You have to wonder. What did the first people think when they saw it? The Grand Canyon. The immensity of the chasm, plunging more than a mile at its deepest. Rocks nearly two billion years old. The vastness of the sun-soaked plateaus. Are the outcrops really those colors? The Colorado River - responsible for all the beauty - carving a tenacious path through the middle. It's incredible. Almost indescribable. And it's only a third of the trip. Bryce and Zion are waiting. Each with its own profusion of breathtaking moments. And as you're biking and hiking, feel free to just wonder.
Day 1 Splash your way through the Narrows in Zion, an exhilarating river hike through one of the most renowned slot canyons in the world - with small waterfalls and hanging gardens cascading down the rock faces.
Day 2 Picturesque routes abound in this hiker's paradise, from easy walks past emerald pools to the unforgettable climb to Angels Landing, bringing you nearly 2,000 feet above the valley for a 360-degree panorama of soaring sandstone.
Days 3-4 Revel in the magnificence of the Grand Canyon
After cycling along Zion's crimson-colored roads, arrive at the Grand Canyon, one of the world's seven natural wonders Bike to Point Imperial, the North Rim's highest point, walk the secluded Widforss Trail for wide-open vistas across the canyon, or take the scenic drive to Cape Royal for superb views of the Colorado River as it slices through the earth.
Days 5-6 Bryce Canyon's maze of spires, windows and pinnacles
Hike through a slot canyon in Bryce, whose walls are only ten feet apart in places On a walk to Queen's Garden, discover a labyrinth of hoodoos and vivid rock formations sprouting from the canyon floor Pedal among vermillion rocks and desert wildflowers toward Red Canyon along a quiet bike path surrounded by sheer cliffs and more hoodoos.
Trip Highlights
- Astonishing and beautiful geologic formations
- Revel in the magnificence of the Grand Canyon
- An impressive slot canyon in Bryce, whose walls are only ten feet apart in places
- Pedal among crimson rocks and desert wildflowers toward Red Canyon
- Splash your way through the Narrows in Zion
Casual Inns
Cliffrose Lodge & Gardens (2 nights): A riverside oasis with a beach and lush gardens. (pool)
Grand Canyon Lodge - North Rim (2 nights): This 1920s rustic stone-and-wood lodge is perched above the grandeur of the remote North Rim.
The Lodge at Bryce Canyon (1 night): Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this simple park lodge is mere steps from the canyon's edge.
Daily Mileage Options & Cumulative Elevation Gain
Day 1
- Level 1 1 Route Option Available
- Hiking 2 - 5 miles
- 20 - 150 feet elevation gain
Day 2
- Levels 1 to 3 5 Route Options Available
- Hiking 2.8, 4, 4.2, 5, 8.2 miles
- 400 - 2200 feet elevation gain
Day 3
- Level 1 2 Route Options Available
- Biking 18 miles
- 500 feet elevation gain
- Hiking 1.5 miles
- 50 feet elevation gain
Day 4
- Levels 1 to 4 Several Route Options Available
- Biking 22, 44 miles
- 1800 - 3300 feet elevation gain
- Hiking 1.5 - 10.4 miles
- 100 - 1500 feet elevation gain
Day 5
- Levels 1 to 3 2 Route Options Available
- Hiking 3.4, 7 miles
- 500 - 800 feet elevation gain
Day 6
- Levels 1 to 2 3 Route Options Available
- Biking 9, 19, 29 miles
- 100 - 1000 feet elevation gain
Routes For All Abilities
Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of interests
and fitness levels. We know your pace may vary from one day to the
next-and your traveling companion's may differ somewhat from yours.
So we present a range of mileage options, and each day you decide exactly
what and how much you want to do.| Activity Level | Average Time | Biking Average | Walking Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | 2-3 hours | 10-20 mile | 2-5 miles |
| Level 2 | 2-4 hours | 21-30 miles | 5-7 miles |
| Level 3 | 3-5 hours | 31-40 miles | 7-9 miles |
| Level 4 | 4-6 hours | 41-55 miles | 9-11 miles |
| Level 5 | 5-7+ hours | 56-75+ miles | 11-13+ miles |
2012 Dates & Pricing*
CLASSIC TRIPS
- 5/13-18Price: $2398 pp dbl. occ., (+ $600 for sgl. occ.)
- 5/20-25Price: $2598 pp dbl. occ., (+ $600 for sgl. occ.)
- 5/27-6/1Price: $2598 pp dbl. occ., (+ $600 for sgl. occ.)
- 6/10-15Price: $2598 pp dbl. occ., (+ $600 for sgl. occ.)
- 6/24-29Price: $2498 pp dbl. occ., (+ $600 for sgl. occ.)
- 7/8-13Price: $2398 pp dbl. occ., (+ $600 for sgl. occ.)
- 7/22-27Price: $2498 pp dbl. occ., (+ $600 for sgl. occ.)
- 8/5-10Price: $2398 pp dbl. occ., (+ $600 for sgl. occ.)
- 8/19-24Price: $2598 pp dbl. occ., (+ $600 for sgl. occ.)
- 9/2-7Price: $2398 pp dbl. occ., (+ $600 for sgl. occ.)
- 9/16-21Price: $2498 pp dbl. occ., (+ $600 for sgl. occ.)
- 9/30-10/5Price: $2398 pp dbl. occ., (+ $600 for sgl. occ.)
SINGLES+SOLOS TRIPS
Plus 6.25% Utah state sales tax.
*Prices may change. Once you book your trip, your price is guaranteed.
Guest Trip Reviews
Way better than I could have dreamed!!! The very best week of my life, and so happy we did this with our son that is leaving for college in August. We loved our guides and our time together, and meeting new friends. AWESOME AND WONDERFUL!!!Melbourne, FL
Had one of the BEST vacations of my life! Saw amazing sites, did amazing things. The physical aspects of the trip pushed me just enough. I did things I never thought I could, like climb to the top of Angel's Landing in Zion National Park. The guides were tremendous - very helpful, great preparation, evaluated everyone well. It was hard to come home. Thanks for a great getaway!- Fort Meyers, FL
Fantastic, awesome, can't wait to do it again!!! More than met my expectations!! You guys are off the charts. Won't go any other way. Worth every penny!!!- Holtsville, NY
This trip fulfilled all my hopes, and confirmed NONE of my fears for the trip. My hope was to experience new activities, to discover new abilities in myself, and to push myself physically. I got chances to do all of that. My fear was that the trip leaders would be too demanding in terms of requiring everyone to do tons of activities and to "enjoy" tough things like biking in the rain. I was also afraid everyone on the trip would be more active than me, and more gung ho about hiking or biking in the cold or rain. None of this happened. I absolutely loved the trip.- Las Vegas, NV
We had a great time again with Backroads! The spectacular beauty of the Canyons speak for themselves and you help make it a fantastic experience. The leaders you provide are so well suited to their roles - making it a certainty that everyone in the family has a great time full of memories. I'd love to know your secrets for hiring great people to use in my business!- Allendale, NJ
My wife and I really enjoyed ourselves; great overall experience. Our leaders were absolutely fantastic: upbeat (even at 7 am), always with a smile on their faces and always willing to accommodate any guest's requests. The vacation was all we could have asked for; we will certainly travel with you again.- Martinez, CA
This was my first Backroads trip and it exceeded all my expectations. I met some great people, challenged myself to some adventures I didn't think I could accomplish, saw amazing things, overall had a fantastic time. The leaders were absolutely critical to that. They really cared and were very accommodating and flexible and could adapt to any situation. I am extremely pleased and look forward to the next trip!- Chicago, IL
I couldn't have been more pleased with Backroads. I want to say that by the time the week is over, we went from total strangers to great friends with all of the other group members. In retrospect, there are many aspects of enrichments to be expected and cultivated on a trip like this. There is the inherent, awe-inspiring beauty of the area you are visiting; the thoughtful way in which Backroads has anticipated and accommodated our wants and needs - really beyond my expectations; the rich qualities of skills and congeniality of the leaders; and the development of relationships with the other group members as the week progresses. I'm left wanting more.- Virginia Beach, VA
This trip was a celebration of my 60th birthday and I will remember it always; the natural beauty of Grand Canyon, Bryce, and Zion, the camaraderie of the group, and the fantastic trip leaders who did everything in their power to personalize the trip and provide me with a great time that I will remember forever.- Delmar, NY