DetourOn © All rights reserved YOUR NAME (COULD GO HERE) THE GREAT PARKS OF THE WEST Have you been dreaming of this destination for a while? The wide open spaces, the deserts, the colors, discovering the mythical parks of the American Southwest on long hikes… Following this itinerary, you will visit some of the most beautiful regions of the United States. We offer you an array of hikes to choose from according to your level of comfort, ranging from easy to difficult. Your dream will finally become a reality! Itinerary DetourOn in association with Chinook Aventure Start date to end date The Great Parks of the West DetourOn © Itinerary Day 1 – Zion National Park If renting a JUCY campervan, refer to your rental agreement for time and place of pick-up. Start point Las Vegas, NV Morning St George, UT Red rock mesas and lush waterways create the setting for one of Utah's fastest-growing cities. Under the direction of Brigham Young, members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints were called to settle the region with the creation of the town of St. George. Today, much of the Mormon history is well- preserved and displayed in important historic buildings around town. St. George has blossomed into a haven for people of all ages and interests looking for mild weather and amenities such as golf courses, great dining, world-class destination spas, and even a 2,000-seat outdoor amphitheater. There is even a convenient regional airport, a renowned university, a state-of-the-art medical center, an accommodating convention center, and a wide variety of entertainment options, museums, art galleries and other outdoor pursuits. Driving time: 1 hour 30 mins Visit time: 1 hour Afternoon Hike – Zion National Park – Lower and Emerald Pools 2.5-mile (3.5km) one-way, 270ft (80m) elevation gain, moderate hike. A paved trail from Zion Lodge leads to the Lower Emerald Pool (1.2 miles/1.8km), a natural pool abundant with life fed by a seasonal waterfall. A well- maintained yet uneven trail continues behind the water (slippery when wet) to the Upper Emerald Pool. Nice views of Zion Canyon along the way. Do not swim. Do not drink from the pools or streams. Driving time: 1 hour Visit time: 2 hours Zion National Park Human History Museum Permanent exhibits display the rich human history of Zion National Park. Showcasing American Indian culture, historic pioneer settlement, and Zion's growth as a national park, the Human History Museum also illustrates the effects of water in Zion. Both creator and destroyer, water is why people have traveled through and settled in Zion. Water creates the scenery and sanctuary that makes Zion famous. Driving time: 10 mins Visit time: 1 hour Accommodation Springdale, UT Driving time: 10 mins The Great Parks of the West DetourOn © Itinerary Day 2 – Bryce Canyon National Park Morning Red Canyon, UT This is one of many exceptional stops along Utah Scenic Byway 12, located just outside of Bryce Canyon National Park amid spectacular red and vermilion-colored sandstone spires and stands of Ponderosa pines. The many trails of the area are open to foot traffic, road bikes, mountain bikes, horses, and/or ATVs. The visitor center, aside for souvenirs and trail information, also features seasonal displays of the area’s flora and fauna. Driving time: 1 hour 30 mins Visit time: 15 mins Afternoon Hike – Bryce Canyon National Park – Figure 8 3 to 6.4-mile (5 to 10.2km) loop, 1631ft (497m) elevation gain, moderate hike. This unique trail meanders through the most famous hoodoos of Bryce’s biggest amphitheater. Starting at Sunrise Point, combine the Queens Garden loop with Peekaboo and Navajo trails, and reemerge at the rim at Sunset Point. Possibility to shortcut by exiting at Wall Street or Bryce Point and taking the park shuttle back to the starting point. Driving time: 2 hours Visit time: 4 hours Bryce Canyon National Park Visitor Center Permanent exhibits display the rich ecosystem of Bryce Canyon National Park, including flora, fauna, geology, and so much more. Aside for being a souvenirs shop, bookstore, and information desk, the visitor center also continuously plays an interesting and educational 20-minute film about Bryce called "Shadows of Time." Driving time: 10 mins Visit time: 1 hour Accommodation Bryce Canyon City, UT Driving time: 10 mins The Great Parks of the West DetourOn © Itinerary Day 3 – Canyonlands National Park Morning Capitol Reef National Park Located in south-central Utah in the heart of red rock country, Capitol Reef National Park is a hidden treasure filled with cliffs, canyons, domes, and bridges in the Waterpocket Fold, a geologic monocline (a wrinkle on the earth) extending almost 100 miles. Driving time: 3 hours Visit time: 30 mins Afternoon Hike – Canyonlands National Park – White Rim Overlook Trail 0.9-mile (1.4km) one-way, easy hike. Breathtaking views of White Rim Road, Colorado River, La Sal Mountains. Driving time: 3 hours Visit time: 1 hour Hike – Canyonlands National Park – Mesa Arch 0.5-mile (0.8km) loop, easy hike. Well-maintained and popular trail leads to the photogenic arch, sitting on the cliff edge. Amazing views through the arch. Driving time: 15 mins Visit time: 20 mins Accommodation Moab, UT Driving time: 1 hour The Great Parks of the West DetourOn © Itinerary Day 4 – Arches National Park Morning Hike – Arches National Park – Delicate Arch 1.5-mile (2.4km) one-way, 480ft (146m) elevation gain, moderate hike. People come from all over the world to visit Delicate Arch, a widely recognized symbol of the state of Utah and one of the most famous geologic features in the world. The light opening beneath the arch is 46 feet high and 32 feet wide, making it the largest free-standing arch in the park. Driving time: 1 hour Visit time: 2 hours Hike – Arches National Park – Landscape Arch 0.8-mile (1.3km) one-way, easy hike. A relatively flat, gravel- surfaced trail meanders through tall fins to a spectacular view of Landscape Arch, a spectacular ribbon of rock whose span is more than a football field in length. Some steep slopes may be accessible to wheelchairs with assistance. Trail guide available at trailhead. After Landscape Arch, the Devils Garden trail becomes difficult, with rock scrambling, narrow ledges, and exposure to heights. Driving time: 30 mins Visit time: 1 hour Afternoon Hike – Arches National Park – The Windows and Double Arch 1.5-mile (2.4km) loop, easy hike. A gentle climb up a gravel trail leads to the massive North Window, South Window, and Turret Arch. Return to the parking lot via the same trail, or take the slightly longer primitive trail around the Windows. From there, continue on a relatively flat, gravel-surfaced trail that leads to the base of two giant arch spans joined at one end. Driving time: 30 mins Visit time: 1 hour Accommodation Same as previous night Driving time: 1 hour The Great Parks of the West DetourOn © Itinerary Day 5 – Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park Morning Sand Island Petroglyphs Panel The Sand Island panel is an impressive rock wall that stretches more than 100 yards, and is covered with ancient Anasazi scrawlings estimated to be anywhere from 800 to 2,500 years old. Its images span nearly the entire time humans were known to inhabit the Four Corners area with markings from the early Basketmaker period through the Pueblo III period, and, more recently, records from Ute and Navajo people. Driving time: 2 hours Visit time: 15 mins Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park This great valley boasts sandstone masterpieces that tower at heights of 400 to 1,000 feet, framed by scenic clouds casting shadows that graciously roam the desert floor. The angle of the sun accents these graceful formations, providing scenery that is simply spellbinding. Driving time: 2 hours Visit time: 2 hours Afternoon Carl Hayden Visitor Center at Glen Canyon Dam This beautiful, modernistic building whose circular, glass- enclosed east end juts out over the dam, provides a sweeping panoramic view of the dam and Lake Powell behind it. There are wonderful exhibits, photographs, and dioramas depicting the construction and functions of the dam, and a beautiful relief map of Lake Powell and the surrounding area. Bookstore, souvenirs, and restrooms available, as well as introductory films and tours of the dam. Driving time: 2 hours Visit time: 1 hour Accommodation Page, AZ Driving time: 10 mins The Great Parks of the West DetourOn © Itinerary Day 6 – Around Lake Powell Morning Hike – Antelope Canyon Short, easy hike, yet requires walking on uneven ground in tight spaces. Few geological formations are as picturesque and awe- inspiring as Antelope Canyon, a magnificent slot canyon winding through tall red sandstone walls. The canyon is known for its wave- like structure and the light beams that shine directly down into the openings of the canyon, creating a supernatural appearance. GUIDED TOURS ARE MANDATORY AND MUST BE RESERVED IN ADVANCE. Driving time: 10 mins Visit time: 2 hours Hike – Horseshoe Bend Short, easy hike, yet requires walking on steep sandy sections. An incredible natural vista of a horseshoe-shaped meander of the Colorado River, just four miles downriver from the Glen Canyon Dam. The best view is from a steep cliff 1000ft above the river surface. Driving time: 10 mins Visit time: 30 mins Afternoon Desert View Watchtower For visitors coming into the park via the East Entrance, a stop at Desert View provides the first views of Grand Canyon. The 70ft tall watchtower, built in 1932 for tourism purposes, boasts some of the finest views of the Colorado River and canyon geology.