National Parks & Group Travel

I often receive requests for the National Parks – there are so many ways to explore these treasures. For this particular adventure I was traveling with my family, my sister’s family and my parents. We opted to take an organized group tour which worked out perfectly – I wouldn’t have changed a thing. There are many different companies that offer these tours and I would be happy to discuss the differences with you. A group tour in this instance worked not only for our family dynamic, but for the destination.

I researched several different itineraries and chose an itinerary and tour company that would work for all of us. Our itinerary started in Sedona at the beautiful Enchantment Resort. Seeing the beauty of the Red Rocks has always been on my bucket list. A trip to Scottsdale and Sedona can be combined for a week-long trip without adding any other touring. From there we traveled to the Grand Canyon – words truly cannot describe its majesty. We then traveled to Monument Valley, led by a Navajo guide. I was really looking forward to Arches National Park and it completely exceeded my expectations. We had a choice of an “easy” hike or a longer hike to the crown jewel: The Delicate Arch. I could have sat there for hours. Our tour ended with Colorado River rafting which was perfect for all ages and activity levels. The scenery was absolutely stunning and it was a trip I will always remember.

Here are my top reasons why you may consider group travel:

-You pay one price upfront and you know all of the inclusions

-Transportation is taken care of for you. Driving to various national parks involves a lot of time in the car. Being on a bus allows you to relax, chat, nap and most importantly, take in the scenery.

-Everything is thought of for you and you learn SO much more than you could ever research on your own.

-With National Parks, you don’t have to wait in line and you get prime hotel locations. This is key in the Grand Canyon, where room availability within the Canyon is extremely limited.

-You have a sense of comradery and meet like-minded travelers. If you don’t feel like being social it’s not necessary; though in this case it was wonderful to see our kids bond and make new friends.