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Utah Vacations & Adventure Tours

Utah Explorer Trip

Get ready to be transported to a land of geologic wonder on our Utah hiking and adventure tours.

With landscapes of river-carved canyons, towering hoodoos, multicolored mesas, natural amphitheaters, and sparkling waterfalls, Utah is an incredible vacation destination for families, friends, groups, and adventure seekers. Adventure activities like hiking, biking, white water rafting, kayaking, and more await you on a vacation of a lifetime! Our guided Utah vacations offer you the opportunity to be active, outdoors, make new friends, a create lasting memories. With small group sizes, endless personal touches from start to finish, and expertly trained guides our all-inclusive departures will surprise and inspire any age!

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All Utah Vacations

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Why Choose Active Adventures

Do It Yourself
With Active Adventures
Hours of research to plan
Expertly planned by professional adventurers
Which accommodations to book?
Premium accommodation booked for you
Which trails to explore? How to book?
Iconic & lesser-known trails booked for you
Which restaurants to suit all?
All meals included: delicious & to suit all
Unguided; reliance on impersonal travel books
Caring guides; passionate about what they do

What Guests are Saying about their Utah Vacations

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Bryce Canyon & Zion Adventure - August 2023

Bryce/Zion trip

"This was such a fantastic trip. Spending time in beautiful Bryce and Zion with… read more

"This was such a fantastic trip. Spending time in beautiful Bryce and Zion with a great group of people and two fantastic guides was just the best!!! I will definitely travel with Austin Adventures again!! read less

5 Stars (177 reviews)

Naida,

Bryce Canyon & Zion Adventure - August 2023

Great Sights, Great Exercise, and Great Friendships!

"My wife and I had an outstanding adventure vacation at Bryce and Zion. We saw… read more

"My wife and I had an outstanding adventure vacation at Bryce and Zion. We saw incredible sights and enjoyed the friendships that we developed over the course of the week spent hiking, bicycling, kayaking, and canyoneering together. Our guides were always one step ahead, anticipating our needs and wants - and totally spoiling us in the process! read less

5 Stars (177 reviews)

Scott,

Bryce Canyon & Zion Adventure - August 2023

Excellent experience

"Many lifetime memories made on this trip. Beautiful views. read more

"Many lifetime memories made on this trip. Beautiful views. read less

4 Stars (177 reviews)

Teri,

Bryce Canyon & Zion Adventure - August 2023

Bryce Canyon & Zion Adventure

"My wife and I are senior citizens and booked this trip with some reservations on… read more

"My wife and I are senior citizens and booked this trip with some reservations on whether we would be paired with people similar in age or we would slow the group down. To our delight we found that most of the group was similar to us in age and the "adventures" include in the trip were doable for us and we had the option to do something a little less demanding. The guides were very attentive to our needs, thank you to Megan and Joel, we had a wonderful trip. read less

5 Stars (177 reviews)

Christfried,

Bryce Canyon & Zion Family Vacation - August 2023

Great Trip

"Amazing trip!! Well planned and organized!! Attention to detail. Different options for different levels of… read more

"Amazing trip!! Well planned and organized!! Attention to detail. Different options for different levels of activity. read less

5 Stars (54 reviews)

Heather,

Bryce Canyon & Zion Family Vacation - August 2023

Wonderful family adventure!

"Our trip to Bryce and Zion was terrific. Wonderful guides, a variety of activities and… read more

"Our trip to Bryce and Zion was terrific. Wonderful guides, a variety of activities and simply beautiful scenery. We would highly recommend this trip to making special memories. read less

5 Stars (54 reviews)

Susan,

Mighty Five Adventure - May 2023

Nine great days with Steve and Bryson

"With perfect weather, an awesome pair of guides, and the luck of having a small… read more

"With perfect weather, an awesome pair of guides, and the luck of having a small number of guests, our Mighty Five Adventure in Utah could not have been better. read less

5 Stars (61 reviews)

Douglas,

Mighty Five Adventure - May 2023

Mighty Five

"Perfect in every way! Weather, trip size, meals, accomodations, and the guides couldn't have… read more

"Perfect in every way! Weather, trip size, meals, accomodations, and the guides couldn't have been more enthusiastic, knowledgeable and congenial. Add to that gorgeous scenery, challenging and perfectly planned hikes and a flexible itinerary to fit in the most adventure and convenience for the guests. read less

5 Stars (61 reviews)

Cynthia,

Mighty Five Adventure - May 2023

"Boy did we have a good time!! Austin Adventures and our superlative guides, Steve and… read more

"Boy did we have a good time!! Austin Adventures and our superlative guides, Steve and Bryson gave us a fabulous experience in seeing, hiking Utah's Five National Parks and several state parks and areas. It would have been tough to do all we did on our own. Everything about the trip was great: accommodations, dining, weather, activities, but especially the GUIDES!!! Leave the parking to them! We highly recommend this trip. read less

5 Stars (61 reviews)

Pamela,

Arches & Canyonlands Adventure - April 2023

Arches/Canyonlands

"What a great 6 day adventure, everything from the rafting down the Colorado to the… read more

"What a great 6 day adventure, everything from the rafting down the Colorado to the hiking and biking in Canyonlands and Arches National Parks. Our guides Steve and Joel were excellent: very knowledgeable, funny, interesting and took care of all our needs. Food was excellent AND healthy. read less

5 Stars (56 reviews)

Edward Fitzpatrick,

Arches & Canyonlands Adventure - October 2022

Arches & Canyonlands Adventure

"Wonderful!
Exceeded my expectations! read more

"Wonderful!
Exceeded my expectations!
read less

4 Stars (56 reviews)

Karen,

Mighty Five Adventure - October 2022

Mighty Five Adventure

"Megan and Steve represented your organization in an outstanding way. They clearly love the… read more

"Megan and Steve represented your organization in an outstanding way. They clearly love the outdoors, were knowledgeable about the parks and natural elements. They engaged the entire group and were patient and kind to everyone. They were also a lot of fun which was contagious. read less

5 Stars (61 reviews)

Dawn,

Mighty Five Adventure - October 2022

Mighty Five Adventure

"The guides, Megan and Steve, were wonderful and guided us to trails and experiences with… read more

"The guides, Megan and Steve, were wonderful and guided us to trails and experiences with masterly of the areas visited. The scenery was beyond belief, and our group enjoyed one another as well as the accommodations at each site. The larger venues (Zion and Moab) had the best lodging and food options, but even the smaller areas were quite acceptable and hospitable. I read less

5 Stars (61 reviews)

Lynne,

Mighty Five Adventure - October 2022

Mighty Five Adventure

"The Mighty Five was a wonderful adventure. Meghan and Steve are EXCELLENT guides who… read more

"The Mighty Five was a wonderful adventure. Meghan and Steve are EXCELLENT guides who are flexible, calm, fun to talk with and exude enthusiasm. Glitches do not phase them (traveler who needs extra, people with covid).
The parks are amazing beyond words. I am pleased we did the direction (Zion first and Canyonlands last) but can see positives with the opposite as they would increase in difficulty). Fellow travelers were wonderful and lots of fun, although you have no control over that ! read less

5 Stars (61 reviews)

Mary,

Mighty Five Adventure - October 2022

Mighty Five Adventure

"Lots of new sights and experiences. Having two guides on the trip provided lots of… read more

"Lots of new sights and experiences. Having two guides on the trip provided lots of flexibility and made linear walks possible. read less

5 Stars (61 reviews)

Michael,

Mighty Five Adventure - October 2022

The guides were the best

"Could not have been happier with our guides. The accommodations were perfect, meals were great… read more

"Could not have been happier with our guides. The accommodations were perfect, meals were great and everything was well organized. Our guides were flexible and worked on itinerary to make it suit our group. They were very knowledgeable, made everything fun with little surprises along the way. Highly recommend Megan and Bryson. read less

5 Stars (61 reviews)

Kim, Canada

Mighty Five Adventure - September 2022

Mighty Five Adventure

"It was a fantastic experience! read more

"It was a fantastic experience! read less

5 Stars (61 reviews)

Annette,

Mighty Five Adventure - September 2022

Mighty Five Adventure

"Overall, things were well-planned and organized by the guides, which lead to a successful trip.… read more

"Overall, things were well-planned and organized by the guides, which lead to a successful trip. I oved hiking in the beautiful National Parks of southern Utah and that meals, lodging and travel were all taken care of for me.
However, my enjoyment of this trip was undermined by the presence of one guest. He was much older than everyone else, at 78 years old. He had a level of fitness in his legs, but was stooped over and waddled from side to side when he walked, which effected his gait and balance. Most important he was not a hiker, ill-prepared for the trip and wore gym shoes. Proper hiking shoes are essential and this became a huge safety issue starting on day 2 when hiking in Fisher Towers. The trails are very narrow, rocky with cliffs on one side. It was a miracle that he did not fall, between his unsteady gait and slippery bottomed shoes. From that point on, one the guides needed to be near him on hiking trips. We offered him a hiking pole, which he often dragged on the ground.
This should be addressed by Active/Austin Adventures. A guest who is not suitable for an active outdoor hiking trip, on trails that were moderate-strenuous at times with narrow passages and cliffs, and who is not wearing appropriate hiking shoes is very unsafe. Moreover, traveling with an ill-prepared guest read less

4 Stars (61 reviews)

Dusty,

Mighty Five Adventure - September 2022

Mighty Five Adventure

"Best trip ever! A perfect combination of great guides, comfortable transportation, exciting and beautiful… read more

"Best trip ever! A perfect combination of great guides, comfortable transportation, exciting and beautiful destinations, good food and nice fellow adventurers. My wife had been a little hesitant about the heights before the trip but on the way home she asked where our next Austin Adventure should be. Thanks to all for expanding our horizons and running an exceptional tour! read less

5 Stars (61 reviews)

George,

Mighty Five Adventure - September 2022

Mighty Five Adventure

"Though the natural beauty of the parks make this trip excellent, your guides put it… read more

"Though the natural beauty of the parks make this trip excellent, your guides put it over the top. read less

5 Stars (61 reviews)

Richard,

Utah Vacations for Families

North America

Bryce Canyon & Zion Family Vacation

4.83

  • Duration 6 days
  • Activity Level Level 2 
    • Activity Level 2

      On the Move

      Sure, I own some hiking boots, they're even worn in, but they don't go on long trips. I like my creature comforts and I like to give a range of activities a go.

    Read more about the Active Range

 FAMILY VACATION

Explore the iconic desert canyons and windswept rock terrain of Bryce Canyon and Zion National Parks on this family-friendly adventure. The action-packed days and star-studded nights are sure to impress every member of the family.

Trip Start: St. George, Utah Trip End: St. George, Utah

Why Choose Active Adventures

Do It Yourself
With Active Adventures
Hours of research to plan
Expertly planned by professional adventurers
Which accommodations to book?
Premium accommodation booked for you
Which trails to explore? How to book?
Iconic & lesser-known trails booked for you
Which restaurants to suit all?
All meals included: delicious & to suit all
Unguided; reliance on impersonal travel books
Caring guides; passionate about what they do

Utah Vacations for Adults

North America

Mighty Five Adventure

4.95

  • Duration 9 days
  • Activity Level Level 3 
    • Activity Level 3

      Step It Up

      I love an active vacation. Engaging in a challenging activity with a difficult goal, such as reaching a summit, is exactly what I need to unwind in the evenings.

    Read more about the Active Range

 ADULT ONLY

Explore the best of Utah’s National Parks; including Canyonlands, Arches, Capitol Reef, Zion, and Bryce Canyon National Parks. You'll discover countless canyons, soaring pinnacles, crimson-colored hoodoos, and cascading waterfalls.

Trip Start: Grand Junction, Colorado Trip End: St. George, Utah

North America

Bryce Canyon & Zion Adventure

4.88

  • Duration 6 days
  • Activity Level Level 3 
    • Activity Level 3

      Step It Up

      I love an active vacation. Engaging in a challenging activity with a difficult goal, such as reaching a summit, is exactly what I need to unwind in the evenings.

    Read more about the Active Range

 ADULT ONLY

Over six days of exploring Bryce Canyon and Zion National Parks, you’ll hike through Zion Canyon, bike under towering red sandstone cliffs, stroll the Queens Garden trail, and behold clear night skies showcasing the Milky Way.

Trip Start: St. George, Utah Trip End: St. George, Utah

North America

Arches & Canyonlands Adventure

4.89

  • Duration 6 days
  • Activity Level Level 3 
    • Activity Level 3

      Step It Up

      I love an active vacation. Engaging in a challenging activity with a difficult goal, such as reaching a summit, is exactly what I need to unwind in the evenings.

    Read more about the Active Range

 ADULT ONLY

See for yourself why Utah is known across the globe as an adventurer's paradise. Explore the jaw-dropping landscapes of Arches & Canyonlands National Parks on foot, on two wheels, and with a paddle in hand on this six-day trip.

Trip Start: Grand Junction, Colorado Trip End: Grand Junction, Colorado

Why Choose Active Adventures

Do It Yourself
With Active Adventures
Hours of research to plan
Expertly planned by professional adventurers
Which accommodations to book?
Premium accommodation booked for you
Which trails to explore? How to book?
Iconic & lesser-known trails booked for you
Which restaurants to suit all?
All meals included: delicious & to suit all
Unguided; reliance on impersonal travel books
Caring guides; passionate about what they do
utah vacations

When Is the Best Time to Visit Utah?

Utah has some of the most varied terrain in the United States. The same can be said for Utah’s weather. Snowfall can top over 500 inches in the winter in certain mountain areas, while in the summer, parts of the state can top 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Spring and fall bring every type of weather imaginable. For us, our pick for the best time to visit Utah is the fall, when you can expect comfortable daytime temperatures and cool evenings.

Utah by the Seasons:

Spring (March-May)

This time of year tends to be the most unpredictable. Wet and windy one day, sunny and calm the next day. The desert areas will be the greenest during the spring. May is a great time to visit the national parks in the state as the average day time temperate is 82-86 degrees!

Summer (June – August)

Summer you will find the need for the most sunscreen! Temperatures range from daytime of upward 100 F in July/August and a low of 66 F in July/August in the evening so you will still need to plan to bring a light jacket.

Autumn (September – November)

Ah, the cooler temperatures start to return. Daytime highs are a comfortable 75-80 degrees during the day in September and October, but you should pack a jacket, hat, and gloves for the evening temperatures of 45-55 degrees. You can encounter light snowfall in the higher parks like Bryce Canyon National Park in late September during this time of year.

Winter (December – February)

Winter snowfall provides excellent skiing and adds a new beauty to the already gorgeous landscape. The average daily temperature will range around 34 degrees if you’re in the mountains or 55 degrees if you are hanging out in St George, Utah.

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How to Plan for Your Utah Vacation

When it comes to planning for your Utah vacation, it helps to prepare for the desert climate and a land of extremes. Here are a few of our tried-and-true tips of what to have on hand and how to plan for your Utah vacation:

1. Hydration and more hydration

In a desert environment, the summer months can be hot and dry with temperatures in July and August around 100 degrees F, so it is essential to drink plenty of water. Be sure to keep your water bottle handy and drink from it often. There are several filling stations located throughout the parks to ensure that your bottle stays full and of course, your adventure guide always has extra water on hand to ensure everyone is hydrated.

2. Layer and cover up

When you’re in Utah, plan to dress in layers. The elevation can change from 2,860 feet in St. George to 9,115 feet at Rainbow Point in Bryce Canyon National Park, which is only about a 2-hour drive north. We recommend conversion pants (pants that zip off into shorts when you need), and long sleeve outer layer with a short sleeve layer underneath. A hat with a brim is also an essential item to bring along or bandanna to cover your neck/head from the sun.

3. Apply and reapply sunscreen

Sunscreen is very important whenever you are enjoying the outdoors. Utah boasts upwards of 300 days of sunshine each year, and the ultraviolet rays from the sun will burn you easier at higher elevations, so you’ll want to stay extra protected. SPF 30 “broad-spectrum” sunscreen will provide protection from both ultraviolet A and B rays. Reapply approximately every two hours or as indicated on the label.

utah vacations 3

Tips for Your Utah Vacation & What to Expect

Having traveled to Utah for years, we’ve learned a few things along the way. We’re happy to share a few fun facts and interesting features of Utah with you:

1. State Nickname

Utah is called The Beehive State. The nickname comes from members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, or Mormons, who first settled in the territory. “Deseret,” in The Book of Mormon is a honeybee. Early Mormon settlers have been described as having carried “swarms of bees” with them. This nickname commemorates the industry of the people of Utah.

2. Precipitation

Utah’s annual rainfall varies greatly from less than five inches in Utah’s arid Great Salt Lake Desert to more than 60 inches in the northern mountain ranges.

3. Bring your Camera

Utah is a landscape photographer’s paradise. You have sandstone arches, tall pillar hoodoos, spires, towers, slot canyons, river gorges, canyon walls and shadows, silky water moving through carved and rusted canyons, weeping rocks, green forest, etc. It truly is a photographer’s dream!

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Secure Your Spot Now, Pay the Rest Later

As members of the Active Adventures family, Austin Adventures offers booking assurance that allows you to secure your spot with a deposit now and pay the rest later. Plus, if your plans change or you can’t travel, you can transfer your booking or request a refund on any additional funds paid (less deposit) up to 90 days from your original trip start date.  

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Meet Your Utah Vacation Guides

FAQS About Utah Vacations

Do you recommend buying travel insurance?

As an Austin Adventures traveler, it’s highly recommended you take out travel insurance to cover the likes of travel delays, missed connections, medical expenses or injury, or lost baggage for your travel with us. Please head to our Travel Protection page for more in-depth information and our recommended insurance provider.

What's included on your North America trips?

Accommodation

We've spent years finding places to stay that are quaint, perfectly-located, and comfortable when we take you to the most amazing parts of North America. We offer a wide variety of accommodations on our trips ranging from locally run inns and first-class hotels to resorts, dude ranches and historic national park cabins. Accommodations are selected for their location, unique charm and history, and offer a true feel for the region. We strongly believe in the value of a good night's sleep and our accommodation reflects this. We also like to have somewhere comfortable to relax after the day's activities.

Transport

We're really focused on ensuring that we spend as little time as possible sitting in vehicles, and that we optimise your vacation for adventuring in the great outdoors. Our average driving time is just over two hours a day, and we make plenty of stops for bathroom breaks and sightseeing along the way. We use modern, comfortable 15-passenger vans for all of our transfers and a second van is added to most departures to provide more flexibility and more room to spread out while seeing the sights! Make no mistake - our trips are not typical bus tour vacation packages! Picture more of a road trip with family complete with good music, tasty snacks, and plenty of guide-supplied fun facts along the way to keep you entertained!

Meals

Just about all your meals are included when you travel with Austin Adventures in North America. We provide a wide variety of cuisine - breakfasts are typically eaten at your hotel on your own time in the morning before meeting up with the group. Lunches feature everything from elaborate picnics to roadside cafes to sandwiches trailside. Dinners are usually eaten at our hotel's dining room or a local restaurant with plenty of options to choose from. We easily cater to vegetarians, picky kids, and people with particular dietary needs. All our guides have food safety certificates and are well-practiced in the art of food prep and serving while on-the-move. You'll find the meals are a real highlight of your trip!

All Guiding Services

Each trip features two or three incredible guides and our average guest to guide ratio is 6:1. Our guests are often drawn to North America by the beautiful scenic landscapes, promise of wilderness and clean air - and there's no doubt you'll find all that, though what you may not be expecting is to forge real, genuine friendships with your fellow tripmates, including our wonderful guides. They're hands-down the BEST guides you'll ever come across.

Activities

Any activity described in our itinerary, such as hiking, rafting, horseback riding, kayaking and biking, are included in your trip cost. Our itineraries are pretty jam-packed to maximize our time spent exploring in these amazing places, and your guides will make it clear if there are additional activities available (at your expense).

How many people are there on each of our North America trips?

We get a real variety of people on our trips and they all seem to have one thing in common – a love of the outdoors! Our trips can accommodate up to 22 guests, depending on each departure. Our adult-only departures require a minimum age of 16 years and generally feature a mix of singles, couples and friends, and our family departures require a minimum age of 6 years to join (7 years on our Alaska Family Adventure) and are a great way to meet other like-minded families who like to get outside.
Please note child rates apply to children 12 years and under.

Do you charge a forced single supplement if I'm a solo traveller?

We regularly accommodate single guests on our group trips and there’s no forced single supplement if you don’t mind sharing a room (you might even get a room to yourself sometimes). If you prefer not to share a room at all, you can upgrade to a single room.
PLEASE NOTE: If you book within 90 days and you’re a Forced single, you’ll be required to pay for your own room.

If I book a trip with my children, will I be sharing a room with them?

Active Adventures & Austin Adventures family vacations are naturally about spending time with family and as such, most families opt to share rooms on our trips. At time of booking, families consisting of four guests with children aged 17 and under will be automatically assigned one shared room. However, the following alternative rooming allocations are available:

  • Families consisting of four guests with all children aged 13 and above are welcome to opt for additional rooms as per advertised double occupancy adult rates.
  • Families consisting of four guests with at least one child aged 12 and under are automatically assigned a shared room. However, families can opt to pay the adult rates for all guests in their family to have an additional room.
  • The same principles apply for families consisting of more than four guests.

Rooming preferences are subject to availability and must be communicated in writing at time of booking. Automatic assignments as per this policy will be applied in the absence of any specification provided by guests. Any request for additional rooms during trips will be at the guests’ own expense and subject to rates made available by the accommodation provider at the time. All minors (guests aged 17 and under) must be accompanied by at least one adult.

What if I need a special diet?

We’re accustomed to catering to the following special diets:

  • vegan (no meat or animal products)
  • vegetarian (no meat products)
  • pescatarian (vegetarian, and eat fish)
  • no red meat (eat chicken & fish)
  • no pork (eat chicken & fish)
  • gluten intolerant (no wheat, rye, barley or oats)
  • lactose intolerant (no dairy products)
  • picky kids (send us a list of what your child will eat and we'll make sure to have it!)
You will get the opportunity to specify your particular requirements when you fill in your travel wallet. If you have any other dietary requirements please let us know well in advance, via email or the online travel wallet.

 

How much luggage can I bring on the North America trips?

You are allowed one piece of luggage on your trip, plus a daypack. Your main piece of luggage should not exceed 50 pounds (23 kilograms) and can be anything from a duffle bag to a sports bag with wheels or a suitcase. You’ll also want a good quality backpack sized 25-30 liters (2000 cubic inches) to use throughout the days.

How much spending money should I bring and where do I get cash?

You'll be able to find a reliable ATM once you arrive to start your trip, within the township or at the airport you land in, as national park ATM locations are sparse at best. Aside from tips for your guides, you could bring $200 and go home with change though some people like to bring some cash to cover a round of drinks, a few souvenirs, and dinner on "night on your own", although you could just as easily use a credit card for these purchases too.

What are your recommended guide gratuity guidelines?

You will have 2-3 guides on your Austin Adventure (depending on group size) and we recommend $15-25 per day, per guest, per guide. Typically, gratuities are offered by check or cash in local currency on the final morning of the trip and can either be given to each guide individually or to one guide to be equally distributed. Most of our guides these days also accept gratuities via Venmo (please note this app does not work in Canada). All dining, housekeeping and activity tips are included in your trip price.

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Utah Adventure Blogs

Why travel with us

benefit group size v2

Just-right group sizes allow you to get off the beaten path

With an average of 12 guests per departure and an industry-leading 6:1 guest-to-guide ratio, you’ll enjoy a highly personalized experience.

benefit guides v2

Award-winning guides lead the way

It’s so much easier to relax and enjoy your adventure when you have fun, caring guides who know the land, sweat all the details and whip up incredible meals, too!

benefit all inclusive

You’ll never need to sweat the details

When we say all inclusive, we mean it! Meals and snacks, activities, lodging, transportation, guiding services and more. All you need to do is show up!

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Enjoy freedom to push your boundaries – safely

Every aspect of your trip is thoroughly considered for your safety, from highly vetted partners and well-maintained equipment to extensively trained guides.

benefit family v3

Decades of expertise mean you’ll experience only the best

Family travel and North American National Parks are our specialty. We’ve perfected our itineraries for decades, ensuring you'll experience your destination to the fullest.

Scout Badges 100x100 3

"Wow Moments” take your trip from enjoyable to extraordinary

For us, the extra mile is never extra, it’s part of the way! Count on special touches throughout your trip that will amplify your experience.