“On the count of three, look up,” our guide says as we stop shuffling our feet, don’t look up yet, and approach the edge of the Grand Canyon’s South Rim.
One two three!
The view plunges us into silence. Bands of rock layers predating human history in shades of red, cream and gold stand out against the sunny blue summer sky. Tourists fiddle with their phones trying to capture the majesty, but we already know that no photos will do this experience justice. “It doesn’t look real, it’s like a painting,” says my nine-year-old son Crosby. I shake his hand and nod. It’s early June, our two boys have just gotten out of school for the summer, and my husband Wesley and I are thrilled to be with them as we experience this moment together.
We joined a few other families, couples, and solo travelers for a guided tour of Arizona and Utah National Parks with Adventures by Disney. Our group of 40 took a tour bus, accompanied by two adventure guides, Mike Hage and David Rainey, stocked with an endless supply of road snacks, as we traveled through these parks, sprinkling “magic moments” along of the path. Seeing the Grand Canyon for the first time is one of those moments, but there are many more that await us.
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While it’s certainly easier to take a guided tour like the one we took (biggest benefits: you don’t have to worry about driving, carrying your luggage from place to place, or even take photos; the tour team takes lots of free photos for you), it is also possible to DIY an itinerary.
Since we’ve been home, I’ve heard from many parent friends who want to take this exact vacation with their school-aged children. Here are some of the highlights of the places we explored on our trip, so you can get an idea of what’s possible on your own Southeast Road adventure, guided or not.
Start in Sedona
The most popular route to the Grand Canyon begins with a flight to Phoenix, then through Sedona and from there to the Grand Canyon. The first morning in Sedona, I went for a sunrise hike and saw hot air balloons rising above the beautiful rock formations of Boynton Canyon that looked like carved pottery. I would have happily stayed there much longer.
Where to stay: Enchantment Resort is a luxury property offering close-up views of Boynton Canyon. Known as a spa and wellness destination, the kids nevertheless felt welcome at this upscale resort, where we quickly learned to order off-the-menu Mexican hot chocolates, topped with generous dollops of whipped cream, at breakfast. lunch.
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The essentials: For the daredevils in your group, challenge yourself to take one of the most difficult off-road driving routes through Arizona’s Diamondback Gulch with Pink Jeep Tours. My kids were excited to embark on this very bumpy adventure. As for me, I loved participating in Mii Amo Spa’s Inner Quest ritual, which involved a healer placing ceremonial stones around my body and nudging me into a meditative state of bliss. It was a peaceful way to start our great adventure.
Magical moment: Between visits to the Enchantment Resort pools, we searched for the wandering flock of wild javelinas aboard the resort’s golf carts, and usually didn’t have to go far to catch a glimpse of their defensive faces (from a distance safety). .
Grand Canyon
Sure, it’s possible to visit the Grand Canyon in just a few hours and soak up its grandeur, but spending the night there is a treat. We were lucky enough to stay two nights inside the national park, which gave us plenty of time to explore the entire South Rim.
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Where to stay: Accommodations in the park are fairly rustic, with historic structures such as the El Tovar Hotel dating from 1905. We stayed in the Thunderbird Lodge dating from 1968, which is a little dated, but comfortable. If you don’t want to stay in the national park, you can find accommodation in the nearby town of Tusayan (this is also a great place to do your shopping).
To do: Highlights of this part of the trip included exploring architect Mary Colter’s Desert Watchtower; walk along the Trail of Time with a guide from the local Hopi tribe; hike a small section of the Bright Angel Trail, where we surprised hikers preparing for their ambitious Rim-to-Rim hikes; and take free shuttles from the park to some of the remote scenic overlooks that most visitors don’t have time to explore.
Magical moments: The main attraction of spending the night in the Grand Canyon was our proximity to the canyon rim, literally just steps from our door. My husband and I enjoyed a glass of wine while taking in these views one evening. The next evening we attended a national park star party with a presentation on indigenous astronomy from Autumn Gillard, an astronomer from the Southern Paiute tribe, during which she shared beautiful stories about the cosmos passed down from generation to generation.
Valley of Monuments
If you’ve ever watched an old western, you probably recognize the famous rock formations known as Monument Valley, which straddle the Arizona-Utah border. Despite its well-known scenery, the destination receives only a fraction of the tourists that the Grand Canyon receives each year.
Where to stay: Goulding’s Lodge offers several overnight options with stunning sunrise views, accented by picturesque rock formations. We enjoyed our stay in a comfortable villa with a kitchenette.
To do: Take a guided tour of the monuments with a locally owned and operated business such as Goulding’s, which dates back to the 1920s and is now owned by the Navajo Nation and employs more than 300 Navajo, or Diné, employees. The guides know all the best spots for photos and will also show you around a local Hogan, a traditional Diné dwelling.
Magical moment: We loved our evening of storytelling, dancing, music and hearty portions of Navajo tacos, made with a fry bread base and topped with meat, cheese, beans, salsa and vegetables. Even the youngest adventurers got involved in the moonlight drumming and dancing. The Dreamcatcher Evening Experience from Simpson’s Trailhandler Tours offers a similar tour option.
Moab and Arches National Park
Moab is known for its many outdoor adventures, whether you’re a climber, cyclist, or whitewater rafter. We loved experiencing a sampling of some of these activities, as well as a visit to the ever-popular Arches National Park.
Where to stay: A stay at Red Cliffs Lodge is comfortable while offering extensive on-site programming and activities, from sound bowl meditations to horseback riding. There is also an excellent restaurant and bar on site.
To do: Challenge yourself with a strenuous hike to Arches National Park’s iconic Delicate Arch (but remember, advance reservations are an absolute necessity for access to the park), followed by a trip to downtown Moab filled with restaurants and shops.
Magical moment: Our adventure guides loaded us up with water guns for a good old-fashioned rapids shootout as we rafted down the Colorado River. Led by our children (who seemed to be developing a taste for revenge against the other rafters), we laughed most of the way while being soaked to the skin.
Western Colorado
As our official guided tour ended in Grand Junction, Colorado, we decided to add a few more days to explore western Colorado. Heading first to Glenwood Springs, we then returned for activities in Grand Junction, along the Colorado River.
Where to stay: We enjoyed our stay at the 1893 Colorado Hotel in Glenwood Springs, with easy access to the Glenwood Hot Springs pool across the street and a short walk to downtown. In Grand Junction, the new Maverick Hotel has a room with king-size bunk beds, a unique option for families of three or four, with free popcorn in the lobby and delicious happy hours in its bar on the roof, Devil’s Kitchen.
To do: Although people flock to Arches National Park in Moab, the lesser-known Rattlesnake Canyon in Grand Junction has equally beautiful arched rock formations, with the added bonus of far fewer visitors. Go horseback riding and spot wild horses in the Little Book Cliffs Wild Horse Range. Guided tours are available through JR’s transportation service. Downtown Grand Junction is a charming town worth exploring, with stops for dinner at Tacoparty and treats at Enstrom Candies. Glenwood Springs is a great day trip to experience the hot springs and some thrill rides above the canyon at Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park.
Magical moment: You can spend a half or full day searching for real Jurassic era fossils at the Dinosaur Journey Museum in nearby Fruita, which was the experience of a lifetime for August, our junior paleontologist from 13 years old. Working alongside professional paleontologists, we worked in the field, digging, brushing and searching the sediments for pieces of prehistoric bone, then went behind the scenes of a working paleontology laboratory to see how the specimens are prepared, cataloged and preserved. .
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