Compare Grand Canyon, Bryce, and Zion National Parks Family Adventure by National Geographic Expeditions vs Utah's National Parks from Las Vegas by Tours of Distinction

Day 1: St. George, Utah

Arrive in St. George and check into your hotel.

Day 2: St. George, Utah/Grand Canyon

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation : Grand Canyon Lodge North Rim

Travel southeast to begin your family adventure in the canyon country of the desert Southwest. Upon arriving at Grand Canyon National Park follow the Transept Trail for our first views of the canyon itself. Walk along the canyon rim to our historic lodge perched amid the alpine forests of the North Rim.

Day 3: North Rim of the Grand Canyon

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation : Grand Canyon Lodge North Rim

This morning, kids saddle up for an exciting mule ride along the rim of the Grand Canyon. Look down into the mile-deep chasm, carved by the Colorado River over millions of years, and marvel at the colorful expanse. Meanwhile, adults can choose from a variety of hikes for all levels, and learn about the park’s unique ecosystems and vegetation. Return to our lodge this evening, and get your camera ready to capture nature’s dazzling palette at sunset from the stone balcony overlooking the canyon.

Day 4: Grand Canyon/Zion National Park

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Cliffrose Lodge

Get up with the sun and watch as it spotlights mesas and mountaintops on our journey out of the Grand Canyon. Then continue through the red rock landscape of Angel Canyon toward the Best Friends Animal Society’s Sanctuary, where we’ll explore a portion of the 3,700 acres devoted to the care and welfare of homeless animals waiting for adoption. Leaving our furry friends to frolic in their protected environment, we hop back in the shuttle and head toward Zion National Park.

Day 5: Zion National Park

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Cliffrose Lodge

Welcome to Zion National Park! A wonderland of sandstone slot canyons, lush hanging gardens, and cascading waterfalls is waiting to be explored. Our expert will discuss the geological events that have shaped this land for over 200 million years. Explore the Narrows of the Virgin River, and climb to Scout Lookout for a panoramic view of Zion’s stunning rock sculptures. This evening, explore the western town of Springdale with your family, located just outside the Zion National Park boundaries.

Day 6: Zion/Bryce Canyon

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Bryce Canyon Lodge

Beautiful landscapes unfold as we travel to Bryce Canyon National Park. Stop for a family photo at Fairyland Point before walking along the Rim Trail overlooking Bryce Amphitheater, painted all shades of pink, red, orange, and brown. Then settle into our home for the next two nights near the rim of the canyon.

Day 7: Bryce Canyon

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Bryce Canyon Lodge

Spend the day exploring Bryce Canyon’s famous hoodoos—whimsical rock formations shaded red, orange, and yellow, which have been eroded into surreal spires. Learn about the geology behind this landscape of time-sculpted stone. This afternoon, kids head off on a scavenger hunt with the kids coordinator to look for lizards, chipmunks, prairie dogs, hawks, and other canyon wildlife. Meanwhile, adults can relax at the National Historic Landmark stone-and-timber lodge, go on a hike, or drive to Rainbow Point for panoramic views. This evening, gather for a festive farewell dinner.

Day 8: Bryce Canyon/St. George

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

We leave the multicolored sculptures of Bryce and head to Kolob Canyon, a lesser known area of Zion National Park, hike up the short Timber Creek Overlook Trail and peer into the red sandstone expanse. After soaking our final views of red rock country and one last picnic lunch, we travel to St. George for your flight home.

Day 1 - Arrive Las Vegas, NV

Today, transfer to the airport for your flight to Las Vegas. Upon our arrival, we transfer to our hotel on the Las Vegas strip. This evening, there is a Tours of Distinction exclusive welcome reception with the remainder of the evening free to explore the vibrant nightlife that is Vegas.

Day 2 - Grand Canyon Village, AZ

After breakfast, we depart Las Vegas and travel past Lake Mead and Hoover Dam as we enter Arizona. We stop in Kingman to tour the Route 66 Museum, which highlights the glory days of cross country automobile travel. We travel Route 66 heading east through northern Arizona. This afternoon, we will see “One of the Wonders of the World,” Grand Canyon National Park. This 1.2 million acre national park hosts a vast variety of wildlife and scenic wonders. We will learn about the geology and history of the canyon while taking in its breathtaking beauty at all the best view points along the South Rim, including Grand Canyon Village. After, we check into our hotel just outside of the park. Dinner is included this evening.

Day 3 - Lake Powell, UT

Breakfast is included this morning before we make one more pass along the south rim of the Grand Canyon National Park. We include a stop at Desert View before exiting the park. Then, enter the Navajo Nation with a rest stop at Cameron Trading Post with time to explore the amazing gift shop.  Next travel past the Vermillion Cliffs as you make your way to Page for an included lunch.  Then take a spectacular tour through Antelope Canyon.  The mysterious and haunting beauty of Antelope Canyon awaits the adventurous traveler who seeks to discover one of the most spectacular attractions of the Lake Powell area.  A tour to this awe-inspiring sculpture set in stone is a must for amateur and professional photographers alike.  An optional short hike to Horseshoe Bend for a stunning view of the Colorado River is available.  Arrive Lake Powell Resort with the evening free to explore and have dinner on your own.

Day 4 - Monument Valley

The morning starts with breakfast and a scenic cruise on Lake Powell. The contrast of the red rock walls and emerald blue waters are a stunning sight as we glide through the canyons. After, there is time for lunch, on own. This afternoon, we depart Lake Powell and travel to famed Monument Valley, a sacred place to the Navajo. We will be immersed in the rich cultural heritage of the ‘Dineh’ people. Their arts, music and livelihood are all closely tied to the dramatic desert landscape that is their home. After checking in to our hotel, we meet our Navajo guide and board a 4-wheel drive vehicle for a scenic tour of Monument Valley; location for scores of famous western films, television programs and commercials. As we travel through the valley and visit famous locations, such as John Ford Point, Artist Point and The Totem Pole, we will also learn more of the Navajo traditions and way of life. This evening, we experience Navajo culture, food and entertainment at a Navajo Cookout. After a wonderful day, we settle into our hotel.

Day 5 - Arches National Park

After breakfast, we depart Monument Valley and head north, arriving at Dead Horse Point State Park for a picnic lunch and one of the most spectacular scenes in the southwest. We have the chance to see the expanse of Canyonlands National Park stretching to the south and the mighty Colorado River 2,000 feet below. From here, we are off to nearby Arches National Park for sightseeing. The 18,000 square-foot visitor center (with over 2,000 named arches within its 73,000-acre boundary) will introduce us to the unique geologic forces that created the highest concentration of natural arches in the world. We visit all of the park’s highlights including: Park Avenue, Balance Rock, The Windows and Delicate Arch. In the late afternoon, we embark on a fabulous experience, as we take a Jet Boat Ride on the mighty Colorado River through spectacular red rock canyons. As the sun dips in the west, the canyon colors come to life while we learn about the river’s ecosystem, geology and history. After the thrilling ride, we enjoy a delicious BBQ dinner served on the banks of the Colorado River. We later arrive at the beautiful Red Cliffs Adventure Lodge which is located on the bank of the mighty Colorado, and check in for a two night stay. This area has been the site of numerous classic western movies including Rio Grande with John Wayne.

Day 6 - Canyonlands National Park

Our day starts after breakfast by meeting our professional driver guide and board 4x4 vehicles for a Jeep Tour of Canyonlands National Park. The Island in the Sky District of Canyonlands National Park is the focus of this outstanding tour. Set 2,000 feet above the canyon floor, we descend from the top of the mesa via the famous Shafer Trail. Using switchbacks, the tour will take us from atop the mesa to the meandering river corridor below. Throughout the tour, our guide will provide information on the Park and the scenery. What an exciting morning in Canyonlands! Enjoy free time in Moab to have lunch on own, and to do some shopping and exploring. This afternoon, we return to Red Cliffs where we have the rest of the day free to relax and soak in the scenery. There is time to visit the Utah Movie Museum and the Castle Creek Winery, both included, at your leisure. Dinner, this evening, will be served outside with the quintessential western scenery of Castle Valley in full view.

Day 7 - Bryce Canyon National Park

From breakfast, we depart Moab for Capitol Reef National Park. We pass through the town of Green River and the San Rafael Swell. We will see ancient petroglyphs, beautiful rock formations, deep canyons and pioneer history followed by a wonderful picnic lunch under towering cottonwood trees. We will drive scenic Highway 12, designated as an ‘All American Road,’ through Grand Staircase ~ Escalante National Monument, before arriving at Bryce Canyon National Park for sightseeing. Later, we check into our hotel for the evening. This evening is free to enjoy dinner, on own.

Day 8 - Zion National Park - Depart Las Vegas

We depart after breakfast on a short drive to see Utah’s oldest and most famous national park, Zion National Park. The Paiutes believed mischievous spirits lived among the 2,000-foot high towers and would not enter the canyon alone or remain there after dark. There will be time for lunch on own before crossing the desert returning to the glitz and glam of Las Vegas. After an amazing trip through some of our nation’s greatest natural treasures, we enjoy a farewell dinner before being transferred to the airport for your flight home.