Southwest USA Discovery: Ultimate Self-Guided Road Trip Bundle

Planning a trip through the American Southwest can be overwhelming given the sheer scale and diversity of sights. If you’re someone who loves to explore at your own pace but still craves comprehensive guidance, this Southwest USA Discovery bundle might be worth considering. It offers access to 36+ self-guided tours across some of the most iconic parks, cities, and landscapes from California to Colorado, all for around $150 per person.

What we find especially appealing are the flexibility of the self-guided format and the value it offers—particularly since the tours are usable for a full year after purchase, making it ideal for extended trips or multiple visits. On the flip side, since it’s a self-guided experience, some travelers might miss the personal touch of a guided tour or worry about navigating on their own.

This package would suit travelers who enjoy planning their own adventure, appreciate the freedom to explore without a strict schedule, and want a detailed, immersive experience. It’s perfect for those who want the convenience of audio-guided tours without the cost of traditional guided trips, especially if you’re comfortable using your phone for navigation and storytelling.

Key Points

• Flexible self-guided tours that you can start anytime, pause, and revisit within a year.
• Over 36 stops across major parks, cities, and scenic routes, offering a comprehensive Southwest experience.
• Cost-effective: Purchase once, use for a full year, suitable for multiple visits.
• High-quality storytelling with engaging narrators, making self-driving explorations more immersive.
• Offline maps ensure you stay on route even without cell service.
• Not an entry ticket: You’ll need to pay entrance fees separately for attractions.

What’s Included and What’s Not

This experience, offered by Adventures with Action, provides audio guides that make your driving experience more engaging. You’ll download an app, enter a unique password, and the stories will play automatically as you reach each stop. It’s a hands-free, easy-to-use format that allows total control over your pace, with the ability to stop and explore whenever you want.

What’s great about this setup is that it’s not just a list of stops but an immersive storytelling experience that provides background, history, and fun facts. However, it’s important to note that admission tickets and attraction passes are not included—so plan to buy those separately.

Deep Dive into the Itinerary

The tour spans six days, cramming in a mix of natural wonders, cultural sites, and scenic drives. Let’s break down what makes each day and stop special—and what to keep in mind.

Day 1: Grand Canyon South Rim & Beyond

Starting at the Grand Canyon South Rim, this stop is the highlight of any Southwest trip. The canyon’s vastness is something you’ll want to see with your own eyes; photos don’t quite capture its scale. The self-guided tour here covers the best vistas and hiking trails, with insights into the Native tribes who inhabit the area. It’s a solid introduction, but remember, admission tickets are not included, so budget for that.

Next, you’ll head over to Sedona for a drive through its famous red rock formations. Locals call it a “cathedral without walls,” and it’s easy to see why—towering spires and a vibrant canyon make it feel otherworldly. The drive is about two hours, and you can explore shops, galleries, or just enjoy the views.

A visit to Horseshoe Bend provides that iconic photo opportunity, with the Colorado River carving a perfect, horseshoe-shaped canyon. Since the tour is self-guided, you can spend as much time here as you want—though it’s a short stop of about two hours. Again, fees for the site are not included.

The day wraps with a visit to Saguaro National Park, exploring Rincon Mountain Visitor Center’s exhibits about the area’s early settlers. This gives you a taste of the desert landscape and its history.

Finally, a quick stop at Bellagio in Las Vegas showcases the city’s famous glitz. The tour mentions the “Weddings at Bellagio,” but with no admission included, you’re just getting a visual overview here.

Day 2: California’s Coastal and Urban Gems

This day is packed with California highlights. The Big Sur drive offers breathtaking views along the Pacific Coast Highway, with stops at McWay Falls and the Bixby Bridge. It’s one of those drives that makes you realize why California’s coast is so celebrated. Expect about two hours of scenic exploration.

Then, you venture into Silicon Valley to catch a glimpse of tech giants’ campuses. While you won’t go inside, the drive itself is interesting for those into tech history and culture. It’s a quick two-hour drive.

The Pacific Coast Highway and 17-Mile Drive provide further coastal beauty, with scenic vistas and landmarks like Seal Rock and Spanish Bay. These self-guided drives are all about the scenery, with insights into the area’s history and environment.

In La Jolla, the self-guided audio tour takes you through the famous seaside town, sharing stories about its development and notable residents. With no entry fees, it’s a flexible way to enjoy the Cali coast.

The San Francisco tour covers iconic sights: Lombard Street, Chinatown, and the Golden Gate Bridge. You can take your time exploring these landmarks, learning their stories along the way.

A visit to Lake Tahoe offers stunning mountain vistas and a bit of Gilded Age history. The drive around the lake is about two hours, letting you soak in the scenery.

The day concludes with a tour of Hollywood’s film locations and a drive through West Hollywood, where the stories of celebrities and star homes bring a glam touch to your trip.

Day 3: Colorado’s Mountain Majesty & Historic Sites

Day three takes you into Colorado’s wild landscapes. The Million Dollar Highway offers spectacular mountain vistas, with a history rooted in mining. It’s a remote, scenic drive that will leave you marveling at the rugged beauty of the Rockies.

Next, a tour of Rocky Mountain National Park introduces you to alpine lakes, mountain passes, and native legends. Be prepared for some stunning vistas and plenty of opportunities for photos.

The Mesa Verde stop highlights ancient cliff dwellings and native history, an essential stop for those interested in indigenous culture and archaeology.

The Garden of the Gods features striking red rock formations—easy to explore with a short trail that reveals some of the park’s most famous sights.

Day 4: Utah’s National Parks & Iconic Landscapes

Utah’s Arches and Canyonlands parks are on this day’s docket. The self-guided tours reveal majestic arches and deep canyons, with stories about the tribes and geologic forces that created them. Expect awe-inspiring formations and the chance to learn about the area’s deep history.

Bryce Canyon’s hoodoos are surreal—tall, spindly rock formations that look almost otherworldly. The legend of giants turned to stone adds a fun narrative to the scenery.

The Capitol Reef and Zion parks showcase colorful cliffs, lush orchards, and impressive canyon walls. Zion, in particular, is a must-see for its towering peaks and natural pools.

Driving through Monument Valley offers classic Western scenery and Navajo cultural insights, while the Grand Staircase reveals layered rock formations and fossil sites.

Day 5: Nevada’s Desert and City Lights

After heading into Nevada, the tour hits Lake Mead and Hoover Dam, iconic symbols of American engineering. The self-guided tour here offers historical insights into the dam’s construction and its significance.

Red Rock Canyon showcases vibrant, layered rocks and desert flora, perfect for a scenic drive or quick hike. End your day in Las Vegas, exploring the Strip, with stops like the MGM Grand Lion and the vibrant nightlife.

Day 6: New Mexico & Beyond

The final day explores White Sands, a stunning landscape of gypsum sand dunes. It’s a uniquely beautiful environment, perfect for photography and walks.

A visit to Santa Fe introduces you to the oldest church in the United States, San Miguel Chapel, alongside the arts and culture of this historic city.

Carlsbad Caverns offers an underground adventure. The self-guided audio tour gets you close to some of the most spectacular stalactite and stalagmite formations, with no extra fees included.

Who Will Love This Tour?

This bundle offers great value for those who want the flexibility to explore at their own pace without sacrificing storytelling quality. It’s especially suited for adventurous travelers comfortable with using their phones for navigation and audio guides. If you’re planning an extended Southwest visit or multiple trips within a year, the one-time purchase makes it a smart choice.

However, remember that entrance fees are not included, so you’ll need to budget additionally for park admissions and attraction tickets. Also, since all the tours are self-guided, you should enjoy navigating and researching along the way—this isn’t a set-it-and-forget-it experience.

Final Thoughts

The Southwest USA Discovery self-guided bundle delivers a comprehensive, flexible way to explore some of America’s most stunning landscapes and vibrant cities. It’s packed with well-crafted stories and boasts excellent value for travelers eager to craft their own adventures. The ability to start whenever you want, pause, and revisit makes it especially appealing for those who dislike rigid tour schedules.

If you’re a traveler who appreciates in-depth knowledge without the crowd or high prices of guided tours, this package could be your best companion. Just remember, it’s a tool—your experience depends greatly on how much you choose to explore beyond the stops and what attraction passes you pick up along the way.

FAQs

Can I use this tour multiple times?
Yes, once purchased, you can access and use the tours for one full year, perfect for multiple trips or extended visits.

Are the attraction entrance fees included?
No, the tour does not include entrance tickets. You’ll need to purchase those separately for each site you visit.

How do I access the audio guides?
After booking, you’ll receive an email with setup instructions. Download the Action Tour Guide App, enter your unique password, and start the tour at your chosen location.

Is Wi-Fi required during the tour?
You need Wi-Fi or cellular data initially to download the tours and maps. After download, the guides work offline, so no signal is needed while touring.

Can I pause the tour?
Absolutely. You can start, pause, or restart the stories anytime during your trip, which offers great flexibility.

Is this suitable for families?
The experience is self-guided and flexible, but because it involves driving and listening to stories, it’s best suited for independent travelers. Children may enjoy the scenic stops but check individual park policies for specific age restrictions.

Are the tours suitable for longer trips?
Yes, since the guides are usable across a full year, they’re ideal for those planning multiple visits or an extended journey through the Southwest.

What if I face technical issues?
Support is available if you encounter audio or app problems. Just contact the provided support channels.

How long does each stop typically last?
Most stops are designed for about two hours, but you can spend more or less time depending on your interest.

Is it easy to navigate between stops?
Yes, offline maps and GPS-guided instructions make navigation straightforward, even in remote areas.

This self-guided tour bundle offers a practical, flexible way to see the Southwest’s highlights without the pressure of guided groups or rigid schedules. For those comfortable with using tech and wanting a deep dive into the region’s stories and scenery, it’s a solid choice.