See the best of Zion, Bryce and Escalante, Utah’s most celebrated national park destinations, on a small group hiking and backcountry camping tour. Daily hikes take you to the must-see highlights of these breathtaking parks as you experience spring-fed creeks, deep canyons, colourful cliffs, and sandstone spires, arches, and towers. Spend two days at Zion National Park then head to Bryce Canyon National Park to explore its famous “hoodoos” (rock spires). You will also spend two days in Escalante, one of Utah’s – and America’s – best kept secrets. Enjoy comforts like showers and cosy sleeping amenities, even while camping, on this diverse backcountry hiking trip.

Itinerary

Day 1: Zion National Park

After a pick up in St George, drive to Zion National Park and hit the trails on a lesser-travelled track through the lower canyon followed by a hike up to Scout Lookout. Admire unrivalled views of the dramatic canyon system below then follow trails along the canyon walls which offer a fantastic vantage point over the canyon floor. Emerge at the serene Emerald Pools, named for their glorious green tones, then descend to the lawn of the historic Zion Lodge and sit down to a late picnic lunch. From here, you’ll make your way down-canyon to pick up hiking gear for tomorrow’s adventure in the Virgin River Narrows before departing for your camp for the evening.

Day 2: Zion National Park

Your second day’s hike is arguably the most iconic in Zion — the Virgin River Narrows. Your hike begins with a stroll down the paved River 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 you will enter the river. Hiking in moving water can be a new and exciting experience so there will be time to get your “stream legs” before walking another 1.5 miles upriver to the turnaround point at Orderville Canyon. Before heading back downstream, snap a few more photos of the Narrows’ beauty and stop-off for a relaxing shoreline lunch.

Day 3: Bryce Canyon National Park

After breakfast, break camp and make your way to the Escalante country, visiting Bryce Canyon National Park en route. Lace up your hiking boots and enjoy one of the lesser-hiked trails in Bryce which offers some of the most impressive scenery in the park. You will be based in the northern part of the national park which offers superb vistas of Boat Mesa, the Sinking Ship formation, Tower Bridge, China Wall, Fairyland Canyon and other amazing rock structures. After our hike, continue to our Escalante Camp for a tasty dinner and a night of rest and relaxation.

Day 4: Anasazi State Park

After breakfast, set off on a beautiful hike along a flat, sandy canyon trail to Calf Creek Falls. You will pass Native American ruins and pictographs, and have a good chance of seeing some wildlife. If you’re up for a dip and feeling hearty – this water is surprisingly cold – you can go swimming below the spectacular 128-foot falls. After lunch at the falls, you will have the opportunity to drop into the town of Boulder for an optional visit to Anasazi State Park, home to one of the largest Ancestral Puebloan communities west of the Colorado River. From here, it’s an easy drive back to basecamp.

Day 5: Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument

Set off down the historic Hole-in-the-Rock Road and explore some local slot canyons in the Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument. Some canyons are dark and narrow, some are filled with water, while others contain surprises at every turn, like interconnected potholes, arches, and grottos. If there’s time you’ll visit the Devil’s Garden National Recreation Area where you can admire natural stone arches, rock formations and giant, balancing rocks.

Day 6: Bryce Canyon National Park

After breakfast, break down camp and head west toward the starting point of our trip, St. George. On the way, you will stop at Bryce Canyon National Park for a second time to enjoy another classic walk through its famous hoodoos and spectacular vistas. This hike takes you down from the rim, through the stunning corridors of Wall Street and past the Silent City to Queen’s Garden, before bringing you back to the rim of the Bryce Amphitheatre. After lunch on the rim, gazing into the maze of Wall Street, load up and head back to St. George where your trip will come to an end at approximately 5 pm.

Departure Dates