"Awesome!" As a parent, you may try to avoid the word. But in this case, as you gaze out over the Grand Canyon, marveling at the play of light and shadow across the endless expanse, it's perfect. And the words keep coming. Whether you're exploring a wonderland of hoodoos and pinnacles in Bryce Canyon ("sweet!"). Traipsing amid the soaring walls and hanging gardens of a slot canyon in Zion ("epic!"). Or laughing at fireside stories under a star-speckled sky ("those leaders are so fly!"). You'll try to contain yourself. But you can't. Because the whole experience is truly... awesome.

Deluxe Camping

Sunset Campground (1 night): Set in a pine forest, just a short hike from the rim of Bryce Canyon.

North Rim Campground (2 nights): Our home, near the edge of the canyon in a meadow ringed with aspen, offers breathtaking views. 

Watchman Campground (2 nights): Nestled along the Virgin River with soaring cliffs all around.

2013 Dates & Pricing*

FAMILY TRIPS

Plus 6.25% Utah state sales tax.

*Prices may change. Once you book your trip, your price is guaranteed.

Recommended Kids Ages

Minimum Ages:

• Recommended minimum age for the trip: 6 years
• Minimum age restriction to ride own bike: 7 years
• Minimum age restriction for canyoneering: 6 years
• Minimum age restriction for mule ride: 7 years

General Info on Minimum Ages:

We strongly encourage families to join our Family Trips, designed with kid- and adult-friendly features. Please note that we have a minimum age requirement of 1 year for all Inn trips and 2 years for all Camping trips. Other than that, we do not restrict trips to a minimum age except in the rare case of a hotel age restriction. We do, however, recommend minimum ages based on the following criteria:

• 12+ amount of cultural appreciation, difficulty of activities, routes
• 9+ difficulty of activities/activity age restrictions, routes
• 6+ several longer dinners; routes are difficult for pulling a Burley and therefore not appropriate for younger children; difficulty of activities/activity age restrictions

Please note that a trip may feature an activity with an older age requirement than the minimum age recommendation for the trip. Younger kids are still welcome on the trip and while they will not be able to participate in the activity, the leaders will suggest an alternate activity. For safety reasons, children under 7 may not ride their own bikes and are required to ride on a Piccolo or in a Burley. For certain destinations, children must be 9 or older to ride their own bikes.

Guest Trip Reviews

Awesome and awe-inspiring. I knew the locations were going to be eye-openers. What I didn't realize was how Backroads would carefully construct and perfectly assemble this family camping trip. They made the most of every location for both parents and children. From the campsite logistics of arranging 3 sumptuous meals a day for 26 individuals (many with unique needs), to the setting up, arranging and taking down our tents at each site. On top of this, they provided informative breaks and activities on our long driving days. This was my first family camping trip, after 18 inn trips, and you all outdid yourselves! I'm convinced that another camping trip is in my near future. I've come to know that with Backroads, the trip logistics and planning will be top-notch. The thought and tiny details (playing in a water park for the kids to cool off, dessert at the rim of Grand Canyon, ice cream sundaes and smores for dessert) raise the bar for standards Backroads has set. I'm sold!

Elizabeth Weisser - New York, NY

Every member of our family loved the trip. The scenery was incredible, our leaders were amazing, and we thoroughly enjoyed our fellow campers. I could not have imagined the uniqueness of hoodoos in Bryce, the awesome expanse of the Grand Canyon or the rugged beauty of Zion. Backroads provided the perfect way to see them.

Bob Shearman - Fort Myers, FL

Our trip was simply fantastic! The accommodations were great and I had NEVER tent-camped before this trip. The food was out of this world. I never would have guessed that we'd eat that well on a camping trip. Our leaders were second to none! I can't say enough about it, we really had the time of our lives. I was awed by the beauty of the Southwest.

Linda Omdahl - Jefferson, MD

This was a fabulous trip! We have a 19-year-old and a 5-year-old and neither has stopped talking about how much fun s/he had. I did not want to miss an activity because all were geared around seeing or doing something new. The climb to Angels Landing was stupendous and the campsite at the Grand Canyon was superb. We have been on several European trips and had heard good things about the family trips. They all underestimated the quality of the trip. My wife doesn't even care to camp and she did not complain once due to the superior trip planning and the support team we had. Well done and keep up the good work!

Gary Bacon - Carmel, IN

Best family trip we have ever taken! You actually got my wife to enjoy camping, which is a feat that I would never imagine happening. The spirit and soul of your guides was a surprise and a high point of our experience. Really, I could go on but words do not really capture what I call "Ruach" (which means "spirit" in Hebrew) and which your company and your guides have in abundance. My wife accuses me of being a sentimental cornball (and she tends to be right) but the trip you had for us was deeply moving, both in the time I got to spend with my family, meet new friends (including your guides) and see wonderful places. It has been almost 2+ weeks since I have been home and I still get a smile in my heart and soul thinking about our trip with you. Thank you for that.

Steven Marcus - Libertyville, IL

The trip was outstanding. My son said "This was the best vacation of his life!" We all agreed that this was the perfect vacation for our family. We loved the activities, the scenery and the friendships formed among the kids. We were so impressed with the enthusiasm and energy of the trip leaders that we're already planning our next Backroads Family camping trip for next summer.

Linda G. - Encino, CA

The best compliment of all is that our kids all said this was the best trip we've ever taken. Our leaders were outstanding in every way - made us all comfortable and relaxed. They were a wealth of information about the parks and surrounding areas, handled the wide range of age levels in our group very well (kids ages 6-19), provided games to play, engaged the kids during "downtime," and made their own tasks seem effortless and seamless. The food was superb and their positive outlook was contagious and uplifting. We can hardly wait to book our next trip!

Susan Hunt - McLean, VA

I am overwhelmed with the perfection of this trip. Part of the wonderful experience was made possible by the natural beauty of Bryce, Zion, and the Grand Canyon. But my family's enjoyment of these magical places was orchestrated precisely and flawlessly by Backroads - starting with the helpful trip consultant who recommended this trip as one that would fit well with my vision of our summer family vacation. The next Backroads guidance came from the emails and brochures that came my way, including the terrific packing list and detailed itinerary. But the crowning Backroads contribution - the one that made a summer trip into perhaps the best summer trip my family has ever taken - comes from the leaders. They are simply fantastic; they're smart, informed, helpful, cheerful, earnest, committed, lovely, capable, energetic, impressive human beings. They worked together like synchronized swimmers, seamlessly executing a daily dance that made every element of the camping experience an effortless joy for everyone. They were terrific with the kids. They were engaging, warm, and just plain fun with the parents. I cannot say enough about how much their truly excellent work (and it WAS work indeed - daily and nightly diligence that always seemed like their pure pleasure to do) made the whole trip into pure enjoyment.

Amy Silverstein - Chappaqua, NY

The best part of it was the sense that we accomplished something, by being physically involved in the experience rather than just through observation. The trip was challenging, but not overwhelming, and our kids did things they have never done before. The beauty of the surroundings was indescribable. The bonding we did with the other families and the leaders made it even more special. Our kids (8-yr-old twins and a 6-year-old) were crying when we left. It will leave a lasting impression on us.

Mike Newbold - Keene, NH

This was my 5th Backroads trip and it was fabulous. Backroads always does a great job choosing leaders, chefs and camp assistants. The itinerary was well thought out and the leaders executed the plan perfectly. I just want to compliment Backroads on your interviewing process and the training of your staff. All your staff were friendly, flexible, energetic, hard-working, well-liked by the kids and the adults. The leaders and camp staff really lived the mission that Backroads puts customers first. Backroads is a dream come true!

Maureen Cavanaugh - New York, NY

Once again, Backroads made going camping with my son a truly enjoyable experience for both of us. The scenery was magnificent, the guides were all awesome, the food was amazing and the camaraderie with our fellow campers made the trip so much fun! Thank you!

Wendy Fewster - Richmond, VA

Amazing! Staff was energetic and always helpful, trip was well organized and fun, deluxe camping lived up to its billing.

Daniel Lawee - New York, NY

Overall a really fabulous trip. The warmth and friendliness of the leaders was really great and lent a lovely feel to the group, helping both adults and children feel comfortable.

Susan Schwartz - Scarsdale, NY

The trip far exceeded our expectations. Every detail was well thought out and planned. We were able to explore the Canyons in a way we never would have been able to independently.

Jennifer Fox - Narberth, PA

The camping experience was great. The food was awesome. The seamlessness is always what impresses me most!

Marla Dudak - Boca Raton, FL

What a wonderful family trip! Experiencing the spectacular parks without the hassle of navigating, setting up tents, cooking or cleaning, etc., is the way to go. We got to be active all day and we didn't have to worry about the details. No getting lost on vacation! This "City Slicker" even opted to sleep outside under the stars one night...I will never forget gazing up at the sky with my children as they drifted off to sleep. Indescribably great!

Leslie Heller - Chicago, IL

The trip exceeded our expectations. I had moderately high expectations and it was even better than I would have thought. The itinerary was amazing, we had a great balance of activities and some downtime and most of all, it was all run with military precision. We were truly amazed at how every single aspect of the trip was incredibly organized. Everything ran on time, the leaders knew exactly what they were doing and there was never any standing around. All three leaders were incredibly competent, friendly, accommodating and great with the kids and adults alike!

Marc Rothenberg - Irvington, NY

Best trip we've ever taken! The leaders were incredible! The options for different levels of activities made it a perfect fit for our family.

Alane Torf - Barrington, RI