First act
Grand Canyon basecamp
Two nights at Mather Campground means one real full day below the rim, plus sunset and sunrise time without rushing.
The trip shape.
Start near Phoenix or Flagstaff, move west through the Grand Canyon and Zion, then land in Las Vegas for Red Rock climbing, a show, sleep, and an easy flight home.
Second act
Zion main canyon + West Rim
Watchman Campground gives us the classic in-park Zion night. The West Rim Trail gives Avi and one nephew a real wilderness story.
Final act
Red Rock + Vegas
One day of climbing outside Vegas, then a pool, dinner, a show, and a civilized flight home.
Day by day.
Built to be adventurous without being reckless. One big thing per day. Enough space to enjoy it.
Jun11
Arrival, RV pickup, groceries, gear.
Driving: Albuquerque → Phoenix is about 6–6.5 hours. Phoenix → Flagstaff is about 2–2.5 hours.
Avi comes from Albuquerque. Brother flies into Phoenix, likely from Baltimore or New York. We get the RV, buy food, sort gear, and decide whether to sleep in Phoenix or push to Flagstaff.
- Flagstaff is the best sleep if arrival timing works.
- Pack hiking water, snacks, headlamps, layers, and backpacking gear separately.
- Do not make this a late-night chaos sprint. Tomorrow is the real start.
The setup day. Get organized once, then let the trip unfold.
Jun12
Grand Canyon arrival & first sunset.
Driving: Phoenix → Grand Canyon South Rim is about 3.5–4 hours. Flagstaff → South Rim is about 1.5 hours.
Arrive, park the RV at Mather, and keep the day simple. The first big moment is walking to the rim and seeing the canyon open up at golden hour.
- Check in at Mather Campground after noon.
- Walk to Mather Point, or take the Village shuttle to Yavapai Point and the Rim Trail.
- No big hike today. Just arrive and let the place hit.
Grand Canyon South Rim. First sunset, no rushing.
Jun13
Grand Canyon big hike day.
Driving: local park shuttles only. Leave the RV parked.
This is the day to go below the rim. The target is South Kaibab to Cedar Ridge: big canyon views, a real hike, and still a sane plan for June.
- Easier version: Ooh Aah Point.
- Best version: Cedar Ridge.
- Do not plan rim-to-river-to-rim. June heat makes that a bad trade.
- Afternoon is for shade, food, recovery, and a second sunset.
South Kaibab gives you the canyon fast. Start early, be back before the brutal heat.
Jun14
Grand Canyon to Zion.
Driving: Grand Canyon South Rim → Springdale/Zion area is about 4.5–5.5 hours.
Leave the Grand Canyon in the morning and drive to the Zion area. This night makes the rest of Zion work, because we wake up near the park instead of burning the whole morning driving.
- Best base: Springdale, right by Zion’s entrance.
- Backups: Hurricane or La Verkin.
- Prep day packs and the West Rim overnight kit.
A travel day with a purpose: get close to Zion and set up the next act.
Jun15
Zion main canyon day.
Driving: Springdale → Watchman is 5 minutes. Hurricane/La Verkin → Zion entrance is about 25–40 minutes.
This is the classic Zion day. Try for Angels Landing if the permit lands. If not, hike to Scout Lookout, which still gives the big climb and the big view.
- Angels Landing chains require a permit.
- Scout Lookout does not require a permit.
- Add Riverside Walk or Watchman Trail depending on energy.
- Sleep inside Zion at Watchman Campground.
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The famous Zion canyon day: cliffs, switchbacks, and the view from above.
Jun16
West Rim overnight.
Shuttle: Springdale → Lava Point is about 1–1.5 hours via Kolob Terrace Road. Book a private backcountry shuttle in advance.
This is the wilderness night. Avi and one nephew take a shuttle to Lava Point, hike the West Rim top-down, and camp at West Rim 6. Brother and the other nephew keep the RV stable near Springdale, Hurricane, or La Verkin.
- Permit is reserved: Entry Lava Point, exit The Grotto.
- Pick up permit at the Zion Canyon Visitor Center Wilderness Desk.
- Do not stack a huge Angels Landing day on top of this.
- This is probably the best story of the trip.
West Rim: quieter, higher, wilder Zion.
Jun17
Hike out, regroup, Vegas.
Driving: Zion/Springdale → Las Vegas Strip is about 2.5–3 hours.
Avi and nephew hike down to The Grotto, take the Zion shuttle back, regroup with the RV crew, and drive to Vegas.
- Shower, real dinner, and an actual bed.
- Keep this night easy. Recovery is the activity.
- No show tonight unless everyone is somehow still full of energy.
Civilization returns: shower, dinner, sleep.
Jun18
Red Rock climbing + Vegas show night.
Driving: Las Vegas Strip ↔ Red Rock Canyon is about 25–35 minutes each way.
Start early and climb at Red Rock while it is still reasonable outside. Then pool, nap, dinner, and a Vegas show at night.
- Strongly consider a guide for a safe, easy family climbing day.
- Half-day climbing is the right dose after the parks.
- Book the show for this night, not the arrival night.
Red Rock: world-class climbing, 30 minutes from the hotel.
Jun19
Sleep in and fly out.
Driving: Las Vegas hotel → LAS airport is about 10–20 minutes.
No heroic morning. Breakfast, pack, airport. The trip ends like a vacation, not a fire drill.
- Return RV if not already returned.
- Fly out of Las Vegas.
- Sleep on the plane. Earned.
Clean ending. No scramble. No 5 AM nonsense unless flights demand it.
What’s booked. What’s next.
The big anchors are already in place. The remaining work is lodging, transportation, shuttle, climbing, and show reservations.
Already booked
- Grand Canyon: Mather Campground, Fir Loop 092, June 12–14.
- Zion: Watchman Campground, Loop B042, June 15–16.
- Zion Backcountry: West Rim 6, June 16–17, 2 people, Lava Point to The Grotto.
Still need to book
- June 11 lodging in Phoenix or Flagstaff.
- RV rental, ideally Phoenix pickup and Vegas drop-off.
- June 14 lodging near Zion.
- June 16 lodging for brother + other nephew.
- June 16 West Rim shuttle to Lava Point.
- Vegas hotel, June 17–19.
- Red Rock climbing guide for June 18.
- Vegas show for June 18.
- Angels Landing lottery for June 15.
Useful links.
Official park pages and activity references for the major pieces of the trip.