 3 to 9 pay half price (Wynn Las Vegas).
Where we ateHershey’s Chocolate World at New York-New York, after the show
The Strip at night
- STRAT Tower SkyPod observation deck with thrill ridesObservation deck plus one or two rides (Big Shot, X-Scream)Not a deck-only ticketView on GetYourGuide
- Helicopter night flight over the Las Vegas StripCheck the flight length on the listingView on GetYourGuide
14Death Valley day tripDeath Valley National Park
We opened Christmas presents in the morning and drove to Death Valley. We went to Zabriskie Point, the Mesquite Flat sand dunes, Harmony Borax Works and Artists Drive, in that order, and our kid rolled down the dunes. At midday in December, a thin shirt was warm enough.
TipIf you are traveling with a kid, pick up the Junior Ranger booklet at the Furnace Creek Visitor Center first.
Death Valley on a tour
- Death Valley small-group day tour from Las VegasAbout 12 hoursUp to 12 peopleHotel pickupPark fee and a meal includedView on GetYourGuide
15Cirque du Soleil KÀMGM Grand
We saw Cirque du Soleil’s KÀ at the MGM Grand the night we got back from Death Valley. We nearly ran late but did not. The scale is like nothing I have seen elsewhere, the music is good, and I kept listening to the soundtrack for a long time afterward. Of the other Cirque shows we have seen since, none matched KÀ for grandeur.
TipThe show runs 90 minutes with no intermission, and it is a long walk through the hotel to the entrance, so leave early.
KÀ tickets
- KÀ by Cirque du Soleil at MGM GrandAbout 1.5 hoursView on GetYourGuide
When to go, flights, where we slept
| When | Mid to late December. We left the day our kid’s winter break began and spent Christmas on the road. |
|---|---|
| Flights | Round trip to and from Las Vegas: we landed the night of December 17 and flew out the night of December 26. We booked in late September. |
| Rental car | A midsize SUV (Toyota RAV4) from Enterprise at the Las Vegas airport rental car center, for nine days. The 2021 booking total was $802.28, paid with points. |
| Stays | We booked most of them in mid-October, about two months out. Apart from Las Vegas (two nights), we stayed one night in each place. |
| Entry | We used an America the Beautiful annual pass for the national parks. Monument Valley (a Navajo tribal park) and Goblin Valley (a state park) charge separately. As of 2026, nonresident visitors pay $250 for the annual pass, and 11 parks, including the Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon and Zion, add $100 per person without it (National Park Service). |
Where we slept
| Night | Area | Where we slept | Book |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 17Kingman | Kingman | El Trovatore Motel | View on Expedia |
| Dec 18Grand Canyon | Grand Canyon | Bright Angel LodgeInside the park | View on Expedia Official site |
| Dec 19Page | Page | Hampton Inn & Suites Page | View on Expedia |
| Dec 20Monument Valley | Monument Valley | The View HotelInside the park | View on Expedia |
| Dec 21Moab | Moab | Hampton Inn Moab | View on Expedia |
| Dec 22Torrey | Torrey | Broken Spur Inn & Steakhouse | View on Expedia |
| Dec 23Zion | Zion | Zion LodgeInside the park | View on Expedia |
| Dec 24–25Las Vegas | Las Vegas | Bally’s Las VegasNow Horseshoe Las Vegas | View on Expedia |
Other stays in the same areas
| Area | Other stay | Book |
|---|---|---|
| Kingman | La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham KingmanKingman | View on Expedia |
| Grand Canyon | Holiday Inn Resort Grand Canyon (The Squire)Tusayan | View on Expedia |
| Page | Hyatt Place Page/Lake PowellPage | View on Expedia |
| Monument Valley | Hampton Inn KayentaKayenta, outside the park | View on Expedia |
| Moab | Wingate by Wyndham MoabMoab | View on Expedia |
| Torrey | Capitol Reef ResortTorrey | View on Expedia |
| Zion | Hyatt Place Springdale/Zion National ParkSpringdale | View on Expedia |
| Las Vegas | Hilton Grand Vacations Club on the Las Vegas StripOn the Strip | View on Expedia |
Places to stay at each stop
Tap a town to see nearby stays and prices on the map.
Weather and daylight
| Place | Date | Weather | Sunrise to sunset |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Sedona | Dec 18 | High around 46°F, sunny | 7:30 a.m. – 5:20 p.m. |
| 2 Grand Canyon | Dec 18–19 | Highs 36–41°F, snowy on shaded trails | 7:35 a.m. – 5:15 p.m. |
| 3–5 Page, Monument Valley | Dec 19–21 | Highs 36–39°F, sunny, mornings down to 16°F | 7:35 a.m. – 5:10 p.m. |
| 6–8 Moab area | Dec 21–22 | Highs 39–41°F, sunny, mornings down to 18°F | 7:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. |
| 11 Bryce Canyon | Dec 23 | High around 34°F, snow and ice | 7:40 a.m. – 5:15 p.m. |
| 12 Zion | Dec 23–24 | Highs 45–46°F, rain | 7:45 a.m. – 5:20 p.m. |
| 13 Las Vegas | Dec 24–26 | Highs 55–61°F | 6:45 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. |
| 14 Death Valley | Dec 25 | High around 66°F, a thin shirt at midday | 6:55 a.m. – 4:35 p.m. |
In winter the sun is up for roughly 9 hours 30 minutes to 9 hours 50 minutes. It sets around 5 p.m. in Arizona and Utah and around 4:30 p.m. in Las Vegas and Death Valley. Try to finish driving while it is light, because roads can ice over after dark.
Booking and packing checklist
Book ahead
- View on Trip.com
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- See stays table
- View on Expedia
- See tours
- See tickets
- View on Airalo
- Annual pass ESTA
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Pack
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Tours and day trips from Las Vegas
We drove ourselves. If you would rather skip some of the driving, these trips leave from Las Vegas (check pickup details on each page).
Day trips from Las Vegas
- Grand Canyon, Lower Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend in one day from Las VegasAbout 17 hoursHotel pickupEntry fees includedThe Antelope stop is Lower, not UpperView on GetYourGuide
- Grand Canyon South Rim by bus from Las VegasAbout 14–15 hoursPark fee includedStops at the Visitor Center, Mather Point and Bright Angel LodgeView on GetYourGuide
- Bryce Canyon and Zion day tour from Las Vegas by vanAbout 13 hoursHotel pickupAbout 1.5 hours at BryceOnly about 30 minutes at the Zion visitor centerView on GetYourGuide
- Death Valley small-group day tour from Las VegasAbout 12 hoursUp to 12 peopleHotel pickupPark fee and a meal includedView on GetYourGuide
Las Vegas after dark
- STRAT Tower SkyPod observation deck with thrill ridesObservation deck plus one or two rides (Big Shot, X-Scream)Not a deck-only ticketView on GetYourGuide
- Helicopter night flight over the Las Vegas StripCheck the flight length on the listingView on GetYourGuide
- KÀ by Cirque du Soleil at MGM GrandAbout 1.5 hoursView on GetYourGuide
Q&A
Is December a good time for a Grand Circle road trip?
Yes. We had snow and ice in places and one rainy day, but most days went fine, and some sights, like snow-covered hoodoos, only happen in winter. The sun sets around 5 p.m., so don’t overplan a day. We went to bed early and started early, and that pace was about right.
Is this trip OK with a kid?
Yes. We often reminded our kid to stay careful near the cliffs, but it went fine and became a good memory. Every day brought a landscape we had not seen before.
What should I book first?
Flights and the rental car, then The View Hotel at Monument Valley, the Antelope Canyon guided tour and a Las Vegas show, in that order. Many hotels have flexible cancellation, so check the terms and lock them in early.
What would you do differently?
Not much. If you only get one shot at it, we were happy with this route. Next time I would adjust the timing at a few stops to catch better sunrise and sunset light, and in another season, or with an older kid, I would add The Narrows and Angels Landing. Given the season and our kid being in early elementary school, it was a satisfying trip.
Related posts
I will write up each stop in detail and link the posts here as they go up.
Two other national park trips: Acadia in fall, three days by road and a Mont-Tremblant day trip from Montreal.
- Sedona in winter(stop 1)
- Grand Canyon National Park: South Rim(stop 2)
- Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon(stops 3–4)
- Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park and The View Hotel(stop 5)
- Canyonlands National Park(stop 6)
- Arches National Park(stop 7)
- Goblin Valley State Park, Capitol Reef National Park and Utah Scenic Byway 12(stops 8–10)
- Bryce Canyon National Park(stop 11)
- Zion National Park and Zion Lodge(stop 12)
- The Las Vegas Strip and KÀ by Cirque du Soleil(stops 13 and 15)
- Death Valley National Park day trip(stop 14)
Sources
- National Park Service: park passes and 2026 fees
- National Park Service: Grand Canyon road closures and winter operations
- National Park Service: Zion Canyon shuttle schedule
- Navajo Nation Parks: Antelope Canyon guided tour operators
- Visit Sedona: Red Rock Pass Q&A
- Yogonet: Bally’s Las Vegas rebrands as Horseshoe (December 2022)
- Weather: Open-Meteo historical weather (ERA5 reanalysis, retrieved October 5, 2026); regional estimates
- Drive distances and times: Google Maps route calculations
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Places to stay nearby, on a map
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