Utah’s National Parks

Utah National Park Tours and Trips for Seniors

Perched along an 18-mile plateau, the freezes and thaws of the high-altitude of Bryce Canyon shaped sandstone and limestone amphitheaters filled with scarlet striped spires called hoodoos. In Capitol Reef, golden sandstone pillars and arches, white sandstone domes and red-striped monoliths come together in a quilted masterpiece of Mother Nature. In Zion, shallow, shaded waters rise between towering rocks in The Narrows and sandstone arches stretch across boulders and canyons in Arches National Park. Explore the wonders of Utah National Park tours for seniors with Road Scholar. Discover Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Zion, and Arches with expert guides.

Want to learn more about travel to our national parks? Check out these national park tips.

National Park Tours in Utah

Utah has one of the most diverse landscapes in the U.S. With a total of five national parks to visit in Utah, you’ll have plenty to explore in the Beehive State. From Bryce Canyon and Capitol Reef to Zion and Arches and Canyonland, these Utah national parks to visit are filled with unique rock formations, breathtaking vistas, and rich prehistoric histories. 

With Road Scholar, you can explore these one-of-a-kind areas through our expert-led Utah national park tours.

Utah National Parks

Utah is home to five national parks, referred to as the Mighty Five. With that said, touring Utah National Parks can take some time, but gives you plenty to explore and discover. Below are the five Utah national parks that define this state’s unique landscape:

• Arches National Park - Moab, UT: One of the top Utah National Park trips is to Arches National Park. On April 12, 1929, President Hoover established the Arches National Monument, with President Nixon deeming it a national park on Nov. 12, 1971. Throughout its history, Arches National Park has experienced several significant rock slides and storms that shaped its geography into what it is today.
• Bryce Canyon National Park - Bryce, UT: Exploring Utah National Parks is exciting, especially with Bryce Canyon on the list. Bryce Canyon National Park was established as a national monument on June 8, 1923, and later designated as a national park on Feb. 25, 1928. This park lies on the edge of the Paunsaugunt Plateau and is defined by its horseshoe-shaped amphitheaters, high elevation meadows, and unique rock formations.
• Canyonlands National Park - Moab, UT: Another place to take a Utah National Park trip is Canyonlands National Park, also located in the town of Moab. on Sept. 12, 1964, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed Canyonlands into a national park due to its rock structures and rich heritage with stories of cowboys, scientists, and numerous indigenous groups.
• Capitol Reef National Park - Torrey, UT: For thousands of years, archaic hunters and indigenous groups called Capitol Reef home. In 1937, President Franklin D. Roosevelt established Capitol Reef National Monument, with President Nixon declaring it a national park on Dec. 18, 1971. Capitol Reef National Park is known for its petroglyphs, Fremont culture, cliffs, domes, and orchards.
• Zion National Park - Springdale, UT: Taking a Utah national park tour in Zion is nothing but breathtaking. Zion National Park was established on Nov. 19, 1919. Zion is known for its sandstone canyons, high plateaus, and magnificent waterfalls.

Things to Do and See on the Best Utah National Park Tours

Utah national park tours for seniors are ripe with adventure, allowing seniors and their families to learn more about each park and enjoy memorable experiences. Each park offers a unique landscape and outdoor experience, meaning everyone can find an activity or attraction that piques their interests. Take a look at some of the top things to do and see on tours of Utah national parks:

• Zion National Park: Perhaps the most popular Utah national parks tour for seniors is Zion, and for good reason. Whether you’re a senior traveling with your partner or family on a multigenerational adventure, Zion has much offer. Rafting, hiking, and horseback riding in Zion are some of the top activities where visitors can explore the park through unique modes of transportation, from the waters of the Virgin River to popular trails like Angels Landing Trail, the Watchman Trail, or The Narrows. Visitors of the park can also enjoy the stunning views through scenic drives along the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway or go wildlife viewing to try and spot mule deer, bighorn sheep, and various bird species. The colorful canyons of Zion make it an excellent national park to visit solo or with family.
• Bryce Canyon National Park: A trip to Utah national parks isn’t complete without a stop at Bryce Canyon, known for its unique rock formations known as the hoodoos. These spire-shaped rock formations were created by erosion and make the landscape of Bryce Canyon one of the most distinguished in the world. Bryce Canyon National Park is also known for its many hiking trails that offer incredible views of amphitheaters, such as the Navajo Loop and Queens Garden Trail.
• Arches National Park: One of the best Utah national park tours is Arches National Park, another federally protected area known for its unique rock formations. When exploring Arches National Park, visitors can discover sandstone arches, such as the iconic Delicate Arch and Landscape Arch, which are short hikes that are easily accessible for all explorers. Arches National Park also has several scenic drives with overlooks that provide stunning panoramic views of the park and fun activities like rock climbing and photography.
• Canyonlands National Park: The Island in the Sky District of Canyonlands National Park is known for its expansive views of the canyons below, where you can take in the sights of the Mesa Arch and other geological features. Venturing into The Needles is another must, as it offers a different perspective of the park, where you can view the towing rock spires and colorful rock formations.
• Capitol Reef National Park: Utah national park tours for seniors to Capitol Reef allow program participants to explore the orchards and historic buildings of Fruita, a former Mormon settlement located within the park. Other attractions and activities on tours of Capitol Reef include the scenic drive along the Waterpocket Fold and hiking trails like Capitol Gorge and Hickman Bridge.