We left Twentynine Palms after falling deeply in love with the area and set off toward Arizona, specifically Tucson. It was a few hours’ drive, Ricky had picked out a book for us to listen to during this Southwest trip—A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson. Highly recommended! It’s a little outdated but still super interesting and academic. We passed through a couple of major cities on our way, heading toward Saguaro National Park. Our goal was to hit at least three national parks in Arizona since the distances between them weren’t too daunting, making it an ideal road trip plan.
Before leaving Joshua Tree, we stopped at a Walmart for a big grocery haul of road trip essentials: chips, trail mix, sandwiches, Gatorade, and more. This kept us fueled on the road and meant we mostly ate on the go.
We arrived at Saguaro West in the early afternoon. This part of the park is fairly small, offering a fantastic introduction to the iconic Saguaro landscape in a short time. From start to finish, it took us about an hour, including three short hikes where we got out of the car to explore. Our Airbnb in Tucson was less than 20 minutes from the park, and I cannot recommend it enough. Called “The Time Capsule” it was situated on the estate of two local artists, surrounded by open land with sculptures showcased in the yard. It was, without a doubt, the most eclectic Airbnb we’ve ever stayed in! I’ll add the link so you can see just how cool it is. The Time Capsule in the Sonoran Dessert
That evening, we cooked dinner on a hot pan and sat outside wrapped in jackets, marveling at the dark, star-filled sky while talking and laughing. It was one of those perfect road trip moments.
The next morning, we originally planned to hit the road early for Petrified Forest National Park, but our Airbnb was so cozy that we ended up lingering until checkout at 11 AM. Then, we started the 4.5-hour drive. We arrived at Petrified Forest with plenty of time to visit the visitor center and shop for a stunning bookend made of petrified wood. We drove through the park’s main road, stopping at nearly every overlook. Seeing the Agate Bridge—a 225-million-year-old petrified tree trunk—was especially incredible. It was even more fascinating to be reading Bryson’s book while exploring, as it covered fossils and the age of the universe in depth.
We caught the sunset from the Painted Desert overlook, and it was truly world-class. I was so glad we arrived at just the right time. From there, we drove about an hour to our Airbnb in Taylor, Arizona.
Taylor had the coldest weather of our entire trip—about 36°F with a biting wind that made it feel even colder. I had prepped for snow based on my research, expecting to see it in the Grand Canyon or Utah. However, to our surprise (and even the locals’), it was in the 70s almost every day of our trip. This also meant we didn’t expect so many tourists at these landmarks, nor did the park staff! Regardless, I was thrilled with the weather we got.
Our Airbnb in Taylor was a small, Route 66-themed house—somehow both compact and incredibly well-equipped. Our host thought of everything and even left us homemade banana muffins and Christmas snacks. She also had a bucket of petrified wood, allowing guests to take a piece as a souvenir—a lovely touch.
The next morning, we drove from Taylor to Williams, Arizona, and started our day at Bearizona, a wildlife sanctuary near the Grand Canyon. The line to get in was long, even for those of us who had pre-bought tickets—about 45 minutes—but once inside, everything was seamless. Seeing the bison and white buffalo up close in the drive-through section was incredible. We also saw dozens of bears, which I had never seen in such numbers before! The conditions were great—no cages, just open land where the animals were active and beautiful. I definitely recommend it.
After Bearizona, we drove about an hour to our next Airbnb, nestled in the Kaibab National Forest near Williams. Every single review had been so glowing that it convinced us to book—and once we arrived, we understood why. You drive through the farm’s stables and past horses before reaching the cabin in the mountains. This Airbnb had no cell service or Wi-Fi, which added to its charm. We drove about 10 minutes out to notify our emergency contacts that we’d be off the grid for a few days, then fully embraced the unplugged experience. The cabin was heated entirely by a wood stove, which was fun to figure out, and sitting on the couch wrapped in blankets, reading by the fire, was the perfect mid-trip recharge. At night, we stargazed from the balcony, completely removed from digital distractions. We even got to pet and feed the horses in the mornings—an unexpected highlight.
The first day at the cabin was a true rest day. It was cold outside, the fire was crackling, and we occasionally bird-watched from the windows. On our second day, we dedicated our time to exploring the Grand Canyon. Lodging inside the park was too pricey, so this Airbnb was a great alternative—just about an hour away, which wasn’t bad at all.
I half-expected the Grand Canyon to feel underwhelming simply because I had seen so many pictures of it over the years. Happy to report that it was every bit as stunning, shocking, and awe-inspiring as people say. We had enough time to drive through the park, stop at overlooks, and do a couple of short hikes. The weather was absolutely perfect—clear skies and temperatures in the high 60s, which is incredible for late December.
That night, we had one last cozy evening at our unplugged retreat, watching an old movie on their DirecTV while snacking on road trip treats.
The next morning, we set off for Page, Arizona—a place I had been wanting to visit for years. I was so excited we could fit it into this trip! We started by visiting a “fake” Wave. If you’ve heard of The Wave, you know it’s a breathtaking rock formation that’s nearly impossible to get a permit for. We had been willing to enter the day-before lottery, but the system now requires you to be physically in Page to participate. Since we were still in Williams, we weren’t even allowed to enter—such a bummer!
Instead, we checked out the gas station Wave, and honestly, I was impressed. I can only imagine how jaw-dropping the real Wave must be. Unfortunately, it was packed with tourists, some being rude, and many kids climbing and hanging off the rocks. As we were leaving, the police showed up. Later, our Antelope Canyon tour guide told us they’ve had so many issues with tourists there that they’re permanently closing access—a real shame.
From there, we had just enough time before our Antelope Canyon tour to visit Horseshoe Bend. I won’t lie—we covered a ton of ground in Page in just one day, but it never felt rushed. We didn’t linger for Instagram-perfect shots, but we still had plenty of time to admire everything and take photos. Horseshoe Bend was crowded, and with its sheer height and people getting dangerously close to the edge, I found it a little nerve-wracking.
Our final stop was Antelope Canyon. We booked a premium sunspot tour with Adventurous Antelope Canyon, and it was worth every penny. Our guide was incredibly knowledgeable, took fantastic pictures, and kept the group on track. The canyon itself was breathtaking and felt almost sacred. It was an absolute privilege to experience.
By then, we were exhausted, so we skipped Monument Valley and continued toward Utah, where we had an Airbnb booked in Orderville. This marked the start of the third leg of our trip, encompassing two Utah national parks and Death Valley in California.
More adventures to come!
