Grand Canyon Tour Blog by Caravan Tours

Check out our Caravan Grand Canyon travel blog to learn more about what to see and things to do when vacationing in Grand Canyon National Park. You’ll also find insightful information about the artist colony of Sedona plus Monument Valley, Zion Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, and Lake Powell, the man-made reservoir on the Colorado River that borders Arizona and Utah.

Zion National Park Attractions

Visit some of the top Zion National Park attractions with Caravan Tours.

Zion was Utah’s first national park and another in a series of US National Parks established in the same region as the Grand Canyon and Bryce Canyon National Park, where the wonders of geologic rock formations never ceases to amaze visiting tourists.

Zion National Park attractions are numerous but a little more difficult to access because of the steep sandstone cliffs, some of which are classified as the highest in the world.

Different environments have emerged throughout the Zion Park according to the variation in sedimentation. This has brought about the existence of diverse fauna and flora, which can be seen in the many types of woodland, desert areas, coniferous forest areas, and the riparian zones (where the land and rivers meet).

Settlers in the region revered the natural beauty of Zion National Park and gave many of the park’s unique features such names as the East Temple, Angels Landing, the Great White Throne, the Court of the Three Patriarchs and the Temple of Sinawava.

Here is an overview our top 8 Zion National Park attractions:

8. Angels Landing Trail –This is one of the most popular hiking trails in Zion Canyon. Visitors that reach the summit are treated to a spectacular panoramic view of Zion National Park. Other notable trails in Zion Park include Emerald Pools Trail, Hidden Canyon Trail and Canyon Overlook Trail.

7. Zion Canyon– Over millions of years the Virgin River carved through the soft sandstone creating the 15-mile long Zion Canyon that in some places is as deep as a half a mile.

6. Zion Narrows– The narrowest point of Zion Canyon is a steep gorge just 20 feet wide and aptly named Zion Narrows (located at the mouth of Zion Canyon).

5. Virgin River Narrows– Located just upstream of Zion Canyon but within Zion National Park is Virgin River Narrows. This prime 3.6-mile hiking area traverses through a narrow gorge called “The Narrows” and is part of the Colorado Plateau.

4. Kolob Arch– Considered to be the second longest natural arch in the world, Kolob Arch is uniquely situated, framing the nearby sandstone cliffs in the Kolob Canyon.

3. Checkerboard Mesa– Millions of years ago wind-blown sand cut deep grooves into the Navajo sandstone creating a checkerboard pattern in this unique geological wonder.

2. Great White Throne – Located near Angels Landing, the north face of the Great White Throne, which gets its name from the white sandstone cliffs, towers 2,350 feet above the Zion Canyon floor and is considered by many to be the symbol of Zion National Park.

1. Three Patriarchs– These massive cliffs rise over 2,000 feet above the Zion Canyon floor and feature three different rock formations dating back to the Jurassic age including Moenave, Kayenta and Navajo Sandstone. Other notable sandstone cliff formations in Zion National Park include East Temple, Temple of Sinawava, and Horse Ranch Mountain, the highest point in Zion National Park at 8,726 feet above sea level.

Getting Around Inside Zion Park

No private vehicles are allowed within Zion National Park and transportation is given via free shuttle buses. These Zion National Park Tours are the best way to view the outstanding geological formations known as the Grand Staircase, which represents millions of years in sedimentation in the area.

Zion Park Lodge

The word “Zion” means a place of refuge (or peace). Zion Park Lodge, which was built in 1925, is aptly named and located in the center of the valley floor, offering a unique perspective of the surrounding massive sandstone cliffs and unique rock formations of Zion Canyon.

Zion Park Lodge is open for guests year-round who come to explore the magnificent surroundings of Zion National Park. The original Zion Lodge structure was destroyed by fire in the mid 1960’s and although the lodge was rebuilt the same year, it did not regain its original rustic appearance until it was refurbished in 1990.

Caravan’s current Grand Canyon Tour itinerary includes two nights at the acclaimed Zion Park Lodge. Visit our tour hotels and lodges page for an overview of the accommodations available on this all-inclusive tour.

Visit Zion Park Attractions with Caravan Tours!

In addition to two nights’ stay at the Zion Park Lodge, many of the above mentioned attractions are included as part of Caravan Tours’ fully escorted 8-day Grand Canyon vacation package, which is all inclusive and affordably priced.

Read the many reviews for this tour or check out the Grand Canyon travel tips page.

These Grand Canyon vacations always book up quickly!

Call 1-800-CARAVAN (227-2826) to check availability or reserve your spot today.

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Top 4 Sedona Arizona Landmarks

Explore the many unique Sedona Arizona landmarks that attract visitors looking for a unique, relaxed, and yet very interesting USA town.

Although not as touristy as many other places in Arizona, Sedona still has its fair share of attractions that bring in visitors each year.

The area is famous for its red rock formations, one of the Sedona Arizona landmarks that most tourists come to see. The red sandstone hills of the area offer spectacular surroundings providing a unique backdrop for all kinds of Sedona activities.

Many visitors come to Sedona for the outdoor activities including mountain biking, horseback riding, and hiking along the hundreds of trails that meander through the sandstone cliffs. Others come for more esoteric pursuits such as exploring the many unique Sedona Arizona landmarks like Bell Rock Vortex.

 

1. Bell Rock Vortex

Sedona is reputed to be the home of a number of electromagnetic fields or centers, the most notable of which is the Bell Rock Vortex. Many believe that the energy emitted by the “funnel shaped” vortex has the ability to affect us positively. In fact, Sedona is home to a growing “new age” community that regards Sedona as a spiritual power center where the spiritual and the metaphysical can unite. There is also a large artist colony in Sedona AZ.

2. Oak Creek Canyon

Nature is the main attraction, which is evident in the Oak Creek Canyon and the Red Rock Country near the town of Sedona. This is one of the great Sedona Arizona landmarks for any visitor who is travelling from Sedona to Flagstaff, and on to the Grand Canyon National Park.

Oak Creek Canyon is located along one of the most scenic routes in the entire state of Arizona. The meandering road through the deep canyons and rock formations is an admirable feat of engineering. The Oak Creek is found in the depths of the canyon. There are plenty of accommodations in the area for tourists who wish to stay and enjoy numerous activities on either side of the Oak Creek Canyon floor.

3. Chapel of the Holy Cross

The Chapel of the Holy Cross is the result of a passionate artist who wanted to sculpt a church while paying homage to architecture, art and nature. The heiress, Marguerite Staude, pulled out all the stops and dedicated her life to building this arts chapel. The combination of art and nature took a year and half to build and is a true blend, full of harmony. The interior is quite unique in that nature has been incorporated as a part of the architecture of the entire structure. A gift shop completes the picture.

4. Tlaquepaque

This is a village built for the artist community. Tlaquepaque is styled after a Spanish colonial town that is woven into the Sycamore trees that dot the landscape. The antique look of the village is heightened due to the fact that traditional methods were used in its construction, giving this exciting and vibrant village a beauty all of its own. Restaurants, shops, and galleries, as well as farmers’ markets and festivals abound in this village with December being the best time to visit.

Other Sedona Arizona Landmarks and Attractions

Sedona Arizona is a haven for the arts and visitors here can visit the many galleries, as well as the Sedona Heritage Museum, to get a feel of the place. There are many galleries where a visitor is able to purchase anything from arts and crafts to jewelry. Shoppers are well catered to in Sedona with a variety of goods originating from the region.

In addition to these art related activities, hiking, mountain biking, and swimming at popular swimming holes, plus jeep tours and horseback riding are also offered for the more energetic and younger crowd.

Rainbow Trout Farm is a place where people can enjoy a spot of fishing while those with relaxation in mind can head to one of the spas in Sedona that offer therapy on the rocks.

Golfing is also available for enthusiasts while other visitors can choose from many types of available tours including trolley tours, stagecoach tours, helicopter tours, and airplane tours. Native American tours also make for an enjoyable and interesting day trip.

There is no better place than Sedona Arizona to have a relaxing holiday that allows guests to keep in touch with nature in all its beauty and diversity.

Visit Sedona AZ with Caravan Tours

Caravan’s current Grand Canyon Tours include a sightseeing tour past Camelback Mountain while en route to spend an afternoon in Sedona Arizona.

These 8-day all-inclusive travel packages also include visits to Grand Canyon National Park, Monument Valley, Lake Powell, Bryce Canyon and Zion National Park.

For more information about Sedona AZ, check our Caravan’s Grand Canyon reviews page. Our Grand Canyon Facts pages offers more information about what you will experience during our Grand Canyon tour.

Call 1-800-CARAVAN (227-2826) to check tour availability and reserve your spot today.

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Facts About Grand Canyon National Park

The 1.2 million acre Grand Canyon National Park is one of America’s earliest national parks and was established in February of 1919.

There are very few places on earth that are as profound or can evoke such feelings of awe and wonderment like the Grand Canyon in Arizona does. Whether you are first time visitor or a returning enthusiast, the vastness and the unique landscape of Grand Canyon Park will simply engulf you.

Onlookers to Grand Canyon National Park are held spellbound by the sheer size of the Grand Canyon plus its immeasurable beauty and haunting vistas. The views from the Grand Canyon’s south rim, west rim, and north rim are overwhelming and can easily make you feel rather insignificant.

In this article we will explore more about Grand Canyon National Park, including how the Canyon came to be, popular activities at the Grand Canyon, and your tour options.

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Monument Valley Navajo Jeep Tours

Enjoy Monument Valley jeep tours with Caravan Tours!

The pristine Monument Valley is located in the heart of Navajo Nation near Lake Powell along the Utah-Arizona border.

This restricted Utah backcountry is highly protected in order to preserve its many natural buttes, arches, and mesas. In fact, the area is only accessible to authorized Navajo guides; private vehicles are prohibited. All visitors must enter via a Navajo tour guide.

Despite its restricted access, for those vacationing in Utah and visiting the Grand Canyon, Monument Valley National Park is another “can’t miss” attraction and included in Caravan’s Grand Canyon tour.

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Lake Powell Grand Canyon Tours

Enjoy a Lake Powell cruise as part of Caravan Tours’ all-inclusive Grand Canyon tour.

Lake Powell, in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, stretches for over 185 miles in an area once known as Lee’s Ferry, situated north of the Grand Canyon in Arizona and west of Bryce National Park in Utah.

This man-made reservoir on the Colorado River borders Arizona and Utah and is named after John Wesley Powell, a one-armed American Civil War veteran who explored the Colorado River in a posse of three wooden boats.

Today, Lake Powell is the Reservoir on the Colorado River that acts as a water basin to Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, and California. Enjoy a Lake Powell boat tour as part of Caravan’s all-inclusive Grand Canyon tour.

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Camelback Mountain Near Phoenix AZ

Camelback Mountain Arizona is the famous landmark icon near Phoenix and the surrounding areas of Scottsdale and Paradise Valley. This prominent monument in the center of Phoenix Valley is part of the Camelback Mountain Echo Canyon Recreation Area.

For many local Arizona residents, this area is a point of pride symbolizing a resting camel keeping constant watch high above the Phoenix horizon. In fact, this natural sandstone formation, was named after its resemblance to the head and hump of a kneeling camel.

As vacationers fly into the Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport they cannot help but notice this massive prominent landmark. Camelback Mountain overlooks the Valley of the Sun, which is shared by Phoenix, Scottsdale, and Paradise Valley.

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Grand Canyon Bus Tours

Each year millions of tourists choose to visit the Grand Canyon on their own however, Grand Canyon bus tours are your best bet if you want a Grand Canyon tour that is fully guided.

At almost 280 miles long, over a mile deep, and ranging between 4 to 18 miles wide, there is so much to see and experience in the Grand Canyon that a guided bus tour is simply your best option.

Our Caravan tour operators structure their guided Grand Canyon bus tours to include most of the Grand Canyon’s best features. Tourists enjoy our Grand Canyon motor coach tours because they can travel in comfort and not have to worry about parking or trying to decipher Grand Canyon maps.

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Guided Grand Canyon Vacation Tours

Grand Canyon vacation tours are very popular. In fact, the Grand Canyon is the most popular tourist spot in the entire continental United States attracting over 5 million visitors annually.

Imposing, exhilarating, and definitely a destination not to be missed, a Grand Canyon vacation is an unforgettable experience. You won’t be able to escape the incredible feeling of being quite small in the grander scheme of things.

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Highlights of Caravan’s Grand Canyon Tour

This post includes Grand Canyon information and tour highlights by Caravan Tours.

Caravan is one of many tour operators however, we offer an all-inclusive vacation so you can experience one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World fully guided. Our tours are also ideal for travelers of all ages (from age 5 and up).

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Bryce Canyon National Park Info

Bryce Canyon, which is part of Bryce Canyon National Park, is actually shaped more like a giant amphitheater.

Did you know that Bryce Canyon is not actually a canyon?

Centuries of natural erosion from wind, rain and ice formed the 12-mile-long Bryce Canyon amphitheater out of the Paunsaugunt Plateau in Utah.

Visiting Bryce Canyon Park brings you to one of those landscapes that defy description and speaks to the soul of the onlooker. It’s a place like no other with its spellbinding views of the most colorful and scenic rock formations found anywhere.

To inquire about our Costa Rica tour call 1-800-CARAVAN (227-2826)

Caravan offers fully guided tours and in this blog post we’ve compiled some interesting information and facts about Bryce Canyon.

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