7-Day Southwest USA Tour Packages
Ready to explore the American Southwest's iconic desert landscapes? Head to the Grand Canyon, Monument Valley's red buttes, Antelope Canyon's light beams, and Horseshoe Bend. Don’t miss Sedona's red rocks, and Zion or Bryce Canyon's hoodoos. Throw in a trip to Las Vegas too. The Southwest's landscapes look like they're from another planet, and Native American history adds cultural depth throughout.
Insider tips: Recommended 7-day Southwest USA tour itineraries
Compiled by
MelissaSouthwest USA travel expert at TourRadar
7 Days in Western USA, incl. San Francisco and Las Vegas
A 7-day tour through the American Southwest showcases the Grand Canyon, Antelope Canyon, and Bryce Canyon. Local markets and natural wonders come alive with 4.6-rated professional guides.
- Day 1
Los Angeles to Carmel
Leave LA by 7 AM to avoid traffic. Drive up the California coast for about 2 hours to Santa Barbara and visit the Spanish Mission. You'll want to pack layers since the coast can be cool even on sunny days. After lunch, visit the Danish town of Solvang before taking Route 1 to Carmel. A recent visitor shared: "The 17-mile drive along the coast was breathtaking, but bring motion sickness pills if you're prone to carsickness on winding roads."
- Day 2
San Francisco
Take the morning bay cruise from Fisherman's Wharf at 9 AM before the crowds arrive. You'll see Alcatraz up close and sail under the Golden Gate Bridge. The afternoon is perfect for exploring Chinatown's dim sum restaurants and riding the cable cars. The city gets cold after 4 PM, so bring a warm jacket for evening views of the Bay Bridge.
- Day 3
Yosemite National Park
Drive 4 hours from San Francisco through the Central Valley to Yosemite. The western entrance offers the best views of El Capitan. Walk the mile-long paved path from the Visitor Center to Yosemite Falls. For the best photos of Half Dome, visit before noon. The paths near the falls get slippery from mist, so wear good walking shoes.
- Day 4
Death Valley to Las Vegas
Plan for a 4-hour drive through Death Valley. Stop at Barstow's outlet mall around 1 PM for lunch and shopping. You'll be in Vegas by late afternoon, just in time for an evening Strip tour. One visitor recommended: "Start your Strip walk at the Bellagio fountains right after sunset. The 8 PM show matches perfectly with the neon lights coming on."
- Day 5
Grand Canyon South Rim
Start early for the South Rim, driving through Navajo Nation lands. Mather Point and Yavapai Point offer the best photos in late afternoon light. Browse Native American craft markets near Desert View for authentic local art. Bring cash since some vendors don't accept cards.
- Day 6
Antelope Canyon to Bryce Canyon
Book a morning tour of Lower Antelope Canyon when it's less crowded. Be ready for ladder climbing and walking through narrow spaces. Drive 2.5 hours to Bryce Canyon for sunset when the red rock hoodoos show their best colors. Stay in Kanab to easily access both parks.
- Day 7
Zion National Park to Las Vegas
Get to Zion by 8 AM to enjoy the riverside trails before it gets hot. You'll need to use the park shuttle during peak season. The Riverside Walk takes about an hour round trip. A regular visitor noted: "The Emerald Pools trail gets very busy after 10 AM. Do it first thing if you can." It's 2.5 hours back to Las Vegas, perfect timing for evening flights or continuing to LA.
7 Day California National Parks Itinerary, incl. Death Valley and Yosemite
Las Vegas launches this week-long Southwest journey through Death Valley's Zabriskie Point and Furnace Creek into California's giants. The Congress Trail's ancient sequoias, Nevada Fall in Yosemite, and San Francisco's Haight-Ashbury district mark key stops.
- Day 1
Las Vegas to Death Valley National Park
Leave Las Vegas by 8 AM for the 3-hour drive to Death Valley. Get there before the midday heat kicks in. Temperatures often exceed 110°F (43°C). Start at Badwater Basin early. One visitor shared: "The salt flats are mesmerizing but there's zero shade - bring twice as much water as you think you need." Visit Zabriskie Point and Furnace Creek before driving to Bakersfield for the night.
- Days 2-3
Sequoia National Park
It's a 90-minute drive to see the giant sequoias. Start with the Congress Trail to visit General Sherman, the largest tree on Earth. A recent visitor noted: "Walking among these ancient sequoias feels surreal - look up the trunk from the base for the best perspective of their massive size." On day 3 take the 2-mile Buena Vista Peak trail for amazing Sierra views. Keep in mind you're at 6,500 feet elevation, so take breaks if needed.
- Days 4-5
Yosemite National Park
Drive 3.5 hours through the Sierras to Yosemite. Begin at the valley viewpoint before hiking the Mist Trail to Vernal Falls. One hiker advised: "The stone steps get extremely slippery - wear shoes with good grip and expect to get wet from the waterfall spray." Use day 5 to explore more trails on the free shuttle or bike around the valley floor. Stop by Sentinel Bridge at sunset for perfect Half Dome photos.
- Day 6
Yosemite to San Francisco
Start early for the 6-hour drive to San Francisco. Visit Golden Gate Park and stop at Battery Spencer for the best bridge photos. Spend your evening at Fisherman's Wharf but bring extra layers. The fog can make it feel 20 degrees cooler than inland.
- Day 7
San Francisco
Your last morning is open for exploration. Try Tartine Bakery in the Mission District for a local breakfast experience with amazing morning buns. The tour wraps up by mid-morning so you can keep exploring the city.
7 Day Southwest National Parks Grand Canyon Camping Tour
Iconic parks from Zion to Grand Canyon fill this 7-day Southwest tour. Monument Valley offers Navajo cultural insights, while optional Antelope Canyon tours ($90) reveal hidden beauty. Modern van transport ensures comfort.
Las Vegas USA
144 miZion National Park USA
49 miBryce Canyon National Park USA
161 miArches National Park USA
31 miCanyonlands National Park USA
24 miMoab USA
112 miMonument Valley USA
71 miAntelope Canyon USA
5 miPage USA
124 miPainted Desert USA
108 miGrand Canyon National Park USA
183 miLas Vegas USA
Southwest USA 7 Day Tour Packages You'll Love
Gold Experience 7 days
California National Park Discovery
7 Day Southwest National Parks Grand Canyon Camping Tour
7 day Southwest National Parks Grand Canyon Tour
Best of the Canyonlands
Canyon Country Showcase
Southwest Road Trip: Zion, the Grand Canyon & Santa Monica Sunsets
Golden West Adventure - Los Angeles Downtown (ending in Las Vegas)
Enchanting Canyonlands (Classic)
USA - The Golden Experience in 7 days
What people love about 7-day Southwest USA tours
- Gold Experience 7 days
Well organized! You see a lot, but it's also a lot of time waiting/traveling by bus. Breakfast is always included , but not the rest of the meals. The guides are nice and provide a lot of info, mostly during the bus trips , which is nice because then you can explore each spot by your own
- 7 Day Southwest National Parks Grand Canyon Camping Tour
The itinerary was very well crafted and moving. Craig, our guide extraordinaire, made it come to life in the most spectacular way by encouraging us to keep on a manageable time table that allowed us to get the most out of every hike and view! Craig kept us on time, provided outstanding meals not only cooked wonderfully but provided a very pleasing and tasteful presentation. For me this trip was life changing and life affirming!
- 7 day Southwest National Parks Grand Canyon Tour
We really enjoyed our canyon tour. Our guide Aurora was very organized and informative. She always had a backup plan for those of us who were not able to do hikes. Traveling in a smaller group allowed us to go and see sites that we couldn’t have experienced on a bigger bus tour or on our own. We had plenty of time to enjoy the canyon views. We also enjoyed being able to experience activities such as a hummer tour in Arches and helicopter tour in Grand Canyon, adventures that we would never have done on our own.