THE MIGHTY 5 EXPLORER: A 10-DAY AMERICAN ROAD TRIP ADVENTURE
10-DAY ULTIMATE AMERICAN ROAD TRIP: DISCOVER THE MAJESTY OF THE MIGHTY 5 AND BEYOND
Embark on our 10-day Ultimate American Road Trip, a captivating journey through the iconic Mighty 5 national parks and beyond. Immerse yourself in the breathtaking landscapes of Arches, Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, and Zion. This meticulously curated adventure promises a seamless blend of natural wonders, exhilarating activities, and cultural experiences. Join us for the road trip of a lifetime, where every mile unveils the diverse beauty of the American Southwest. Discover the thrill of the open road with our expertly crafted itinerary and make memories to last a lifetime.
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Start Location: Salt Lake City
End Location: Salt Lake City
TOP HIGHLIGHTS
- Time in Salt Lake City to explore well known Temple Square
- Full day expert guided tour through Arches and Canyonlands National Parks
- Introductory horseback trail ride for the best views in Bryce Canyon
- Mesa Arch
- Grand View Point and Newspaper Rock
- Monument Valley
- Natural Bridges National Monument
- Bryce Canyon and Zion National Park
SAMPLE ITINERARY (CUSTOMIZABLE)
Day 1: Arrive in Salt Lake City
In 1847, Brigham Young famously led Mormon pioneers into this Utah valley declaring "This is the right place." There are several highlights that are well worth a stop in this scenic city. On top of a hill at the northern end of Salt Lake’s main State Street is the elegant Utah State Capitol, patterned after America’s Capitol Building, that has free guided tours available most of the year. Sculpture, murals and exhibits throughout the building tell the story of the settling of the West. Nearby recommended stops include the Pioneer Memorial Museum, Memory Grove Park, City Creek Canyon, and Council Hall for visitor information. For an overview of the region, we suggest a visit to the Natural History Museum of Utah. The main lobby opens up into a towering slot canyon, reflecting the geology of Southern Utah. Visitors work their way through exhibits covering past epochs, life, land, gems and minerals, first peoples, Great Salt Lake (with a view), indigenous voices, and rotating exhibits. The museum is also the trailhead for the city’s Bonneville Shoreline Trail System.
Overnight: Salt Lake City
Day 2: Arches National Park
Pick up your rental car and embark on an adventure through The Mighty 5 National Parks. 300 million years of erosion carved unbelievably dramatic landscapes sculpted by the passage of time. Start with Arches National Park which contains about 2,000 windowed arches, towering spires, harrowing hoodoos, and precarious pinnacles on display, including Delicate Arch, perhaps Utah's most iconic feature - a must-hike destination in the park. A paved 36-mile scenic drive from the park entrance provides numerous parking areas for trail access and scenic overlooks. You will discover a sun-soaked red rock wonderland of eroded sandstone fins, towers, ribs, gargoyles, hoodoos, balanced rocks and arches.
Overnight: Moab
Day 3: Canyonlands National Park
We combine both Arches and Canyonlands this day into one full day of guided sightseeing and exploring. Although you may have seen parts of Arches on the previous day, this guided tour adds a different dimension. We will take you through both Canyonlands and Arches National Parks as we jump off the main roads in 4WD vehicles, leave the crowds behind and the expert guides reveal magnificent views and interpretive secrets that few get to experience. You will see famous sights and natural geologic wonders like Delicate Arch and Eye of the Whale just to name a few. The day is packed with wonder as you see wave after wave of deep canyons, formed by the currents and tributaries of Utah's Green and Colorado rivers, divided with towering mesas, pinnacles, cliffs and spires. Canyonlands has four separate districts. Most visitors opt for the accessible views at Island in the Sky near Moab, but serious hikers can extend their stay and explore the more remote and dramatic parts of the park. The large petroglyph panel of Newspaper Rock is on the scenic road to the Needles District of Canyonlands. Visitor centres in Island in the Sky and Needles are open spring through fall.
Overnight: Moab
Day 4: Monument Valley National Park
The large petroglyph panel of Newspaper Rock is on the scenic road to the Needles District of Canyonlands. From there, continue to the Edge of the Cedars State Park and then Bluff Fort before heading south to Monument Valley. The next experience is Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, an iconic symbol of the American West and the spiritual heart of the Navajo Nation. In Monument Valley, as your indigenous guide escorts you through the park, you will learn of the importance of these ancestral lands to the Navajo people. The rugged landscapes are hauntingly familiar thanks to Hollywood's long love affair with this region. The park is stunning at night under clear skies.
Overnight: Monument Valley
Day 5: Capitol Reef National Park
Head north on S.R. 261 up the switchbacks and cross Cedar Mesa for a stop at Natural Bridges National Monument. Even if you only stop at the scenic overlooks, the three massive bridges are a wonder to behold. You cannot see the chaotic landscape of this remote monument from the highway. The amazing force of water has cut three spectacular natural bridges in White Canyon. A nine-mile scenic drive has overlooks into the canyon. Next is the Capitol Reef National Park with its splashes colour and drive a through a wilderness of sandstone formations, rock art petroglyphs that tell the story of early indigenous Fremont Culture people, and the large fruit orchards of an early pioneer settlement. In this world of spectacular coloured cliffs, hidden arches, massive domes and deep canyons, you get a feel for what the earth might have been like millions of years before life appeared. Don’t forget a slice of pie at Gifford Homestead, open seasonally.
Day 6: Grand Staircase- Escalante National Monument
Grand Staircase Escalante contains the most extensive network of slot canyons in Utah. On the All-American Road, the Scenic Byway 12, travel over the high-alpine Boulder Mountain and traverse the Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monument. The allure of the Grand Staircase region is phenomenal. A sequence of brightly coloured cliffs mark the transitional “step” zone between Bryce Canyon National Park and the Paunsaugunt Plateau.
Overnight: Bryce Canyon City
Day 7: Bryce Canyon National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park is a series of natural amphitheaters sunk into pink cliffs and filled with delicate red rock "hoodoos." Over millions of years, water and wind as well as freezes and thaw cycles have carved endless fields of towering orange hoodoos, narrow fins and natural bridges in the high-elevation plateau. The most brilliant hues of the park come alive with the rising and setting of the sun. Summertime offers a myriad of walking and hiking trails and a 37-mile scenic drive overlooking incredible vistas (with a summer shuttle option to avoid driving in traffic). Historic Bryce Canyon Lodge’s location within the park means great access to the sites, hikes and starry skies of the park. Winter snowfall brings a whole new array of outdoor activities. For a scenic tour of the Bryce Canyon area, we include a 1 ½ hour horseback ride in the Dixie National Forest and the rim of Water Canyon Amphitheater, the first canyon in Bryce Canyon National Park. Leaving the rim, we climb Bristlecone Pine Ridge with standing 1500 year old Bristlecone Pines. (One of the oldest living things on the North American continent.) From this ridge you will also see Boat Mesa and Sinking Ship Peak, some of the higher points in Fairyland Amphitheater. This is a 6 kms loop.Continue south to Kanab and gather information at the Kanab Visitor Centre, if possible, for recommendations.
Overnight: Bryce Canyon City
Day 8: Zion National Park
The allure of Zion becomes abundantly clear from the moment you pass through the park’s gates. Zion translates to "The Promised Land." For you, that means some of the most spectacular walks and drives of your lifetime and impossibly beautiful landscapes you will never forget. Carved by water and time beyond the stretch of the imagination, Zion National Park is a sanctuary of the natural order. The soaring vermillion cliffs and verdant valleys of Zion are a postcard backdrop to the gateway town of Springdale. To truly experience the park, consider planning for extra days with nights for stargazing and make an effort to take in other places around the national park.
Day 9: Drive to Salt Lake City
It is an easy highway drive back to Salt Lake City today. Return your rental car and have the evening free to explore the Temple Square area on foot. Between 1853 and 1893, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints cut and hauled stone from the canyons and slowly built an icon in Salt Lake City’s skyline. Though the temple is not open for tours, visitors can explore the history, gardens, architecture, art and culture related to Mormon heritage and beliefs across 35 acres. Enjoy free weekly rehearsals of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, stop by the visitors centers and dine in the Joseph Smith Memorial Building.
Overnight: Salt Lake City
Day 10: Return from Salt Lake City
Check out from your hotel and head to the airport for your return after your epic drive through some of the most stunning landscapes on earth.
DATES & PRICES
Availability:
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Interested in this trip? Contact Us for 2025 dates and prices
Applicable taxes vary depending on travel destination and are not included. Please ask your sales agent what extra taxes will be payable for your tour.
WHY CHOOSE ANDERSON VACATIONS?
Anderson Vacations
Other Companies
Independent Travel
See what you want, where you want, how you want. Solo, with a friend, or with a group of friends.Canadian Travel Experts
With at least 30 years of experience.Min. 95% Satisfaction Rate
From past guests.Accreditation and Consumer Protection
Feel confident booking because of a membership in all the following organizations:
Sustainability
Planting one tree for every passenger that travels with us.
WHAT'S INCLUDED
- Intermediate size car rental
- Twin share accommodation in moderate hotels (upgrades available)
- Full day guided tour through Arches and Canyonlands National Parks
- Guided visit in Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park
- Self-drive recommendations
EXCLUSIONS
- Airfare unless specified as included within the itinerary
- Taxes as applicable
- Travel Insurance and Cancellation Protection (strongly recommended)
- Gratuities for local guides and/or bus drivers
- Meals not specifically mentioned as included in the itinerary
- Items (attractions and sightseeing & entrance fees) not listed as included in the itinerary
Why Take A Custom Tour?
Private & Customizable
You can see what you want, when you want, how you want. A trip that's perfectly timed and well organized.
Unique Experience
Experiences that help you take in the region in a different way. Can combine your trip with our group tours. Advice to help you get the most out of your trip.
Freedom to Explore
Time to enjoy and take in each place. Add days in places you want to explore. Do only the activities you want to do.
Can't find what you're looking for?
Our specialists can take away the stress and create a custom trip tailored to your exact interests and budget.
Get A Custom Quote
OR CALL
1.866.814.7378
Custom Trip Plans
You can see what you want, when you want, how you want.
Unique Experiences
Experiences that help you take in the region in a different way.
Freedom To Explore
Time to take in each place with only the tours you want to do.
Booking & Flight Questions
Do you arrange airport transfers?
Yes! We can certainly assist with booking airport transfers for you! Some tours have airport transfers included already. Please inquire for further information and pricing.
Can you assist with booking additional accommodation?
Yes! We can certainly assist with booking additional nights of accommodation for you before and/or after your fully escorted tour! Please inquire for further information and pricing.
Can you assist with booking flights?
Yes! We can certainly assist with booking your flights for you! We do not recommend you book any flights until you receive your booking confirmation directly from Anderson Vacations Tours, as some tours are not pre-guaranteed. Please inquire for further information and pricing.
Is it possible to book a triple share accommodation?
Yes, it is possible to book triple share accommodations on select trips. Please inquire about this option, as pricing may also vary and it will be subject to availability.
Can we book this tour with our exclusive group?
Anderson Vacations Tours can work with private groups to customize a tour to your needs. Please inquire for further information and pricing.
Tour Questions
What is the average age of passengers for this tour?
Our tours are suitable for all age demographics. The average age of travelers is typically 45+
I am a solo traveler. Is there a single surcharge?
There are options for single travelers to join most tours. Solo Travelers can choose to pay the single supplement and have their own room throughout the tour. For those willing to share, we also have a Twin Share option that is offered for the majority of our tours. This means you will be sharing the hotel rooms with another single, same gender traveller who also books the Twin Share option. If this is the case, there will be no single supplement charged to either of you. If we are unable to match you with another Twin Share traveler, there may be a single surcharge applied to cover the full cost of the rooms on some of our longer tours. Please enquire before finalizing your booking for full details.
How physically demanding is this tour? Are you able to accommodate people with mobility restrictions/limitations?
This tour has a low level of physical demand, although there may be some activities or sightseeing tours that require walking short distances. Please inquire if you have any mobility restrictions before completing your booking to ensure this tour is right for you.
How much luggage should I bring?
Each passenger may bring one large suitcase and one carry-on bag. The weight limit for this suitcase is 32 kilograms/60 pounds. Baggage handling is provided at the hotels in our tour packages. Please advise our reservations staff if you will be bringing additional items such as a cane, walker or wheelchair. You may also bring one small soft-sided carry-on bag, which should easily fit into the overhead shelf of the coach. Each person is responsible for his/her own carryon luggage. Remember to check your airline baggage restrictions if you are flying, as they may differ from Anderson Vacations Tours guidelines.
What is your recommended spending amount for non-included meals?
The suggested allowance for non-included meals is $40.00 — $60.00 CAD per day (includes tipping).
Can you accommodate passengers with dietary restrictions (food allergies, vegan, vegetarian etc.)?
Yes! There are many meals included on our fully escorted tours. Please inform us of any dietary restrictions at the time of booking so we can ensure there are alternative meal choices and arrangements made for you.
Are gratuities included in the tour cost?
For your convenience, gratuities for local guides and meals stated on the itinerary are included in the price of the tour. For meals not included in your tour package please remember that it is customary to tip your server 15-20% in North America. Gratuities for your Motorcoach Driver and Tour Director are left to your discretion. We recommend $4.00 - $5.00 CAD per person, per day for your Motorcoach Driver and $6.00 - $7.00 CAD per person, per day for your Tour Director. if you can't find your
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Tour Code
10UAR
The Mighty 5 Explorer: A 10-Day American Road Trip Adventure
10 days
Created On: 01 May 2024
Highlights
- Time in Salt Lake City to explore well known Temple Square
- Full day expert guided tour through Arches and Canyonlands National Parks
- Introductory horseback trail ride for the best views in Bryce Canyon
- Mesa Arch
- Grand View Point and Newspaper Rock
- Monument Valley
- Natural Bridges National Monument
- Bryce Canyon and Zion National Park
Inclusions
- Intermediate size car rental
- Twin share accommodation in moderate hotels (upgrades available)
- Full day guided tour through Arches and Canyonlands National Parks
- Guided visit in Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park
- Self-drive recommendations
Exclusions
- Airfare unless specified as included within the itinerary
- Taxes as applicable
- Travel Insurance and Cancellation Protection (strongly recommended)
- Gratuities for local guides and/or bus drivers
- Meals not specifically mentioned as included in the itinerary
- Items (attractions and sightseeing & entrance fees) not listed as included in the itinerary
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Salt Lake City
In 1847, Brigham Young famously led Mormon pioneers into this Utah valley declaring "This is the right place." There are several highlights that are well worth a stop in this scenic city. On top of a hill at the northern end of Salt Lake’s main State Street is the elegant Utah State Capitol, patterned after America’s Capitol Building, that has free guided tours available most of the year. Sculpture, murals and exhibits throughout the building tell the story of the settling of the West. Nearby recommended stops include the Pioneer Memorial Museum, Memory Grove Park, City Creek Canyon, and Council Hall for visitor information. For an overview of the region, we suggest a visit to the Natural History Museum of Utah. The main lobby opens up into a towering slot canyon, reflecting the geology of Southern Utah. Visitors work their way through exhibits covering past epochs, life, land, gems and minerals, first peoples, Great Salt Lake (with a view), indigenous voices, and rotating exhibits. The museum is also the trailhead for the city’s Bonneville Shoreline Trail System.
Overnight: Salt Lake City
Day 2: Arches National Park
Pick up your rental car and embark on an adventure through The Mighty 5 National Parks. 300 million years of erosion carved unbelievably dramatic landscapes sculpted by the passage of time. Start with Arches National Park which contains about 2,000 windowed arches, towering spires, harrowing hoodoos, and precarious pinnacles on display, including Delicate Arch, perhaps Utah's most iconic feature - a must-hike destination in the park. A paved 36-mile scenic drive from the park entrance provides numerous parking areas for trail access and scenic overlooks. You will discover a sun-soaked red rock wonderland of eroded sandstone fins, towers, ribs, gargoyles, hoodoos, balanced rocks and arches.
Overnight: Moab
Day 3: Canyonlands National Park
We combine both Arches and Canyonlands this day into one full day of guided sightseeing and exploring. Although you may have seen parts of Arches on the previous day, this guided tour adds a different dimension. We will take you through both Canyonlands and Arches National Parks as we jump off the main roads in 4WD vehicles, leave the crowds behind and the expert guides reveal magnificent views and interpretive secrets that few get to experience. You will see famous sights and natural geologic wonders like Delicate Arch and Eye of the Whale just to name a few. The day is packed with wonder as you see wave after wave of deep canyons, formed by the currents and tributaries of Utah's Green and Colorado rivers, divided with towering mesas, pinnacles, cliffs and spires. Canyonlands has four separate districts. Most visitors opt for the accessible views at Island in the Sky near Moab, but serious hikers can extend their stay and explore the more remote and dramatic parts of the park. The large petroglyph panel of Newspaper Rock is on the scenic road to the Needles District of Canyonlands. Visitor centres in Island in the Sky and Needles are open spring through fall.
Overnight: Moab
Day 4: Monument Valley National Park
The large petroglyph panel of Newspaper Rock is on the scenic road to the Needles District of Canyonlands. From there, continue to the Edge of the Cedars State Park and then Bluff Fort before heading south to Monument Valley. The next experience is Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, an iconic symbol of the American West and the spiritual heart of the Navajo Nation. In Monument Valley, as your indigenous guide escorts you through the park, you will learn of the importance of these ancestral lands to the Navajo people. The rugged landscapes are hauntingly familiar thanks to Hollywood's long love affair with this region. The park is stunning at night under clear skies.
Overnight: Monument Valley
Day 5: Capitol Reef National Park
Head north on S.R. 261 up the switchbacks and cross Cedar Mesa for a stop at Natural Bridges National Monument. Even if you only stop at the scenic overlooks, the three massive bridges are a wonder to behold. You cannot see the chaotic landscape of this remote monument from the highway. The amazing force of water has cut three spectacular natural bridges in White Canyon. A nine-mile scenic drive has overlooks into the canyon. Next is the Capitol Reef National Park with its splashes colour and drive a through a wilderness of sandstone formations, rock art petroglyphs that tell the story of early indigenous Fremont Culture people, and the large fruit orchards of an early pioneer settlement. In this world of spectacular coloured cliffs, hidden arches, massive domes and deep canyons, you get a feel for what the earth might have been like millions of years before life appeared. Don’t forget a slice of pie at Gifford Homestead, open seasonally.
Day 6: Grand Staircase- Escalante National Monument
Grand Staircase Escalante contains the most extensive network of slot canyons in Utah. On the All-American Road, the Scenic Byway 12, travel over the high-alpine Boulder Mountain and traverse the Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monument. The allure of the Grand Staircase region is phenomenal. A sequence of brightly coloured cliffs mark the transitional “step” zone between Bryce Canyon National Park and the Paunsaugunt Plateau.
Overnight: Bryce Canyon City
Day 7: Bryce Canyon National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park is a series of natural amphitheaters sunk into pink cliffs and filled with delicate red rock "hoodoos." Over millions of years, water and wind as well as freezes and thaw cycles have carved endless fields of towering orange hoodoos, narrow fins and natural bridges in the high-elevation plateau. The most brilliant hues of the park come alive with the rising and setting of the sun. Summertime offers a myriad of walking and hiking trails and a 37-mile scenic drive overlooking incredible vistas (with a summer shuttle option to avoid driving in traffic). Historic Bryce Canyon Lodge’s location within the park means great access to the sites, hikes and starry skies of the park. Winter snowfall brings a whole new array of outdoor activities. For a scenic tour of the Bryce Canyon area, we include a 1 ½ hour horseback ride in the Dixie National Forest and the rim of Water Canyon Amphitheater, the first canyon in Bryce Canyon National Park. Leaving the rim, we climb Bristlecone Pine Ridge with standing 1500 year old Bristlecone Pines. (One of the oldest living things on the North American continent.) From this ridge you will also see Boat Mesa and Sinking Ship Peak, some of the higher points in Fairyland Amphitheater. This is a 6 kms loop.Continue south to Kanab and gather information at the Kanab Visitor Centre, if possible, for recommendations.
Overnight: Bryce Canyon City
Day 8: Zion National Park
The allure of Zion becomes abundantly clear from the moment you pass through the park’s gates. Zion translates to "The Promised Land." For you, that means some of the most spectacular walks and drives of your lifetime and impossibly beautiful landscapes you will never forget. Carved by water and time beyond the stretch of the imagination, Zion National Park is a sanctuary of the natural order. The soaring vermillion cliffs and verdant valleys of Zion are a postcard backdrop to the gateway town of Springdale. To truly experience the park, consider planning for extra days with nights for stargazing and make an effort to take in other places around the national park.
Day 9: Drive to Salt Lake City
It is an easy highway drive back to Salt Lake City today. Return your rental car and have the evening free to explore the Temple Square area on foot. Between 1853 and 1893, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints cut and hauled stone from the canyons and slowly built an icon in Salt Lake City’s skyline. Though the temple is not open for tours, visitors can explore the history, gardens, architecture, art and culture related to Mormon heritage and beliefs across 35 acres. Enjoy free weekly rehearsals of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, stop by the visitors centers and dine in the Joseph Smith Memorial Building.
Overnight: Salt Lake City
Day 10: Return from Salt Lake City
Check out from your hotel and head to the airport for your return after your epic drive through some of the most stunning landscapes on earth.
