Utah's Mighty Five From Vegas

Las Vegas - Zion National Park - Cedar City. This morning we depart Las Vegas for the three hour drive to Zion National Park. Along the way, we pass through the northern region of the Mojave Desert, through the Virgin Gorge and into the red rock landscapes of St. George, Utah. By late morning, we arrive at Zion National Park and start exploring Zion Canyon.

From roughly March until the end of Thanksgiving, access to Zion Canyon is provided by a hop-on, hop-off shuttle bus, operating on a first-come, first-serve basis. Outside of this period, private vehicles are allowed into the canyon. Regardless of the mode of transportation, we will get to experience the awe-inspiring beauty of Zion Canyon.

You can choose to spend our time here hiking or utilizing the shuttle to visit the various stops. Hiking options include scaling up to Scouts Lookout for breathtaking views of Angels Landing and Zion Canyon, embarking on a longer hike through the Zion Canyon Narrows, or enjoying a leisurely walk along the flat Pa’rus Trail with views of towering cliffs. For easier hikes, consider the Emerald Pools Trail or the Riverside Walk, each taking about two hours to complete.

The length of our stay in Zion Canyon will depend on the available time and weather conditions. Depending on the time of year and daylight hours, we may also visit the Kolob Canyons section of Zion National Park, where we can take a walk to the Timber Creek Overlook to experience a different aspect of Zion.

After our visit to Zion National Park, we head to our hotel in Cedar City.

Accommodation: Best Western Plus Cedar City or similar

Please note: This tour departs early on day 1, so please arrive in Las Vegas the day before your tour starts. Please also note that on select departures, this itinerary is reversed, and runs in the opposite direction. All touring and inclusions remain the same.

Cedar City - Zion National Park - Canyonlands National Park - Moab. Today, we embark on a four hour drive to Canyonlands National Park. Along the way, we travel along the rugged Hurricane Cliffs and pass by the vibrant Tushar Mountains. Depending on the group's preferences, we might stop at Eagle Canyon Overlook, Ghost Rock, and other viewpoints along Interstate 70, showcasing otherworldly landscapes.

Following lunch in the town of Green River, we spend the rest of the day exploring the Island in the Sky District of Canyonlands National Park. We see the famous Mesa Arch and other breathtaking sights including Grand Viewpoint, Green River Overlook, Candlestick Tower, an Ancestral Puebloan granary, and more.

We spend tonight in Moab, an adventure-resort town known for its array of restaurants, microbreweries, shops, and galleries.

Accommodation: Moab Valley Inn or similar

Moab - Arches National Park - Torrey. Today we start early to beat the crowds at Arches National Park. We’ll spend the morning exploring the park's timeless landscapes and unusual rock formations, most notably the natural arches eroded from solid sandstone. Depending on time and parking availability, our stops may include Courthouse Towers, Park Avenue, Balanced Rock, Double Arch, the Windows Section with Turret Arch, North and South Window, and a hike to Delicate Arch.

At around midday, we head back to Moab for lunch before making our way to Goblin Valley State Park. This park is a unique and lesser-known destination featuring more unusual rock formations and is located just outside Capitol Reef. We'll spend some time walking around these natural creations and recall movies that were filmed here.

We then cruise along the Fremont River, pass by the unique monolith of Factory Butte, and reach Capitol Reef National Park. Time permitting, we’ll explore the Grand Wash Narrows, a deep sandstone chasm, or Hickman Bridge, a 133-foot natural bridge, before stopping at Panoramic Point. Finally, we head to Torrey for the evening

Accommodation: Broken Spur Inn or similar

Torrey - Capitol Reef National Park - Bryce Canyon National Park - Bryce City. We spend the morning exploring more of Capitol Reef, with stops and short hikes that might include Cohab Canyon, Cassidy Arch, Chimney Rock, or Sulphur Creek. Heading onto Scenic Highway 12, we enjoy the views of one of the United States' most celebrated routes. The scenic allure of Highway 12 is largely due to its passage through the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. As we navigate this route, we'll cross the narrow Hoggs Back and travel through the canyons of Calf Creek. We pass the Gray Cliffs and the Kaiparowits Plateau, where paleontologists have recently uncovered many exciting dinosaur fossils. The journey continues to Bryce Canyon National Park for a short hike to Mossy Cave, and then it's on to our accommodation in Bryce City.

Accommodation: Ruby’s Inn or similar

Bryce City - Las Vegas. Consider getting up early to enjoy sunrise from Bryce Point. It’s a popular spot and absolutely stunning! Our morning agenda includes various hiking and sightseeing opportunities. For those seeking a more challenging hike, we offer an extended trek through the Bryce Amphitheatre, either on the Queen’s Garden Trail or the Peekaboo Loop. Those who prefer a leisurely pace can enjoy a stroll between Sunrise Point and Sunset Point. Similar to Zion, Bryce also features a seasonal shuttle bus service, allowing visitors to explore different viewpoints. Whether you choose to hike or sightsee, you'll have ample time to discover this enchanting landscape filled with unique hoodoos, arches, windows, and spires.

After lunch we begin our return journey to Las Vegas, passing through Red Canyon and stopping in the East Section of Zion National Park. Here we can admire the distinct sandstone monoliths and towers, different from those in Zion Canyon. Our tour comes to an end on arrival back in Las Vegas at approximately 18:00.