Save $10 w/code VRRAVES26 *** Whether you’re an experienced runner or just starting out, Grand Circle Trailfest is the perfect opportunity to meet other outdoor enthusiasts, discover new trails, and enjoy the stunning natural beauty of the American Southwest. So, don’t miss out on this incredible trail festival experience and the opportunity …
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Save $10 w/code VRRAVES26
***
Whether you’re an experienced runner or just starting out, Grand Circle Trailfest is the perfect opportunity to meet other outdoor enthusiasts, discover new trails, and enjoy the stunning natural beauty of the American Southwest. So, don’t miss out on this incredible trail festival experience and the opportunity to hike the best places in the United States.
Grand Circle Trailfest unfolds as a three-day desert epic, moving from Bryce Canyon’s sunrise-lit hoodoos to Zion’s towering red-rock cathedrals, and into the glowing sandstone passages of Antelope Canyon on Navajo Nation land. Each run feels like entering a new world shaped by shifting light, rich color, and landscapes quietly carved over millennia.
As the miles fade, basecamp settles into an easy desert rhythm. Shoes come off, soft laughter drifts through the evening air, and that shared, satisfyingly tired glow sets in beneath a sky that refuses to hold back its stars. It’s adventure, connection, and awe intertwined—three unforgettable days of running through the Southwest’s greatest story.
Day 1: BRYCE CANYON – (15.7 miles)
Nowhere is the force of erosion more tangible than at Bryce Canyon. Its wilderness of phantom-like rock spires attracts nearly 2 million visitors every year. You’ll see all the beauty but avoid the crowds as you run on remote trails through the magical hoodoos unique to the Paunsaugunt Plateau.
Day 2: ZION – (10.4 miles)
The towering sandstone walls and deep slot canyons of Zion National Park are unique to anywhere else on earth and attract 3 million visitors a year. You’ll run remote trails along the edge of a mesa, offering you commanding views of the majestic sandstone towers that make Zion famous.
Day 3: ANTELOPE CANYON – (13.2 miles)
Run through a range of slot canyons on this impressive tour through Antelope Canyon’s famous sandstone corridors. Want 360 views? Add on a mile of the course to climb and see as far as Bryce Canyon! This revamped course has it all.
LESS
Three races, 15,11,13, Three Parks
Great races, 3 days, 3 races, Bryce is a challenge, Zion is fast, Antelope canyon is amazing with sand, sometimes it also horseshoe bend. All good on this race, Try … MORE
Great races, 3 days, 3 races, Bryce is a challenge, Zion is fast, Antelope canyon is amazing with sand, sometimes it also horseshoe bend. All good on this race, Try it you will like it. Three trail runs with a little road.
Beautifully Brutal, Fun Run, and SAND
Bryce Canyon: Accurately described in the course preview as "beautifully brutal" - the last 5 miles took me about as long as the first 10 due to long steep climbs. … MORE
Bryce Canyon: Accurately described in the course preview as “beautifully brutal” – the last 5 miles took me about as long as the first 10 due to long steep climbs. The course is gorgeous and runnable. This course was not very well marked, a critical intersection had no signs or flags and many people went the wrong way. You don’t need gaiters for this course. Would do it again!
Zion: Fun rim run! This is a great follow-up to Bryce with gorgeous views and a lot less climbing. The course was well marked and gaiters aren’t needed. Would absolutely do this again!
Antelope Canyon: This 13.8 mile route replaced Horseshoe Bend. We had the first race ever on this specific course, and it showed…. Arrival logistics were a bit messy compared to the other days. The course was well marked and a really unique experience from start through the slot canyon. After the slot canyon, it was a long hot slog through deep sand, though at the course preview they said 5-10% of the course was sand – does the RD not know desert crust turns into sand after a couple people pass the same area? Gaiters necessary. I’m glad I did this one, but I wouldn’t do this particular course again.
You get to recover each day at base camp in Kanab with massages and entertainment. You can use their tent, bring your own, or stay in a hotel – I used their tent which was a nice size and in good shape. Overall this is an amazing & unforgettable event that I recommend!
Not what I was hoping for...
The Navajo Nation was an amazing host and we are so incredibly grateful to be able to explore and race on their sacred land. Umm, the course was beautiful but … MORE
The Navajo Nation was an amazing host and we are so incredibly grateful to be able to explore and race on their sacred land. Umm, the course was beautiful but we were told it was 5-10% sand. It was 95% sand so I was unprepared. I would have brought gaiters if I thought it was more than the 10% explained at the pre-race summary but nevertheless. The views were phenomenal and the VR folks were great as usual. If its the same course we won’t do this one again.
Zion stole my heart!
The course was beautiful, the VR folks were fantastic. Overall 10 out of 10 for this race. The aid station and finish line were stocked with plenty of goodies for … MORE
The course was beautiful, the VR folks were fantastic. Overall 10 out of 10 for this race. The aid station and finish line were stocked with plenty of goodies for whatever you needed. This was definitely my favorite race and I will be back!
Bryce Canyon - All I can say is WOW
Bryce was a fabulous race start to finish. The VR folks had everything planned well and it showed. I would highly recommend driving yourself to the race and getting there … MORE
Bryce was a fabulous race start to finish. The VR folks had everything planned well and it showed. I would highly recommend driving yourself to the race and getting there early. The shuttles were a bit of a wait and it was cold! The aid station was perfect and the finish line items could not have been better. Overall 10 out of 10 for this race!
An unforgettable experience
This was my first true trail race and what an amazing choice for a first experience. 3 days through 3 incredible Parks with the best people was a blast. The … MORE
This was my first true trail race and what an amazing choice for a first experience. 3 days through 3 incredible Parks with the best people was a blast.
The courses were not only stunning but incredibly well marked. The aid stations were well stocked with a variety of foods and drinks to keep you going.
Vacation Races puts on a very well organized and well thought out event. The staff and volunteers were so kind, helpful, and fun. Base camp is a great place to hang out and share stories of the day with fellow runners.
Awesome First Day
Great scenery. Met lots of very nice racers across 3 days of racing. Bryce and Zion were beautiful. Antelope was unique. Great experience with 2 good friends for our first. MORE
Great scenery. Met lots of very nice racers across 3 days of racing. Bryce and Zion were beautiful. Antelope was unique. Great experience with 2 good friends for our first.
So much more than a few running races
Such a blast! I came solo and left with so many new friends. I had so much fun bonding with likeminded trail runners, learning from more experienced folks, being inspired … MORE
Such a blast! I came solo and left with so many new friends. I had so much fun bonding with likeminded trail runners, learning from more experienced folks, being inspired by many adventurers. The scenery was unbeatable and exploring the parks was so fun, but what really sealed the experience for me was all the programming at base camp — massages, leg treatments, yoga, live music and dance performances, inspiring speakers, yummy community meals, and a whole crew of volunteers and staff that made us feel incredibly welcome and cared for. My heart is just bursting from trail fest and I have no doubt it will be the first of many.
First Time Vacation Race!
Well organized 3 day event. Trails were marked well when they needed to be. Friendly staff and volunteers. The shuttles could have been organized better. But all and all It … MORE
Well organized 3 day event. Trails were marked well when they needed to be. Friendly staff and volunteers. The shuttles could have been organized better. But all and all It was our favourite run vacation yet! Thank you Trail Fest! We will be back to try Blue Ridge Mountain!!!
Best race vacation ever!
I ran Trailfest last year and loved it so much I brought my husband and friends back to experience with me. I met great people and enjoyed every step of … MORE
I ran Trailfest last year and loved it so much I brought my husband and friends back to experience with me. I met great people and enjoyed every step of the races. The scenery was spectacular and challenging. The staff and everything about the event was above expectations. We all loved it. I would highly recommend it to everyone.
Great time!
I am not into running with others, paying money to run, or training for specific events and yet I loved this event. Three days on three beautiful trails. Each day … MORE
I am not into running with others, paying money to run, or training for specific events and yet I loved this event. Three days on three beautiful trails. Each day offers different scenery, mileage, and terrain. The ‘camp’ vibe is good, lots of food, massages, recovery activities, bands, and more. Everyone was so nice! The hoody is great too…has thumbholes. Do this event!!!!
Day one, Bryce Canyon
Beautiful, you will love this race. Hills, rocks and trails. Get involved. 16 miles of good people and a challenge you will love. This was my 6th time for this … MORE
Beautiful, you will love this race. Hills, rocks and trails. Get involved. 16 miles of good people and a challenge you will love. This was my 6th time for this course. Rocks and colors you will never forget.
Experience of a Lifetime!
Amazing three day staged race through national parks. The final day through Horseshoe Bend gives you vantage points not accessible to everyday visitors. Friendships are made along the way. Laid … MORE
Amazing three day staged race through national parks. The final day through Horseshoe Bend gives you vantage points not accessible to everyday visitors. Friendships are made along the way. Laid back but challenging. Every day brought a different type of race – the elevation of Bryce Canyon with the stunning views of the HooDoos, the slick rock and beauty of Zion, and the sand and awe of Horseshoe Bend. Slightly more medical support would be appreciated but overall incredible race organization. Swag is good too! Sweatshirt, t-shirt, three medals, bib boards, and more. My favorite running experience so far.
Trailfest first-timer
This festival was a great experience! I’d never ran a trail race, let alone 3 back to back with courses like these! They were gorgeous but definitely challenging. I was … MORE
This festival was a great experience! I’d never ran a trail race, let alone 3 back to back with courses like these! They were gorgeous but definitely challenging. I was wore out but don’t regret one minute! I’ll be doing it again in the future!
This was an absolutely beautiful race!
Be ready for some technical terrain, awesome views and great camaraderie out there! The course was perfectly marked and the after race “food box” was great. The race organizers din … MORE
Be ready for some technical terrain, awesome views and great camaraderie out there! The course was perfectly marked and the after race “food box” was great. The race organizers din an incredible job with the complex logistics af an event like that.
I came back different...
Non-Elite runner here. More like an "average athlete." Trailfest is the longest race I've ever done, and by far the hardest. Coming from the East Coast, it was absolutely the … MORE
Non-Elite runner here. More like an “average athlete.”
Trailfest is the longest race I’ve ever done, and by far the hardest. Coming from the East Coast, it was absolutely the hardest thing I’ve ever done with the terrain and altitude. I fought for every step of every mile.
It was cold, hot, impossible, beautiful, painful, hilarious, scary, emotional, and sometimes just outright insane. But, it was worth it.
I saw the most incredible landscapes I’ve ever seen. I helped and was helped by complete strangers. I was humbled to my core. I fought inner demons for miles. I had conversations with people from all over the world. It was magic.
And the teams that work together to put all this on were top tier. There was so much support, care, and love going on the whole time.
It was worth the training. Worth the travel. Worth the money. And worth every hard moment.
Phenomenal experience
Unmatched scenery and very well organized. Trails are amazing, though challenging and not quite as well-marked as advertised. Definitely recommend. MORE
Unmatched scenery and very well organized. Trails are amazing, though challenging and not quite as well-marked as advertised. Definitely recommend.
Bryce Canyon Trailfest Kickoff
Beautiful course, epic scenery, and a conveniently placed aid station before the final grueling 5m loop. Took it easy as the first day of Trailfest, and enjoyed several stops for … MORE
Beautiful course, epic scenery, and a conveniently placed aid station before the final grueling 5m loop. Took it easy as the first day of Trailfest, and enjoyed several stops for photos. Very runnable!
Awesome and Inspiring
Beautiful trails to explore with a well-organized and supportive organization. With over 700 participants running 3 consecutive days on remote courses- so much could have gone wrong. But nothing did! … MORE
Beautiful trails to explore with a well-organized and supportive organization. With over 700 participants running 3 consecutive days on remote courses- so much could have gone wrong. But nothing did! Highly recommend others to invest in this experience!
Gorgeous Sights
This run was amazing! Lots of single track trail. Loose gravel on top of packed hard track. Last 5 miles are the most difficult with 4 large climbs and descents. … MORE
This run was amazing! Lots of single track trail. Loose gravel on top of packed hard track. Last 5 miles are the most difficult with 4 large climbs and descents. Coming from somewhere with little to no elevation to train on it was difficult to breath at times.