A fun Southwest road trip with dog-friendly stops and stays
A Southwest road trip with your best friends is always a good idea — Photo courtesy of gpointstudio / iStock Via Getty Images
There’s nothing better than taking a road trip with your best furry friend, especially when it’s filled with iconic scenery and wide open spaces. This scenic tour of the American Southwest starts in Las Vegas, Nevada, and ends in picturesque Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah. Along the way, you’ll discover gorgeous trails, dog-friendly hotels with comfy dog beds (and plenty of treats), plus more bonding time with your fur baby. This five-day Southwest road trip has plenty of highlights for two- and four-legged travelers.
Stop 1: Las Vegas, Nevada
Start your Southwest road trip at the “Seven Magic Mountains” art installation just outside of Las Vegas — Photo courtesy of Sharael Kolberg
While most people head to Las Vegas for the glitz and glam, this American Southwest road trip begins with two points of interest off the Strip: Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area and “Seven Magic Mountains,” an outdoor art installation by Swiss artist Ugo Rondinone. If Las Vegas is too far to drive from your hometown, JSX offers semi-private planes that allow dogs to travel comfortably in the cabin with their owners.
About 20 miles west of the Strip, Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area features dog-friendly (on-leash only) hiking trails. Whether on the Pine Creek Loop Trail or Wilson’s Pimple Loop, the stunning red rocks are beautiful in contrast to the vibrant blue sky. Your dog also might like sticking their face out the window on the 13-mile drive through Red Rock Canyon (timed reservations are required, and there is a $20 fee per vehicle). The entrance is off state Route 159.
For some dog-friendly art, “Seven Magic Mountains” features seven towers of brightly colored, stacked boulders more than 30 feet tall. They’re striking against the desert landscape. You can walk around them and get up close; make sure your pooch doesn’t think they’re giant fire hydrants. Entry is free.
Where to eat
There are two dog-friendly Lazy Dog Restaurant & Bar locations around Las Vegas. Each features a large outdoor patio and a dog menu with “pup-ular” items like a grilled hamburger patty. People can get burgers (and more), too.
Where to stay
On the northern end of the Strip, Resorts World Las Vegas offers dog-friendly rooms for an additional fee of $150 per day plus tax. Guests are allowed two dogs with a maximum combined weight of less than 40 pounds.
Stop 2: Sedona, Arizona
The Sedona landscape features many beautiful (and dog-friendly) hiking trails — Photo courtesy of Sharael Kolberg
Las Vegas to Sedona, approximate distance: 280 miles
For the first leg of your dog-friendly road trip, leave the dazzling lights of Sin City and make your way to the quaint town of Sedona, Arizona. Surrounded by red sandstone formations, some consider it an energy vortex. The town has many shops selling crystals and gemstones. You’ll also find plenty of art galleries, hiking trails, and luxury spas.
Arizona state Route 89A goes through the heart of town, so you can’t miss it. Along the way, you’ll pass Hoover Dam (no dogs allowed) and go through the town of Flagstaff, surrounded by pine forests. Explore the area by foot (and paw) on several trails that allow dogs, including the 1.2-mile Cathedral Rock Trail or the longer Boynton Canyon Trail. Keep your dog on a leash and be aware of mountain bikers.
Where to eat
There is no shortage of restaurants to welcome you and your canine companion, including Creekside American Bistro, which features a menu catering to dogs.
Where to stay
The Garden Cottages at L’Auberge de Sedona, an award-winning pet-friendly hotel, pampers canine guests with treats, toys, and a map of nearby dog-friendly walking trails. The pet fee is $75 per pet per day.
Stop 3: Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
The Grand Canyon is a highlight on every Southwest road trip — Photo courtesy of jose1983 / iStock Via Getty Images
Sedona to Grand Canyon National Park, approximate distance: 110 miles
Southwest road trip ideas should include Grand Canyon National Park. As you make your way north to the canyon’s South Rim, the short drive will allow plenty of time to enjoy the unbelievable views of one of America’s most visited national parks.
Dogs are allowed on the 12-mile paved Rim Trail but must always be on a leash. You also can explore the 2-mile round-trip hike to Shoshone Point, about an eight-minute drive from the Grand Canyon Visitor’s Center. There’s also the 25-mile scenic Desert View Drive. The entrance fee is $35 per vehicle.
Where to eat
Your BFF (best furry friend) is welcome on the patio at Yavapai Tavern, where you can grab a drink and lunch. You both can enjoy some ice cream at Desert View at the lodge.
Where to stay
Yavapai Lodge is the only lodging in the park that allows dogs. You can stay at any number of hotels near the national park, like the Squire Resort at the Grand Canyon, which allows up to two dogs per room.
Stop 4: Zion National Park, Utah
Any American Southwest road trip should include Zion’s scenic plateaus, cliffs, and canyons — Photo courtesy of Sharael Kolberg
Grand Canyon to Zion National Park, approximate distance: 260 miles
Say goodbye to Arizona and hello to Utah. On this leg of your Southwest road trip, stop to stretch your legs at lookout points along the way, such as the Little Colorado River Gorge Lookout, Antelope Pass Vista, or Wahwaap Overlook. Points of interest along the way include Lake Powell, the Once Upon a Time in America Museum, and the Kanab Sand Caves.
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Entering Zion National Park via Utah state Route 9, the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway will take you through the 1.1-mile Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel, a historic civil engineering landmark. The main road leads from plateaus down to the canyon floor with impressive rock walls, ranging from 3,000 to 6,000 feet high.
You can only access Zion Canyon Scenic Drive via shuttle bus from March through late November, and dogs are prohibited. However, you can drive along Kolob Terrace Road and Kolob Canyons Road. The only trail in the park that allows dogs is near the Zion Canyon Visitor Center is the picturesque Pa’rus Trail, which is paved and 3.5 miles out and back. The park entrance fee is $35 per vehicle.
Where to eat
The town of Springdale offers a variety of dog-friendly restaurants, including Zion Canyon Brew Pub and Deep Creek Coffee Co.
Where to stay
Stay in an upscale cabin at Zion Mountain Ranch, about 15 miles from the Zion Visitor Center. Enjoy farm-to-table dining, watch the herd of buffalo roaming the range, or enjoy the serenity of the sprawling property from your cabin’s porch.
Stop 5: Bryce Canyon National Park
Bryce Canyon’s red arches and distinct hoodoos are must-sees on a Southwest road trip — Photo courtesy of Sharael Kolberg
Zion to Bryce Canyon National Park, approximate distance: 75 miles
After driving back along state Route 9, take a left at U.S. Route 89 for a short drive north to Bryce Canyon National Park. Along Utah state Route 12, you’ll drive through the impressive Red Canyon Arch.
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You can see the park in a few short hours. Take in the vistas along the 18-mile Southern Scenic Drive. Stop at the dog-friendly Rim Trail for a 1-mile, out-and-back hike, between Sunset Point and Sunrise Point. You’ll enjoy views of the “amphitheater” with remarkable hoodoos (stone columns) covering acres of land. Dogs are allowed on the paved Shared-Use Path between the park entrance and Inspiration Point.
Where to eat
About 10 miles outside of the park, the town of Tropic has two places you can eat with your pooch: Rustler’s Restaurant and Showdowns Restaurant (open seasonally).
Where to stay
You and your fur baby will love glamping at Under Canvas Bryce Canyon, typically open from May to September. It offers luxury canvas tents featuring plush beds and linens, en suite bathrooms, fire pits, on-site dining, and some of the darkest skies in the country for stargazing. The resort is about 15 miles outside of the park.
If you booked round-trip flights out of Las Vegas, it’s about 260 miles from Bryce Canyon to the airport to bring your Southwest road trip full circle.
