Southwest Canyon Retreat — Zion, Bryce & Grand Canyon Tour

Trip overview

Six nights, five canyons, one quiet group.

You'll start in Las Vegas or St. George, Utah, with an airport transfer in a small-group van. Over six nights we work our way east: two nights in Zion with licensed canyoneering outfitters, a morning in the towering hoodoos of Bryce at sunrise, a boat across Lake Powell to Antelope Canyon with a Navajo Nation permit, and two closing nights at the quiet North Rim of the Grand Canyon — the side that 90 % of visitors never see.

Hikes are moderate — 4 to 7 miles a day on mostly graded trails. Nothing technical unless you specifically ask for the Subway or the Narrows full-day route, both of which we can arrange as optional add-ons with our partner outfitter Red Desert Adventures.

Trip difficulty: Moderate Great for ages: 12+ Group size: 6-12

Day by day

The six-night itinerary.

1

Arrive — Las Vegas or St. George, transfer to Zion

Meet your guide at 2 p.m. for the 2.5-hour drive to Springdale, UT. Welcome dinner at the Spotted Dog. Overnight at Cliffrose Springdale, a riverside lodge inside Zion.

2

Zion National Park — Angels Landing shoulder hike

Morning shuttle to the Grotto for the classic West Rim and Angels Landing shoulder trail (permit included; chain section optional). Lunch by the Virgin River, afternoon free for spa, canyoneering or swim in the Narrows. Overnight Cliffrose Springdale.

3

Drive to Bryce — sunset at Sunrise Point

Scenic drive along Highway 12 — Checkerboard Mesa, Red Canyon, Bryce Point. Late afternoon hike into the Bryce amphitheater (Queen's Garden + Navajo Loop). Overnight at The Lodge at Bryce Canyon (historic park lodge).

4

Sunrise at Bryce, drive to Lake Powell

Early wake for sunrise at Bryce's Inspiration Point. Continue via Grand Staircase-Escalante, Kanab and the Glen Canyon dam. Afternoon boat to Lower Antelope Canyon with a Navajo Nation guide. Overnight at Amangiri-adjacent Shash Diné eco-retreat (Classic & Signature) or Amangiri (Atelier).

5

North Rim, Grand Canyon — Bright Angel Point

Cross into Arizona and climb the Kaibab Plateau to the North Rim. Afternoon walk on the rim trail to Bright Angel Point. Sunset dinner at the 1928 Grand Canyon Lodge. Overnight at Grand Canyon Lodge North Rim.

6

Full-day rim drive — Cape Royal & Point Imperial

Guided rim drive with photo stops at Walhalla Overlook and Cape Royal. Optional short mule ride along the North Kaibab Trail. Farewell dinner on the lodge veranda.

7

Return transfer to Las Vegas

After breakfast, van transfer back to Las Vegas (LAS) airport. Arrivals 2-3 p.m., so plan flights after 5 p.m.

Pricing ladder

Three tiers. Pick the lodgings; the itinerary stays the same.

Prices per traveler, double occupancy, based on low-season departures. Solo supplement from $780.

Classic

Inns, park lodges, small group

$3,180/ traveler

Cliffrose · Bryce Lodge · Shash Diné · North Rim Lodge

6 nights accommodation as listed
All ground transport in shared van
Licensed guide for 5 of 7 days
National park & Navajo permits
6 breakfasts, 3 dinners, 2 lunches
Shuttle to Las Vegas (LAS)

No surprise line items.

Included in every tier

Lodging for 6 nights (as listed)
All ground transport in Utah & Arizona
Licensed guide on all touring days
All national park + Navajo Nation permits
Daily breakfast, plus meals as noted
Airport transfers on arrival + departure
Travel-protection quote from Allianz
24/7 on-trip concierge line

Not included

Flights to Las Vegas (we can book separately)
Travel insurance premium
Optional canyoneering descent ($240 pp)
Alcoholic beverages outside welcome & farewell dinner
Gratuities for drivers and guides (budget $18/day)
Personal laundry or spa services

From past departures

What the canyons actually look like.

Common questions

Canyon Retreat FAQ

How fit do I need to be?

Moderate fitness. The hardest day is Angels Landing shoulder — about 4 miles with 1,000 ft of elevation on good trails. Nothing exposed unless you opt into the chained final section. We can swap that day for the Emerald Pools walk on request.

When is the best time to go?

April-May and September-October are ideal. June-August works but expect 95-100°F at lower altitudes (Antelope Canyon). November-March departures are discounted 10-15 % but the North Rim of Grand Canyon is closed, so we reroute to the South Rim.

Do you run private departures?

Yes. Private departures (your party only) start at $4,290 per traveler for four adults in the Classic tier. Dates of your choosing, same lodgings, same itinerary.

What happens if a trail is closed?

We have a written contingency for every day of the itinerary. If Zion's shuttle is disrupted, we move to the East Rim Trail; if Antelope Canyon closes for flash-flood risk, we substitute Horseshoe Bend + Wire Pass.

Hold a spot

Book the Canyon Retreat.

Small group — once the 12 spots are filled, the departure is closed. Deposit from $800 per traveler.

Open booking form

Southwest Canyon Retreat.