Family Camping Holidays in America

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A true American adventure for the whole family. Enjoy camping under the stars in the western National Parks and explore the Navajo Indian's Monument Valley on this two week holiday! Granite peaks sparkle above evergreen forests in Yosemite Valley, swift rivers carve winding canyons in Zion, mysterious hoodoos cast shadows over Bryce, and the earth opens up at the indescribable Grand Canyon. Let your leader take care of the details as you experience these powerful lands, shaped and formed by the forces of nature.

• Great National Park hikes US$FREE
• Scenic Grand Canyon helicopter flight US$160-$400
• Western horseback riding US$45-$95
• IMAX theater US$8-$12
• Watersports US$20-$45
• River tubing US$15
• Swimming at Lake Powell US$FREE
• Cycling in Yosemite Valley US$20 (Available in season only)

As we know how important it is to match children of similar ages, our 05 & 19 August departures are specifically for families with teenagers. Younger siblings are welcome upon request.

If you are spending extra time in our gateway cities, you can now plan in advance by pre-booking unique city sightseeing day tours in addition to your trip.

SAN FRANCISCO

All city day tours are operated by local experts who are dedicated to take you behind the scenes so you know it like a local! When booking your trip, simply select your chosen city tours from the Tour Extras section on the online booking form.

> View City Sightseeing Tours

Why not arrange your own Grand American Adventures departure? For groups of 8 or more, we can offer private departures on any of our published itineraries enabling friends, families or organizations to enjoy our style of travel at special rates. Although tours will run as per our standard itinerary shown here, slight modifications may be considered and dates can be chosen to suit your needs. (Subject to seasonal/operational restrictions). So contact us today and start planning your own adventure.

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Trip Itinerary

Our routes have been carefully chosen to include the best night stops and highlights. However, as local and operational conditions may vary and unforeseen circumstances can arise, the following itinerary should be used as a guideline.

As this tour departs at 0730 in the morning we recommend that you book pre-tour accommodation. Please request hotel details at the time of booking.

Day 1: San Francisco to Yosemite National Park

Before leaving San Francisco we enjoy a brief orientation tour around the city including a close-up view of the spectacular Golden Gate Bridge. Completed in 1937, this iconic suspension bridge stretches for 2.7 km (1.7 miles) and is probably the most photographed bridge in the world. After departing San Francisco we head east through California's historic gold country and set up camp at the scenic Yosemite National Park region - our 'home' for the next three nights.
Accommodation: Camping with meals included

Day 2-3: Yosemite National Park

Yosemite National Park sits nestled in the Sierra Nevada Mountain range of northern California. Here green forest meets granite walls measuring several thousand feet in height. Rock climbers come from all over the world to scale the rocks whilst hikers get to walk to the base of some of the largest waterfalls in the world. After a visit to see the amazing giant sequoia trees, Yosemite Valley beckons. Here we may bicycle, take a dip in the Merced River or wander the meadows. We get to hike on one of the many trails that enable us to leave the crowds behind. The famous sites situated along these trails include Yosemite Falls, Nevada Falls, Vernal Falls and Mirror Lake. The views are breathtaking from every vantage point - the granite formations of El Capitan and Cathedral Rocks are sure to be forever etched on our minds.
Accommodation: Camping with meals included

Day 4: Great Basin Desert

Leaving Yosemite's towering sequoias behind, we make our way from west to east traversing the 10,000 feet Tioga Pass over the Sierra Nevada mountains and skirting the eerie shores of Mono Lake before journeying down the Extraterrestrial Highway and stopping at the Little A'Le' Inn. The Great Basin Desert actually extends right across to California, Oregon, Idaho and Utah. We cover some great distances today, but also get to see some fascinating and contrasting scenery on our road trip.
Accommodation: Hotel included with meals paid locally

Day 5: Zion National Park

We make our way to Utah and our destination - Zion National Park. Zion Canyon was named by the early Mormon settlers of Utah who thought of it as their 'promised land'. Some of the best hiking in this desert terrain of southwest USA can be found here in and around the fertile Virgin River Gorge. With an early arrival today and two nights here, we will have plenty of time to explore after we set up camp for our two-night stay.
Accommodation: Camping with meals included

Day 6: Zion National Park

We have a full day to further explore the delights of Zion National Park. Hire a bike or visit the ghost town where "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid" was filmed. Walk up from the valley floor to Emerald Pools (always a hit with the kids!) or try river tubing before take a dip. For the more adventurous, there is the challenging option to ascend 2500 feet to experience unbeatable panoramic views from the top of Angels Landing. If weather conditions permit, you may choose to hike deep into the Zion Narrows. There is also a chance to partake in some horse-riding or just relaxing by the pool.
Accommodation: Camping with meals included

Day 7: Bryce Canyon & Kodachrome Basin State Park

Leaving Zion National Park we climb in elevation to almost 2438 metres (8000 feet) and traverse a high plateau to Bryce Canyon National Park. Bryce Canyon is a fascinating natural amphitheatre of pink, orange and white sandstone spires, known locally as 'hoodoos'. There are a variety of scenic overlooks and trails that range from easy to moderate in difficulty. The Navajo Trail enables us to hike right in amongst these unique rock formations. Some of us may prefer to hike on the Queen's Garden Trail or remain on the rim and photograph the ever-changing shadows and hues as the sun makes its way across the wide-open sky. A short drive takes us to our lovely campsite at nearby Kodachrome Basin State Park.
Accommodation: Camping with meals included

Day 8: Lake Powell

Located on the border of Utah and Arizona and created by the construction of the Glen Canyon Dam on the Colorado River, Lake Powell has a shoreline that stretches longer than the western coast of the USA! Many say that Glen Canyon was even more spectacular than the Grand Canyon before the dam was built. Now the lake is a haven for water sports or just relaxing in one of the many sandstone coves. We enjoy our day of fun in the sun and spend an evening camped under the stars.
Accommodation: Camping with meals included

Day 9: Monument Valley

In the heart of the Navajo Nation, Monument Valley is sacred land to those who call it home. The red sandstone monoliths and spectacular sunsets and sunrises have been the backdrop to countless 'westerns' featuring cowboys riding off into the desert. We explore the incredible array of rock formations on an included guided backroads tour and learn the magic and myth of the rich Native American culture. There is also ample time to relax and view the valley's surreal sunset.
Accommodation: Camping with meals included

Day 10-11: Grand Canyon National Park

Leaving Monument Valley we drive towards Grand Canyon. Traversing the eastern entrance of the canyon, we catch our first glimpse of it at Desert View. This incredible spectacle is difficult to comprehend, even as you stand at the rim or hike down into the canyon. Carved over several millennia, this massive wonder of nature is 445 kilometres (277 miles) long, up to 29 kilometres (18 miles) wide and over 1.6 kilometres (1 mile) deep. Snaking through the canyon floor is the mighty Colorado River, which runs 2330 kilometres (1450 miles) through seven US states and two Mexican states.

In your free time, we highly recommend a scenic helicopter flight over the canyon, which offers perspectives that you cannot see by visiting on foot. Also recommended is the film show at the IMAX Theater, which will give you a good overview of the area and how it developed. Alternatively, stroll the easy meandering South Rim Trail, hike your way down the more challenging trail to Plateau Point, or simply relax at the canyon's edge and enjoy a spectacular sunset over one of the World's natural wonders. There is also time to shop for local souvenirs.
Accommodation: Camping with meals included

Day 12: Grand Canyon to Las Vegas

We leave nature behind and head into Las Vegas, Nevada, and all of its neon splendour. Las Vegas is the fastest growing city in United States and the entertainment capital of North America - home to pirates and pyramids, weddings and waterfalls. If it is gambling you want, you have come to the right place! Nowhere else in the world will you find as many casinos, clubs and all-you-can-eat buffets.

This tour ends at our gateway hotel at approximately 17:00 hrs. We can book you post-tour accommodation at our gateway hotel if required. If you are planning to take fly tonight, please do not book a flight that departs before 21:00 hrs.

You can easily book your trip online using our secure booking engine. You only need to pay a 10% deposit or (whichever is greatest) with full payment due 8 weeks before departure. We are members of ABTA (Association of Britsh Travel Agents) and are fully financially bonded so your money is 100% safe & protected at all times whether you pay by debit, bank or credit card. If you prefer to book by telephone, please contact our sales office and speak to one our friendly travel consultants.

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