Off The Beaten Path

Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks are the focus of this journey, sitting side by side, yet offering such complementary landscapes and opportunities. The combination of prolific wildlife, unique geothermal activity, and sheer beauty is simply unmatched.

From Bozeman, a trip along the Yellowstone River through the Paradise Valley leads us to our first stop, Yellowstone’s Mammoth Hot Springs. Before checking in to our accommodations, we’ll stroll the boardwalks around Mammoth’s subtly beautiful travertine terraces. Get to know about the park’s wildlife and history with a visit to the Albright Visitor Center. Wake early to begin the journey to the heart of the park, where we settle for two nights. With an eye out for wildlife – always! – we travel over Dunraven Pass, stop at the dramatic Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, look for wildlife in Hayden Valley, and follow the shores of Yellowstone Lake to Old Faithful. There will be time before and after dinner to catch an eruption of Old Faithful Geyser.

Our next day is all about gushing geysers, colorful thermal pools, and bubbling mud pots. Next stop, Jackson Hole, where the craggy Tetons cast their shadow. From a wonderful lodge in town, we spend days hiking in the Rockefeller Preserve, boating across Jenny Lake, strolling around the Jackson Town Square, and floating a scenic stretch of the Snake River.

Locals call Utah’s national parks “The Mighty Five,” and on this epic journey you’ll hike in all of them. From Moab, you’ll traverse the fins and needles of Arches and discover quiet beauty in Canyonlands. As you venture through Capitol Reef, you’ll find some of the best of southern Utah’s geologic wonders. Bryce Canyon is hoodoo heaven, and in Zion, one trail culminates in an astounding viewpoint. This is your ultimate Utah: heaps of hiking, numerous national parks, and pockets of peace for red-rock ruminations.

From Grand Junction, follow the Colorado River right into Moab, where we don our hiking boots and head straight for Arches. Prepare to be amazed!! With three nights at the Red Cliffs Lodge, right off the main drag, we’ll get to know Canyonlands and Arches National Parks. Highlights are hikes to the iconic Delicate Arch and the stunning and remote Needles District in Canyonlands.

Our next stop is Boulder Mountain Lodge, where we access arches and canyons in Capitol Reef National Park and the classic Calf Creek Falls in Escalante National Monument.

Springdale, outside of Zion National Park, is our last destination, and en route we’ll hike among the high elevation spires in Bryce Canyon. We’ll embark on our last hikes of the trips in Zion National Park, where myriad trails await!

The biggest trees in the world and picture-perfect Yosemite Valley reign on this journey—a treasure trove of giant sequoia trees, waterfalls, towering rock faces, and sheer beauty. Yosemite hosts an embarrassment of riches, and each day you’ll delight in iconic landscapes that steal your gaze, including the famous Half Dome, “El Cap,” Glacier Point, Tuolumne Meadows, and Yosemite Falls. Whatever you do, don’t forget your camera. (Ansel Adams surely didn’t.)

Meet in Fresno, then head straight for Yosemite National Park, spending two nights at the park’s edge near the famous Mariposa Grove, with each day dedicated to hiking and exploring the park. Your last three nights are right in Yosemite Valley, for exploring more park trails to waterfalls, viewpoints, lakes, and meadows.

Your knowledgeable guide shapes each day to maximize experiences that inspire appreciation for the majesty and serenity of the High Sierras.

The landscapes of Joshua Tree and Death Valley National Parks are startling, sublime, surreal, and exquisite. We’ll thread our way deep into each park to discover fascinating complexities of the seemingly austere surroundings. Two distinct lodges, one eclectic and one elegant, round out this desert journey.

From Palm Springs, we make our way to Joshua Tree National Park for our first glimpse of the namesake trees and a stop at the visitor center to gain our bearings. We’ll take a choice hike in the park before arriving at our unique accommodations in Twentynine Palms. On our full day in the area, we head for the farthest reaches of the park to see rock formations, unique flora, a waterfall, and a historic ranch.

Next, we’re off to Death Valley, stopping and hiking in Mojave National Preserve en route. We arrive to welcoming accommodations at The Inn at Death Valley, complete with palm gardens and a spring-fed pool. The largest national park in the Lower 48 offers up a number of wonders, and our explorations take us from the depths of Badwater Basin – located below sea level – to the top of Mount Whitney, at 14,505 feet! In between, we’ll admire the landscape from Dante’s View, hike the Golden Canyon Trail, hike through Mosaic Canyon, and take in a sunrise from Zabriskie Point.

This brilliant Golden State trip takes you on a loop from San Francisco, to Yosemite, to Carmel, and back up to the City by the Bay. You will definitely leave your heart somewhere—maybe in San Francisco, the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias, or with a sea otter in Monterey Bay.

Every day is special, whether you’re on your own at Fisherman’s Wharf or on a Big Sur beach, or enjoying guided experiences like biking the Golden Gate Bridge, hiking in Yosemite, peering into tide pools, or going behind-the-scenes at the outstanding Monterey Bay Aquarium.

Variety is the spice of life—and that defines this delightful journey. You have full days to discover the incredible landscapes of Grand Canyon and Zion National Parks, plus the trip includes a fun array of unique experiences.

From Las Vegas, we make our way to the one and only Grand Canyon, with a tour of Hoover Dam en route. We’ll spend two nights on the edge of the canyon, with time for hiking along the rim, dipping down into the canyon, and capturing a classic Grand Canyon Sunset from the right spot. Endangered California condors may fly overhead, and we’ll be looking!

Next stop is Lake Powell, pausing en route for an Indian taco and to browse Indian art at the historic Cameron Trading Post. After a night at Lake Powell Resort, we’ll rise to float a serene stretch of the Colorado River just below Glen Canyon Dam, learning about the controversy surrounding the damming of the river.

We spend our last days in the energetic town of Springdale, outside of Zion National Park, highlighted by a variety of hikes that lead us to and through Zion’s beautiful treasures.

Travel under the tourist radar and discover less-traveled trails, vistas, and cultural sites of southern Utah’s great parklands. Each of these parks is vastly different, and equally special. Experience the spring-fed creeks, dry and deep canyons, hoodoos, spires, arches, and towers of red, orange, brown, pink, and white. Listen for the haunting trill of the canyon wren. Discover the delicate plant life. At day’s end, take a dip in a cool pool and delight your taste buds with fresh Southwest cuisine.

Meet and greet in St. George, then head for the parks! Our first stop is Zion National Park’s lesser-visited Kolob Canyon, stretching our legs on a short hike. Our accommodations are inside of Bryce Canyon National Park, and tomorrow we’ll hike along excellent trails, taking in the striking spire-laden landscape.

We pack our bags and head for Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. A stop in picturesque Kodachrome Basin State Park – which we may have to ourselves – offers up a gorgeous trail and picnic spot. From wonderful Boulder Mountain Lodge, we explore Grand Staircase-Escalante, marveling at features such as hanging gardens, towering cliffs, natural bridges, and a hole-in-the-rock. A visit to Escalante wouldn’t be complete without dinner at Hell’s Backbone Grill.

Last, but most certainly not least, we arrive in Zion National Park, where from wonderful accommodations in Springdale, we spend days in the park hiking to some of the spectacular places… Emerald Pools, the Virgin River Narrows, Angel’s Landing and Three Patriarchs