Zion to Grand Canyon Rim

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 about an hour to the southeast Zion National Park campsite. Close to the dunes, expect sand! Upon arrival, meet your guides and the horses that will be your companions for the journey.

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 for a saddlebag lunch. While looping back to the campsite, stop to look for petroglyphs and enjoy a long gallop in a sandy wash.

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. Head through sage brush and sandy washes to King’s Canyon for lunch. After a break for you and your horse, enjoy views over the Kiabab Reservation and crossings over expansive slickrock. Meet up with the support vehicles and load up, with an option for a grocery store stop before the hour transfer across the Arizona Strip to your next campsite near Mount Trumbull. This campsite is green and grassy – appreciated by the horses! Keep an eye out for the unique Kiabab squirrel, as well as turkeys and mule deer.

Mount Logan and lava fields

Today’s journey winds through serene ponderosa pine forests as you ascend to the summit of Mount Logan. At a viewpoint you’ll be rewarded with a breathtaking panoramic view of the low desert stretching far below the rugged rim. Continue upward before stopping for lunch, and wander to the edge to see the massive colorful amphitheater of Hells Hole at your feet. After descending, have a quick canter along dirt tracks before dismounting and exploring the ancient lava field from Mount Trumball’s eruption. Water may be available tonight for a hot shower

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.

Alternatively, depending on water availability, you may stay at this campsite a third night and spend the day riding to the high peak of Mount Trumball.

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.

If you’ve stayed at the Mount Trumball campsite last night, you’ll pack up this morning and pick your way through sagebrush to explore the petroglyphs of the Grand Canyon Parashant monument. You’ll be able to dismount and get a close look at the impressive array of ancient artwork, before descending to meet the transfer vehicles for a lunch time transfer of about 40 minutes to your lower desert campsite. Time may allow a quick faster ride before setting up camp.

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. Depending on the heat, you may transfer by vehicle to start your ride. 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 approximately two hour transfer back to St. George, Utah, will get you there around 6pm and can include a bathroom stop.