National Park Taster

Your itinerary begins in St. George, about a 2-hour drive from Las Vegas. You can choose to fly straight into St. George or begin your road trip in Las Vegas.
 
If time permits kick start your adventure with some exploring in beautiful Snow Canyon State Park, which offers trails, dunes and red sandstone cliffs.
 
Enjoy a great meal at one of the many restaurants in St. George or make your way out to the Arts Village of Kayenta for some al fresco dining.

Today’s destination is Zion National Park.  On the way, take a small detour to visit the historic ghost town of Grafton. First settled in 1859, Grafton inspires visitors today with its historic homes, its green pastures, and orchards, as well as its stunning scenic beauty on the banks of the Virgin River.
 
Then it’s onto your first Utah national park – Zion, distinguished by its steep red cliffs.  Once in the picturesque town of Springdale, with soaring canyon walls of Zion as a postcard backdrop, it’s time to hop on the shuttle and visit Zion Canyon with its many stops and hiking possibilities. Gaze up at massive sandstone cliffs of cream, pink, and red that soar into a brilliant blue sky. Don’t miss watching the sunset – an all-time favorite spot is off the bridge at the mouth of Zion Scenic Drive!

After breakfast, continue up the windy mountain road that will take you through the Zion - Mt. Carmel Tunnel connecting Zion Canyon to the east side of the park. It was built in the 1920s. There will be plenty of opportunities for breathtaking view stops and more hikes. One of the popular ones is the Canyon Overlook trail just outside the tunnel, which ends at a viewpoint into lower Zion Canyon.
 
Once you exit Zion National Park, you are transported in the scenes of a Western movie! And soon the bright red walls of Bryce Canyon National Park are making an entrance at the horizon. Just a short drive through John Wayne countryside and you are at the entrance of Bryce Canyon National Park.
 
The major feature of the park is Bryce Canyon, which despite its name, is not a canyon, but a collection of giant natural amphitheaters along the eastern side of the Paunsaugunt Plateau. Bryce is distinctive due to geological structures called hoodoos, formed by frost weathering and stream erosion of the river and lakebed sedimentary rocks. Bryce Canyon is one of the most magnificent scenic spectacles in the North American West, whose magical and quickly changing play of color is seen at its finest at sunrise.

Sunrise over Bryce Canyon is a must! And after another hike or two, it’s time to head to Lake Powell & Glen Canyon National Recreation Area.
 
Sparkling, clear blue water laps against towering, sheer red-rock canyon walls and sandy beaches at Lake Powell, an artificial lake that was created by Glen Canyon Dam. The Lake is 186 miles long and has 1,960 miles of shoreline, which is longer than the entire west coast of the continental United States.
 
This afternoon includes a boat tour on beautiful Lake Powell (season-permitting) that will showcase Glen Canyon Dam from the lake, explore a slot canyon, and watch the sunset change the lake’s colors on the way back to the landing dock. (B)

There is time to explore Lake Powell and surrounding area today. Hike to famous Horseshoe Bend, rent a power boat - there are 96 major canyons to explore – go kayaking, or raft the Colorado River – you can even book a scenic flight over Monument Valley, an area of free-standing sandstone rock forms that rise majestically from the desert floor. Today’s highlight is sure to be an included tour to the famous Antelope Slot Canyon. (B)

Travel along route US-89 Alt., running from Bitter Springs to Fredonia, which is almost at Kanab.  This is a beautiful drive along a windy river and the colorful Vermillion Cliffs and parts of Kaibab National Forest.  This gives you the opportunity to visit the North Rim of the Grand Canyon (season permitting). Since the North Rim of the Grand Canyon is between 1,000 and 1,250ft higher than the South Rim, it offers a whole range of new and spectacular prospects.
 
The evening will find you in Kanab, a quaint town with an abundance of outdoor opportunities.
 
Depending on your routing choice you can visit Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park this afternoon or tomorrow, pay a visit to Best Friends Animal Society, travel along “movie road” or go on a hike. (B)

Your morning starts with a trip to Peekaboo Slot Canyon, a less crowded and restricted option than the more well-known Antelope Canyon.  
 
Take the backroad along the Arizona Strip to St. George for a final evening.

Your quick taste of the regions National Parks ends this morning, either in St. George, or continue your drive back to Las Vegas.