A Southwest Road Trip Through Utah & Arizona’s Red Rock Country
Some road trips start with a destination in mind. This one started with a plan to catch St. Patrick’s Day in Salt Lake City with one of my best friends, and turned into a full loop through the desert Southwest that I still think about.
Antelope Canyon
After celebrating in Salt Lake City, we left the next morning for a six-hour drive to Page, Arizona, home to Lake Powell, Antelope Canyon, and Horseshoe Bend. Antelope Canyon’s slot canyon walls, carved smooth by centuries of flash flooding, catch light in a way that’s genuinely hard to describe until you’re standing inside it. It’s the kind of place that reminds you why the desert has its own quiet, dramatic beauty.
Horseshoe Bend and other stops in Page, AZ
Page turned out to be one of the best home bases of the whole trip. Beyond Antelope Canyon, we spent time at Horseshoe Bend, where the Colorado River bends sharply around a massive sandstone formation, and explored the red rock landscape surrounding Lake Powell. Every direction offered another reason to stop and take a photo.
Bryce Canyon (and surrounding areas)
From Page, we headed to Bryce Canyon for a day. The hoodoos there, tall, thin spires of red and orange rock, make it one of the most surreal landscapes I’ve ever photographed. A single day wasn’t nearly enough, but it was enough to fall a little more in love with the desert.
Zion National Park
We closed out the trip with two days in Zion National Park before heading back to Salt Lake City. Between the towering canyon walls and the Virgin River cutting through the valley floor, Zion felt like the perfect final stop on a trip built entirely around the Southwest’s most dramatic scenery.
This loop, Salt Lake City to Page to Bryce to Zion and back, is one I’d recommend to any traveler chasing desert light and big landscapes. Here’s a look back at some of my favorite frames from the road.
Red rock country is the reason I put down roots in Joshua Tree a few years later. That property is now open for artist residencies in the high desert.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a Southwest road trip through Utah and Arizona take?
A loop covering Salt Lake City, Page (Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend), Bryce Canyon, and Zion National Park comfortably fits into about a week, depending on how much time you want at each stop.
Do you need a permit to photograph Antelope Canyon?
Yes, Antelope Canyon can only be visited with a licensed Navajo guide, and photography is typically limited to handheld cameras on standard tours.
What’s the best time of year to visit Zion and Bryce Canyon?
Spring and fall offer the most comfortable temperatures and the best light for photography in both parks, while summer can be crowded and quite hot.
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