USA Small Group Tours
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10 best USA small group tours
Compiled by
MelissaUSA travel expert at TourRadar
- Western USA National Parks Explorer (Spring - Autumn)
- Western USA National Parks Explorer (Summer)
- Western USA National Parks Loop
- Alaska: Ocean Wildlife to Interior Wilderness Adventure - 9 Days
- Yellowstone & Rocky Mountain Explorer
- Wild Western USA
- Best of the West 11 Day National Parks Tour Camping from Las Vegas to San Francisco
- South Dakota to Yellowstone Parks Explorer
- Best of the West 11 Day National Parks Tour Lodging Las Vegas to San Francisco
- Grand Canyon, Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend and Lake Powell Small Groups Overnight Tour
Groups of 8-16 travelers, averaging age 45, share America's southwest adventures. The modest size enables access to hidden trails in Zion National Park and private Navajo-guided tours in Monument Valley, with comfortable lodging throughout.
Duration 15 days Destinations San Francisco, Yosemite National Park, Mariposa, Bakersfield, Death Valley National Park, Las Vegas, Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, Capitol Reef National Park, MoabSee all destinations Age Range 16 to 85 year olds Group Size Max Group Size 13 Group Type Group Operator Explore! From
- NZ$9,230
Western USA National Parks Explorer (Summer)
6 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Almost every day was another stunning sight - another Wow moment! All the parks/canyons were incredible.”
Karen, traveled in September
Small groups of 12-16 travelers take in Yosemite's Panorama Trail and Zion's Watchman's Trail. The limited numbers ensure direct access to guides and flexibility at spots like Horseshoe Bend and Monument Valley's sacred grounds.
Duration 14 days Destinations San Francisco, Yosemite National Park, Bishop, Death Valley National Park, Las Vegas, Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, Page, Antelope Canyon, Grand Canyon National ParkSee all destinations Age Range 16 to 85 year olds Group Size Max Group Size 13 Group Type Group Operator Explore! From $9,230
5% Off- NZ$8,790You save $440
Western USA National Parks Loop
5 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Zion national park, Bryce Canyon and the Grand Canyon are absolutely amazing places to visit.”
Samantha, traveled in November
Groups of 8-12 adventurers travel in a comfortable private van. The setting ensures individual attention at Antelope Canyon and authentic Navajo-guided experiences in Monument Valley, while allowing flexible hiking through Zion and Bryce Canyon.
Duration 5 days Destinations Las Vegas, Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, Page, Monument Valley, Grand Canyon National Park Age Range 15 to 99 year olds Group Size Max Group Size 12 Group Type Group Operator Intrepid Travel From
5% Off- NZ$3,550
Alaska: Ocean Wildlife to Interior Wilderness Adventure - 9 Days
6 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Bear Mountain Lodge was the highlight of the tour. I couldn't believe how many bears we saw and how close we got to them.”
Karen, traveled in July
A select group of 8-12 travelers bonds while discovering Alaska's wilderness. The limited size permits exclusive access to Bear Mountain Lodge and intimate brown bear viewing in Lake Clark National Park. Perfect for wildlife spotting in Denali and personal attention during Kenai Fjords cruise experiences.
Duration 9 days Destinations Anchorage, Denali National Park, Talkeetna, Seward, Kenai Fjords National Park, Lake Clark National Park, Homer Age Range 12 to 75 year olds Group Size Max Group Size 10 Group Type GroupPersonalized Operator BrushBuck Wildlife Tours From
5% Off- NZ$12,667
Yellowstone & Rocky Mountain Explorer
27 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“A full itinerary which enabled us to see and do most things. A great part of the USA.”
Jennifer, traveled in June
The 14-person group size opens doors to exclusive activities like ranger-led walks in Bryce Canyon and wildlife spotting in Yellowstone's Lamar Valley. Friendly atmosphere flourishes around evening campfires and during shared meals.
Duration 7 days Destinations Las Vegas, Bryce Canyon National Park, Salt Lake City, Grand Teton National Park, Yellowstone National Park Age Range 7 to 99 year olds Group Size Max Group Size 14 Group Type GroupPersonalized Operator Bindlestiff Tours From $3,158
10% Off- NZ$2,843You save $315
Wild Western USA
6 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“It was wonderful and I thoroughly enjoyed it.”
Stacy, traveled in June
Small groups of around 7 travelers (ages 20+) share adventures across USA's national parks. The intimate size opens access to hidden spots like Mono Lake and enriches camp cookouts, while fostering friendships during 6 nights of camping and 4 nights in hotels/hostels.
Duration 11 days Destinations Los Angeles, Joshua Tree National Park, Grand Canyon National Park, Las Vegas, Sierra Nevada, Yosemite National Park, San Francisco Age Range 15 to 99 year olds Group Size Max Group Size 12 Group Type Group Operator Intrepid Travel From
10% Off- NZ$4,515
Best of the West 11 Day National Parks Tour Camping from Las Vegas to San Francisco
6 Reviews by TourRadar travelers
Groups average 8-12 travelers, maximum 14, allowing personal attention during Navajo-guided Monument Valley tours. Narrow trails in Zion's Emerald Pools become more accessible, while camp setups and hiking schedules remain flexible.
Duration 11 days Destinations Las Vegas, Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park, Monument Valley, Antelope Canyon, Grand Canyon National Park, Death Valley National Park, Yosemite National ParkSee all destinations Age Range 7 to 99 year olds Group Size Max Group Size 14 Group Type GroupPersonalized Operator Bindlestiff Tours From $4,492
10% Off- NZ$4,043You save $449
South Dakota to Yellowstone Parks Explorer
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“The trip was amazing and I would recommend it.”
Tammy, traveled in August
Groups of 12-15 travelers enhance wildlife viewing at Badlands National Park and Yellowstone. Intimate jeep safaris through Custer State Park maximize buffalo sightings, while quick pivots enable bear and wolf spotting in Yellowstone's Northern Loop.
Duration 7 days Destinations Rapid City, Custer State Park, Sheridan, Cody, Yellowstone National Park, Bozeman Age Range 15 to 99 year olds Group Size Max Group Size 12 Group Type Group Operator Intrepid Travel From $5,965
20% Off- NZ$4,772You save $1,193
Best of the West 11 Day National Parks Tour Lodging Las Vegas to San Francisco
6 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“We got to tick everything from our wish list, so many national parks and other sights!”
Ben, traveled in September
The 14-person maximum allows easy access to narrow slot canyons like Antelope Canyon. Hiking experiences in Zion National Park and Monument Valley jeep tours with Navajo guides become more personal.
Duration 11 days Destinations Las Vegas, Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park, Monument Valley, Antelope Canyon, Grand Canyon National Park, Death Valley National Park, Yosemite National ParkSee all destinations Age Range 7 to 99 year olds Group Size Max Group Size 14 Group Type GroupPersonalized Operator Bindlestiff Tours From $6,492
10% Off- NZ$5,843You save $649
Grand Canyon, Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend and Lake Powell Small Groups Overnight Tour
12 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The ride to Grand Canyon is long and he made it seem like it just sped by. We really enjoyed the Canyon including a sunrise and a sunset.”
David, traveled in August
Groups of 14 travelers receive personalized attention from expert guides like Chase and Charlie. Antelope Canyon's narrow passages and Horseshoe Bend overlooks become more accessible with fewer people.
Duration 2 days Destinations Las Vegas, Grand Canyon National Park, Page, Antelope Canyon Age Range 5 to 99 year olds Operated in English, German, Italian, French, Spanish Group Size Max Group Size 14 Group Type GroupPersonalized Operator Bindlestiff Tours From $708
10% Off- NZ$638You save $70
Reviews of Small Group tours to USA
- Alaska Kenai Adventure 9 Days
Traveling to Alaska was a dream. By Natalie and Aaron we came to a beautiful place, which we would not have found alone. Everything was organized perfectly. Hiking, paddling, whale watching or simply enjoying the incredible nature through the large windows of the school bus: everything in the program. But it is also on individual requests received, as far as the security permits (bear area!). The campgrounds are partly on the water, in the middle of the forest or at a pub with live music. There is something for everyone. The trip was so perfect for us that we went on tour a year later.
- Yellowstone & Rocky Mountain Explorer
I joined three tours with this company, the death valley day tour, 7 day southwest highlights and 7 day yellowstone national park tour. Joel Clark was my tour guide on the death valley and 7 day southwest tour and Mike Brown on the 7 day yellowstone tour. All three tours were amazing. I saw so much of the west coast and so many highlights including Antelope Canyon, Grand Canyon, Monument Valley, Zion and Bryce national park, Grand Teton, Yellowstone national park etc. Not to mention so many stories about the wild west. I chose the camping option on both 7 day tours and I really encourage choosing this option. You meet alot of people, you can learn how to setup camp if you never gone camping before, you get to be closer to nature and sometimes you can star gaze and possible see the Milky way (I saw it three days in a row). Joel and Mike are one of the best tour guides I have ever met. They were professional, approachable and have a great personality. Overall I really enjoyed all tours with Bindlestiff and I really recommend joining one of their tours especially if you are short on time. You will definitely have fun and Bindlestiff tours will make your trip a memorable one. Thank you Joel, Mike and Bindlestiff for making my USA trip a memorable one. Hope to see you guys again in the future.
- Wild Western USA
Great itinerary and excellent guide.
What our customers ask about USA Small Group Tours
What is the typical size for small group tours in USA?
Small group tours in the USA keep numbers limited to 8-14 travelers allowing for a close-knit travel experience. Popular operators like Bindlestiff use modern 14-passenger touring vehicles that give guests ample space. One TourRadar traveler noted "there was 9 of us in the van that could sit 13 so we had plenty of room. Our group got along perfectly and we became a little tour family for 3 days." The smaller size means better access to viewing spots at places like Antelope Canyon and more individual attention from guides.
How does accommodation work on small group tours in USA national parks?
These tours mix camping and hotel stays to give travelers varied experiences in prime locations. Guests at Monument Valley often camp at The View Campground which sits right on the canyon rim perfect for morning sunrises. According to a TourRadar traveler: "The camping experience was great: good equipment nice campsites for most stops. The Bryce Canyon campground even had hot tubs for stargazing." Many itineraries balance outdoor stays with nights at established lodges like Maclaren River Lodge in Alaska.
What is included in small group tour meals in USA national parks?
Tour operators typically provide a combination of included meals and free time for independent dining. G Adventures' California National Park Discovery tour uses a food kitty system (approximately $265) covering 9 camp breakfasts 7 camp dinners and daily picnic lunches. One TourRadar traveler shared: "The food was excellent - our guide prepared amazing camp meals and we had memorable experiences like pizza at Grand Canyon's rim at sunset."
What is the best season for small group tours in USA national parks?
The peak season runs May through September though ideal timing depends on the region. According to a TourRadar traveler: "For Southwest parks like Zion and Bryce spring and fall offer ideal temperatures for hiking. We did our tour in September and had perfect weather." Alaska tours make use of extended summer daylight while Death Valley visits work best in spring's milder temperatures.
How far in advance should I book a small group USA tour?
Booking windows typically range from 3-6 months due to limited spots and high demand. The 9-day Alaska Kenai Adventure shows average advance bookings of 634 days while National Parks tours average 258 days. Tour companies like G Adventures and Bindlestiff Tours report that summer departures (June-September) often fill up more than 6 months ahead.
What is the guide-to-guest ratio on small group USA tours?
Guide ratios generally stay at 1 guide per 4-8 guests ensuring personal attention. The Nevada Trails biking tour provides 2 guides for groups of 8 while Alaska expeditions often have 2 guides for up to 14 travelers. A TourRadar reviewer shared "with only 6 in our group our guide Chloe was able to give everyone personal attention and customize the experience to our interests."
What is the ideal duration for a USA small group tour?
Most successful trips last between 6-14 days based on booking data and guest feedback. Common options include 8-day Yellowstone and Grand Tetons trips 9-day California coast explorations and 14-day multi-park adventures. One TourRadar traveler commented "Our 12-day small group tour was perfect - enough time to really experience each destination without feeling rushed."
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