Compare The Best of Utah's Grand Circle of Parks and Monuments by Road Scholar vs Iconic National Parks of Utah by Insight Vacations

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: Arrive Las Vegas

Viva Las Vegas! Your airport transfer will take you to your luxurious hotel, the famous Caesars Palace. Explore the hotel’s vast casino, shops and swimming pools, or take a walk outside on the famous Strip? Join your Travel Director and fellow travel companions this evening for a delicious Welcome Dinner and drinks. Be sure not to miss the spectacular evening light shows on offer from all the major casinos.

Caesars Palace, Las Vegas.

Dinner with Wine

Day 2: Lake Powell Navajo Tribal Park, Antelope Canyon and Page

This morning, travel to the stunning Lake Powell Navajo Tribal Park. Hike the famous Antelope Canyon with a Navajo guide and discover their rich history. A photographer's dream - This canyon is world renowned for its views, and as you hike down into and then through the slot canyon you will understand why. Visit the Glen Canyon Recreational Area, one of the most iconic photo opportunities in the Southwest, "Horseshoe Bend.” Continue to Page, where tonight you’ll experience the best of Navajo culture and hospitality. Join another MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience and enjoy fabulous food and dancing at Red Heritage, a Native American Performing Arts Theater.

Lake Powell Resorts and Marinas

Breakfast, Dinner with Wine

Day 3: Monument Valley Tour and Cookout

Today is dedicated to the remarkable Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park. Travel through the Navajo Nation this morning, the largest Indigenous reservation in the United States, as you head to the iconic sandstone peaks of Monument Valley. Make Travel Matter and learn en route about the Navajo people and their traditional way of life and admire the breathtaking rock formations.  On arrival at the park, meet your Navajo Local Expert and board a 4x4 vehicle to explore the Valley. Along the way, stop for a tasty traditional cookout lunch, a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience. The rest of the evening is at leisure.

Goulding's Lodge Monument Valley

Breakfast, Lunch

Day 4: Bear's Ears National Monument and Natural Bridges National Monument

Start the day with a visit to Bear’s Ears National Monument. Take a moderate 1.9 mile dirt trail hike with a 68ft elevation gain to the magnificent “House on Fire” site, where the unique rock formation appears to burst into flames in the sunlight. There’s plenty of time for amazing photographs! Enjoy a picnic lunch at Natural Bridges National Monument before exploring various lookout points to admire the landscapes. This evening is yours at leisure in Monument Valley.

Goulding's Lodge Monument Valley

Breakfast, Lunch

Day 5: Capitol Reef National Park

Today we leave the wonders of Monument Valley behind and journey to Capitol Reef National Park. Sit back and relax on a spectacular scenic drive along the San Juan River, stopping for lunch on the way in Moab. This afternoon, explore Capitol Reef National Park and the geological sights of Waterpocket Fold with your Travel Director. The evening is yours at leisure. Maybe take a dip in the hot tub at your elegant hotel and sip a cocktail with the gorgeous red sandstone landscape as your backdrop?

Capitol Reef Resort

Breakfast

Day 6: From Bryce Canyon National Park to Kanab

Sit back and take in glorious landscapes as you embark on one of the most beautiful drives in the country to Bryce Canyon National Park. Bryce Canyon is famous for its iconic hoodoos, multiple tall shards of rock rising out of the basins. Here, take a rim walk along the natural amphitheater and see one of the most incredible sites in the Southwest, or for a more immersive experience take a walk down along the Navajo Loop trail. Continue to Kanab and your resort hotel to spend the rest of the evening at your leisure.

Canyon’s Boutique Hotel

Breakfast

Day 7: Discover Kanab

This morning, explore Kanab with Insight Choice. Choose to tour the Peek a Boo Slot Canyon with a Local Expert and travel out in 4x4s to explore this picturesque, red Navajo sandstone canyon. Alternatively choose to visit the Coral Pink Sand Dunes and take in the remarkable rosy buttes throughout this Utah state park. This evening toast your travels and your companions with a Celebration Dinner at Sego Restaurant.

Canyon’s Boutique Hotel

Breakfast, Dinner with Wine

Day 8: Zion National Park and Las Vegas Departure

Last but certainly not least, this morning you will head to Zion National Park through the famous switchbacks, one of the most scenic canyons in the United States. You may opt to hike up to the Emerald Pools trail across the lodge or to take the National Park shuttle towards the Temple of Sinawava. Transfers will take you to Las Vegas, where your adventure ends at Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) . Return flights should be booked for after 17:00.

Breakfast