3 day Itinerary – Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, Zion National Park and Vegas

Friends flew in early Thursday and rented the car at the airport and drove to Hoover Dam (30 mins away) and ate at Bacchanal buffet in Caesars. They would have had to wait 90 minutes but there is an option that if you pay $25 per person on top of the buffet, you can get seated right away so they did. 

They came and picked us up at the airport when we flew in on Thursday around midnight. 

I just wanted to take 1 day PTO so we flew in Thursday night. 

Itinerary: 

Thursday night:
Fly to Vegas (~$150 for the round trip) (Hotels are cheap, ours at Westgate was $60 with tax for the night)

We booked a 3 pm tour at Upper Antelope Canyon and had to arrive at 2:30 pm to check in. Since we had half an hour on our hands after making some pitstops along the way, we arrived in Page, Arizona and got out at the Glen Canyon Dam overlook to see the river, canyon and the dam. The dam is really impressive and there’s a pretty cool bridge to see too. The dam is just barely smaller than the Hoover Dam, and you can also get a guided tour at the visitor center for just $5 whereas the Hoover Dam is $30. 

The Upper Antelope Canyon tour we did through Antelope Canyon Adventures Company. They drove us to the canyon and basically herded us through and told us where and how to take cool pictures (have your camera stay in the shadow and don’t face the sky) it was about 1.5 hours. Then we drove 10 minutes to Horseshoe Bend which was close by. The hike is about 0.75 miles from the parking lot to get to the bend. It is hot and there’s no shade so wear a hat! 

After, we ate at Big John’s bbq. I highly recommend it! The baby back ribs fell off the bone and it was probably one of the best bbq places I’ve ever had (for the meat and the bbq sauce!!) cornbread and corn were just ok. They also have Grand Canyon beer. 

We went to Safeway and Uswirl after dinner. We bought sandwiches and snacks for the narrows the next day.

We drove to Springdale afterwards (2 hours) and had to go through Zion to get there. It was around 10pm so we didn’t have to pay but a car full is $30 for the week as a park permit. Also note: Utah is an hour ahead so there was a timeline change. 

Stayed at Hampton Inn Friday night and Saturday night in Springdale. There’s a shuttle right in front that will take you to the Zion visitors center where you hop on the Zion shuttle. 

Saturday:

We woke up and had the free continental breakfast provided at Hampton Inn and went to rent Narrows gear at Zion Adventures. Just drive there and then drive to the Zion Visitors center to park and take the shuttle. It’s about a 45 min ride on the Zion shuttle to go to the Narrows hike. 

At Zion Adventures, we rented the shoes, neoprene socks and walking stick for about $25 a person after tax. You have to return the gear by 7pm so time your hike properly. Usually people spend 4-6 hours at the narrows. You are doing the bottom to top hike. The top to bottom hike requires a permit and is really long. When you do the bottom up hike, you can turn back whenever you want. Most people will turn back after Wall Street, the most photographed part of the narrows. 

We got back, rested and went to eat tex mex across the street. 

Rested early around 10:30pm to get up on Sunday at 6:15am (wine helped! and we were exhausted)

Sunday:

Morning woke up and went to eat breakfast (opens at 6am) we also took bagels from the continental breakfast so we would have food on our Angels landing hike. We wanted to go early or else it would get too hot. We checked out and packed the car. 

Thankfully by the time we started the hike around 8:30 am which was later than we wanted and finished before 12pm so it wasn’t too hot. We drove to the visitors center and took the shuttle. Got off at grotto and crossed the street for the hike. The first part of the hike is all switchbacks, uphill. Then there’s a part a lot of people stop to rest and it’s also where people don’t continue the hike. Half the hike is holding onto a chain rail and climbing steps and rocks. It’s fun but a little scary if you are scared of heights. It was fine though and the top is beautiful. Actually the whole hike is beautiful!! It’s now my favorite hike. Just keep in mind, you have to wait sometimes when people are coming down and you’re trying to go up. You take turns and be patient. Beer and margaritas are at the top to reward you! Jk

We drove back to Vegas right after the hike feeling amazing (2 hours). We still had food and just at in the car awaiting our Vegas buffet! We checked back into Westgate, $60 again, and rested and showered. We went at 4:30pm to drive half an hour to M Resort for Studio B buffet. It’s a pretty good buffet!! $40 for unlimited beer, wine, and cider. They also had oysters and snow crab for the weekend buffet. I’ve been for lunch, and dinner is a lot better. 

We picked up alcohol at Walgreens and went back to the hotel to get ready. We were suppose to go to XS night swim but we went to Omnia in Caesars instead. Went by 10pm and partied! Why are there so many people there on a Sunday, I really don’t know. But oh well! It was fun. I lost my phone because someone stole it when I was in front of the dj booth. 

Anyway, flew out on Monday morning and went straight to work. 

Best weekend ever with so much variety in activity! Nature, friends, party. Hope you find this itinerary helpful!