Name: Best of the Southwest: Zion, Bryce & The North Rim
Start: 2026-05-25T00:00:00.000Z
End: 2026-05-31T00:00:00.000Z
Location: Utah & Arizona

BlueHour Photo Ventures

Email address verified

6 reviews

May 25 - 31, 2026

Group size: 2 - 6

Best of the Southwest: Zion, Bryce & The North Rim

Utah & Arizona

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BlueHour Photo Ventures

Email address verified

6 reviews

May 25 - 31, 2026

Group size: 2 - 6

Explore the beauty of the American Southwest in Zion, Bryce & The North Rim

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Zion, Bryce, and the Grand Canyon are three National Parks that are close together in distance, but look worlds apart. Located in Southern Utah, Zion features towering canyon walls and surging rivers lined with cottonwoods, whereas Bryce Canyon boasts a fantasy land of multi-layered hoodoo formations. And while Arizona’s Grand Canyon draws people from around the world to its dramatic overlooks on the South Rim, few ever witness the lesser known North Rim’s own brand of stunning vistas, diverse habitats, and abundant vegetation. Between these three bucket-list destinations you will have no shortage of incredible opportunities to practice landscape photography under all types of light conditions, including night.

This fully featured photo tour is a collaboration between BlueHour founder Paul Nguyen and Nature Photography Academy founder Meredith Fontana. This tour is easy to moderate. Most shoots are accessible from paved paths, or involve short hikes under a mile. There is some walking on dirt paths, and some trails have inclines and slick rock.

Landscape settings
Using tripods properly
Composition & “Seeing moments”
White Balance, Color
Lowlight Settings
Using ND filters to capture waterfalls & rivers
Settings for Wildlife
Sunstars
Depth, Compression of Perspective & Scale
Night Photography if weather/time permits

D-SLR or Mirrorless camera
A tripod with ball-head
An ultra wide angle lens
A mid-range zoom lens
Telephoto lens for wildlife
Neutral density filter(s)
Polarizer
Layers - it could be windy or rainy
Proper boots or shoes that offer support on rocky surfaces
Extra memory cards, batteries and charger

This tour is rated as Easy to Moderate. Most shoots are accessible from paved paths, or involve short hikes under a mile. There is some walking on dirt paths, and some trails have inclines and slick rock.

Please refer to our fitness guide for more detail about physical requirements.

30 Minute Helicopter Ride

$299

Take a 30 minute ride in a helicopter over Bryce Canyon to capture unique perspectives from new heights!

May 25
May 25
Arrival
Spend the morning and day traveling to Springdale, Utah, where we will meet you for an airport pick-up. After gathering our group together, we will make the drive to our lodging nearby. Settle in for a break before a welcome dinner and a sunset shoot at The Watchman in Zion.
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May 26
May 26
Zion
Today we Drive the Zion Mount Carmel Highway to Checkerboard Mesa, with stops along the way, including the mysterious ‘beehive’ formation. Maybe we’ll see bighorn sheep! We will optionally return to the park at the end of our day for a night shoot.
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May 27
May 27
Bryce Canyon
This morning we make the 2-hour drive to Bryce Canyon National Park. We will hike into the canyon and shoot among the many hoodoo formations, including the iconic Thor's Hammer. Drive the park road and explore other picturesque parts of this small park. We will offer an optional helicopter flight for a unique opportunity for aerial landscapes. Shoot through sunset as golden hour illuminates the canyon.
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May 28
May 28
Pink Sand Dunes, Grand Staircase & Kodachrome
On this day, make a visit to Coral Pink Sand Dunes, Grand Staircase Escalante & Kodachrome State Park all in one. We will have many photographic opportunities between sand dunes and unique formations that characterize Kanab, UT.

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May 29
May 29
The North Rim
Get up bright and early to catch a sunrise in Zion, before making the drive to Arizona. We'll make stops along the way. We'll capture sunset on the North Rim, either from Cape Royal or Point Imperial. Optional night photography.
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May 30
May 30
Kaibab Plateau
Explore the Kaibab Plateau for more views of the North Rim and aspen trees.
We'll shoot sunset at Marble View or Locust Point. This day will be spent at a more leisurely pace.

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May 31
May 31
Depart
Wake up bright and early for a last sunrise shoot, either at Bright Angel Point or Cape Royal. We will head back to Utah for your return flights, recommended in the evening from St. George.
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May 25

Arrival

Spend the morning and day traveling to Springdale, Utah, where we will meet you for an airport pick-up. After gathering our group together, we will make the drive to our lodging nearby. Settle in for a break before a welcome dinner and a sunset shoot at The Watchman in Zion.

Tuscany -- a beautiful part of Italy with rolling hills, cypress trees, and quaint old villages. This was a wonderful adventure with Allie and Hope with great accommodations, tantalizing food and picturesque villages to explore. One of the highlights of the trip was touring a working farm where we learned how to make pasta and then ate it for lunch. We also visited a wine museum, Benedictine Abby and took a dip in a nearby natural spring. This was, after all, a photo tour and Allie and Hope scouted and knew the best locations for sunrise and sunset photos. They advised us on settings and composition and answered our many questions. I was sorry to see the trip end. I made some new friends, had many laughs, learned a lot and took some great photos. I highly recommend BHPV and will travel with them again. They are professionals who inspire and guide you to take better photos.

By Joan B for Spring in Tuscany on Jun 03, 2025

I had a great time. The villa was wonderful. Tuscany is absolutely beautiful; a perfect location for landscape photography. I was in awe of Tuscany's beauty so many times at the various shooting locations. The pasta class experience was so much fun. The wine tasting was a memorable experience. Allie and Hope were so good in getting us to the locations for the beautiful sunrises and sunsets. I highly recommend this tour.

By Carolyn L for Spring in Tuscany on May 29, 2025

I really enjoyed this photo tour. The hotel's location was ideal. It was a hop, skip, and jump to the waterfront and the location to take the classic photo of Cinque Terre. The food was delicious! The photo opportunities were numerous. Cinque Terre is so beautiful. Allie and Hope are great, too.

By Carolyn L for Cinque Terre (Extension) on May 29, 2025

My experience in Cinque Terre with BlueHour Photo Ventures was excellent. Allie and Hope arranged for us to visit each of the towns along the coast via train and also on the impressive trail systems that are available from town to town. In particular, I appreciated the chance to really hike while enjoying my chances for photographing such spectacular scenery. We had time to explore and photograph each location, which was such an inspiration. We were given all the guidance we needed for camera settings, use of filters, advice on composition, and education on new skills and approaches to our photography in all lighting situations; sunrise, sunset, blue hour and night.

By Sally C for Cinque Terre (Extension) on May 26, 2025

I thoroughly enjoyed this photo tour to Tuscany with BlueHour Photo Ventures, with it’s combination of opportunities for photographing great landscapes and picturesque towns in Tuscany, along with many authentic cultural experiences and fine dining. Our accommodations were stunning and comfortable. This was a with a group of all women, led by Allie and Hope, who fostered a very supportive and relaxed atmosphere for getting to know each other, learning, asking questions, exploring, and developing our skills as photographers, while having a lot of fun along the way!