Southwestern Utah’s Bryce Canyon & Zion National Parks are two of the most geologically fascinating and stunningly beautiful places on earth, and this trip allows you to take in both Parks on foot! Explore rim country with a hike to Angel’s Landing, 1,200 feet above the valley floor. Hike the most magnificent slot canyon around: Zion National Park’s Virgin River Narrows, ranked fifth out of America’s best 100 adventures by National Geographic Adventure Magazine. Browse galleries in the artist conclave of Springdale and unwind each night while marveling at the brilliance of Utah’s starlit sky. From the fairy-tale amphitheater of Bryce’s Canyon to the monolithic sandstone walls of Zion National Park, get ready for a mind-blowing Bryce Canyon Tour in Southern Utah’s prized Canyon Country. Our expert guides can’t wait to introduce you to Utah’s spectacular landscape featuring 60-million-year-old towering red walls and windswept rock formations as you discover the geologic history behind the Colorado Plateau and water’s effect on the terrain in this stunning region of the Southwest US. Six days won’t seem enough for this adventure-of-a-lifetime!
Included on this Zion and Bryce Canyon Tour:
Wander among timeless bristlecone pines and experience the richness of a subalpine forest in Cedar Breaks National Monument
Cross a rainbow of red, pink, and white sandstone cliffs in Snow Canyon
Saunter beneath a sky-high slot canyon coined “Wall Street,” relishing in just how far, far away you feel from New York City’s skyscrapers
Walk between the magical hoodoo rock formations of Bryce’s Peek-a-Boo Trail
Summit the magnificent towering monolith of Angel’s Landing
Trek past waterfalls, natural springs, and hanging gardens in Zion’s Virgin River Narrows ranked one of America’s best adventures by National Geographic
This morning your guides will pick you up at your hotel in Las Vegas and drive 2.5 hours to Snow Canyon State Park. Before we dive into any activities, we’ll enjoy lunch at a local restaurant just outside the canyon. Then, we’ll begin our first hike of the trip amid lava flows and sandstone. Trek through Snow Canyon State Park with its red Navajo sandstone cliffs and ancient lava flows, and discover the secrets of the desert landscape through your knowledgeable guide. Tonight, enjoy some exceptional cuisine at the unique and contemporary Painted Pony restaurant in St. George before a good night of sleep at your quaint Inn.
About Best Western Plus Abbey Inn
For a comfortable stay in a unique southwestern-style accommodation, Best Western Abbey Inn serves it all in a convenient location in St. George. Lavishly decorated with intricate brickwork and palm tree-studded landscaping, this hotel is an oasis for relaxation and a premium space to unwind at the end of a long day of adventuring. Soak in the outdoor pool or hot tub or get your sweat on in the fitness center before crawling into bed.
Cedar Breaks National Monument / Bryce Canyon National Park
A freshly prepared breakfast will await you this morning. A short shuttle brings us to Red Cliffs Desert Reserve where we’ll take a neat hike. Red Cliffs is a 62,000-acre scenic wildlife reserve set aside to protect the Mojave Desert tortoise and other rare plants and animals. After a picnic lunch, we head to Cedar Breaks National Monument. Spectra Point Trail at Cedar Breaks will introduce you to even more stunning geology such as hoodoos, arches, and windows as you wind around the outer edge of the gorge. Enjoy the desert scenery as we finish our shuttle towards Bryce Canyon National Park. Check into your home for the next two nights and relax before dinner.
About The Lodge at Bryce Canyon
Located in Bryce Canyon National Park you will experience the rustic elegance at one of the grand western lodges designed for national parks in the 1920s. A National Historic Landmark, The Lodge at Bryce Canyon is the only lodge of that era to remain largely intact. This historic lodge also offers unrivaled access to breathtaking views, world-class hiking trails, and a tranquil wilderness. As the only lodging within the national park, all of the facilities are just steps from the stunning ancient rock formations of the Bryce Amphitheater.
About Bryce Canyon Grand Hotel
Located in southwest Utah just north of Bryce Canyon National Park, the Bryce Canyon Grand Hotel is surrounded by fantastic scenery, most notably rock spires of every shape and size, known locally as “hoodoos.” Experience for yourself Bryce Canyon’s newest and most luxurious accommodations and amenities with the best in western hospitality. The Bryce Canyon Grand offers an enclosed courtyard offering guest privacy for the pool, whirlpool, and patio areas. You’re invited to experience Bryce Canyon City’s newest lodging facilities while visiting the breathtaking Bryce Canyon National Park.
After a hearty breakfast, embark on a hike through the magical hoodoo rock formations of Bryce’s Peek-A-Boo and Queens Garden trails. Trek through natural sculpted rock gardens of brilliantly colored spires, cliffs, and natural amphitheaters and take in the jaw-dropping views from Rainbow Point. Share your favorite parts of Bryce Canyon with the group as you dine with everyone at the lodge. If you are a night owl, be sure to take advantage of one of the clearest night skies around and try your hand at finding some of the constellations.
This morning, we look for the fifteen small arches along the aptly-named Arches Trail just outside Bryce. Shuttle into Zion through an entrance that will leave you in awe as you wind through the magnificent canyon walls and towering cliffs that make up this majestic park. Hike to Angel’s Landing, one of the top-rated hikes in the world, before checking into your lodging for the next two nights. Take the evening to enjoy dinner on your own and explore the artsy town of Springdale.
About SpringHill Suites
The award-winning SpringHill Suites Springdale Zion National Park offers a comfortable, elegant setting for adventurers. Located only 1 mile from Zion’s gate, the Springhill Suites is centrally located to explore everything southern Utah has to offer. After an exciting day of hiking, treat yourself to the luxuries the SpringHill Suites has to offer. Enjoy the outdoor pool and hot tub with amazing canyon views, splash pad, balconies, patios, and fireplaces, or stroll along the Virgin River to take advantage of the desert dark night sky
Explore more of the wonders that Zion has to offer today. Spend a full day walking and wading along the Virgin River, into the sheer-walled canyon of the Narrows. Soak up the captivating scenery as you pass waterfalls, natural springs and hanging gardens. The Narrows hike is recognized as one of America’s best adventures by National Geographic and is one that you will not soon forget. Take time to relax and reflect at the Inn before our farewell dinner at Bit & Spur.
Today you will have time for one last hike through Zion National Park before we shuttle three hours to Las Vegas for our departure home.
*Trip itineraries are subject to change without notice due to road, weather, and other factors outside of our control, for the safety and enjoyment of our guests, as deemed necessary and appropriate by Austin Adventures.
* During the spring, an alternate hike to Observation Point may be arranged if the Virgin River is running too high or too cold.
Please plan on arriving at least one day prior to your departure. Day one of your itinerary starts at 7:00 am or 7:20 am, depending on which Las Vegas hotel you are staying at. Your trip ends with a drop-off at the Las Vegas airport (1:30 pm) or your hotel (2:00 pm).
* Please note, there is a one-hour time difference between Las Vegas, NV (PST) and St. George, UT (MST).
Activities
Hiking: 1 to 8 miles per hike, easy to strenuous terrain (sometimes multiple shorter hikes will be completed within one day)
Austin Adventures guides are experienced facilitators and regional experts. They will take the time to explain the details of each activity, answer any questions, and demonstrate the use of all equipment. Each activity has been carefully planned to include options for all levels. Most importantly, Austin Adventures guides will help you select the distance that’s right for you.
Cultural Discoveries
Hear tales of the region’s history from Butch Cassidy to Mormon settlers. Learn about Canyon Country geology, including hoodoos, arches, alcoves, and fins. Known for its slot canyons, soaring towers and monoliths, and scenic sandstone, Zion National Park is full of unique formations begging to be explored. Delve into the 150 million-year-old history of Zion canyon’s geologic formations. Bryce Canyon National Park, named after Ebenezer Bryce, a Mormon homesteader in the 1870’s, will satisfy your adventurous spirit with its options for magnificent bike rides and awe-inspiring hikes. Discover your inner thrill-seeker as you ascend the narrow switchbacks to Angel’s Landing. Absorb the magnificence of one of the most legendary canyons in all of Zion National Park, the Zion Narrows, as you walk and wade along the North Fork of the Virgin River in the midst of towering canyon walls. Come visit “The Most Colorful Park in America” (Bryce) and “The Land of Rainbow Canyons” (Zion) to witness for yourself what all the hype is about!
Meals
The hallmark of an Austin Adventures vacation is our exceptional dining. All meals: breakfasts, lunches, snacks, dinners, refreshments, and receptions – except one dinner on your own – are included as indicated by the itinerary. (B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner). Alcoholic beverages and related gratuities are not included in the trip price
Pre-departure Information
After receiving your reservation and deposit, we’ll send you a pre-trip planner with general information about the area you’ll be visiting, a packing list, exercise guidelines, a guest information questionnaire, and a liability release agreement for you to sign and return within 10 days.
View the "Wow Factor" Included in Each Austin Adventure
Activity levels are subjective depending on your general level of fitness and your experience; however, all of our trips are self-paced.
1Easy (1)
Activity levels are subjective depending on your general level of fitness and your experience; however, all of our trips are self-paced.
2Moderately Easy (2)
Activity levels are subjective depending on your general level of fitness and your experience; however, all of our trips are self-paced.
3Moderate (3)
Activity levels are subjective depending on your general level of fitness and your experience; however, all of our trips are self-paced.
4Moderate to Challenging (4)
Activity levels are subjective depending on your general level of fitness and your experience; however, all of our trips are self-paced.
5Challenging (5)
National Parks Expert
Kasey Austin
As President of Operations at Austin Adventures, Kasey Austin can tell you the logistical ins and outs of every single trip. More than that, though, Kasey has lived and breathed most of the company’s featured destinations and will eagerly share her contagious passion for the transformational power of active travel. Kasey grew up in the adventure travel business; she knows the positive, lifelong impact of family travel, a quality that earned her the distinction of being named top family travel guide by Outside Magazine in 2014.
