Utah's Bryce & Zion Walking & Hiking Tour
Utah's Bryce & Zion Walking & Hiking Tour
6 days
5 nights
Activity Levels 2-4
Casual & Deluxe Hotels
2025: Jun, Aug-Sep2026: May-Jun, Aug-Sep
National Park Adventure in Canyon Country
One second the geology is like a city skyline, the next it's another planet. Sometimes it seems it's all a mirage. 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.
Highlights
- Admire astonishing rock formations, impressive canyons and Navajo sandstone cliffs in a landscape carved by time
- Hike amid Bryce Canyon National Park's remarkable geologic features, including hoodoos and spires
- Venture into Zion Canyon, where every trail provides a window into the wonders of nature and geology
- Ascend to new heights as you hit your stride on the way to impressive panoramic viewpoints in Utah's Canyon Country
Start/End St. George
* Start/End locations may vary. Do not book flights until your trip details are confirmed.
Itinerary
Days 1-3
Welcome to the Southwest! Explore Snow Canyon's sand dunes and petroglyphs • In Zion National Park, travel over the Virgin River into an otherworldly landscape adorned with hues of reds and pinks • Massive Navajo sandstone walls erupt all around us • Learn about the area's geologic evolution as you explore Zion Canyon on foot • Get another taste of Zion's grandeur as you wind your way through cool Refrigerator Canyon and up Walter's Wiggles to Scout Lookout, with views of imposing cliffs and a yawning abyss • If heights don't bother you—and Backroads has secured a permit—continue on to Angels Landing, a sheer wedge of rock looming 1,500 feet above the valley • Beat the heat, getting wet on a spectacular trek through the Narrows, following the inner gorge of the Virgin River • Wander through charming Springdale or lounge poolside at the hotel • At day's end, take in the changing colors of Zion National Park's red rocks as the sun dips down behind glowing cliffs.
Nights 1-3
Guest rooms at this welcoming riverside lodge have balconies overlooking the stunning red cliffs of Zion. (pool)
Days 4-6
Visit the former studio of Maynard Dixon, a preeminent artist of the American West, en route to Bryce Canyon National Park • Hike amid Bryce's fantastical hoodoos, crooked rock formations and striking monoliths • The Fairyland Loop drops you into a less-visited area of the park • Feeling young? You will next to bristlecone pines, some of the oldest living organisms on Earth • Discover the unique wonderland of Queen's Garden • Grab your camera and a seat on the canyon rim to watch the sun set or rise over Bryce • Take in the night sky from one of the few places where you can see naturally dark skies!
Nights 4-5
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 activities in the area, the Lodge at Bryce Canyon is simpler than is typical of Backroads lodging. The lodge’s basic guest rooms are not equipped with televisions or air-conditioning (nights are usually cool due to the high elevation). Overall, the service standards can seem slow and casual when compared with the hospitality found on other Backroads trips. Please note that internet and cell phone service are extremely limited throughout the parks.
The National Park Service has many hiking regulations. Zion National Park limits where you can hike when accompanied by your Trip Leaders, so our itinerary has been designed to adhere to these regulations. 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 national park regulations.
Please note: A permit is needed to hike Angels Landing. Backroads has entered the lottery for permits but is not guaranteed to receive them. If we do not have Angels Landing permits for the date of your trip, you will be able to hike to Scout Lookout, but not continue on to Angels Landing. To learn more about the lottery, visit: www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/angels-landing-hiking-permits.htm.
We ordinarily staff our trips with three leaders: two leaders out on the trail offering support—allowing everyone to have the experience they want, whether it’s an easygoing interpretative walk or a rigorous hike—while the third leader moves the van from trailhead to trail end. This trip is a little different in that our routes are a combination of loop hikes and out-and-back trails that begin and end in the same location. This means that you’ll still have the same two leaders providing excellent trail support without the need for a third leader to move the van on most days.
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 1-3
*Deluxe Hotel
Guest rooms at this welcoming riverside lodge have balconies overlooking the stunning red cliffs of Zion. (pool)
Nights 4-5
Casual Hotel
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this simple park lodge is mere steps from the canyon's edge.
Gallery
#MyBackroadsTrip
Review Snapshot
by PowerReviews
Reviewed by 43 customers
Totally worth it!
Thoroughly enjoyed everything - scenery, hikes, hotels, dining, leaders and fellow travelers. Zion is crowded, and having Backroads plan and lead it made the trip far more enjoyable than it would have been otherwise. Bryce Canyon was so worth the extra day that most guided travel gives it.
Gorgeous Parks & All Star Trip Leaders!
10/10 recommend. The hikes in Zion and Bryce were absolutely incredible; pictures do not do them justice. The Trip Leaders, Jackson and Laurel, were amazing - so patient and energetic yet calm — and their genuine passion for the parks really shone! The logistics ran smoothly and maximized our time at the parks; the leaders were very accommodating offered options for people who wanted to modify hikes. From snacks to fun dinners to ice cream and cold drinks after tough hikes, Backroads is the best and truly balances active vacation with some unique indulgences.
First trip with Back Roads but not the last!
We have been on many trips ,but our Back Roads trip to Zion and Bryce Canyon was by far the best and most memorable.The Narrows in Zion and the canyon in Bryce were breathtaking. I would love to give a shout out to Jackson and Laurel our guidestheir enthusiasm made our trip special!
Amazing trip made unforgettable by the two leaders
I have used other companies in the past for my hiking / adventure trips all over the world I don't need to look further. I have found Backroads to tick all the boxes I shall be returning again and again hopefully for years to come
First rate all the way. A 10 on a scale of 1-5.
The leaders were amazing and tending to every detail so the trip was seamless. Food was great and lots of it. Hike options were perfectly suited to our group and took us through gorgeous landscapes.
Backroads Never Disappoints!!
This is my 4th trip with Backroads. I love the fact that I show up with my clothes and a good attitude, and the logistics will be taken care of. The leaders think of everything, and having their support and guidance frees me up to enjoy the trip. Thanks to Ian & PJ for a wonderful trip.
Amazing experience!
The Backroads Leaders thought of everything! From the day we started we knew we were in great hands, they truly made this trip special. Thank you Keaton and Emily!
It was a terrific experience from start to finish!
First of all our leaders, Abby and Keaton, were amazing. They took the time to connect with every person in the group, were knowledgeable, kind and fun. Each day's hike was magical and memorable, from Snow Canyon State Park (it felt like we were the only people there in this gorgeous park), to the wonder of Zion's, to our final sunrise hike in majestic Bryce Canyon. Our group bonded and we enjoyed each other's company, the accommodations were very good, and magic was a constant!
Experience of a Lifetime!
This was our first trip to Utah and - it did not disappoint. The hikes were great and the scenery - unforgettable. Down to the smallest detail, our leaders Lindsey and Patrick made sure we had the experience of a lifetime!
A wonderful adventure supported by a wonderful team
The hiking, scenery and professionalism of the team leaders was exceptional. It's hard to pick which was the best day because they were all so great and the leaders truly cared about giving us the best experience possible. Highly recommend!
Dates & Prices
Dates & Prices
Click on dates for pricing, itinerary variations (if any) and to book your trip. Price is per person, double occupancy in USD.
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