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Map of Hiking and Camping in Utah including United States Of America

Hike three of Utah’s most celebrated national park destinations

See the best of Zion, Bryce and Escalante, Utah’s most celebrated national park destinations, on a small group hiking and backcountry camping tour. Daily hikes take you to the must-see highlights of these breathtaking parks as you experience spring-fed creeks, deep canyons, colourful cliffs, and sandstone spires, arches, and towers. Spend two days at Zion National Park then head to Bryce Canyon National Park to explore its famous “hoodoos” (rock spires). You will also spend two days in Escalante, one of Utah’s – and America’s – best kept secrets. Enjoy comforts like showers and cosy sleeping amenities, even while camping, on this diverse backcountry hiking trip.

Start
St George, United States
Finish
St George, United States
Destination
United States
Style
Basix
Theme
Walking & Trekking
Code
SKXU
Physical rating
Ages
Min 12
Group size
Min 2, Max 6

Why you'll love this trip

  • Have a wonderful outdoor experience while you enjoy comforts like showers and cosy sleeping amenities, even while camping.

  • Zion National Park is a natural playground for adventure lovers where you can explore highlights and hidden wonders like Scout Lookout and the Orderville Canyon.

  • Admire Boat Mesa, the Sinking Ship formation, Tower Bridge, China Wall, Fairyland Canyon and other amazing rock structures in Bryce Canyon National Park.

  • Experience the iconic Virgin River Narrows hike as you walk through moving water with your leader who will help you get your “stream legs” on your way to Orderville Canyon.

  • Take in the beauty of the serene Emerald Pools, named for their glorious green tones, then descend to the lawn of the historic Zion Lodge and enjoy a delicious picnic lunch.

Is this trip right for you?

  • This is a walking trip so a good fitness level will help you enjoying all included walks and activities.

  • In the event of high water, the Virgin River Narrows hike will be rerouted to a different trail in Zion. The Park is full of unforgettable hiking and scenery, so it’s easy to find an excellent substitute.

  • On our final day we will reach St. George in the late afternoon or early evening. This night’s accommodation is not included so please plan your departure accordingly, or pre-book a post-tour night.

Hiking Utah's National Parks, USA
Red Canyons in Utah, USA
Unique formations in Bryce Canyon, Utah, USA
Waterfalls in Utah, USA
Gorgeous sunset views of the mountains in Utah, USA

Itinerary
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After a pick up in St George between 5am and 8am, drive to Zion National Park and hit the trails on a lesser-travelled track through the lower canyon followed by a hike up to Scout Lookout. Admire unrivalled views of the dramatic canyon system below then follow trails along the canyon walls which offer a fantastic vantage point over the canyon floor. Emerge at the serene Emerald Pools, named for their glorious green tones, then descend to the lawn of the historic Zion Lodge and sit down to a late picnic lunch. From here, you'll make your way down-canyon to pick up hiking gear for tomorrow’s adventure in the Virgin River Narrows before departing for your camp for the evening.
Accommodation
  • Camping (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Shuttle from St George
  • Zion National Park - Scout Lookout hike
  • Zion National Park - Emerald Pools hike
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Special Information
Today’s driving time is approximately 1 hour. Today’s walking distance is 13kms (8 miles) with 640m (2100 feet) of elevation gain/loss.

Your second day’s hike is arguably the most iconic in Zion — the Virgin River Narrows. Your hike begins with a stroll down the paved River Trail, buttressed by water on our left and a 3,000-foot cliff face on the right. After walking along hanging gardens and under the dappled shade of cottonwoods, the sidewalk ends and you will enter the river. Hiking in moving water can be a new and exciting experience so there will be time to get your “stream legs” before walking another 1.5 miles upriver to the turnaround point at Orderville Canyon. Before heading back downstream, snap a few more photos of the Narrows’ beauty and stop-off for a relaxing shoreline lunch.
Accommodation
  • Camping (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Zion National Park - Virgin River Narrows hike inc equipment
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Special Information
Today’s walking distance is 8kms (5 miles) with 18 metres (60 feet) of elevation gain/loss.

After breakfast, break camp and make your way to the Escalante country, visiting Bryce Canyon National Park en route. Lace up your hiking boots and enjoy one of the lesser-hiked trails in Bryce which offers some of the most impressive scenery in the park. You will be based in the northern part of the national park which offers superb vistas of Boat Mesa, the Sinking Ship formation, Tower Bridge, China Wall, Fairyland Canyon and other amazing rock structures. After our hike, continue to our Escalante Camp for a tasty dinner and a night of rest and relaxation.
Accommodation
  • Camping (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Bryce Canyon National Park - Hiking
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Special Information
Today’s driving time is approximately 2 hours. Today’s walking distance is up to 13kms (8 miles) with up to 460m (1500 feet) of elevation gain/loss.

After breakfast, set off on a beautiful hike along a flat, sandy canyon trail to Calf Creek Falls. You will pass Native American ruins and pictographs, and have a good chance of seeing some wildlife. If you’re up for a dip and feeling hearty – this water is surprisingly cold – you can go swimming below the spectacular 128-foot falls. After lunch at the falls, you will have the opportunity to drop into the town of Boulder for an optional visit to Anasazi State Park, home to one of the largest Anasazi communities west of the Colorado River. From here, it’s an easy drive back to basecamp.
Accommodation
  • Camping (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Escalante - Calf Creek Falls hike
  • Anasazi State Park visit
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Special Information
Today’s walking distance is 10kms (6 miles) with up to 265m (860 feet) of elevation gain/loss.

Set off down the historic Hole-in-the-Rock Road and admire natural stone arches, rock formations and giant, balancing rocks in the Devil's Garden National Recreation Area which has spectacular scenery at every turn. After lunch, explore some local slot canyons in the Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument. Some canyons are dark and narrow, some are filled with water, while others contain surprises at every turn, like interconnected potholes, arches, and grottos.
Accommodation
  • Camping (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Devil’s Garden National Recreation Area visit
  • Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument hike
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Special Information
Today’s walking distance is up to 11kms (7 miles) with up to 245m (800 feet) of elevation gain/loss.

After breakfast, break down camp and head west toward the starting point of our trip, St. George. On the way, you will stop at Bryce Canyon National Park for a second time to enjoy another classic walk through its famous hoodoos and spectacular vistas. This hike takes you down from the rim, through the stunning corridors of Wall Street and past the Silent City, before bringing you back to the rim of the Bryce Amphitheatre. After lunch on the rim, gazing into the maze of Wall Street, load up and head back to St. George where your trip will come to an end.
Included Activities
  • Bryce Canyon National Park - Silent City to Bryce Amphitheatre hike
  • Shuttle to St George
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
Special Information
Today’s driving time is approximately 3.5 hours. Today’s walking distance is 5kms (3 miles) with 190m (615 feet) of elevation gain/loss.
Want to tailor this itinerary?

Meals

6 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 5 dinners

Transport

Private vehicle

Accommodation

Camping (5 Nights)

Included activities

  • Shuttle from St George
  • Zion National Park - Scout Lookout hike
  • Zion National Park - Emerald Pools hike
  • Zion National Park - Virgin River Narrows hike inc equipment
  • Bryce Canyon National Park - Hiking
  • Escalante - Calf Creek Falls hike
  • Anasazi State Park visit
  • Devil’s Garden National Recreation Area visit
  • Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument hike
  • Bryce Canyon National Park - Silent City to Bryce Amphitheatre hike
  • Shuttle to St George

Dates & availability

Trip departures are unavailable.

There are currently no scheduled departures on our Hiking and Camping in Utah trip. If you are interested in other trips in the region visit one of the links below.

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Important notes

Operations for this trip originate in Utah so Utah sales tax is applicable. This tax is already included in the advertised trip price.

1. A completed registration form is required to join these trips. You will not be confirmed for the trip until your form has been received and reviewed. We may ask for a medical release signed by your physician for medical conditions or circumstances which could possibly compromise your safety or the safety of others on this trip – please speak to your agent for further details.
2. Travellers on this particular trip are not required to produce proof of full vaccination against COVID-19.
3. A signed disclaimer (Acknowledgement of Risks Form) is required at the time of booking for this trip – please speak to your agent for further details.
4. To help ensure this trip is right for you, this trip is subject to additional ‘Essential Eligibility Requirements’ – see the ‘Itinerary Disclaimer’ section of the Essential Trip Information for further details.
5.This trip is operated and run by Wildland Trekking, an Intrepid company. You will be travelling with a mixture of both Wildland Trekking customers and Intrepid customers.
6. Please note, pre-trip orientation meeting will take place at 5:00 PM day before trip starts at Best Western Coral Hills hotel in St George. We recommend you book a pre tour night in that hotel.
7. A single tent is provided to all solo travellers at no extra cost.
8. Please note this trip requires a minimum number of booked customers to guarantee the departure. Your Booking Agent will advise at time of booking if the departure has met minimum numbers. If minimum numbers are not met, you will be advised no later than 56 days out from departure (prior to full payment due). We recommend arranging flights and related travel services once your departure is guaranteed. In the event that your departure is cancelled due to minimum numbers not being met, a full refund will be provided of monies paid.

Essential trip information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

View Essential Trip Information

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