THE MAJESTIC NATIONAL PARKS OF AMERICA’S WEST AND SOUTHWEST
WINTER AT THE PARKS: Avoid the summer crowds and see our country's national parks in the winter. The real appeal of traveling to the parks in winter is getting back to nature, away from people, and finding solitude. So slow down, bundle up and check out our winter highlights based on the itinerary below:
• Think about some optional pre-tour ski days in Jackson Hole to kick off your trip.
• A private sleigh ride the National Elk Refuge through one of the largest elk herds in North America to search for concentrated moose, bighorn sheep, eagles, and trumpeter swan.
• Two full days of wildlife, visiting Old Faithful and Grand Prismatic Spring, frozen waterfalls and more in the Yellowstone's snowy interior. The Northern Range will welcome us with views of wolves, pronghorn antelope, and bison. Enjoy a dinner presentation from a Yellowstone Wolf Biologist, and learn more about the latest updates on wolf research. (Note that we will add these 2 days in the Northern Range of Yellowstone on our winter itinerary instead of Lake Powell and Antelope Slot).
• A flight from Bozeman to St. George can continue your trip to the winter wonderlands of Zion, Bryce Canyon and the Grand Canyon. All welcome winter guests with great off-season pricing. Get on out there and hike, or strap on some snowshoes or cross-country skis.
• From early December to mid February and visitors are permitted to drive through Zion park in the comfort of their own vehicle, rather than have to maneuver the public shuttle bus.
• Because the winter sun is lower in the sky, it doesn’t set directly over the mountains, but instead cloaks the rocky peaks and crevasses in lovely purple, pink, and orange hues. Sunrises can be equally spectacular. And sunrise is 1 hour later than in the summer, so you photographers will get a little extra shut eye. In-the-know photographers also appreciate this time of year for the clarity of the light, especially just after a snowstorm. Because of clear skies, the visibility is highest in this season. Mountain peaks some 200 miles away can be seen from some viewpoints on a clear winter day.
Contact us to help you create your own independent travel experience based on the itinerary below with our Concierge Travel Services. The National Park System makes this a very enjoyable self-drive trip, but accommodations book up quickly, so plan early for this fantastic itinerary.
We know that the decision to spend your valuable time and money traveling is a costly investment. Call on us to create the perfect guided or independent travel custom itinerary. We work closely with groups who want a personalized, private experience. Che Bella Tours is Creative Travel, and the partner you want when planning a remarkable family vacation, destination wedding, trip of a lifetime or other special occasion. Contact us for more information. We'll be happy to send you the detailed itinerary for this tour.
WINTER AT THE PARKS: Avoid the summer crowds and see our country's national parks in the winter. The real appeal of traveling to the parks in winter is getting back to nature, away from people, and finding solitude. So slow down, bundle up and check out our winter highlights based on the itinerary below:
• Think about some optional pre-tour ski days in Jackson Hole to kick off your trip.
• A private sleigh ride the National Elk Refuge through one of the largest elk herds in North America to search for concentrated moose, bighorn sheep, eagles, and trumpeter swan.
• Two full days of wildlife, visiting Old Faithful and Grand Prismatic Spring, frozen waterfalls and more in the Yellowstone's snowy interior. The Northern Range will welcome us with views of wolves, pronghorn antelope, and bison. Enjoy a dinner presentation from a Yellowstone Wolf Biologist, and learn more about the latest updates on wolf research. (Note that we will add these 2 days in the Northern Range of Yellowstone on our winter itinerary instead of Lake Powell and Antelope Slot).
• A flight from Bozeman to St. George can continue your trip to the winter wonderlands of Zion, Bryce Canyon and the Grand Canyon. All welcome winter guests with great off-season pricing. Get on out there and hike, or strap on some snowshoes or cross-country skis.
• From early December to mid February and visitors are permitted to drive through Zion park in the comfort of their own vehicle, rather than have to maneuver the public shuttle bus.
• Because the winter sun is lower in the sky, it doesn’t set directly over the mountains, but instead cloaks the rocky peaks and crevasses in lovely purple, pink, and orange hues. Sunrises can be equally spectacular. And sunrise is 1 hour later than in the summer, so you photographers will get a little extra shut eye. In-the-know photographers also appreciate this time of year for the clarity of the light, especially just after a snowstorm. Because of clear skies, the visibility is highest in this season. Mountain peaks some 200 miles away can be seen from some viewpoints on a clear winter day.
Contact us to help you create your own independent travel experience based on the itinerary below with our Concierge Travel Services. The National Park System makes this a very enjoyable self-drive trip, but accommodations book up quickly, so plan early for this fantastic itinerary.
We know that the decision to spend your valuable time and money traveling is a costly investment. Call on us to create the perfect guided or independent travel custom itinerary. We work closely with groups who want a personalized, private experience. Che Bella Tours is Creative Travel, and the partner you want when planning a remarkable family vacation, destination wedding, trip of a lifetime or other special occasion. Contact us for more information. We'll be happy to send you the detailed itinerary for this tour.
Day 1. Arrive in Jackson Wy. Your Adventure Begins!
The Jackson airport is a short, 15-minute drive in to the town of Jackson. Jackson is a great mountain town with excellent restaurants and shopping.
2 nights. Our 4-star hotel boasts one of the most premium locations amidst all Jackson Hole hotels, located just three blocks from Jackson’s charming Town Square, and close to dining, shopping and nightlife. This unique luxury hotel offers a spa and wellness center with massage services, rooms with free Wi-Fi and an on-site restaurant.
Day 2. Grand Tetons Tour Day
This morning enjoy the day at the Grand Tetons National Park, one of America’s most astounding landscapes. Begin your day with a visit to The Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center to get acquainted with the park and watch a 24-minute high-definition movie Grand Tetons National Park: Life on the Edge. From there, step back in time by taking the short self-guided walk through the Menor’s Ferry Historic District. Chapel of the Transfiguration — both are on the US National Register of Historic Places. We’ll have an opportunity to visit Menor’s cabin, general store, ferry, and the transportation shed that houses a collection of wagons and coaches from the homestead era.
Think about enjoying a cruise on Jenny Lake or a float trip on the Snake River.
Afterwards, head up the scenic Signal Mountain Road, a 1,000 foot climb of switchbacks to an observation area at the top of Signal Mountain. Set far apart from the next highest mountain peak, Signal Mountain provides breathtaking views of the Tetons’ towering peaks, the flat glacial plains below, Jackson Lake and the Snake River beyond. Bring a pair of binoculars to elevated views of the entire 40 mile Grand Tetons range, spot wildlife in the valley below as they congregate around one of the many glacial lakes that dot the region.
The Jackson airport is a short, 15-minute drive in to the town of Jackson. Jackson is a great mountain town with excellent restaurants and shopping.
2 nights. Our 4-star hotel boasts one of the most premium locations amidst all Jackson Hole hotels, located just three blocks from Jackson’s charming Town Square, and close to dining, shopping and nightlife. This unique luxury hotel offers a spa and wellness center with massage services, rooms with free Wi-Fi and an on-site restaurant.
Day 2. Grand Tetons Tour Day
This morning enjoy the day at the Grand Tetons National Park, one of America’s most astounding landscapes. Begin your day with a visit to The Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center to get acquainted with the park and watch a 24-minute high-definition movie Grand Tetons National Park: Life on the Edge. From there, step back in time by taking the short self-guided walk through the Menor’s Ferry Historic District. Chapel of the Transfiguration — both are on the US National Register of Historic Places. We’ll have an opportunity to visit Menor’s cabin, general store, ferry, and the transportation shed that houses a collection of wagons and coaches from the homestead era.
Think about enjoying a cruise on Jenny Lake or a float trip on the Snake River.
Afterwards, head up the scenic Signal Mountain Road, a 1,000 foot climb of switchbacks to an observation area at the top of Signal Mountain. Set far apart from the next highest mountain peak, Signal Mountain provides breathtaking views of the Tetons’ towering peaks, the flat glacial plains below, Jackson Lake and the Snake River beyond. Bring a pair of binoculars to elevated views of the entire 40 mile Grand Tetons range, spot wildlife in the valley below as they congregate around one of the many glacial lakes that dot the region.
Day 3: To Yellowstone National Park - Geysers
Today you’ll enjoy a full day of driving tour as you move from Jackson 2.5 hours to the South “West Thumb” entrance to Yellowstone National Park.
You'll of course, start with Old Faithful, the world’s most famous geyser, Old Faithful currently erupts around 20 times a day. Begin with a stop at the Old Faithful Visitor Center, which opened in 2010 and features exhibits on Yellowstone’s hydrothermal features (geysers, hot springs, mudpots, and steam vents or fumaroles), life in these extreme environments, the volcano beneath Yellowstone, and ongoing scientific research in one of the greatest living laboratories on Earth. Enjoy lunch at Old Faithful Inn, grab a rocking chair, and be ready for the eruption.
After, take a walk to the Upper Geyser Basin, a series of boardwalks that lead from the visitor center into the heart of this thermal paradise—with more than 150 spouters within a square mile, it holds the highest concentration of geysers in the world.
Head up the road to Midway Geyser Basin, home to one of the world’s largest, deepest hot spring (370 feet across and 125 feet deep). Old Faithful may be more famous, but the Grand Prismatic Hot Spring is the most photographed thermal feature in Yellowstone. That’s because of its crazy-bright colors and enormous size.
Back in the car to Firehole Lake Drive, you’ll drive past Great Fountain Geyser, then park at Lower Geyser Basin to see the fumaroles and geysers around Fountain Paint Pot.
Our hotel is located on Yellowstone Lake. Animals are most active at dawn and dusk, and the Heyden Valley area in Central Yellowstone is a prime area for wildlife sightings, including bison, coyotes, waterfowl, grizzly bears, and wolves. So you can finish your day as the sun is going down and/or the next morning, when the sun is coming up.
Day 4: A Day at Yellowstone - Wildlife
Today you’ll work your way to Artist Point to take in the vista of one of the park’s most outstanding natural features: 308-foot Lower Falls and 109-foot Upper Falls, two massive waterfalls in a strikingly colorful gorge. After that, you can make a stop at the Fishing Bridge, Lake Village, and Bridge Bay Area of Yellowstone Lake. Geologists indicate that large volcanic eruptions have occurred in Yellowstone on an approximate interval of 600,000 years. Ash from this huge explosion, 1,000 times the size of Mt. St. Helens, has been found all across the continent. The magma chamber then collapsed, forming a large caldera filled partially by subsequent lava flows. Part of this caldera is the 136-square mile basin of Yellowstone Lake. Listen to mud gurgle at Mud Volcano and Sulphur Caldron.
Stop for lunch along the way in the park before the 2.5 hour drive back to Jackson.
Overnight in Jackson.
Our winter itinerary takes us to the Northern Range for Days 5 & 6. Overnight in Boseman and flight to St. George on Day 7.
Day 5: Flight to St George UT
This morning you depart to the Jackson Hole Airport (JAC) for your flight to St. George Municipal Airport (SGU).
Hotel: 2 nights in Zion
Our hotel is situated on a knoll at the entrance to Zion Canyon in the southern Utah town of Springdale. Less than three miles from the door is the south entrance to Zion National Park. The hotel is conveniently located right on the free shuttle line that takes you through the town of Springdale and on to the entrance of the park.
Today you’ll enjoy a full day of driving tour as you move from Jackson 2.5 hours to the South “West Thumb” entrance to Yellowstone National Park.
You'll of course, start with Old Faithful, the world’s most famous geyser, Old Faithful currently erupts around 20 times a day. Begin with a stop at the Old Faithful Visitor Center, which opened in 2010 and features exhibits on Yellowstone’s hydrothermal features (geysers, hot springs, mudpots, and steam vents or fumaroles), life in these extreme environments, the volcano beneath Yellowstone, and ongoing scientific research in one of the greatest living laboratories on Earth. Enjoy lunch at Old Faithful Inn, grab a rocking chair, and be ready for the eruption.
After, take a walk to the Upper Geyser Basin, a series of boardwalks that lead from the visitor center into the heart of this thermal paradise—with more than 150 spouters within a square mile, it holds the highest concentration of geysers in the world.
Head up the road to Midway Geyser Basin, home to one of the world’s largest, deepest hot spring (370 feet across and 125 feet deep). Old Faithful may be more famous, but the Grand Prismatic Hot Spring is the most photographed thermal feature in Yellowstone. That’s because of its crazy-bright colors and enormous size.
Back in the car to Firehole Lake Drive, you’ll drive past Great Fountain Geyser, then park at Lower Geyser Basin to see the fumaroles and geysers around Fountain Paint Pot.
Our hotel is located on Yellowstone Lake. Animals are most active at dawn and dusk, and the Heyden Valley area in Central Yellowstone is a prime area for wildlife sightings, including bison, coyotes, waterfowl, grizzly bears, and wolves. So you can finish your day as the sun is going down and/or the next morning, when the sun is coming up.
Day 4: A Day at Yellowstone - Wildlife
Today you’ll work your way to Artist Point to take in the vista of one of the park’s most outstanding natural features: 308-foot Lower Falls and 109-foot Upper Falls, two massive waterfalls in a strikingly colorful gorge. After that, you can make a stop at the Fishing Bridge, Lake Village, and Bridge Bay Area of Yellowstone Lake. Geologists indicate that large volcanic eruptions have occurred in Yellowstone on an approximate interval of 600,000 years. Ash from this huge explosion, 1,000 times the size of Mt. St. Helens, has been found all across the continent. The magma chamber then collapsed, forming a large caldera filled partially by subsequent lava flows. Part of this caldera is the 136-square mile basin of Yellowstone Lake. Listen to mud gurgle at Mud Volcano and Sulphur Caldron.
Stop for lunch along the way in the park before the 2.5 hour drive back to Jackson.
Overnight in Jackson.
Our winter itinerary takes us to the Northern Range for Days 5 & 6. Overnight in Boseman and flight to St. George on Day 7.
Day 5: Flight to St George UT
This morning you depart to the Jackson Hole Airport (JAC) for your flight to St. George Municipal Airport (SGU).
Hotel: 2 nights in Zion
Our hotel is situated on a knoll at the entrance to Zion Canyon in the southern Utah town of Springdale. Less than three miles from the door is the south entrance to Zion National Park. The hotel is conveniently located right on the free shuttle line that takes you through the town of Springdale and on to the entrance of the park.
Day 6: Zion National Park
Today spend the entire day exploring the wonders of Zion. Start at the visitors center and then board the shuttle that runs through the park. Travel the length of the Canyon. Nature is all around you and if bird watching is your thing, this is also a very special place. With more than 200 species of birds, Zion National Park is a birder’s paradise. The Peregrine falcon, the bald eagle, and the California condor are all found in the 232 square mile sanctuary of Zion, nesting and resting in their native habitat without being disturbed. The threatened Mexican spotted owl also calls Zion home.
You can be very flexible on how you want to experience the park today, as you will pass all of the possible trails on the way up into the canyon. If you would like to do some hiking, there will be a few good choices. The shuttle back to town and the hotel runs regularly.
Overnight again in Zion.
Today spend the entire day exploring the wonders of Zion. Start at the visitors center and then board the shuttle that runs through the park. Travel the length of the Canyon. Nature is all around you and if bird watching is your thing, this is also a very special place. With more than 200 species of birds, Zion National Park is a birder’s paradise. The Peregrine falcon, the bald eagle, and the California condor are all found in the 232 square mile sanctuary of Zion, nesting and resting in their native habitat without being disturbed. The threatened Mexican spotted owl also calls Zion home.
You can be very flexible on how you want to experience the park today, as you will pass all of the possible trails on the way up into the canyon. If you would like to do some hiking, there will be a few good choices. The shuttle back to town and the hotel runs regularly.
Overnight again in Zion.
Day 7: On to Bryce Canyon
This morning you make your way through the Northern region of Zion and travel to Bryce Canyon. You will climb out of the canyon gaining elevation and travel along the Zion Park Scenic Byway, completed in 1930, and is considered one of the great road-building accomplishments in history at the time. As you climb switchbacks from the canyon floor to the two high plateaus to the east, passing through two narrow tunnels blasted through the cliffs, you will understand why it created such a sensation. Be on the lookout for the Bighorn Sheep that frequent this area and make stops along the way for photos.
Arriving to Bryce Canyon, head into the park for your first views of the incredible hoodoos from Fairyland Canyon, Sunrise and Sunset view points and even take a rim walk to capture the beauty of this amazing place up close and personal. The fantastic hoodoos you see in the canyon, and for which Bryce is so famous, were explained by the Paiutes as “legend people” who had been turned to stone. As you study the twisted maze of canyons, consider the words of early Mormon pioneer (and park namesake) Ebenezer Bryce, who described it as “a hell of a place to lose a cow.”
2 nights in Bryce.
Day 8: A Day in Bryce Canyon
Enjoy your day at leisure.
This morning you make your way through the Northern region of Zion and travel to Bryce Canyon. You will climb out of the canyon gaining elevation and travel along the Zion Park Scenic Byway, completed in 1930, and is considered one of the great road-building accomplishments in history at the time. As you climb switchbacks from the canyon floor to the two high plateaus to the east, passing through two narrow tunnels blasted through the cliffs, you will understand why it created such a sensation. Be on the lookout for the Bighorn Sheep that frequent this area and make stops along the way for photos.
Arriving to Bryce Canyon, head into the park for your first views of the incredible hoodoos from Fairyland Canyon, Sunrise and Sunset view points and even take a rim walk to capture the beauty of this amazing place up close and personal. The fantastic hoodoos you see in the canyon, and for which Bryce is so famous, were explained by the Paiutes as “legend people” who had been turned to stone. As you study the twisted maze of canyons, consider the words of early Mormon pioneer (and park namesake) Ebenezer Bryce, who described it as “a hell of a place to lose a cow.”
2 nights in Bryce.
Day 8: A Day in Bryce Canyon
Enjoy your day at leisure.
Our winter itinerary takes us directly from Bryce Canyon to the Grand Canyon. Lake Powell and Antelope Slot are not included in our winter itinerary.
Day 9. Page AZ with Antelope Slot
Traveling from Bryce, you'll make your way south through the historic town of Kanab where so many Hollywood westerns have been filmed. From there you will continue through some amazing desert landscape and arrive into Page in time for lunch.
This afternoon, enjoy a Navajo guided tour of the amazing Antelope Slot Canyon. Antelope Slot Canyon is located next to the great Lake Powell, and in the center of the Grand Circle. Hear the wonderful Native American stories associated with Antelope Canyon by your Navajo Tour Guide and get some great photos.
2 nights in Page
Day 10: Rainbow Bridge Boat Tour on Lake Powell
Today enjoy a boat trip, cruising 50 miles of unique Lake Powell shoreline to Rainbow Bridge National Monument, one of the largest known natural bridges in the world. Navajo, Southern Paiute, San Juan, Ute, Kaibab Paiute, White Mesa Ute, and Hopi peoples traditionally used the land comprising Rainbow Bridge National Monument.
At the end of the day, drive out to Horseshoe Bend for a beautiful panoramic view from above the canyon.
Day 9. Page AZ with Antelope Slot
Traveling from Bryce, you'll make your way south through the historic town of Kanab where so many Hollywood westerns have been filmed. From there you will continue through some amazing desert landscape and arrive into Page in time for lunch.
This afternoon, enjoy a Navajo guided tour of the amazing Antelope Slot Canyon. Antelope Slot Canyon is located next to the great Lake Powell, and in the center of the Grand Circle. Hear the wonderful Native American stories associated with Antelope Canyon by your Navajo Tour Guide and get some great photos.
2 nights in Page
Day 10: Rainbow Bridge Boat Tour on Lake Powell
Today enjoy a boat trip, cruising 50 miles of unique Lake Powell shoreline to Rainbow Bridge National Monument, one of the largest known natural bridges in the world. Navajo, Southern Paiute, San Juan, Ute, Kaibab Paiute, White Mesa Ute, and Hopi peoples traditionally used the land comprising Rainbow Bridge National Monument.
At the end of the day, drive out to Horseshoe Bend for a beautiful panoramic view from above the canyon.
Day 11. On to the Grand Canyon South Rim
This morning you'll set off for a drive to most spectacular canyon on your journey, The Grand Canyon. You can make a stop in Cameron to stretch your legs and do some local Navajo shopping before you continue on to The Grand Canyon. Considered by many to be the “true Grand Canyon,” Grand Canyon National Park’s South Rim features the vast, expansive views most often seen in pictures.
Get your cameras ready! Approaching from the East we will enter the park with a stop the Desert View Watchtower, Lipon Point View and then, the Tusayan Museum to learn about the prehistoric people who once made this place their home. Continue on the South Rim with stops at Zuni Point, Grandview Point and in the evening, enjoy Mather Point, for a perfect sunset.
South Rim Hotel - 2 nights
Day 12. Grand Canyon Immersion
Begin our day at the nearby Grand Canyon National Geographic Visitor Center to see how you want to enjoy your day. While you’re there, you can enjoy the Grand Canyon that would take a lifetime to experience via IMAX. This movie opens with the beginning of man’s fragile kinship with the twisting 277 mile Grand Canyon in Arizona, then transports you through time with brief glimpses at the stone pages of human history. From the mysterious Anasazi who inhabited the Canyon 4,000 years ago. You’ll travel through Grand Canyon history to join Major John Wesley Powell as he challenges the unexplored Canyon and raging Colorado River in 1869.
We can put together a complete itinerary with all hotels, restaurant recommendations and hiking trails.
Day 13. Departure to Flagstaff, AZ
1.5 hour drive, leaving depending on your flight time. You can also consider a flight out of Las Vegas.
This morning you'll set off for a drive to most spectacular canyon on your journey, The Grand Canyon. You can make a stop in Cameron to stretch your legs and do some local Navajo shopping before you continue on to The Grand Canyon. Considered by many to be the “true Grand Canyon,” Grand Canyon National Park’s South Rim features the vast, expansive views most often seen in pictures.
Get your cameras ready! Approaching from the East we will enter the park with a stop the Desert View Watchtower, Lipon Point View and then, the Tusayan Museum to learn about the prehistoric people who once made this place their home. Continue on the South Rim with stops at Zuni Point, Grandview Point and in the evening, enjoy Mather Point, for a perfect sunset.
South Rim Hotel - 2 nights
Day 12. Grand Canyon Immersion
Begin our day at the nearby Grand Canyon National Geographic Visitor Center to see how you want to enjoy your day. While you’re there, you can enjoy the Grand Canyon that would take a lifetime to experience via IMAX. This movie opens with the beginning of man’s fragile kinship with the twisting 277 mile Grand Canyon in Arizona, then transports you through time with brief glimpses at the stone pages of human history. From the mysterious Anasazi who inhabited the Canyon 4,000 years ago. You’ll travel through Grand Canyon history to join Major John Wesley Powell as he challenges the unexplored Canyon and raging Colorado River in 1869.
We can put together a complete itinerary with all hotels, restaurant recommendations and hiking trails.
Day 13. Departure to Flagstaff, AZ
1.5 hour drive, leaving depending on your flight time. You can also consider a flight out of Las Vegas.