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Dream Southwest Roadtrip

  • Writer: Mackenzie Mason
    Mackenzie Mason
  • Sep 13, 2024
  • 6 min read

Updated: Nov 8, 2024

Traveling across the Southwest to explore its stunning natural wonders has always been a dream of mine. I recently turned that dream into reality with a 9-day road trip that took me through four states and eight National Parks. We began in Phoenix, then headed to Sedona, then to the Grand Canyon, followed by Antelope Canyon. From there, we traveled north to Utah to visit the Mighty Five—Zion, Bryce, Capitol Reef, Arches, and Canyonlands National Parks.


Next, we ventured southeast to Colorado to explore Mesa Verde National Park, stopping briefly at Four Corners to stand in Arizona, Utah, Colorado, and New Mexico at the same time. Continuing southwest, we caught a breathtaking sunset at Monument Valley and spent the night at the iconic View Hotel. We wrapped up our adventure back in Arizona with visits to Petrified Forest National Park and the Meteor Crater Landmark. This trip was filled with incredible adventures, and I’d love to share these through the itinerary I created along with some tips and tricks we picked up along the way.


Itinerary:


Wednesday 8/28:

  • Fly to Phoenix, arrive @ 8:00 AM

  • Pick up a rental car from the airport (must take the airport train to get to the rental car area. I recommend getting a 4x4 or SUV vehicle for this trip.)


Fossil Creek

  • Drive directly to Fossil Creek (Waterfall Trail), which is only open from April 1st to October 1st. You cannot reach Fossil Creek through Strawberry, AZ so be sure you are going through Camp Verde, AZ.

  • Once you get to the initial ranger gate the dirt road begins and it takes about an hour to get to the parking lots. The road is rough and would be difficult without an SUV. You must also reserve a Parking Permit for one of the eight parking lots, see the map below. The closer the parking lot is to the trailhead, the less time it will take to get to the waterfall.

  • I recommend walking up the road to get to the trailhead, as we took a detour trail near our parking lot that was a dead end. I would recommend going earlier in the day to get the full experience here since it does take an entire hour just on the dirt road plus around 45 minutes to hike up one way (depending on your lot)


Montezuma's Castle

  • This stop is close by to Fossil Creek and is a pretty cool stop on the way to Sedona.


Sedona


















  • Subway Cave (Follow the Boynton Canyon trail for a mile or so, you will come across a huge "CAVE" sign with an arrow that will lead you to the cave. The cave can be very difficult to climb up into, several people could not make it up.)



Others Recommend:


Friday 8/30: Today’s Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/8m86mpdZPSH1mU7Q7

Saturday 8/31: 

Sunday 9/1:

  • Sunrise: Factory Butte (leave latest around 11)

  • Moonscape Overlook Sunrise

  • Factory Butte | Hanksville Utah's Most Impressive Rock Formation (lorjorexplore.com) 

  • Arches (2 hrs)

    • TIMED ENTRY: 1:00-2:00 (one way in, one way out)

    • Arches scenic drive (.5 mins)

    • Ute Indian Petroglyphs

    • Delicate Arch (3-mile round-trip hike that usually takes 2-3 hours. )

    • Landscape ArchDouble arch

    • Balanced Rock

    • Turret Arch

  • Drive to Canyonlands: (1 hrs)

    • Green River Overlook

    • Mesa Arch

    • Island In The Sky

    • Dead Horse Point

    • White Rim Overlook Trailhead

    • Grand View Point Overlook

    • Corona Arch

  • Drive to Monticello


  • Mesa Verde National Park

    • Cliff Palace

    • Petroglyph Point Trail

  • Monument Valley (2 ½ hrs)

    • Monument Valley

    • Artists Lookout

    • Forrest Gump Point

  • Stay @ The VIEW Hotel 

    • 2 Queen Beds With Premium View

    • Check-In Time:  4:00 PM       

    • Check-Out Time:  11:00 AM


Thursday 9/5:

Friday 9/6:

  • Fly back


  • Research and Plan Ahead: Before you depart on your journey, take the time to research the destination's iconic landmarks, popular photography spots, and local hidden gems. Planning ahead will help you make the most of your time and ensure you don't miss out on any must-see photography opportunities.

  • Time of Day Matters: To capture the best lighting for your photos, consider shooting during the golden hours, which occur during sunrise and sunset. The soft, warm light during these times can transform your images and add a magical touch to your travel photography.

  • Get Off the Beaten Path: While famous landmarks are undeniably beautiful, don't be afraid to explore off the beaten path and discover unique angles and perspectives that others may overlook. Exploring local neighborhoods, street markets, and nature trails can lead to unexpected photo opportunities.

  • Pack Light and Smart: Traveling with heavy camera gear can be cumbersome and limit your mobility. Consider investing in a lightweight camera or a high-quality smartphone with excellent camera capabilities for more flexibility. Don't forget to bring extra batteries, memory cards, and a portable tripod for stable shots.

  • Capture Authentic Moments: Instead of only focusing on posed shots, try capturing candid moments of locals going about their daily lives, street performances, or vibrant street art. These authentic moments can add depth and storytelling to your travel photography.

  • Experiment with Composition: Play around with different composition techniques such as leading lines, rule of thirds, framing, and symmetry to enhance the visual interest of your photos. Don't be afraid to experiment and step out of your comfort zone to create unique and eye-catching shots.

  • Edit Mindfully: While editing software can help enhance your photos, it's essential to edit mindfully and maintain the authenticity of your images. Strive to achieve a balance between enhancing the colors and details without going overboard and losing the natural beauty of the scene. By incorporating these top travel tips into your photography workflow, you can elevate your travel photos and create stunning visual stories of your adventures. Remember, the most important thing is to enjoy the journey and savor the moments while capturing them through your lens. Happy travels and happy shooting!

 
 
 

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