Zion & Bryce Hiking & Camping

Zion & Bryce Hiking & Camping

  • Activity Level: 3
  • Days: 5
  • Group Size: 4-12
  • Member price: from $2,099
  • Non-member price: from $2,299

Be immersed in the expansive views of Zion canyon one day and hike through the splendor of Echo Canyon the next. Along the way, look forward to sharing memories with fellow travelers while camping underneath the starry night sky. Experienced hikers and novices alike will find the journey challenging yet comfortable.

No visit to Bryce Canyon would be complete without visiting the famed hoodoos, a labyrinth of spiraling rock towers striped in radiant red, orange and white. Spend a day at nearby Escalante National Monument, where a stunning waterfall awaits us at the end of an amazing desert canyon. Begin each new day to the smell of pinyon pine and juniper mingled with fresh coffee and steaming hot breakfast. Hike the classic Navajo Loop and descend into enchanting Fairyland before arriving, feeling alive and accomplished, at our Bryce Canyon REI Signature Camp.

Traveling with kids under 18? Check out our Family Zion & Bryce Hiking – REI Signature Camping trip.

Trip highlights

  • Explore spectacular Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks
  • Hike the Wall Street/Navajo Loop, through Fairyland, and to calf creek
  • Visit Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument
  • Stay in deluxe camping accommodations at REI's Signature Camps

Activities

  • Hiking
  • Camping

Accommodations

REI Signature Camping at Zion, 2 nights; REI Signature Camping at Bryce Canyon, 2 nights.

Program Manager

Andy

We've packed this 5-day itinerary with some of the most awe-inspiring hikes in southwestern Utah. A fabulous introduction to this high desert wonderland filled with soaring cliffs, sandstone pinnacles and rugged, colorful canyons.

Expand all days | View map

Our trip begins today in Las Vegas, Nevada. Arrive into Las Vegas by 10am and transfer independently to the Henderson REI store. Group orientation is at 11am at the store. Our guides will briefly talk us through the basics, ensuring everyone has all they need before we grab our sack lunches and hop in the van to set out for Zion. Making our way into Utah on this 3 hour drive, the mountains and mesas of Zion appear in the distance and rise to meet us as we arrive in time to enjoy a classic hike this afternoon. We'll climb the Canyon Overlook Trail and enjoy views into Zion Canyon above the Virgin River, then return to our vehicle and complete the drive to our private REI Signature Camp. At camp we'll settle in, enjoy apps and drinks together while we get oriented to the site, then enjoy an abundant dinner spread before evening sets in. If time permits we’ll take a short hike behind our camp to enjoy incredible views and an iconic sunset. All meals included from lunch on Day 1 to lunch on Day 5.

Hiking: 1-1.5 miles. Total elevation gain/loss: 163’

Wake to the song of canyon wrens and the smell of freshly brewed coffee as we enjoy breakfast in camp, and have the choice between two of the most iconic hikes in Zion National Park: Observation Point or Angels Landing. From camp we make our way to the Observation Point trailhead where we descend from the rim and emerge in Zion Canyon via Echo Canyon. Our other option is to embark upon one of the most thrilling and famous hikes in the Southwest, Angels Landing. Strong hikers will have the opportunity to ascend this long, steady climb (nearly 1,500') that culminates in an exhilarating half-mile of hiking along an exposed sandstone ridge. Those with a fear of heights or exposure can hang back at Scout's Lookout and still enjoy incredible views.

As the sun begins to heat up, we head for the shade and relative cool of the Narrows, a deep chasm carved by the North Fork of the Virgin River as it winds from the high aspen forest of the Colorado Plateau and cuts its way down to the foot of the Temple of Sinawava. We travel upstream (often wading in shallow water) along the steep sandstone walls of The Narrows (on a route often described as one of the best hikes in the U.S.) before returning to the main canyon to meet up with our vehicle for the ride back to camp. This spectacular day of hiking offers a variety of dramatic views into the most celebrated wonders of Zion. Back at camp, look forward to another relaxing evening filled with great food, drink and shared memories with new friends. All meals included.

Hiking: 8-11 miles depending on morning hike chosen:

Our Zion camp host bids farewell this morning with a delicious breakfast spread while our gear is loaded and we prepare to depart Zion for Bryce Canyon National Park to begin the next chapter of our adventure. Our van transfer today takes less than two hours, and the scenic drive traverses Red Canyon, providing just a glimpse of the grandeur that awaits us at Bryce. After a bountiful picnic lunch to fuel our bodies, we'll arrive at Fairyland Point to our first dramatic views of Bryce Canyon National Park. This chain of natural amphitheaters, formed by erosion, is packed with thousands of brightly colored spires or "hoodoos" banded in red, orange and white, some standing over 200 feet tall, all steeped in the mythology of the ancient Paiute people. After donning our hiking boots and backpacks, we hike down into the canyon to walk among the hoodoos. We'll explore the incredible Fairyland Loop Trail, taking in the well-known landmarks of Sinking Ship, Tower Bridge, and the Chinese Wall. After our hike, we transfer by van to our exclusive Bryce Canyon Signature Camp where our host will welcome you in style as you arrive to find everything in its place for another night of camping perfection.

Hiking: 6 miles. Total elevation gain/loss: 800'

The smell of pinion pine and juniper mingled with fresh coffee and steaming hot breakfast begins a new day. Within an hour drive from our camp, Lower Calf Creek Falls is one of the gems of Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument, a lesser-known but equally spectacular region of southern Utah. We hike three miles along a river, passing Native American pictographs and granaries as we explore deeper into the canyon. Enjoy a relaxing lunch and swim at the base of the incredible 126’ waterfall. After refueling and refreshing we’ll hike back through canyon country to our trailhead. We make a short transfer to explore another amazing Native American archaeological site to learn more about the local cultural history. Tonight, we'll enjoy a final relaxing evening in our Signature Camp, complete with a farewell dinner and celebration.

Hiking: 6 miles. Total elevation gain/loss: 370'

This morning we transfer to the rim of Bryce canyon where we'll enjoy a spectacular sunrise before starting on our final hike. We'll descend through the famed skyscraper hoodoos of Wall Street and past the walls of Bristlecone Ridge as we admire the changing light illuminating the canyon. We'll emerge from the park at Tropic Trailhead, where our camp host will meet us. A five-minute drive take us back to camp, where we'll have time for showers and a tasty brunch before departure. Loading the van, we return to Las Vegas where our trip ends. En route, we'll make a stop to stretch our legs and enjoy a picnic lunch at Zion's northwestern Canyons of the Kolob. After snapping a few final panoramic shots, we'll complete the rest of drive, arriving in Las Vegas between 5 and 6 p.m. Please do not schedule a departing flight prior to 8pm.

Hiking: 3.5 miles. Total elevation loss: 1100'

Note on Itinerary

Although we do our very best to adhere to the schedule listed above, this itinerary is subject to change for numerous reasons beyond our control.

Call 1-800-622-2236 to reserve this trip on the phone

Monday-Friday, 7 AM to 5 PM Pacific Time

Price Includes

Four nights camping in our exclusive Zion and Bryce Canyon REI Base Camps; guide leadership; round trip van transportation from Las Vegas; meals as noted in the daily itinerary; beverages including coffee, hot tea and hot chocolate; extra-thick sleeping pads; all group camping equipment; park fees and local taxes.

All operations in Grand Staircase National Monument are conducted under the authorized concessionaire permit of Arizona Outdoor Specialists, Inc.

Not Included

Flights to/from Las Vegas, NV; airport transfers; alcoholic beverages; sleeping bag; guides gratuities.

Consider as you sign up

Airline tickets - Please check with us before purchasing your airline tickets to ensure your trip is confirmed with the minimum number of participants required to operate.

Travel insurance - To protect your travel investment, we highly recommend the purchase of travel insurance. Please contact us or see details.

REI membership - Get a member discount on most REI Adventures trips plus other valuable benefits.

REI MasterCard® - Earn 5 % back on REI Adventures trips and all REI net purchases. Learn more.

Additional Information

Cancellation and Transfer Policy

A refundable deposit of $400 is required at time of booking to secure space. Full payment is required 60 days before departure date.

If you decide to cancel your trip, the following fees apply and are due when we receive notice of your cancellation:
91+ days prior to departure = $0
61 to 90 days = $400
31 to 60 days prior to departure = 50% of the total trip cost is non-refundable
0 to 30 days prior to departure = 100% of the trip cost is non-refundable

If you instead transfer to another trip, the following fees at due at the time of the request:
61+ days prior to departure = $0
31 to 60 days = $400
0 to 30 days prior to departure = 100% of the trip cost is non-refundable

To protect your investment, we recommend that you purchase travel insurance.

Weather

During most months this high desert region receives very little precipitation. However, please be prepared for the possibility of rain. The temperature difference between Zion and Bryce/Escalante is commonly 20 degrees. Generally, spring and fall high temperatures will be in the 60s-70s in Bryce and in the 80s-90s in Zion. Bear in mind that the dry air and ample shade created by the canyon walls will also make the temperatures feel slightly cooler. While daytime temperatures between Zion and Bryce will vary, our REI Base Camps are at roughly the same elevation so temperatures in camp in the evenings, at night and in the mornings will be roughly the same, generally in the 40s-50s.

Single Travelers

If you request single accommodations REI will provide you with your own tent at no additional charge. If you are willing to share a tent, we will assign you a same gender tent-mate if one is available. Please be advised that there are a limited number of tents and single tents are assigned first-come, first-served.

General Information

This trip is subject to the booking information set forth in the current REI Adventures Reservation Information. Please read this information carefully and call us if you have any questions. Additional trip information will be provided upon sign up. We highly recommend the purchase of travel insurance through REI Adventures. If coverage is purchased at the time of your initial reservation, the 'Pre-existing Conditions Exclusion' is waived (certain exclusions apply).

We look forward to having you join us for the trip of a lifetime! Why wait? Space is limited, reserve your adventure today.

aemka

Worth every penny

Brian and Will, our guides were just awesome. They were both very patient with the dozens of questions they were asked as well as being very approachable and easy to get along with. The camping and the food was amazin...

Read more reviews

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. This gear list is provided to help you in choosing your equipment and clothing for this trip. Try to bring only what is necessary.

Provided by REI

  • Tent(s)
  • Camp Furniture
  • All Group Cooking Gear
  • Group First Aid Kit
  • Cots and Sleeping Pads

Required

Recommended

Optional

Travel Documents

  • Final Bulletin (Emailed Prior to Departure Date)

Contact Us

Feel free to give us a call at 1-800-622-2236 should you have any questions regarding the gear list. The staff at our stores and Direct Sales (1-800-426-4840) will also be happy to help you with gear questions. Or check out www.rei.com/learn. The Expert Advice section on our "Learn" page has great information to help you prepare for your trip.

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