Trade city skylines for star-bright desert skies on a classic American Southwest road trip. This 10-day RV itinerary begins in Los Angeles and rolls east through Joshua Tree’s otherworldly boulders, Sedona’s crimson spires, the Grand Canyon’s mile-deep chasm, and the sculpted slots of Antelope Canyon. It’s part national park pilgrimage, part Route 66 nostalgia run, all wrapped in big-sky nights around the campfire.

For centuries the Colorado Plateau has been shaped by wind, water, and time—carving sandstone waves, petrified dunes, and canyon cathedrals. You’ll stand at Hopi Point for a sunset that seems to set the whole canyon rim aflame, squeeze down steel stairs into Lower Antelope Canyon’s ribboned chambers, and watch the Milky Way pour across Joshua Tree’s certified International Dark Sky.

Practical notes: summer heat is real (hydrate, start hikes early), monsoon storms can trigger flash floods in slot canyons (tours adjust accordingly), and popular campgrounds book out 3–4 months in advance. Navajo Nation permits are included in Antelope Canyon tour tickets. Allow extra time for refueling, water fills, and dump-station stops along the way.

Los Angeles

Start where the Pacific meets pop culture. In LA you can pick up your RV, stock your pantry, and savor one great seaside meal before pointing your rig toward the desert. If time allows, add a beach stroll or a golden-hour hop up to Griffith Observatory.

• Top bites: Gjusta (Venice) for smoked fish platters and pastries; Menotti’s Coffee Stop for a cortado steps from the sand; Guelaguetza for Oaxacan mole negro; Howlin’ Ray’s for Nashville hot chicken that locals line up for.
• Where to stay if not in the RV: Browse stays on VRBO Los Angeles or compare hotels on Hotels.com Los Angeles.
• Getting in: Fly into LAX and compare fares on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. Pick up your RV, then hit a large supermarket for supplies and water.

Grand Canyon Village (South Rim)

America’s most famous canyon is even bigger than you imagine. The South Rim is home to historic lodges, shuttle-access viewpoints, rim-to-river trails, and some of the best sunsets on the continent.

• Don’t miss: Sunrise from Yaki Point; the South Kaibab Trail to Ooh Aah or Cedar Ridge; a sunset hop along Hermit Road (Hopi Point is a stunner); Desert View Watchtower for wide-angle vistas.
• Eat & drink: El Tovar Dining Room (book ahead) for classic lodge fare; Yavapai Tavern for burgers and craft beer; Maswik Food Court for grab-and-go; Market Plaza for picnic supplies.
• Stay near the rim: RV hookups at Trailer Village (year-round); tent/RV no-hookups at Mather Campground (seasonal). If you prefer four walls, search VRBO Grand Canyon Village or Hotels.com Grand Canyon Village.

Page (Lake Powell & Antelope Canyon)

Page sits atop sandstone cliffs above Lake Powell and Glen Canyon. It’s your launchpad for guided Antelope Canyon tours, sunrise paddles, and the famous curve of Horseshoe Bend.

• Antelope Canyon 101: You must join a Navajo-guided tour (Upper: flat, famous light beams in late spring/summer; Lower: narrower with stairs, more adventurous). Expect ~$80–$120 per adult including permit.
• Horseshoe Bend: A 1.5-mile round-trip walk to the overlook; arrive 45–60 minutes before sunset. Paid parking on-site.
• Eat & sip: BirdHouse for crispy fried chicken; Big John’s Texas BBQ with picnic tables and live music in season; Blue Buddha Sushi; LP Espresso for coffee.
• Stay: Wahweap RV & Campground (hookups, lake views) or Page Lake Powell Campground in town. For non-RV rooms, browse VRBO Page and Hotels.com Page.

Day 1: Arrive in LA, pick up the RV, beachy golden hour

Morning: Fly into LAX; compare fares and times on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. Arrange RV pickup and do a thorough walk-through (propane, water, generator).

Afternoon: Coffee at Menotti’s (Venice) and a late lunch at Gjusta—order the smoked fish plate or a porchetta panini. Stock up at a large grocery (water, ice, snacks, charcoal) for the desert.

Evening: Camp at Dockweiler RV Park (full hookups, beachfront) or Malibu Beach RV Park (ocean views). Dinner at Guelaguetza (mole sampler) or Howlin’ Ray’s (medium heat is still serious). Catch sunset on the sand.

Day 2: LA to Joshua Tree (150 miles, ~3 hours) — palms, dinosaurs, and desert stars

Morning: Roll east via I-10. Stretch at Cabazon Dinosaurs for a kitschy photo, then grab a date shake at Hadley Fruit Orchards. Coffee stop in Palm Springs at Cartel Coffee Lab; brunch at Cheeky’s (bacon flight, seasonal scrambles).

Afternoon: Enter Joshua Tree via the West Entrance. Short walks: Hidden Valley (1 mile), Barker Dam (1.1 miles), and Skull Rock pull-offs. Check into Joshua Tree Lake RV & Campground (hookups, dark skies) or Indian Cove Campground (no hookups amid monzogranite boulders).

Evening: Dinner at Crossroads Café (hearty burgers, veggie-friendly) or Natural Sisters Café (wraps, smoothies). Bring a red-light headlamp for stargazing; JTNP is a designated International Dark Sky Park.

Day 3: Joshua Tree hiking and a Pioneertown honky-tonk night

Morning: Espresso at Joshua Tree Coffee Company; breakfast burritos at The Dez. Hike the Ryan Mountain Trail (3 miles round trip, big views) or scramble around Hall of Horrors for beginner-friendly bouldering.

Afternoon: Drive to Keys View for a sweeping look at the Coachella Valley and San Andreas Fault. Late lunch in Yucca Valley at La Copine (New American plates; check hours) or Frontier Café (salads, sandwiches).

Evening: Head to Pioneertown for dinner and live music at Pappy & Harriet’s—mesquite-grilled steaks, veggie enchiladas, and a backyard stage that’s hosted everyone from local bands to Paul McCartney. Overnight at your JT campsite.

Day 4: Joshua Tree to Sedona (360 miles, ~6.5–7.5 hours) — pie stops and red rocks

Morning: Depart early. Coffee refill in the Phoenix area if needed. Detour to Rock Springs Café off I-17 for famous pies (jackrabbit chocolate, pecan) and hearty breakfasts.

Afternoon: Optional quick visit to Montezuma Castle National Monument (ancient cliff dwellings, short walk). Arrive in Sedona; set up at Rancho Sedona RV Park (shaded, walkable to galleries) or Dead Horse Ranch State Park in nearby Cottonwood (roomy sites, great sunsets).

Evening: Dinner at Elote Café (border-Mexican with standout corn elote and smoked brisket enchiladas—reserve ahead). Alternative: The Hudson (American with a view) or Tamaliza (homey Oaxacan-style tamales). Sedona is a Dark Sky Community—look up.

Not RVing tonight? Compare stays on VRBO Sedona or Hotels.com Sedona.

Day 5: Sedona trails and vortex views

Morning: Coffee at Firecreek Coffee Company; breakfast at The Coffee Pot (101 omelets). Hike Cathedral Rock (short, steep scrambles; iconic saddle view) or Bell Rock + Courthouse Loop for gentler mileage.

Afternoon: Picnic lunch at Indian Gardens Café & Market in Oak Creek Canyon—grab a turkey pesto sandwich and sit under the cottonwoods. Consider Devil’s Bridge (start early or use the Sedona Shuttle when in season to avoid parking headaches).

Evening: Sunset at Airport Mesa overlook. Dinner at Mariposa—wood-fired steaks and Latin-inspired sides with a wall of windows facing the buttes. Back to camp for a nightcap under constellations.

Day 6: Sedona to Grand Canyon South Rim (110 miles, ~2–2.5 hours) — rim walks and a fiery sunset

Morning: Depart after breakfast. Stop in Flagstaff for a pastry at Tourist Home Café if you need provisions. Enter the park via the South Entrance and set up at Trailer Village (full hookups, ~$75–$95) or Mather Campground (no hookups, ~$18; reserve in season).

Afternoon: Start at Mather Point, then walk the Rim Trail to Yavapai Geology Museum to get your bearings on 2 billion years of rock. Casual lunch at Maswik Food Court or picnic supplies from Market Plaza.

Evening: Take the free Hermit Road shuttle to Hopi Point for a grandstand sunset, then dinner at Yavapai Tavern or a late reservation at El Tovar Dining Room (historic lodge ambiance).

Day 7: Grand Canyon day—sunrise, a below-the-rim hike, and Desert View

Morning: Sunrise at Yaki Point (access by shuttle or a longer walk). Hike part of the South Kaibab Trail to Ooh Aah Point (1.8 miles round trip) or to Cedar Ridge (3 miles round trip). Bring plenty of water and salty snacks.

Afternoon: Drive the Desert View corridor to the Watchtower for a different perspective of the river bends. Lunch from your cooler or at Desert View Market.

Evening: Ranger talk at the amphitheater if offered, or stargazing from Mather Point. Simple dinner near camp—Maswik Pizza Pub or your own grill.

Day 8: Grand Canyon to Page (130 miles, ~2.5 hours) — Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend

Morning: Depart via the East Entrance. Stretch at the Little Colorado River Gorge overlook, then stop for Navajo tacos and frybread at Cameron Trading Post.

Afternoon: Check in at Wahweap RV & Campground (lake views) or Page Lake Powell Campground (in-town convenience). Join your pre-booked Antelope Canyon tour—Upper (flat, photogenic beams in late spring/summer) or Lower (narrower, steel stairs). Expect ~$80–$120 per adult with Navajo permit included.

Evening: Sunset at Horseshoe Bend (1.5-mile round trip; paid parking). Dinner at BirdHouse (fried chicken and slaw) or Blue Buddha Sushi. Night sky is excellent from Wahweap Overlook.

Day 9: Lake Powell day—paddles, viewpoints, and BBQ

Morning: Coffee at LP Espresso. Rent kayaks from Antelope Point Marina to paddle the flooded arm of Antelope Canyon (early starts are calmest); or book a boat tour on Lake Powell for sculpted shoreline views.

Afternoon: Lunch at Bonkers (housemade pastas, salads) or Canyon Crepes for something light. Drive to Wahweap Overlook and the Glen Canyon Dam viewpoint for photos.

Evening: Big John’s Texas BBQ for ribs, brisket, and live music in season—classic picnic-table vibe. Cap with a star walk from your campsite.

Day 10: Page to Los Angeles (550 miles, ~8–9 hours) — Route 66 flavors and home stretch

Morning: Early wheels-up. Optional Route 66 detours: Seligman’s Delgadillo’s Snow Cap for retro shakes; Mr. D’z Route 66 Diner in Kingman for a burger and neon nostalgia.

Afternoon: Continue via I-40/I-15 toward LA. Return your RV, refuel, and do a final walkthrough. If flying out, compare last-minute options on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com.

Evening: If you’ve got time, celebrate with a last LA bite—In-N-Out near the airport for a classic double-double, or Philippe the Original for a French dip—before your departure.

Practical RV notes and alternates

• Fuel & water: Top off in Barstow, Kingman, Flagstaff, and Page; carry extra drinking water in summer.
• Reservations: Book Trailer Village/Mather (Grand Canyon), Wahweap (Page), and Rancho Sedona 3–4 months ahead in peak seasons.
• Weather: June–Aug is hot; hike at dawn. July–Sept monsoon can bring lightning and flash floods; slot-canyon tours adjust for safety.
• If not RVing: Fly into LAX, or to Phoenix/Flagstaff for a shorter loop. Compare on Trip.com and Kiwi.com. For hotel nights along the way, check Hotels.com Joshua Tree, Hotels.com Sedona, and Hotels.com Page.
• Vacation rentals: For bigger crews or a hotel break, see VRBO Joshua Tree, VRBO Sedona, and VRBO Page.

From Venice surf to sandstone cathedrals, this route delivers a greatest-hits reel of the Southwest: Joshua Tree’s boulders, Sedona’s red rock trails, the Grand Canyon’s rim-to-river drama, and Antelope Canyon’s sculpted light. Keep your camera charged and your cooler full—the miles are memorable, and the nights under the stars are even better.