Daily Itinerary
Utah's Mighty 5 National Parks
with
The Grand Canyon
May 11 - May 17, 2025
Sunday, May 11
This afternoon we will arrive to the Crossroads of the West, Salt Lake City, and meet our tour guide and motorcoach for the week. We will immediately head south for our overnight stay in Price, Utah. Overnight Price, UT – Surestay Plus Hotel or similar
Monday, May 12
After breakfast, we will continue south to Moab. Our first scenic visit will be Dead Horse Point State Park, one of the most spectacular scenes in the southwest. From this vantage point, we will see the expanse of Canyonlands National Park and the mighty Colorado River 2,000 feet below. After a picnic lunch with incredible views, we will continue to Arches National Park and the visitors center which will introduce us to the unique geologic forces that created the highest concentration of natural arches in the world. Park highlights will include seeing the famous structures of Balance Rock, The Windows and Delicate Arch. In the late afternoon, we will check into our hotel in Moab and enjoy free time to explore the downtown area. Overnight Moab, UT – Hoodoo Moab or similar (B, L)
Tuesday, May 13
Today we will see some of Utah’s most spectacular scenery! Our day begins with a drive through the town of Green River enroute to Capitol Reef National Park. After exploring the park and enjoying lunch, we will enjoy a drive on one of America’s most spectacular roads, Scenic Highway 12. This section of roadway has been designated as an “All American Road” and is the crown jewel of the Scenic Byways system. We will drive over Boulder Mountain with elevations over 9,000 feet and with spectacular beauty and views. Our day continues through Grand Staircase – Escalante National Monument known for its dramatic cliffs, high mesas, beautiful streams and deep canyons across the 1.9 million area monument. Tonight’s lodging will be near Bryce Canyon at Ruby’s Inn where we will enjoy a group dinner. Overnight Bryce, UT – Ruby’s Inn or similar (B, L, D)
Wednesday, May 14
After breakfast, we will visit Bryce Canyon National Park which is famous for the largest collection of hoodoos, the distinctive rock formations at Bryce, in the world. The Paiute Indians used a word to describe Bryce that translates into “red rocks standing like men in a bowl-shaped canyon.” After lunch, we will travel to Kanab which is often referred to as “Little Hollywood”. Since the 1930’s, this area has been used in the filming of more than 50 major motions pictures and TV series. We will enjoy a group dinner tonight in Kanab. Overnight Kanab, UT – Hampton Inn or similar (B,D)
Thursday, May 15
This morning, we will cross into Arizona to visit Lake Powell, the second largest man-made lake in the United States. We will visit Glen Canyon Dam before climbing over 8,000 feet to the beautiful Kaibab Plateau, home to a rich variety of wildlife including elk, deer, turkey and the unique white-tailed Kaibab Squirrel. After lunch in Marble Canyon, we will arrive to the Grand Canyon National Park North Rim, a 1.2-million-acre national park. The North Rim receives one-tenth the number of visitors compared with the South Rim, providing a quieter and more natural Grand Canyon experience. This afternoon includes a snack stop at Jacob Lake Inn, the quintessential gateway for exploring the North Rim and home to world famous cookies and milk shakes. After returning to Kanab for the evening, dinner will be on your own. Overnight Kanab, UT – Hampton Inn or similar (B, L)
Friday, May 16
After breakfast, we will see Utah’s oldest and most famous national park, Zion National Park. An early Mormon settler described the park’s massive formations as “temples built by hands, not of man.” There will be time to explore and hike in Zion Canyon, a brilliant green canyon set against the backdrop of sheer red cliffs, with an occasional lacy waterfall fanning out from the rocks. We will end the day with a group dinner. Overnight Springdale, UT – Hampton Inn or similar (B, D)
Saturday, May 17
This morning, we begin our journey to Las Vegas, the entertainment capital of the world. While driving we will make several picture stops at scenic overviews including Kolob Canyon and Snow Canyon. Late afternoon departure to Houston. (B)
