Vegas → Valley of Fire → Zion → Cathedral Gorge → Vegas

Las Vegas wasn’t the best part of this trip — and that surprised us.

When we planned this weekend road trip, we expected the Strip to be the highlight. Instead, the real magic happened once we left the city behind. In just a few days, this loop took us from glowing red rock desert to towering canyon walls and one of the most underrated state parks in the Southwest.

Here’s a quick visual overview of the route + drive times if you’re short on time:

If you’re looking for a road trip that feels big without requiring a full week off, this Las Vegas weekend loop is hard to beat.

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The Ultimate Las Vegas Weekend Road Trip Loop

Start & End: Las Vegas
Trip Length: 2–3 days
Best For: Long weekends, first-time Southwest trips, scenic drives

This route works especially well if you want variety without backtracking.

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Stop 1: Valley of Fire State Park

1 hour from Las Vegas

Valley of Fire is the perfect first stop. The drive is short, but the scenery immediately makes it feel like you’re far from the city. Bright red sandstone formations, easy scenic pullouts, and short hikes make this a great place to stretch your legs and settle into road trip mode.

Don’t miss:

• Fire Wave Trail
• Scenic drive through the park
• Early morning or golden hour for the best light

This stop alone is enough to make the drive from Las Vegas worth it.

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Stop 2: Zion National Park

2.5 hours from Valley of Fire

Zion is the heart of this loop — and the place we underestimated the least. Even if you only have one full day here, the scale of the canyon walls and the variety of trails make a huge impression.

Depending on the season, you may need to use the park’s shuttle system, so planning ahead helps if your time is limited.

Top experiences for a short visit:

• Zion Canyon Scenic Drive
• Emerald Pools
• The Narrows
• Riverside Walk (easy and family-friendly)

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Where We Stayed Near Zion National Park

We stayed in Springdale, Utah, just outside the entrance to Zion National Park, and it was the perfect home base for this trip. Being so close to the park made early starts easy and eliminated extra driving at the end of long days.

If you’re planning this loop for a weekend, staying in Springdale keeps everything simple and central.

👉 Check current hotel prices and availability in Springdale on Expedia

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Stop 3: Cathedral Gorge State Park

2 hours from Zion

Cathedral Gorge was the biggest surprise of the trip.

This small Nevada state park feels completely different from the other stops on the loop. Narrow clay canyons, cathedral-like formations, and quiet trails make it an incredible contrast to Zion — and far less crowded.

Don’t miss:

• Moon Caves
• Miller Point Overlook
• Juniper Draw Loop

It’s the kind of place you might skip if you’re rushing, but it ended up being one of our favorite stops.

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Return to Las Vegas

2.5 hours from Cathedral Gorge

From Cathedral Gorge, it’s an easy drive back to Las Vegas, completing a loop that feels much more expansive than a typical weekend trip.

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Why This Road Trip Works So Well

• No backtracking
• Short driving days
• Mix of national and state parks
• Big scenery without needing extra PTO

This loop is ideal if you want a road trip that feels adventurous but still manageable.

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Final Thoughts

We didn’t expect this road trip from Las Vegas to surprise us — but it did. The combination of desert landscapes, canyon walls, and quieter parks made this one of those trips that sticks with you long after you’re home.

If you’re planning a Southwest getaway and want something beyond the Strip, this loop is absolutely worth considering.