Utah
Uniquely Utah: Peaks, Canyons, Deserts & Salt Lake City
Program No. 25251RJ
Head outdoors in northern Utah! Explore Salt Lake City, study Wasatch range ecosystems and hike into Big Cottonwood Canyon. Delve into Park City’s history. Float in Great Salt Lake!
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Itinerary
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.
Read More.
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
7 days
6 nights
What's Included
15 meals (
6B, 4L, 5D
)
7 expert-led lectures
10 expert-led field trips
An experienced Group Leader
6 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
Day
1
Check-In, Orientation, Welcome Dinner
Location:
Salt Lake City, Utah
Meals:
D
Stay:
Hilton Garden Inn Salt Lake City Downtown
Activity Note
Hotel check-in from 3:00 PM. Remember to bring your Road Scholar nametag (sent previously).
Afternoon:
At the time of check-in, collect your Road Scholar Welcome Packet from the front desk. In the packet you will find information regarding program details including the location of orientation. The program orientation will begin at 4:30 PM. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. They will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. There may be some light paperwork at the end of the orientation session. If you don't arrive in time for orientation, please refer to your welcome packet on how to locate the Group Leader and get caught up on any information you may have missed. Lectures and field trips will be led by local experts and a knowledgeable Group Leader. Transportation for program-related activities will be via motorcoach, unless specified otherwise. 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 distance 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.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure. Continue getting to know your fellow participants, settle in, and get a good night’s sleep for the day ahead.
Day
2
Temple Square, Red Butte Garden
Location:
Salt Lake City, Utah
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Hilton Garden Inn Salt Lake City Downtown
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 20 miles, approximately 1 hour total drive time. Walking up to three miles on even terrain; maximum elevation 5,070 feet.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
Boarding a motorcoach we'll travel to Temple Square for a expert-led exploration of the Temple Square grounds. Temple Square, a 10-acre complex in the heart of Salt Lake City, Utah, is the headquarters of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This iconic landmark features stunning architecture, including the majestic Salt Lake Temple, the renowned Tabernacle, and the Assembly Hall. We will explore beautiful gardens and learn about Temple Square's unique blend of spirituality, history, and culture. Next, we'll board the coach to Red Butte Garden.
Lunch:
Sack lunch at Red Butte Garden.
Afternoon:
Following lunch, we'll embark on a private guided exploration of Red Butte Garden, a breathtaking urban oasis nestled in the foothills of the Wasatch Mountains on the University of Utah campus. As the largest botanical garden in the Intermountain West, it boasts diverse plant collections, including fragrant herbs, vibrant roses, and a captivating showcase of Utah's native flora. We'll wander through themed gardens, stroll along winding trails, and enjoy stunning views of the Salt Lake Valley. Our knowledgeable guide will provide an in-depth experience, sharing the garden's history, highlighting its diverse plant collections, and revealing the unique character of each themed garden. After our expert-led education there will be time for self-exploration of Red Butte Garden.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
3
The Great Salt Lake, Ecology Presentation, History Museum
Location:
Salt Lake City, Utah
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Hilton Garden Inn Salt Lake City Downtown
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 95 miles, approximately 2.5 hours total drive time. Walking up to three miles on uneven and rocky terrain; maximum elevation is 6,600 feet.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
This morning we'll board the motorcoach and travel to the Great Salt Lake, the largest saltwater lake in the Western Hemisphere. In the middle of the lake, is a 28,000 acre state park known as Antelope Island. This expansive island is home to a diverse array of wildlife, including free-roaming bison, pronghorn antelope, and a variety of bird species. Our first stop will be the historic Fielding Garr Ranch on Antelope Island where we'll explore pioneer life through preserved buildings and equipment. Next, we'll explore the island's rugged beauty with hiking trails and enjoy breathtaking views of the surrounding salt flats with our group leader.
Lunch:
At a restaurant on Antelope Island.
Afternoon:
We will be joined outside by a park ranger who will educate us on the ecology of Antelope Island. Later this afternoon, you'll have the opportunity to experience the extraordinary buoyancy of the Great Salt Lake. Its waters, boasting a salt concentration approximately tenfold higher than the ocean, will allow you to effortlessly float, swim, and soak. This unparalleled experience will leave you feeling weightless and immersed in a truly unique environment. After, we will return to our hotel with time to clean up before dinner.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
We'll board the motorcoach and embark on a self-guided exploration through Utah's Natural History Museum. The museum boasts 12 permanent exhibits to explore along with rotating traveling exhibits that will help educate us on Utah's history and vibrant culture.
Day
4
Bloods Lake, Park City Museum, Silver Queen Presentation
Location:
Salt Lake City, Utah
Meals:
B,L
Stay:
Hilton Garden Inn Salt Lake City Downtown
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 80 miles, approximately 2.5 hours total drive time. Periods of standing at the museum. Walking and/or hiking up to four miles; maximum elevation 9,500 feet.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
This morning we'll board the motorcoach and travel to enjoy a scenic three-mile roundtrip hike at Bloods Lake, named after the Blood family who homesteaded nearby. Our expert guide will share fascinating insights about the area throughout our journey to the stunning emerald-green alpine lake. We may encounter a variety of wildlife, including deer, elk, moose, marmots, and even hummingbirds.
Lunch:
Sack lunch in the field.
Afternoon:
Next we'll board a motorcoach and make our way to the Park City Museum. The Park City Museum, located on historic Main Street, offers a fascinating glimpse into the rich history of this former silver mining boomtown. Housed in the historic City Hall building, the museum showcases exhibits detailing Park City's transformation from a bustling mining camp to a world-renowned ski resort. During our expert-led exploration, we will learn about mining techniques, the lives of early settlers, a devastating 19th-century fire that nearly destroyed the town, and the development of the ski industry that revitalized Park City. Through artifacts, photographs, and interactive exhibits, the Park City Museum brings the town's vibrant past to life. After our time at the museum, we will board the motorcoach and travel to Park City Museum's conference center for a presentation about Utah's Silver Queen, Susanna Egera Bransford Emery Holmes Delitch Engalitcheff. Mrs. Engalitcheff stood out for her sharp business sense in silver mining, achieving great wealth and social influence in a period when female success in the business world was uncommon.
Dinner:
This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like in downtown Salt Lake City. There are several restaurants within walking distance of the hotel. The group leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
5
Swaner Preserve, Homestead Crater, This is the Place
Location:
Salt Lake City, Utah
Meals:
B,D
Stay:
Hilton Garden Inn Salt Lake City Downtown
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 105 miles, approximately 2.5 hours total drive time. Walking up to one mile; maximum elevation 7,000 feet.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
Our learning adventure continues at the Swaner Preserve and EcoCenter, a 1,200-acre haven for nature lovers. Guided by a local expert, we'll embark on an expert-led interpretive walk from the EcoCenter to the Wetland Discovery Trail, unraveling the intricate history of human interaction with this delicate ecosystem. As we traverse the wetlands, we'll listen for the chirps of local birds among the willow-lined streams. A Swaner Naturalist will introduce us to fascinating prehistoric plants, adding another layer of education to our adventure. Our interpretive walk will help to give us a deeper understanding of the local ecosystem and connection to the natural world. After, we'll board a coach to downtown Park City.
Lunch:
This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like in Park City. After lunch, enjoy free-time to explore downtown Park City on your own.
Afternoon:
The Homestead Crater, a captivating geothermal wonder near Park City, Utah, is a unique hot spring nestled within a beehive-shaped limestone formation. Formed over millennia by melting snow that seeped into the earth and was heated by geothermal activity, the crater features a natural opening at the top, allowing sunlight to illuminate the tranquil waters below. The mineral-rich water maintains a temperature range of 90-96 degrees Fahrenheit year-round. We will have the opportunity to experience the soothing warmth and unique ambiance of this remarkable natural phenomenon while soaking in the hotsprings. After, we will return to the hotel with time to clean up before dinner.
Dinner:
A catered dinner at a local venue.
Evening:
After dinner, we'll board a mini-train for an interpretive exploration of Heritage village. Our local expert guide will educate us about Utah's early pioneer historical structures.
Day
6
Thanksgiving Point, Little Cottonwood Canyon, Gondola
Location:
Salt Lake City, Utah
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Hilton Garden Inn Salt Lake City Downtown
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 70 miles, approximately 1.5 hours total drive time. Walking up to two miles; maximum elevation 11,000 feet.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We'll board the motorcoach and travel to Ashton Garden's at Thanksgiving Point. Here we'll embark on a guided interpretive walk. Ashton Garden's is home to a plethora of enchanted gardens. Our expert guide will provide insights into the different gardens and what makes each one special. Next, we will step into a tropical paradise at the Butterfly Biosphere for a magical experience. Thousands of colorful butterflies flutter freely among lush plants and a cascading waterfall. This enchanting experience offers a unique opportunity to observe these delicate creatures up close. Through interpretive exhibits we'll learn about the butterfly life cycle, discover diverse species from around the world, and enjoy the beauty and serenity of this extraordinary habitat.
Lunch:
At a restaurant inside Thanksgiving Point.
Afternoon:
After lunch we board a motorcoach and take a scenic drive through Little Cottonwood Canyon. This winding canyon road boasts towering granite cliffs intermixed with lush forests of pine and aspen and a clear water creek. At the end of the canyon, we will board the Snow Bird gondola. We'll ride the gondola to the top of Alta Mountain taking in breathtaking views at an elevation of 11,000 feet.
Dinner:
At the hotel. Share favorite experiences, and enjoy camaraderie with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell dinner.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
7
Program Concludes
Location:
Salt Lake City, Utah
Meals:
B
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. 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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