Utah/Arizona

The Best of Utah's Grand Circle of Parks and Monuments

Program No. 2814RJ
Explore some of the most impressive geological formations in the world with experts as you discover Utah’s Grand Circle. Plus float down the Colorado River & learn about Navajo culture.

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At a Glance

With expert instruction, explore the world’s greatest concentration of national parks and monuments, known as the “Grand Circle” — Zion, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Arches and Canyonlands National Parks, as well as Dead Horse Point State Park, Grand Staircase-Escalante, Lake Powell Reservoir and Monument Valley. Learn about the amazing geology up close, and uncover the story of the indigenous human history through a visit with the Navajo. Experience a corner of the world with landscapes and cultures unlike any other!
Activity Level
Keep the Pace
Walking up to two miles daily over varied terrain. Elevations just over 8,000 feet. Participants may elect to opt out of longer walks or take shorter hike options.

What You'll Learn

  • Discover five national parks, three state parks and two national monuments, each exquisite and full of natural wonders.
  • Explore the breathtaking slot canyons and sandstone walls of Antelope Canyon.
  • Float down the Colorado River through towering canyons and Horseshoe Bend.

General Notes

Select dates are designated for small groups and are limited to 24 participants or less. Transportation on this program is by full sized motorcoach, with 48 seats on board.
Featured Expert
All trip experts
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Darrell McMahon
Darrell McMahon has worked in natural resource management for more than four decades and has extensive experience as a wildlife and habitat biologist, entomologist and botanist. Darrell has spent many years hiking thousands of miles through this wild landscape and has pinned his soul in the high plateaus and deep canyons of the desert southwest. Darrell has discovered many secret places in the desert southwest and loves to share these places and his knowledge with his best friends and Road Scholar participants.

Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.

Profile Image of Darrell McMahon
Darrell McMahon View biography
Darrell McMahon has worked in natural resource management for more than four decades and has extensive experience as a wildlife and habitat biologist, entomologist and botanist. Darrell has spent many years hiking thousands of miles through this wild landscape and has pinned his soul in the high plateaus and deep canyons of the desert southwest. Darrell has discovered many secret places in the desert southwest and loves to share these places and his knowledge with his best friends and Road Scholar participants.
Profile Image of Janice Hayden
Janice Hayden View biography
Janice Hayden moved to St. George, Utah to work as a field geologist for the Utah Geological Survey after working as an oil and gas exploration geologist. For 20 years, Janice mapped eighteen 7-½-minute quadrangles of southwest Utah that delineate geological formations, structures, soils, water resources, mineral deposits, and geologic hazards. She is now full-time faculty at Utah Tech University and frequently leads local geology field trips as well as field trips to Utah's national parks.
Profile Image of Eldon Griffin
Eldon Griffin View biography
An avid hiker and photographer, Eldon Griffin is a naturalist who has taught continuing-education courses in geology, computers and photography. Growing up in the Southwest, he spent his days exploring the backcountry, finding fossils and dinosaur tracks. Eldon works as a freelance producer, videographer, photographer, writer, editor, instructor and consultant for various clients. Eldon’s photographs have been featured in numerous travel publications. He was a videographer for the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. Eldon loves to share his knowledge on the unique geology.
Profile Image of Paula McMahon
Paula McMahon View biography
Paula McMahon has spent a lifetime camping, hiking, backpacking and canoeing in the mountains and deserts of the American West. She feels honored to share her love and passion for these special places with participants on Road Scholar programs, which she has been doing for almost a decade. Paula has also worked for 18 years as an educational paraprofessional with autistic and deaf children and is a sign language (ASL) interpreter.
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Diane Griffin View biography
Diane Griffin’s unique talent is caring for and assisting others. She has been working in the travel industry for the last 12 years, and currently assists premium for Delta Airlines. She has also worked for JetBlue Airways and Utah Transit Authority, as well as in a surgical center assisting patients. A native Californian, Diane has lived in Utah for most of her life and enjoys hiking in southern Utah's red rock country. She has been a Group Leader for Dixie State University's Road Scholar since 2009.
Profile Image of Maggie Francke
Maggie Francke View biography
Maggie Francke has worked 43 years as a nurse during which time she also raised a family. The first half of her career was spent working in various hospital departments. The last half she worked in home health and hospice, and mainly hospice the last 10 years. Now her days are so filled, she wonders how she ever had the time to work so much. She spends her time hiking, biking, gardening and going to yoga five times per week.
Profile Image of Phil Moore
Phil Moore View biography
Phil Moore is currently an adjunct professor of Geology at Dixie State University. He has been involved with the Southern Utah University Geology Field Camp for several years. Phil taught Earth science for public schools in Hurricane, Utah for 28 years, he is also a semi-professional musician along with his wife Lori, who is also a Road Scholar Group Leader.
Profile Image of Diana Hawks
Diana Hawks View biography
Diana Hawks was fortunate to be able to work in a career she loved, as an archaeologist in both the southwestern United States and Mesoamerica. She completed a bachelor’s and a master’s in archaeology at Brigham Young and PhD courses in anthropology and law. She has worked most extensively as an archaeologist in southern Utah and northern Arizona specializing in ceramic analysis of Ancestral Puebloan cultures. She enjoys teaching and working with the public on archaeological projects, especially archaeological inventories and rock art recording.
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.
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.
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11 days
10 nights
27 meals
10 B 9 L 8 D
DAY
1
Check-in, Program Registration, Orientation, Welcome Dinner
St. George
D
Holiday Inn Convention Center

Activity note: Hotel check-in from 3:00 p.m.

Afternoon: Program Registration. Our Group Leader will be waiting in the hotel lobby to register Road Scholars upon arrival. You will receive your room assignment, room key, get any updated information, and confirm the time and location of the Orientation session. If you arrive late, please locate your Group Leader and let them know you have arrived.

Dinner: At hotel enjoy a delicious banquet dinner featuring a buffet, plus coffee, tea, water; other beverages available for purchase.

Evening: Orientation. The Group Leader will lead everyone in a welcome and introduction session. We will review the up-to-date program schedule and any changes, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer any questions you may have. Our program will have an instructor who will lead most field trips and lectures, a Group Leader who will deal primarily with logistics, and a bus driver who will accompany us throughout the program. Some days will offer choices in the length of hikes and, in the event that participants wish to go on different hikes, each smaller group will be led by either the Group Leader or Instructor. Distances and duration of hikes will vary depending on the group. Transportation will be provided primarily by motorcoach unless specified otherwise. Bring a daypack, water bottle, sun protection, sturdy walking shoes, and anything else you think you will need during our hikes in the desert. Periods in the 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/current 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 full day ahead.

DAY
2
Snow Canyon State Park, Area History
St. George
B,L,D
Holiday Inn Convention Center

Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 10 miles, approximately 1/2 hour riding time. Walking up to 2 miles; sandy, uneven, rocky trails.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: We’ll gather in the hotel meeting room with our instructor who will give us a lecture on the geology, ecology, flora and fauna of Southern Utah. Through this presentation, we’ll gain a greater understanding of the incredible formations we will explore during the week. We’ll then set out on a field trip via motorcoach to Snow Canyon State Park, where our instructor will introduce the area’s geology during a short hike to a viewpoint along the rim. We’ll take in the beauty of the scenery and notice the exquisite red and white sandstone cliffs, rolling mounds of petrified sand dunes, and lava (basalt) rock formations.

Lunch: At a local restaurant.

Afternoon: Returning to the hotel, we’ll be treated to an informative presentation by an expert archeologist on the prehistoric civilization of Southwest Utah. We’ll then set out on a field trip via motorcoach to explore local petroglyph sites.

Dinner: At a local restaurant.

Evening: At leisure. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.

DAY
3
Zion National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park
B,L,D
Best Western Bryce Canyon Grand Hotel

Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 130 miles throughout the day, approximately 3 hours total riding time. Walking 1-2 miles; mostly paved trails, some uneven and slippery terrain depending on hike. Zion elevation approximately 4,000 feet; maximum elevation change 200 feet.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: We will check out of the hotel, board a motorcoach, and ride to Zion National Park. Upon arrival, we’ll explore various trails and the Zion Human History Museum. Our instructor will provide information about the Virgin River and Zion Canyon’s geology and plant habitat along the way.

Lunch: On the trail, we’ll have box lunches.

Afternoon: We’ll continue our exploration as we ride to the east side of Zion National Park and through the 1.1 mile long Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel. It was eventually completed in 1930, thereby linking Bryce Canyon and the Grand Canyon to Zion. We’ll also learn from our instructor about the making of the Zion tunnel and the geology of Checkerboard Mesa. Along the way, we will view Checkerboard Mesa and continue to Bryce Canyon National Park. Upon arrival in Bryce, Utah, we’ll check in to the hotel and have some time to freshen up and relax before dinner.

Dinner: At Ruby’s Cowboy Buffet & Steak Room.

Evening: At leisure. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.

DAY
4
Bryce Canyon Nat'l Park, Grand Staircase, Anasazi State Park
Capitol Reef National Park
B,L,D
Red Sands Hotel

Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 188 miles throughout the day, approximately 4 hours total riding time. Walking up to 3 miles in Bryce Canyon; uneven, unpaved trails, steep inclines, declines of about 350 feet. Bryce Canyon elevation approximately 8,000 feet at the rim.

Breakfast: At Ruby's Cowboy Buffet.

Morning: After checking out of our hotel, we’ll ride a short distance to Bryce Canyon National Park. Bryce is world-renowned for its unique geological features, carved by nature into hoodoos, pinnacles and fins of an amazing palette of colors. We’ll hike with our instructor along the rim and into the canyon via the Navajo Loop trail to view iconic structures and formations. We’ll then transfer from Bryce to Wild West Retreat in Escalante, Utah.

Lunch: At Wild West Retreat in Escalante.

Afternoon: Next, we’ll go on a scenic drive along the famed All-American Road, Highway 12, through a portion of the Grand Staircase to visit ancestral Puebloan ruins at Anasazi State Park. We’ll continue along Highway 12 to Torrey, Utah, and check in to the hotel.

Dinner: At a local restaurant.

Evening: At leisure.

DAY
5
Capitol Reef National Park
Capitol Reef National Park
B,L,D
Red Sands Hotel

Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 40 miles throughout the day, approximately 1 hour total riding time. Walking up to 3 miles throughout the day, approximately 3 hours; dry streambed terrain in Grand Wash, short walks on boardwalks at Petroglyph Panel.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: We’ll board the motorcoach and ride to Capitol Reef National Park, where we will begin our day with a hike in Grand Wash and view towering cliffs of sandstone as we hike through the upper portion of the Waterpocket Fold. Grand Wash connects the Scenic Road as it heads south past Cassidy Arch, to Highway 24 just east of Spring Canyon. It is generally level throughout the entire route, though full of streambed sediment. We’ll then ride to a park near the Capitol Reef Visitors Center.

Lunch: At the park, we’ll have box lunches.

Afternoon: We’ll drive a short distance to Petroglyph Panel to view rock art attributed to the Fremont Culture, which existed in this area of Utah from approximately 600-1300 C.E. Our instructor and Group Leader will point out and describe the petroglyphs found along the boardwalk. Returning to the hotel, we’ll have some time to freshen up and relax before dinner.

Dinner: We will ride to Rim Rock Restaurant.

Evening: At leisure. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.

DAY
6
Powell Museum, Dead Horse Point, Canyonlands National Park
Moab, Utah
B,L
Sleep Inn & Suites

Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 155 miles, approximately 3 hours riding time. Walking up to 1 mile total at Dead Horse Point and Canyonlands; paved trails.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: Checking out of the hotel, we’ll ride to the John Wesley Powell Museum in Green River, Utah, a world-class museum that captures the spirit of the famous, determined Western explorer. It’s also a fitting introduction as we approach the Colorado River that Powell first explored and mapped in the 1870s. We will have some time for self-directed exploration.

Lunch: At a restaurant in Green River.

Afternoon: We’ll continue via motorcoach to Dead Horse Point State Park and Canyonlands National Park. We’ll view a variety of unusual rock formations along with deeply eroded canyons interspersed with sheer-sided mesas. Upon reaching Dead Horse Point, we will hike with our instructor to the viewpoint and see (weather permitting) nearly 100 miles with the mighty Colorado River below. We’ll then ride on to our hotel in Moab and check in.

Dinner: This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like in downtown Moab. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.

Evening: At leisure. You might like to explore Moab and see what activities the town’s nightlife has to offer, spend time with fellow Road Scholars, or just relax.

DAY
7
Arches National Park
Moab, Utah
B,L
Sleep Inn & Suites

Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 5 miles from hotel to Arches National Park entrances, 30-35 miles driving within the park throughout the day. Walking 2-3 miles throughout the day; groomed trails with some elevation change.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: We’ll ride to Arches National Park, which contains more than 2,000 natural stone arches along with red rock canyons, spires, fins and balanced rocks. We will be able to choose from a variety of hikes including an instructor-led hike to Landscape Arch as well as hikes to Double Arch and the many arches found in the Windows section of the park.

Lunch: On the trail, we’ll have box lunches.

Afternoon: We’ll continue exploring the park as we drive to the Delicate Arch Overlook. Delicate Arch is the most iconic arch in Utah and possibly the most beautiful arch in the world. Riding on, we’ll arrive at the Visitor Center with some time to peruse the exhibits and park video on our own before reboarding the motorcoach and returning to the hotel.

Dinner: On your own to enjoy the local fare of your choice in downtown Moab.

Evening: At leisure. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.

DAY
8
Edge of the Cedars Museum, Monument Valley
Lake Powell - Page, AZ
B,L,D
La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Page at Lake Powell

Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 280 miles, approximately 4.5 hours with a stop. Walking up to 1 mile in museums and visitor centers.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: After checking out of the hotel, we’ll board the motorcoach and ride to Blanding and the Edge of the Cedars Museum where we’ll have time for self-directed exploration. This museum has the largest collection of intact Ancestral Puebloan pottery found in the Four Corners region of the U.S. as well as archaeological sites and repository.

Lunch: At Goulding’s Stagecoach Dining Room in Monument Valley with a spectacular, panoramic view of one of Mother Nature’s unique creations. Located at the site of many of the classic western movies, we’ll look over the historic Goulding’s Trading Post and the same vista that John Wayne, John Ford and Henry Fonda made famous. The dining room is staffed by local Navajos (Dine’) so we will be fortunate enough to experience the graceful culture of these Southwestern Native American people while enjoying a choice of some traditional favorites.

Afternoon: Our next stop will be the Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park Visitor Center where we will learn through independent exploration about Navajo culture, tradition, language and history from the perspective of the Navajo people. The exhibit displays are a combination of pictorial information, interactive media and actual artifacts. Subjects include a unique exhibit on the World War II Navajo Code Talkers, the Navajo Nation government structure, the history of uranium mining in the area, and the legacy of Hollywood films in Monument Valley. Moving on, we’ll arrive in Page, Arizona, and check in to our hotel.

Dinner: At a local restaurant.

Evening: At leisure.

DAY
9
Colorado River Raft Study Float
Lake Powell - Page, AZ
B,L,D
La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Page at Lake Powell

Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 120 miles throughout the day, approximately 2 hour riding time. Getting on/off a motorized raft; float trip approximately 3.5 hours with bathroom break at half-way point.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: We will take the motorcoach to Lee's Ferry where we’ll begin our flat water float study trip, led and operated by local experts. We’ll board a motorized pontoon raft for our journey, where we will experience one of the most dramatic stretches of river found in the western United States. While underway, we’ll hear about the area’s story of soaring sandstone cliffs, crystal blue-green waters, abundant wildlife, former habitation by native cultures, exploration by Major John Wesley Powell, and the Colorado River’s modern role in the Southwest’s water and power delivery system.

Lunch: Aboard the raft, we’ll have boxed lunches.

Afternoon: After our float trip, we’ll disembark and ride back to our hotel in Page for a short break. We’ll then re-board our motorcoach and ride to the Native American Performing Arts Theater. We’ll get a fascinating glimpse into Navajo history, culture, and traditions via music and dance presented by Navajo tribal members.

Dinner: At the theater, we’ll have a traditional Navajo meal.

Evening: Returning to the hotel, the remainder of the evening is at leisure. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.

DAY
10
Antelope Slot Canyon
St. George
B,L,D
Holiday Inn Convention Center

Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 150 miles throughout the day, approximately 3 hours total riding time. Walking up to 1 mile in Antelope Canyon; portions with sandy (like beach sand) trail with 128 steps going both up and down. Due to canyon policy, this trail is one way only, with limited time to complete the trail.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: After check-out we'll depart for Antelope Slot Canyon, the most photographed slot canyon in the Southwest, and embark on an expert-led hike of Upper Antelope Canyon upon arrival. The Navajo name for Upper Antelope Canyon is Tse' bighanilini, which means "the place where water runs through rocks." Located within the LeChee Chapter of the Navajo Nation, Upper Antelope is an awe-inspiring slot canyon with narrow sandstone walls that rise 120 feet above the sandy trail. Discover why this beautiful canyon has rightly earned its world-renowned reputation.

Lunch: At a local restaurant.

Afternoon: We’ll make our way back to St. George, Utah and check into our hotel.

Dinner: In Utah Tech University’s banquet room. Share favorite experiences with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell dinner.

Evening: At leisure. Prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.

DAY
11
Program Concludes
St. George
B

Activity note: Hotel check-out 10:00 a.m.

Breakfast: At the hotel. This concludes our program.

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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