Family Zion & Bryce Hiking
5 days
From $ 2499
Duration5 days
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  • Etepia
  • Family Zion & Bryce Hiking

Incredible hiking and idyllic camping mark this 5-day family-friendly adventure in stunning Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks. Glowing with vibrant, colorful beauty, the soaring landscapes of Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks are befitting of one of America’s great hiking destinations. Accompanying each group are our expert, local guides who work to ensure each trip is an educational and memorable experience for kids and adults alike. Our adventure begins with a hike in Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, where a stunning waterfall awaits at the end of an amazing desert canyon. Walk along the rim of Bryce Canyon and feel an overwhelming sense of awe at the otherworldly, jagged, multi-hued landscape below. Next, we travel to Zion, hiking from the valley floor up Walter’s Wiggles to Scout’s Lookout. Enjoy a full day exploring the labyrinth of the Virgin River Narrows. Each spectacular day of hiking offers a variety of dramatic views of the most celebrated wonders of Zion. Our evenings are spent in comfortable camping accommodations, our tent the only thing separating us from the stars. Kids get an REI day pack — Kids traveling on our Family Adventures will receive an REI day pack for their adventure! Kids age 8-17 will receive the REI Flash 18 Pack (while quantities last, colors may vary). Learn more about REI Family Adventures. Not traveling with kids under age 18? Check out our Zion & Bryce Hiking – REI Signature Camping trip or inquire about a private departure of this itinerary.

This tour is operated by

  • Duration: 5 days
    Service level: Standard
  • Physical Grading: Average
  • Ages: 18+
Family Zion & Bryce Hiking - Tour Map

Itinerary

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Day 1: Travel from Las Vegas to our exclusive Signature Camp at Bryce Canyon.
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 set out for Bryce and have lunch on the way. Making our way deep into Utah on this 5 hour drive to Bryce Canyon, we'll make a few stops to stretch our legs and pass the rest of the driving time with some travel games from the REI Family Games Bag, before arriving at our exclusive REI Signature Camp at Bryce Canyon. Our guides provide a camp orientation and then we can check into our comfortable tents and prepare to enjoy the first of many delicious meals prepared by our skilled camp chefs! All meals included from lunch on Day 1 to lunch on Day 5.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 2: Visit Lower Calf Creek Falls and learn about Native American culture.
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 3 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 return to camp and relax with some fun camp games or kids can take part in a sketch session (all supplies provided) of some beautiful features visible from camp such as Bristlecone Ridge. Most evenings there will be time for some extra fun at camp—solving "Criddles" canyon riddles- answering canyon trivia about flora and geology. Another wonderful dinner followed by a delicious, well deserved dessert tonight!
Hiking: 6 miles. Total elevation gain/loss: 370'
Day 3: Hike Bryce Canyon's rim and slot canyons; stay at Zion Signature Camp.
After a great breakfast of blueberry pancakes and maple sausage (or one of many other great hot breakfast possibilities), we bid farewell to our REI Signature Camp at Bryce Canyon. We pack our lunch and have a short transfer out to Inspiration Point where we hike along the rim to Sunset Point, enjoying dramatic views along the way. This chain of natural amphitheaters, formed by erosion, is bursting with thousands of brightly colored spires or "hoodoos" striped in red, orange and white, some standing over 200 feet tall, all steeped in the mythology of the ancient Paiute people. The legend of the Paiute says that a long time ago a group of people moved into the area and made coyote angry with their bad behavior. Coyote put a curse on the people, now called "Legend People" turning them to stone. See if you can find the images of people sitting and holding each other in the hoodoos! Hiking along the rim, we take in the views from a range of angles across the canyon before going below the rim to explore the dramatic corridor of stone through Wall Street, returning to the rim via the Navajo Loop. Our van transfer today takes less than two hours as the mountains and mesas of Zion appear in the distance and rise to meet us. We ascend the final stretch of road to our secluded REI Signature Camp at Zion Canyon, above the national park. At camp we'll settle in, enjoy apps and cold drinks together while we're oriented to the site, then enjoy an abundant dinner spread before evening sets in. Time for a game or two from the REI Family Games Bag before grabbing your headlamp and joining the guides for an optional evening hike to take in the sunset from a spectacular viewpoint on the rim before returning to camp for the night.
Hiking: 1.7 miles. Total elevation gain:550'; elevation loss: 550' Optional hike: 1.8 mile. Queens Garden Loop
Day 4: Hike to Scout’s Lookout and swim in the Virgin River.
We enjoy a scrumptious breakfast before catching the park shuttle to the Grotto Trailhead. From here we begin our hike to Scout’s Lookout. Step by step, we make our way through aptly named Refrigerator Canyon, where the towering rock walls keep temperatures cool. Exiting the canyon, Walter’s Wiggles soon come into view. The famous set of 21 tight switchbacks carved into the cliff face lead to today’s destination, Scout’s Lookout. From the lookout we’re rewarded with expansive views of Zion Canyon and the iconic formations that comprise the multi-colored landscape of this national park. After our hike, a refreshing swim in the Virgin River caps an unforgettable day! Back at camp, parents can relax while kids take part in a sketch session (all supplies provided) of our beautiful surroundings. Tonight, we enjoy a relaxing evening at camp, complete with a farewell celebration dinner.
Hiking: 4 miles; 1,100’ elevation gain/loss.
Day 5: Hike the Narrows before we depart for home.
After another hearty breakfast, we say goodbye to camp and shuttle to the Temple of Sinawava. From here, we embark upon our hike into the Narrows—a deep gash in the earth carved by the Virgin River. We travel upstream along the steep, colorful sandstone walls on a route often described as one of the best hikes in the U.S. After exploring the spectacular Narrows, we return to our waiting van and begin the three-hour drive back to Las Vegas. We expect to arrive at the Las Vegas airport about 5pm and the Homewood Suites at 6pm, local time. Please do not schedule a departing flight prior to 8pm.
Hiking: We walk on trail for approximately one mile before entering the Narrows, where we literally get our feet wet as we hike up to 1.5 additional miles upstream. In the Narrows, we very gradually gain about 100' before turning around and exiting via the same route. Our total elevation gain for the day is 200'.

Inclusions

Included

  • Four nights camping in our exclusive Zion and Bryce REI Signature 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

  • Accommodation

    REI Signature Camp at Zion, 2 nights, REI Signature Camp at Bryce Canyon, 2 nights

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