Best of the Southwest

American Southwest Tours and Adventures

Road Scholars has carved out dozens of unforgettable American Southwest tours. Would you like to learn about the ancestral homelands of Native Americans in Arizona and New Mexico? We have a tour for you. Perhaps learning through service is more your traveling style, in which case we have a tour volunteering at Navajo Nation Schools. 

Journey with Road Scholar on American Southwest tours, where painted deserts and grand canyons echo tales of geological history. Learn all about the vast and varied ecosystems and national parks of Arizona, Utah and New Mexico as you discover the flora, fauna, birdlife and Native Peoples who have called this region home.

Family Programs

Exploring The Grand Canyon

This seven-day family program Exploring the Grand Canyon North and South Rim can include several generations: grandchildren nine years old and up, parents, and grandparents. 

Climb aboard one of Sedona’s famed “Pink Jeeps” to explore red-rock canyons and dramatic scenic vistas not accessible to most visitors. Take a narrated flight high above the Grand Canyon in a fixed-wing aircraft, enjoying bird's-eye views of the Colorado River and inner canyon. Swim in the Colorado River and soak in the natural wonder of the landscape around you. 

Zion National Park with Family

This is the ultimate 7-day family trip through Utah and Arizona’s national parks where travelers will hike, climb, horseback ride, and zip-line their way through the American Southwest. On this Southwest tour, families will travel by raft down the Colorado River, hike through Antelope Canyon and Zion National Park, and horseback ride in Zion Ponderosa Ranch. 

Get a taste of culture on this Southwest tour, experiencing one-of-a-kind opportunities to meet members of the local Navajo/Diné community and taste a "Navajo taco." 

Of course, s’mores around the campfire will be included!

On The Road

Ancient Puebloans

The Road Scholar’s 9-day tour through Colorado, Arizona, and New Mexico does a deep dive into the history of the Ancestral Puebloans to learn about prehistoric villages, explore the region’s National Parks, and visit important sites like Chimney Rock, Mesa Verde, Hovenweep, Aztec, Canyon de Chelly, and Chaco Canyon.

Visit large archaeological sites to view the remains of an incredibly complex civilization and gain perspective on how Native Americans retain ancestral traditions while adapting to the present day.

Sedona’s Red Rock Country and The Grand Canyon

Join experts as they take travelers on an epic 7-day tour of Sedona’s Red Rocks and the Grand Canyon to explore the geology, ecology, and human heritage of these spectacular canyon landscapes. 

Travel to the bottom of the Grand Canyon where you will be rewarded with a picnic on the banks of the mighty Colorado River. Visit Montezuma Castle National Monument, a five-story cliff dwelling of the prehistoric Sinagua people. This special Southwest adventure tour will be simply unforgettable. 

Experience Travel with Road Scholar

At Road Scholar, we offer a wide range of trips through the American Southwest, from Arizona to Colorado and beyond. Enjoy spirited conversations and educational lessons about the traditions of the indigenous cultures from local experts. 

Book your travel and learn more with Road Scholar today.