Embarking on a Mighty Five Group Tour
Imagine a journey where every turn brings a new vista, every hike leads to natural wonders, and every night ends under a starlit sky. This is the experience offered by visiting Capitol Reef Country as part of the Mighty Five National Park tour with a professional tour company.
Visitors often begin the process of planning their own trip to Utah by mapping out routes, researching lodging, where to eat, side trips, hiking trails, and more. There’s a lot involved in planning a trip of this magnitude. When the complexity of the trip becomes overwhelming the best solution quite often is to turn to a professional tour company to handle the details.
Let’s begin our story by following a tour group of excited travelers embarking on a journey to the Mighty Five national parks of Utah as they explore southern Utah and its convoluted landscapes and scenic wonders.
The Tour Begins
The journey begins with our group of eager travelers boarding a comfortable tour van with great anticipation for what’s to come in the coming five days through Utah’s five national Parks. Each park offering a unique experience of nature’s artistry with adventure at every turn.
Day 1: Zion National Park
The first stop is Zion National Park, where towering cliffs and serene rivers set the stage. The group jumps on the Zion shuttle that takes visitors eight miles up Zion Canyon with stops at popular hiking trails and viewpoints along the way. Our group has its sights set on visiting the famous Zion Narrows by hiking the 2-mile out and back Riverside Walk to where the river portion of the hike begins. After wading through the Virgin River, they jump back on the shuttle to take in other sights of Zion Canyon.
Day 2: Bryce Canyon National Park
Next is Bryce Canyon, a fairy-tale amphitheater of hoodoos that glow orange and pink at sunrise. We start our day by watching sunrise from Bryce Point. Later in the morning the group hikes the Queens Garden Trail from Sunset Point to Sunrise Point, marveling at the immensity of the hoodoos, the deep blue sky, Thor’s Hammer and experiencing Bryce from top to bottom. Natural Bridge located 11 miles south of the visitor center is the last stop before heading back to Bryce Canyon City for an evening of live country music and cowboy supper at Ebenezer’s Barn and Grill.
Day 3: Capitol Reef National Park
The heart of the journey lies in Capitol Reef National Park. Here, the group visits the main section of the park with stops at historic sites, ancient petroglyphs and to popular hiking trails that lead to Hickman Bridge and Grand Wash. They learn about the park’s rich history, from the Fremont Culture to the early pioneers. Before leaving the park, the group pays a visit to the Gifford House in the historic Fruita District to purchase a homemade pie this historic site is famous for.
The group continues on by following Highway 24 east through the Caineville Desert known for its otherworldly landscapes that resemble moonscapes and Mars. The town of Hanksville is our next destination where purchase Coprolite rocks at the Rockin’ Riddle Rock Shop and visit the quirky Hollow Mountain convenience store that’s built in a hollowed-out rock.
Goblin Valley State Park
Before heading on to Moab, we’ll stop at Goblin Valley State Park located 12 miles off SR-24 north of Hanksville. Nestled in a wonderland of hoodoos, toadstools, and “goblins,” these mushroom-shaped rocks were sculpted by erosion over 170 million years when this area was near an ancient sea. Tour members can hike and climb among the rocks as they let their imaginations go wild. ET once called Goblin Valley home but unfortunately weathering and erosion got the best of him, and he lost half of his head. But not to worry, there are many new little ET’s springing up. Come back in a few hundred thousand years to see them first-hand!
Day 4: Arches National Park
Our guided tour continues on to Arches National Park to explore a landscape that’s home to over 2,000 natural sandstone arches including the iconic Delicate Arch seen on Utah’s license plates and welcome signs. Here you can walk underneath the arch that frames the towering La Sal Mountains in the background. With an experienced guide you’ll enjoy a personalized experience that brings the park’s geologic history to life.
Arches National Park is the only park in Utah requiring a reservation during the busy season. However, reservations are not required for commercial tour companies as they are for all individual travelers.
In addition to Delicate Arch, we’ll visit the highlights of the park including Double Arch, Windows Section, Landscape Arch, Balanced Rock, and more.
Day 5: Canyonlands National Park
Canyonlands invites the group to witness a dramatic sunrise at Mesa Arch. They spend the day exploring Island in the Sky, the most accessible and awe-inspiring mesa in Canyonlands National Park. Each viewpoint offers a new perspective of the Colorado Plateau’s rugged beauty.
This high desert wonderland offers visitors a unique blend of majestic viewpoints and easy-to-navigate trails that lead to some of the most iconic sights in the American Southwest. As you drive along the scenic rover millennia. The Grand View Overlook and Green River Overlook are not to be missed, offering vistas that stretch as far as the eye can see.
Dead Horse Point State Park
Dead Horse Point State Park offers a breathtaking panorama that rivals even the most famous national parks. Perched atop a high plateau, the park provides a dramatic overlook of the winding Colorado River and the expansive Canyonlands National Park. With its rich history and legend of wild mustangs, Dead Horse Point is a testament to the wild spirit of the West. It’s a must-visit for anyone seeking the serene beauty of Utah’s high desert
The Tour Company Difference
Throughout the journey, the tour company’s expert guides enrich the experience with stories and insights. They handle all the details, from park fees to comfortable lodging, allowing the group to immerse themselves fully in the adventure.
Conclusion
As the tour concludes, the travelers find themselves changed. They’ve not only seen the Mighty Five, they’ve experienced them. They’ve walked the paths of ancient peoples, stood in awe of nature’s creations, and formed bonds with fellow adventurers.
Keep Capitol Reef Country Forever Mighty
What is Forever Mighty? It’s practicing responsible travel while visiting Utah and Capitol Reef Country by following the principles of Tread Lightly and Leave No Trace.
Plan ahead and prepare, travel and camp on durable surfaces, dispose of waste properly, leave what you find, minimize campfire impacts, respect wildlife, be considerate of others, support local business and honor community, history and heritage. Help us keep Utah and Capitol Reef Country’s outdoor recreation areas beautiful, healthy, and accessible.