MONTANA WYOMING UTAH SLC Arches Lake Powell Bryce Zion Grand Teton Yellowstone Glacier Whitefish
July 2 — 18, 2026

Pam's 60th Birthday
National Parks Grand Loop

Utah • Wyoming • Montana — 7 National Parks in 16 Days

Arches · Canyonlands · Bryce Canyon · Zion · Grand Teton · Yellowstone · Glacier

IAD SLC Moab Lake Powell Bryce Zion Jackson Hole Yellowstone Glacier FCA IAD
7
National Parks
16
Nights
2,000
Miles
3
States

Confirmed Bookings

#PropertyDatesConfirmationCost
1Hoodoo MoabJul 2-4ZO-AX1041-46597$696
2Under Canvas Lake PowellJul 4-732688SG057041$1,464
3Bryce Canyon LodgeJul 7-870O3NY$294
4Cliffrose SpringdaleJul 8-10ZO-AX1041-46547$1,162
5Four Seasons Jackson HoleJul 10-13ZO-AX1041-46097$9,167
6Under Canvas YellowstoneJul 13-1532696SG064943$1,304
7Larch House, WhitefishJul 15-18695$2,529
TOTAL LODGING$16,616

Route & Driving Distances

#National ParkDatesNightsHotelDrive to Next
Home (IAD)Jul 2Fly 4.5h + drive 3.5h
1Arches + CanyonlandsJul 2-42Hoodoo Moab4 hrs
2Horseshoe Bend, Antelope CanyonJul 4-73Under Canvas Lake Powell2.5 hrs
3Bryce CanyonJul 7-81Bryce Canyon Lodge1.5 hrs
4ZionJul 8-102Cliffrose Springdale5.5 hrs
5Grand TetonJul 10-123Four Seasons Jackson Hole1 hr
6YellowstoneJul 13-152Under Canvas Yellowstone6 hrs
7GlacierJul 15-183Larch House, Whitefish15 min to FCA
TOTAL16~24 hrs driving

Still To Book

ItemDetailsEst. CostStatus
Flights IAD → SLCJul 2~$700To Book
Flights FCA → IADJul 18~$700To Book
Rental SUV16 days, SLC → FCA~$2,200To Book
Angels Landing PermitZion NP lottery$6Apply
Going-to-the-Sun RoadGlacier NP reservation$2Apply
Antelope Canyon TourGuided tour~$80To Book
America the Beautiful PassAll parks entry$80To Buy
EST. REMAINING~$3,800

Reservations & Permits Needed

WhenWhatWhere to BookPriority
ASAPAngels Landing Permit (Zion, Jul 9)recreation.gov — day-before lottery or seasonal lotteryHigh
ASAPGoing-to-the-Sun Road Vehicle Reservation (Glacier, Jul 16-17)recreation.gov — $2 per vehicleHigh
ASAPUpper Antelope Canyon Tour (Jul 5, 11:30 AM)adventurousantelope.com or navajotours.comHigh
SoonSnake River Scenic Float (Grand Teton, Jul 11)barkerewing.com or solitude-float.comMedium
SoonPrivate Horseback Ride (Grand Teton, Jul 12 — Pam's birthday)Four Seasons concierge or springcreekranch.comMedium
SoonPrivate Birthday Dinner (Jul 12 — Pam's 60th)Four Seasons concierge — private dining or The Granary at Spring CreekHigh
SoonLake Powell Boat Tour (Jul 5)lakepowell.com or local outfitters in PageMedium
2 weeks beforeZion Narrows Water Shoe Rental (Jul 9)zionoutfitter.com in SpringdaleLow

Dinner Reservations

DateRestaurantLocationNotes
Jul 2Red Iguana (lunch) + Desert Bistro (dinner)SLC / MoabRed Iguana walk-in OK. Desert Bistro — reserve.
Jul 3Sunset GrillMoabHilltop valley views. Reserve.
Jul 8King's Landing BistroSpringdale (Zion)Best in town. Reserve.
Jul 10Snake River GrillJackson HoleTown Square fine dining. Reserve well ahead.
Jul 11Dornan's or Westbank GrillMoose / Four SeasonsDornan's casual with Teton view. Westbank is in-hotel.
Jul 12Private Birthday DinnerFour Seasons / The GranaryPam's 60th. Book via concierge. Top priority.
Jul 13Madison Crossing LoungeWest YellowstonePraveen's birthday dinner. Local favorite.
Jul 15Cafe KandaharWhitefishChef Andy Blanton. Seasonal tasting. Reserve.
Jul 17Tupelo Grille or Larch House rooftopWhitefishFarewell dinner. Reserve.

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Day 1 — Wednesday
July 2
Booked
Fly to Salt Lake City, Drive to Moab
Flight IAD → SLC (~4.5 hrs). Pick up rental SUV. Drive south to Moab (3.5 hrs).
Hoodoo Moab — 1-BR Suite
Amex Ref# ZO-AX1041-46597
Suggested Activities
Red Iguana Lunch (SLC)
Famous mole sauces, best Mexican in Utah. Stop before the drive.
Dead Horse Point Sunset
30 min from Moab. Colorado River canyon views rival the Grand Canyon.
Dinner at Desert Bistro
Moab's top fine dining in a converted house. Reserve ahead.
Day 2 — Thursday
July 3
Arches NP
Arches National Park
Full day exploring Arches — 2,000+ natural stone arches.
Hoodoo Moab — Night 2
Suggested Activities
Delicate Arch Sunrise Hike
3 miles RT. The iconic Utah arch. Go at dawn to beat crowds and heat.
Devils Garden Trail
Landscape Arch, Double O Arch, Private Arch. The best trail in the park.
Windows Section & Balanced Rock
Short walks, iconic formations. Great for afternoon photos.
Sunset Grill Dinner
Hilltop restaurant overlooking the valley. Best sunset views in Moab.
Day 3 — Friday
July 4
Booked
Canyonlands → Monument Valley → Lake Powell
Morning in Canyonlands, then drive to Lake Powell via Monument Valley (4 hrs).
Under Canvas Lake Powell — Suite Tent
Conf# 32688SG057041
4 hr drive from Moab
Suggested Activities
Mesa Arch Sunrise
Short walk, jaw-dropping sunrise through the arch. Arrive 30 min early.
Grand View Point
100-mile canyon panorama. The most expansive viewpoint in Utah.
Forrest Gump Point Photo
The famous straight road into Monument Valley. Mile marker 13 on US-163.
Sundowners at Camp
First evening at Under Canvas. Watch the desert light fade from the rim.
Day 4 — Saturday
July 5
Horseshoe Bend & Antelope Canyon
Under Canvas Lake Powell — Night 4
Suggested Activities
Horseshoe Bend
15 min drive. Colorado River's 270-degree meander. Go early for light.
Upper Antelope Canyon Tour
Guided slot canyon tour. Book 11:30 AM for best overhead light beams.
Lake Powell Boat Tour
Private boat into side canyons. Kayak option also available.
Campfire Stargazing
Zero light pollution. One of the best night skies in the country.
Day 5 — Sunday
July 6
Canyon Country Exploration
Under Canvas Lake Powell — Night 5
Suggested Activities
On-Site Slot Canyon Hike
Under Canvas has its own slot canyon. Private access, no crowds.
Glen Canyon Dam Overlook
Engineering marvel holding back Lake Powell. Free visitor center.
Kayak on Lake Powell
Paddle into hidden coves and side canyons. Half-day rental.
Day 6 — Monday
July 7
Bryce Canyon NP
Drive to Bryce Canyon
Bryce Canyon Lodge — Suite with 1 King
Res# 70O3NY
2.5 hr drive from Lake Powell
Suggested Activities
Scenic Route 12 Drive
One of America's most beautiful highways. Don't rush it.
Bryce Amphitheater Rim Walk
Sunrise, Sunset, Inspiration, and Bryce Points along the rim.
Sunset at Bryce Point
10,000 hoodoos glowing orange. The most surreal landscape on Earth.
Stargazing (Dark Sky Park)
Bryce is one of the darkest places in North America. Milky Way visible.
Day 7 — Tuesday
July 8
Booked
Bryce Sunrise → Zion
Cliffrose Springdale — Grand Suite Riverside
Amex Ref# ZO-AX1041-46547
1.5 hr drive from Bryce
Suggested Activities
Bryce Amphitheater at Dawn
First light on the hoodoos. Worth the early alarm on your last morning.
Navajo Loop + Queen's Garden
2.9 mile combo hike. Walk among the hoodoos, not just above them.
King's Landing Bistro Dinner
Best restaurant in Springdale. Local ingredients, Zion-inspired menu.
Day 8 — Wednesday
July 9
Zion NP
Full Day in Zion
Cliffrose Springdale — Night 8
Suggested Activities
Angels Landing
5.4 miles, chains section. Iconic but exposed. Permit required (lottery).
The Narrows
Wade through the Virgin River between 1,000-ft walls. Rent water shoes.
Emerald Pools Trail
Easier hike, waterfalls, lush greenery. Good afternoon option.
Zion-Mt Carmel Highway
Scenic drive with switchbacks and a mile-long tunnel through red rock.
Day 9 — Thursday
July 10
Booked
Drive to Jackson Hole
Four Seasons Resort Jackson Hole — 1-BR Suite
Amex FHR Ref# ZO-AX1041-46097
5.5 hr drive from Zion
Suggested Activities
First Teton Glimpse
Watch for the Tetons appearing on the horizon as you drive north on US-89.
Jackson Town Square
Famous elk antler arches at all four corners. Walk and explore.
Snake River Grill Dinner
Jackson's finest. Wood-fired cuisine on the Town Square. Reserve ahead.
Day 10 — Friday
July 11
Grand Teton NP
Grand Teton National Park
Four Seasons Jackson Hole — Night 10
Suggested Activities
Jenny Lake Boat & Hidden Falls
Shuttle across Jenny Lake, hike to Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point.
Teton Park Road Scenic Drive
Multiple pullouts with iconic Cathedral Group views. Moose on the road.
Snake River Scenic Float
2-3 hr private guided float. Bald eagles, moose, Teton reflections.
Dinner at Dornan's
Casual, incredible Teton backdrop. Pizza deck or chuckwagon. In Moose.
Day 11 — Saturday
July 12
Pam's 60th Birthday
Happy 60th Birthday, Pam!
Four Seasons Jackson Hole — Night 11
Birthday Activities
Couples Spa at Four Seasons
Mountain-view treatment rooms. Book the signature couples massage.
Private Horseback Ride
Ride through Grand Teton meadows with mountain backdrop.
Schwabacher Landing Golden Hour
Tetons perfectly reflected in the river. Best photo spot in the park.
Private Birthday Dinner
Four Seasons concierge arranges. Private dining or The Granary hilltop.
Day 12 — Sunday
July 13
Praveen's 58th Birthday
Happy Birthday, Praveen! Into Yellowstone
Under Canvas Yellowstone — Stargazer Tent
Conf# 32696SG064943
1 hr drive from Jackson Hole
Birthday Activities
Old Faithful Eruption
Every ~90 minutes. Check the predicted schedule at the visitor center.
Grand Prismatic Spring
Giant rainbow hot spring. Hike the overlook trail for the aerial view.
Hayden Valley Wildlife Drive
Prime bison, grizzly, and wolf territory. Bring binoculars.
Birthday Stargazing
Through the Stargazer tent's sky window. Montana night sky on your birthday.
Day 13 — Monday
July 14
Yellowstone NP
Yellowstone Full Day
Under Canvas Yellowstone — Night 13
Suggested Activities
Lamar Valley Dawn Drive
"Serengeti of North America." Wolves, grizzlies, bison at sunrise.
Grand Canyon of Yellowstone
Upper & Lower Falls. Yellow canyon walls that named the park.
Mammoth Hot Springs
Terraced travertine formations. Elk often graze on the lawns.
Campfire & Stargazer Window
Last night under canvas. Fall asleep watching the Milky Way.
Day 14 — Tuesday
July 15
Booked
Drive to Glacier Country
Larch House Hotel — Larch House Suite
Conf# 695
6 hr drive from Yellowstone
Suggested Activities
Flathead Lake Stop
Largest natural freshwater lake west of the Mississippi. Cherry orchards.
Lunch in Bigfork or Polson
Charming lakeside towns. Bigfork has great galleries and restaurants.
Explore Downtown Whitefish
Mountain town with craft breweries, boutiques, and a walkable main street.
Dinner at Cafe Kandahar
Chef Andy Blanton's acclaimed seasonal menu. Best restaurant in Whitefish.
Day 15 — Wednesday
July 16
Glacier NP
Glacier — Going-to-the-Sun Road
Larch House Hotel — Night 15
Suggested Activities
Going-to-the-Sun Road
50-mile drive, one of the world's most spectacular roads. Reservation required.
Logan Pass & Hidden Lake
3 mi RT hike from Logan Pass. Mountain goats, wildflower meadows, lake views.
Weeping Wall
Waterfalls pour over the road. Roll down the windows and drive through.
Lake McDonald Beach
Turquoise water, famous colored pebbles. Kayak or just sit and stare.
Day 16 — Thursday
July 17
Glacier NP
Glacier — Many Glacier
Larch House Hotel — Night 16
Suggested Activities
Grinnell Glacier Hike
10.6 mi RT, strenuous. Turquoise glacial lake, actual glacier. Unforgettable.
Swiftcurrent Lake Boat Tour
Scenic boat across two lakes. Less strenuous alternative to hiking.
Wildlife Viewing
Many Glacier is prime for grizzlies, bighorn sheep, mountain goats.
Farewell Dinner
Larch House rooftop bar or Tupelo Grille in downtown Whitefish.
Day 17 — Friday
July 18
Fly Home
Drive Whitefish → FCA (15 min). Return rental car. Fly FCA → IAD (~8 hrs w/connection). Home evening.