Come along for an unforgettable journey through the heart of the American West, where wide-open landscapes, towering red rock formations, and rich railroad history come together in one spectacular adventure.
Visit The World’s Largest Rail Yard
Tour Salt Lake City, UT
Visit Antelope Island and The Great Salt Lake
Ride Historic Heber Valley Railroad
Visit Utah’s 5 National Parks: Arches, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, Bryce Canyon, and Zion
Excellent Mobility Required
DAY 1: KEARNEY, NE
Your trip begins with a comfortable ride to Kearney, NE. Step into history at the remarkable Great Platte River Road Archway Monument. Spanning the interstate, this immersive museum brings pioneer trails, the Pony Express, and early transportation routes to life. Enjoy dinner together in this unique setting. D
DAY 2: RAWLINS, WY
Follow the path of the rails westward, stopping at Golden Spike Tower for a bird’s-eye view of the world’s largest rail yard. Continue to Cheyenne to explore railroad heritage, including an up-close look at a massive Big Boy steam engine. End the day in Rawlins, surrounded by Wyoming’s rugged beauty. B, L
DAY 3: SALT LAKE CITY, UT
Cross sweeping Wyoming landscapes and the Continental Divide into Utah. After lunch, a city tour reveals the unique history, architecture, and mountain backdrop of the State’s Capitol, Salt Lake City. B, L
DAY 4: THE GREAT SALT
Today, experience the natural wonder of the Great Salt Lake and the beauty of Antelope Island, where wildlife and wildflowers can be seen in the Spring. Then, “all aboard” the Heber Valley Railroad for a scenic ride with incredible views of the Wasatch Back Mountains and the beautiful Heber Valley. B
DAY 5: MOAB, UT
Journey across Utah’s dramatic desert scenery to Moab, your gateway to some of the most iconic landscapes in the country. Check into your Moab hotel for the first of two nights. B, L
DAY 6: ARCHES AND CANYONLANDS NATIONAL PARKS
Today, is filled with awe-inspiring sights as you explore Arches and Canyonlands National Park, where natural stone arches, deep canyons, and vast mesas stretch as far as the eye can see. B, D
DAY 7: CAPITOL REEF NATIONAL PARK
Experience Capitol Reef National Park along the 8-mile scenic drive that runs alongside the unusual Waterpocket Fold, a “wrinkle” in the earth’s crust. Explore the historic Fruita district, an oasis in the heart of the park, featuring 19th-century buildings and abundant orchards. B, D
DAY 8: BRYCE CANYON NATIONAL PARK
Today, is devoted to the otherworldly beauty of Bryce Canyon National Park, famous for its irregular and colorful hoodoos, spires and breathtaking vistas. Despite its name, it is not a true canyon, but a series of natural horseshoe-shaped amphitheaters. B, D
DAY 9: ZION NATIONAL PARK
Spend the day in Zion National Park, where you’ll enjoy lunch, a scenic tram ride, and unforgettable views of soaring canyon walls. Take some time to venture into “the Narrows,” saunter along the Riverside trail, or enjoy an ice cream at Zion Lodge. B, L
DAY 10: GRAND JUNCTION, CO
Turn eastward and travel toward Grand Junction today, taking in the final red desert views. See the landscape begin to change as you cross into Colorado. Sleep in the shadow of Grand Mesa in Grand Junction, CO. B, D
DAY 11: THE PLAINS
Continue across Colorado and marvel at the views through Glenwood Canyon. Traverse the Continental Divide and come down out of the Rockies onto the Great Plains of Eastern Colorado and Western Kansas. Arrive in Colby, KS, for your final overnight. B, D
DAY 12: RETURN HOME
Return with a camera full of photos and a heart full of memories—from historic railroads to majestic national parks, desert sunsets to mountain horizons. B
ACCOMMODATIONS
Night 1: Holiday Inn Express, Kearney, NE
Night 2: Hampton Inn, Rawlins, WY
Nights 3-4: Hilton Garden Inn, Salt Lake City UT
Nights 5-6: Fairfield Inn by Marriott, Moab, UT
Night 7: Ruby’s Inn, Bryce City, UT
Nights 8-9: Comfort Suites or similar, Kanab, UT
Night 10: Double Tree by Hilton, Grand Junction, CO
Night 11: Holiday Inn Express, Colby, KS
Departure Cities:
- Kansas City
- Springfield, MO
Depart: May 19, 2027
Return: May 30, 2027
Price per person:
- DB $3,639
- TP/QD $3,329
- SG $4,869
Mobility Note
This active tour requires excellent mobility. Guests should be comfortable walking and standing at national park overlooks, historic sites and outdoor attractions, with surfaces that may include pavement, gravel, packed dirt, uneven natural terrain, inclines and steps. Guests must also be able to board and exit the motorcoach several times each day.
Although many scenic formations can be viewed from the motorcoach or relatively short paths, additional walking may be required to fully experience the parks. At Zion, the optional Riverside Walk is approximately two miles round-trip and mostly paved. Bryce Canyon ranges from approximately 7,000 to 9,100 feet in elevation, where thinner air can make even short walks feel more strenuous.
Average Temps
Salt Lake City: Daytime 70–77°F; Overnight 48–54°F
Moab, Arches and Canyonlands: Daytime 78–85°F; Overnight 48–55°F
Capitol Reef and Kanab: Daytime 70–80°F; Overnight 40–50°F
Bryce Canyon: Daytime 58–65°F; Overnight 28–35°F
Zion National Park: Daytime 78–85°F; Overnight 48–55°F
Elevation
Salt Lake City: Approximately 4,200 feet
Moab and Arches National Park: Approximately 4,000–5,600 feet
Capitol Reef National Park: Approximately 5,500–6,500 feet
Bryce Canyon National Park: Approximately 7,000–9,100 feet
Zion National Park: Approximately 4,000–6,500 feet
The tour’s considerable changes in elevation create major temperature differences. Guests may also become winded more easily at Bryce Canyon and other high-elevation stops.
Packing Tips
Pack sturdy walking shoes with good traction, a refillable water bottle, sunscreen, sunglasses and a brimmed hat. Removable layers are essential because temperatures may vary greatly between warm afternoons in Moab and Zion and chilly mornings at Bryce Canyon. Bring a warm jacket, compact raincoat and lightweight gloves or hat for the highest elevations.
Utah’s high-desert climate can produce temperature swings of more than 40°F within one day, particularly around Moab.
Hotel Note
The Fairfield Inn & Suites Moab is one of the closest hotels to Arches National Park, minimizing travel time on the park-touring day. The hotel also features outdoor pools and hot tubs, providing an inviting place to relax after exploring Arches and Canyonlands.
Ruby’s Inn has welcomed travelers near Bryce Canyon for more than a century. The family-operated property began as a small tourist rest established by Ruby and Minnie Syrett and grew alongside the development of Bryce Canyon as a national monument and national park. Its location near the park entrance makes it especially convenient for sightseeing.
Notes on Highlights
This tour includes all five of Utah’s national parks in one journey, allowing guests to see how dramatically the landscapes change across the state without repeatedly arranging hotels, transportation and park logistics independently.
Antelope Island provides one of the best opportunities to appreciate the scale of the Great Salt Lake. The island’s relatively isolated landscape supports free-ranging bison, pronghorn, mule deer and numerous bird species, although wildlife sightings are naturally unpredictable.
The Heber Valley Railroad travels through a mountain valley shaped by the Wasatch Range. The historic rail journey adds a completely different perspective to a tour otherwise centered on desert scenery and national parks.
Arches National Park protects more than 2,000 documented natural stone arches. Many of its famous formations can be viewed from the paved scenic road and short viewpoint paths, allowing guests to experience an impressive amount of the park without completing lengthy hikes.
Canyonlands is divided into separate districts carved by the Colorado and Green rivers. The Island in the Sky district sits on a broad mesa, offering expansive views across canyons and rock layers that stretch for miles.
Capitol Reef’s Waterpocket Fold extends for nearly 100 miles, making it one of the longest exposed monoclines in North America. The historic Fruita district provides a striking contrast, with orchards and green fields set against the surrounding red-rock desert.
Bryce Canyon’s famous hoodoos were created through repeated freezing and thawing. Water enters cracks in the rock, freezes and expands, gradually shaping fins, windows and eventually isolated spires.
Other General Information
Tour Communications: You will receive three key communications leading up to your tour:
- Get Ready: Your email confirmation and initial tour information, sent after you register.
- Get Set: An email with additional tour details, sent approximately two months before departure.
- Go: Your final trip documents, mailed via USPS approximately three to four weeks before departure. This packet will include your daily itinerary, luggage tags, and final departure information.
Travel Protection: Travel Protection is optional but highly recommended and may be purchased until the day before departure. Sunrise Tours offers plans through battleface. Additional information will be included with your Get Ready email and can also be found HERE.
Inclusions: Unless otherwise noted, your Sunrise Tour includes:
- A professional Sunrise Tour Director
- Meals as indicated in the itinerary
- Local step-on guides, including gratuities
- International tour guide gratuities when specified for the individual tour
- Deluxe motorcoach transportation with an onboard restroom
- Admission to activities and events as indicated
- Airfare from designated airports
- Transportation to and from designated airports from our convenient local pickup points*
- Luggage handling at hotels when available
Gratuities: We believe tipping is a personal and discretionary interaction between our guests and staff. A typical gratuity for your Sunrise Tour Director and motorcoach driver is $6 to $10 per person, per day of the tour. Sunrise Shuttle drivers also appreciate gratuities for excellent service, with a suggested amount of $5 per person. Our staff will not solicit gratuities or distribute gratuity envelopes.
Refreshments: We are happy to provide refreshments on most motorcoach travel days. We also recommend bringing a refillable water bottle to help you stay hydrated throughout your tour.
Pickup Points: If fewer than four travelers request a particular pickup point, we may ask those guests to select another available pickup location. Travelers are also welcome to join a tour from a city that is not listed as a departure point. Please contact our friendly reservations team to discuss available arrangements. For departure cities not listed, airfare is typically $100 more than the published fare for domestic tours and $200 more for international tours.
TSA PreCheck and Airline Rewards Numbers: TSA PreCheck, Known Traveler Numbers, and airline rewards numbers must be provided to our reservations team at least 60 days before departure. Numbers received after this deadline may not be applied to your reservation.
Airline Seating: Preferred seating may not be available with group airfare. In some cases, seats are not assigned until travelers arrive at the airport. Your tour fare includes an economy-class seat but does not include advance seat selection. Seat upgrades may be available for an additional cost.
Motorcoach Capacity and Seating: To provide one of the most comfortable motorcoach experiences in the industry, Sunrise Tours generally limits motorcoaches to 80% capacity. This allows for a maximum of 44 passengers on a motorcoach designed to accommodate 55. Sunrise Tours reserves the right to amend this practice. Your Tour Director will rotate motorcoach seating each day of the tour. Payment of a single-occupancy fare does not guarantee two motorcoach seats, and you may be seated beside another friendly Sunrise Tours guest.
Terms and Conditions
Please refer to our policies HERE for more information on our terms and conditions.