Jun 17 - Jun 24, 2025
2,949
1,549
Utah
Colorful Canyons: Zion, Bryce & Grand Canyon With Your Grandchild
Program No. 8731RJ
From stunning landscapes and ancient geology to horseback riding and Native American art, set off on an adventure with your grandchild in the national parks of Utah and Arizona.
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We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Learn more
Prefer to enroll or inquire by phone?
800-454-5768
Age 10 - 14
ROOMING OPTION PRICING
The figures below indicate the rooming options available.
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| DATES | ||||
Jun 17 - Jun 24, 2025
| 2,949 / Adult
1,549 / Child
| 2,949 / Adult
1,549 / Child
| 3,899 / Adult
1,549 / Child
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Jul 1 - Jul 8, 2025
2,949 1,549 | ||||
Jul 1 - Jul 8, 2025
| 2,949 / Adult
1,549 / Child
| 2,949 / Adult
1,549 / Child
| 3,899 / Adult
1,549 / Child
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Jul 15 - Jul 22, 2025
2,949 1,549 | ||||
Jul 15 - Jul 22, 2025
| 2,949 / Adult
1,549 / Child
| 2,949 / Adult
1,549 / Child
| 3,899 / Adult
1,549 / Child
| |
Jul 29 - Aug 5, 2025
2,949 1,549 | ||||
Jul 29 - Aug 5, 2025
| 2,949 / Adult
1,549 / Child
| 2,949 / Adult
1,549 / Child
| 3,899 / Adult
1,549 / Child
| |
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8 days
7 nights
19 meals
7B 6L 6D
2
Valley of Fire State Park, Zion National Park, Birds of Prey
Zion National Park
3
Zion National Park
Zion National Park
4
Zion Tunnel & East Zion, Bryce Canyon Hoodoos, Rodeo
Bryce Canyon National Park
5
Bryce National Park, Horseback Riding, Scenic Viewpoints
Bryce Canyon National Park
6
Grand Staircase Escalante Nat'l Mon., Grand Canyon North Rim
North Rim, Grand Canyon
7
Grand Canyon, Transept Trail
Kanab, UT
At a Glance
In Utah’s Color Country, view ancient Native American petroglyphs carved into red standstone walls in the Valley of Fire. Hike through a forested canyon that leads to two sparkling waterfalls in a tall alcove, hanging gardens and majestic emerald pools. Admire the towering hoodoo rock spires and pink limestone grottos in Bryce Canyon. Take in views of the rainbow rock stair steps of the Grand Staircase as you look across over 100 million years in geologic time. These colorful adventures and more await you and your grandchild in Utah and Arizona’s amazing national parks: Zion, Bryce and the Grand Canyon’s rugged North Rim. Discover the secrets and mysteries of sculptured canyons and soaring cliffs as instructors lead you through 2 billion years of Mother Nature’s brush strokes.
Activity Level
Keep the Pace
Hiking up to two miles daily. Elevations up to 8,000 feet.
Best of all, you’ll…
- Watch wranglers ride the bulls at the Bryce Canyon Country Rodeo, and saddle up yourself as you ride on mule or horse back through Bryce Canyon.
- Meet an eagle falconer and his feathered friends (a falcon, a hawk and a golden eagle) during a live birds of prey presentation.
- Spend nights in each of these canyons observing wildlife, exploring the landscape and learning about geology, ecology and human history.
General Notes
Program is for grandchildren ages 10-14.
Featured Expert
All trip experts
Martin Tyner
At the age of 19, Martin Tyner was hired as curator of birds of prey at Busch Gardens, Calif., and was soon working in the movie industry as a trainer of big cats, elephants, primates, sea mammals and raptors. He is the founder of the Southwest Wildlife Foundation, a non-profit wildlife rescue and environmental education organization. With the help of his Golden Eagle, Bud, they received a donation of 22.6 acres of property for the development of a permanent wildlife rescue facility in Utah.
Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.
Martin Tyner
View biography
At the age of 19, Martin Tyner was hired as curator of birds of prey at Busch Gardens, Calif., and was soon working in the movie industry as a trainer of big cats, elephants, primates, sea mammals and raptors. He is the founder of the Southwest Wildlife Foundation, a non-profit wildlife rescue and environmental education organization. With the help of his Golden Eagle, Bud, they received a donation of 22.6 acres of property for the development of a permanent wildlife rescue facility in Utah.
Suggested Reading List
(7 books)
Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
Colorful Canyons: Zion, Bryce & Grand Canyon With Your Grandchild
Program Number: 8731
Geology (specific)
Ron Kay’s Guide to Zion National Park, Ron Kay, 1995 A complete guide of Zion National Park by one of Road Scholar’s own instructors.
Shadows of Time: The Geology of Bryce Canyon National Park, Frank Decourten, 1994 A book with breathtaking photographs, well written on the geology of Bryce Canyon N. P. and surrounding high plateaus.
Water, Rock, & Time: The Geologic Story of Zion National Park, Robert Eves, 2005. This book is so nice you may want to leave it on the coffee table.
Zion National Park: Towers of Stone; by J.L. Crawford; Zion Natural History Association, Springdale, Utah, Fourth Edition 2002.
Carving Grand Canyon, Wayne Ranney. 2005. A synopsis of ideas and theories that geologists have developed over time about the carving of the Grand Canyon. This story is told in an engaging style that non-scientists will find inviting.
Canyonlands Country, Donald Baars, 1993. Geology of Canyonlands and Arches National Parks.
General Reference
A Naturalists Guide to the Canyon Country, David B. Williams. 2000. A wonderful Falcon Guide that uses fine artwork and pictures to introduce the geology, flora, fauna and history of the Canyon Country.
Four Corners: History, Land and People of the Desert Southwest, Kenneth A. Brown, 1996. Great information about the region.
Desert Solitaire, Edward Abbey. 1968. A season in the wilderness is a celebration of the beauty of living in a harsh and hostile land. Edward Abbey was a seasonal Park ranger in Arches National Monument.
Cadillac Desert, Marc Reisner. 1986. The story of the American West is the story of a relentless quest for a precious resource: water. The definitive work on the West’s water crisis.
Geology
Geology – a Golden Guide, by Frank H.T. Rhodes, 1991, St. Martin’s Press, N.Y.
Geology of Utah’s Parks and Monuments, Sprinkel et. al. Utah Geological Association, 2000. Contains geology papers on 25 parks and monuments of Utah (644 pages). Written for a geologist.
Utah‘s Spectacular Geology, Lehi Hintze, 2005 The geologic story of Utah’s landscapes and how they came to be.
A Traveler's Guide to the Geology of the Colorado Plateau, Don Baars, 2002. A comprehensive guide to the Colorado Plateau.
The Practical Geologist, Dougal Dixon, Raymond Bernor, 1992 This book is a great introductory guide to the basics of geology. Great diagrams, pictures and is well written.
Geology Underfoot in Southern Utah, R. Orndorff, R. Wieder, D. Futey, 2006 A hands on book about getting out among the rocks. Explores 33 sites in Southern Utah. Tells of ancient eruptions, deserts, seas, swamps and movements of massive rock units over eons.
Beyond the Visible Landscape, W. Kenneth Hamblin, 2004. A unique book that consists of a series of panoramic photographs taken from the air. Focuses on the fundamental features of the landscape. Contains excellent diagrams & descriptions of the geology in the photographs.
Education
The Redrock Canyon Explorer, Irene Brady and Geology Rocks, by Cindy Blobaum & Michael Kline. Two books that are a great starting place for grandparents and educators that would like to get a fun and creative educational tool for their grandchildren or students. $19.95 and $12.95
Last Child in the Woods, Richard Louv. 2005. An absolute must-read for parents if we are going to save our children from the Nature- Deficit Disorder. $13.95.
Sharing Nature with Children, Joseph Cornell. 1989. A parents and teachers nature awareness guidebook. $9.95.
Books about History
Heart of the Desert Wild, Greer Chesher, 2000. Award winning book about the Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument (GSENM). It covers a variety of topics from geology to history. The photography and design of this book are outstanding and remains the definitive book on the GSENM.
A Roadside History of Utah, Cynthia L. Bennett. 1999. Compelling stories of Utah’s exceptional people.
Utah’s History, Richard D. Poll. 1989. A more in-depth and statewide focus on history.
Hole-in-the-Rock, David E. Miller, 1995. If you want to learn more about one of the epic pioneer journeys in American History this is the book. It is area related and is a good read for those interested in history.
Highway 12, Christian Probasco. 2005. Popular with travelers along Highway 12. It features a unique look at the history, people and their perspectives on this very special corridor.
Outlaw Tales of Utah, Michael Rutter, 2002. True stores of Utah’s most famous robbers, rustlers and bandits.
Books about History (more)
Basin and Range, John McPhee. 1980. A book of journeys through ancient terrains, always in juxtaposition with travels in the modern world---a history of vanished landscapes, enhanced by the histories of people who bring them to light. Includes a history of the geologic time scale. $14.95.
The Dominguez- Escalante Journal, Ted J. Warner. 1995. Their expedition through Colorado, Utah, New Mexico and Arizona in 1776. $12.95
Over the Rim, The Parley P. Pratt Exploring Expedition to Southern Utah, 1849-50. William and Donna T. Smart. 1999. In the winter of 1849 fifty men set out from Salt Lake City on an arduous expedition to explore Southern Utah. $19.95
Echoes from the Cliffs of Capital Reef National Park, Max Robinson, Clay Robinson. 2004. Enlightening reminiscences of Capital Reef National Park. $6.95.
Standing Up Country, Gregory Crampton. 1964. A lavishly illustrated history of the scenic beauty of Southern Utah. $16.95.
The Exploration of the Colorado River and its Canyons, by J.W. Powell; Dover Publications, Inc., New York. This book combines two of J.W. Powell’s voyages into one epic adventure. $10.25
Beyond The Hundredth Meridian by Wallace Stegner; Penguin Books 1992. A penetrating and insightful study of the adventures of Maj. John Wesley Powell. $10.75
Books about Native American / Prehistory
Rock Art of Utah, Polly Schaafsma, 2002.
Traces of Freemont: Society and Rock Art in Ancient Utah, Steven Simms, 2010.
Archeology of the Southwest, Linda Cordell, 2012.
Program
At a Glance
Duration
8 days
Program Begins
Las Vegas, NV
Program Concludes
Kanab, UT
Meals
19
| 7B |
6L |
6D |
Activity Level
In Utah’s Color Country, view ancient Native American petroglyphs carved into red standstone walls in the Valley of Fire. Hike through a forested canyon that leads to two sparkling waterfalls in a tall alcove, hanging gardens and majestic emerald pools. Admire the towering hoodoo rock spires and pink limestone grottos in Bryce Canyon. Take in views of the rainbow rock stair steps of the Grand Staircase as you look across over 100 million years in geologic time. These colorful adventures and more await you and your grandchild in Utah and Arizona’s amazing national parks: Zion, Bryce and the Grand Canyon’s rugged North Rim. Discover the secrets and mysteries of sculptured canyons and soaring cliffs as instructors lead you through 2 billion years of Mother Nature’s brush strokes.)
Best of all, you'll...
- Watch wranglers ride the bulls at the Bryce Canyon Country Rodeo, and saddle up yourself as you ride on mule or horse back through Bryce Canyon.
- Meet an eagle falconer and his feathered friends (a falcon, a hawk and a golden eagle) during a live birds of prey presentation.
- Spend nights in each of these canyons observing wildlife, exploring the landscape and learning about geology, ecology and human history.
General Notes
Program is for grandchildren ages 10-14.
Featured Expert
Martin Tyner
At the age of 19, Martin Tyner was hired as curator of birds of prey at Busch Gardens, Calif., and was soon working in the movie industry as a trainer of big cats, elephants, primates, sea mammals and raptors. He is the founder of the Southwest Wildlife Foundation, a non-profit wildlife rescue and environmental education organization. With the help of his Golden Eagle, Bud, they received a donation of 22.6 acres of property for the development of a permanent wildlife rescue facility in Utah.
Please Note:
This expert may not be available for every date of the program
Activity Level
Keep the Pace
Hiking up to two miles daily. Elevations up to 8,000 feet.
Suggested Reading List
View Full List
(7 Books)
You can also find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
HAVE QUESTIONS?
Prefer to enroll or inquire by phone?
We can help. Give us a call, and we can answer all of your questions!
Call
800-454-5768
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
8 days
7 nights
What's Included
19 meals | 7B | 6L | 6D |
1 expert-led lecture
8 expert-led field trips
1 hands-on experience
1 performance
An experienced Group Leader
7 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
Day
1
Check-in, Program Registration, Welcome Dinner, Orientation
Location:
Las Vegas, NV
Meals:
D
Stay:
Hilton Garden Inn Las Vegas Strip South
Activity Note
Hotel check-in available from 3:00 p.m.
Afternoon:
Program Registration. 4:30-5:15 p.m. After you have your room assignment, come to the Road Scholar table in the hotel meeting room to register with the program staff and get your welcome packet containing your name-tag, up-to-date schedule that reflects any last-minute changes, other important information, and to confirm when and where the Orientation session will take place. If you arrive late, please ask for your packet when you check in.
Dinner:
At the hotel, we'll enjoy a Welcome Dinner featuring an entree, salad, vegetables, iced tea and water.
Evening:
Orientation. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. Unless specified otherwise, the majority of field trips and lectures will be led by our expert Instructor who will be accompanied by our Group Leader. Afternoon thunderstorms and lightning are common at higher elevations in summer months. Be sure to stay hydrated and dress appropriately for the weather. Refillable water bottles will be provided at the beginning of the program for everyone to keep. Sun protection is recommended throughout. This is a Road Scholar intergenerational program. Grandparents are responsible for their grandchildren. If/when separate age group activities are conducted concurrently, program staff will supervise. Children are never to be left unsupervised. Periods in the daily 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/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 day ahead. Be sure to prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.
Day
2
Valley of Fire State Park, Zion National Park, Birds of Prey
Location:
Zion National Park
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Hampton Inn & Suites - Zion National Park
Activity Note
Walking about 2 miles total for the day; mostly paved, some uneven terrain, sand, rocks, about 100 stairs. Lower Emerald Pools trail: 1.2 miles round trip 70 ft. elev. gain. Elevations range from approximately 2,000 feet to about 4,000 feet above sea level. Driving approximately 50 miles to Valley of Fire State Park and an additional 130 miles to Zion National Park; about 3.5 hours total throughout the day.
Breakfast:
At the hotel, the breakfast buffet will feature a variety of choices including fresh fruit, yogurt, assorted baked goods, hot and cold cereals, pancakes, eggs, breakfast meats and potatoes, coffee, assorted teas, juice, milk, and water.
Morning:
After checking out of the hotel, we’ll board the motorcoach and travel to the Valley of Fire, Nevada’s oldest state park. We will explore fascinating geological formations and view ancient drawings carved in the red sandstone walls. At Atlatl Rock, our Instructor will show us petroglyphs carved by Native Americans dating back as long as 4,000 years ago. The ancient drawings give us a glimpse of the culture of people that lived and traveled in this area thousands of years ago. Along the way, our Instructor will teach us about the area’s history and geology, and from displays and exhibitions at the Valley of Fire visitor center, we will learn about the area’s native plant and animal communities and other natural resources. Departing from the visitor center, we will travel to St. George, Utah for lunch. Along the way, we’ll travel through the magnificent Virgin River Gorge, a narrow canyon carved by the Virgin River between two mountain ranges.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant, we’ll have a buffet lunch featuring a variety of fresh salads, homemade dinner rolls, barbecue favorites, tasty sides, vegetables, and dessert, plus coffee, tea, milk, juice, soft drinks, lemonade and water.
Afternoon:
We’ll then set out on a scenic drive following the course of the Virgin River upstream toward the towering cliffs and desert vistas of Zion National Park. Upon arrival, we’ll explore the Emerald Pools Trail. Afterwards we will transfer to Springdale and check into our hotel, which is nestled beneath and surrounded by the soaring sandstone cliffs of Zion National Park.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant, we’ll have a plated dinner with tea, soft drinks, juice, and water; other beverages available for purchase.
Evening:
Back at the hotel, we’ll be visited by a federally licensed eagle falconer who will bring live birds of prey native to the Southwestern United States! See up close and personal a live falcon, hawk and golden eagle as our expert will teach us about these beautiful and fascinating animals.
Day
3
Zion National Park
Location:
Zion National Park
Meals:
B,L
Stay:
Hampton Inn & Suites - Zion National Park
Activity Note
Getting on/off Zion Park shuttle; driving about 16 miles round-trip, approximately 90 minutes riding time with stops. Elective walking about 3-4 miles round trip according to personal choice, approximately 4-6 hours; paved and unpaved trails. Riverside Walk 2.2 miles round trip; paved, relatively level. Bring day pack to carry your sack lunch, water bottle, sun protection.
Breakfast:
At the hotel, the breakfast buffet will feature a variety of choices including fresh fruit, yogurt, assorted baked goods, hot and cold cereals, pancakes, eggs, breakfast meats and potatoes, coffee, assorted teas, juice, milk, and water.
Morning:
In keeping with current park group protocols, today will be dedicated to independent exploration. We will gather in the hotel lobby with our Group Leader to be sure everyone is properly outfitted with the essentials of being out in the field for the day including water, sunscreen, hat, and other weather-related gear. The Group Leaders will review how the park shuttle operates; discuss the many viewpoints and features in the park available to explore; how to return to the hotel using the shuttle system; and answer any questions. We will also have sack lunches distributed. Using our vehicle(s), we will transport as a group from the hotel to the Zion Visitor Center where the Group Leader will confirm our group entry into the National Park. From the Visitor Center, we’ll then stroll across the plaza to the free Zion Canyon shuttle bus terminal where our park exploration and access into Zion Canyon will begin.
Lunch:
Sack lunches in the field at your leisure at a location of our choice.
Afternoon:
Continue independent explorations in Zion National Park. Return to the hotel according to personal choice by utilizing the National Park Shuttle and Springdale town shuttle bus system.
Dinner:
Dinner is on your own in the quaint town of Springdale, where you can enjoy a variety of restaurants, bars, gift shops, art galleries, and more. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Evening:
At leisure. Be sure to prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.
Day
4
Zion Tunnel & East Zion, Bryce Canyon Hoodoos, Rodeo
Location:
Bryce Canyon National Park
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Best Western Bryce Canyon Grand Hotel
Activity Note
Walking up to 2 miles total; paved and hard-packed dirt trails at a leisurely pace. Elevation at Bryce Canyon is over 8,000 feet above sea level. Driving approximately 85 miles; about 2 hours. Be sure to bring your water bottle and stay hydrated.
Breakfast:
Hotel buffet.
Morning:
After checking out of the hotel, we’ll travel via motorcoach on the historic Zion-Mount Carmel Highway. Just six miles past the park entrance we’ll ascend nearly 1,000 vertical feet and go through a 1-mile long tunnel to Zion’s breathtaking upper east side. We’ll make a quick stop to photograph astounding Checkerboard Mesa before continuing our picturesque journey toward Bryce Canyon National Park. Our Instructor will talk about the area’s geology and history along the way.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant near the entrance to Bryce Canyon, we’ll enjoy a tasty buffet with soft drinks, coffee, tea and juice.
Afternoon:
Bryce Canyon is famous for “hoodoos” – tall, skinny, irregularly shaped spires of rock. They are more abundant at Bryce Canyon than anywhere in the world. Our first stop via motorcoach will be Bryce Point where we’ll walk together to the viewpoint. Our instructor will point out spectacular hoodoos and eroded grottos in the pink limestone below and other geologic formations in the distance including the sacred Navajo Mountain and desolate plateaus that make up the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. We’ll then drive the short way to Sunset Point and walk along the rim to Sunrise Point and back before transferring to the hotel for check-in.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant, we’ll have a plated dinner with soft drinks, juice, coffee, tea and water included; other beverages available for purchase.
Evening:
We’ll walk from our hotel to the rodeo grounds for the Byrce Canyon Country Rodeo where we’ll watch cowboys and cowgirls display their skills as they compete in bronco riding, bull riding, steer wrestling, calf roping and barrel racing. For the main event, courageous cowboys will mount 2,000-pound bulls with the objective of staying atop the bucking bull for as long as possible. The exciting atmosphere and beautiful setting make for a wonderful evening for all ages.
Day
5
Bryce National Park, Horseback Riding, Scenic Viewpoints
Location:
Bryce Canyon National Park
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Best Western Bryce Canyon Grand Hotel
Activity Note
Walking about 2 miles throughout the day; paved and hard-packed dirt trails. Horse ride (about 2 hours) restrictions include 7 years of age minimum and 220-pound weight limit; long pants recommended. Elevation at Bryce is from approximately 8,000 feet to over 9,000 feet above sea level. Afternoon thunderstorms and lightning are common at this elevation in summer months. Minimal driving for the day.
Breakfast:
At the hotel restaurant, we’ll have a breakfast buffet featuring a variety of choices including fresh fruit, yogurt, assorted baked goods, hot and cold cereals, pancakes, eggs, breakfast meats and potatoes, coffee, assorted teas, juice, milk and water.
Morning:
Our first stop of the day will be at the stables where we’ll saddle up for a horseback ride among the fabulous red rocks. Local wranglers (cowboys) will give us instructions and assign horses or mules that best suit each person. The wranglers will accompany and lead us on a 2-hour loop into the canyon on a winding trail amongst the hoodoos. Cameras are allowed, but no backpacks. Long pants are generally preferred over shorts. We’ll stop occasionally for pictures and informative stories from our wranglers. Once we finish our ride back at the stables, we’ll transfer by motorcoach to Sunset Point.
Lunch:
At Sunset Point, we’ll have our boxed lunch that includes a sandwich, chips, fruit and cookie.
Afternoon:
Afterwards, we’ll drive to other viewpoints in the park including the spectacular Rainbow and Yovimpa Points. Yovimpa point (elevation 9,115 feet) is one of the best places to observe the sequence of rock called the Grand Staircase, where the layers are described by the predominant color of each step of the staircase. This viewpoint is located on the Pink Cliffs, the top step of the Staircase, and looks across over 100 million years in geologic time. Our last stop of the day will be at the Bryce Canyon visitor center where we will see the official Bryce National Park film and enjoy some time to explore informative displays. We’ll then return via motorcoach to the hotel.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant, we’ll have a buffet dinner with soft drinks, juice, coffee, tea and water included; other beverages available for purchase.
Evening:
At leisure. You may wish to take advantage of the amenities of the hotel including the pool for a swim, or just relax. Be sure to prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.
Day
6
Grand Staircase Escalante Nat'l Mon., Grand Canyon North Rim
Location:
North Rim, Grand Canyon
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Grand Canyon National Park North Rim Cabins
Activity Note
Walking about 1 mile total for the day; paved trails. Driving approximately 165 miles total for the day; about 3.5 hours with stops for field trips.
Breakfast:
At the hotel restaurant, we’ll have a breakfast buffet that will feature a variety of choices including fresh fruit, yogurt, assorted baked goods, hot and cold cereals, pancakes, eggs, breakfast meats and potatoes, coffee, assorted teas, juice, milk and water.
Morning:
We’ll travel via motorcoach to the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument Visitor Center in Kanab, Utah where we will focus on “traces in time” highlighting geology and archeology. While there, we’ll watch a short informative film about the Monument, its history, geology and wildlife. The Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument is 1.9 million acres of sandstone cliffs, narrow slot canyons, isolated badlands and vast wilderness. The monument stretches east and south from Bryce Canyon to the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. It is so large that it includes four visitor centers. Numerous world-class dinosaur fossils have been uncovered within its boundaries. Next, we’ll transfer to the historic Jacob Lake Inn for lunch.
Lunch:
At the historic Jacob Lake Inn, we’ll have a plated lunch with coffee, tea, soda and water.
Afternoon:
We’ll then drive through the Kaibab National Forest to the lodge at the Grand Canyon National Park's North Rim where our Instructor will point out geologic features of the Grand Canyon and lead the group on a steep, paved one-half mile round trip hike to Bright Angel Point, a promontory at an elevation of 8,148 feet. Here you will have panoramic views of Roaring Springs, Bright Angel and Transept Canyons, as well as the inner gorge of the Grand Canyon. The South Rim is visible about 10 miles away. We’ll then check into our cabins.
Dinner:
At the lodge restaurant, we’ll enjoy a buffet dinner, with coffee, tea, lemonade, ice tea and water; other beverages available for purchase.
Evening:
At leisure. The remainder of the evening will be free time for you to enjoy a variety of free programs at the lodge led by park rangers including a geology talk and a lecture about condors.
Day
7
Grand Canyon, Transept Trail
Location:
Kanab, UT
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Hampton Inn & Suites - Kanab
Activity Note
Walking about 1-3 miles total for the day; well-maintained trail over rolling hills, hard-packed dirt, some uneven rocky surfaces and steps. Driving approximately 80 miles total; about 1.5 hours.
Breakfast:
At the lodge, the breakfast buffet will feature a full assortment of hot and cold items including eggs, assorted breakfast meats, seasoned potatoes, biscuits, gravy, French toast, pastries, fruits, yogurt, plus milk, soft drinks, coffee, tea and water.
Morning:
We’ll gather at the lodge and begin our hike along the rim of Transept Canyon. The Transept Trail allows magnificent glimpses of the canyon as it winds through rolling hills of mixed pine, aspen and oak forest. About midway we’ll pass an Ancestral Puebloan ruin and watch for Mule deer as well as the elusive Kaibab squirrel, which is unique to the North Rim. Our Instructor will offer geology tips and information about the plants and animals along the way.
Lunch:
Somewhere on the eastern side of the Grand Canyon along our walk, we’ll find a nice spot to rest and have our box lunch that includes a sandwich, chips, fruit and cookie.
Afternoon:
We’ll continue our exploration Grand Canyon's North Rim. After returning to the lodge we'll depart for Kanab, stopping along the way at LeFevre Overlook, a scenic viewpoint where we'll climb a few stairs on a short path to see magnificent views of the Vermillion Cliffs of northern Arizona and the entire cliff/rock sequence of the Grand Staircase. Arrive in Kanab and check into our hotel.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant enjoy your choice of a a plated meal or buffet of local favorites. Coffee, iced tea, soda and water are included. Other beverages are available for purchase.
Evening:
Explore the quaint town and shops or enjoy a nice swim. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Be sure to prepare for check-out and departure in the morning. Be sure to prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.
Day
8
Transfer to Las Vegas, Program Concludes
Location:
Kanab, UT
Meals:
B
Activity Note
Hotel check-out by 7:30 a.m. Morning drive to Las Vegas is approximately 180 miles; about 3 hours.
Breakfast:
At the hotel, the breakfast buffet will feature a full assortment of hot and cold items including eggs, assorted breakfast meats, seasoned potatoes, biscuits, gravy, French toast, pastries, fruits, yogurt, plus milk, soft drinks, coffee, tea and water.
Morning:
We will depart by motorcoach from Kanab by 8:00 a.m. for our return to Las Vegas McCarran International Airport.
Afternoon:
We’ll then continue our transfer via motorcoach to Las Vegas where we will make drop-off stops at McCarran International Airport and the starting hotel at about 11:30 a.m. This concludes our program. 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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MEALS
19 Meals
7 Breakfasts
6 Lunches
6 Dinners
LODGING
Lodgings may differ by date. Select a date to see the lodgings specific to that date.
Showing Lodging For:
- Jul 29, 2025 - Aug 05, 2025
- Jun 17, 2025 - Jun 24, 2025 (Las Vegas, NV to Kanab, UT)
- Jul 01, 2025 - Jul 08, 2025 (Las Vegas, NV to Kanab, UT)
- Jul 15, 2025 - Jul 22, 2025 (Las Vegas, NV to Kanab, UT)
- Jul 29, 2025 - Aug 05, 2025 (Las Vegas, NV to Kanab, UT)
Participant Reviews
Based on 9 Reviews
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My grandson Michael and I could not of had a better time. He told me all three canyons blew him away. Our Road Scholar team Phil, Sandy and Dan made the trip memorable. It was a great balance of education, hiking, great restaurants and fun being together.
I would recommend me this to anyone who wants to have a special memory with your grandchild.
Thank you again Phil, Sandy and Dan
Lou and Michael
— Review left July 25, 2024
Our group guide was knowledgeable, funny, understandable, and approachable. My grandkids enjoyed it. We all learned a lot.
— Review left July 11, 2024
Zion, Bryce and the North End of the Grand Canyon were magnificent to see, learn about and spent time on the trails
— Review left June 27, 2024
This program was an outstanding event for me. While I consider myself fairly well informed on many subjects the instructors here brought me much additional knowledge in an understandable and relatable way. I would encourage people to seriously consider this program whether or not they have visited these parks because they will learn even more and enjoy the experience of doing so!
— Review left July 19, 2022
This trip introduces you to three of our great National Parks--their incredibly diversity and distinct beauty. Horseback riding and the rodeo provide exposure to the "cowboy culture". And the leaders were more than wonderful--fun and informative.
— Review left July 16, 2022
My grandson and I just spent an amazing week exploring Zion, Bryce,and the Grand Canyon. My second intergenerational trip waz just as great as the first!
— Review left July 7, 2022
This was an EXCELLENT program with and EXCELLENT guide. I hope Road Scholar continues to offer this program - Colorful Canyons.
— Review left July 3, 2022
Best trip ever. Highly recommend
— Review left July 17, 2019
Wonderful trip! Leaders and instructors were knowledgeable, friendly and related well with the children. Scenery was breathtaking. And sustained time with my granddaughter was a treat. While horseback riding down Bryce Canyon, she turned around to me and said "Isn't this the most fun you've ever had!" Thank you Road Scholar.
— Review left July 10, 2019
