The Southwestern region of the United States is stunningly beautiful—certainly on-par with some of the iconic sites you’ll find in other countries.
It makes for an exciting travel destination full of amazing natural sites.
If you’re planning a road trip through the American Southwest, here are our picks for the top 6 must-see spots:
Grand Canyon on a sunny day, Arizona
1. Grand Canyon National Park: Located in Arizona, this one is a no-brainer. The Grand Canyon is one of the most visited places in the world. This jaw-dropping natural feature has depths of up to a mile in some spots, and it’s about 18 miles wide. Even if you’re not staying in the area for long it’s definitely something you’ll want to see. The South Rim tends to be the busiest area surrounding the Grand Canyon, while the North Rim feels more remote. It’s a great area for a road trip, particularly since there are about 26 miles of road between Grand Canyon Village and the east entrance of the National Park.
teardrop arch located in monument valley navajo tribal park utah.
2. Monument Valley: Monument Valley has been seen in an array of American pop culture references. A 17-mile dirt road leads to the area, and there are plenty of turnoffs that let you enjoy unique perspectives and views of the sandstone mesas. Visiting the area at sunset can be particularly awe-inspiring.
Sedona the City at the magic mountains red rock
3. Sedona: Consider making the drive between Flagstaff and Sedona, because it’s often regarded as one of the most scenic in the world. You’ll take route 89A most likely, which runs through a very deep canyon.
source: wikipedia.com
4. Carlsbad Canyons National Park: This national park is located in New Mexico, and it’s known for its incredible cave formations that allow you to get up close and personal with the natural topography of the area. You can opt for either self-guided or guided tours of these caverns, and the site frequently hosts astronomy and night sky-related events for visitors, perfect if you’re interested in some star gazing while you’re there.
Excellent road, crossing Death Valley in the USA. The desert and mountains
5. Death Valley National Park: Its name may sound intimidating, but it’s actually quite the scenic venue, stretching over both Nevada and California. Death Valley gets its name because it’s one of the hottest, driest and lowest elevation points in all of North America. It’s home to features like Mosaic Canyon, which is a favorite hiking spot of visitors to the park, particularly because of the unique patterning of the rock walls surrounding the canyon. You can also visit Badwater Basin, which is the lowest point of elevation in North America.
Taos, New Mexico, USA
6. Taos Pueblo: This site is a bit different from the others making our list because it’s all about the man-made scenery. Taos Pueblo features the largest collection of multi-story pueblo homes in the U.S. These have been the homes of Native Americans in the area for more than 1000 years and you’ll still find about 100 Taos Native Americans who still live here. You may even get the chance to see a traditional ceremony while you’re there.