The Three Park Spectacular Ride is on the border between Utah and Arizona and allows you to see parts of the country around the national parks which few tourists ever visit.
On the northerly route you start with two days in the Paria River area in the Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument where you ride through cinematic landscapes of the Paria Box canyon and near the historic movie set. From there continue through a transition of red to white canyon walls, culminating in a ride through the narrow, sculpted walls of the Willis Creek Narrow and a ride to White Cliffs overlook. Move via the Grandview Trail, crossing Bull Valley Gorge and climbing through the forests to the high elevation Bryce Plateau. The final days are spent riding beneath the stunning Pink Cliffs and ascending to one of the highest points of the plateau for panoramic views before transferring back to St George on the last day.
The southerly route connects Southern Utah’s high desert with the remote Arizona Strip and the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, passing through areas of Zion National Park, the Grand Staircase-Escalante, and the Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument. The first two days are spent in Southeast Zion where you ride through pinon and juniper landscape and the sandy washes to view Zion Canyon from the distance. From there visit the Moccasin Mountain Dinosaur Tracks before transferring to the base of Mount Trumbull. Ride through ponderosa forests and lava fields to the top of Mount Logan for panoramic views before descending into the low country and eventually reaching the dramatic edges of Water Canyon, Hack Canyon and the Kanab Creek Wilderness area.
Enjoy feeling secure in the saddle on these reliable surefooted horses which are used to the rugged terrain and form a strong bond with your mount before the trip is over. The air in this part of the world is crystal clear and the humidity is very low and sleep well at night and have a keen appetite after a day in the saddle to help you appreciate the wholesome camp food. Your experienced cowboy guides are thoroughly familiar with the flora and fauna of the area and help you understand the area’s unique ecology. Your equine companions, the splendid, wild scenery and your rancher guides make this a superb adventure.
Take a look at other spectacular horseback riding vacations in Utah and Arizona.
St George pickup and Paria River Canyon area
Pickup in St George, Utah at 2:00pm and transfer to your initial camp, located in the dramatic Paria River Canyon area. Travel to the historic Old Paria Campsite within the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. Upon arrival, you’ll meet the horses and guides and settle in, setting up camp for the first two nights of the adventure.
Exploring the Paria River canyon and the old historic movie set
Saddle up for a ride through cinematic history! Today you descend into the Paria River canyon, navigating the narrows of the Paria Box and visiting the historic Old Paria movie set. Spend the day exploring the beauty of the area’s adjoining canyons before heading back to your campsite to enjoy dinner under the stars.
Into the Narrows – from Crimson Cliffs to White Sandstone
After a hearty breakfast, we’ll break camp and ride north through the Paria River drainage, following the gentle flow of the creek. As you reach Sheep Creek, you’ll witness a striking geological transition where the deep red canyon walls give way to towering white sandstone. The day’s highlight is a ride through the Willis Creek Narrows, a series of stunningly sculpted slot canyons where the passage becomes so narrow you can touch the curvaceous Navajo sandstone walls on either side. By late afternoon, set up camp at your new base at Willis Creek for a two-night stay.
Willows Creek to White Cliff overlook
After breakfast, the day is yours to enjoy a relaxing change of pace. Those preferring a restful morning are welcome to stay in camp or take a short hike nearby. For those eager for more adventure, a dedicated ride will take you out from Willis Creek to a spectacular overlook atop the White Cliffs section of the Grand Staircase, returning to camp via a different route. Regroup in the evening for dinner and enjoy your second restful night at the Willis Creek campsite.
Bull Valley Gorge to Chicken Springs
Start the morning by breaking camp and heading out along the dirt roads, crossing the rugged Bull Valley Gorge. As you climb toward a high-altitude vantage point, you’ll be treated to distant views of the expansive Aquarius Plateau. Following a midday break for lunch, connect with the Grandview Trail, traveling through the national forest until reaching the quiet meadows of Chicken Springs to set up camp for the night.
Pink Cliffs on the Grandview Trail
Today’s trail takes you high onto the Grandview Trail, offering a breathtaking ride beneath the stunning Pink Cliffs that form the edge of the Bryce Canyon Plateau. The trail winds through high-elevation forest and open vistas, providing unparalleled views of the vibrant, rosy-hued formations towering above.
Bryce Plateau and transfer back to St George
On your final morning, break camp for the last time and begin to ascent through dense forest, gaining several hundred feet in elevation. The climb leads to a breathtaking overlook at the Pink Cliffs, one of the highest vantage points on the Bryce Plateau. From there, ride across expansive high-mountain meadows before rendezvousing with the support vehicles. Expect to arrive back in St. George by late afternoon.
Day 1: St. George Pickup and Southeast Zion
The trip begins with a 2:00 PM pickup in St. George, Utah. After a brief stop for any last-minute supplies, transfer to the southeast Zion National Park campsite. Upon arrival, meet your guides and the horses that will be your companions for the journey.
Day 2: Zion’s Piñon-Juniper Landscape and Cottonwood Canyon
Today’s ride takes you through sandy washes in the high-desert piñon and juniper landscape. Ride onto slickrock sandstone formations, catching distant views of Zion Canyon itself. The path leads to the scenic edge of Cottonwood Canyon before looping back to the campsite for the evening.
Day 3: Dinosaur Tracks and Transfer to Mount Trumbull
After a hearty breakfast and breaking camp, we ride to the fascinating Moccasin Mountain Dinosaur Tracks, ancient footprints remarkably preserved in the sandstone. In the early afternoon, meet up with the support vehicles for a transfer across the Arizona Strip to your next campsite near Mount Trumbull.
Day 4: Mount Logan and the Desert View
Today’s journey winds through serene ponderosa pine forests and ancient lava fields as you ascend to the summit of Mount Logan. At the peak, you’ll be rewarded with a breathtaking panoramic view of the low desert stretching far below the rugged rim, with the massive colorful amphitheater of Hells Hole at your feet.
Day 5: Descending Mount Trumbull and transfer
Begin the morning by breaking camp, followed by a ride from the base of Mount Trumbull back into the lower desert country. The ride offers distant views of the Grand Canyon. In the early afternoon, we will meet our support vehicles and set up camp.
Day 6: Water Canyon and the Kanab Creek Wilderness
Ride through the serene Water Canyon, a hidden gem of the Arizona Strip. The trail leads across rugged, rocky terrain to the dramatic rim of Hack Canyon and the vast Kanab Creek Wilderness. After taking in the expansive views of these deep, water-carved gorges, make your way back through the high-desert landscape to your campsite for the night.
Day 7: Grand Canyon Rim and Return to St. George
On your final day, break camp and ride across the open, flat terrain of the Arizona Strip. Arrive at the Grand Canyon edge for a lunchtime stop on the rim, offering a final, breathtaking view. Following lunch, ride away from the rim to meet the support vehicles. The transfer back to St. George, Utah, is scheduled for early evening.
This is itinerary is flexible and may be modified at the guide's discretion based on weather or other unforeseen circumstances.
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The guide was excellent and used his horsemanship, wit, humor, song and poetic talent to provide the perfect background to a ride with spectacular scenery, unique experiences, and above all - great fun!
Beth Hageman
The Winter Pastures horseback riding vacation will take you far below the remote North Rim of the Grand Canyon into a microclimate which is sheltered from the cold and winds above. Once the trail drops off the north rim, you are unlikely to meet anyone but the odd desert bighorn sheep, wary mule deer or perhaps glimpse a condor soaring overhead. The groups are small,... Browse itinerary
