Southwest: Zion, Bryce, Arches & Grand Canyon 7-Day Tour

Summary

Red rock trails Navajo stories campfire skies and canyon silence

You’ll hike red canyons in Zion, watch sunset over Bryce hoodoos, hear Navajo stories in Monument Valley and stand at the edge of the Grand Canyon’s South Rim—all with new friends and a guide who knows every shortcut and story. This seven-day tour is about dust on your boots, laughter around campfires, and moments you’ll still be replaying weeks later.

What’s the experience like?

I’ll be honest, I almost missed the bus in Las Vegas because I’d packed my sleeping bag at the bottom of my suitcase (rookie move). The driver just grinned and said it happens every week. That set the tone—no one here was pretending to be a perfect hiker. Our guide, Jamie, had this way of making even the “are we there yet?” moments feel like part of the adventure. By the time we hit Zion and those cliffs came into view, someone’s phone alarm went off playing birdsong—everyone laughed because the real thing was louder anyway.

Zion was all golden light and cool water in The Narrows. My shoes squelched for hours but I didn’t care. At Emerald Pools, a breeze carried that mineral smell off wet rock—reminded me of old garden hoses back home. In Bryce, we sat on the rim eating sandwiches from our food kitty (I still don’t know what was in mine but it tasted like salt and sun), watching hoodoos glow pink as the sun dipped. There’s no rush on this tour; you wander as much or as little as you want. Jamie pointed out a raven that kept following us—said locals call them tricksters.

Moab felt like another planet. We woke up early for Delicate Arch and my legs complained all morning—worth it though. Canyonlands was quieter than I expected; wind whistling through cracks and someone’s hat tumbling down a slope (don’t worry, they got it back). In Monument Valley, our Navajo guide Ben told stories about his grandfather under a sky so full of stars it looked fake. He let us try saying “Yá’át’ééh” (hello)—I butchered it but Ben just grinned wider.

The Grand Canyon South Rim is… well, I won’t even try to describe it right now. You just stand there feeling small and weirdly happy. Some people took the helicopter ride; I stuck to walking along the rim with coffee from a paper cup that kept burning my hand. The Colorado River looked like a thin green ribbon far below—all that power hidden by distance. On our last night around the campfire, everyone was quieter than usual. Maybe tired or maybe just trying to hold onto that feeling before heading back to Vegas lights and traffic again.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Las Vegas to Zion National Park

• Depart from Las Vegas
• Arrive at Zion National Park
• Explore Zion at your own pace
• Optional hike The Narrows
• Walk Emerald Pools Trail
• Visit Human History Museum

Day 2 — Bryce Canyon National Park

• Drive from Zion to Bryce Canyon
• Walk along Bryce Canyon rim
• Hike among hoodoos

Day 3 — Arches and Canyonlands National Parks

• Travel to Arches National Park
• Hike to Delicate Arch
• Visit Canyonlands National Park
• Explore Moab area

Day 4 — Explore Arches and Canyonlands

• Explore Arches National Park
• Explore Canyonlands National Park

Day 5 — Monument Valley

• Travel past Lake Powell
• Arrive at Monument Valley
• Take off-road Jeep tour
• Enjoy star-filled night sky

Day 6 — Grand Canyon and Optional Antelope Canyon

• Visit Navajo trading post
• Optional tour of Antelope Canyon
• Walk to Horseshoe Bend
• Arrive at Grand Canyon South Rim
• Stroll rim or hike canyon
• Optional helicopter ride

Day 7 — Return to Las Vegas

• Depart Grand Canyon
• Drive along historic Route 66
• Arrive in Las Vegas
• Relax by the pool
• Enjoy night on the town

Top questions

Is camping equipment included on this 7-day Southwest tour?

Yes, tents and foam sleeping pads are provided if you choose camping; bring your own sleeping bag or buy one en route.

Are meals included during the Zion to Grand Canyon trip?

Meals are covered by a local food kitty paid at departure: $125 for camping (covers breakfasts/dinners/lunches), $85 for lodging (lunches only).

Can I book this as a private group tour?

Yes, booking 8 seats lets you upgrade to a fully private experience for your group or family.

What kind of accommodations are available?

You can choose between campsites with amenities or 3-star (or higher) hotels shared by same-sex travelers or couples.

Is Antelope Canyon included in this itinerary?

An optional visit to Antelope Canyon is available for an extra fee; entry isn’t included in park fees.

How much hiking is required each day?

You can pick easy walks or more challenging hikes daily—there’s flexibility for all fitness levels throughout Zion, Bryce, Arches and more.

Are children allowed on this multi-day national parks tour?

Yes, kids under 17 must be accompanied by an adult; specialized infant seats are available if needed.

When does this Southwest tour depart?

The group tour departs every Sunday from April through October; private lodging tours can start any day.

What’s included

Your journey includes pickup in Las Vegas by air-conditioned minibus, all park entrance fees except Antelope Canyon, professional English-speaking guide plus live commentary app in multiple languages, six nights’ camping or hotel accommodation (your choice), Navajo-guided Jeep tour in Monument Valley, all camping gear except sleeping bag (you can buy one locally), communal meals funded via food kitty paid at departure—and plenty of stops for coffee refills or last-minute hiking socks along the way.