Utah

Colorful Canyons: Zion, Bryce & Grand Canyon With Your Grandchild

Program No. 8731RJ
From stunning landscapes and ancient geology to horse-back riding and Native American art, set off on an adventure with your grandchild in the national parks of Utah and Arizona.

Enroll with Confidence

We want your Road Scholar learning adventure to be something to look forward to—not worry about. Learn more

Protecting the Environment

We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Learn more

At a Glance

In Utah’s Color Country, view ancient Native American petroglyphs carved into red standstone walls in the Valley of Fire. Hike through a forested canyon that leads to two sparkling waterfalls in a tall alcove, hanging gardens and majestic emerald pools. Admire the towering hoodoo rock spires and pink limestone grottos in Bryce Canyon. Take in views of the rainbow rock stair steps of the Grand Staircase as you look across over 100 million years in geologic time. These colorful adventures and more await you and your grandchild in Utah and Arizona’s amazing national parks: Zion, Bryce and the Grand Canyon’s rugged North Rim. Discover the secrets and mysteries of sculptured canyons and soaring cliffs as instructors lead you through 2 billion years of Mother Nature’s brush strokes.
Activity Level
Keep the Pace
Hiking up to two miles daily. Elevations up to 8,000 feet.

What You'll Learn

  • Watch wranglers ride the bulls at the Bryce Canyon Country Rodeo, and saddle up yourself as you ride on mule or horse back through Bryce Canyon.
  • Meet an eagle falconer and his feathered friends (a falcon, a hawk and a golden eagle) during a live birds of prey presentation.
  • Spend nights in each of these canyons observing wildlife, exploring the landscape and learning about geology, ecology and human history.

General Notes

Program is for grandchildren ages 10-14.
Featured Expert
All trip 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 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 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.
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.
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.
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.





Recommended For You

loading spinner