
Bryce, Zion & Grand Canyon Multisport
Big-time fun on a big-time scale is yours for the taking as you explore the colorful playground of Bryce, Grand Canyon and Zion. Your family will enjoy discovering the high-desert landscape, otherworldly rock formations and spectacular vistas of three of the nation's most colorful natural parks. Hike among the spindly spires and pinnacles of Bryce, pedal to the Grand Canyon, where scenic walks (and perhaps even a mule ride) await, and venture along one of the many trails that zigzag through Zion Canyon. Plenty of options, free time to explore at your leisure and Backroads leaders who know the native flora and fauna like the back of their hands make this a fantastic journey for the whole family!
Days 1-2 Bryce Canyon
Meet in St. George
Walk along the rim of Bryce Canyon
Adults bike a hilly route to Rainbow Point, the highest spot in Bryce
Meanwhile, kids visit an elk preserve in a tractor-pulled wagon
On an optional hike down to Queen's Garden, discover pink hoodoos and vivid rock formations sprouting from the canyon floor
Keep your eyes open for desert creatures, like lizards and chipmunks, as they dart playfully across the landscape
Relax at our lodge set amid the pines.
Days 3-4 Grand Canyon
Whoop it up by descending along a bike path through Red Canyon
Journey to the Grand Canyon, with the high-desert landscape and spectacular views of the Elkhart Cliffs, Kaibab Plateau and Grand Staircase as our backdrop
A stop for a picnic lunch means the chance for a game of tag
The Grand Canyon is your classroom as you get an up-close look at its beauty on either a hike or a mule ride (for kids).
Days 5-7 Zion
Venture into the Virgin River on one of the park's most famous hikes, the Narrows
Experienced guides and instructors show kids the basics of canyoneering
In this hiker's paradise, choose an easygoing walk past Emerald Pools or a thrilling climb to Angels Landing
Cap off the trip with a car-free spin along Zion Canyon Scenic Drive or spend time shopping in the town of Springdale.
WILD WEST : Casual Inns
Bryce Canyon Lodge (2 nights): A simple historic park lodge nestled in a pine forest and just steps from the canyon rim.
Grand Canyon Lodge (2 nights): Perched above the grandeur of the North Rim, this rustic stone-and-wood lodge is conveniently located near numerous hiking trails.
Cliffrose Lodge and Gardens (2 nights): A riverside oasis in the Southwest, featuring lush gardens, an inviting pool and hot tub, play areas and a beach for kids.
Daily Mileage Options & Cumulative Elevation Gain
Day 1
- Levels 1 to 2
2 Route Options Available
- Walking 2, 5 miles
- 0 - 500 feet elevation gain
Day 2
- Levels 1 to 3
3 Route Options Available
- Biking (Adults) 32 miles
- 1000 feet elevation gain
- Elk Preserve Visit (Kids) 2.5 hours
- Walking 3.2, 6.7 miles
- 500 - 1000 feet elevation gain
Day 3
- Level 1
3 Route Options Available
- Biking 6, 19 miles
- 0 - 500 feet elevation gain
- Walking 1.5 miles
Day 4
- Levels 1 to 2
1 Route Option Available
- Hiking 5 miles
- 0 - 500 feet elevation gain
- Mule Ride (Kids) 1 hour
Day 5
- Levels 1 to 2
1 Route Option Available
- Optional Hiking 5 miles
- 0 - 500 feet elevation gain
Day 6
- Levels 1 to 2
3 Route Options Available
- Hiking 2, 4, 5 miles
- 500 - 1500 feet elevation gain
- Canyoneering (Kids) 5 hours
Day 7
- Level 1
1 Route Option Available
- Biking 19 miles
- 0 - 500 feet elevation gain
On this Family Trip, our routes follow gentle terrain with no significant gain or loss in elevation. Liberal van shuttling is incorporated into the itinerary to facilitate our activities and mileage is kept moderate to enable you to spend more time exploring on your own.
Trips 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 | Average Distance | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biking | Walking & Hiking | ||
| 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 |
2008 DATES
FAMILY TRIPS
- 6/13-19Price: $2698 pp dbl. occ., (+ $520 for sgl. occ.)
The trip you have selected is different from the one displayed. Here's how:
Hotel variation: On Nights 1 and 2 we stay at Ruby's Inn, located just outside Bryce Canyon. - 6/21-27Price: $2698 pp dbl. occ., (+ $520 for sgl. occ.)
- 6/29-7/5Price: $2498 pp dbl. occ., (+ $520 for sgl. occ.)
The trip you have selected is different from the one displayed. Here's how:
Hotel variation: On Nights 1 and 2 we stay at Ruby's Inn, located just outside Bryce Canyon. - 7/7-13Price: $2498 pp dbl. occ., (+ $520 for sgl. occ.)
- 7/15-21Price: $2698 pp dbl. occ., (+ $520 for sgl. occ.)
- 7/31-8/6Price: $2198 pp dbl. occ., (+ $520 for sgl. occ.)
The trip you have selected is different from the one displayed. Here's how:
Hotel variation: On Nights 1 and 2 we stay at Ruby's Inn, located just outside Bryce Canyon. - 8/8-14Price: $2498 pp dbl. occ., (+ $520 for sgl. occ.)
The trip you have selected is different from the one displayed. Here's how:
Hotel variation: On Nights 1 and 2 we stay at Ruby's Inn, located just outside Bryce Canyon. - 8/14-20Price: $2498 pp dbl. occ., (+ $520 for sgl. occ.)
- 8/16-22Price: $2698 pp dbl. occ., (+ $520 for sgl. occ.)
- 8/24-30Price: $2498 pp dbl. occ., (+ $520 for sgl. occ.)
The trip you have selected is different from the one displayed. Here's how:
Hotel variation: On Nights 1 and 2 we stay at Ruby's Inn, located just outside Bryce Canyon.
Reserve early for the best available price. Prices may change during the course of the year--if they do change, the best prices are available earlier. Once you book your trip, your price is guaranteed.
Recommended Kids Ages
Minimum Ages:
Recommended minimum age for the trip: 6 years
Minimum age restrictions:
- Rock climbing: 6 years
- 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+ cultural appreciation, difficulty of activities and route
- 9+ difficulty of activities and route
- 6+ several long adult dinners; parent may not be able to pull a Burley and/or there may be multiple activity restrictions
- 3+ riding is on bike paths, making it great for young kids; Burley and Piccolos are available; there are few or no activity restrictions; and no long dinners (or we offer alternatives)
Trip praise
This trip exceeded our expectations in every way. I kept telling my friends for weeks afterwards about Backroads and the fact that not a detail was missed. All of our leaders were excellent. We liked that there were always options in terms of length of hikes or bike trips. We liked the options. We can't say enough good things about our Backroads experience.Wilmette, IL
The trip in the canyon areas exceeded my high expectations. Our family had a wonderful time and truly enjoyed our vacation together. This was our second Backroads trip and reinforced our pre-existing belief that Backroads trips are the best way to see new areas.Needham, MA