Zion, Bryce, Snow Canyon, and
Grand Canyon National Parks 

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With Geologist & Historian Darrell McMahon

and Master Kosher Chef Malcolm Green & Staff

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Nature set Bryce Canyon, Zion and the Grand Canyon ablaze with copper-hued chasms and theatrical formations. Explore through the diverse symphony of forest, desert, plateau and canyon in this spectacular combination of national parks. No postcard can possibly prepare you for the chiseled vastness of the Grand Canyon, the monolithic oddities of Bryce Canyon or the stunning cliffs of Zion.  

  

Explore the wonders of America's Southwest known as Color Country. Through the eons, the wind and water's harsh power has created the red-rock formations, deep canyons, and towering cliffs that have become many of the world's most famous natural attractions. Here, an enormous geological playground, plus nature's intricate forms and brilliant colors combine to offer a Western landscape getaway of incredible diversity and some of the most exhilarating outdoor adventures on earth.  

  

Our student program is perfect for every activity and ability level. On touring days students can choose from 2 levels of hikes in the National Parks. 

  

Moderate: Easy walks and or park bus tours with guided interpretation perfect for all ability levels 

 

Adventure: More adventurous hikes with guided interpretation over varying terrain and elevation gain. 

  

Education & Guiding: All tours are accompanied by our full-time naturalists and educators who bring to life the natural wonders, geology, ecology, Native American history and so much more! 

 

Sample 5 & 6 Day Itinerary 

 

Day 1 (Sunday): Las Vegas to St. George UT, Snow Canyon (D) 

1:0pm: Pick up Las Vegas airport – depart to St. George, UT – Approximately 1.5 hours  

2:30pm: Arrive St. George UT, hotel check-in 

3:30pm: Snow Canyon hike and National Park geological program / intro to the National Parks 

6:30pm: Return to hotel for dinner 

7:30pm: Orientation and introduction to the national parks program 

 

Day 2 (Monday May 28): Zion National Park (B,L,D) 

8:00am: Breakfast 

9:30am: Depart for Zion (Approximately 1-hour drive)  

*Bus ride will include National Park lectures from our naturalists. 

10:30am: Arrive at Zion,  Begin hike of Zion with stop for lunch in the field.   

3:30pm: Depart for St. George 

4:30pm: Arrive at hotel, free time to enjoy the pool and facilities 

6:30pm: Dinner 

7:30pm: Live Birds of Prey Educational Program 

 

Day 3 (Tuesday): Bryce National Park (B,L,D) 

6:00am: Breakfast 

7:00am: Depart for Bryce National Park (Approximately 3-hour drive) 

*Bus ride will include National Park lectures from our naturalists and video presentations. 

10:00am: Arrive Bryce, begin hike of Bryce Canyon with stop for lunch in the field.   

Sample Hikes: Navajo Loop, Queens Garden & Sunrise Point. 

2:00pm: Stop at Ruby’s for shopping before return to St. George 

3:00pm Depart for St. George 

6:00pm Arrive in St. George 

7:00pm Dinner 

8:00pm: Comparative Religion Program (LDS local student groups) or Desert Astronomy Program 

 

Day 4 (Wednesday): Adventure Day – Beach & Trampoline Park – (B,L,D) 

9:00am: Breakfast 

10:30 am Depart hotel to Sandy Hollow Lake & Dunes  

11:00 am Arrive, group activities 11:00-3:00 paddleboard, kayak, water sports tower, beach volleyball (*motorized sports available for individual purchase on site) 

3:00 pm Return to hotel 

4:00 pm Trampoline Park 

6:30pm: Return for dinner 

7:00 pm: Dinner 

Evening free time to enjoy hotel facilities 

 

Day 5 (Thursday): Depart home (B,L) 

7:00am: Breakfast 

8:00am: Depart for airport 

 

Optional additional day 5 Grand Canyon National Park day or replacement activity for Adventure Day 4 

6:00am: Breakfast 

7:00am: Depart for Grand Canyon National Park (Approximately 3-hour drive) 

*Bus ride will include National Park lectures from our naturalists and video presentations. 

10:00am: Begin hike of Grand Canyon National Park with stop for lunch in the field.   

Sample Hikes: North Rim 

2:00pm: return to St. George 

5:00pm Arrive in St. George 

7:00pm Dinner 

9:00pm: Desert astronomy program

 

Optional Shabbat add-on

 

Day 6 (Friday) B, L, D

• Choose from optional adventures or additional nation park visits including Snow Canyon or Grand Staircase Escalante

• Shabbat on site in our exclusive ball room meeting space or walk to local Jewish community for services

 

Day 7 (Shabbat) B, L, D

• Shabbat on site in our exclusive ball room meeting space or walk to local Jewish community for services

• Afternoon optional trail hike from the hotel

• Evening Motzei Shabbat activity

 

Day 8 (Sunday) B, L - Depart

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Explore The National Parks & Adventure 

  

Bryce Canyon National Park:  Thousands of delicately carved spires rise in brilliant color from the amphitheaters of Bryce Canyon National Park. Millions of years of wind, water and geologic mayhem have shaped and etched the pink cliffs at Bryce, which isn't actually a canyon but the eastern slope of the Paunsaguant Plateau. Your first view of Bryce Canyon is dramatic, as rows of pine trees veil the color and grandeur of the canyon until you reach the rim. Here the brilliant hues come alive - especially with the rising and setting of the sun. Visitors may take a 37-mile round-trip drive to Bryce Canyon's most famous viewpoints, dizzying in scope, including Sunrise, Sunset, Rainbow, Yovimpa, and Inspiration Points. 

  

Zion National Park: Zion National Park is often said to be the most beautiful place in America. "Spectacular" is uttered time and time again as eyes are raised to view the vast monoliths of the best of Utah's National Parks. Zion unveils its eight layers of sandstone, displaying what has taken two-hundred-million years to carve and mold. This spectacular corner of Southern Utah is a masterpiece of towering cliffs, deep red canyons, mesas, buttes, and massive monoliths. Zion's fame is due to more than its beauty, but also its incredible geology, hiking, backpacking and scenic drives. 

  

Like the Grand Canyon to its south, Zion has grandeur, and like Bryce Canyon to its northeast, Zion has delicately sculpted rock. Plus, within the park's 229 square miles lies a spectacular cliff-and-canyon playground. Sharp sandstone cliffs soar 2,000 feet above a labyrinth of narrow canyons cut through the soft sandstone by the Virgin River. In places, the deep canyons are barely 40 feet wide. Zion's complexion changes with the seasons, from the cascades of snowmelt pouring over cliff walls in spring, to the lush green and colorful wildflowers of early summer, to the technicolor wonder of autumn—and the deep snow-covered winter silence. 

  

Grand Canyon National Park: This majestic chasm of vermillion cliffs, purple abysses, golden temples and rushing waters ranks among the most astonishing landscapes on earth. The reaction of people when they look over the Canyon's edge runs from fear to awe to reverie to delight. Designated a national park on February 26, 1919, the Grand Canyon is one of the seven Natural Wonders of the World. Since only about 10% of the Grand Canyon's annual 4 million visitors come to the North Rim, this side is far less congested than its southern counterpart. The Grand Canyon North Rim averages 1,000 to 1,500 feet higher that the South Rim, offering spectacular views from several easily accessible points, including Cape Royal (7,685 ft. elevation), Point Imperial (8,803 ft. elevation) and Bright Angel Point (8,255 ft. elevation). Bright Angel is also the location of the historic Grand Canyon Lodge and North Rim Visitor Center. 

  

Snow Canyon: Snow Canyon State Park is a 7,400-acre scenic park quietly tucked amid lava flows and soaring sandstone cliffs in a strikingly colorful and fragile desert environment. Majestic views and the subtle interplay of light, shadow, and color dancing across canyon walls evoke strong emotional responses from visitors. Transported by wind more than 183 million years ago, tiny grains of quartzite sand covered much of what we now call Utah. These sand dunes, up to 2,500 feet thick, eventually were cemented into stone. Burnt orange to creamy white in color, Navajo sandstone, the predominant rock in the park, is what remains of the ancient desert sand sea. Over time, water has cut and shaped the sandstone to form canyons. Approximately 1.4 million years ago, and as recently as 27,000 years ago, nearby cinder cones erupted, causing lava to flow down these canyons, filling them with basalt. 

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