Arizona-Utah: Grand Canyon, Bryce, Zion

Our home state of Arizona and northern neighbor Utah are superb destinations for spring and fall hiking, and our Arizona-Utah hiking tour to the Grand Canyon, Bryce and Zion is one highlight after the next at the most spectacular National Parks in the US Southwest. This tour is lodge-based, spending one night in Flagstaff, one night at the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, and two nights apiece at Bryce and Zion National Parks.

Each day we'll enjoy some of the finest hiking in the Southwest on our scenic hour dayhikes. Meeting in Flagstaff, Arizona, we'll split out time at 3 gorgeous inns near each park, taking memorable dayhikes each day. Colorful spires, hidden waterfalls, narrow canyons and soaring rock walls make every day a highlight. Our typical day starts with breakfast at our hotel. Soon we'll be out on the trail, exploring each of these parks in depth.

Each morning, you'll be handed a lunch to carry, and at a mid-point along the way we'll choose a beautiful spot to stop and enjoy our picnic. We should finish our hike around 4 pm, giving you time to wash up, relax, or perhaps do a bit of shopping in town.

After that, we'll enjoy dinner together at our hotel or another local restaurant, often local southwest specialties and always delicious!

This tour can be combined with our Northern Arizona Highlights tour for a longer, 2-week Southwest tour, with a $300 discount for combining two tours. Please ask if you are interested.

Our specific hikes will be decided by the group and the leaders during your tour, but here is a sample of what to expect:

Day 1: Fly to Phoenix and take a shuttle to Flagstaff, or fly directly to Flagstaff. We'll meet in the evening for a nice dinner and talk about the trip to come. (Drury Inn)

Day 2: We'll leaving early in the morning by van to our to our first hiking destination, the Grand Canyon North Rim. Hike along the Ken Patrick trail, hugging the North Rim through Ponderosa pines with grand views to the south and east. The North Rim of the Grand Canyon is 1500' higher than the South Rim and receives just 10% as many visitors, for a remote and serene experience. We'll stay in the handsome Grand Canyon Lodge, a National Historic Landmark built in 1937. Enjoy an evening relaxing on their outdoor patio gazing across the Grand Canyon. (Grand Canyon Lodge)

Day 3: After a leisurely morning, we'll transfer north by van to Bryce Canyon National Park. Bryce is known for it's otherworldly ampitheaters of colorful hoodoos (spires) and natural bridges. The Fairyland trail gives us a great opportunity to soak in the atmosphere, a 3 hour hike through some of the finest scenery in the park. We can hike right to our lodge, the Bryce Canyon Lodge. Built in the 1920's, the historic Bryce Canyon Lodge is just a short walk from the canyon rim. (Bryce Canyon Lodge)

Day 4: There are many choices in Bryce Canyon itself, but we may choose to an even wilder option in the nearby Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. Just a short drive away, Grand Staircase is a land of fantastic spires, buttes, and twisting canyons. The hike through Phipps Wash to the Escalante river is a fantastic hike through forest and red rock canyons to the lush canyon floor. Return to Bryce Canyon Lodge for a second night. (Bryce Canyon Lodge)

Day 5: Today we discover Zion National Park, a stunning park with orange-red canyon walls that tower over 3000' above the canyon floor. A morning transfer is followed by a spectacular hike, perhaps to Observation Point or Angel's Landing, two of Zion's best hikes, with sweeping canyon views that will take your breath away. Our lodging tonight is in the Cliffrose Lodge, a luxurious hotel in nearby Springdale with outdoor swimming pool, hottub and grand views (Cliffrose Lodge)

Day 6: Another of Zion's classic hikes leads through the Zion narrows. Wading through the Virgin river (sometimes up to your thighs), this hike is a unique and challenging opportunity to hike through a impressive and narrow gorge, with waterfalls, hanging gardens and memories galore. A more moderate option is a thrilling hike to Angel's Landing, across a narrow sandstone fin to outstanding views in all directions. Truly a classic and fitting way to finish a great trip! Return to Springdale for our last night. (Cliffrose Lodge)

Day 7: After breakfast, we'll return to Flagstaff where you can continue on to your post-tour destinations.