Zion & Bryce Women’s Hiking & Camping
5 days from Mississippi River to Maui Sunseeker A Gay Resort
From $ 2499
Duration5 days
book now

Journey off the beaten track through Utah’s most magnificent landscapes on this five-day REI Signature Camping adventure. Suitable for novice or veteran hikers, this trip pairs desert wilderness with the comforts of a deluxe camp, while the cooking, cleaning and setup are all handled for you. Led by expert female guides, we explore hidden corners of Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks and Grand Staircase – Escalante National Monument. Every hike brings us to astonishing new places, from Angels Landing and the Navajo Loop to the aptly named Fairyland. We revel in the never-ending expanse of Zion Canyon stretching toward the horizon and the sun rising over the famed hoodoos of Bryce Canyon—a labyrinth of soaring sandstone pinnacles striped in red, orange and white. We’ll also explore a slot canyon and discover a waterfall oasis. After hiking, we relax at REI Signature Camps. Wake to the songs of canyon wrens and the aroma of French press coffee delivered steaming hot to your tent each morning. Eat fresh, healthy meals. Participate in one of our private guided yoga sessions. You’ll leave this trip deeply renewed by adventure and the beauty of the Southwest.

This tour is operated by

  • Duration: 5 days
    Service level: Standard
  • Starts in: Mississippi River
    Physical Grading: Average
  • Ends in: Maui Sunseeker A Gay Resort
    Ages: 18+
Zion & Bryce Women’s Hiking & Camping - Tour Map

Itinerary

Expand all
Day 1: Travel to Zion and explore the Virgin River Narrows.

Start place: Mississippi River

Our trip begins today in Las Vegas (Henderson), Nevada, at 7am in the lobby at the Homewood Suites. Our guides talk us through the basics and offer invaluable tips about outdoor gear with women’s considerations in mind. After the orientation, we grab our sack lunches, hop in our van and set out for Zion. Towards the end of the three-hour drive, the peaks of Zion rise to meet us. Our first hike is in the spectacular Narrows, a deep, water-filled chasm carved by the North Fork of the Virgin River. We travel upstream (often wading in shallow water) through the steep sandstone walls of The Narrows before returning to the trailhead. He’ll we’ll catch the shuttle which returns us to our vehicle for the drive to our private REI Signature Camp. At camp we settle in, have drinks together, then feast on a delicious dinner spread as darkness falls. All meals included from lunch on Day 1 to lunch on Day 5.
Hiking: Up to 5 miles. Elevation gain/loss 200’. Transportation inside Zion NP is via National Park shuttle.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 2: Hike to Angels Landing and enjoy an afternoon yoga session.
Wake to the song of canyon wrens and the smell of freshly brewed coffee as we have breakfast in camp. After breakfast, we embark on one of the most thrilling and famous hikes in the Southwest, Angels Landing. Strong hikers can 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. After transferring back to our tranquil camp later today, we enjoy an invigorating afternoon yoga session before another relaxing evening filled with great food, drink and shared memories with new friends.
Hiking: 5 miles. Total elevation gain/loss: 1,488’. Transportation inside Zion NP is via National Park shuttle.
Day 3: Transfer to Bryce Canyon and hike among the towering hoodoos.
After a breakfast of blueberry pancakes and maple sausage (or one of many other great hot breakfast possibilities), we bid farewell to our REI Signature Camp near Zion and relax during a scenic, two-hour drive to Bryce Canyon National Park. We arrive at Fairyland Point and relish our first dramatic views of Bryce. 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. We explore part of the incredible Fairyland Loop Trail to Sunset Point, taking in the well-known landmarks of Sinking Ship, Tower Bridge, and the Chinese Wall. After our hike, we transfer to our exclusive Bryce Canyon Signature Camp for another night of camping perfection.
Hiking: 6.1 miles. Total elevation loss: 1,900'
Day 4: Visit Calf Creek Falls and relax in our private Signature Camp.
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 wilderness area in 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 cascading 126’ waterfall. After refueling and refreshing, we hike back through canyon country to the trailhead. Another relaxing yoga session at camp ends the day on a delightful note. Tonight, we spend a final evening in our Signature Camp, complete with a farewell dinner and celebration.
Hiking: 6 miles. Total elevation gain/loss: 370'
Day 5: A final sunrise exploration in Bryce before returning to Las Vegas.
This morning we transfer to the rim of Bryce canyon where we enjoy a spectacular sunrise before starting on our final hike. We 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 emerge from the park at Tropic Trailhead where our camp host will meet us. A five-minute drive takes 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 make a stop to stretch our legs with a short hike and enjoy a picnic lunch at Zion's northwestern Canyons of the Kolob. After snapping a few final panoramic shots, we complete the rest of drive, arriving in Las Vegas between 5 and 6pm. Please do not schedule a departing flight prior to 8pm.
Hiking: 4.6 miles. Total elevation loss: 1100'

End place: Maui Sunseeker A Gay Resort

Inclusions

Included

  • Four nights camping in our exclusive Zion and Bryce Canyon REI Signature Camps
  • guide leadership
  • roundtrip 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
  • two yoga sessions, park fees and local taxes

  • Accommodation

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

Save up to 50% on tours! Get exclusive access to members-only deals by email.

Subscribe to our newsletter