Sightseeing Southwest USA: 18 beautiful places you must see [with map].

The most beautiful places in the southwest of the USA

Our guide to the Southwest is ideal for people who are travelling to the Southwest of the USA for the first or second time and want to get a first overview of the natural beauty. The suggested itinerary can be completed in three to four weeks by car. Of course, you can skip individual stops to shorten the travel time.

An important note: The southwest of the USA is extremely popular with Americans and foreigners. Hotels, campsites and some attractions such as Havasu Canyon in Arizona need to be booked many months in advance, especially during the peak summer months.

The ideal starting point for your trip through the Southwest of the USA The desert metropolis of Las Vegas is the ideal starting point and destination for a round trip through the southwest of the USA.

On our trips through the southwest of the USA, we always started in Las Vegas, with one exception. The gambler's metropolis is the starting and ending point of a round trip for most tourists. We also recommend Las Vegas as a starting and ending point. The hotels are cheap, there is always something to do and the flights are affordable even during the peak travel season.

At the end of this article, we'll tell you how you can save money on your round trip through the southwest of the USA. On the way to Zion National Park, you can also make a stop in the Valley of Fire northeast of Las Vegas.

Map: Our top sights at a glance 1 The Subway - Zion National Park (Utah)

Zion National Park in Utah is one of the most beautiful national parks in the USA and one of the most spectacular regions in the world. Almost five million visitors come to Zion National Park every year. One of the must-see places in Zion is the Subway, a canal-like tube in the canyon of Left Fork North Creek. The Subway is one of those places that is not easy to get to.

Nevertheless, the crowds would be so high that there is a permit system to regulate the flow of visitors. A maximum of 80 people are allowed to enter the Subway per day.

The hike to this top sight takes three to four hours through a densely overgrown canyon to the Subway. The tour requires some physical fitness and is quite monotonous in parts.

But the Subway makes up for all the exertion. The half-open tube is particularly impressive in the morning, when the sun makes the back part glow. In the immediate vicinity of the Subway - you pass it on the way - there are a few more highlights, such as "The Crack".

For us, the Subway in Zion National Park is one of the top sights in the southwest of the USA. Angels Landing - Zion National Park (Utah)

Angels Landingin Zion National Park in Utah is a viewpoint rock par excellence. From the 1765 metre high summit you have a fantastic view of Zion Canyon. During the summer months, Zion National Park is closed to private vehicles, with the exception of Utah Scenic Byway 9. If you want to go deeper into the canyon, you have to use one of the free shuttles.

The hike on Angels Landing starts at "The Grotto Trailhead" stop. The round hike is eight kilometres long. There are 450 metres of altitude to climb.

If you want to get all the way to the top of Angels Landing, you have to master a kind of via ferrata at the end. The walls drop several hundred metres vertically into the depths. The hike should therefore by no means be underestimated.

View from Angels Landing, another top attraction in the southwest of the USA 3 The Narrows - Zion National Park (Utah)

The Narrows in Zion National Park are a scenic highlight. About two thirds of the trail up to the so-called "Wall Street" leads through the Virgin River. Neoprene socks help you not to freeze to death, at least when you feel it.

Some of the ice-cold water reaches up to your thighs. If you're on the hike without a walking stick, you've lost. Tip: You can rent sturdy wooden walking sticks for a few dollars at any outdoor shop in Springdale. The hike through the Narrows is enormously strenuous and requires a whole day - at the same time, the tour is an unforgettable experience.

Wall Street - a particularly narrow section of the Narrows in Zion National Park.

What else you can do in Zion National Park

• Hike to Observation Point

• Hike through Hidden Canyon

• For families: the Emerald Pools Trail

4. Toroweap Point - Grand Canyon National Park (Arizona)

The Grand Canyon is probably by far the most famous sight in the southwest of the USA. The "normal" tourist usually visits the Visitor Centre on the South Rim, i.e. the south side of the Grand Canyon. Here, too, the huge canyon is absolutely breathtaking. If you are standing at the Grand Canyon for the first time, you won't be able to stop marvelling.

The Grand Canyon at Toroweap Point is even more impressive. Here, the walls plunge around 800 metres vertically into the depths and sometimes look less than a kilometre apart. Toroweap Point is one of the most beautiful places in the southwest of the USA.

But the approach is a challenge. From Highway 389, a 60-mile (95-kilometre) gravel road leads through the barren landscape. The last stretch in particular is tough. With an SUV, however, the route is easily manageable - provided it hasn't rained and the road is in comparatively good condition.

However, the many sharp stones are a serious danger for the tyres. A tow truck can cost more than 1000 dollars. From the car park, it is another one and a half kilometre walk to Toroweap Point.

With an off-road vehicle, you can even drive the stretch. By the way, you need a permit to stay overnight at the small campsite near Toroweap Point. The places are taken quickly, so you have to book very early.

Sunrise at Toroweap Point - an unforgettable moment

What else you can do in the Grand Canyon National Park

• Hike the Nankoweap Trail

• Hike the Bright Angel Trail

• Hike the Grand Canyon Rim Trail

• Hike the South Kaibab Trail

5 Bryce Canyon National Park (Utah)

Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah with its imposing sandstone figures is a must on any trip through the southwest of the USA. Bryce Canyon is particularly beautiful in the evening in the light of the setting sun. You don't even have to hike for that. The Visitor Centre is located directly on the rim of the canyon. If you like, you can also do some great hikes in Bryce Canyon, such as the Navajo Loop Trail.

Bryce Canyon is one of the most beautiful places in Utah. 6 Delicate Arch - Arches National Park (Utah)

The Delicate Arch in Arches National Park is the landmark of the US state of Utah. The hike to the 14-metre-high stone arch is always very busy. The hike to Delicate Arch is just under five kilometres long, overcomes 150 metres in altitude and mostly leads over slickrock - sandstone ground smooth by wind and weather.

The greatest danger in the summer is the extreme heat, which makes it necessary to take emergency action again and again on the tour. The route lies completely in the sun. Without sufficient water, sun protection and a certain basic level of fitness, the hike becomes an ordeal for many.

The view of Delicate Arch in the evening is unforgettable. Sometimes, however, it is not possible to take a picture of Delicate Arch without people in it, because it is extremely crowded in the evening. You have much better chances in the morning, when you start the hike in the dark.

The Delicate Arch in Arches National Park is one of the most famous sights in Utah.

What else you can do in Arches National Park

• See the Balanced Rock

• See the Double Arch and the Windows Section

• Hike to the Double-O-Arch

• Hike in the Fiery Furnace

• Hike to Tower Arch

⭐ Great photo motifs in the southwest of the USA

Are you as enthusiastic about photography as we are and want to explore the Southwest of the USA photographically? Then you should definitely check out the book series "Photographing the Southwest" by Laurent Martres.

Sunrise at Mesa Arch - Canyonlands National Park (Utah)

Canyonlands National Park is close to Arches National Park and offers magnificent views, challenging hikes and nerve-racking jeep trails. If you don't have much time, you should at least see the sunrise at the Mesa Arch. The Mesa Arch is one of the most famous sights in the entire southwest of the USA.

It's not far from the car park to the Mesa Arch - another reason why all hell breaks loose here in the morning. If you don't want to be put off by hundreds of tourists, get up early and experience this magical moment when the sun shines on the Mesa Arch from below.

Mesa Arch is a top photo spot in Canyonlands National Park

What else you can do in Canyonlands National Park

• Hike to False Kiva

• Hike to Druid Arch

• Hike the Joint Trail

8. Mesa Verde National Park (Colorado)

Mesa Verde National Park in Colorado - Spanish for green table - attracts visitors with around 5000 Anasazi archaeological sites. The highlights of Mesa Verde are the 600 or so rock dwellings, about a dozen of which formed larger settlements.

Among the best known are Spruce Tree House, Balcony House and Cliff Palace. The ancient ruins can usually only be visited as part of a ranger-led tour. The most famous settlement is the Cliff Palace with 23 kivas and around 150 rooms.

The Cliff Palace is the top sight in Mesa Verde National Park. 9 Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness (New Mexico)

The journey continues to New Mexico to the Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness, south of Farmington. The area is really huge and not as crowded as many other top sights in the USA.

In the Bisti Badlands, nature has created thousands of wild formations that sometimes resemble leprechauns. You can just follow the well-trodden paths and see great sculptures and hoodoos. But you can also wander cross-country through the area.

A GPS device is very helpful here, however, as it is quite easy to get lost. One of the top attractions in the area is the so-called "King of Wings" in Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah Wash.

The King of Wings is a great subject for every landscape photographer. 10 Spider Rock - Canyon de Chelly (Arizona)

Spider Rock in Canyon de Che lly is something of an insider's tip in the southwest of the USA - at least compared to the better-known sights.

Canyon de Chelly is off the beaten track of the well-known round trips through the southwest of the USA and is therefore not quite as crowded. Yet the view into the Canyon de Chelly with the huge, about 240-metre-high Spider Rock is unparalleled.

It is only a few minutes' walk from the car park to the hundreds of metres of vertical drop. Canyon de Chelly is particularly impressive in the evening, when Spider Rock is the last thing the sun shines on in the canyon.

Spider Rock in Canyon de Chelly, a little-known sight in the south-west of the USA. 11 Hunts Mesa - Monument Valley (Arizona/Utah)

If you are travelling to the southwest of the USA for the first time, you absolutely must visit Monument Valley. Monument Valley is the backdrop for numerous westerns and the epitome of the American Southwest. Monument Valley is one of the must-see attractions in the Southwest.

Monument Valley is an Indian reservation and may only be visited on the 27-kilometre Scenic Drive. Naturally, there is a lot going on here. At the famous View Point, where there is now even a hotel, photographers crowd in every evening with their tripods.

If you want to experience Monument Valley in a more original way, book a tour with an overnight stay in a tent to Hunts Mesa. Guided tours are offered by Monument Valley Safari, for example.

The tour starts with an off-road vehicle at the famous viewpoint. The drive over the rough track and through the deep sand, for which a real off-road vehicle is required in any case, is an unforgettable experience. Unfortunately, the Hunts Mesa adventure is not cheap. The price per person is $375 (as of March 2018). But rest assured: The experience is worth every penny.

The sun sets over Monument Valley 12 The Wave - Coyote Buttes North (Arizona)

The Wave in the Coyote But tes North is a unique sandstone formation near the small town of Page and one of the most famous sights in the USA. To protect the delicate nature, access has been strictly regulated for years. A maximum of 20 people per day are allowed to enter the area. Anyone caught without a permit - and they are checked - must expect drastic fines. Here you can find an article on how to apply for a permit to hike to the Wave.

The Wave in Arizona is one of the top highlights in the southwest of the USA.

This much I can tell you: The chances of getting one of the few permits are extremely slim. By far the best chances are in the cold winter months, when the southwest of the USA is not so crowded. In addition, the hike to the Wave should not be underestimated because of the enormous heat.

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13 Coyote Buttes South (Arizona)

The Coyote Buttes South are located a little south of the Wave and are no less impressive scenically. The area is also restricted in access. Due to the long and sometimes demanding approach to the Coyote Buttes South, for which you need an off-road SUV, the demand for permits is not as high as at the Wave.

To explore the Coyote Buttes South halfway, you need to plan at least a whole day. You could easily spend days in the huge area - but that is hardly possible because of the access restrictions.

The Coyote Buttes South are relatively difficult to access and access is strictly limited. The area should not be missing from our list of the top sights in the southwest of the USA. 14 Antelope Canyon (Arizona)

Another well-known sight in the southwest of the USA - also near Page - is Antelope Canyon. Surely everyone has seen a picture of this impressive slot canyon.

Antelope Canyon is divided into Lower Antelope Canyon and Upper Antelope Canyon. The Lower Antelope Canyon is much narrower. If you want to take pictures with a tripod in Lower Antelope Canyon, you have to book a photo tour. This is even more expensive than the normal tour.

The much wider Upper Antelope Canyon is known for its lightbeams - rays of sunlight that fall to the bottom of the canyon. There is a special photo tour to capture these lightbeams with your camera. The photo tour is usually booked up well in advance and is now extremely expensive at around $200 (as of March 2018)(you can book the whole thing here).

Both Lower and Upper Antelope Canyon are easy to reach and are also massively advertised. The result: crowds of people (!!!) throng through the canyons. Unfortunately, the feeling of nature is completely lost here. Nevertheless, you should have seen both canyons once. Here are our best tips for Antelope Canyon.

Lightbeams in Upper Antelope Canyon. Unfortunately, it is not as lonely as it seems on the photo. 15 Horseshoe Bend (Arizona)

Horseshoe Bend near Page is one of the most famous sights in the southwest of the USA. Over millions of years, the Colorado River has carved around 300 metres into the sandstone here, forming a perfect loop.

From the edge of the break-off you have a magnificent view into the depths. In the meantime, there is (unfortunately) even a railing. Nevertheless, caution is advised. There are always fatal accidents at Horseshoe Bend due to carelessness.

From the car park, you go up a sandy path and then slightly downhill again. After 20 minutes you are at Horseshoe Bend. You will not find solitude at Horseshoe Bend, however.

Sometimes hundreds of visitors crowd the edge of the cliff to take the best photo. Especially in the evening, Horseshoe Bend is extremely crowded. That's a shame, of course - but Horseshoe Bend is a must-see on a trip through the southwest of the USA.

Horseshoe Bend in the evening. It's amazing what the Colorado River has created here. 16 Alstrom Point (Utah)

Alstrom Point near Page is a rather lonely viewpoint high above Lake Powell. Lonely because the drive to Alstrom Point by car is long and arduous. In the small desert town of Big Water, a gravel road leads off to Alstrom Point. Long stretches of the road are usually easy to drive on.

However, the last stretch to Alstrom Point in particular usually requires an off-road vehicle with four-wheel drive. If you don't have one, you walk. The view of Lake Powell from Alstrom Point in the morning or evening is overwhelming. For us, Alstrom Point is one of the must-see places in the southwest of the USA.

The drive to Alstrom Point is a bit of an adventure. You are rewarded with a fabulous view 17 Havasu Canyon - Grand Canyon (Arizona)

Another top sight in the southwest of the USA is Havasu Canyon (actually Cataract Canyon), a branch of the Grand Canyon in Arizona and the tribal territory of the Havasupai. Havasu Canyon is world-famous for its impressive waterfalls.

Due to the high lime content of the water, the stream appears turquoise - a stark contrast to the reddish-brown rock walls of Havasu Canyon. There is no road into Havasu Canyon. The only land connection is a mule trail that starts at the rim of the Grand Canyon.

The hike into Havasu Canyon first leads down into the canyon. Then it goes between the rock walls towards Supai, the Havasupai village. The one-way stretch to Supai is about twelve kilometres long. It's a good 16 kilometres and over 700 metres in altitude to Mooney Falls at the very end of the hike. Of course, the whole distance has to be hiked back again.

To get to the foot of the Mooney Falls, you have to climb a kind of via ferrata. Many tourists have a hard time with this. But even those who don't dare will have a great time in Havasu Canyon.

You can only stay overnight in Havasu Canyon if you make a reservation in advance for a campsite or the small lodge. Reservations can always be made from 1 February. The places are taken very quickly and are not cheap. The permit for one night costs 140 dollars per person (as of March 2018). More information and booking options here on the official website.

Havasu Falls is without a doubt one of the top sights in the southwest of the USA. 18 Death Valley National Park (California)

From Havasu Canyon, the round trip leads back to Las Vegas. If you still have time and want to go, you can head west to California. Death Valley National Park is a two-hour drive away.

Despite the enormous heat, you should spend a whole day here. Larger hikes are hardly possible, however, as it is simply too hot. 50 degrees and more are not uncommon. In addition, there is often a brutal wind that makes the temperature feel unbearable. Popular and easy to reach destinations in Death Valley are Zabriskie Point, Badwater Basin (one of the lowest points in the world) and the Mesquite Sand Dunes.

Relatively close by, you'll also find the Alabama Hills - a real insider's tip in California.

Death Valley offers photographers plenty of photo opportunities. Here you can see the Mesquite Sand Dunes The first time in the southwest of the USA

These were 18 sights in the southwest of the USA that you should definitely not miss on your first trip. Even in the immediate vicinity of the sights presented here, there are places you should see.

Arches National Park alone is big enough to spend days or weeks here. But often there is not enough time. Hardly anyone spends more than three weeks on a trip. To get a first overview of the fascinating landscape of the Southwest, the route presented here is ideal.

It was important for us to present not only well-known highlights that you should have seen at least once in your life, but also a few lesser-known places that are not so easy to reach. If you travel through the southwest of the USA for more than a few weeks, you will automatically get to know the country and its people much better and discover places that hardly anyone ever gets to.

Important tips for your trip to the southwest of the USA - before the trip

• Rental car: Book your rental car in Germany and not on site - this saves money. We had very good experiences with → Mietwagen Check*. Make sure that the insurance does not include an excess and that all kilometres are free. Rental cars in the USA usually come with a full tank and are returned with an empty tank. Many car rental companies have so-called choice lines. Here you can choose a car from a certain line on the spot. For tours off the highways (at your own risk, insurance coverage does not apply here) you should at least take a mid-size SUV. If you are lucky, a vehicle with four-wheel drive (4WD is better than AWD) will be available. The lettering is usually on the boot, sometimes also in the cockpit. Note that even an SUV with all-wheel drive is not a true off-road vehicle, but it is usually sufficient for light off-road routes. If you have found a four-wheel drive vehicle, pay attention to the spare wheel. A full spare wheel (including tools, of course) is ideal in case of a breakdown, a spare wheel is better than nothing.

• Book hotels: The same applies to hotels or motels. It is much cheaper to book your hotel or motel well in advance from Germany. Many campsites in the national parks are completely booked up in the summer months. Here you should book very early.

• Book a flight: Airfares can sometimes fluctuate quite a bit. Don't book the first flight that comes along, but compare airfares over a longer period of time.

• Cheap phone calls: If you want to surf the internet or make phone calls in the USA outside of WLAN networks, it is worth buying a prepaid card from Lycamobile, for example. This is usually much cheaper than the rates offered by your German provider.

Important tips for your trip to the southwest of the USA - during the trip

• Camping: A trip through the southwest of the USA doesn't have to cost a fortune. If you sleep in a tent on a campsite instead of a motel, you will save a lot of money and experience the wonderful nature even more intensively. If you decide to travel this way, buy a large cooler at the beginning of your trip. You can buy ice cubes at any petrol station for little money. This way you will always have a cold drink even in the warm summer months and you can also store dairy products or meat for the barbecue in the car for a while.

• Police: Watch the speed limit. The police carry out speed measurements and the checkpoints are hard to spot. If you drive too fast, you will be asked to pay a hefty fine. In the event of a police check: Stay seated in the car, turn off the engine, roll down the windows, keep both hands visible on the steering wheel and always remain friendly and objective, do not argue and address the policeman as sir or officer. If you get in the way of a US cop, you can get into real trouble. With a few friendly words, you can sometimes get away with a warning. If you do get a ticket: Be sure to pay it.

• Mobile phone: Cell phone reception in the southwest of the USA is pretty poor. Outside the towns there is often no network. On the highways this is not a problem - especially in rural areas everyone helps everyone. Off the paved roads or on lonely hiking trails, it can be critical - especially in the sweltering heat of summer. We always load our SUV with 50 litres of drinking water - just in case. On hikes, a satellite-based emergency call system such as the SPOT 3 satellite messenger or the Garmin inReach Mini GPS satellite communicator helps in an emergency.

• Flashfloods: The many slot canyons in the southwest of the USA are beautiful - but can also be very dangerous. Flashfloods can turn any slot canyon into a death trap. It doesn't even have to rain in the immediate vicinity. Sometimes a thunderstorm dozens of kilometres away is enough to completely flood a slot canyon in seconds (!!!). It is therefore extremely important to check the weather forecast before every hike into a slot canyon - especially in the summer months. We have experienced ourselves how quickly a summer thunderstorm can turn a dry riverbed into a raging torrent.