Southwest National Parks Road Trip

Option 2 round trip PHX — Day 1 (Sep 23)

• Fly Columbus → Phoenix (PHX)

• Pick up rental car + groceries/water stop

• Easy arrival afternoon with pool/rest time

• Early dinner and full reset before the long westbound drive portion begins

• Overnight: Phoenix/Scottsdale

Route overview for Option 2 round trip PHX (reversed for a Phoenix return)

1) Fly Columbus → Phoenix (PHX)

2) Phoenix → Zion / Springdale base

3) Zion Canyon Scenic Drive sightseeing day

4) Springdale → Bryce Canyon National Park Sunset Point

5) Bryce → Page + Horseshoe Bend

6) Page smooth-water float with Wilderness River Adventures

7) Page → Williams / Grand Canyon corridor

8) Ride Williams Station, Grand Canyon Railway for a Grand Canyon day

9) Wupatki National Monument + reposition east

10) Petrified Forest National Park → Phoenix (PHX) → Columbus

Tradeoff vs Option 1

• Keeps flights round trip out of Phoenix

• Reverses the order so the trip finishes in Arizona rather than Utah

• Final day is still full, but much easier than driving all the way from Zion back to Phoenix

Option 2 round trip PHX — Day 2 (Sep 24)

• 7:30 AM–8:30 AM Easy breakfast + final supply stop

• 8:30 AM–2:30 PM Drive Phoenix → Springdale / Zion area (allow lunch and stretch breaks)

• 2:30 PM–4:30 PM Hotel check-in + full rest block

• 4:30 PM–6:30 PM Early dinner in Springdale

• Keep this first road day intentionally gentle after the flight day

• Overnight: Springdale / Zion area

Option 2 round trip PHX — Day 3 (Sep 25)

• 8:00 AM–10:30 AM Zion shuttle sightseeing window with Zion Canyon Scenic Drive

• 10:30 AM–11:30 AM Scenic stop / lodge break

• 11:30 AM–1:00 PM Lunch + rest

• 1:00 PM–3:30 PM Pick 1–2 easiest additional canyon stops only

• 3:30 PM–5:30 PM Downtime at hotel

• 5:30 PM–7:30 PM Early dinner

• Keep walking minimal for the seniors; this is primarily a scenery day

• Overnight: Springdale / Zion area

Option 2 round trip PHX — Day 4 (Sep 26)

• 8:00 AM–9:00 AM Breakfast + check-out

• 9:00 AM–11:00 AM Drive Springdale → Bryce Canyon

• 11:00 AM–12:00 PM Lunch + check-in if available

• 12:00 PM–4:30 PM Bryce viewpoints loop (Sunset/Sunrise/Inspiration; short walks) centered on Bryce Canyon National Park Sunset Point

• 4:30 PM–6:00 PM Rest at lodge/hotel

• 6:00 PM–8:00 PM Dinner

• Overnight: Bryce Canyon area

Option 2 round trip PHX — Day 5 (Sep 27)

• 8:00 AM–11:00 AM Drive Bryce Canyon → Page (2.5–3h)

• 11:00 AM–12:00 PM Lunch in Page + hotel check-in if available

• 12:00 PM–3:30 PM Full rest block / easy scenic pullouts

• 3:30 PM–5:30 PM Sunset-oriented stop at Horseshoe Bend if energy allows

• 5:30 PM–7:30 PM Dinner

• Keep walking light today to save energy for the float tomorrow

• Overnight: Page, AZ

Option 2 round trip PHX — Day 6 (Sep 28)

• 7:30 AM–8:15 AM Check-in + staging in Page (senior-friendly pace)

• 8:15 AM–9:15 AM Bus transfer to river launch / Lees Ferry area (approx)

• 9:15 AM–12:30 PM Smooth-water float/raft through Horseshoe Bend with Wilderness River Adventures (mostly seated; minimal walking)

• 12:30 PM–1:15 PM Short stop + restrooms / stretch break (as offered on trip)

• 1:15 PM–2:15 PM Return bus to Page (approx)

• 2:15 PM–3:15 PM Late lunch + rest

• 3:15 PM–4:30 PM Glen Canyon Dam overlook/visitor areas (minimal walking)

• 4:30 PM–6:30 PM Downtime

• 6:30 PM–8:30 PM Dinner

• Overnight: Page, AZ

Option 2 round trip PHX — Day 7 (Sep 29)

• 8:00 AM–12:30 PM Drive Page → Williams (allow scenic/photo stops and a lunch break)

• 12:30 PM–2:00 PM Late lunch + hotel check-in

• 2:00 PM–4:30 PM Full rest block in Williams

• 4:30 PM–6:00 PM Short walk in town or simply relax before the rail day

• 6:00 PM–8:00 PM Early dinner

• This is a positioning day to make the railway experience much easier for the group

• Overnight: Williams

Option 2 round trip PHX — Day 8 (Sep 30)

• 7:30 AM–8:15 AM Drive to Williams rail depot + park/check-in

• 8:15 AM–9:00 AM Check-in + boarding buffer (senior-friendly pace)

• 9:00 AM–11:15 AM Grand Canyon Railway: Williams → South Rim (approx)

• 11:15 AM–12:30 PM Lunch / orientation at the rim

• 12:30 PM–3:30 PM South Rim viewpoints at a relaxed pace in Grand Canyon National Park

• 3:30 PM–5:45 PM Return rail to Williams (approx)

• 5:45 PM–7:30 PM Dinner + rest

• Overnight: Williams or Flagstaff

Option 2 round trip PHX — Day 9 (Oct 1)

• 8:00 AM–9:00 AM Easy breakfast + check-out

• 9:00 AM–10:00 AM Drive Williams/Flagstaff → Wupatki loop start

• 10:00 AM–1:00 PM Wupatki scenic loop + short walks / overlooks with Wupatki National Monument

• 1:00 PM–2:00 PM Lunch + sit-down break

• 2:00 PM–4:30 PM Drive east toward Holbrook / Petrified Forest area to shorten tomorrow

• 4:30 PM–6:30 PM Rest block + dinner

• Overnight: Holbrook or Petrified Forest gateway

Option 2 round trip PHX — Day 10 (Oct 2)

• 7:30 AM–8:00 AM Easy breakfast + final check-out

• 8:00 AM–11:30 AM Scenic drive and viewpoint stops in Petrified Forest National Park

• 11:30 AM–12:30 PM Lunch + rest stop

• 12:30 PM–4:00 PM Drive Petrified Forest area → Phoenix Sky Harbor (allow time for fuel and rental car return)

• Evening flight PHX → CMH works best on this version

• Biggest advantage of the reversed order: the trip finishes much closer to Phoenix than the prior version

• Overnight: Home (Columbus) if flight timing works; otherwise airport hotel near PHX

Route overview (updated)

1) Fly Columbus → Phoenix (PHX)

2) Phoenix → Flagstaff + Wupatki National Monument

3) Day trip to Petrified Forest National Park

4) Williams → ride Williams Station, Grand Canyon Railway to the South Rim

5) Grand Canyon National Park viewpoints day

6) Grand Canyon → Page + Horseshoe Bend

7) Smooth-water float day with Wilderness River Adventures

8) Page → Bryce Canyon

9) Bryce → Capitol Reef National Park → Torrey

10) Zion shuttle sightseeing in Zion Canyon Scenic Drive + return to Columbus

• 6:00 AM–12:00 PM Flight (CMH→PHX) + baggage

• 12:00 PM–1:00 PM Pick up rental car + groceries/water stop

• 1:00 PM–2:00 PM Drive to hotel (Phoenix/Scottsdale)

• 2:00 PM–5:00 PM Easy reset time (pool/rest)

• 5:00 PM–7:00 PM Dinner

• 7:00 PM–9:00 PM Early night / prep for drive day

• Overnight: Phoenix/Scottsdale

• 8:00 AM–10:30 AM Drive Phoenix → Flagstaff (2.5–3h + break)

• 10:30 AM–12:00 PM Lunch + stretch break in Flagstaff

• 12:00 PM–1:30 PM Drive to Wupatki loop start (45–60m)

• 1:30 PM–4:30 PM Wupatki scenic loop + short walks (stop-and-go)

• 4:30 PM–5:30 PM Drive back to Flagstaff

• 5:30 PM–7:30 PM Dinner + rest

• Overnight: Flagstaff area

• 8:00 AM–9:45 AM Drive Flagstaff → Petrified Forest (1.5–2h)

• 9:45 AM–1:00 PM Park scenic drive north→south with viewpoint stops + short walks

• 1:00 PM–2:00 PM Lunch/picnic + rest

• 2:00 PM–4:00 PM Finish remaining overlooks/short trails (as energy allows)

• 4:00 PM–6:00 PM Drive back toward Flagstaff/Williams for positioning

• 6:00 PM–8:00 PM Dinner + early night

• Overnight: Flagstaff or Williams (for best positioning)

• 7:30 AM–8:15 AM Drive to Williams rail depot + park/check-in

• 8:15 AM–9:00 AM Check-in + boarding buffer (senior-friendly pace)

• 9:00 AM–11:15 AM Grand Canyon Railway: Williams → South Rim (approx)

• 11:15 AM–3:30 PM South Rim: shuttle viewpoints + easy Rim Trail sections near village

• 3:30 PM–5:30 PM Grand Canyon Railway: South Rim → Williams (approx)

• 5:30 PM–7:00 PM Drive to Grand Canyon Village/Tusayan (or stay in Williams if preferred)

• 7:00 PM–9:00 PM Dinner + rest

• Overnight: Grand Canyon Village / Tusayan (or Williams if you prefer fewer hotel changes)

• 8:00 AM–9:00 AM Visitor Center + Mather Point (short, flat walks)

• 9:00 AM–12:30 PM Hermit Road shuttle overlooks (stop-and-go sightseeing)

• 12:30 PM–1:30 PM Lunch + rest

• 1:30 PM–4:30 PM Desert View Drive overlooks (watchtower area if desired)

• 4:30 PM–6:30 PM Sunset viewpoint + easy rim stroll

• 6:30 PM–8:30 PM Dinner + early night

• Overnight: Grand Canyon Village / Tusayan

• 8:30 AM–12:30 PM Drive Grand Canyon (South Rim) → Page (3–3.5h + stops)

• 12:30 PM–1:30 PM Lunch in Page + hotel check-in if available

• 1:30 PM–4:30 PM Rest time / easy scenic pullouts

• 4:30 PM–6:15 PM Horseshoe Bend visit (walk + photo time; aim for golden hour)

• 6:15 PM–7:00 PM Drive back into Page

• 7:00 PM–9:00 PM Dinner

• Overnight: Page, AZ

• 7:30 AM–8:15 AM Check-in + staging in Page (senior-friendly pace)

• 8:15 AM–9:15 AM Bus transfer to river launch / Lees Ferry area (approx)

• 9:15 AM–12:30 PM Smooth-water float/raft through Horseshoe Bend with Wilderness River Adventures (mostly seated; minimal walking)

• 12:30 PM–1:15 PM Short stop + restrooms / stretch break (as offered on trip)

• 1:15 PM–2:15 PM Return bus to Page (approx)

• 2:15 PM–3:15 PM Late lunch + rest

• 3:15 PM–4:30 PM Glen Canyon Dam overlook/visitor areas (minimal walking)

• 4:30 PM–6:30 PM Downtime

• 6:30 PM–8:30 PM Dinner

• Overnight: Page, AZ

• 8:00 AM–11:00 AM Drive Page → Bryce Canyon (2.5–3h)

• 11:00 AM–12:00 PM Lunch + check-in (if available)

• 12:00 PM–4:30 PM Bryce viewpoints loop (Sunset/Sunrise/Inspiration; short walks)

• 4:30 PM–6:00 PM Optional easy Rim Trail segment for the hikers (others relax)

• 6:00 PM–8:00 PM Dinner + stargazing (as desired)

• Overnight: Bryce Canyon City/Tropic

• 8:00 AM–10:30 AM Bryce final stops (Bryce Point + one more overlook)

• 10:30 AM–12:00 PM Drive to Capitol Reef (Torrey/Fruita area)

• 12:00 PM–1:00 PM Lunch break + rest

• 1:00 PM–4:00 PM Capitol Reef scenic drive + Fruita pullouts (low walking)

• 4:00 PM–5:00 PM Drive to Torrey lodging

• 5:00 PM–7:00 PM Dinner + early night

• Overnight: Torrey

• 8:00 AM–10:30 AM Zion shuttle sightseeing window (pick 2–3 easy stops; plenty of sit breaks)

• 10:30 AM–11:30 AM Early lunch in Springdale

• 11:30 AM–12:30 PM Drive Springdale → St. George Regional Airport (SGU) area (~1h) or continue to Las Vegas if needed

• 12:30 PM–2:30 PM Airport buffer + return rental car

• Best short-drive return: fly SGU → CMH with 1 stop

• Backup cheaper option: drive to LAS for a direct or cheaper flight if preferred

• Overnight: Home (Columbus) or airport hotel if flight timing requires