Bindlestiff Tours:
An Epic, All-Inclusive Southwest Road Trip
If you haven’t made a road trip through the legendary Southwest of the United States, now is the perfect time! And there is no better way to begin experiencing everything that Utah, Arizona and the surrounding states have to offer than by going on a epic camping road trip with Bindlestiff Tours.
This tour company provides everything you need to have a successful trip: a knowledgeable guide, all camping gear included and a jam-packed itinerary.
I opted for the 3 day, self-driving option provided. But because another small trip was also running at the same time on the itinerary, I joined up with the other 3 travelers for most of the trip.
Check out the Bindlestiff Tours here.
Disclaimer: I traveled with Bindlestiff Tours while some areas of Arizona and Utah were still closed due to Covid-19. So there were some slight variations on my trip from the typical itinerary.
Leading Up To Your Trip
Once you book your tour with Bindlestiff, you’ll be sent an itinerary. You can map out hikes or sights you’d like to see in the parks or simply let your guide provide suggestions when you arrive.
If you’re doing the self driving option, you will also receive the Google Maps route for your trip and you’ll be able to download the Bindlestiff Tours app for your very own virtual tour guide!
Day 1: Zion National Park & Bryce Canyon
Your day begins bright and early when you meet your guide in Las Vegas at the stratosphere. We departed promptly at 7:15am.
Our wonderful guide, Joe, had the trailer all packed with our food and gear. The 3 guests on the group tour rode in the van and I followed along in my car since I had opted for the self driving option.
From there, we drove the 2.5 hours to Zion National Park. It’s a beautifully scenic drive so enjoy! If you have the Bindlestiff App, you’ll be able to access info and listen to the audio guide as you drive!
Zion National Park
Once you arrive at the park, your guide will have a shuttle ticket for you. (This was a huge relief considering they sold out that day!) Our guide hopped on the shuttle with us and gave us some hiking recommendations. We got off at shuttle stop 6 to do the Kayenta trail to the Emerald Pools.
There was plenty of time to do the hike but you could easily spend many days exploring Zion National Park. You’ll definitely leave wanting more but it’s a great introduction to the park, especially if you’ve never been before!
Bryce Canyon
After Zion National Park, your Bindlestiff guide will provide you with lunch (sandwiches, chips & cookies) and you’ll head off to the gorgeous Bryce Canyon. It’s another VERY scenic drive, one of my favorites in the USA!
We arrived at our campsite first, just a few minutes down the road from the canyon.
Our guide showed us how to set up our tents and we assisted one another in getting the campsite all ready to go. If you haven’t camped before, this is the perfect introduction! The tents are incredibly simple and easy to set up. It took about 20 minutes to get all set for the night.
Then we were off to see hike through Bryce Canyon at golden hour. (So beautiful!)
Group Dinner & Hot Tubing At The Campsite
After our time at Bryce Canyon, we were off to a dinner at Ruby’s near the campsite. Dinner was an additional cost but we all enjoyed talking about the adventurous day we had over a cold drink and a good meal! The night ended with hot tubing under the stars at the campsite and s’mores around the campfire.
Day 2: Antelope Canyon & Monument Valley
Typically a 3 day Southwest tour with Bindlestiff Tours will include a stop at the breathtaking Antelope Canyon.
But due to Covid-19, parts of the Navajo land were not open to visitors. So instead our guide treated us to sunrise at Bryce Canyon (a total highlight of the trip!!) and a visit to the iconic Horseshoe Bend!
Was it easy to get out of our warm tents while it was still dark outside? Definitely not. Was is worth it? Absolutely!! The sunrise was breathtaking.
Horseshoe Bend
This stop isn’t typically included on this tour but Bindlestiff Tours was FANTASTIC at adapting their itinerary during the pandemic so despite some closures, we still had an equally epic trip.
I was thoroughly impressed by the company’s ability to adjust and still deliver a 5 star trip. I felt safe and secure traveling with them even during such uncertain times.
Monument Valley
A highlight of your Bindlestiff Tour will undoubtedly be the Jeep tour through Monument Valley with a Navajo guide.
The views are unparalleled and the guides are wonderfully informative about life on the Navajo reservation, the history of the area and Navajo culture.
Day 3: Grand Canyon & Route 66
Day 3 was a bright and early wake up because each member of our group was eager to see the sunrise over Monument Valley.
I felt lucky our group trip had other travelers who were eager to see and do as much as possible during our 3 days together because I love to make the most of every trip!
Then we were off to the Grand Canyon! It’s a long drive day but again, very scenic. You can hike the rim trail or “Ooh-Ah Point” for some great views of this world wonder!
This trip is all about packing lots of incredible places into a few days. If you have the time, I suggest booking the 7 day trip so you can explore these places further.
Seligman, Arizona
After an afternoon at the Grand Canyon, you’ll begin making your way back to Las Vegas.
Along the way, you will stop at the legendary Route 66 town of Seligman. If you’ve seen the movie cars, this town is the inspiration. Be sure to get a milkshake at Delgadillo’s Snow Cap!
If you opt for the self driving tour, I highly suggest adding a night on at the end of your trip. The final day is a TON of driving, especially if you do it solo. However if you opt to join a small group tour, then you won’t be driving and you can catch up on sleep in the car or relax.
Benefits of Traveling With Bindlestiff Tours
- You don’t need to pack or buy any camping gear, it’s all provided
- It’s a great way to meet others if you’re traveling solo
- Your guide can give you recommendations on hikes or things to do in the area
- The tours are flexible and you can add extra nights/days onto the end of your trip to design the trip of your dreams!
Things To Know Before You Go
- If you are doing the self driving option like I did, there will be some long (but very scenic!!) drives
- If you are doing the group option, keep in mind that group travel has a lot of benefits but there may also be times you are waiting for other to finish a hike etc. It can be a lot of more fun to join a small group trip but like with any form of travel, it helps to be easy going, patience and laid back on the adventure 🙂
- There is a hotel lodging version of this tour available as well
Read: 10 REASONS YOU SHOULD BOOK AN ALL INCLUSIVE CAMPING TRIP WITH BINDLESTIFF TOURS
Southwest Road Trip Inclusions
- All camping equipment
- Free downloadable app with full tour commentary in French, German, Spanish and Italian
- Monument Valley Jeep Tour
- Sandwich Lunches
- Knowledgeable guides
What To Pack
- Portable battery pack: the van has plenty of USB plugs but if you want to charge your phone overnight at the campgrounds, pack a portable
- Swimsuit: your campsite at Bryce Canyon has a pool & hot tub available
- Sunscreen: Be prepared for long, hot days in the sun
- Sunglasses
- Bandana for Monument Valley Jeep Tour: the dust will kick up and get in your mouth if it’s dry
- Layers: Depending on the season, the Grand Canyon and Monument Valley can be surprisingly cold. Check the weather ahead of time and just know that if it’s not summer season, the higher elevation destinations may be chilly!
- Cash to tip your Bindlestiff Tour guide
Covid-19 Precautions
- All camping equipment will be sanitized using a hospital grade fogger and sanitizer before the tour. Guests will be assigned the same camping equipment for the duration of the tour.
- Hand sanitizer will be readily available and free for guests to use throughout their tour.
- Any tours that offer communally cooked/prepared meals will be altered in the short term. Included breakfasts and lunches will continue where applicable by providing individually wrapped items and disposable environmentally friendly cutlery. Any camping evening meals may be replaced with restaurant service at the guest’s expense.
- All tour vehicles will be sanitized before the tour using state-of-the-art UVA lamps. In addition, all community spaces on the tour vehicle will be additionally sanitized by the tour guide before the tour begins and during the tour whenever possible.
Read: SELF DRIVING TOURS WITH BINDLESTIFF TOURS- THE PERFECT SOLUTION FOR SOCIALLY DISTANCED TRAVEL
Thank you Bindlestiff Tours for hosting me during my stay. As always, all thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.
Follow along on the adventure…
Shop my Bindlestiff Tours essentials
Water Proof, Solar Powered Portable Charger
Backpack
Hiking Boots
Sunglasses
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More on the National Parks: GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK – 18 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
Shop more group trips on TourRadar!
SOOOOO pretty…. some day i’ll make it down to the Southwest! Sick of MN flatness…. I need some mountains in my life! lol. That Horseshoe Bend photo is …. BREATHTAKING !!!
Ahh thank you Emilee 🙂
Yes we gotta escape the flat plains of Minnesota every chance we get!! Haha