Utah/Arizona
The Best of Utah's Grand Circle of Parks and Monuments
Program No. 2814RJ
Explore some of the world's most impressive geological formations with experts as you discover Utah’s Grand Circle. Plus, float down the Colorado River and learn about Navajo culture.
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Itinerary
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date.
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While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
11 days
10 nights
What's Included
27 meals (
10B, 9L, 8D
)
2 expert-led lectures
16 expert-led field trips
1 performance
An experienced Group Leader
10 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
Day
1
Check-in, Orientation, Welcome Dinner
Location:
St. George
Meals:
D
Stay:
Holiday Inn Convention Center
Activity Note
Hotel check-in from 3:00 p.m. Remember to bring your nametag (sent previously).
Afternoon:
Program Registration: 3:00-5:30 p.m. Our Group Leader will be waiting in the hotel lobby to register Road Scholars upon arrival. You will receive your room assignment, room key, get any updated information, and confirm the time and location of the Orientation session. If you arrive late, please locate your Group Leader and let them know you have arrived.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
Orientation: 7:00 p.m. The Group Leader will lead everyone in a welcome and introduction session. We will review the up-to-date program schedule and any changes, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer any questions you may have. Our program will have an instructor who will lead most field trips and lectures, a Group Leader who will deal primarily with logistics, and a driver who will accompany us throughout the program. Some days will offer choices in the length of hikes and, if participants wish to go on different hikes, each smaller group will be led by either the Group Leader or Instructor. Distances and duration of hikes will vary depending on the group. Transportation will be provided primarily by motorcoach unless specified otherwise. Bring a daypack, water bottle, sun protection, sturdy walking shoes, and anything else you think you will need during our hikes in the desert. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/current conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the full day ahead.
Day
2
Snow Canyon State Park, Area History
Location:
St. George
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Holiday Inn Convention Center
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 10 miles, approximately 1/2 hour riding time. Walking up to 2 miles; sandy, uneven, rocky trails.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We’ll gather in the hotel meeting room with our instructor who will give us a lecture on the geology, ecology, flora, and fauna of Southern Utah. Through this presentation, we’ll gain a greater understanding of the incredible formations we will explore during the week. We’ll then set out on a field trip via motorcoach to Snow Canyon State Park, where our instructor will introduce the area’s geology during a short hike to a viewpoint along the rim. We’ll take in the beauty of the scenery and notice the exquisite red and white sandstone cliffs, rolling mounds of petrified sand dunes, and lava (basalt) rock formations.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
Returning to the hotel, we’ll be treated to an informative presentation by an expert archeologist on the prehistoric civilization of Southwest Utah. We’ll then set out on a field trip via motorcoach to explore local petroglyph sites.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.
Day
3
Zion National Park
Location:
Bryce Canyon National Park
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Best Western Bryce Canyon Grand Hotel
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 130 miles throughout the day, approximately 3 hours total riding time. Walking 1-2 miles; mostly paved trails, some uneven and slippery terrain depending on hike. Zion elevation approximately 4,000 feet; maximum elevation change 200 feet.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will check out of the hotel, board a motorcoach, and ride to Zion National Park. Upon arrival, we’ll explore various trails and the Zion Human History Museum. Our instructor will provide information about the Virgin River and Zion Canyon’s geology and plant habitat along the way.
Lunch:
On the trail, we’ll have box lunches.
Afternoon:
We’ll continue our exploration as we ride to the east side of Zion National Park and through the 1.1-mile-long Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel. It was eventually completed in 1930, thereby linking Bryce Canyon and the Grand Canyon to Zion. We’ll also learn from our instructor about the making of the Zion tunnel and the geology of Checkerboard Mesa. Along the way, we will view Checkerboard Mesa and continue to Bryce Canyon National Park. Upon arrival in Bryce, Utah, we’ll check in to the hotel and have some time to freshen up and relax before dinner.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.
Day
4
Bryce Canyon Nat’l Park, Grand Staircase, Anasazi State Park
Location:
Capitol Reef National Park
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Red Sands Hotel
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 188 miles throughout the day, approximately 4 hours total riding time. Walking up to 3 miles in Bryce Canyon; uneven, unpaved trails, steep inclines, declines of about 350 feet. Bryce Canyon elevation approximately 8,000 feet at the rim.
Breakfast:
At a local restaurant.
Morning:
After checking out of our hotel, we’ll ride a short distance to Bryce Canyon National Park. Bryce is world-renowned for its unique geological features, carved by nature into hoodoos, pinnacles, and fins of an amazing palette of colors. We’ll hike with our instructor along the rim and into the canyon via the Navajo Loop trail to view iconic structures and formations. We’ll then transfer from Bryce to Escalante, Utah.
Lunch:
At a local retreat in Escalante.
Afternoon:
Next, we’ll go on a scenic drive along the famed All-American Road – U.S. Highway 12 – through a portion of the Grand Staircase to visit ancestral Puebloan ruins at Anasazi State Park. We’ll continue along Highway 12 to Torrey, Utah, and check in to our hotel.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
5
Capitol Reef National Park
Location:
Capitol Reef National Park
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Red Sands Hotel
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 40 miles throughout the day, approximately 1 hour total riding time. Walking up to 3 miles throughout the day, approximately 3 hours; dry streambed terrain in Grand Wash, short walks on boardwalks at Petroglyph Panel.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We’ll board the motorcoach and ride to Capitol Reef National Park, where we will begin our day with a hike in Grand Wash and view towering cliffs of sandstone as we hike through the upper portion of the Waterpocket Fold. Grand Wash connects the Scenic Road as it heads south past Cassidy Arch, to Highway 24 just east of Spring Canyon. It is generally level throughout the entire route, though full of streambed sediment. We’ll then ride to a park near the Capitol Reef Visitors Center.
Lunch:
At the park, we’ll have box lunches.
Afternoon:
We’ll drive a short distance to Petroglyph Panel to view rock art attributed to the Fremont Culture, which existed in this area of Utah from approximately 600-1300 CE. Our instructor and Group Leader will point out and describe the petroglyphs found along the boardwalk. Returning to the hotel, we’ll have some time to freshen up and relax before dinner.
Dinner:
We will ride to a local restaurant for dinner.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.
Day
6
Powell Museum, Dead Horse Point, Canyonlands National Park
Location:
Moab, Utah
Meals:
B,L
Stay:
Sleep Inn & Suites
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 155 miles, approximately 3 hours riding time. Walking up to 1 mile total at Dead Horse Point and Canyonlands; paved trails.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
Checking out of the hotel, we’ll ride to the John Wesley Powell Museum in Green River, Utah, a world-class museum that captures the spirit of the famous, determined Western explorer. It’s also a fitting introduction as we approach the Colorado River that Powell first explored and mapped in the 1870s. We will have some time for self-directed exploration.
Lunch:
At a restaurant in Green River.
Afternoon:
We’ll continue via motorcoach to Dead Horse Point State Park and Canyonlands National Park. We’ll view a variety of unusual rock formations along with deeply eroded canyons interspersed with sheer-sided mesas. Upon reaching Dead Horse Point, we will hike with our instructor to the viewpoint and – weather permitting – see nearly 100 miles with the mighty Colorado River below. We’ll then ride on to our hotel in Moab and check in before adjourning for the day.
Dinner:
This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like in downtown Moab. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Evening:
At leisure. You might like to explore Moab and see what activities the town’s nightlife has to offer, spend time with fellow Road Scholars, or just relax.
Day
7
Arches National Park
Location:
Moab, Utah
Meals:
B,L
Stay:
Sleep Inn & Suites
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 5 miles from hotel to Arches National Park entrances, 30-35 miles driving within the park throughout the day. Walking 2-3 miles throughout the day; groomed trails with some elevation change.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We’ll ride to Arches National Park, which contains more than 2,000 natural stone arches along with red rock canyons, spires, fins and balanced rocks. We will be able to choose from a variety of hikes including an instructor-led hike to Landscape Arch as well as hikes to Double Arch and the many arches found in the Windows section of the park.
Lunch:
On the trail, we’ll have box lunches.
Afternoon:
We’ll continue exploring the park as we drive to the Delicate Arch Overlook. Delicate Arch is the most iconic arch in Utah and possibly the most beautiful arch in the world. Riding on, we’ll arrive at the Visitor Center with some time to peruse the exhibits and park video on our own before reboarding the motorcoach and returning to the hotel. Upon arrival, we will adjourn for the day.
Dinner:
On your own to enjoy the local fare of your choice in downtown Moab.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.
Day
8
Edge of the Cedars Museum, Monument Valley
Location:
Lake Powell - Page, AZ
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Page at Lake Powell
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 280 miles, approximately 4.5 hours riding time with a stop. Walking up to 1 mile in museums and visitor centers.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
After checking out of the hotel, we’ll board the motorcoach and ride to Blanding and the Edge of the Cedars Museum where we’ll have time for self-directed exploration. This museum has the largest collection of intact Ancestral Puebloan pottery found in the Four Corners region of the U.S. as well as archaeological sites and repository.
Lunch:
At Goulding’s Stagecoach Dining Room in Monument Valley with a spectacular, panoramic view of one of Mother Nature’s unique creations. Located at the site of many of the classic western movies, we’ll look over the historic Goulding’s Trading Post and the same vista that John Wayne, John Ford and Henry Fonda made famous. The dining room is staffed by local Navajos (Dine’) so we will be fortunate enough to experience the graceful culture of these Southwestern Native American people while enjoying a choice of some traditional favorites.
Afternoon:
Our next stop will be the Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park Visitor Center where we will learn through independent exploration about Navajo culture, tradition, language, and history from the perspective of the Navajo people. The exhibit displays are a combination of pictorial information, interactive media, and actual artifacts. Subjects include a unique exhibit on the World War II Navajo Code Talkers, the Navajo Nation government structure, the history of uranium mining in the area, and the legacy of Hollywood films in Monument Valley. Moving on, we’ll arrive in Page, Arizona, and check in to our hotel.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
9
Colorado River Raft Study Float
Location:
Lake Powell - Page, AZ
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Page at Lake Powell
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 120 miles throughout the day, approximately 2 hours riding time. Getting on/off a motorized raft; float trip approximately 3.5 hours with bathroom break at half-way point.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will take the motorcoach to Lee's Ferry where we’ll begin our flat-water float study trip, led and operated by local experts. We’ll board a motorized pontoon raft for our journey, where we will experience one of the most dramatic stretches of river found in the western United States. While underway, we’ll hear about the area’s story of soaring sandstone cliffs, crystal blue-green waters, abundant wildlife, former habitation by native cultures, exploration by Major John Wesley Powell, and the Colorado River’s modern role in the Southwest’s water and power delivery system.
Lunch:
Aboard the raft, we’ll have boxed lunches.
Afternoon:
After our float trip, we’ll disembark and ride back to our hotel in Page for a short break. We’ll then reboard our motorcoach and ride to the Native American Performing Arts Theater. We’ll get a fascinating glimpse into Navajo history, culture, and traditions via music and dance presented by Navajo tribal members.
Dinner:
At the theater, we’ll have a traditional Navajo meal.
Evening:
Returning to the hotel, the remainder of the evening is at leisure. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.
Day
10
Antelope Slot Canyon
Location:
St. George
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Holiday Inn Convention Center
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 150 miles throughout the day, approximately 3 hours total riding time. Walking up to 1 mile in Antelope Canyon; portions with sandy (like beach sand) trail with 128 steps going both up and down. Due to canyon policy, this trail is one way only, with limited time to complete the trail.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
After check-out, we'll depart for Antelope Slot Canyon, the most photographed slot canyon in the Southwest, and embark on an expert-led hike of Upper Antelope Canyon upon arrival. The Navajo name for Upper Antelope Canyon is Tse' bighanilini, which means "the place where water runs through rocks." Located within the LeChee Chapter of the Navajo Nation, Upper Antelope is an awe-inspiring slot canyon with narrow sandstone walls that rise 120 feet above the sandy trail. We’ll discover why this beautiful canyon has rightly earned its world-renowned reputation.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
We’ll make our way back to St. George, Utah and check in at our hotel just before dinner.
Dinner:
At the hotel. Share favorite experiences and enjoy camaraderie with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell dinner.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.
Day
11
Program Concludes
Location:
St. George
Meals:
B
Activity Note
Hotel check-out by 10:00 a.m.
Breakfast:
At the hotel. This concludes our program.
Morning:
If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!
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