Day One – Bryce Canyon National Park is just minutes away. Bryce Canyon is actually a series of amphitheaters cut into the Eastern edge of the Paunsaugunt plateau. The National Park ranges in elevation, from approximately 8,000 feet in the north to over 9,000 feet at the southern end of the park. The formations within Bryce Canyon National Park, called Hoodoos, are the creation of wind and water erosion over eons of time. The natural orange and red hues that color these formations are the result of iron oxidizing within the rock. Bryce Canyon National Park is truly one of the most spectacular scenic wonders in the world. In 1875, Mormon settler Ebenezer Bryce came to the Paria Valley to live and to harvest timber along the canyon rim. His neighbors began to refer the canyon behind his home as Bryce’s Canyon. In 1924, national legislation was written which gave Bryce Canyon official National Park status as Utah National Park. Later in 1928 the provisions of the 1924 legislation were properly met and the park name was changed to Bryce Canyon National Park.
Day Two – Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument: This monument is a very unique region of canyons, arches, plateaus and cliffs. This area, which comprises 1.7 million acres, was designated a National Monument in 1996 and is considered to be one of the last explored areas of the continental United States.
Kodachrome Basin: Positioned at 5,800 feet in elevation, Kodachrome Basin State Park is perhaps Utah’s finest state park and is just a few minutes from Bryce Canyon National Park and the Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument. Kodachrome Basin State Park covers over 4,000 acres of ground and is a magical place with unique geologic formations, caves, arches, walking paths, horseback and wagon riding, and much more. Many of the formations within the park were formed in a very unique way. Anciently there were many geysers in this area that, over time ceased to spew water from their natural rock pipes within the ground. Over subsequent eons of time these pipes were filled with sediment which then became harder rock than the surrounding sediment. Over more time, the surrounding sediment was eroded away leaving the standing rock towers that had filled the pipes of the geysers.
Day Three – Zion National Park. Drive the winding scenic roads of the park and enjoy taking photos or shooting video at many of the pullouts. From the East entrance you are near the top of Zion National Park and this upper end has a very different terrain than the lower areas. Stop at such view areas as Checkerboard Mesa and then park near the entrance of the Zion Tunnel and take a leisurely walk to the Blind Arch overlook. The mile-long tunnel in Zion goes right through the side of the mountain. You’ll enjoy driving slowly through the tunnel because there are windows in several intervals that look out onto Zion National Park. Once you exit the tunnel you will follow a very scenic drive down into the valley of Zion National Park where your elevation will be approximately 4,000 feet. >From April to October a shuttle runs from the town of Springdale and takes you into the main canyon. This shuttle is your only access into the canyon during these months, so park your car in Springdale and jump on the shuttle. This will take you to any number of scenic stops.
Day Four – Scenic Highway 12 / Calf Creek / Devils Garden / Capitol Reef National Park. Highway 12 is both a National Scenic Byway and Scenic Highway. Widely considered one of the top three scenic drives in America, this road connects Bryce Canyon and Capitol Reef National Parks. Along the way you find Calf Creek falls, which offers scenic views inside a narrow canyon. A five mile round-trip walk takes you by streams, ancient Indian writings and to a large waterfall at the back of the canyon. Further north down the Hole-in-the-Rock road is Devils Garden. A gathering of unique rock formations that look much like Goblins and other strange shapes. Further north on highway 12 you’ll find Capitol Reef National Park. You may drive through the main section of the park or venture on back-country trails to see arches, and other unique rock formations.
Day Five - Panguitch, Panguitch Lake, Brian Head, Cedar Breaks, Navajo Lake, Duck Creek Village Travel a few minutes west and then north to the quaint town of Panguitch and then go south and climb the mountain on a beautifully paved road to Panguitch Lake. Here you can rent boats and gear for fishing or bring your own. There are stores and restaurants for lunch or dinner and supplies. When you're finished at the lake continue south and West to Cedar Breaks National Monument. You'll be close to Brian Head Resort if you want to drop down into the town. Here you can rent Mountain Bikes and ride a large network of trails. In summer you can even put your bike on a ski lift to the top of a mountain and ride downhill through the forest. At Cedar Breaks you can view the formations of the Markagaunt Plateau. It is much like Bryce Canyon. From here you can circle south and then east on highway 14 to see overlooks toward Zion National Park. You’ll pass Navajo Lake, which sits like a jewel in a mountain valley. You can take an easy walk to Cascade Falls and see where water seeps from the side of the mountain and literally cascades into the upper Virgin River. Venture further East on highway 14 and stop at Duck Creek Village. From here circle back to us just 40 minutes for a relaxing evening.
Day 6: Grand Canyon North Rim: The North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park is just 2.5 hours drive to the south on highway 89. The drive is spectacular as you pass by Coral Pink Sand Dunes, the western town of Kanab and then make your way up onto the Kaibab Plateau and through the dense forest of Ponderosa Pines. Coral Pink Sand Dunes is just a short drive off Highway 89 (7 miles) and offers beautiful views of reddish colored sand dunes. Kanab is a historic town and one where over 100 western movies were filmed in the 40’s, 50’s and 60’s. Stop by the Frontier Movie Town to see old movie sets used by John Wayne and other famous men of the movie west. The north rim of the Grand Canyon is higher than the south rim and it is said that the views are more spectacular. At the Grand Canyon you are on top looking down at it all. Have lunch at the lodge or we’ll be happy to provide you with a lunch for the day. There are many trails that you can venture on across the rim or even down into the canyon. Just remember that wherever you go down, you’ll need to hike back up. Take a water bottle in any case. You’ll need your camera and plenty of film or disk space on your new digital camera.
