Grand Canyon, Zion, Bryce, Capitol Reef, Arches and 
Canyonlands National Parks
with Kent Taylor 

8 days, 7 nights

Explore the world’s greatest concentration of national parks and monuments with your group's own private ranger-guide. The rugged American Southwest presents landscapes found nowhere else in the world. 

Experience the vast depths of the Grand Canyon, fantastically colored rock amphitheaters at Bryce Canyon, awesome rock walls of Zion National Park and more.

President Theodore Roosevelt once said, "All Americans should see Grand Canyon at least once in their lives."

The fall season is especially pleasant in canyon country with warm days and cool nights. Aspen in the high country and cottonwoods in the canyons are at or near peak color. Springtime brings wildflowers to the high desert and pleasant weather.

Your Guide - Ranger Kent Taylor

Kent Taylor is a park ranger at the Garden of the Gods, is a former college professor and is the founder and director of the National Park Society.

He also works for the Colorado Division of Wildlife monitoring the health of deer, elk, moose and bighorn sheep. 

He is a former ranger with the National Park Service and United States Forest Service and is a member of the Association of National Park Rangers.

Kent has been guiding national park tours since 1984 and leads yearly trips to the southwest.

Kent will help you understand the ongoing geology and colorful human history of the region as well as the diverse plants and animals that live here.

On the road, Kent’s stories of his personal travels will keep you on the edge of your seat!

Highlights include:

Arches National Park

Delicate Arch, Arches National Park

Canyonlands National Park

Colorado River in Canyonlands NP

Capitol Reef National Park

 Historic Pioneer District in Capitol Reef NP


 
Indian Petroglyphs in Capitol Reef NP

Bryce Canyon National Park

Inspiration Point at Bryce Canyon NP

Zion National Park

Virgin River in Zion National Park

10 miles wide, 1 mile deep, 277 miles long!

North Rim of the Grand Canyon

Suggested Itinerary

Day 1 –Arrive Grand Junction, Colorado 

Meet your guide and fellow travelers for a welcome dinner (included) in Grand Junction, western Colorado. Overnight in Grand Junction at the DoubleTree Hotel or similar.

Mesa Arch in Canyonlands National Park

Day 2 –Canyonlands National Park

Travel to Moab, Utah via the scenic Colorado River Road. See Fisher Towers and Castle Valley. Stop to see ancient Indian petroglyphs on cliffs above the river. Lunch in Moab.

This afternoon visit Canyonlands National Park and enjoy views from the Island in the Sky as well as an optional half-mile round trip walk to Mesa Arch. Late afternoon sunlight paints the landscape gold, orange and red. Overnight in Moab for two nights at the colorful and eclectic Gonzo Inn.

Hiking in Canyon Country

Day 3 – Arches National Park

Explore Arches National Park today with optional short walks to see Windows, Double Arch and Turret Arch. See also Balanced Rock, Park Avenue and Fiery Furnace. This park offers the greatest accumulation of natural arches in the world. Enjoy a picnic lunch in the park.

An optional late afternoon 3-mile hike takes us to incomparable Delicate Arch, one of the icons of the national park system and a truly spell-binding scene. The other option is to explore the shops and galleries of downtown Moab. Overnight in Moab.

Day 4 – Capitol Reef National Park

Travel across the colorful San Rafael Desert this morning to Capitol Reef National Park, one of our country’s true undiscovered natural gems. Here, through a quirk of nature, the earth’s crust wrinkled into the huge Waterpocket Fold, extending 100 miles through the park.

Enjoy a scenic drive through the park to experience the geology and human history of the area. An optional 2-mile round trip walk takes us to Pioneer Registry, where early travelers carved their names. See also ancient Indian petroglyphs.

We'll have fun with a picnic lunch in the park. Overnight at the wonderful Boulder Mountain Lodge. Partake of an excellent group dinner tonight (included) at Hell's Backbone Grill.

Day 5 – Bryce Canyon National Park

Travel Utah’s Scenic Byway 12 - A Journey through Time. This is one of the nation’s most beautiful roads, passing through the newly created Grand Staircase - Escalante National Monument to Bryce Canyon National Park, home of fantastically carved and colored hoodoos, pinnacles and canyons. Lunch at historic Bryce Canyon Lodge.

Tour the highlights of the park and take an optional, easy short walk along the rim of the canyon or a more moderate hike below the rim to see some magnificent hoodoos. Maximum elevation in the park is around 9,000 feet. Overnight at Best Western Ruby's Inn. 

Day 6 – Zion National Park

Enjoy the gorgeous early morning light at Inspiration Point, Bryce Canyon, and then travel to Zion National Park where rock faces rise thousands of feet above the canyon floor. Highlights of Zion include the Zion-Mt. Carmel Scenic Highway, Checkerboard Mesa, the Court of the Patriarchs and the Great White Throne.

Lunch at historic Zion Lodge inside the park. Easy walks include the Weeping Rock Trail and the Riverside Walk. Check into the lovely Desert Pearl Inn or similar for a two-night stay. Tonight, enjoy the IMAX Zion movie experience.

Day 7 – Grand Canyon National Park

Journey this morning along scenic byways to the north rim of Grand Canyon National Park. Hike (optional) the easy half-mile roundtrip Bright Angel Point Trail and then enjoy a special farewell luncheon (included.) The dining room is located in the historic Grand Canyon Lodge with magnificent views overlooking the Canyon - the perfect place to share a final group meal.

Return to your hotel.

Day 8 – Journey to Las Vegas

Travel three hours this morning to the Las Vegas Airport, planning to arrive between 10:30 and 11:00 AM. Flights should not be scheduled before noon. Bid farewell to your guide and fellow passengers until the next fun trip together. Those staying in Las Vegas will be taken to their hotels.

Reserve your tour today!

Price includes your group's own private ranger-guide, 7 nights lodging in unique, three-star properties where available, ground transportation, all breakfasts, all lunches, two dinners, all activities, park entrance fees, taxes, luggage handling and maid gratuities. Guide tip and airfare are not included.

For information and reservations, please contact the National Park Society at info@nationalparksociety.com or call 719-322-5694.