Our family had long dreamed of visiting the Southwest—red rock landscapes, deep canyons, winding rivers and open skies were calling our names. Since we are not a camping family, we were hesitant to sign up for a trip that involved tents and sleeping bags. But the Southwest Sampler by Western River Expeditions made our first real Gimotty family camping trip an absolute success. Every activity was pre-planned, transportation was provided to and from the hotel, and there were generous chunks of downtime built in. All we had to do was show up, and this trip gave us unforgettable memories, seamless logistics and more beauty than we could have imagined.
First Stop: Zion National Park
After staying in an Airbnb the first night, we were up early and enjoyed Red Roast Coffee in Springdale—delicious coffee, fresh pastries and breakfast sandwiches served on the cutest covered patio with stunning views of the canyon walls. It was the perfect way to ease into our adventure.
We arrived at Zion mid-morning and, fortunately, the crowds were pretty mild. Thankfully, Zion doesn’t allow private vehicles into the main canyon, and the shuttle system makes it incredibly easy to hop on and off at different trailheads. Zion is the kind of place that feels cinematic from every angle—towering sandstone cliffs, narrow slot canyons and that sweeping desert light.
With a limited amount of time (and a range of hiking abilities—let’s just say mom was the weakest link!), we focused on a few iconic and manageable trails. We started with the Riverside Walk, a gentle path alongside the Virgin River, then hiked up to Scout Lookout for panoramic views. While we didn’t tackle Angels Landing (no permit and not quite up for the heights), Scout Lookout was a worthy destination on its own.
Enter the Southwest Sampler
The next morning, we hit the road for a stunning five-hour drive to Moab. We arrived in the late afternoon and made a beeline for downtown Moab—and we’re so glad we did. It’s compact but packed with charm. We explored quirky gift shops, enjoyed creative gelato flavors at a local spot (our son declared it the best he’s ever had) and sipped iced lattes from an adorable local coffee shop. Dinner at Antica Forma was a highlight: their wood-fired pizza was unbelievable—thick, cheesy, and incredibly flavorful.
After dinner, we checked into SpringHill Suites and immediately loved the resort-like feel. Waterfalls at the pool, courtyard hot tubs, fire pits—this wasn’t just a place to sleep; it was part of the vacation experience. We got a great night’s sleep and fueled up the next morning with a full, free hotel breakfast before diving into the adventure.
Day 1 in Moab: Arches & Hummers
Our Arches National Park tour started bright and early at 7:15 a.m., and it was well worth the early alarm. We explored iconic spots like Delicate Arch, Balanced Rock, and The Windows. The scenery felt surreal—like walking through a natural sculpture garden carved by time. Our guide, Chris, was fantastic: full of geology knowledge and an expert photo taker!
After returning to the Marriott for a catered Mexican lunch and some relaxing pool time, we geared up for one of the trip’s highlights: the Moab Adventure Center Sunset Hummer Safari. Honestly, I was nervous after watching the promo video—I wasn’t sure how wild this off-road ride would be—but it turned out to be thrilling without being too intense. Our driver, Patrick, was a total pro and made me feel at ease.
Days 2–3: Rafting & Camping the Colorado
The next morning, our guides picked us up for the rafting portion of the trip. We drove along Scenic Byway 128, one of the most beautiful drives in the region, to reach the Colorado River. After a delicious riverside lunch, we launched our rafts for a peaceful float. This stretch of the river was perfect—gentle enough for beginners, with a few Class II rapids to keep it exciting.
The rafting trip had its share of surprises: blue heron sightings, glimpses of filming sets for various Western movies, and long stretches of peaceful silence. When we arrived at the campsite, the Western River Expeditions team had everything ready. After a quick orientation, we set up our cots and tents—and thankfully added rain covers, which came in handy later that night.
Our site was perched along the riverbank with breathtaking views. And yes, we got caught in a evening rainstorm but instead of it being a hassle, it added a kind of magic. We huddled in our tent, told stories and watched lightning dance across the mesas. Dinner that night was grilled chicken, veggies and buns toasted over the fire with honey—simple, satisfying and delicious.
The next morning, we woke to the smell of hot coffee and the sound of the breakfast bell. The guides served blueberry pancakes and sausage, and we all ate with gratitude. The final stretch of rafting included a few bigger rapids and more unforgettable views before returning to town.
Wrapping It All Up
After drying off and freshening up at the Marriott, we hit the road one last time, driving north to Salt Lake City for our flight home. We made one last detour for some classic road trip fare: Swig, Utah’s beloved dirty soda shop that has recently made an entrance into the Kansas City market, and a stop at In-N-Out Burger for the iconic Double-Double.
Even though tents and sleeping bags are usually not our thing, this Southwest Sampler by Western River Expeditions changed that. Planning a vacation can be a lot of work, but this package took all the stress off our plate, even for mom. For a family that usually prefers air conditioning and sit-down dinners, we were shocked at how much we loved our seamless, stress-free adventures in Utah.
Susan Gimotty lives in Overland Park and loves finding new adventures for her family.