7-Day Five Parks, Meals

A 7-day Southwest parks tour by Bindlestiff Tours.

Overview

This Bindlestiff Tours trip spends seven days working through Zion, Bryce Canyon, Arches, Canyonlands, Monument Valley and the Grand Canyon South Rim, with optional stops at Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend along the way, and finishes with a Route 66 stop on the final leg. Travel is by air-conditioned mini-bus with a professional guide and a maximum of thirteen travellers, and the group camps or stays in lodges depending on the ticket type chosen. Campsites named in the itinerary include Zion Campground in Springdale, Ruby's Campground near Bryce, Moab Canyonlands Campground, Gouldings in Monument Valley and Mather Campground at the Grand Canyon.

The trip is built around hiking. Days run long, with around eight hours allotted at Zion and Bryce, four-hour blocks at Arches and Canyonlands on the second Moab day, and four hours at the South Rim, plus a Navajo-guided Jeep tour in Monument Valley. Meals form part of the deal: six lunches, five breakfasts and four dinners are listed as included, with a supplement collected on day one to cover the food kitty, one hundred dollars for campers and sixty-five for the lodging option. A guide app carries commentary in several languages besides the live English commentary.

It suits active travellers who want to cover a lot of ground in one week. One reviewer found the pace strenuous at times, while others praise the flexibility to adjust daily plans to the group's ability and the weather. Anyone who prefers slower travel, or who cannot manage sustained walking and tent setup, should think carefully before booking.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Zion National ParkEight hours in the park with admission included, plus an hour at The Narrows and an hour at Emerald Pools, both free. Night at Zion Campground in Springdale or lodging if selected, with lunch.
2. Bryce Canyon National ParkA full day, eight hours, admission included. Overnight at Ruby's Campground in Bryce Canyon City or the lodging option, with breakfast, lunch and dinner.
3. Arches and CanyonlandsTwo hours in each park with admission included, camping at Moab Canyonlands Campground or lodging. Breakfast, lunch and dinner provided.
4. Arches and Canyonlands againA second day in Moab, four hours in each park with admission included, same accommodation options, with breakfast, lunch and dinner.
5. Monument ValleyTwo hours in Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, admission included, featuring a Navajo-guided Jeep tour. Overnight at Gouldings Campground or lodging, with breakfast and lunch.
6. Grand Canyon dayOptional one-hour Antelope Canyon visit, entry not included, then four hours at Grand Canyon South Rim with admission included and a pass by the Colorado River. Night at Mather Campground or lodging, with breakfast, lunch and dinner.
7. Return via Route 66An hour at Route 66, free admission, on the drive back toward Las Vegas. No accommodation or meals on this final day.

What To Expect From The Tour

A week of camping or lodge hopping across three states asks for some preparation. These are the practical points that come up in the listing and across traveller reviews.

• Pack for extremes. The listing warns that warm and cool temperatures can both occur, and recommends warm socks, a sweater or hooded jacket, hiking shoes, closed-toe shoes, sunscreen and a hat.
• Bring a sleeping bag. Sleeping bags are not provided and are necessary for the camping option. The guide will stop at a store where one can be bought for anyone who arrives without. Campers also set up their own tents, with help from the guide.
• Carry a water bottle. Bottled water is not supplied, and the listing advises a refillable container. Refills are possible at comfort stops throughout the trip.
• Expect a fast pace. The tour covers many parks in one week, and reviewers describe it as a way to see a lot in a short amount of time. One reviewer found it strenuous at times. Reviewers also praise guides adjusting plans to the group's ability and the weather.
• Food is communal. Dinners are prepared at the campsite as a group effort and participation is required. Picnic-style lunches are the norm, and one reviewer noted eating the same lunch each day.
• Dietary requests. Vegetarian meals are available on request. One reviewer on a vegan diet reported the guide checked labels carefully and went out of her way to provide suitable food.

Common issues. The schedule is full and one reviewer found the pace strenuous. Lunches can feel repetitive, with one reviewer noting the same lunch each day. The meal kitty of one hundred dollars for campers or sixty-five dollars for the lodging option is payable on the first day, Antelope Canyon entry is not covered, and non-US residents may owe additional national park fees collected in destination. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, sleeping bags must be brought or bought, and the tour is not wheelchair accessible. Cancellation is strict: a full refund requires cancelling at least fifty-six full days before the start time, and no changes are accepted inside that window.

Tour Questions, Answered