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Utah

Hiking Bryce and Zion National Parks

Program No. 7735RJ
Nothing says Utah like rock spires and hoodoos. Come learn about these geological wonders from experts as you hike the stunning landscapes of Bryce and Zion National Parks.

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Prefer to enroll or inquire by phone? 800-454-5768
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Price will update based on selection
Prices displayed below are based on per person,doubleoccupancy.
DATES & starting prices
PRICES
Apr 1 - Apr 7, 2024
Starting at
2,799
Apr 8 - Apr 14, 2024
Starting at
2,799
Apr 15 - Apr 21, 2024
Starting at
2,799
Apr 22 - Apr 28, 2024
Starting at
2,799
Apr 29 - May 5, 2024
Starting at
2,799
May 6 - May 12, 2024
Starting at
2,799
May 13 - May 19, 2024
Starting at
2,799
May 20 - May 26, 2024
Starting at
2,799
Sep 9 - Sep 15, 2024
Starting at
2,799
Sep 16 - Sep 22, 2024
Starting at
2,799
Sep 23 - Sep 29, 2024
Starting at
2,799
Sep 30 - Oct 6, 2024
Starting at
2,799
Oct 7 - Oct 13, 2024
Starting at
2,799
Oct 14 - Oct 20, 2024
Starting at
2,799
Oct 21 - Oct 27, 2024
Starting at
2,799
Mar 31 - Apr 6, 2025
Starting at
2,799
Apr 7 - Apr 13, 2025
Starting at
2,799
Apr 14 - Apr 20, 2025
Starting at
2,799
Apr 21 - Apr 27, 2025
Starting at
2,799
Apr 28 - May 4, 2025
Starting at
2,799
May 5 - May 11, 2025
Starting at
2,799
May 12 - May 18, 2025
Starting at
2,799
May 19 - May 25, 2025
Starting at
2,799
Sep 8 - Sep 14, 2025
Starting at
2,799
Sep 15 - Sep 21, 2025
Starting at
2,799
Sep 22 - Sep 28, 2025
Starting at
2,799
Sep 29 - Oct 5, 2025
Starting at
2,799
Oct 6 - Oct 12, 2025
Starting at
2,799
Oct 13 - Oct 19, 2025
Starting at
2,799
Oct 20 - Oct 26, 2025
Starting at
2,799
DATES & starting prices
PRICES
Apr 1 - Apr 7, 2024
Starting at
3,359
Apr 8 - Apr 14, 2024
Starting at
3,359
Apr 15 - Apr 21, 2024
Starting at
3,359
Apr 22 - Apr 28, 2024
Starting at
3,359
Apr 29 - May 5, 2024
Starting at
3,359
May 6 - May 12, 2024
Starting at
3,359
May 13 - May 19, 2024
Starting at
3,359
May 20 - May 26, 2024
Starting at
3,359
Sep 9 - Sep 15, 2024
Starting at
3,359
Sep 16 - Sep 22, 2024
Starting at
3,359
Sep 23 - Sep 29, 2024
Starting at
3,359
Sep 30 - Oct 6, 2024
Starting at
3,359
Oct 7 - Oct 13, 2024
Starting at
3,359
Oct 14 - Oct 20, 2024
Starting at
3,359
Oct 21 - Oct 27, 2024
Starting at
3,359
Mar 31 - Apr 6, 2025
Starting at
3,359
Apr 7 - Apr 13, 2025
Starting at
3,359
Apr 14 - Apr 20, 2025
Starting at
3,359
Apr 21 - Apr 27, 2025
Starting at
3,359
Apr 28 - May 4, 2025
Starting at
3,359
May 5 - May 11, 2025
Starting at
3,359
May 12 - May 18, 2025
Starting at
3,359
May 19 - May 25, 2025
Starting at
3,359
Sep 8 - Sep 14, 2025
Starting at
3,359
Sep 15 - Sep 21, 2025
Starting at
3,359
Sep 22 - Sep 28, 2025
Starting at
3,359
Sep 29 - Oct 5, 2025
Starting at
3,359
Oct 6 - Oct 12, 2025
Starting at
3,359
Oct 13 - Oct 19, 2025
Starting at
3,359
Oct 20 - Oct 26, 2025
Starting at
3,359

At a Glance

With red rock spires, chimneys and hoodoos, the landscape of Zion and Bryce National Parks create a showcase of geology that beckons to be discovered! Lace up your hiking shoes and venture into an environment a million years in the making and ideal for exploring on foot.
Activity Level
Outdoor: Spirited
Hiking up to seven miles daily on mostly groomed trails, some uneven terrain. Elevations of 2,880-8,300 feet.
Small Group
Small Group
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.

Best of all, you’ll…

  • Enjoy field excursions in Zion National Park to hike a variety of trails from Emerald Pools to the Virgin River trail.
  • Learn how the power of wind and water erosion works to create spectacular scenery in both Zion and Bryce.
  • Experience hiking among Bryce Canyon's spires, fins, arches & blazing colors.
Featured Expert
All Experts
Profile Image
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.

Profile Image of Martin Tyner
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.
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.
Books about Native American / Prehistory
by See list below
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.
Geology (specific)
by See list below
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.
Books about History
by See list below
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 Flora
by See list below
Wildflowers of Southwestern Utah, Hayle Buchanan. 1992. Text covers flowers, shrubs and trees in their various life zones from Zion, Bryce and Cedar Breaks. $7.95 Canyon Country Wildflowers, Damian Fagan. 1998. A field guide to common wildflowers, shrubs and trees. $19.95 Sagebrush Country a Wildflower Sanctuary, Ronald Taylor. 1992. A field guide to common wildflowers, grasses and shrubs of the Great Basin. $14.00 Wildflowers of the Desert Southwest, Meg Quinn. 2000. A field guide to common desert wildflowers. $9.95
Geology
by See list below
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.





Important registration tip:
If you want to attend the live lecture, please do not wait until the last minute to enroll.
If you enroll after a lecture is complete, we’ll send you a recording of the event.