DURATION:
5 Days/4 Nights
AVAILABILITY:
May-Sept
GROUP SIZE:
Max 8-10
STARTS IN:
Salt Lake City
ENDS IN:
Salt Lake City
TRIP STYLE:
Camping
This trip was formerly called the “Southern Utah Hiker”. Witness amazing desert geology firsthand, where ancient rock is shaped by the powerful and ever-changing flow of water. This trip has been carefully curated to hit our favorite spots in Southern Utah, with the perfect mix of classic hikes as well as trails that are off the beaten path. This basecamp style trip offers the luxury of freshly cooked meals and a hot shower after a day of moderate to strenuous hiking. Explore world-renowned hikes at impressive Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks, as well as hidden gems such as Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument. Come along and find yourself surrounded by canyons, waterfalls and rivers! Click here to learn more about our relaxed booking and travel options.
This afternoon we will enter Bryce Canyon National Park, which is known for its collection of sandstone spires called “hoodoos” that truly bring this landscape to life. Here we will explore several viewpoints before we descend into the Bryce Amphitheater on “The world’s best 3-mile hike”. This trail is rated as moderate and is a wonderful way to view a variety of geology, flora, & fauna.
This hike is a good introductory trail to gauge how everyone feels with shoes, physical abilities, and pace. We will do our best to make each of the hikes as enjoyable as possible according to your personal comfort.
Tonight we will camp under Ponderosa pines just outside of Bryce Canyon National Park. Your guides will cook up a hearty home-made meal as you relax by the campfire and gaze up at the amazing stars of southern Utah.
Driving time: 4.5 Hours
Hiking: Navajo/Queen’s Garden Loop – 3 miles
Accommodation: Ruby’s Campground just outside of Bryce Canyon National Park
Today we will explore an incredible National Monument called Grand Staircase Escalante. This breathtaking park is home to impressive geology, vast amounts of human history, and abundant wildlife (Including Desert Bighorn Sheep). On the agenda for today is a 3.5-mile out and back (7-miles total) moderately rated, highly enjoyable hike to Lower Calf Creek Falls, which is regarded as one of the most beautiful trails in southern Utah. Here you’ll be rewarded for your efforts by a stunning 124-foot waterfall and a chance to soak your feet and enjoy a picnic lunch.
After completing the hike, your guides will provide additional local options that meet the group’s needs before heading back to camp for a hot shower, freshly prepared dinner, and restful night under Utah stars.
Driving time: 3.5 Hours
Hiking: Lower Calf Creek Falls – 7 miles total (3.5 out and back)
Accommodation: Ruby’s Campground just outside of Bryce Canyon National Park
This morning we will return to Bryce Canyon National Park for an opportunity to view sunrise before setting out on an amazing trail to view more features of Bryce Canyon National Park. The Peek-A Boo trail is one of the best ways to view Bryce Canyon and avoid much of the crowds. This peaceful hike will reward you with incredible views of unique geological formations.
After completing the hike, we will return to camp to pack up our gear before driving 2 hours to our new campsite just outside of Zion National Park.
This afternoon you’ll have a chance to relax and enjoy some of the amenities of our campsite, including a swimming pool and recreation barn. We’ll regroup in the evening for another home-cooked meal provided by your guides.
Driving time: 2 Hours
Hiking: Peek-A-Boo – 5.5 miles
Accommodation: Zion Ponderosa just outside of Zion National Park
This morning we will enter beautiful Zion National Park where you will begin to see stunning rock formations, rushing water of the Virgin River, lush vegetation, and even possibly some local wildlife like Desert Bighorn Sheep and Mule Deer.
Upon our arrival, will take a shuttle to the trailhead of the famous West Rim trail known for its amazing views and steep drop-offs. The first two miles ascend a paved path nearly 1,000 feet including the famous twenty-one switchbacks called “Walter’s Wiggles”. Just beyond this, you’ll reach the saddle called Scout Lookout, which provides some of the best views of Angel’s Landing and the canyon. Note: Angels Landing is no longer available. Due to high demand and dangerous sections, the National Park Service has created a permit system for those who want to hike this section. Individual permits are not authorized to be used on MountainBased trips. After some celebratory photos and snacks, we will descend back down the trail.
We will return to camp this evening for our final dinner and last night of camping!
Driving time: Local
Hiking: Scout Lookout – 3.6 miles
Accommodation: Zion Ponderosa just outside of Zion National Park
Today we’ll marvel at the giant red cliffs that rise over 2,000 feet above the blue-green waters of the Virgin River.
Weather permitting, we’ll adventure down the world-famous Narrows where you’ll hike knee-deep in cool, rushing water while towering cliffs rise on both sides. This feature is arguably Zion’s most famous and will be a great way to cool off after a busy week of hiking! After several hours of optional hiking and exploring, we depart from Zion National Park and begin our return 4.5-hour drive to Salt Lake City.
Note: Due to many natural variables in the outdoors, we take what Mother Nature provides for us when deciding on which hike we will do. Other amazing options may include an adventure to the Upper Emerald Pools or similar.
Driving time: 4.5 Hours
Hiking: Riverside Walk + The Narrows – 4 miles
Wow. Coming all the way from NYC & taking the gamble on going solo to this trip was one of the best decisions i could have made. If you're considering... read more a solo trip then this is for you! I went on the Yellowstone & Grand Teton camping trip. For a first time overnight camping, this was a surprisingly comfortable & pleasant experience. The equipment was top notch & very clean. The Guides, James & Jared are absolute gents, they are super upbeat, fun & easy to get along with. Lastly, the FRIENDS. From Silicon Valley all the way to Alabama, the diversified group of people i've gotten to know in only 5 days time, the bond made with this group of friends is unbreakable. Thank you Mountain Based family for the amazing adventure & everlasting memories. Can't wait for the next trip!
Much Love,
-Orel Danino
Amazing, well organized, incredibly fun trip. Jared and Nick went above and beyond to provide a fantastic experience in COVID times. The itinerary was perfect, hitting the must-sees of 2... read more iconic National Parks. Our camping equipment and sites were top notch and comfortable. Delicious camp food and the best sandwiches ever! Nights around the campfire will never be forgotten. Sign us up for next year!
We did Zion / Bryce tour with Mountain Based and we had a blast! Justin was our guide and made this easy and enjoyable. He knew where to go, when... read more to go, and how to maximize Zion / Bryce for the 5 days we were there. Mountain Based is the way to go if your looking for an amazing experience.
Highly recommend for families and friends. Guides are caring, professional and as excited as you to see natures beauty. Moderate hikes through iconic parks, high-quality food prepared on-site,... read more & excellent equipment. Great family memories that will last a lifetime. Disney World - your days are...More
Another fantastic trip with Mountainbased! Justin and Jared were great, very professional, hard working and fun to be with. For most people in our group this was our second trip... read more with Mountainbased and we are already planning our third.
This was such an amazing time! I actually travelled by myself for this guided tour and I can't emphasize how wonderful the people I met were. Firstly our guide... read more Nick is a stellar human being in every way. He was incredibly knowledgable and patient. I also bonded with the other people on tour who were equally as fun and wonderful.
The places we visited were astounding in their beauty. I consider myself a seasoned traveller having travelled all over the globe several times over and I have to say the magnificence of Utah and the National Parks are not to be missed.
If I were to give this trip a grade it would be an A+++. The accommodations were great, the people, the food, the places we visited. I have many wonderful memories of this time in Utah thanks to the people at Mountainbased. Can't wait to travel with them again.
I went on the Mountain Based new hiking trip offered to Bryce, Zion, and Grand staircase with my sister. It was a wonderful trip! Justin and Eric were our guides... read more and we had Steve and Nick who were guides in training. They were amazing! We...More
I did the 5 day "Southern Utah" trip covering Bryce, Zion and Grand Escalantes with 2 of my friends in a group of 12 people. The trip organization was amazing... read more with great camping locations, georgeous hikes, yummy food and perfectly planned itinerary. Nick 1 and Nick 2 were knowledgeable and friendly guides and went to great lengths to make our trip most enjoyable and kept the whole group engaged with their efforts and planning. Our fellow campers were also hugely cooperative and great folks to be around. I had a blast during the trip. Will be looking forward to do the Yellowstone a d Teton soon with MoutainBased.
My son (18 years old) and I traveled with MountainBased last summer so were eager to go on another adventure with them and they did not disappoint! Top notch... read more planning, equipment and meals coupled with beautiful parks, scenery, wildlife viewing and superb customer service, the...More
Check out a more in-depth list of what to bring here.
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