Bryce & Capitol Reef National Parks Walking & Hiking Tour
Couples, Friends & Solos
Bryce & Capitol Reef National Parks Walking & Hiking Tour
Couples, Friends & Solos
5 days
4 nights
Activity Levels 1-3
Casual Hotels
2025: Jul, Sep
Journey across Utah's Grand Staircase
Travel into the rugged wilderness and isolated landscapes at the heart of the American Southwest. Dramatic scenery and serenity await in the deep canyons of Capitol Reef's Waterpocket Fold. And in the winding labyrinths of Bryce's surreal gardens of stone. This hiker's paradise is one colorful vivid playscape that will leave you hungry for more.
Highlights
- Experience the rugged landscape of southern Utah, an expanse of natural wonders and unusual geologic formations that await your discovery
- Hike into the extraordinary Waterpocket Fold, a massive warping of the earth's surface and the defining geologic feature of remote Capitol Reef National Park
- Savor sophisticated farm-to-table cuisine served in a unique restaurant located on the edge of the wilderness in a once inaccessible mountain town
- Admire the otherworldly landscape of Bryce National Park, where the forces of nature have crafted fantastic rock formations beyond your wildest imagination
Start/End St. George
* Start/End locations may vary. Do not book flights until your trip details are confirmed.
Itinerary
Days 1-2
Traverse the northern edge of Utah's Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument for a hike past prehistoric pictographs to a dramatic box canyon • Feel the cool mist on your face as you encounter Lower Calf Creek Falls plunging over a sandstone cliff • Journey along the Hogsback, an unforgettable stretch of scenic byway that winds along a narrow ridge • Relish the solitude and pristine natural beauty of Capitol Reef National Park, a secluded wonderland and the least visited of Utah's Grand Circle parks • Encounter natural arches, water-carved canyons and towering domes during a hike through the colossal Waterpocket Fold • Notice the greener side of the desert as we pass through the pioneer settlement of Fruita, where 19th-century orchards are still thriving • Revel in the sophisticated menu at Hell's Backbone Grill, inspired by Buddhist and Native American cultures and cuisine.
Nights 1-2
An oasis of tranquility and comfort overlooking an 11-acre bird sanctuary at the foot of Boulder Mountain in the rugged landscape of southwestern Utah.
Days 3-5
Enter Bryce Canyon, home to the world's largest collection of fanciful geologic formations called hoodoos • Circumnavigate Boat Mesa as you hike along the Fairyland Loop, one of the most spectacular routes in the park • Hike through the Queen's Garden, a natural labyrinth of pinnacles, spires and windows • Venture into Wall Street, a narrow passage between towering rock fins • Attend an evening performance you'll never forget—a gentle dance of shifting light and color with ever-changing hues of red, orange and yellow across an immense natural amphitheater • Pass through Dixie National Forest and the incredible Red Canyon on our way back to St. George.
Nights 3-4
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this simple park lodge is mere steps from the canyon's edge.
What's Included
See moreStraight Talk
We want to make sure you're on the trip that's right for you. Every Backroads trip is unique and this one is no exception.
While the accommodations on this trip reflect the natural surroundings of the national parks and provide unparalleled access to the best hiking in the region, they are simpler than is typical of Backroads lodging. Boulder Mountain Lodge has comfortable rooms and inviting outdoor common areas. The Lodge at Bryce Canyon is a fairly rustic national park lodge that reflects its natural surroundings. Please note that the guest rooms are basic and are not equipped with televisions or air-conditioning (nights are usually cool due to the high elevation). Generally speaking, service in the national parks can seem laid-back when compared with the high standards of service found on other Backroads trips.
The National Park Service has many regulations on hiking. Capitol Reef National Park limits the size of all groups so you will hike in small groups with your Backroads leaders. In Bryce Canyon National Park, your leaders can hike with you but can’t act as “interpretive guides.” Throughout the trip, your leaders will give an orientation to the area’s flora, fauna and terrain before your hikes. Thank you for helping us cooperate with the park's regulations.
The properties we use on this trip are chosen for their character and ideal location—they are not known for their food. Meals can be simple and menu options tend to lack variety. Please be aware that options for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and low-carb meals will be especially limited and substitutions are rarely available.
Hotels
Adventure-Ready Hotels
Ideally located with ready access to trip activities, our Casual hotels are also known for their character and charm.
Hotels may vary based on departure. Any variations will be displayed when selecting a departure under Dates & Prices.
Nights 1-2
Casual Hotel
An oasis of tranquility and comfort overlooking an 11-acre bird sanctuary at the foot of Boulder Mountain in the rugged landscape of southwestern Utah.
Nights 3-4
Casual Hotel
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this simple park lodge is mere steps from the canyon's edge.
Gallery
Review Snapshot
by PowerReviews
Reviewed by 9 customers
Really well organized and fun hiking vacation!
This was a very well organized and fun hiking vacation. Meticulously planned out with a variety of hikes (distance/difficulty) for all on the trip. We had a dozen fellow hikers and three awesome leaders (Paige, Tristan and Sarah) who basically took care of everything, from organizing the hikes to the meals, to magically making sure our vans with our luggage showed up where it needed to be. Food along the way was great and sometime exceptional. Snacks and water and other hydration liquids also available for the hikes. The leaders took great care to ensure everyone's safety during the hikes and explained things to us very well. We also had a great group of hikers which all got along well and, honestly, I don't think you could have gathered together a more compatible group of random people from different parts of the country. I would guess that this does not always happen, but maybe we got lucky. It didn't matter if some folks hiked at a quicker or slower pace than others. There was always someone nearby to hike with at whatever the pace was. Leaders made sure that everyone was accounted for and made sure no one straggled and was left behind. There were also enough hiking options most days, in terms of distance/difficulty to accommodate different hiking levels. This was our first Backroads tour. I can't say enough about how good it was. Our leaders were the nicest people and more than accommodating. Very diligent and willing to explain things to us as well as the complex geological information about how the canyons and trails we were hiking in/on were formed, as well as the different kinds of trees we encountered. The logistics performed were perfect. Our van rides were also chocked full of information along the way. Meals: A+ Snacks: A+++++ Accomodations: A+ Total Experience: A+
Unforgettable Adventure Through Bryce Canyon & Capitol Reef
I recently took the Backroads trip to Bryce Canyon and Capitol Reef and had an absolutely amazing experience. Our guides—Tristan, Paige, and Sarah—were outstanding. They brought incredible depth of knowledge about the geology, ecology, and history of the parks, and their passion was contagious. They went above and beyond to make the trip memorable for everyone in the group. One of the things I appreciated most was how versatile the trip was—it offered options for all levels of athletic ability, so everyone felt included and challenged in the right way. I can't recommend this trip highly enough!
Another amazing adventure!
What can I say? This was our 8th trip with Backroads, and everyting was perfect. Leaders were reliable and accommodating, the food amazing, I gained my 5 pounds despite hiking 5-7 miles per day! We love "snackroades"!!! If you like hiking, beautiful scenery, good people, and great food, this is a trip NOT to be missed.
Challenging hikes with Amazing Views!
Visitor guide photos of Capitol Reef and Bryce Canyon are spectacular, but seeing them in person was simply amazing! Hikes were challenging, but certainly achievable. Lots of elevation if you want it. Had a variety of temperatures from 80F to 25F and windy. Leaders were knowledgeable, outgoing and fun!
You'll return home more healthy in mind and body.
This 5 day, 4 night (Bryce & Capitol Reef) tour was our first tour with Backroads. I grew up in Hawaii and I've always wanted to visit the National Parks in the USA. Being driven to these unique places, finding lodging and restaurants, planning the routes (easy, moderate and challenging) is something the traveler does not have to worry about. Backroads gets the logistics DONE! You just show up and enjoy the views. Snacks, hydration are provided and the leaders check on clients throughout the route.
Wonderful trip - exceeded my expectations!
Everything was great - the leaders, the accommodations and especially the food! Back Roads took care of every detail!
Magnificent Mother Nature-Outstanding Trip Leaders
We visited a part of America I'd never experienced: the overwhelmingly beautiful and rugged Escalante Staircase, Capitol Reef and Bryce Canyon. It was immeasurably better to see this for the first time with knowledgeable and encouraging guides, which is what Backroads provides without fail. Our trip leaders, Page and Zoe, were just the type of cheerful, motivated leaders who made our adventure one of discovery and joy
What an incredible experience, so close to nature!
Trip leaders are knowledgeable, friendly, and take good care of everyone. On a Backroads trip, you really don't have to worry about anything. Delicious food, comfortable accommodations, interesting sites, stunning scenery. We love Backroads.
A great adventure in UTAH at our National Parks...
The hikes kept getting better each day, the guides were energetic, encouraging and patient. Each day was filled with amazing sights, experiences, and fun.
Dates & Prices
Dates & Prices
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