The Grand Circle – originally a loop to the Grand Canyon, Zion, and Bryce Canyon national parks — covers much of northern Arizona and southern Utah as well as portions of Colorado, New Mexico, and a sliver of Nevada. Unless you have weeks to explore the area and a hefty travel budget, you can’t even begin to see it all. So how do you tackle it on a budget?
1. Divide and conquer: Focus on one specific area within the Grand Circle, such as northwestern New Mexico. Or hone in on a theme, like Native American heritage or iconic Southwestern destinations. You can also develop an itinerary around a specific activity, such as hiking or mountain biking. Alternatively, plan to spend several days in one national park, like the Grand Canyon, so you can truly experience what it has to offer, and then add a few days to your itinerary to see a few nearby sites.
2. Pick a base: By staying in one place and branching out to several sites, you may be able to receive discounts for an extended hotel stay and reduce transportation costs, by making a few shorter trips instead of one long, continuous road trip. You might even decide to rent a vacation home, giving you the option to save money by preparing a few meals yourself.
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