National Parks of the Southwest USA

Distance: 3.5 miles (6km) 
Ascent: 600ft (180m)

Leaving Las Vegas through the Mojave Desert, we’ll be able to spot the area’s famous Joshua trees in the distance. Then ascending through Virgin River canyon, we’ll soon reach the Colorado Plateau, formed of colourful red sandstone formations.

We’ll head towards St George and Snow Canyon State Park, where we’ll hike a fantastic loop trail through ancient lava flows, slickrock with moqui marbles, and along sandy trails. We’ll continue to Springdale in Zion National Park where we’ll spend the next two nights, stopping along the way to discover something of the area’s prehistoric past with a visit to a site famous for its fossilised dinosaur tracks.

Distance: 4 miles (6.5 km)

Ascent/Descent: 810 feet (250m)

Wake early to enjoy sunrise over the mountains before we spend the whole day in Zion National Park. We’ll walk the Sand Beach trail taking us along the Virgin River and ascending the remains of a landslide that occurred thousands of years ago, damming the river and creating a lake. The walk affords stunning views of Zion’s iconic landmarks, including the Court of Patriarchs and the Sentinel.

Distance: 3 miles (5km) 
Ascent: 650 feet (200m)

We’ll begin the day with a must-walk route in Zion National Park – the Watchman Trail. Although it’s only a short walk, we’ll be rewarded with jaw-dropping views of the surrounding rock formations.

Later, we’ll move on to Bryce Canyon National Park for our two-night stay, arriving in time to witness sunset over the canyon before dinner.

Distance: 7.5 miles (12km) 
Ascent/Descent: 1,900 feet (580m)

Today we'll spend a whole day walking in Bryce Canyon. We’ll start with the Navajo Loop Trail from Sunrise Point to Queen’s Garden, passing pinnacles, spires, and cathedral-like formations. Our route also leads us to a great picnic spot for lunch with beautiful views over ancient bristle cone pines. We’ll then continue along the Peekaboo and Navajo Trails before ascending back to the canyon rim.

Distance: 7.5 miles (12 km)

Ascent/Descent: 750 feet (230m)

Enjoy a scenic drive along Highway 12, over petrified sand dunes to Capitol Reef National Park. Once there, we'll hike the Grand Wash Trail along a dry riverbed with high canyon walls, before forking onto the Cassidy Arch trail. With natural rocks carved like stairs, the route climbs steeply in places, but the effort will be worth it for the bird’s eye view of the arch at the top.

Distance: 2 miles (3km)

Ascent/Descent: 630 feet (190m)

Our second day of walking in Capitol Reef National Park begins with an introduction to the incredible petroglyphs created by Fremont and Ancestral Puebloan people, some of which are almost 3,000 years old. It’s then on to the Hickman Natural Bridge trail for spectacular views over the Fremont River, Fruita, and the mouth of Cohab Canyon below. Later, we'll head to our waterside hotel on the Green River, the main tributary of the Colorado River and an amazingly wild and beautiful area.

The USA’s mighty Arches National Park in Utah is home to over 2,000 natural rock arches - the densest concentration in the world. Carved by wind and water from the rust-red rock, this natural wonderland is simply awe-inspiring, and we’ll explore it on our two walks today. 

Distance: 5.5 miles (9km)

Ascent: 500 feet (150m)

Our first walk will take in the Double O Arch and Devils Garden area, following a trail that threads through pinyon pine and juniper vegetation and over slickrock.

Distance: 3 miles (5km)

Ascent: 700 feet (220m)

If time allows, our second walk visits one of the most well-known arches, Delicate Arch. Standing at 16m tall, you’ll see it pictured on most Utah car licence plates. The out-and-back route is mostly over slickrock and involves a moderate ascent on the approach to the arch, but you’ll be bowled over by the view as you round the corner.

Following our exploration of Arches National Park we'll head to Moab, our base for the next two nights.

Distance: 5 miles (8km)
Ascent/Descent: 1,200 feet (370m)

We’ll head to the ‘Needles’ area of Canyonlands National Park today, with a short stop at Newspaper Rock – an excellent example of Native American petroglyphs – before we continue to the trailhead. Following part of the Chesler Park trail, we’ll take in Elephant Hill on our walk. Along the way, the surrounding rock formations and colours are stunning.

This morning we’ll visit the historic site of Fort Bluff for a chance to learn more about the pioneers and what life was like for America’s early settlers. Next, we head to Monument Valley, where we'll enjoy a jeep tour around this iconic landscape and experience a Navajo lunch. We then continue the onward drive to Chinle, Canyon de Chelly where we'll be staying in the historic and Navajo-owned Thunderbird Lodge for two nights.

Distance: 5 miles (8km) 
Ascent: 600 feet (180m)

We’ll explore the Canyon de Chelly National Monument and the sacred Navajo land on a full-day guided walk with a local Navajo guide. Our walk starts on the canyon rim and descends along the Bare Trail on slick and exposed rock to the sandy canyon floor. From here, we'll walk past Native American ruins and rock art, at times walking through creeks. We’ll then ascend back to the canyon rim and return to the lodge.

This morning we visit Horseshoe Bend and take a short walk at Antelope Canyon. We then continue our journey to the Grand Canyon, where we'll stay for the next two nights. We aim to arrive in time to watch as the sun sets over the vast and majestic expanse of America’s most famous canyon

Distance: 6 miles (9.5 km)

Descent/Ascent: 3,100 feet (950m)

You’ll see the Grand Canyon National Park in all its legendary beauty with our local guide today. We’ll follow the Bright Angel Trail and descend to Havasupai Gardens, enjoying the wow-worthy views that surround us as we go. Built in the 1920s, the trail connects the South Rim with the Colorado River and involves a number of switchbacks.

When we reach 3-mile rest house, those looking for a challenge can continue the descent to Havasupai Gardens, adding 3 miles and 700 feet to the statistics above.

Otherwise, we begin the ascent back to the canyon rim by returning on the same path.

This morning you’ll have some free time before we complete the final leg of our journey. You could arrange a helicopter ride (optional extra, payable locally) to experience the Grand Canyon from a completely different angle. We’ll then return to the bright lights of Las Vegas, driving via the historic Route 66, getting back in time for you to experience the casinos or explore city sights like Fremont Street.

Enjoy a free day before with-flight guests transfer to Las Vegas airport for our overnight return flight back to the UK.

Arrive back in the UK.