Epic One Week Dallas to Grand Canyon Road Trip (+ Las Vegas)

Planning a Dallas to Grand Canyon road trip? You are at the right place to get more information about it.

My family and I went on a road trip from Dallas to the Grand Canyon twice (and there will be more.) Our first road trip to the Grand Canyon was when we did our  National Parks hopping to the southwest for 13 days. Then the second one was when we went for a one week road trip to the Grand Canyon with my sister and her family who visited from Indonesia.

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I would say a Grand Canyon road trip is a must do at least once in your lifetime. Either you drive from your hometown or fly to the nearest airport then drive to Grand Canyon.  

As with any other road trip, it is ideal to make preparations long before the day you leave. But we all know it’s not always like that. Many things can happen. Boss still doesn’t approve your vacation request, kids have unscheduled summer games, or you just don’t know where to start this road trip from Dallas to Grand Canyon. 

Let me tell you something. You are not alone. We’ve been through the same situation. More or less.     

By the time the U.S. Embassy granted my sister and her family visas, hotels in the Grand Canyon were fully booked. Prices at Tusayan, the closest town to Grand Canyon Village, were outrageous. For two nights stay plus a couple of hundred more, it’s like buying a round-trip airplane ticket from Indonesia to the U.S. Staying at the next closest town, Williams, was not an option for us. We didn’t want to drive back and forth from Williams, which is located about 60 miles away from the entrance of the Grand Canyon South Rim. Better use that two hour driving time for exploring the Grand Canyon.

What to do? Think! Think!

Then I remembered about Mather Campground. When I went online and saw that there were still empty sites on the dates we planned to visit, I booked it right away. We talked about camping at Mather Campground before, but I never thought we would do it with my sister and her family. Luckily they didn’t object with the camping plan.

On our first road trip to the Grand Canyon, we stayed at Yavapai Lodge. We booked the room sometime in March. We were lucky to get a room, but it’s only the three of us. It’s easier to find a room for a small family.

Yavapai Lodge also has rooms that are dog-friendly. Read the following link about lodging in the Grand Canyon. 

For this Dallas to Grand Canyon one week road trip, we also stayed in a hotel and an airBnB. Since we like camping, we didn’t have  problems with camping equipment either. But to find an airBnB for 7 people wasn’t easy.

And we didn’t turn around to Texas after the Grand Canyon. We kept going to Las Vegas! So, we can also call this itinerary a road trip from Dallas to Las Vegas.

So many things to consider when you plan a road trip to the Grand Canyon. You probably won’t have the same problem with us, but you most likely have one week of vacation time. So, check out this one week Dallas to Grand Canyon road trip itinerary.

Dallas to Grand Canyon Road Trip: One Week Itinerary

Day 1: Home (south of Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas) to Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Day 2: Albuquerque and Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Day 3: Albuquerque, New Mexico to Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona.

Day 4: Grand Canyon National Park.

Day 5: Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona to Las Vegas, Nevada.

Day 6: Las Vegas, Nevada.

Day 7: Las Vegas, Nevada to Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Day 8: Albuquerque, New Mexico to home (south of Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas.)

Well, it’s not really 7 days, but on the eight day was for traveling home only. If you don’t go to work on Saturdays and Sundays, then you will only take 5 days off from work.

We live about 30 minutes in a small town to the south of Fort Worth (an hour from Dallas) Texas. So, I based our Grand Canyon road trip itinerary from Dallas/Fort Worth to make it easier for you to get a picture of the distance and time for the trip.

If you google the Dallas to Grand Canyon drive, it will show around 16 hours. But that’s without any stops, and this itinerary is full with interesting stops and requires 1-2 night stays along the way.

There are seven of us on the trip. Four adults, our son and his cousin who were 11 at the time, and my 14 year old niece. All packed to our minivan for the road trip from Dallas to Grand Canyon on one Saturday morning in June.

Day 1: Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas to Albuquerque, New Mexico (623 miles, 9 h 30 m)

Highlights: The Big Texan and Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo, Texas.

From Dallas/Fort Worth we took US-287 N to Amarillo, then turned to I-40 W towards Albuquerque, New Mexico. 

Our first stop was Amarillo in the Texas Panhandle, which is about 5-hour and 30-minutes away from Fort Worth. To save time, we prepared lunch from home and ate it at the rest area before getting to Amarillo. It’s a new rest area, big and clean. We weren’t the only family who stopped for a picnic lunch there. When you stop at this rest area, beware of rattlesnakes that are common to the area.

If you come from Oklahoma, the Midwest, the East, or the Southern part of the country, you will probably drive through this part of Texas. Once you get to Amarillo, the Big Texan will be the first you see and the Cadillac Ranch will be the last before you continue to Albuquerque, New Mexico on I-40 W.

The Big Texan

Famous for its 72-oz. steak that you can eat for free if you can finish it in one hour. The Big Texan is a must-stop for first time visitors to Amarillo. Even if you don’t eat here, they welcome you inside the restaurant. They have a gift shop with a wide array of Texas souvenirs and western themed stuff, and Old West photo op inside and outside the restaurant. The western atmosphere is thick since you park your car and step into the restaurant. In my opinion, you just have to experience the Big Texan yourself.

Address: 7701 Interstate 40 Access Road, Amarillo, TX 78118.

Cadillac Ranch

Another must-stop for first time visitors in Amarillo, where you will see 10 Cadillacs buried nose-down first in the ground. It all started when a group of hippies from San Francisco and their silent partner Amarillo billionaire Stanley Marsh 3 built this public art back in 1974. What started to baffle the people of Amarillo, it became famous not just in Texas or the U.S., but all over the world. 

Don’t just visit and take pictures here, but bring spray paint and create your own art on the bodies of the Cadillacs. But take pictures right away, because others will come and create their own arts on your creations. 

It’s open during daylight hours, free for everyone, and is a dog-friendly place. If you stop during the wet season, expect to walk on a muddy field.

Address: I-40, west of Amarillo. 

If your time is flexible, spend a night in Amarillo. Visit the Route 66 district and hike to the famous Lighthouse in Palo Duro Canyon State Park the next morning. For your information, Palo Duro Canyon is the second biggest canyon in the U.S., right after the Grand Canyon.

As for us, after Cadillac Ranch we drove straight to Cedar Crest, just outside Albuquerque. Here we pitched our tents for the first two nights.

If we didn’t run into a summer storm, we could make a few quick stops on Route 66 in New Mexico, from Glenrio to Tucumcari and Santa Rosa. These towns are located along I-40 W between Amarillo and Albuquerque. You will see the street signs on the highway.

Day 2: Albuquerque

Highlights: Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument and Loretto Chapel in Santa Fe.

In the morning we went to Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument, located in Cochiti Pueblo, between Albuquerque and Santa Fe. This monument is famous for its cone shaped rock formations. In my opinion, it’s a mini version of Cappadocia in Turkey. (I haven’t been to Cappadocia but I’ve seen lots of pictures from there. But, I may be wrong.) 

We have visited the Monument before, so we didn’t want to rush my sister and her family when we hiked the Slot Canyon Trail. Besides, we don’t do fitness pace hikes when traveling. We like to enjoy the views and stop wherever we want along the trails.

From Kasha-Katuwe we went to Santa Fe and had lunch at Cowgirl BBQ. When in New Mexico you’ve got to taste the green chile, right? The Mother of All Green Chile Cheeseburger from Cowgirl BBQ is one of our favorites in town.

After lunch we walked along the Canyon Road, one of the top three art walks in Santa Fe. This street is full with galleries in beautiful adobe houses. If you like art, you must stop here. Then we continued to Loretto Chapel, famous for its miraculous staircase. The staircase has two 360 degree turns but no visible means of support. 

From the chapel we walked to the Plaza. It was late afternoon, people were gathered around the square to take a rest or just waiting for the sunset while enjoying the band playing on stage. We didn’t stay long because we had to go to bed early for the long drive the next day.

Things to Know on Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument

Like I mentioned above, this Monument is famous for its cone-shaped rock formations. It’s the result of the volcanic eruption from 6 to 7 million years ago that left the ash, pumice, and tuff deposits over 1,000 feet thick.

There are three trails that you can do here. The easy Cave Loop Trail that is 1.2 mile long, the more difficult Slot Canyon Trail that is 1.5 mile long, one-way, and the Veteran’s Memorial Scenic Overlooks that is 1 mile long loop, very easy, and wheelchair accessible. 

I suggest you do Slot Canyon Trail first where you will walk into a narrow slot canyon with a steep end climbing to the mesa top. Once at the top, you will be presented with beautiful views of Sangre de Christo, Jemez, Sandia Mountains, and the Rio Grande Valley.

If you are afraid of heights, you might stop at the end of the slot. Or, climb slowly to the platform right before the top, like my brother-in-law and niece did. You will get to see the incredible view of cone-shape formations from this point. Be aware that this is a favorite spot for taking pictures, so please share the spot with other visitors.

Once you arrive back at the starting point, you can go back to the parking lot through the Cave Loop Trail. Or, you can go straight to the parking lot. It doesn’t matter at all.

Parking at the Monument is limited, so try to arrive before 9 a.m., especially in the summertime when the Monument sees more visitors. If you arrive after 9, expect delays at the entrance with wait times may range from 30 to 90 minutes.

Picnic tables, shelters, and toilets are available, but dogs are not allowed in the Monument, excluding service animals. For more info on fees, hours, restrictions, and directions, please visit the Kasha-Katuwe National Monument link.

The Miraculous Loretto Chapel

The story of the miraculous staircase in the chapel went back to 1873, when the architect died before he built the access to the choir loft. The Sisters of Loretto prayed a nine day novena to St. Joseph, Patron Saint of Carpenters. On the final day of novena, a carpenter appeared with a hammer and a carpenter’s square. He built the stairs, which is now known as the Miraculous Staircase with simple tools and wooden pegs. Once it’s done, the carpenter disappears before the sisters have a chance to thank or pay him. Some believed the carpenter was St. Joseph himself, while others believed he was sent by St. Joseph.

Anyway, the Loretto Chapel is no longer a church, but it is now used as a museum and a wedding chapel. It is open 364 days a year for everyone to visit, except Christmas Day. However, they host more than 100 weddings and special events in a year so the chapel may close without notice. When you plan a visit, you might check their calendar for the upcoming closure.

Admission is $5 while children 6 and under are free. Open from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Monday through Saturday, and 10.30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Address: 207 Old Santa Fe Trail, Santa Fe, NM 87501.

Other Things to do Around Albuquerque & Santa Fe

So many things to do and see around Albuquerque and Santa Fe. Just last summer we went there again for the fourth time, and it won’t be our last time.

Anyway, if you are more into museums, they have art and history museums to children and science museums. If you want to do more outdoor activities, go check the Bandelier National Monument or go to Pecos, just around a 30 minutes drive to the southwest of Santa Fe.

If you travel with your dogs, they are not allowed in Bandelier National Monument, but you can leave them in the car park under the shade. Too bad we still didn’t get a chance to ride the Sandia Peak Tramway.

You may want to check my link for more attractions and activities to do around Albuquerque and Santa Fe.

Day 3: Albuquerque, New Mexico to Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona (410 miles, 6 h 15 m)

Highlights: Petrified Forest National Park.

Today is the day. We would arrive in the most famous canyon in the world, the Grand Canyon. But first, we stopped at Petrified Forest National Park. It’s where thousands, or millions of petrified wood can be found scattered on the ground. We entered the park through the north entrance and exit through the south entrance. 

Actually, there are so many places to see on your road trip to the Grand Canyon between Albuquerque and the Grand Canyon. Thing is, we didn’t want to arrive late at Mather Campground, our accommodation in the park. We had no idea about the condition of the campground, so it’s very important to arrive when the sun is still out. We even skipped the Desert View area of the Grand Canyon when we got there. And we’re lucky, there’s no long line to the east entrance by the time we get to the Grand Canyon.

By the time our tents were up, darkness fell into the park. After supper and showers we went straight to bed for a long good rest. We needed the energy for exploring the Grand Canyon the next day.

Exploring Petrified Forest National Park on the way from Dallas to Grand Canyon

When you hear the word petrified forest, don’t think about seeing a forest like in this place. Petrified wood is basically a fossil of a conifer tree from over 200 million years ago. There are thousands or millions of them found in this park, from pieces as tiny as your fingernails to the ones as big as a log. They are scattered all over the ground, I guess that’s why they named the park Petrified Forest.

The highest concentrations of petrified wood are found in the southern end of the park, while the northern end showcases the human story and Painted Desert vistas. Petrified Forest is also the only national park that contains a segment of the Historic Route 66 alignment. 

Some of the must-see in this park are the Giant Logs and Crystal Forest, Painted Desert Inn, Newspaper Rock, Puerco Pueblo Trail, the Blue Mesa Road Loop, and both of the visitors centers to watch the park film and the paleontological exhibits on the south entrance.

Petrified Forest National Park is located in northeastern Arizona, about 50 miles from the New Mexico border on I-40. There are two entrances into the park, north entrance and south entrance. If you drive from Albuquerque on I-40, you should take Exit 311 and get to the park from the North Entrance. If you drive from Flagstaff or Phoenix, you are most likely to enter from the South Entrance. The distance between the two entrances is 28 miles (45 km) that takes about one hour of driving.

Other Places to See Between Albuquerque and Grand Canyon

If you have enough time, you might check out El Malpais National Monument in Grant and El Morro National Monument in Ramah. Both are located in New Mexico. 

El Malpaís offers lava tube caving experience with their fascinating geology and hidden ice formations. If you have claustrophobia maybe this is not a place for you, but you can always explore the surrounding area and peek into the cave from the outside. That’s what I’m planning to do. 

At El Morro you can trek the history of the Puebloans, the Spaniards, and the Americans through the inscriptions on the rock. The vistas at this Monument are also incredible.

Another place that is worth a stop is Meteor Crater in Winslow, Arizona. It’s the world’s best preserved meteorite impact site with nearly one mile across, 2.4 miles in circumference, and more than 550 feet deep. A meteor collided with the earth approximately 50,000 years ago, and rocked the American Southwest with energy of more than 20 millions ton of TNT.

You can join the guided rim tours that are included with the admission and experience the collision in the 4D room. It’s on private land, so you can keep your National Park Pass in your wallet. We didn’t stop on this trip, but we got to visit this place during our 13 days of park hopping in the southwest a few years back.

Day 4: Grand Canyon National Park

Highlights: Mather Point, Hermit Road, Desert View, and Yaki Point for the sunset.

First place to go in the morning was Mather Point. This is the place where most first time visitors (even returning visitors) get their first look of the Grand Canyon. It’s important to arrive early so you will get a space to park near the Visitor Center and enjoy the rim before crowds start to build. (Unless you stay by the rim, you can always walk.)

Again, we didn’t want to rush my sister and her family. In my opinion, the Grand Canyon is one of those places where you need to be laid back. Don’t walk too fast. Stop whenever you want to stop. This place is so amazing. Personally, I like to meditate whenever I look far into the canyon.

We walked all the way to Yavapai Point and the Geology Museum and took a shuttle back to the Visitor Center. There we changed to a different route that took us to Bright Angel where we transferred to a Hermits Rest Route.  

Hermit Road is also one of the must-do’s while in the park. We stopped at several viewpoints along the road. From there we stopped at Market Plaza for lunch and souvenirs. 

After lunch we drove back in our minivan to Desert View, the first place you will see when entering the park from the east. It’s one of the best places for watching the sunset in the Grand Canyon. But we didn’t stay for the sunset. We ended the day by watching the sunset from Yaki Point.

Mather Point, Yavapai, and Hermit Road are also places for watching the sunset. I’ve only been to Yaki Point, but I’ve seen incredible pictures from other points.  

In case you do not know, the Grand Canyon provides free shuttle bus service for more than 40 years. It takes visitors to trails, viewpoints, and other points of interest. There are areas that are only accessible by bus, but the shuttle doesn’t go all the way to Desert View, the east entrance. Also, it provides free service to Tusayan. The free shuttle bus service is marked by colors. You can always leave your car by the accommodation.

Mather Point Overlook

Whenever you see pictures, videos, or movies from the Grand Canyon, it is most likely taken from Mather Point. You will be amazed while walking along the rim. (Actually, wherever you go in the park.) 

You can walk the Rim Trail from Mather Point to Bright Angel Trailhead. The trail is around 2.1 mi (3.4 km), one way, with spectacular views all the way. You will walk past Yavapai Point and Geology Museum, Verkamp’s Visitor Center, Hopi House, El Tovar Hotel, Kachina Lodge, Thunderbird Lodge, Lookout Studio, Bright Angel Lodge, and Kolb Studio. Stop whenever you want to stop. Take your time.

On this trip we didn’t walk the Rim Trail, but we did it on our first trip.    

Anyway, the wind is also strong along the rim. Hold on to your hats, cell phones, umbrellas, and whatever it is that you think will fly easily. When you are around Mather Point, look to the bottom and you will see the stuff I mentioned above lying on the ground.  

You will also see squirrels that look cute in this area. Visitors like to feed them, so they will wait for you to give them food. You must know that feeding wild animals is prohibited, and squirrel attacks are not uncommon in the Grand Canyon.

Hermit Road

Hermit Road is a scenic road beginning on the west side of Grand Canyon Village. The road follows the canyon rim for 7 miles (11 km) out to Hermits Rest, and the Hermit Trailhead.

This scenic road can be accessed by private vehicle only in the winter months of December, January, and February. From March 1st through November 30th, visitors must take a free Hermit Road (Red) Route shuttle bus. Hikers, runners, and cyclists can access the road all through the year.

There are 9 designated viewpoints along the canyon rim. Shuttle buses will stop at all 9 overlooks on the way to Hermits Rest. On the way back, the shuttles only stop at 4 overlooks: Hermits Rest, Pima, Mojave, and Powell Points.

If you don’t have time to stop at all viewpoints, make sure you stop at Hopi, Mojave, Pima, and Hermits Rest. We liked to take a long rest at Hermits Rest while enjoying ice cream from the small snack bar.

Note that it will take around 80 minute round-trip ride on this 7 miles road. And that is without getting off the bus.

You can also hike between one point to another point. The Canyon Rim Trail follows the rim of the canyon for 7.8 miles (12.6 km) alongside Hermit Road. We only hiked the shortest one, from Powell Point to Hopi Point.

Hopi Point is one of the best viewpoints for watching the sunrise and sunset because of its wide vistas. Mojave Point is spectacular as well.

Desert View

Desert View is the first viewpoint you will see when entering the Grand Canyon from the east entrance. The Historic Desert View Watchtower is located here. You will walk about ¼-mile from the parking to get here and the rim. Open daily from 9am to 5pm.

From the Watchtower, walk along the rim to have a different view of the park and the Watchtower itself.

In my opinion, it’s a must stop when visiting the Grand Canyon for the first time. The Colorado River looks so pretty from here.

The park’s only gas station on the South Rim is also located here. It’s open 24 hours a day.

Also, there are Trading Post and Market & Deli in this location. 

On your drive back to the Village, make stops at the viewpoints along the road. There are 7 of them.

First stop is Navajo Point, the highest overlook on the South Rim. Next is Lipan Point where you can see a unique rock strata at the Grand Canyon. Then Tusayan Pueblo & Museum on the left side of the road. A relatively flat 0.1 trail will take you around the ruins of the Puebloan village.

From here continue to Moran Point where three main rock groups are clearly visible. Then off to Grandview Point that offers panoramic views of the Grand Canyon from east to west. At the next one you will see Duck on a Rock. Lastly is Pipe Creek Vista. 

You will be awe-inspiring with the scenery at every stop you make. 

If you enter the park from the east entrance (Desert View) and it’s still bright, you can stop at these viewpoints on your way to Grand Canyon Village. That’s what we did on our first trip. That way you don’t have to go back to this area the next day.

Sunset at Yaki Point

Yaki Point is one of the best places to see the sunset and sunrise in the Grand Canyon. Private vehicles are not allowed into this area. Visitors must take the free Kaibab/Rim Route (Orange) shuttle. It means a long line from the departing station at the Grand Canyon Visitor Center.

Once you arrive here, find a spot to watch the sunset. Some people will set their tripod, some will only use their cell phone. One thing I noticed, people used their inner voice when talking here.

Expect a long line for the shuttle after the sunset.

Day 5: Grand Canyon National Park to Las Vegas (282 miles, 4 h 30 m)

Highlights: Hiking to Ooh Aah Point.

Before we left for Las Vegas, we did one more hike at the South Kaibab: the Ooh Aah Point Trail. In my opinion, this trail is one of the must-do’s when visiting the Grand Canyon. Start early in the morning so you can go back before the sun hits the trails. It is also one of the best spots to catch the sunrise.

On our way to Vegas we saw a sign to Grand Canyon West, where visitors can walk on the famous Skywalk. It’s a more popular destination for visitors who visited the Grand Canyon from Las Vegas because of the distance. We also drove through Lake Mead National Recreation Area.

It was late in the afternoon when we arrived in Las Vegas. We could feel the heat from outside, even though the thermostat in the car was set to the coldest point. In my opinion, summer is not the right time to visit Las Vegas. You will find out why.

Ooh Aah Point

My second time hiking to Ooh Aah Point, and I still made the “ooh-aah” sound when we got to the point. The views are just breathtaking!

It’s one of the best places to catch a sunrise in the Grand Canyon. If you can’t do it, try to go as early as you can. Say around 6-7am because there’s no shade on this trail.    

Take the South Kaibab Rim Route (Orange) shuttle to get here. Private vehicles are not allowed. It’s the same shuttle you took to Yaki Point to watch the sunset the night before. 

You will start from the South Kaibab Trailhead going down all the way for 0.9 mile. It offers beautiful views along the trail, making it easy to lose track of how far down you have hiked. It feels easy on the leg, but remember that you will hike up to the starting point. Plan on taking twice as long to hike up as it took to hike down.

For another 0.6 mile you will get to Cedar Ridge. There’s a toilet there. But remember! You will hike up to 1.5 mile from there. We stopped at Ooh Aah Point and turned around after taking countless pictures.

South Kaibab Trail is a maintained dirt trail, steep, well defined, and has very little shade. No water along the trail, so everyone has to make sure to bring enough water. 

You may see mules along the trail, too. We saw them on our first hike, but not on this trip. When you see mules on your hike, step off the trail on the uphill side away from the edge. Follow the direction of the wrangler. Remain completely quiet and stand perfectly still until the last mule is 50 feet (15 meters) past your position before you start moving.   

This trail is randomly patrolled by rangers. On our second visit we met an off-duty ranger. My son wore a University of Pittsburgh t-shirt and he happened to be from the area. So my husband had a little chat with him.

Water faucets available year-round at the trailhead. But elks licked them the two times we went there. So, it’s up to you if you want to fill up your water bottle from there.

A bit of the Strip

After checking in and a quick rest, we went out for supper. We decided to walk and to enjoy the strip a bit, but realized it was a mistake. It was around 8 p.m., but the temperature was still 108 degrees Fahrenheit! We could feel the heat pricking into our skin and it’s really dry.

Definitely North Texas summer is nothing compared to Las Vegas. Even my family from the tropical country of Indonesia couldn’t stand the heat. So, we went back to the hotel after supper and took a rest. After all, it was a long day.

Day 6: Las Vegas

Highlights: Hoover Dam, Pawn Shop, swimming at the hotel, and the Strip in the evening.

When in Vegas, it’s also best to make a drive to Hoover Dam. We didn’t do it on our first visit to Vegas which I think was a mistake. Especially since the drive to Hoover Dam from the Strip District is only around 45 minutes. But it was really hot at the end of June, so that 45 minutes felt like hours.

From Hoover Dam we went back to the Strip. This time for my husband to check out his travel list, visiting the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop. Finding a parking spot was not easy. It’s better to hire an Uber if you want to go here.

Then we went back to the hotel because the kids wanted to go swimming. I didn’t blame them because what else do you want to do when the temperature is above 100°F, right? 

In the evening we took a bus to take pictures by the famous Las Vegas sign. Then we stopped to watch the Bellagio fountain show.

My husband and son chose to stay in the hotel and they had an exciting experience. There was a fire on the second floor that triggered the fire alarm throughout the hotel and the Las Vegas Fire Department. All guests had to evacuate immediately. My husband and son took the stairs all the way down from the 22nd floor!

Hoover Dam

A blogger once wrote to score free parking on the Nevada site when visiting Hoover Dam. That’s what we did and it was a big mistake! We had to walk to the Visitor Center under 116°F! Haha.. So, you better park in the garage unless you don’t mind walking in the summer heat. The parking garage fee is only $10 anyway.

On this visit, we did the guided Dam Tour. It was crowded, and riding in the elevator wasn’t convenient for me, a person with a minor claustrophobia. They put too many people inside the elevator and I thought I almost fainted. I had no problems with walking in the tunnel though.

I suggest you take one of the Guided Hoover Dam Tours when visiting this place. You will learn a lot from the tour guide. If you are afraid of heights, you may want to avoid the observation deck.

Every visitor will go through a security screening before the tour. Expect a long line, just like when you are in the airport. The security screening reminded me of Flaming Gorge Dam in Utah. Except, there’s only one group ahead of us in Utah.

All in all, it was a great experience. I highly recommend you visit Hoover Dam when in Las Vegas.

Gold & Silver Pawn Shop

If you like the “Pawn Stars” tv show, you may want to visit this place. If you don’t know about the show, no need to spend time here.

I liked watching the shows, but I didn’t care about the stuff in the store. Probably because I’m not into shopping anymore.

During our visit, it’s hard to find a parking space. We had to make a loop twice before we finally found a parking spot. Address: 713 S Las Vegas Blvd.

Swimming at the Hotel

I would say one of the things people like to do when in Vegas is swimming or hanging out by the pool. After all, it’s really hot in the summertime. 

My son and his cousins had fun in the water just like any other hotel guests.

From the pool we could see people did the sky jump from the Sky Pod. When I booked the room I thought about doing it. After seeing it in person and listening to people screaming, I knew I couldn’t do it! Hehe..

A bit of Las Vegas Strip in the evening

After supper we took a bus to the most iconic sign in the world: Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas Nevada! 

On the way there we saw lots of people walking on the sidewalk. I thought they just got out from some kind of show or sports game, but it’s not. People just like visiting Las Vegas, even though it’s super hot in the summer.

When we got to the sign, we saw a line of people waiting for their turn to take pictures. It’s a must-do for first time visitors.

From there we took a bus to see the Bellagio’s fountain. A lot of people were waiting for the show, too. After waiting for more than an hour, we heard rumors that the fountain was broken. 

So, we left Las Vegas without seeing the famous fountain show.

Day 7: Las Vegas, Nevada to Albuquerque, New Mexico (670 miles, 10 h 30 m)

Highlights: Horseshoe Bend in Page, Arizona.

The Vegas heat really wore us out and it’s also a long drive today. First we drove to Page to see the famous Horseshoe Bend, then continued to Albuquerque, New Mexico. We really wished we had time to visit the world famous Antelope Canyon while we were in Page.

GPS took us through St. George and Kanab in Utah, where some of incredible nature in the southwest is located.

I also saw a sign to Valley of Fire State Park in Nevada. Too bad we didn’t have time to stop there as we drove for 10.5 hours to Albuquerque. Save it for the next visit.

Breathtaking Horseshoe Bend

We were a bit shocked to see the development at Horseshoe Bend. Parking was wider and paid, and there were restrooms, too. I didn’t remember how many tour buses that day carried tourists from overseas.

When we went there in 2011, parking space was limited, free, no toilets, and visitors were mostly locals.   

One thing remains the same: you must hike on the sandy trail to get to the Horseshoe Bend. It starts with a fairly steep path, then traverses to a more moderate decline towards the edge of the cliff. It’s a 1.5 miles round trip.

They were working on putting on fences along the rim while we were there. I’m sure it’s already done by now.

Day 8: Albuquerque, New Mexico to Fort Worth, Texas (623 miles, 9 h 15 m)

Last day of our trip, we wanted nothing more than to arrive home as fast as we could. As always, it’s always good when we see the State of Texas sign, until the realization sinks in. We still have another 5 hour and 30 minute drive to make until we get home. Yeeha!

Our Accommodation During Dallas to Grand Canyon Road Trip

Albuquerque: Turquoise Trail Campground and RV Park

Since we’re going to camp at the Grand Canyon, I made a deal with my sister to stay on the campground also when we stopped in Albuquerque on the way to the Grand Canyon. That way we didn’t haul the tents just for a couple of nights. Fortunately she agreed.

Turquoise Trail Campground and RV Park is located on the beautiful Turquoise Trail National Scenic Byway (NM Highway 14), the scenic route between Albuquerque and Santa Fe. Albuquerque is just 15 minutes away. We also stayed at this place on our 2 weeks road trip to the west a few years back.

RV campground and tent campsites are in a separate area. Every tent site has picnic tables and charcoal grills, while restrooms, hot showers, and a dishwashing station are just a few yards away. Tent sites are clean and level, and it comes with tokens for showers. However, showers are limited to 7 minutes as it is in a high desert. So, we practiced taking a shower for 7 minutes before we left for the trip. Tell you what. It’s actually enough. Haha.. There are electric outlets in the bathroom that you can use to recharge your cell phone, camera battery, and hair dryer!

Turquoise Trail is pet-friendly and offers free Wi-Fi, but you can’t rely on the Wi-Fi service. It’s slow and down a lot. They said because everyone was using it at the same time. With less than $20 a night, I would say it’s a good place for tent camping.

I have no experience on their RV camping, so you can go to Turquoise Trail Campground website to find all about it.

Address: 22 Calvary Road, Cedar Crest, New Mexico 87008.

Grand Canyon National Park: Mather Campground

Mather Campground on the  south Rim is open year-round, located within the busy Grand Canyon Village. It is operated by the National Park Service and reservations are strongly recommended from mid-March through mid-November.

There are 309 campsites spread in 7 loops, with restrooms and drinking water (summer only) available at every loop. Campsites are under tall pine trees, it makes staying there in the summertime comfortable. We even used our jackets at night.

Depending on what loop you stay in, you might need to drive for showers or use the laundry facility. Both are located in the Camper Services Building, right when you enter the campground area. The closest loop to the building is Aspen Loop. Just like Turquoise Trail Campground in Albuquerque, a paid shower is also limited, but here it is for eight minutes. Surprisingly, we’re done even before the water stopped running.

Accessible campsites are also available, and pets are allowed too, but must be leashed at all times and may not be left unattended. If needed, there’s a kennel service in the village.

The morning we left, close to check-out time, I noticed Park Rangers were driving around. I think they wanted to make sure people were leaving at the right time so the next tenters could occupy the sites.

Las Vegas: Stratosphere Hotel

When you check hotel prices in Las Vegas, they look cheap, until you add the resort fee. With that in mind and free parking for our two nights stay in the city, we chose to stay at Stratosphere. Besides, who doesn’t want to try the world famous thrill rides at the Skypod, right?

By the time we got to the Strip, it’s already evening and it was really hot. After checking in and upgrading our room to the newest ones, we went out for supper. I guess we didn’t expect Vegas would be at 108 degrees at 8 p.m. So, it felt really good sleeping on a comfy bed in a cool room.

Next afternoon, the children went to swim for a couple of hours at the Elation Pool on the 8th floor. The pool is pretty big and it’s complimentary for guests to use. As for the rides, we ended up just watching people screaming when being shot 160 feet straight up in the air at 45mph with their feet dangling over the side of The STRAT. Too scary!

Too bad the room didn’t come with breakfast, but there are choices of fine dining restaurants to fast food that fit your budget in the hotel.

Albuquerque: Airbnb

Definitely it’s not easy to find an Airbnb that can accommodate four adults and three children during peak season. When I found one near old town Albuquerque, I booked it right away without checking the area further.

As planned, we only spent a night before continuing home the next morning. Since we left from Las Vegas and stopped at Page, Arizona, we arrived at the Airbnb late at night.

Our GPS could find the address easily, it’s just we didn’t feel too comfortable with the area. Too quiet. When we left the next day, we saw that the city was revitalizing the area and… lots of Bail Bond offices.

The house itself was fine. Looks like the host bought it for Airbnb purposes, but the renovation job wasn’t 100% done. We saw half empty paints outside and electric cables were not covered yet. The house has 3 bedrooms but only 1 bathroom, so it’s not comfortable for a big group like us. I also didn’t like the bedsheets because they’re not cotton. However, the living room is spacious with a big screen and all kinds of channels. Tea and coffee were also available for guests to enjoy at a dining nook. If you want to upload a few pictures to your social media, WiFi is free.

Not sure if I’m going to stay at this place again, but you are free to check it out. It has been 2 years ago since we last stayed there. I hope it’s getting better. Name is Old Town Charming Casa.

Well, I hope this itinerary will help you on planning your Dallas to Grand Canyon road trip. Ten to fourteen days will be better, but this eight days trip was also great. It’s chock full with interesting stops. If you ever did a road trip from Texas to the Grand Canyon like our route, share with me your favorite stops along the way.

And don’t forget to save and share this article for your future reference!