Walk and the morning goes by, walk some more and three days pass. Time has its own rules here. You remind yourself that time and water are to blame for all this. Not blame, thank. It's so indescribable. Sometimes it's an illusion. "Are those miniature formations or massive ones?" One second the geology is like a city skyline, the next it's another planet. The colors, the plant life, the birds and animals, you're forever wondering how they all got here. It's a place that gets along pretty well without people. And as you walk, you'll be glad about that.
Day 1 Astonishing rock formations, river-carved gorges and Navajo sandstone cliffs
Get your first taste of Zion National Park's grandeur on a stunning hike through cottonwood, box elder and Gambel oak trees to the Emerald Pools.
Day 2 Meet a local expert who reveals the area's geologic evolution
Climbing more than 2,000 feet in four miles, the Observation Point trail is the most strenuous of the trip - but the sweeping vistas are worth the challenge.
Day 3 Angels Landing, with views of Zion's soaring rock faces
and a yawning canyon abyss Wind your way through cool Refrigerator Canyon Beat the heat and get wet on a spectacular trek through the Narrows - a classic Zion Hike - following the inner gorge of the Virgin River as it forges through rock Small waterfalls and hanging gardens drape the canyon walls, which rise 1,000 feet.
Days 4-6 Hike amid Bryce's fantastical hoodoos,
crooked stone spires and striking monoliths in brilliant hues of orange, pink and red Discover the otherworldly wonderland of Queen's Garden Feeling young? You will next to bristlecone pines, some of the oldest living organisms on earth The Fairyland Loop drops you into a seldom-visited section of Bryce Canyon National Park Grab your camera and a seat on the canyon rim to watch the sun set or rise over Bryce; the dance of light and color over the spires is a performance you'll always remember.
Trip Highlights
- Astonishing rock formations, river-carved canyons and Navajo sandstone cliffs
- Hike amid Bryce's hoodoos and spires
- Splash your way through the Narrows in Zion
- Angels Landing, with views of soaring rock faces and a yawning canyon abyss
- Meet a local expert who reveals the area's geologic evolution
Casual Inns
Desert Pearl Inn (3 nights): Guest rooms at this welcoming riverside lodge have balconies overlooking the stunning red cliffs of Zion. (pool)
The Lodge at Bryce Canyon (2 nights): This simple park lodge, a National Historic Landmark, is just a stone's throw from the canyon rim.
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 | 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 | 3.0 | 400 | ||||||||
| 2 | 4.2 | 1000 | 8.2 | 2200 | ||||||
| 3 | 4.0* | 1000 | 5.0 | 1500 | ||||||
| 5.0 | 300 | |||||||||
| 4 | 3.4 | 500 | 4.4 | 300 | 7.2 | 1800 | ||||
| 5 | 2.2 | 300 | 6.0 | 2300 | ||||||
| 3.1 | 300 | |||||||||
| 6 | 1.0 | 100 | ||||||||
* Includes a shuttle
2013 Dates & Pricing*
CLASSIC TRIPS
- 5/26-31 Price: $2598 pp dbl. occ., (+ $560 for sgl. occ.)
- 6/9-14 Price: $2698 pp dbl. occ., (+ $560 for sgl. occ.)
- 9/8-13 Price: $2398 pp dbl. occ., (+ $560 for sgl. occ.)
- 9/15-20 Price: $2398 pp dbl. occ., (+ $560 for sgl. occ.)
- 9/22-27 Price: $2398 pp dbl. occ., (+ $560 for sgl. occ.)
- 9/29-10/4 Price: $2398 pp dbl. occ., (+ $560 for sgl. occ.)
- 10/6-11 Price: $2398 pp dbl. occ., (+ $560 for sgl. occ.)
- 10/13-18 Price: $2398 pp dbl. occ., (+ $560 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
This was my first Backroads trip and I just loved it!! I came back a new person! It was so great to get away from phones, computers, work and life as I know it. The natural beauty of Zion and Bryce left me with a feeling of renewal. I met some great friends and we can't wait to plan our next trip!- Ambler, PA
This trip was AWESOME!!! The group was delightful and our leaders stupendous! Our guides were first rate, professional, and amazingly organized. They made this trip amazing. I can't thank them enough! I would recommend this trip to anyone that truly wants appreciate Bryce and Zion at their best. One of my best vacations yet!- Sacramento, CA
This trip far exceeded my expectations. Up front, I knew I was going to be able to relax and not worry about details, but it's an entirely different thing to experience this level of care. I immediately fell into the routine, experiencing things moment by moment, and loved that all I had to worry about was deciding whether I was going to take the long or short option hike that day. I feel rejuvenated and can't wait to go on my next trip. It is difficult to adjust back to the real world after getting immersed in a Backroads trip.- Campbell, CA
This was my third trip with Backroads and I have come to expect outstanding service and am never disappointed!! The trip surpassed my expectations and I am already trying to decide what my next destination with Backroads will be!!- New York, NY
Based on the prior Backroads trip I took 11 years ago, I knew that this trip would be well-run, have the right amount of active and down time and would be shared with a nice group of people. I was not disappointed. This was my first time to visit this area - what a beautiful part of the country! Pictures don't do it justice. The hikes were more strenuous than I expected, but they make for good story telling. The pace of the trip was just right - the hikes in Bryce were long enough to feel I got a good workout but seemed to be a nice down-shifting from the Zion hikes. I'm already thinking about where to go next!- Northbrook, IL
Great part of the world. The trip and the leaders made it a terrific experience. This was our third Backroads trip, first in North America, and they've all been splendid. We've used others and Backroads is far and away the best in the business. Love your people. Wished we'd found you earlier in our hiking travel but now it's just a matter of where and when.- Ontario, Canada