Updated on October 11, 2026
One day on the Vegas Strip, a midnight bungee jump off Arizona's Navajo Bridge, and two days in Zion with a Marine Corps buddy—and why every writer needs an adventure like it.
My view from the Navajo Bridge in Arizona before bungee jumping.
Trip at a glance
Route: Camp Pendleton, CA → Las Vegas, NV → Navajo Bridge, AZ → Zion National Park, UT → back to California
When: 2017, a long weekend plus two days in Zion
Highlights: The Vegas Strip and a Cirque du Soleil show, a midnight bungee jump from a 496-foot bridge, The Narrows and Angels Landing
Best part: Zion, by far
This post may contain affiliate links. If you buy through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
In 2017, I planned a road trip to Zion National Park with a Marine Corps buddy. The journey took us through Nevada, Arizona, and Utah, and then back to California. We started early Friday morning, bought snacks before leaving Camp Pendleton, and drove about five hours to Las Vegas.
One Day in Las Vegas: What We Did
We arrived in Vegas for the first time around noon. In one day, we managed to do quite a bit:
Walked the Las Vegas Strip
Took photos at famous hotels like the Bellagio, Caesars Palace, and the MGM Grand
Visited a Muhammad Ali museum
Walked through an art gallery
Saw a Cirque du Soleil show for the first time
Leaving Las Vegas for Arizona
We stayed a night at the MGM Grand, packed our bags in the morning, explored the Strip for about two more hours, then headed to our next destination: Arizona.
Bungee Jumping off the Navajo Bridge at Midnight
This was when the story took a turn. My friend suggested visiting the Navajo Bridge in Arizona, since it was along our route to Utah. Why not? I thought. He didn't explain why he wanted to go until we were about 30 minutes away.
"I'm going to jump off the bridge," he said.
My heart momentarily stopped. I was genuinely scared for his life (whoa there, let's slow down a bit) until he asked, "Have you ever gone bungee jumping?"
That's when it clicked. He'd been planning to jump attached to a rope the entire time, and just never mentioned that part. There was my lesson in not jumping to conclusions.
After 29 more minutes of thinking it over, I said something I still can't quite believe: "I'm going to jump too." My friend had reserved a spot with a bungee company that night without telling me, and when we arrived, someone else in the group backed out at the last minute, opening a free slot for me. Lucky me, I suppose. (Depending on what you consider good luck.)
“Around midnight, under a full moon, I plunged off a 496-foot-high bridge into the dark.”
It was one of the most exhilarating experiences of my life. Bungee jumping isn't for everyone, and I understand that. But it was absolutely worth it and one of the most memorable parts of the entire trip, even though we were only in Arizona for a few hours.
Two Days in Zion: The Narrows and Angels Landing
Our next and final stop was Utah. I didn't know much about it before the trip, but Zion turned out to be my favorite part of the whole thing, a gem I never expected to find only a relatively short road trip away. (I say "short" because I've driven the United States coast to coast, a much longer trip that included Route 66. You can read my 10-day Route 66 travel guide.)
We stayed in Zion for two days. We hiked The Narrows along the Virgin River, walked trails carved into the canyon wall, and finished by climbing to the top of Angels Landing.
If you go today
Angels Landing now requires a permit to hike past Scout Lookout. Apply through a seasonal or day-before lottery on Recreation.gov, and plan ahead before you drive out. Without a permit, you can still enjoy the park’s beautiful trails.
“Have you ever felt like you are literally on top of the world? That’s the feeling I experienced.”
What the Trip Taught Me About Writing
Saying goodbye to Zion and packing the car for California was a genuinely sad moment. Rivers. Canyons. Trees. Animals. Nature always feels like home to me. I could have stayed there forever.
But the trip had to end, and because it didn't last forever, I've learned to be grateful for the memories, the inspiration and the photographs it left behind. I try to carry that same mindset into everyday life now: we often cherish the little things the most, yet only notice them once they're gone.
It's the same idea behind A Writer Is the Sum of His Experiences: the best stories come from a life worth writing about. I hope this one pushes you to venture out, whether that means new travel or a new project, and to be brave enough to write about it afterward. The world is full of stories waiting to be found. It's time to find yours.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the drive from Las Vegas to Zion National Park?
About 170 miles, or roughly three hours to the park's south entrance without stops.
Do you need a permit to hike Angels Landing?
Yes. Hiking beyond Scout Lookout requires a permit, which you get through a seasonal or day-before lottery on Recreation.gov.
Is Zion worth adding to a Las Vegas trip?
For me, it was the best part of the whole road trip. Two days were enough to hike The Narrows and Angels Landing, and I still wish I had stayed longer.
Free Resources for Writers
Still haven't grabbed your free copy of 15 Ways to Overcome Writer's Block? It's the guide behind how I turned trips like this one into finished stories.
Bittersweet: Poems on Love, Loss & Wanderlust
A beautiful and inspiring poetry collection for those who seek lessons from love, loss, and heartbreak, and the wanderlust we feel as we journey through life. Winner of the 2023 Pencraft Award for Literary Excellence.
Meet the author
Born in Caguas, Puerto Rico, raised in a military family, and a former U.S. Marine. Pablo Camacho is the author of more than eight books in English and Spanish and is currently writing his first horror stories. He lives in Florida with his wife and daughter.