Zion Lodge New Year’s Hiking Adventure
6 days
From
$ 3449
Duration6 days
Ring in the New Year in Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks on a guided 6-day winter hiking escape based at cozy Zion Lodge. Okay, it’s a cliche to call winter “magical.” But you’ll be hard-pressed to find a more fitting word to describe your experience. You’ll gaze out at the sandstone cathedrals of Zion National Park—without having to fight the summer crowds. Or heat. Snowshoe along Bryce Canyon’s Fairyland Loop among hoodoos dusted with powdered-sugar snow. Explore Red Canyon, a little-known sanctuary. Snuggle up with a Navajo blanket in the firelight of Zion Lodge. Join easygoing expert guides and a few like-minded folks for a New Year’s like none other. From the comfort of historic Zion Lodge, step out your front door into a snow-kissed wilderness wonderland. Immerse yourself in the most iconic trails and sights of Zion and Bryce Canyon. This trip includes Zion’s Angels Landing (dependent on conditions), Emerald Pools and Observation Point, along with Bryce’s Fairyland, Wall Street, Bryce Point and Peek-a-boo Loop. Let the quiet magic of desert canyons in winter inspire an incredible year.
This tour is operated by
-
Duration: 6 daysService level: Standard
-
Starts in: OHANA Maile Sky Court HotelPhysical Grading: Average
-
Ages: 18+
Tour Gallery
Itinerary
Day 1: Emerald Pools & Sky-high Walls
Start place: OHANA Maile Sky Court Hotel
Arrive in Las Vegas, Nevada by 7:30am this morning. This adventure accommodates up to two separate groups, each with their own set of guides. Each group will meet at a specified time on the morning of Day 1, which will be provided approximately 30 days prior to departure.
After a brief group orientation, we’ll hop aboard our shuttle vehicle and embark on our approximately four-hour journey to one of North America’s most outstanding National Parks. Our first hike in Zion takes us to the Emerald Pools. The trail to the pools skirts the Virgin River; towering canyon walls, tumbling waterfalls and bright green vegetation provide stark contrast to the arid desert landscape beyond the park boundaries. Lunch & dinner included.
Transfer: 4 hours
Hiking: 2-3 miles; elevation gain/loss: 200’-400’
After a brief group orientation, we’ll hop aboard our shuttle vehicle and embark on our approximately four-hour journey to one of North America’s most outstanding National Parks. Our first hike in Zion takes us to the Emerald Pools. The trail to the pools skirts the Virgin River; towering canyon walls, tumbling waterfalls and bright green vegetation provide stark contrast to the arid desert landscape beyond the park boundaries. Lunch & dinner included.
Transfer: 4 hours
Hiking: 2-3 miles; elevation gain/loss: 200’-400’
Meals: D
Day 2: Seek Transcendent Views of Zion at Observation Point
Recognized world-wide for its unique bowl-shaped cliff face, Weeping Rock provides a picturesque glimpse at the remarkable terrain we have in store. The challenge of our four-mile climb to Observation Point is complimented by hidden treasures such as Echo Canyon, where smooth slickrock and soaring sandstone provide the perfect place to take a breather. With Zion National Park stretching out before us we’ll take in what many agree is the most remarkable view of the park. At 6,508’, Observation Point provides jaw-dropping panoramas of Angel’s Landing and the canyon below. Later you’ll have the option of exploring the quaint town of Springdale, Utah. You’ll have the evening to yourself and the park offers a free shuttle for those interested in exploring this fun southwest village. With lots of boutique shopping and fun and eclectic restaurants to choose from, Springdale offers a perfect destination to celebrate the day’s accomplishment. Breakfast, lunch & dinner included.
Hiking: 8 miles; 2,200’ elevation gain/loss
Hiking: 8 miles; 2,200’ elevation gain/loss
Meals: D
Day 3: Hike Angels Landing or the West Rim Trail
Today’s hike starts right from the comfort of Zion National Park lodge. The short hike across the floor of the canyon gives us the perfect chance to warm up before hitting the West Rim trail. Towering sandstone walls surround us as we make our way up the 20 notoriously tight switchbacks of Walter’s Wiggles. Once at the top of the West Rim trail we’ll take a moment to catch our breath and enjoy lunch with a beautiful view. This evening we’re rewarded with a delicious dinner before ringing in the New Year. Breakfast, lunch & dinner included.
Important Day 3 Itinerary Note: Our goal today is Angels Landing. However, accessing the viewpoint is dependent on snow, ice, trail conditions, park discretion, and other factors beyond our control. Your guide will provide specific details on today’s hike this morning.
Hiking: up to 7 miles; 1,500’ elevation gain/loss
Important Day 3 Itinerary Note: Our goal today is Angels Landing. However, accessing the viewpoint is dependent on snow, ice, trail conditions, park discretion, and other factors beyond our control. Your guide will provide specific details on today’s hike this morning.
Hiking: up to 7 miles; 1,500’ elevation gain/loss
Meals: D
Day 4: New Year’s Day: Sunset Point & Snowshoeing Fairyland
We pack up and transfer to Bryce Canyon National Park for our first snowshoe of the New Year. The astonishing amphitheaters of the park are the perfect destination; with the crowds of summer gone we bask in solitude and enjoy the day on Fairyland Loop Trail. The trail provides a variety of terrain, meandering from high 360° panoramic viewpoints to winding along the base of towering hoodoos. At Sunset Point we are rewarded with a glimpse of the northeast section of the park dominated by the imposing Boat Mesa and appropriately-named Sinking Ship. We transfer to our lodgings in the park for dinner. Breakfast, lunch & dinner included.
Transfer: 2 hours 15 minutes
Hiking: 6 miles; 300’ elevation gain/loss
Transfer: 2 hours 15 minutes
Hiking: 6 miles; 300’ elevation gain/loss
Meals: D
Day 5: Hoodoos, Spires & Otherworldly Beauty
Today’s journey starts at Bryce Point where some of the most remarkable views within the National Park can be found. Shades of orange, pink, peach, and white are set against a vibrant blue desert sky. A photographer’s delight, scenes found along the Peek-A-Boo and Wall Street trails stoke the fires of wanderlust for shutter bugs world-wide. The Three Wise Men, Wall of Windows, and Thor’s Hammer dominate the landscape and will leave us in awe of all the remarkable treasures the southwest has to offer. Breakfast, lunch & dinner included.
Hiking: 3 miles; 1,200’ elevation gain/loss
Hiking: 3 miles; 1,200’ elevation gain/loss
Meals: D
Day 6: Secrets of Red Canyon
A short distance from Bryce Canyon National Park lies a hidden treasure which offers equally stunning hoodoos, red cliffs and bright green conifers. Some have even designated Red Canyon as “the most photographed place in Utah”. We’ll make the most of our visit to Red Canyon by hiking the appropriately named Pink Ledges and Birdseye trails. By late afternoon we’ll start our journey back to Las Vegas where we’ll bid final farewells. We anticipate arriving at approximately 5pm, depending on trail and road conditions, weather, group pace, and other factors beyond our control. Breakfast & lunch included.
Transfer to Las Vegas: 4 hours
Hiking: 2 miles; 700’ elevation gain/loss
Transfer to Las Vegas: 4 hours
Hiking: 2 miles; 700’ elevation gain/loss
Inclusions
Included
- Five nights hotel accommodations based on double occupancy
- 5 breakfasts
- 6 lunches
- 4 dinners
- group transfer from Las Vegas and return
- vehicle support
- guide leadership
- park entrance fees
-
Accommodation
Zion National Park Lodge, 3 nights, hotel one mile from the center of Bryce Canyon National Park, 2 nights