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 
Choose from a variety of hikes including 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.
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.
| Daily Route Options | |||||||||||
| Day | Activity | EASYGOING | ACTIVE | AVID | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Level 4 | Level 5 | |||||||
| miles | feet gain | miles | feet gain | miles | feet gain | miles | feet gain | miles | feet gain | ||
| 1 | Walking | 2.0 | 0 | 5.0 | 200 | ||||||
| 2 | Walking | 2.8 | 400 | 4.0 | 1000 | 5.0 | 1500 | 8.2 | 2200 | ||
| Walking | 4.2 | 1000 | |||||||||
| 3 | Biking | 18 | 500 | ||||||||
| Walking | 1.5 | 100 | |||||||||
| 4 | Biking | 22 | 1800 | 44 | 3000 | ||||||
| Walking | 1.5 | 100 | 7.4 | 1500 | 10.4 | 500 | |||||
| Walking | 5.0 | 100 | |||||||||
| Other | Optional mule ride at the Grand Canyon (2 hours) | ||||||||||
| Other | Cape Royal scenic drive (2.5 hours round-trip) | ||||||||||
| 5 | Walking | 3.4 | 500 | 7.0 | 800 | ||||||
| 6 | Biking | 9* | 100 | 29 | 1000 | ||||||
| Biking | 19 | 100 | |||||||||
* Includes a shuttle
2013 Dates & Pricing*
CLASSIC TRIPS
- 6/23-28 Price: $2798 pp dbl. occ., (+ $540 for sgl. occ.)
- 7/7-12 Price: $2598 pp dbl. occ., (+ $540 for sgl. occ.)
- 7/21-26 Price: $2598 pp dbl. occ., (+ $540 for sgl. occ.)
- 8/4-9 Price: $2798 pp dbl. occ., (+ $540 for sgl. occ.)
- 8/18-23 Price: $2598 pp dbl. occ., (+ $540 for sgl. occ.)
- 9/1-6 Price: $2698 pp dbl. occ., (+ $540 for sgl. occ.)
- 9/10-15 Price: $2698 pp dbl. occ., (+ $540 for sgl. occ.)
- 9/24-29 Price: $2798 pp dbl. occ., (+ $540 for sgl. occ.)
- 10/1-6 Price: $2498 pp dbl. occ., (+ $540 for sgl. occ.)
SINGLES-SOLOS TRIPS
- 9/17-22 Price: $2598 pp dbl. occ., (+ $540 for sgl. occ.)
Plus 6.25% Utah state sales tax.
*Prices may change. Once you book your trip, your price is guaranteed.
Guest Trip Reviews
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
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.- Allendale, NJ
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
My leaders offered so many opportunities to explore, learn, and challenge myself (like hiking those 10+ miles on the North Kaibab trail!). I'm also still in awe of the overwhelming positivity of Backroads leaders... they have to deal with so many different "personalities" and they never get flustered. Thanks for another amazing trip. Not sure what to do next... Canadian Rockies, perhaps? Maybe Europe?- Norwalk, CT
The scenery on this trip was just breathtaking, and the photography opportunities exceeded my expectations.- Norwalk, CT
Overall I am glad to say that Backroads surpassed our expectations for my husband's birthday gift. As he puts it, "Backroads is not just a vacation, it's an experience."- Lexington, MA
Can't wait to go on another one! I wondered if it was overpriced but we stayed in great places, had wonderful guides, ate very well and were completely "hand-held" in a good way. Stress-free so we just had fun!"- Lexington, MA
This was an amazing trip, unlike anything I have ever experienced. The guides paired with the locations and views made this trip unforgettable."- Raymore, MO
This was a vacation of a lifetime for me...from the leaders, to the food, to the accommodations. The three canyons were awesome, each so different from the one before. I am still smiling as I think about the trip in all. We were lucky to have a group that got along well and bonded. I can't wait until my next trip!"- Richboro, PA
The Bryce, Zion, Grand Canyon multisport was a fantastic trip! I got to do & see things within this beautiful region of the country that I never could have done on my own. Thank You!"- White Bear Lake, MN
With Backroads it is hard to evaluate. Each trip we've taken has outdone the last; this trip was great. Leaders, group and the setting were superb. We keep coming back because we continually recieve "a trip of a ifetime with backroads." We will be reserving next years' trip within the month. Thank you for quality throughout."- White Bear Lake, MN