Salt Lake City / Utah’s Might 5 National Parks

Tentative Itinerary

1. Day 1 – Wednesday, September 1 Nashville, TN / Paducah, KY

   Our tour will begin in Bonifay, Florida, where we will load our luxury motorcoach and head toward a fun morning rest stop at Sweet Creek Farm Market, near Montgomery, AL. Then it’s on to Bucee’s in Athens, Alabama for a restroom and snack break. From there we will head for our early dinner at the historic Hermitage Steak House in Nashville, TN. After a great meal, we will be on our way to our hotel in Paducah, KY for our first night’s rest.

2. Day 2 – Thursday, September 2 Paducah, KY / Saint Louis, MO / Stain Joseph, MO

   After breakfast at the hotel, we will load the bus and head to The Arch in Saint Louis, MO. We will enjoy a lunch cruise on the Mississippi River. That afternoon, we travel to Saint Joseph, MO with stops along the way. We will have dinner before we arrive at our hotel.

3. Day 3 – Friday, September 3 Saint Joseph, MO / Cheyenne, WY

   We will start our day with breakfast at the hotel and then load the bus and head out for a very scenic drive to our next destination, Cheyenne, WY. Around noon we will have lunch at Cunninghams Journal on the Lake in Kearney, as well as some other experiences. Then it’s on to Cheyenne, WY, with some rest stops along the way. Our dinner destination will be T-Joe’s Steakhouse & Saloon, where we will enjoy a great meal before heading just down the road to our hotel for the evening.

4. Day 4 – Saturday, September 4 Cheyenne, WY / Salt Lake City, UT

   Once again, we will load the bus after breakfast and continue the gorgeous scenic drive toward Salt Lake City, UT. There will be rest stops and lunch along the way, arriving in Salt Lake City for some sight-seeing and dinner before we check into our hotel where we will be for two nights

5. Day 5 – Sunday, September 5 Salt Lake City, UT

   This morning, enjoy the heavenly sounds of the Tabernacle Choir during their weekly broadcast from the Salt Lake Tabernacle in Salt Lake City, The program primarily features performances of music by Tabernacle Choir —often accompanied by the Salt Lake Tabernacle organ and the Orchestra at Temple Square. Then, join the group for the Salt Lake Temple Open House. A once in a generation opportunity to tour the Salt Lake Temple during a public open house after a 5-year renovation project. The last time the Salt Lake Temple was open to the general public was in April 1893, just prior to its initial dedication. After dedication, the Salt Lake Temple is only accessible to members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints with a temple recommend, making the 2027 event a rare opportunity for public tours that has not happened for 134 years! Enjoy some free time at City Creek Center for shopping and lunch on your own. Next, join the group for an afternoon of adventure, education, and exploration of the unique and timeless landscape of the Great Salt Lake and Antelope Island State Park. Experience spectacular views of the Great Salt Lake, step back in time with a visit to the historic Fielding Garr Ranch, enjoy viewing opportunities of free-ranging bison, mule deer, bighorn sheep, pronghorns, and millions of birds who congregate along the shores of the Great Salt Lake. The evening is free to explore and have dinner on your own.

6. Day 6 – Monday, September 6 Salt Lake City, UT / Zion National Park / La Verkin, UT

   This morning, depart Salt Lake City and travel south along the western edge of the Rocky Mountains with a rest stop along the way. Arrive at Cedar City with a stop for lunch on your own. After lunch, take a scenic drive to see Utah’s oldest and most famous national park, Zion National Park. An early Mormon settler described the park’s massive formations as “temples built by hands, not of man.” The Paiutes believed mischievous spirits lived among the 2,000-foot-high towers and would not enter the canyon alone or remain there after dark. There will be time to explore Zion Canyon, a brilliant green canyon set against the backdrop of sheer red cli_s, with an occasional lacy waterfall fanning out from the rocks. The park shuttle system will allow travelers to explore their interests at their own pace. Later in the day, travel to the nearby town of La Verkin for overnight. Dinner is included at a local restaurant.

7. Day 7 – Tuesday, September 7 La Verkin, UT / Bryce Canyon City, UT

   After breakfast, return to Zion National Park for some additional sightseeing. Just outside the park, transfer to smaller vehicles for a guided trip to the Eastern side of the park. The smaller vehicles allow you to pass through the amazing Mt. Carmel Highway Tunnel which provides stunning views of Zion Canyon and explore East Zion. Arrive at Mt. Carmel Junction where you will transfer back to your bus. Enjoy the vibrant colors of Red Canyon on your way to Ruby’s Inn for lunch on your own and some time for shopping. After lunch, enter Bryce Canyon National Park for sightseeing. The hues and intricate shapes of Bryce Canyon carry even the most mature adult away into a fairyland fantasy. The Paiute Indians used a word to describe Bryce that translates into, “red rocks standing like men in a bowl-shaped canyon.” Mormon settler Ebenezer Bryce, for whom the canyon was named, described it as “a hell of a place to lose a cow.” Check into your hotel located just outside the park, then join the group for some wonderful western food and entertainment at Ebenezer’s Barn and Grill. Later tonight, join the group for a special Stargazing Tour. Bryce Canyon is a certified International Dark Sky Park. Your guide will bring the cosmos to life with high-powered telescopes, descriptions of the science, and stories of the constellations.

8. Day 8 – Wednesday, September 8 Capitol Reef / Dead Horse Point / Moab

   This morning, enjoy a drive on one of America’s most spectacular roads. Scenic Highway 12 has been designated as an “All American Road,” the crown jewel of the Scenic Byways system. You will travel through Grand Staircase – Escalante National Monument, with vast expanses of cream- and rose-colored Navajo sandstone. There are dramatic cli_s, high mesas, beautiful streams and deep canyons in multi-hued colors across the 1.9-million-acre monument. Drive up and over Boulder Mountain reaching altitudes over 9,000 feet with incredible views of Capitol Reef, the Circle Cli_s and the Henry Mountains. Then arrive at Capitol Reef National Park for sightseeing of ancient petroglyphs, beautiful rock formations, deep canyons and pioneer history after a wonderful picnic lunch under towering cottonwood trees. Continue North and East through the San Rafael Swell with a rest stop in Green River. As you near the Colorado River, travel to Dead Horse Point State Park for one of the most spectacular scenes in the southwest. You will see the expanse of Canyonlands National Park stretching to the south and the mighty Colorado River 2,000 feet below. This evening, arrive in the town of Moab for and included dinner and overnight.

9. Day 9 – Thursday, September 9 Moab, UT / Arches National Park / Denver, CO

   This morning, you are o_ to nearby Arches National Park for sightseeing. The 18,000 square-foot visitors center will introduce you to the unique geologic forces that created the highest concentration of natural arches in the world with over 2,000 named arches within its 73,000-acre boundary. Visit all the park highlights including The La Sal Mountains Viewpoint, Lower Delicate Arch Viewpoint, the Windows Section and more. Return to Moab with some free time for lunch on own. In the afternoon, take a Scenic Byway along the Colorado River past Fisher Towers and Castle Valley. Enter Colorado and travel Eastward with a rest stop along the way. Enjoy wonderful views of the Colorado Rockies as you pass through the famous ski areas around Vail. It will be an afternoon of mountain roads, wildlife, and breathtaking views. A true Colorado Rocky Mountain High! This evening, arrive in the Denver area for overnight. then join your local guide for a farewell dinner and recount your amazing journey through the Utah Mighty 5 & More!

10. Day 10 – Friday, September 10 Denver, CO / Wichita, KS

    We will depart the Mile High City of Denver after breakfast and begin our journey back toward home. We will have several scenic rests stops and lunch along the way. Wichita, Kansas is where we will be headed for dinner and our hotel.

11. Day 11 – Saturday, September 11 Wichita, KS / West Memphis, AR

    After a good breakfast we will load the bus and make our way east through Little Rock, AR on our way to Memphis, TN. We are planning stops along the way that will let us see some more great sights before we head home.

12. Day 12 – Sunday, September 12 West Memphis, AR / Bonifay, FL

    This will be our final day, and it will be a great time to reflect on everything we have had the opportunity to see and enjoy on our unforgettable journey. You will want to soak up every moment of the reaming time you have with the friends you have made during our time together. We will have several rest stops and lunch along the way before returning to Bonifay, FL around 5:00 p.m.