Compare The Best of Utah's Grand Circle of Parks and Monuments by Road Scholar vs Wild Southwest USA by Culture Trip

Day 1 Check-in, Program Registration, Orientation, Welcome Dinner St. George

Hotel check-in from 3:00 p.m.

Program Registration. Our Group Leader will be waiting in the hotel lobby to register participants upon arrival. You will receive your room assignment, room key, and welcome packet containing your name-tag and up to date schedule that reflects any last minute changes. Orientation will take place after dinner. If your arrival is delayed, please ask for your packet when you arrive. The Holiday Inn Convention Center is about 6 blocks (1 mile) from the Dixie State University Campus. We’ll transfer via motorcoach to campus for dinner.

We’ll then return to the hotel for the rest of our evening programming. Orientation. The Group Leader will lead everyone in a welcome and introduction session. We will review the up-to-date program schedule and any changes, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer any questions you may have. Transportation will be provided primarily by motorcoach unless otherwise specified. Be sure to bring a daypack, water bottle, sun protection, sturdy walking shoes and anything else you think you will need during our hikes in the desert. Durations of hikes vary depending on the group. This program has a Group Leader who will deal primarily with logistics, an Instructor who lead most field trips and lectures, and a bus driver who will accompany us throughout the program. Some days offer choices in the length of hikes and, in the event that participants wish to go on different hikes, each smaller group will be led by either the Group Leader or Instructor. Evenings at leisure offer opportunities to make the program more meaningful and memorable through personal independent exploration, engaging in available activities on your own, or simply relaxing and making new friends among fellow participants. The Group Leader will always be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local conditions/circumstances. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the full day ahead.

In our private meeting room at Dixie State University, we'll enjoy a delicious welcome banquet featuring a buffet, plus coffee, tea, water.

Day 2 Snow Canyon State Park & Area History St. George

Walking up to 2 miles on sandy, uneven, and rocky trails with a max elevation change of 100 feet. Getting on/off motorcoach for short drive to Snow Canyon State Park.

In the hotel meeting room we’ll gather with our instructor who will present a lecture on the geology, ecology, flora and fauna of Southern Utah. Through this presentation, we’ll gain a greater understanding of the incredible formations we will explore during the week. We’ll then begin our adventure with a field trip via motorcoach to Snow Canyon State Park where our instructor will introduce the area’s geology on a short hike to a viewpoint along the rim where we'll soak in the beauty of the scenery and notice the exquisite red and white sandstone cliffs, rolling mounds of petrified sand dunes and lava (basalt) rock formations.

Returning to the hotel we’ll be treated to an informative presentation by an expert archeologist on the prehistoric civilization of Southwest Utah, followed by a field trip via motorcoach to visit local petroglyph sites.

At leisure. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.

At the hotel, the breakfast buffet includes eggs, hot and cold cereals, fruit, yogurt, pastries, toast, coffee, tea, milk, juice and water.

At a local restaurant, choose from an expansive selection of local favorites on the buffet. Fountain drinks, coffee, iced tea and water are included.

At a local restaurant, enjoy a plated meal with choices including fish, chicken, steak or vegetarian options. Coffee, tea, and water are included. Other beverages are available for purchase.

Day 3 Zion National Park Bryce Canyon National Park

Walking 1-2 miles; mostly paved trails, some uneven and slippery terrain, maximum elevation change of 200 feet. Elevation of Zion is approximately 4,000 feet. Driving approximately 130 miles total throughout the day: Saint George to Zion is approx. 45 miles, about 1 hour; Zion to Bryce is approximately 85 miles, about 2 hours.

After checking out, we will travel via motorcoach to Zion National Park. Upon arrival we’ll explore various trails and visit the museum. Our instructor will provide information about the Virgin River and Zion Canyon’s geology and plant habitat along the way.

We’ll continue our exploration as we travel via motorcoach to the east side of Zion National Park and through the 1.1 mile long Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel that was eventually completed in 1930, thereby linking Bryce Canyon and the Grand Canyon to Zion. Along the way, we will view Checkerboard Mesa and continue to Bryce Canyon National Park. Upon arrival in Bryce, Utah, we’ll check into the hotel and have some time to relax before dinner.

At leisure. Be sure to prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.

Hotel buffet.

Boxed lunch that includes a sandwich, chips, fruit and cookie.

At Ruby's Cowboy Buffet & Steak Room, we’ll enjoy a buffet dinner with choices including a variety of classic western meat dishes, fish, vegetables, cornbread, soup and salads with coffee, tea, soft drinks, water; other beverages available for purchase.

Day 4 Hike Bryce Canyon, Grand Staircase, Anasazi State Park Capitol Reef National Park

Walking up to 2-3 miles in Bryce Canyon; uneven, unpaved trails with steep inclines and declines of about 350 feet; elevation is approximately 8,000 feet at the rim of Bryce Canyon. Driving about 160 miles total, approx. 3 hours with stops: Bryce to Escalante is about 48 miles, 1 hour; Escalante to Torrey, Utah, is approx. 112 miles, about 2 hours.

After checking out of our hotel, we’ll travel via motorcoach a very short distance to Bryce Canyon National Park. Bryce is world-renowned for its unique geological features, carved by nature into hoodoos, pinnacles and fins of an amazing palette of colors. We'll hike with our instructor along the rim and into the canyon, via the Navajo Loop trail, to view the iconic structures and formations. We’ll then transfer from Bryce to Wild West Retreat in Escalante, Utah.

We’ll then depart for a scenic drive along the famed All-American Road, Highway 12, through a portion of the Grand Staircase to Anasazi State Park where we will view Ancestral Puebloan ruins and enjoy a presentation by an archeologist about the area’s history of human settlement. We’ll continue along Hwy 12 to Torrey, Utah, where we will check into the hotel.

At leisure.

At Ruby's Cowboy Buffet, choose from dishes including fresh fruit, yogurt, assorted baked goods, hot and cold cereals, an egg dish, breakfast meats, potatoes, coffee, assorted teas, juice, milk and water.

At the Wild West Retreat, we’ll enjoy a tasty Dutch oven buffet meal consisting of favorite local dishes and dessert with soft drinks, ice tea, lemonade and water.

At a local restaurant, we’ll enjoy a plated meal with dessert and coffee, tea, soft drinks, water; other beverages available for purchase.

Day 5 Capitol Reef National Park Capitol Reef National Park

Walking up to 3 miles total throughout the day; about 3 hours; dry streambed terrain in Grand Wash, short walks on boardwalks at the Petroglyph Panel. Driving about 20 miles one way; approx. 1/2 hour.

We’ll transfer via motorcoach to Capitol Reef National Park, where we will begin our day with a hike of the Grand Wash and view towering cliffs of sandstone as we walk through the upper portion of the Waterpocket Fold. The wash connects the Scenic Road as it heads south past Cassidy Arch, to Highway 24 just east of Spring Canyon. The wash is level throughout the entire route, though it is full of streambed sediment. We'll return via motorcoach to a park near the Capitol Reef Visitors Center for lunch.

We'll then drive a short distance to Petroglyph Panel to view rock art attributed to the Fremont Culture, which existed in this area of Utah from approximately 600 – 1300 C.E. Our instructor and Group Leader will point out and describe the petroglyphs found along the boardwalk. We’ll then return to the hotel to rest before departing by motorcoach for dinner.

At leisure. Be sure to prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.

At the hotel, the buffet includes eggs, potatoes, oatmeal, yogurt, fruit, breakfast meats, waffles, toast, juice, tea and coffee.

At the park, we’ll have boxed lunches that include a sandwich, chips, fruit and cookie.

At a local restaurant, we’ll have a plated meal with dessert and coffee, iced tea, and water available; other beverages available for purchase.

Day 6 Powell Museum, Dead Horse Point, Canyonlands National Park Moab, Utah

Walking up to 1 mile total at Dead Horse Point and Canyonlands. Drive from Torrey to Moab is approximately 155 miles, about 3 hours.

We’ll travel by motorcoach to the John Wesley Powell Museum in Green River, Utah, where we will have time for independent exploration of this world-class museum that captures the spirit of the famous, determined Western explorer. It’s also a fitting introduction as we approach the Colorado River that Powell first explored and mapped in the 1870s.

Continuing by motorcoach, we’ll go to Dead Horse Point State Park and Canyonlands National Park to view a variety of unusual rock formations along with deeply eroded canyons interspersed with sheer-sided mesas. Upon reaching Dead Horse Point and hiking with our instructor to the viewpoint we’ll be able to see nearly 100 miles with the mighty Colorado River below. We’ll then travel to our hotel in Moab and check in.

At leisure. You may wish to explore Moab and see what activities the town’s nightlife has to offer or just relax at the hotel.

Hotel buffet.

At a local restaurant in Green River, we’ll enjoy a buffet with soups, salads, various choices of entrees, fruit, dessert, soft drinks, lemonade, coffee, tea and water.

This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like in downtown Moab. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.

Day 7 Arches National Park Geology Field Trip Moab, Utah

Walking 2-3 miles throughout the day; groomed trails with some elevation change. Minimal driving.

We'll travel by motorcoach to Arches National Park, which contains more than 2,000 natural stone arches along with red rock canyons, spires, fins and balanced rocks. While here, you will be able to choose from a variety of hikes including an instructor-led hike to Landscape Arch as well as independent hikes to Double Arch and the many arches found in the Windows section of the park.

We’ll continue exploring the park as we drive to the Delicate Arch Overlook and the Visitor Center. Delicate Arch is the most iconic arch in Utah and possibly the most beautiful arch in the world. After having some time to admire the arch and continue to the Visitor Center, we will peruse the exhibits and park video on our own before boarding the motorcoach and returning to the hotel.

At leisure. Be sure to prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.

At the hotel, the buffet includes eggs, potatoes, oatmeal, yogurt, fruit, breakfast meats, waffles, toast, juice, tea and coffee.

On the trail, we’ll have boxed lunches including a sandwich, fruit, chips and cookie.

On your own to explore the local fare in downtown Moab.

Day 8 Edge of the Cedars Museum, Monument Valley Lake Powell - Page, AZ

Walking up to 1 mile in museums and visitor centers. Drive from Moab, Utah, to Lake Powell, Arizona, is approximately 280 miles; about 4.5 hours with a stop for lunch in Monument Valley.

After checking out of the hotel, we’ll travel to Blanding for independent exploration at the Edge of the Cedars Museum. This museum has the largest collection of intact Ancestral Puebloan pottery found in the Four Corners of the U.S. as well as archaeological sites and repository.

Our next stop will be the Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park Visitor Center where we will learn through independent exploration about Navajo culture, tradition, language and history from the perspective of the Navajo people. The exhibit displays are a combination of pictorial information, interactive media and actual artifacts. Subjects include a unique exhibit on the WWII Navajo Code Talkers, the Navajo Nation government structure, the history of uranium mining in the area, and the legacy of Hollywood films in Monument Valley. We’ll then continue to Lake Powell and check into hotel.

At leisure.

At the hotel, the buffet includes eggs, potatoes, oatmeal, yogurt, fruit, breakfast meats, waffles, toast, juice, tea and coffee.

At historic Goulding’s Trading Post in Monument Valley, staffed by local Diné (Navajos) and the shoot location of many classic Western movies, we’ll enjoy traditional Navajo foods, soup and salad bar, or sandwich. Coffee, tea, soft drinks, water included.

At local restaurant, we’ll enjoy a choice of plated entrees from a select menu with dessert, plus soft drinks, lemonade, coffee, tea, water; other beverages available for purchase.

Day 9 Colorado River Float Trip Lake Powell - Page, AZ

Getting on/off a motorized raft; the float trip is about 3.5 hours with a bathroom break at the half way point. Drive time back to Page, AZ is 1 hour.

We travel by motorcoach a few miles to the banks of the Colorado River, where we begin our flat water float trip, led and operated by local experts. Our field trip begins with an exciting ride down the two-mile long Glen Canyon Dam access tunnel. With the dam soaring 700 feet above, we’ll board a motorized pontoon raft for our journey downstream, where we will experience one of the most dramatic stretches of river found in the western United States. While underway, we’ll hear about the area’s story of soaring sandstone cliffs, crystal blue-green waters, abundant wildlife, former habitation by native cultures, exploration by Major John Wesley Powell, and the Colorado River’s modern role in the Southwest’s water and power delivery system.

Upon reaching Lee's Ferry, we’ll disembark and travel back to our hotel in Page, AZ for a short break. We then board our motorcoach to the Native American Performing Arts Theater. We’ll get a fascinating glimpse into Navajo history, culture, and traditions via music and dance presented by Navajo tribal members.

At leisure. Be sure to prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.

At the hotel, the breakfast buffet includes choices such as fresh fruit, yogurt, bacon or sausage, eggs, hot and cold cereals, assorted pastries, coffee, tea, juice, water.

Aboard the raft, we’ll have boxed lunches.

Enjoy a traditional Navajo Taco dinner after the presentation.

Day 10 Antelope Slot Canyon St. George

Walking up to 1 mile in Antelope Canyon; sandy trails. Drive from Page, Arizona, to St George, Utah, is approximately 150 miles; about 3 hours, with one rest stop in the afternoon at the Grand Staircase Visitors Center in Kanab, Utah.

After check-out we’ll depart for Antelope Slot Canyon, the most photographed slot canyon in the Southwest, and embark on an expert-led hike of Upper Antelope Canyon upon arrival. The Navajo name for Upper Antelope Canyon is Tse' bighanilini, which means "the place where water runs through rocks." Located within the LeChee Chapter of the Navajo Nation, Upper Antelope is an awe-inspiring slot canyon with narrow sandstone walls that rise 120 feet above the sandy trail. Discover why this beautiful canyon has rightly earned its world-renowned reputation.

Afterwards, we’ll make our way back to St. George, Utah, and check into the hotel.

At leisure. Share some of your favorite experiences from the program with new Road Scholar friends! Be sure to prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.

Hotel buffet.

At a local restaurant, we’ll have a choice of plated entrees from a select menu with coffee, soft drinks, ice tea, lemonade and water.

In Dixie State University's banquet room, we’ll enjoy a lovely farewell buffet dinner with coffee, tea, water.

Day 11 Program Concludes St. George

Hotel check-out by 10:00 a.m.

If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!

At the hotel, the breakfast buffet offers choices including eggs, hot and cold cereals, fruit, yogurt, pastries, toast, coffee, tea, milk, juice, water. This concludes our program.

DAY 1

Welcome to Denver, Colorado

On arrival in Denver, you’ll be greeted by our Local Insider who will accompany you throughout the trip. Meet your fellow travellers at 6pm and spend the evening mingling at an authentic Denver brewpub, where dinner and a selection of local beers will be served.

ACCOMMODATION

• The Curtis

ACTIVITIES INCLUDED

• Welcome dinner

DAY 2

Transforming landscapes and hiking in Arches National Park, Utah

The adventure really begins on Day 2, as you journey from the American plains and across the Colorado Rockies, where you’ll stop off for wine tasting in Grand Junction. Continuing on, watch the landscape transform from sky-grazing granite peaks into the canyonlands of Utah. You’ll be staying in Moab, gateway to the Arches National Park. Spend the afternoon hiking to the Delicate Arch, where you’ll tuck into burritos as you watch the sun set over the desert. Bed down in a hotel overlooking the Colorado River later that evening.

ACCOMMODATION

• Red Cliffs Lodge

ACTIVITIES INCLUDED

• Wine tasting
• Arches Park Avenue walk
• Delicate Arch sunset hike

DAY 3

Rafting the Colorado River and off-roading in Moab

After a hearty breakfast at the lodge, you’ll spend the morning rafting the Colorado River. There are no rapids in this part of the waterway, so expect a calm trip with ample time to marvel at the red-rock scenery. Following a river swim, you can opt between hiking, mountain biking, horse riding and canyoneering back in the national park or exploring downtown Moab instead. Come nightfall, take an off-road Hummer tour through the surrounding slickrock to really experience Utah.

ACCOMMODATION

• Red Cliffs Lodge

ACTIVITIES INCLUDED

• Rafting on the Colorado River

OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES

• Sunset Hummer tour
• Hiking
• Mountain biking
• Horse riding
• Canyoneering

DAY 4

Devil’s Garden and Dead Horse Point State Park

Receive a sunrise wake-up call to beat the desert heat on your early hike in Arches National Park. You’ll be taking the Devil’s Garden route, which leads past the Landscape Arch, the longest naturally formed stone arch in the world. There will also be a chance to go wild swimming here. After exploring, you’ll head back to Moab for downtime in the hotel pool and hot tub before driving to Dead Horse Point State Park. Watch the sun set over Canyonlands National Park, a bucket list-worthy sight.

ACCOMMODATION

• Red Cliffs Lodge

ACTIVITIES INCLUDED

• Devil’s Garden sunrise hike
• Dead Horse Point State Park sunset hike

OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES

• Horseback ride

DAY 5

Steamboat Springs and soaking under the stars

It’s back over the border to Colorado today; the pretty alpine village of Steamboat Springs is your destination. On the way, you’ll stop for lunch in the quiet town of Rifle before continuing into the Colorado Rockies. Take some time to explore downtown Steamboat before heading into the mountains for a soak at Strawberry Hot Springs. Tucked amid a pine forest, these natural thermal pools are the perfect vantage point to stargaze come nightfall.

ACCOMMODATION

• Residence Inn

ACTIVITIES INCLUDED

• Strawberry Hot Springs entry

DAY 6

Hike Rocky Mountain National Park

You’ll be making your way into the Rocky Mountain National Park this morning, traversing the Trail Ridge Road which stretches up to 12,000ft (3,658m) above sea level. Expect magnificent vistas along this route – and keep your eyes peeled for mountain goats, elk and black bears on the way. Inhale fresh mountain air while enjoying a picnic lunch, combined with a short walk along the Tundra Communities Trail. You’ll then continue on to the mountain town of Estes Park, where you’ll spend the next two nights.

ACCOMMODATION

• Hotel Estes

ACTIVITIES INCLUDED

• Trail Ridge Road scenic drive

OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES

• Guided Tundra Communities Trail hike

DAY 7

Swimming in Bear Lake and cocktails at Stanley Hotel

Your last full day sees you hike the Bear Lake trailhead, which is dotted with picturesque waterfalls. There are easy, moderate and challenging routes from which to choose – and don’t forget your swimsuit as there might be an alpine lake you can’t resist along the way. Later, movie buffs will be in their element as cocktails are served at the supposedly haunted Stanley Hotel, famous for its appearance in the film The Shining (1980). Dinner tonight comes courtesy of the food trucks at The Barrel; regulars include a lobster shack, waffle lab and wood-fired pizza van.

ACCOMMODATION

• Hotel Estes

ACTIVITIES INCLUDED

• Guided hike from Bear Lake trailhead
• Farewell dinner

OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES

• Cocktails at Stanley Hotel

DAY 8

Return to Denver with a Boulder detour

There’s a short drive back to Denver today, but not before stopping at the mountain community of Boulder for lunch. Here, you’ll have a few hours of free time to visit one of the best farmer’s markets in the United States, pop into a local brewery and browse shops along historic Pearl Street. You’ll also swing by the famed Red Rock Amphitheatre – which has seen the Beatles, Stevie Nicks and U2 grace its stage – before returning to Denver and saying your final goodbyes to the group at 4pm.

ACTIVITIES INCLUDED

• Red Rock Amphitheatre visit