The Southwest is RV paradise. Wide open roads, stunning red rock landscapes, and campgrounds with million-dollar views. I’ve done this route three times now, and it never gets old.

Here’s the 7-day Southwest loop that hits the best spots without rushing.

The Route Overview

Total Distance: ~1,200 miles Best Time: March-May or September-October (avoid summer heat) Starting Point: Phoenix, Arizona (major RV rental hub)

The Loop:

  1. Phoenix, AZ → Sedona, AZ (120 miles)
  2. Sedona → Flagstaff → Grand Canyon (80 miles)
  3. Grand Canyon → Page, AZ (Horseshoe Bend, Antelope Canyon) (135 miles)
  4. Page → Monument Valley (125 miles)
  5. Monument Valley → Moab, UT (Arches & Canyonlands) (150 miles)
  6. Moab → Santa Fe, NM (380 miles - long day)
  7. Santa Fe → Phoenix (470 miles)

Day 1: Phoenix to Sedona (2-3 hours)

Start your trip with an easy drive north on I-17. The elevation climbs from Phoenix’s desert floor (1,100 ft) to Sedona’s red rocks (4,500 ft).

What to See:

  • Red Rock State Park (hiking, photos)
  • Cathedral Rock (iconic Sedona view)
  • Chapel of the Holy Cross (architectural marvel)
  • Uptown Sedona (shopping, restaurants)

Where to Camp:

  • Rancho Sedona RV Park (in town, full hookups, $70/night)
  • Distant Drums RV Resort (quiet, full hookups, pool, $65/night)
  • Manzanita Campground (Oak Creek Canyon, no hookups, $24/night, first-come)

Insider Tip: Arrive in Sedona by 2 PM and drive Oak Creek Canyon scenic route before check-in. It’s one of the most beautiful drives in Arizona.

Day 2: Sedona to Grand Canyon (2-3 hours)

Drive through Flagstaff (grab lunch, stock up on groceries) and continue north to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon.

What to See:

  • Mather Point (first Grand Canyon viewpoint)
  • Yavapai Geology Museum
  • Desert View Watchtower (east rim, incredible views)
  • Sunset at Hopi Point or Yaki Point

Where to Camp:

  • Trailer Village (inside the park, full hookups, $60/night, book 6 months ahead!)
  • Grand Canyon Camper Village (Tusayan, just outside park, $55/night)
  • Ten-X Campground (USFS, 9 miles south, no hookups, $10/night)

Insider Tip: If Trailer Village is booked (it usually is), stay in Tusayan and take the free park shuttle to avoid parking hassles.

Day 3: Grand Canyon to Page (2.5-3 hours)

Drive east along the South Rim, then north through the Navajo Nation to Page, Arizona.

What to See:

  • Horseshoe Bend (must-see, short walk from parking lot)
  • Antelope Canyon (book tour months ahead, $85-120)
  • Lake Powell (boat rentals, kayaking)
  • Sunset at Horseshoe Bend (incredible light)

Where to Camp:

  • Page Lake Powell Campground (full hookups, pool, $55/night)
  • Wahweap RV & Campground (on Lake Powell, full hookups, $60/night)

Insider Tip: Antelope Canyon tours are expensive and crowded. If you skip it, you’re not missing that much. Horseshoe Bend is free and equally stunning.

Day 4: Page to Monument Valley (2-3 hours)

Drive through the Navajo Nation to Monument Valley, one of the most iconic landscapes in America.

What to See:

  • Monument Valley Tribal Park (17-mile scenic drive)
  • Valley Drive (you can drive it in your tow car, NOT the RV)
  • Forrest Gump Point (mile marker 13, famous photo spot)
  • Sunset over the Mittens

Where to Camp:

  • Goulding’s Campground (RV park, full hookups, incredible views, $60/night)
  • The View Campground (inside the park, basic hookups, phenomenal views, $50/night)

Insider Tip: Do NOT drive the 17-mile Valley Drive in your RV. It’s unpaved, rough, and narrow. Unhitch your car or book a guided tour.

Day 5: Monument Valley to Moab, UT (3-4 hours)

Cross into Utah and head to Moab, the adventure capital of the Southwest.

What to See:

  • Arches National Park (Delicate Arch, Landscape Arch, Devils Garden)
  • Canyonlands National Park (Island in the Sky, Mesa Arch)
  • Downtown Moab (restaurants, breweries, outfitters)

Where to Camp:

  • Moab Valley RV Resort (full hookups, pool, hot tub, $75/night)
  • Portal RV Park (near Arches entrance, full hookups, $65/night)
  • Dead Horse Point State Park (stunning views, $40/night, book ahead)

Insider Tip: Arches gets PACKED by 9 AM. Enter before 7 AM or after 3 PM to avoid the entrance line (can be 1-2 hours in peak season).

Day 6: Moab to Santa Fe, NM (6-7 hours)

This is your long driving day. Break it up with stops in Colorado or northern New Mexico.

Route Options:

  • Scenic Route: Through Durango, CO (longer but beautiful)
  • Fast Route: US-191 to I-40, then north to Santa Fe

Where to Camp:

  • Santa Fe Skies RV Park (full hookups, close to town, $60/night)
  • Ranchos de Santa Fe Campground (full hookups, pool, $55/night)

Insider Tip: If 6-7 hours is too long, split this into two days and stop in Durango or Farmington, NM.

Day 7: Santa Fe to Phoenix (7-8 hours)

Long drive back to Phoenix. Break it up with stops along I-40.

Optional Stops:

  • Petrified Forest National Park (1-hour detour, worth it)
  • Meteor Crater (quick stop, $18 entry)
  • Flagstaff (lunch break)

Insider Tip: Leave Santa Fe early (6-7 AM) to avoid driving the last stretch in the dark.

Total Trip Costs (Estimate for 2 People)

RV Rental: $1,400 (7 days, Class C, 25-foot) Campgrounds: $420 ($60/night average × 7 nights) Gas: $450 (1,200 miles ÷ 8 mpg × $3.50/gallon) Park Entrance Fees: $150 (America the Beautiful Pass covers most) Food/Groceries: $500 (cooking in RV, eating out occasionally) Propane: $25 Misc: $100

Total: ~$3,000 for 7 days

Best Time to Go

Spring (March-May):

  • Mild temperatures (60s-70s)
  • Wildflowers in bloom
  • Some crowds, but manageable
  • Book campgrounds 2-3 months ahead

Fall (September-October):

  • Perfect temperatures
  • Fall colors in higher elevations
  • Fewer crowds than summer
  • Book campgrounds 1-2 months ahead

Summer (June-August):

  • HOT (100°F+ in lower elevations)
  • Crowded
  • Afternoon thunderstorms common
  • Only recommended for higher elevation stops

Winter (November-February):

  • Cold nights (below freezing)
  • Some roads/campgrounds closed
  • Fewer crowds
  • Can be beautiful with snow

What to Pack for the Southwest

Sun Protection:

  • High SPF sunscreen
  • Wide-brim hat
  • Sunglasses
  • Lip balm with SPF

Hiking Gear:

  • Sturdy hiking boots
  • Trekking poles
  • Hydration pack or water bottles (bring 2-3 liters per person)
  • Trail snacks

RV Specific:

  • Lots of water (campgrounds can be far apart)
  • Extra propane (high elevations use more)
  • Warm layers (desert nights get cold)

Insider Tips from 3 Trips

Don’t rush. I tried to do this in 5 days once. It was exhausting. Seven days lets you actually enjoy each stop.

Book Antelope Canyon tours 2-3 months ahead. They sell out fast. Upper Antelope is more expensive but more photogenic.

Bring groceries from Phoenix. Grocery stores in small towns (Page, Moab) are expensive and limited.

Download offline maps. Cell service is spotty throughout the route.

Stay in the parks when possible. Campgrounds inside parks (Trailer Village, The View Campground) are worth the higher price for the convenience and views.

About Sarah: I’ve RV’d through all 50 states and keep coming back to the Southwest. This route is my favorite 7-day RV loop in America. I specialize in helping families and first-timers plan stress-free RV adventures.