Southwest Desert Circuit — 14-Day RV Trip From Phoenix
Typical rate: $4,500-$5,500 all-in for two people, 14 days
The Southwest Desert Circuit is one of America’s most varied 14-day RV trips. Starting from Phoenix, you visit Grand Canyon (both rims), Monument Valley, Antelope Canyon, Sedona, and Joshua Tree — covering 2,000 miles of dramatic landscape across Arizona, Utah, and California.
The trip at a glance
- Length: 14 days
- Launch: Phoenix, AZ
- Distance: ~2,000 miles
- Recommended class: Class C under 30 ft (fits Grand Canyon South Rim Mather Campground, handles Sedona narrow streets, fits Joshua Tree)
- All-in budget: $4,500-$5,500 for two people
- Best months: March-May (mild temperatures), October-November (avoid summer heat at low elevation, avoid winter at North Rim Grand Canyon)
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1: Phoenix pickup → Sedona
- Morning: Pick up RV at Phoenix rental (multiple Cruise America, Outdoorsy, and El Monte options)
- Drive: Phoenix to Sedona — 120 miles, 2h via I-17 North
- Afternoon: Set up at Rancho Sedona RV Park or Manzanita Campground
- Evening: Bell Rock or Cathedral Rock sunset
- Camp: Rancho Sedona RV Park ($55-85/night) or Manzanita Campground ($25/night)
Day 2: Sedona full day
- Morning: Devils Bridge hike (4 miles round-trip)
- Afternoon: Slide Rock State Park or Oak Creek Canyon
- Evening: Airport Mesa sunset, Sedona town dinner
- Camp: Same as Day 1
Day 3: Sedona → Grand Canyon South Rim
- Morning: Final Sedona activity (Tlaquepaque Arts Village)
- Drive: Sedona to Grand Canyon Mather Campground — 110 miles, 2h 30min via US-89 and AZ-64
- Afternoon: Arrive at Grand Canyon South Rim, set up at Mather Campground
- Evening: Mather Point sunset
- Camp: Mather Campground ($18-30/night)
Day 4: Grand Canyon South Rim full day
- Morning: Bright Angel Trail (partial — to 1.5 Mile Resthouse)
- Afternoon: Hermit Road shuttle to Hopi Point, Mohave Point, Pima Point
- Evening: Lipan Point or Desert View sunset
- Camp: Mather
Day 5: Grand Canyon → Antelope Canyon (Page, AZ)
- Drive: Grand Canyon to Page, AZ — 135 miles, 2h 30min via AZ-64 East and US-89 North
- Stops: Desert View Watchtower (on the way out of GC), Cameron Trading Post
- Afternoon: Arrive Page; set up at Page-Lake Powell Campground
- Evening: Horseshoe Bend overlook sunset
- Camp: Page-Lake Powell Campground ($45-65/night)
Day 6: Antelope Canyon tour + Lake Powell
- Morning: Lower or Upper Antelope Canyon guided tour (book in advance; required for both)
- Afternoon: Lake Powell — Wahweap Marina; consider boat tour if budget allows
- Camp: Same as Day 5
Day 7: Page → Monument Valley
- Drive: Page to Monument Valley Tribal Park — 130 miles, 2h 30min via US-89 South and US-160 East
- Afternoon: Set up at The View Campground (Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park)
- Evening: Navajo guided sunset tour through the valley
- Camp: The View Campground ($30-45/night)
Day 8: Monument Valley full day
- Morning: Navajo-guided tour into restricted areas (more access than self-drive)
- Afternoon: Mexican Hat Rock viewpoint
- Evening: John Ford Point sunset
- Camp: Same as Day 7
Day 9: Monument Valley → Grand Canyon North Rim (long driving day)
- Drive: Monument Valley to Grand Canyon North Rim Campground — 270 miles, 5h via UT-163 South, US-89A West (through Lees Ferry crossing)
- Note: Long driving day; consider overnight at Marble Canyon if needed
- Afternoon/Evening: Arrive at North Rim, set up at North Rim Campground
- Camp: North Rim Campground ($30/night)
- Important: North Rim open May 15 - October 15 only
Day 10: Grand Canyon North Rim full day
- Morning: Bright Angel Point (1 mi roundtrip to viewpoint)
- Afternoon: Cape Royal drive (23 miles each way) to Angels Window
- Evening: Grand Lodge dinner; Lodge porch viewing
- Camp: North Rim
Day 11: Grand Canyon North Rim → Joshua Tree
- Drive: North Rim to Joshua Tree — 460 miles, 8h (very long; consider overnight stop)
- Recommended: Stop overnight at Cedar Pocket RV Park (St. George, UT) — splits the drive
- Alternative routes: Through Las Vegas adds 100 miles but offers a comfortable overnight option
- Camp Day 11: St. George RV park OR push to Joshua Tree
Day 12: Joshua Tree National Park
- Morning: Arrive Joshua Tree; set up at Jumbo Rocks or Black Rock Campground (reservation required as of 2024)
- Afternoon: Hidden Valley nature trail; Skull Rock viewpoint
- Evening: Keys View sunset (Coachella Valley overlook)
- Camp: Jumbo Rocks or Black Rock ($25/night)
Day 13: Joshua Tree full day
- Morning: Cholla Cactus Garden (best in morning light)
- Afternoon: Barker Dam Trail; Wonderland of Rocks
- Evening: Stargazing (Joshua Tree is designated International Dark Sky Park)
- Camp: Same as Day 12
Day 14: Joshua Tree → Phoenix return
- Drive: Joshua Tree to Phoenix — 250 miles, 4h via I-10 East
- Late morning: Empty tanks at dump station, refuel
- Afternoon: Return rental at Phoenix
All-in budget breakdown
For two people, 14 days, Class C 26-28 ft:
| Line item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Class C rental: $185/night × 14 nights | $2,590 |
| Booking fees + insurance + cleaning | $700-$900 |
| Fuel (2,000 miles @ 8 mpg @ $3.75/gal) | $940 |
| NPS America the Beautiful annual pass | $80 |
| Campground fees (mix NPS $20-30, private $45-85) | $400-$600 |
| Antelope Canyon tour | $60-100/person × 2 = $120-200 |
| Monument Valley Navajo tour | $80-120/person × 2 = $160-240 |
| Food, propane, activities, dining (2 people) | $1,000-$1,400 |
| Total all-in for 14 days | $5,990-$6,950 |
The Southwest Circuit is meaningfully more expensive than other 7-day trips due to the long mileage, multiple expensive guided tours, and longer rental duration.
Reservation timing
Critical: Grand Canyon South Rim Mather Campground books 6 months ahead and fills within minutes for summer dates. Joshua Tree timed entry plus campground reservations required.
- Mather (GC South Rim): opens 6 months ahead via Recreation.gov
- North Rim Campground: opens 6 months ahead via Recreation.gov; check open/close dates
- The View (Monument Valley): books direct via Navajo Tribal Park
- Antelope Canyon tour: books 4-6 weeks ahead via independent operators
- Joshua Tree Jumbo Rocks / Black Rock: opens 6 months ahead via Recreation.gov
- Joshua Tree timed entry: released 7 days in advance
What can go wrong (and what to do)
- Summer heat at low elevation: Phoenix, Page, Joshua Tree all hit 100°F+. May-September not recommended at these locations.
- North Rim closures: Open May 15 - October 15 only. Plan around the window.
- Lake Powell water level: Drought-affected; some marina access limited. Confirm before booking boat tours.
- Sedona narrow streets: Class A 35+ ft will struggle in town. Park at the campground and walk or shuttle.
- Monument Valley dirt roads: The Valley Drive is unpaved 17-mile loop. Class C can manage but go slowly. Class A 35+ ft skip — book a Navajo guide.
- Cellular service gaps: Significant in Navajo Nation and Page area. Plan offline maps.
Variations
From Las Vegas instead (saves $200-400 on rental fuel)
- Las Vegas to Grand Canyon West Rim is closer than Phoenix
- Reverse the trip direction
- Less direct access to Sedona and Joshua Tree
Shorter 10-day version
- Skip Sedona OR Monument Valley (whichever is lower priority)
- Compress Page area to one day
Off-season alternative (March-April or October-November)
- Lower rental rates
- Comfortable temperatures
- Fewer crowds at major sites
- Risk of cold nights at higher elevations (North Rim, Bryce-area routing)
Class choice math
| RV Class | Southwest Fit |
|---|---|
| Class B under 22 ft | Fits everywhere, cramped for 14 days |
| Class C 26-30 ft | Sweet spot — fits Mather (30 ft cap) and Joshua Tree |
| Class C 30-32 ft | Watch Joshua Tree campground length caps |
| Class A 30-35 ft | Limited at most NPS campgrounds in this circuit |
| Class A 35+ ft | Skip; doesn’t fit Mather, Cottonwood (GC), or Jumbo Rocks |
For most renters, Class C 26-28 ft is ideal.
Bottom line
The 14-day Southwest Desert Circuit is one of America’s most varied RV trips. Budget $6,000-$7,000 for two people including guided tours. Class C 26-28 ft. Book 6 months ahead. Avoid summer heat at low elevations. Plan extensively for long driving days.
See related guides: Arizona state, Grand Canyon NP, Joshua Tree NP, Phoenix city, Class C rental hub.