The Grand Circle is a drive course where you can be overwhelmed by nature and enjoy the spectacular scenery.

Illustration: Tin tree

[What is the Grand Circle?] A treasure trove of stunning natural scenery in the American West

The Grand Circle, located in the western United States, is the area contained within a 230km radius circle centered on Lake Powell. It spans four states: Utah, Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico.

It is characterized by magnificent natural scenery untouched by human hands, and includes numerous national and state parks, making it a popular tourist destination with numerous scenic spots.

[Climate and best season] Be aware of temperature differences between day and night throughout the year

The Grand Circle area has a desert climate, so you don't have to worry about rain. Although the climate is dry and low humidity, the temperature in Las Vegas can exceed 40 degrees during the day in the hot months of July and August. On the other hand, the maximum temperature in the Grand Canyon and Zion National Park is around 30 degrees, so the temperature varies greatly depending on the location and altitude.

The maximum and minimum temperatures can differ by as much as 15 degrees in a day, and the temperature difference between day and night is also drastic. Even in summer, it gets cold in the evening and at night, so it's a good idea to bring a jacket.

The most popular season for tourists is from June to November. If you want to avoid the crowds, we recommend November, when the tourist season calms down and you can see the yellow leaves at higher altitudes.

If you are visiting, be aware that some states observe Daylight Saving Time, which runs from 2am on the second Sunday in March to 2am on the first Sunday in November, so times may vary depending on the time of year you visit.

[Model itinerary for touring by rental car] 5 nights and 6 days trip from Las Vegas

To tour the Grand Circle, start in Las Vegas, Salt Lake City or Phoenix.

Each spot is far from the city and there are few public transportation options, so the most common way to get around is by renting a car. Many rental cars allow you to drop off the car at the airport, so we recommend stopping off on the way back and staying in a motel along the way, giving you a taste of American culture.

Here we will introduce a route that starts from Las Vegas and takes you around 10 recommended spots over a 6-day period. Click on the spot name to go to the detailed information of the spot.

First day

Las Vegas → Sedona → Grand Canyon National Park
*Stay overnight in the park or in Tusayan
On the first day, head to Sedona, then travel to Grand Canyon National Park to watch the sunset, staying overnight in a hotel within the park or in Tusayan, close to the park.

Second day

Grand Canyon National Park to Monument Valley
On the second day, we will watch the sunrise at Grand Canyon National Park and then head to Monument Valley. We will take our time sightseeing and then look for accommodation in Monument Valley.

Third day

Monument Valley → Mesa Verde National Park →Moab
After enjoying Monument Valley in the morning, we head east on the third day to see the ruins at Mesa Verde National Park and then travel to Moab for the night.

Day 4

Canyonlands National Park → Arches National Park → Paige
*Depending on the time, travel to Paige may be delayed until the next morning.
On the fourth day, get up a little early and watch the sunrise over Mesa Arch in Canyonlands National Park. After that, go to nearby Arches National Park. If you have time, go to Lake Powell on the same day and stay there. If it's difficult, you can return to Moab and stay another night.

Day 5

Paige → Lake Powell → Horseshoe Bend → Antelope Canyon → Paige
Enjoy a morning of activities at Lake Powell, then visit Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon before returning to Page for an overnight stay.

Day 6

Paige → Zion National Park →Las Vegas
On your final day, enjoy a leisurely stroll through the natural beauty of Zion National Park before heading back to Las Vegas.

From here, we will explain in detail the highlights of each spot.

1. Sedona: Famous for its vortexes, this is one of the most powerful spots in the United States

Sedona is an area lined with red rocks known as "Red Rocks." There are various ways to enjoy the scenery, such as trekking, jeep tours, and balloon tours to see the scenery from the sky.

It is also a place called a "vortex" where the energy of the earth is said to swirl, and in recent years it has been attracting attention as a power spot. Among them, "Cathedral Rock", "Bell Rock", "Airport Mesa", and "Boynton Canyon" are popular spots known as the "Four Major Vortexes" that have particularly strong energy.

2. Grand Canyon National Park: The world's largest canyon carved into the depths of time

Grand Canyon National Park is one of the world's largest canyons, created by the uplift of the earth and the erosion of the Colorado River. It was registered as a World Heritage Site in 1979. It is said to have originated about 70 million years ago, and its shape continues to change due to erosion.

Its area is 4,927 square kilometers, twice the size of Tokyo. The average depth of the valley is said to be 1,200 meters, and the northern part of the valley is called the North Rim, and the southern part is called the South Rim.

The South Rim has a lot to offer. Mather Point and Yavapai Point, which offer a wide view of the canyon, are easily accessible from the village in the center of the area and are known as viewing spots for the sunrise and sunset. The way the sun shines on the huge rocks and they are dyed in the sunset is truly majestic.

The Grand Canyon is also home to many flora and fauna, which you can enjoy looking for during your trek.

3. Monument Valley: A scenic spot famous as a filming location for movies

Monument Valley, with its numerous towering buttes and mesas set against the red earth, is a sight reminiscent of something out of a Western movie.

We recommend visiting here at sunrise, as the sun rises from behind the rocky mountains and the land gradually becomes brighter, creating a spectacular sight that makes you feel as if the earth is awakening.

Famous sights include "John Ford Point," a rock formation that resembles three nuns, and "Totem Poles," a group of slender rocks over 100 meters long. Both have been used as filming locations for numerous movies.

In addition, the national highway that runs straight toward the three huge rock mountains that represent Monument Valley, West Mitten Butte, East Mitten Butte, and Merrick Butte, is a hidden gem known as "Forrest Gump Point" because it appeared in a famous scene in the movie "Forrest Gump."

4. Mesa Verde National Park: A cliffside village where Native Americans lived

Mesa Verde National Park is home to the ruins of an ancient Native American settlement, and was designated a World Heritage Site in 1978.

The highlight of the park is the "Cliff Dwellings," indigenous people's homes built in the recesses of cliffs. There are tours that allow you to go inside the "Cliff Palace," the largest in the park, and the "Longhouse," which has 150 rooms.

In addition to the residences, there are also cylindrical meeting halls called "kivas" and the 8m-tall "Square Tower House" towers that remain, allowing you to get a sense of the indigenous culture and stone processing techniques.

5. [Canyonlands National Park] A mystical and breathtaking view of the valley that you'll want to visit at sunrise

Canyonlands National Park is the largest national park in Utah, and the entire park is a canyon carved by the Colorado River and the Green River.

The biggest attraction is the "Island in the Sky" observation deck, which overlooks the northern plains from the Grand View Point. The magnificent view of nature stretching to the horizon is breathtakingly beautiful.

Also, Mesa Arch, located near the center of Island in the Sky, is a hidden spot that's best visited early in the morning. The arch, bathed in orange light by the sunrise, and the valley that spreads out beyond the hole create a mystical, otherworldly view.

6. Arches National Park: A mysterious sight of 2,000 "natural arches" lined up

Arches National Park is a popular spot on par with the Grand Canyon, with approximately 2,000 natural arches, rock formations that have been naturally hollowed out by weathering.

There are many scenic spots where you can witness the wonder and beauty of nature, such as the gigantic 88.4m-wide "Landscape Arch," "Delicate Arch," said to be the most beautiful natural arch in the world, and the 39m-tall "Balance Rock," which appears to be topped by a huge 17m-tall rock.

7. Lake Powell: A huge lake where you can enjoy water skiing and other activities

Lake Powell, a large lake that stretches almost to the center of the Grand Circle, is the second largest man-made lake in the United States, created by the Glen Canyon Dam, which was completed in 1966.

It features a fantastical landscape with pale pink rocky mountains floating on the blue lake surface. It is also known as a resort area, where you can enjoy activities such as water skiing and camping.

8. Horseshoe Bend: A strangely shaped gorge that resembles a horseshoe

Horseshoe Bend is a canyon near Antelope Canyon. The Colorado River flows around a large rock, and the shape of the rock and the river resembles a horseshoe, which is why it is called "Horseshoe Bend."

The best time to visit is around noon, when the entire area is bathed in sunlight, allowing you to see its strange shapes without any shadows.

9. [Antelope Canyon] Don't miss "The Beam," where the light shining through creates a fantastic sight

Antelope Canyon is one of the most popular spots in the Grand Circle. Over the years, flash floods and wind have carved deep sandstone into a canyon with smoothly curved walls. There are two sightseeing spots: the Upper Canyon and the Lower Canyon.

In the Upper Canyon, sunlight shines from directly above, creating a fantastic sight called "The Beam." When you hear "Antelope Canyon," many people probably think of "The Beam."

The Beam can only be viewed for a short time during the summer, from 11:00 to 13:00, so if you absolutely want to see it, make sure you do your research beforehand. You need to join a tour to enter.

The Lower Canyon is a cave-like place surrounded by rock walls. You can feel like an explorer as you move through the narrow gaps in the rocks and enjoy the scenery. The footing is rough, so it's a good idea to wear comfortable shoes. You can enter this place on your own without joining a tour.

10. Zion National Park: A paradise of towering rocks and lush greenery

Zion National Park is one of the top five most popular national parks in the U.S. in terms of the number of visitors per year. Its biggest feature is the abundance of greenery between the giant rock mountains, where many wild animals live.

Another attraction is the opportunity to experience the diverse beauty of nature, including the 732m-tall monolith "White Throne" and "Angel's Landing," where you can climb the cliff ridge.

One of the reasons for its popularity is that it is relatively close to Las Vegas and easy to get to, and there are also day trip bus tours available from Las Vegas. There are plenty of trails to choose from, so why not try walking in the great outdoors on your own two feet?

The Grand Circle, which spreads over a vast area, is a place packed with the beauty of nature's creations and miraculous views. Every day of the trip will be a shock, and it will be an experience that will stay in your memory for a lifetime.

Originally posted: June 7, 2018