Utah’s Beautiful Parks

Day 1

Arrive Salt Lake City, Utah by 12noon where we will meet at the airport (or pick you up at your airport hotel) and drive south to position ourselves for this fabulous week. With stops along the way, we’ll have our welcome dinner and overnight in a town right outside Zion National Park.

Day 2

After breakfast today, we explore beautiful Zion National Park. An early drive brings us to the visitor center where we hop on the eco-bus to Sinawava Temple. This popular stop is down to the Narrows River to ‘slosh in the Narrows’. (There has been a toxic bloom in the river that the park is trying to manage, so closer to departure will determine if we enter the Narrows.)  Here we’ll hike the Riverwalk and also Emerald Pools, or an alternate hike of the guide’s choice. The gorgeous rock formations tower overhead, breathtaking! This park has a certain vibe. Welcoming. As we hike along the river, the views and photo opps are endless. We’ll have lunch at the Zion Lodge and a bit of time for shopping at the visitor center before we head out of the park with scenic stops along the way. This afternoon will find us heading north to Bryce Canyon with stops along the way, including unbelievably beautiful Red Canyon State Park en route. This is our teaser of the hoo-doos to come. Check into our lodging and have dinner right outside Bryce National Park.

The scenery and activities were absolutely awesome. I never dreamed I could have spent a week with such a diverse group of women and had such a wonderful time.
— Kelly K, GA

Day 3

We think this is the most stunningly scenic park in the US. After breakfast, we’ll hike the loop on the zig-zag Navajo Trail and Queen’s Garden, where ponderosa pines brush canyon walls as they reach for the sky. Wall Street is an awe inspiring part of the trail. Why is it named Wall Street? Join us and find out! This three-hour hike has stunning views and great photo opportunities. This is elevation of 7000′ to start so we’ll take our time. We’ll visit some of the most scenic overlooks too. We’ll lunch at Bryce Canyon Lodge – always a treat! Later in the afternoon our drive takes us through the amazing scenery of Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument. Goblin Valley State Park is a stop on our way for another quick hike that is jaw droppingly gorgeous. Our van takes us over a 9600’ pass through alpine meadows of aspens with great views of the Water pocket Fold, and down to the small town of Torrey. We found some of the best Mexican food around in this little town. We will check into our lodging right outside Capital Reef National Park.

Day 4

After breakfast, we’ll head into Capital Reef National Park for a day of more incredibly beautiful sights and hiking. We’ll hike the Capital Gorge trail, see pictographs and petroglyphs from both Native Americans and pioneers who traveled through and lived in this area. There’ll be plenty of photo stops within this scenic park and we’ll explore the old community of Fruita and see Fremont pictographs on ancient walls. We’ll enjoy a picnic lunch in the park and stop at the historic Gifford House for what..? Pie! We’ll pile back in the van before driving across to Moab. Once there, we’ll check into our lodging for two nights and dine at one of the many delightful restaurants. The shops stay open late and it’s a fun town to shop in. Overnight Moab.

My first visit to the Southwest was chock full of grand memories. You made the trip so relaxing and fun. It was like traveling with true “road sisters!
— Regina E, MD

Day 5

After breakfast, we’re up early to greet the sun and off to a little known state park with a gruesome name, but incredible beauty. Dead Horse Point State Park is an immense desert landscape of canyons, high desert woodland, and miles of trails. Sunrises and sunsets are especially memorable, with canyon walls bathed in golden light, creating a stunning scene reminiscent of vivid watercolor paintings. An early start is great for not only the views but to beat the heat as well! We’ll enjoy a picnic in the park too, and another small hike. This afternoon is free time for you to go to Canyonlands National Park, which we are not allowed to enter as a tour operator, however YOU can go! We will make the arrangements.  Or, you can stay in town to relax by the pool, check out the local brewery, or enjoy the shops of Moab before our dinner in town. Overnight Moab.

Day 6

After breakfast, you have the morning as free time to visit Arches National Park, which we are not allowed to enter as a tour operator, however YOU can go! We will make the arrangements. Another option is a hike in this gorgeous red rock area that offers many other hiking trails right outside the National Park boundaries. This afternoon, it’s time to say farewell to Utah’s beautiful State and National Parks and try to decide which one was your favorite. We drive back to Salt Lake City to our hotel close to the airport for easy transfers in the morning. We’ll get cleaned up and enjoy our Farewell dinner as we recount our amazing week together. Overnight Salt Lake City.

It’s only Tuesday and I’m out of adjectives!
— Suzanne C, Boston

Day 7

Enjoy the hotel amenities before you take the airport shuttle to the airport for your departure flight home or stay and play in Utah.

• 6 days/6 nights fully guided tour by a Canyon Calling Trip Leader
• Accommodations, double occupancy
• All meals from dinner on Day 1 through dinner on Day 6
• All land transportation as outlined in this itinerary
• All scheduled activities and excursions listed in the itinerary
• Entrance fees to all parks, and taxes

• Round-trip transportation to/from Salt Lake City, Utah
• Alcoholic beverages and items of a personal nature
• Travel insurance and gratuity to your Trip Leader at the end of the tour