Utah National Parks Ultimate Adventure

Trip Length8 Days
Group Size4-11
Activity level
Starting from
$3,999 for REI Members
$4,399 for non-members
DeparturesMay 2025-Sep 2025

Canyonlands, Arches, Capitol Reef, Bryce Canyon and Zion: this 8-day trip covers them all.

This trip combines five exceptional national park experiences into one unforgettable adventure. The national parks of southern Utah are a masterful expression of nature's best work. Unique landscapes sculpted over the millennia by powerful forces of erosion highlight the vast beauty of the high desert. Hike along some of the most spectacular trails in the American Southwest by day, and relax in comfort and good company at our cozy campsites each night.

Hike amid spectacular hoodoos in Bryce Canyon. Experience otherworldly tranquility in Canyonlands. Feel small while wading in the magnificent Zion River Narrows. Explore a 100-mile-long wrinkle in the Earth's crust in Capitol Reef. Lose count of the number of incredible arches found in aptly-named Arches National Park. With each bend in the trail comes another breathtaking landscape. Along the way, our guides take care of all of the details. Their skilled interpretation brings the desert to life, instilling in us a lasting love for this remarkable wilderness.

Arches National Park contains over 2,000 sandstone arches of all shapes and sizes.

Trip Highlights

  • Explore all five of Utah's national parks in one unforgettable, action-packed trip
  • Visit Canyonlands, Arches, Capitol Reef, Bryce Canyon and Zion
  • Set out on some of the most scenic and exhilarating hikes in the Southwest
  • Learn about the ancient cultures that once made this rugged region their home
  • Learn about Utah's rich geological and natural history from our exceptional guides

Activities

This trip is rated Moderate [3]. You should be able to hike up to 9 miles with a 5-10 pound daypack over terrain with elevation gain and loss of up to 2,300', for consecutive days, without major discomfort. Trails are composed of dirt, loose rock, sand, and slick rock with some steep sections and exposed overlooks.

Most hikes take place at altitudes between 5,000'-8,000' which may cause hikes to feel harder than at lower elevations. In the summer months, temperatures can be in the 90's, or higher, making hikes feel more strenuous. Keep these conditions in mind when training for this adventure.

  • Camping
  • Hiking

What's Included

Seven nights camping accommodations; guide leadership; van transportation from Salt Lake City, UT to Las Vegas, NV; all meals as indicated on the itinerary; all group camping equipment; park fees and local taxes.

Accommodations

Camping, 7 nights.

Your Adventure Itinerary

Itinerary map for Utah National Parks Ultimate Adventure
Day 1

Travel to Moab and take a late-day hike to Delicate Arch

Our trip begins in Salt Lake City, Utah. We rendezvous with our guides in the morning and, following introductions and a brief orientation, set off for Moab, the adventure outpost that serves as a gateway to the marvelous red-rock country that lies beyond. After lunch near Moab, we drive to Arches National Park for our first hike to what is arguably the most extraordinary natural arch in the Southwest: the magical Delicate Arch. Perched above an orange sandstone basin, the graceful shape, color, and location of Delicate Arch make it a photographer's dream. We spend some time lingering near the arch, marveling at its ability to seemingly defy gravity, before heading back down the trail. After a short drive, we arrive at our base camp just outside of Moab, and our home for the next two nights. After setting up our tents, we sit down to a tasty guide-prepared dinner under the star-filled Utah sky. Lunch and dinner included.

Hiking: 3 miles with 618' elevation gain/loss; Transfer: 4.5 hours

Day 2

Enjoy a full day of active exploration in Canyonlands' Island in the Sky District

Today's hike in Canyonlands' otherworldly Island in the Sky region provides an ideal introduction to the wind and water-carved landscapes and unique geology of this awe-inspiring national park. Island in the Sky is filled with trails that lead us over dirt, sand and slickrock to vantage points offering breathtaking views across the Colorado River canyon. As we gaze out at the ever-changing panorama, we see the pinnacles, arches and spires of the park's Needles district and the lofty La Sal Mountains looming in the distance. Our guides can choose from various trail options depending on conditions but every route will deliver picture-postcard vistas and unforgettable views. After our active day of adventure in Canyonlands, we return to our cozy camp in time for appetizers and a delicious al fresco dinner. All meals included.

Hiking: 5.5-8 miles with elevation gain/loss of 1,000'-1250'; Terrain: slickrock and dirt trails. Transfer: 2.5 hours

Day 3

Return to Arches National Park and hike the Devil's Garden Trail

We break camp this morning and transfer back to extraordinary Arches National Park. With over 2,000 sandstone arches of all shapes and sizes lying within its borders, the park contains the largest concentration of natural stone arches on Earth. After a stop at the visitor center, we drive to the Devil's Garden trailhead where we begin today's hike. Winding our way over wind-sculpted sandstone, we visit a variety of the park's iconic arches including Double O Arch and 306-foot-long Landscape Arch, one of the longest natural stone spans in the world. After our walk in the "Garden", we end the day with a final road transfer to our campsite in Torrey, Utah, a stone's throw from Capitol Reef National Park. All meals included.

Hiking: 4-6 miles; Elevation gain/loss: 400-900'; Terrain: slickrock and dirt trails; Transfer: 4 hours

Day 4

Explore Capitol Reef National Park on a hike in Waterpocket Fold

Still relatively undiscovered, Capitol Reef National Park is a gem in the U.S. National Park system. Waterpocket Fold, the park's central feature, is a 100-mile-long wrinkle in the Earth's crust which has eroded over time into massive sandstone domes, narrow slot canyons and graceful arches. We spend most of the day exploring some of the highlights of Capitol Reef starting with a scenic drive to our trailhead along Waterpocket Fold's tilted layers of burgundy, grey, red, orange and white-colored rock. Today's through-hike traverses part of the Grand Wash and gives us access to some of the best backcountry in the park. After our immersion in this untrammeled wilderness, our trail ultimately leads us back to our vehicle, waiting to shuttle us to our nearby camp. All meals included.

Hiking: 6 miles; Elevation gain/loss: 1,000'; Terrain: slickrock, sandy washes and dirt trails; Transfer: 1.5 hours

Day 5

Hike to Calf Creek Falls in Grand Staircase-Escalante

It's Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument that captures our imagination today as we explore the monument on a hike to a hidden waterfall. Departing Torrey this morning, we head south and west along Utah's Scenic Byway 12 to our trailhead for Lower Calf Creek Falls. Here we begin our six-mile hike to the 130-foot waterfalls, a lush oasis concealed deep within the tumbled stone and slickrock of Grand Staircase-Escalante. Continuing to Bryce Canyon, we spend the night in a campsite near the national park, an ideal spot for stargazing in one of the darkest nighttime locations in the U.S. All meals included.

Hiking: 6 miles; Elevation gain/loss: 866'; Terrain: dirt trails; Transfer: 3 hours

Day 6

Spend the day in Bryce Canyon hiking the Fairyland Trail

Gazing into Bryce Canyon for the first time, it's hard not to feel an overwhelming sense of awe at the sheer number of hoodoos that rise from the canyon floor forming a jagged, colorful landscape unlike any other on the planet. We take full advantage of our hiking time in Bryce today beginning with the outstanding Fairyland Loop hike this morning. During our walks, photographic opportunities abound as we descend into the canyon proper surrounded by the warm-colored sandstone, stands of jade green pine trees, and the whimsical hoodoos that make this national park so uniquely captivating. Saying goodbye to Bryce we jump back aboard our van and hit the road for Zion National Park, the final stop on our amazing journey. All meals included.

Hiking: 6 miles; Elevation gain/loss: 1,700'; Terrain: dirt trails and sandy washes; Transfer: 3 hours

Day 7

Discover Zion National Park. Hike The Narrows

Zion's extraordinary beauty immediately reveals itself as we set out to explore this iconic park. We'll start out with a morning hike on one of its many trails before hopping aboard the park shuttle to the entrance of the spectacular Zion Narrows. Alternating between hiking and wading, our trail is the Virgin River itself as it winds its way between 1,000-foot-tall canyon walls. We follow the river for a few miles, marveling at the hanging gardens, beautiful geology, and play of light in this enormous slot canyon before returning downriver. Afterward, we'll explore another trail with spectacular views before returning to camp. Tonight, we gather for a special celebration dinner and reflect on all the wonders we've seen during our time together. All meals included.

Hiking: up to 3-6 miles; Elevation loss/gain: up to 200'-600'; Terrain: dirt trails, river wading (sometimes in thigh to waist-deep water)

Day 8

Hike up Walter's Wiggles to Scout Lookout

Before beginning our drive to Las Vegas, one final invigorating hike in Zion awaits us. The trail up to Scout Lookout is cut into sandstone walls and follows Walter's Wiggles, a series of 21 switchbacks leading up to a lofty viewpoint overlooking the soaring cliffs of Zion Canyon. If time permits after we return from Scouts Lookout, we'll hike on a nearby trail before setting out for Las Vegas where we'll say our final farewells. Please do not schedule any flights out of Las Vegas until later this evening. Breakfast and lunch included.

Hiking: 3.5-5 miles; Elevation gain/loss: up to 970'-1370'; Terrain: dirt trails; Transfer: 3 hours

Itinerary map for Utah National Parks Ultimate Adventure

Gear List

The key to staying comfortable while on an active trip is layering. To get maximum comfort with minimum weight, you need versatile layers that mix and match to create the right amount of insulation, ventilation and weather protection. Try to bring only what is necessary—this will help you and the field staff.

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Contact Us

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Trip specifics may change over time. Reviews reflect the version of the trip that was active at the time the reviewer took it. Please review the itinerary as described above and call our team for any additional details.