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Cliffside tree overlooks Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah
Hiking tour group crosses canyon stream on Zion trip
Hikers use railing on Zion National Park weekend trip
Tour guide talks to hikers at Utah national park
Forested canyon valley in Utah national park
Hiking group passes natural rock formations on Utah trip

Southern Utah National Parks Hiking Tour

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Page Contents
Activity
Hiking
Destination
Bryce Canyon National ParkGrand Staircase-EscalanteUtahZion National Park
Tour Length
5 days, 4 nights
Accommodations
Basecamping
Guide Type
Guided
Difficulty
Moderate
Multi-Day Tours: Hiking & Backpacking

Beginner (1)

Guests will need only the ability to walk on improved surfaces with little elevation change for up to 5 miles per day with the ability to travel at their own speed and/or reroute/shorten a hike as they see fit.

Beginner-Moderate (2)

Guest will need the ability to walk on established trails with some elevation change, over uneven natural surfaces for up to 8 miles per day with the ability to travel at their own speed and/or reroute/shorten a hike as they see fit.

Moderate (3)

Guests will need the ability to hike on established trails with noticeable elevation change over uneven natural surfaces for up to 10 miles per day. Some routes may not have a shorter or turn-around option and the group will move at a 2 to 3 mph pace with breaks.

Moderate-Advanced (4)

Guests will need the ability to hike on trails that may have physical obstacles or barriers with aggressive elevation change for up to 15 miles per day. In every case other than an emergency situation, hikes are one-way and are performed at a 2 to 3 mph pace with breaks.

Advanced (5)

Guests will need the ability to hike on and off less-maintained trails in places that likely have physical obstacles or barriers with aggressive elevation change for up to 15 miles or more per day, In every case other than an emergency situation, hikes are one-way, are performed at a 3+ mph pace with breaks, and have no rest day between hikes.

Each AOA trip is rated for fitness, comfort, solitude, and participation. The descriptions above correspond to the numeric “fitness” ratings. You can find the rest of these ratings explained in the tour’s Nitty Gritty details section.

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AOA is now a part of the REI Co-op and in 2020 this trip will no longer be available. You can book a similar trip directly through REI. It will still be operated by the same great guides who call the Southwest home.

Find a Similar Trip

Join our guided Utah hiking tour in Zion, Bryce, and the Grand Staircase-Escalante for 5 days of camping and exploring Southern Utah’s National Parks. Hike among the towering hoodoo rock spires of Bryce Canyon National Park, experience the rugged landscape of Escalante, and see iconic sights in Zion such as Observation Point, Angel’s Landing, and the Narrows. This guided adventure is perfect for groups of friends, active families, and single travelers.

Enjoy comfortable “frontcountry” camping and carry only a small daypack with your personal snacks and water during each hike. The benefits of joining a guided hiking trip are many, including local expert guides to help with access to iconic and hard-to-reach wilderness areas, while the logistics, gear, food, permits, and complex details are taken care of so you can relax and enjoy your vacation.

I LOVED Utah and would most definitely do another trip with this company! Our guides were awesome, so down to earth and so factual about everything!Brooke

What's Included

AOA is now a part of the REI Co-op and in 2020 this trip will no longer be available. You can book a similar trip directly through REI. It will still be operated by the same great guides who call the Southwest home.

Find a Similar Trip.

Permit & Land Use Fees Include

  • Zion National Park entry and commercial fees
  • Escalante National Monument commercial fees
  • Bryce Canyon National Park entry and commercial fees

Not Included ​​​​​​​

  • Personal insurance and expenses
  • Air transportation to and from Las Vegas
  • Pre- or post-trip lodging
  • Breakfast Day 1, dinner Day 5
  • Tent (available to rent from AOA)
  • Sleeping pad (available to rent from AOA)
  • Sleeping bag (available to rent from AOA)
  • Day hiking pack (available to rent from AOA)
  • Gratuities to AOA Guides

Upgrades + Additions

Gear Rental

  • 4-Person Basecamping Tent ($45 per tent)
  • Inflatable sleeping pad ($25 per, sleeping pads add insulation and are required on AOA trips)
  • Sleeping bag and linen set rental ($25 per bag/set)
  • 30 to 40 liter daypack ($15 per pack)
  • Trekking poles (complimentary upon request)

Optional Additions

  • Purchase: 3-liter Camelbak reservoir/bladder ($35 per)
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Optional upgrades, additions, and rentals subject to tax (8.05%).

Rates

2019 Rates

  • Tour Price $ 1425 1425
  • Permit & Land Fees $ 54 54

2020 Rates

  • Trip not offered in 2020 $

AOA is now a part of the REI Co-op and in 2020 this trip will no longer be available. You can book a similar trip directly through REI. It will still be operated by the same great guides who call the Southwest home.

Find a Similar Trip.

Dates

1568937600

Select Month

1-866-455-1601

AOA is now a part of the REI Co-op and in 2020 this trip will no longer be available. You can book a similar trip directly through REI. It will still be operated by the same great guides who call the Southwest home.

Find a Similar Trip.

Itinerary

Natural rock spire formations in Utah national park

Your Trip

On this 5 day hiking and camping trip, you’ll visit two of Utah’s iconic national parks, hike in Bryce Canyon’s hoodoo-filled rock amphitheaters, and conquer the best challenging hikes in Zion National Park, where sheer red canyon walls and narrow slot canyons have earned the nickname “Yosemite dressed in red.”

AOA is now a part of the REI Co-op and in 2020 this trip will no longer be available. You can book a similar trip directly through REI. It will still be operated by the same great guides who call the Southwest home.

Find a Similar Trip.

In addition, you’ll get the chance to see Zion’s northern hidden gem, Kolob Canyons. We will camp among the red mushroom formations at Kodachrome Basin State Park, and venturing into the incredible slot canyons of Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, a wonderland of hanging plateaus and slender gorges!

Nights are filled with laughter around the dinner table, reliving memories from the day’s hikes, and colorful sunsets that morph into black skies that magically become aglow with stars.

Check out Visit Utah’s short video for a glimpse of what night skies are like in Kodachrome Basin State Park – where we camp for two nights of this trip.

Trip Start: Meets at Homewood Suites in South Las Vegas, Nevada at 7am on Day 1

Trip End: Ends at Homewood Suites in South Las Vegas, Nevada between 3-6pm on day 5

PRINT ITINERARY
Natural rock spire formations in Utah national park

DAY 1: Depart Las Vegas – Kodachrome Basin State Park

After meeting our guides and fellow hikers, we drive north from Las Vegas to Cedar Breaks National Monument, for a high-elevation preview hike where we stretch our legs, dial in our hiking gear and day packs, and watch for marmots. Our visit to Cedar Breaks will give us a taste for the epic formations and canyon walls we will be camping among in a few days time.

Following lunch at a scenic overlook in Cedar Breaks, we drive past quaint mountain villages, lakes, and ancient volcanic formations on our way to our new home away from home.

This afternoon we arrive at Kodachrome Basin State Park. Our camp will be surrounded by a palette of warm shades of red, yellow, pink, white and brown which, against the deep blue sky and rare green vegetation, led the National Geographic Society to name the area Kodachrome Basin (with the consent of the Kodak Film Corporation). The park is known for it’s unique spires, or “chimneys”, of rock known as sand pipes. After dinner, prepared for you by your guides, relax in our comfortable camp while the setting sun turns our red rock home into a glowing amphitheater.

Hiking

2-4 miles

Meals

Breakfast on own, lunch and dinner included

Lodging

Established campground in Kodachrome State Park

Camping tent in shadows on Utah national park hiking trip

After meeting our guides and fellow hikers, we drive north from Las Vegas to Cedar Breaks National Monument, for a high-elevation preview hike where we stretch our legs, dial in our hiking gear and day packs, and watch for marmots. Our visit to Cedar Breaks will give us a taste for the epic formations and canyon walls we will be camping among in a few days time.

Following lunch at a scenic overlook in Cedar Breaks, we drive past quaint mountain villages, lakes, and ancient volcanic formations on our way to our new home away from home.

This afternoon we arrive at Kodachrome Basin State Park. Our camp will be surrounded by a palette of warm shades of red, yellow, pink, white and brown which, against the deep blue sky and rare green vegetation, led the National Geographic Society to name the area Kodachrome Basin (with the consent of the Kodak Film Corporation). The park is known for it’s unique spires, or “chimneys”, of rock known as sand pipes. After dinner, prepared for you by your guides, relax in our comfortable camp while the setting sun turns our red rock home into a glowing amphitheater.

Hiking

2-4 miles

Meals

Breakfast on own, lunch and dinner included

Lodging

Established campground in Kodachrome State Park

Camping tent in shadows on Utah national park hiking trip

DAY 2: Explore Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument

Today we head into the wild expanse of Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. Our action-packed Utah National Parks exploration continues as we hike along the Escalante River’s clear flowing waters and canyon walls or off to iconic Lower Calf Creek Falls. On these hikes your guide will share ancient petroglyphs and Ancestral Puebloan Ruins. These hikes are a favorite of adults and kids alike. If time permits and the weather is just right, there’s opportunity for us to visit one of Escalante’s iconic slot canyons before returning to our home away from home for a hearty guide prepared dinner.

Hiking

5-8 miles

Meals

All meals included

Lodging

Established campground in Kodachrome State Park

Today we head into the wild expanse of Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. Our action-packed Utah National Parks exploration continues as we hike along the Escalante River’s clear flowing waters and canyon walls or off to iconic Lower Calf Creek Falls. On these hikes your guide will share ancient petroglyphs and Ancestral Puebloan Ruins. These hikes are a favorite of adults and kids alike. If time permits and the weather is just right, there’s opportunity for us to visit one of Escalante’s iconic slot canyons before returning to our home away from home for a hearty guide prepared dinner.

Hiking

5-8 miles

Meals

All meals included

Lodging

Established campground in Kodachrome State Park

DAY 3: Explore Bryce Canyon National Park, Drive to Zion National Park

After a hearty breakfast in camp, we head to Bryce Canyon National Park. Words cannot describe the sweeping views before us as we start our easy walk along the rim. After viewing this wild land of rock from the rim, we’ll hike down into the canyon through a surreal maze of pink hoodoos and rock windows all the way to the mouth of the Bryce amphitheater. The erosive force of frost-wedging and the dissolving power of rainwater have sculpted the colorful limestone rock into bizarre formations including slot canyons, windows, fins, and spires called “hoodoos.” After our adventurous hike in Bryce, we hop in the van to give your hiking boots a rest as we make our way to Zion National Park.

In the Mormon religion, Zion means “the pure in heart” or in this case, a place where people with pure hearts live. Inspired by the beauty and purity of their red rock home, the early Mormon settlers named the area Zion. Once in Zion, you’ll have the chance to explore close to camp while guides prepare a delicious meal. Tonight, we’ll hang out around campground together playing fun fireside games and getting excited for tomorrow’s adventures.

Hiking

8 miles

Meals

All meals included

Lodging

Established campground in Zion National Park

After a hearty breakfast in camp, we head to Bryce Canyon National Park. Words cannot describe the sweeping views before us as we start our easy walk along the rim. After viewing this wild land of rock from the rim, we’ll hike down into the canyon through a surreal maze of pink hoodoos and rock windows all the way to the mouth of the Bryce amphitheater. The erosive force of frost-wedging and the dissolving power of rainwater have sculpted the colorful limestone rock into bizarre formations including slot canyons, windows, fins, and spires called “hoodoos.” After our adventurous hike in Bryce, we hop in the van to give your hiking boots a rest as we make our way to Zion National Park.

In the Mormon religion, Zion means “the pure in heart” or in this case, a place where people with pure hearts live. Inspired by the beauty and purity of their red rock home, the early Mormon settlers named the area Zion. Once in Zion, you’ll have the chance to explore close to camp while guides prepare a delicious meal. Tonight, we’ll hang out around campground together playing fun fireside games and getting excited for tomorrow’s adventures.

Hiking

8 miles

Meals

All meals included

Lodging

Established campground in Zion National Park

DAY 4: Zion National Park: Hike Observation Point and Zion Narrows

Observation Point is one of the best viewpoints offered by the list of Zion’s classic trails, with dizzying drop-offs and eye-popping scenery looking down into Zion Canyon. Though not the most family-friendly trail in Zion, this challenge is worth the effort. The maintained trail zigzags its way up the steep mountainside before venturing through Echo Canyon, a deep gorge filled with water-gnawed sandstone pockets. Beyond Echo Canyon the walls drop sharply, giving way to spectacular views. At trail’s end is an incredible view of the entirety of Zion Canyon. The West Rim Trail can be seen to the right as well as lofty Angels Landing and other famous landmarks. The challenge of hiking to Observation point may not be for everyone, if you have qualms about this hike they should be discussed with the AOA staff when planning your trip.

After lunch we will board the park shuttle to the upper reaches of Zion’s main canyon to explore the world famous Zion Narrows, a National Park classic. On this hike we will wade through the knee- to waist-deep water while 2,000 foot tall Navajo sandstone walls tower overhead – even the best waterproof hiking boots are no match for the Virgin River. Exploring the Narrows is a favorite of all of our travelers, but is often especially fun for kids. Tonight we celebrate our week of adventure and relaxation with a final dinner.

Hiking

8-10 miles

Meals

All meals included

Lodging

Established campground in Zion National Park

Hiking tour group crosses canyon stream on Zion trip

Observation Point is one of the best viewpoints offered by the list of Zion’s classic trails, with dizzying drop-offs and eye-popping scenery looking down into Zion Canyon. Though not the most family-friendly trail in Zion, this challenge is worth the effort. The maintained trail zigzags its way up the steep mountainside before venturing through Echo Canyon, a deep gorge filled with water-gnawed sandstone pockets. Beyond Echo Canyon the walls drop sharply, giving way to spectacular views. At trail’s end is an incredible view of the entirety of Zion Canyon. The West Rim Trail can be seen to the right as well as lofty Angels Landing and other famous landmarks. The challenge of hiking to Observation point may not be for everyone, if you have qualms about this hike they should be discussed with the AOA staff when planning your trip.

After lunch we will board the park shuttle to the upper reaches of Zion’s main canyon to explore the world famous Zion Narrows, a National Park classic. On this hike we will wade through the knee- to waist-deep water while 2,000 foot tall Navajo sandstone walls tower overhead – even the best waterproof hiking boots are no match for the Virgin River. Exploring the Narrows is a favorite of all of our travelers, but is often especially fun for kids. Tonight we celebrate our week of adventure and relaxation with a final dinner.

Hiking

8-10 miles

Meals

All meals included

Lodging

Established campground in Zion National Park

Hiking tour group crosses canyon stream on Zion trip

DAY 5: Spend the morning in Zion, Drive to Las Vegas

After breakfast, we head into Zion National Park for a finale hike to Angel’s Landing! We begin the day’s hike strolling beneath shady cottonwood and sycamore trees by the Virgin River’s edge. Soon we begin the ascent, our goal will be to reach the top before the desert sun peaks over the canyon wall. Angel’s Landing is not just a hike; it is the pre-eminent trail of our National Park System and the perfect grand adventure to cap off our fantastic week of exploring the gems of Southern Utah.

The trail ascends 1,488 feet in 2.5 miles to the 5,790-foot summit of a monolith perched partway between the river and the canyon rim. It is flanked on three sides by the erosive North Fork of the Virgin River below. The hike leads to sweeping north-south views of the Virgin River Gorge, Cathedral Mountain, Observation Point, Cable Mountain and the Great White Throne looming high above Angel’s Landing. After descending back to the canyon floor it is customary to take a cool plunge in the Virgin River and relax under a cottonwood tree for a picnic lunch, recounting the fun and adventure we enjoyed during the week of camping and exploring. Waving farewell to Zion, we arrive back to the bright lights of Las Vegas between 3:00 – 6:00pm.

Hiking

5 miles

Meals

Breakfast and lunch included, dinner on your own.

Lodging

On your own

After breakfast, we head into Zion National Park for a finale hike to Angel’s Landing! We begin the day’s hike strolling beneath shady cottonwood and sycamore trees by the Virgin River’s edge. Soon we begin the ascent, our goal will be to reach the top before the desert sun peaks over the canyon wall. Angel’s Landing is not just a hike; it is the pre-eminent trail of our National Park System and the perfect grand adventure to cap off our fantastic week of exploring the gems of Southern Utah.

The trail ascends 1,488 feet in 2.5 miles to the 5,790-foot summit of a monolith perched partway between the river and the canyon rim. It is flanked on three sides by the erosive North Fork of the Virgin River below. The hike leads to sweeping north-south views of the Virgin River Gorge, Cathedral Mountain, Observation Point, Cable Mountain and the Great White Throne looming high above Angel’s Landing. After descending back to the canyon floor it is customary to take a cool plunge in the Virgin River and relax under a cottonwood tree for a picnic lunch, recounting the fun and adventure we enjoyed during the week of camping and exploring. Waving farewell to Zion, we arrive back to the bright lights of Las Vegas between 3:00 – 6:00pm.

Hiking

5 miles

Meals

Breakfast and lunch included, dinner on your own.

Lodging

On your own

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