3-Day Arizona Road Trip Itinerary: Monument Valley to the Grand Canyon
Planning an Arizona road trip? In this blog post, we share our 3-day summer camping itinerary through Northern Arizona, much of it across Navajo Nation Tribal Land. In just one long weekend (using one day of PTO), we visited four National Park Service sites: Hubbell Trading Post, Canyon de Chelly, Navajo National Monument, the North Rim of the Grand Canyon along with Monument Valley.
We camped along the way in a Jeep Wrangler with a rooftop tent from Arizona Camper Van. Perfect for off-grid travel and exploring remote areas. If you have more time, we recommend exploring Glen Canyon National Recreation Area.
As always, we encourage you to Leave No Trace and be respectful of the land, history, and culture you’re experiencing. Most of this trip travels across the Navajo Reservation, sacred land to the Diné People and other Native American Tribes who have lived in this region for centuries.
Northern Arizona Road Trip: Day 1
1st Stop: Hubbell Trading Post National Historic Site
We hit the road early on Friday—leaving Phoenix at 6:00 a.m.—to make the 4-hour drive to Hubbell Trading Post National Historic Site. Located on Navajo Nation land, this stop is part of the National Park Service and has been an active trading post since 1878.
The trading post is still operational today, and you can purchase Navajo rugs, jewelry, pottery, and other handmade items. We stopped by the visitor center, explored the displays, and picked up a beautiful turquoise ring. While we didn’t have time to fully walk the grounds, this historic site is definitely worth the stop— especially since it’s on the way to Canyon de Chelly, just 40 minutes north.
Time Zone Tip: Once you enter Navajo Nation land, your clock jumps forward an hour to Mountain Daylight Time (MDT) between March and November—even though Arizona does not observe Daylight Saving Time. If it’s 9:00 a.m. at Hubbell’s, it’s 8:00 a.m. in most of Arizona.
Hubbell Trading Post – Know Before You Go
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Entrance Fee: Free
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Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily (summer)
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Location: Near Ganado, AZ, along the route to Canyon de Chelly
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Time Zone: Mountain Daylight Time (March–Nov)
Learn more from the official NPS article here.
2nd Stop: Canyon de Chelly National Monument
We arrived at Canyon de Chelly National Monument with some time to spare so we made a Mountain House meal in the parking lot and checked out the visitor center. Canyon de Chelly lies on Navajo Nation land and is co-managed by the National Park Service and Navajo Tribal Parks. To explore the inside of the canyon, you’ll need a guide and permit.
Prior to our trip we booked a 3-hour private Jeep tour through Beauty Way Jeep Tours, a local Navajo-owned company. Before entering the canyon, our guide brought us to the ranger station to pay the tribal permit fee and receive our access paperwork.
Fun fact: Our guide grew up in the canyon and even pointed out the house he was raised in.
What You’ll See Inside the Canyon
During our Jeep tour, we learned about:
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The ancestral homes carved into the canyon walls
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The Diné (Navajo) people who still live there today
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Ancient ruins, petroglyphs, and farming history
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Cultural traditions passed down through generations
There are also options for longer Jeep tours or guided horseback rides, and we’d love to return one day to experience more.
Scenic Viewpoints Without a Guide
After the Jeep tour, we explored Canyon de Chelly’s South Rim Drive, which includes several incredible overlooks. These spots are free to access and don’t require a guide.
Our favorite? Spider Rock Overlook — a breathtaking viewpoint of the canyon’s most iconic spire.
Canyon de Chelly – Know Before You Go
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Entrance Fee: Free to access scenic overlooks
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Tour Access: Permits and Navajo guide required for inner canyon
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Scenic Drives: North and South Rim Drives are open year-round, paved, and 2WD accessible
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Camping & Lodging: Available within the monument
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Time Zone: Navajo Nation observes Mountain Daylight Time (MDT) from March–November
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Respect: Please practice Leave No Trace and be mindful of the sacred land and communities here
For more information and park updates, visit the official NPS Canyon de Chelly page.
3rd Stop: Monument Valley Tribal Park & The View Campground
After leaving Canyon de Chelly, we drove about 1 hour and 40 minutes to Monument Valley Tribal Park, where we camped overnight at The View Campground.
While the campsites are inside the Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, they’re operated by The View Hotel. Upon arrival, you’ll pay an $8 per person park entrance fee, which is required in addition to your campsite or hotel reservation. This fee gives you access to the Valley Drive and Wildcat Trail.
Note: Dogs are not allowed at Monument Valley.
Our Experience at The View Campground
We arrived just before sunset, and the views from our site were absolutely incredible. It was a signature southwest summer evening as the sandstone buttes radiated light back while the lowering sun beamed its rays on them for all to watch. Since we were camping in a rooftop tent from our Arizona Camper Van rental, we had to reserve an RV site (tent campers are not allowed in these spots). The RV sites have picnic tables but no hookups for electricity or water.
Tent sites are located down a hill and are more closely spaced together, but they offer the best views of the valley. Tent size is limited to 5’ x 8’, and it’s one tent per site. The campground also has:
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Restrooms and shared showers in a central building
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Cabins and hotel rooms available nearby at The View Hotel
After a long travel day, we kept dinner simple with Mountain House meals using our Jetboil to heat up water.
Things to Do in Monument Valley
Although we didn’t have time, Monument Valley offers:
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A self-guided scenic driving loop
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The Wildcat Trail, the only hiking trail accessible without a guide
If your itinerary allows, we highly recommend doing the Valley Drive tour. Each iconic rock formation has a Navajo name and cultural significance, and seeing them up close gives you a deeper appreciation of the landscape and its meaning to the Diné people.
For more info or to book a site, visit The View Hotel’s website.
Northern Arizona Road Trip Day 2
4th Stop: Navajo National Monument
On Saturday morning, we woke up and watched the sunrise over Monument Valley. Shortly after, we packed up our campsite and hit the road. We drove about an hour southwest to Navajo National Monument. This was our final stop in Navajo Nation and the last National Park Service monument in Arizona we needed to visit. It felt so rewarding to check them all off the list!
Sandal Trail to Betatakin Overlook
While at the monument, we hiked the Sandal Trail to the Betatakin Overlook. It’s a 1.3-mile out-and-back trail with a fantastic view of a massive pueblo dwelling consisting of over 100 rooms. The people who built and lived in these dwellings are known as Hisatsinom, ancestors of the Hopi. Zuni oral histories also connect several of their clans to this region. Later, the San Juan Southern Paiute moved into the area and became known for their basketry. Today, this sacred site is surrounded by the Navajo Nation, which has protected it for centuries. The Navajo name Betatakin translates to “House Built on a Ledge.”
Aspen Trail and Canyon Views
We also hiked the Aspen Trail, which descends about 800 feet and is 0.8 miles out and back. This short but steep hike leads down the edge of Betatakin Canyon and overlooks an aspen tree forest. At the end of the trail, you’ll reach the point where the guided hike to Betatakin Pueblo begins. A park ranger must lead any hikes beyond this point.
Trail Notes
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Dogs are not allowed on trails at Navajo National Monument
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Bring water and sun protection—shade is limited
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Guided hikes into Betatakin Pueblo are seasonal and require advance planning
5th Stop: North Rim of the Grand Canyon
From Navajo National Monument, we drove about 3 hours and 40 minutes to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon on the Kaibab Plateau. Yes, it was a long drive, but well worth it! The North Rim is completely different from the South Rim. If you haven’t been before, we always recommend visiting (just be sure to check seasonal closures before heading out).
We were lucky to snag a campsite inside the park just a few days before our trip. Once we arrived, we checked into our site and then set off on a scenic drive we hadn’t done before.
Scenic Drive: Cape Royal Road
We drove Cape Royal Road and stopped at several stunning viewpoints:
- Vista Encantada
- Roosevelt Point
- Walhalla Overlook
- Cape Royal and Angels Window Viewpoint
On Sunday morning, after packing up, we headed to the visitor center and walked the short trail to Bright Angel Point. This is the most popular viewpoint on the North Rim and offers sweeping canyon views. While you can’t see the Colorado River from here, many of the overlooks along Cape Royal Road do offer river views.
What Makes the North Rim Special
The North Rim is at 8,000 feet elevation which is about 2,000 feet higher than the South Rim. It also means means cooler temps. Also, because it’s a 5 hour drive from the Grand Canyon South Rim, it also has fewer crowds. The services area is smaller, but the vibe is rustic and peaceful. The Kaibab Plateau and the surrounding North Kaibab National Forest are some of our favorite parts of Arizona. It feels like a totally different world compared to the nearby desert landscapes.
Driving through this area, you’ll pass pine forests, open meadows, and aspen groves. You’ll also notice an extra layer of visible rock, the Kaibab Formation. This light-colored marine limestone is packed with ancient fossils. You’ll spot it along the rim here and even in nearby national parks in southern Utah.
North Rim Camping Tips
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Open seasonally from around May 15 to October 15 (depending on snow)
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Campground is close to the rim with a trail you can access directly from your site
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Great spot to catch both sunrise and sunset over the canyon
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Elevation is over 8,000 ft — expect cooler weather and possible afternoon thunderstorms
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Entrance fee required unless you have a qualifying pass; park entrance at the south rim is valid within the proper time period
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You can book campsites and check operating status online
How to Plan for a Summer Road Trip in Northern Arizona
Temperatures
We did this road trip at the end of June. Daytime highs ranged from the mid to upper 80s, while nighttime lows dropped to the 60s and even the upper 50s in some places.
At Canyon de Chelly, it was warm and breezy—shorts and a T-shirt were perfect. In Monument Valley, the temperature dropped quickly after sunset due to the dry desert air. We stayed comfortable with joggers and a light jacket. Note: campfires are not allowed at Monument Valley.
On the Kaibab Plateau near the Grand Canyon’s North Rim, the elevation is much higher, which brings cooler temps. Highs were in the upper 70s, and lows dipped into the upper 50s. During the day we wore shorts and T-shirts, and at night, a sweater or light jacket was enough. We were able to make a campfire here, which added a cozy touch to the evening.
Food and Water
This part of Arizona is extremely dry, and sweat evaporates quickly. It’s easy to get dehydrated without realizing it, so we made sure to carry plenty of water and topped off our supply at gas stations and grocery stores.
For food, we packed several Mountain House freeze-dried meals, which are convenient and easy to clean up. We brought Jetboil stoves that boil water in about a minute, perfect for cooking on the go. On our last night, we had ramen, and the next morning we made pancakes using the Coleman stove that came with our Arizona Camper Van rental.
Between Navajo National Monument and the Grand Canyon, we stopped in Page, Arizona, where we stocked up on lunch food, snacks, and firewood at the local Safeway.
Northern Arizona Full Trip Map
We loved this 3-day Arizona road trip and highly recommend it if you’re looking for a scenic, culture-rich itinerary with national park views, Navajo Nation history, and some of the best camping in the Southwest. If you have more time, extend your stay at any stop, it’s well worth it. For more trip inspirations or other Arizona Native American centered National Monuments check out the posts below and others on our website.
