Uncover the rugged beauty and rich Indigenous history of Utah – a vast state with some of the country’s most famous national parks. On this nine-day national parks highlights trip, you’ll experience Utah’s famous “Mighty Five” national parks – Zion, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Arches and Canyonlands – along with the lesser known but equally stunning Bears Ears National Monument and Glen Canyon National Recreation Area.
Download Detailed Trip Brochure
Available Dates:
October 4-12, 2025
9 days/8 nights
Minimum/Maximum: 10 guests/11 guests
Why Travel with NPCA?
Our mission is to offer premium educational travel experiences in the places we know best: America’s national parks.
See more ›Itinerary Highlights
- Hike to the breathtaking Scout Lookout in Zion National Park, home to some of the most botanically diverse mountains in the United States
- Explore the spectacular hoodoos of Bryce Canyon National Park
- Take in the rich cultural history and geological wonders of Capitol Reef National Park, the least visited of Utah’s Mighty Five
- Enjoy a spectacular sunset hike at Grandview Point in Canyonlands National Park
- Engage in meaningful conversations with NPCA staff and partners along with local experts to learn about the decades of work behind park protection in Southeast Utah
- Gain a behind-the-scenes perspective on the challenges Zion National Park faces from increased visitation and climate change
- Spend two days with local Navajo (Diné) guides exploring the remote cultural landscape of Bears Ears National Monument and Monument Valley
- Embark on a guided tour through Antelope Canyon, one of the most famous slot canyons in the world
Itinerary
Day 1: October 4 — St. George to Springdale: Welcome to St. George, Utah! Your trip starts at 3 p.m. at the Best Western Coral Hills with a welcome meeting where you’ll meet your trip leader, NPCA staff host and fellow NPCA travelers. After running through some trip details, we’ll head off to Springdale – gateway to Zion National Park. Once we’ve settled into our hotel, we’ll enjoy a welcome dinner to kick off our adventure. Driftwood Lodge (D)
Please note: Transportation from the regional airport in St. George to the welcome meeting is not provided. Alternatively, if you decide to fly into Las Vegas, NV, our tour partner can recommend a shuttle service for an additional cost.
Day 2: October 5 — Zion National Park – Riverside Walk Trail: We’ll be up bright and early this morning to enjoy our first full day in Zion National Park. After breakfast, we’ll head to the entrance of the famous Virgin River Narrows. Our hike begins with a stroll down the paved River Walk Trail, buttressed by water on our left and a 3,000-foot cliff face on the right. After walking along hanging gardens and under the dappled shade of cottonwoods, the sidewalk ends and we’ll reach the entrance to the Virgin River and beginning of the Narrows. This is our turnaround point, and we’ll get a few photos of the Narrow’s beauty before heading back. This afternoon, we’ll spend some time in the visitor center and meet with a park ranger for a special talk. We’ll learn about the numerous challenges Zion National Park faces, including increased visitation and climate change impacts, and how NPCA’s advocacy and conservation efforts aim to ensure that park’s unique ecosystems and landscapes are protected. Tonight, we’ll enjoy dinner at a local restaurant in Springdale. Driftwood Lodge (B, L, D)
Day 3: October 6 — Zion National Park – Scout Lookout: After breakfast, we will head out early for another, longer hike in Zion National Park. This is one of Zion’s most iconic walks – the famous half-day Angel’s Landing hike up to Scout Lookout. The stunning views of Zion Canyon’s 270-million-yearold rock layers will take you back in time to the Triassic period when this section of the Colorado Plateau was just a flat basin at sea level. This is a steep hike, but we will take plenty of breaks. Later this afternoon, we’ll head to Bryce Canyon and check in to our national park accommodation for the next two nights. Bryce Canyon Lodge (B, L, D)
Day 4: October 7 — Bryce Canyon – Queen’s Garden & Navajo Trail Loop: After breakfast this morning, we’ll take in views of the expansive Bryce Amphitheatre – a hoodoo filled depression below the Rim Trail hiking path. It overlooks Sunrise Point, Sunset Point, Inspiration Point and Bryce Point. Then, we’ll begin our hike on the iconic Queen’s Garden and Navajo Loop Trail, which begins and ends at Sunset Point. Traveling by switchbacks between narrow walls of colorful limestone with views of towering Douglas-fir trees, this trail takes you to the park’s most famous hoodoo – Thor’s Hammer. This trail has two sides, Two Bridges and Wall Street, which offer unique scenery on the trip out and back. After our hike, we’ll stop at the visitor center before grabbing an early dinner. Tonight, we’ll end our day by watching the sunset over Bryce Canyon and learning about NPCA’s instrumental role in protecting the park’s air quality and night skies, ensuring visitors can enjoy the park’s stunning views and celestial displays. Bryce Canyon Lodge (B, L, D)
Day 5: October 8 — Capitol Reef – Hickman Bridge: After breakfast today, we’ll hit the road for Moab. On the way, we’ll stop in Capitol Reef National Park to hike to the impressive Hickman Bridge – a natural sandstone bridge spanning 133 feet. We’ll enjoy high desert views along the way and ascend through a sandstone side canyon before emerging under the bridge. Along with incredible views of the vast rock formations, we’ll keep an eye out for rare desert plants and wildlife along the trail and learn about NPCA’s efforts to protect the park’s exquisite cultural and natural resources. Tonight, we’ll arrive in Moab and settle into our hotel before enjoying another group dinner. Hampton Inn Moab (B, L, D)
Day 6: October 9 — Moab - Arches and Canyonlands: Today we’ll head to Arches National Park – home to more than 2,000 natural stone arches, rock formations and giant balancing rocks. We’ll enjoy some short hikes to Landscape, Double O Arch, North/South Windows and Double Arch. Along the way, we’ll stop for a picnic lunch and take in the landscape. This afternoon, you can enjoy some free time in town or relax and rest before tonight’s excursion to Canyonlands National Park. Be sure to fill up on an early dinner on your own before we head out on a sunset hike in the Island in the Sky section of the park. Resting on sheer sandstone cliffs, the Grandview Point Overlook offers spectacular, sweeping views. As the sun sets, we’ll discuss NPCA’s work to safeguard Arches and Canyonlands from threats such as oil and gas development, ensuring these landscapes remain unspoiled for current and future generations. Hampton Inn Moab (B, L)
Day 7: October 10 — Bears Ears National Monument: Today we will travel south to Bluff, stopping for a very special experience along the way – a guided walk with an expert Navajo (Diné) guide. Together, we will explore the beauty of Butler Wash, filled with abundant native plants, animals, otherworldly geologic features and archeological sites, such as cliff dwellings. Here, we’ll learn some of the fascinating Indigenous stories and history of the area. At tonight’s group dinner, a special guest will join us to discuss NPCA’s key role in advocating for the designation and protection of Bears Ears National Monument, preserving its rich cultural and natural heritage. Desert Rose Inn (B, L, D)
Day 8: October 11 — Monument Valley: This morning after breakfast, we head to Monument Valley, where a Navajo (Diné) leader – one of the Keepers of Monument Valley – will introduce the area and lead a hike to a section of the park that is off the beaten path. As you take in the beauty of Monument Valley’s towering spires and buttes, learn about the history and culture of the Navajo and Ancestral Puebloans (the Ancient Ones) whose descendants make up several Indigenous Tribes in the area. For lunch, we’ll enjoy a group picnic and celebrate our adventure with a Closing Dinner at Grand Canyon Brewery. Best Western Plus View of Lake Powell (B, L, D)
Day 9: October 12 — Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon: Today after breakfast, we’ll head back to St. George. But first, we’ll visit Antelope Canyon for a guided tour of one of the most famous slot canyons in the world. Then we’ll top off our adventure with one last hike to Horseshoe Bend in the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. This horseshoe-shaped, incised meander of the Colorado River is the perfect place to wrap up our trip and take some spectacular photos. Afterwards, we’ll drive back to St. George, Utah where we’ll say our goodbyes until your next NPCA adventure. (B, L)
Please note: Accommodations and activities are subject to change at any time due to unforeseen circumstances or circumstances beyond NPCA’s control.
MORE INFORMATION: For full details on this trip, including inclusions, exclusions, accommodations, terms and safety protocols, please download the detailed trip brochure.
Download Detailed Trip Brochure
NPCA TRAVEL ELIGIBILITY: NPCA is the only independent, nonpartisan organization dedicated to advocacy on behalf of the National Park System. Over 70% of our funding comes from donations from individuals like you. NPCA trips are an exclusive NPCA member benefit. One traveler per group must be an active NPCA member to participate in an NPCA trip. An annual membership starts at $15 per person. Please make dues payable to NPCA by check or credit card at www.npca.org.
NPCA TRAVELER RESPONSIBILTY: Travelers are responsible for selecting an NPCA trip consistent with their ability, fitness and overall health. Before joining a trip, all travelers must commit to adhering to the tour operator’s Terms and Conditions; completing and submitting all required documentation provided by the tour operator; conducting themselves safely and appropriately; following instructions from the tour operator and NPCA staff; and adhering to the laws of the destination(s) visited on the trip. Additionally, travelers are expected to familiarize themselves with all pre-departure materials and ensure appropriate clothing and gear for the journey. Travelers should report any conditions or limitations requiring special attention, diet or treatment to the tour operator when booking to determine what accommodations can be made.
MAKING RESERVATIONS: To secure your space on this NPCA trip, please click the “Register Now” button at the top of this page or contact NPCA’s National Parks Experiences Program at 1-800-628-7275 or travel@npca.org.
TRAVEL PROTECTION: NPCA strongly recommends the purchase of trip cancellation insurance. Information on a recommended comprehensive travel insurance coverage plan will be provided. However, travelers may purchase any travel insurance of their choosing provided it meets any applicable tour operator minimum requirements. NPCA’s tour operator partners may require travel insurance for certain trips as a condition of participation; all travelers must adhere to any such requirements. Should you need assistance, NPCA recommends contacting Travel Insurance Services through USI Affinity at 1-800-937-1387 or at http://my.travelinsure.com/npca.
Have questions? Please visit our Frequently Asked Questions page.
Check out NPCA’s full tour lineup at www.npca.org/trips.
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- Cost:
- $6,570 per person double occupancy; $8,120 single occupancy
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