TrekWest Arizona Adventure Tours

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About us

TrekWest was founded by Wes and Sarah Neal after spending 14 years building and operating Bright Angel Bicycles at Grand Canyon National Park. When a larger corporation was awarded the concession contract, many saw it as the end of a successful chapter. We saw it as the beginning of a new adventure.

Hello friends, I’m Sarah Neal, co-founder of TrekWest…

For 14 years, my husband Wes and I owned and operated Bright Angel Bicycles at Grand Canyon National Park. During that time, Wes had the privilege of helping thousands of visitors experience one of the most incredible places on Earth. The Grand Canyon wasn’t just where we worked—it became a place that shaped our family, our friendships, and our lives – and the business felt like one of our babies. Wes’s seedling idea went from a kiosk to an anchor point of the Visitor Center area at South Rim. It was, we thought, an integral part of our identity.

Then in 2024, a larger corporation took over the concession contract in a bidding process – and it was a devastating blow. For a while, we seriously considered leaving the tourism industry altogether. We explored different paths and asked ourselves some hard questions about what came next. But no matter what we considered, one truth kept rising to the surface: sharing the Grand Canyon and Northern Arizona with people wasn’t just what we knew—it was what we loved.

Over the years, Wes and I had countless opportunities to introduce friends, family, and visitors to the wonders of Northern Arizona. We’d take people on hikes below the rim, pack elaborate sunset picnics overlooking the canyon, and spend long days exploring hidden viewpoints and lesser-known corners of this remarkable region. Wes would fill the drive with stories, history, geology, and plenty of humor. I enthusiastically packed all my favorite food from our cafe (Eat n’ Run) on the excursions.

Again and again, people would tell Wes, “You need to be doing this for more people.”

At first, he brushed it off. But over time, those comments started to feel less like compliments and more like a calling – and it seemed that God closed every other door that we attempted to open. Wes tried becoming a guide for other companies – but even the interviewers scratched their heads and said “why don’t you start your own company?”.

What people connected with wasn’t just the hike, the picnic, or the scenery. They connected with the way we experienced the canyon—with curiosity, enthusiasm, hospitality, and a genuine appreciation for the incredible place we call home.

Slowly, a vision began to take shape. Wes had been every kind of guide you could be at the Canyon. River guide for 8, bike guide for 14, hike guide for 2. I had decades of marketing and photography experience. Years of collective wisdom, countless conversations, and a deep love for the region came together to create what would eventually become TrekWest. We could build another Arizona business.

Today, TrekWest is the realization of that dream—a family-owned boutique adventure company dedicated to helping travelers experience the Grand Canyon and Northern Arizona in a more personal, meaningful, and memorable way.

Everything we’ve learned over decades of exploring, guiding, hosting, and serving visitors has been poured into this company. We believe that the best adventures aren’t just about seeing beautiful places; they’re about connecting with them. They’re about slowing down, sharing stories, making memories, and leaving with a deeper appreciation for the world around you.

We’re honored to share this extraordinary place with our guests and hope you’ll join us for an adventure soon.

Our vehicles

Comfort and reliability is key!

TrekWest offers transportation in a couple of varieties depending on group size. Larger groups will fit best into the Ford Transit Passenger Van XLT (12-passenger configuration). The XLT trim provides leather seats and great aisle access to get in and out at each stop on our Trek. Smaller groups (under 7) will be transported in a Ford Expedition MAX XLT. While not as easy to get in and out, this vehicle is perfect for a private day tour that will be perfect for your journey.

All vehicles are fit with microphone systems so everyone can hear the fun stories & Grand Canyon information as we Trek!!

TrekWest touring van at a Grand Canyon overlook

Adventure navigators

Meet the people behind the tours that you’ll go on with TrekWest.

Wes Neal

Wes Neal

Lead Guide and Owner Hiking, Biking & Van Tours

Wes logged over 80 river trips working as a lead guide for Arizona River Runners starting in the year 2000. In those years he developed a vast knowledge of the Canyon and its people, places, flora & fauna, and geology and it prepared for a long and industrious career in Grand Canyon. It wasn’t over with the river however…

During his off-time in his river running years, Wes was a hiking guide for Arizona Outback Adventures and a basecamp manager at Havasupai. During this time, he created relationships with the indigenous people of the area and learned a lot about Native American culture.

Wes founded and operated Bright Angel Bicycles at Mather Point for 14 years, growing it into one of the Grand Canyon’s most celebrated activities. Under his leadership, the team maintained a top 5% ranking on TripAdvisor and amassed thousands of 5-star reviews. Today, Wes brings that same award-winning standard of service and local expertise to every TrekWest tour.

When the government concession reached its completion in 2024, the Neal family was at a crossroads. Do something completely different… or stick to what they knew. Ultimately, Wes loved Grand Canyon and the people who come to see it too much to give it up and he took his river, bike, hike, interpretive guiding, and knowledge and applied it to TrekWest. Welcome to our next chapter!

It might not come as a surprise that Wes spends his free time much like he spends his work days: outdoors. Whether he’s fishing, hiking, mountain biking, or traveling, he’s always exploring. At the heart of everything Wes does is his faith; he stays active in his community as a Sunday school teacher and youth leader. Above all, he cherishes time with his family—his wife, Sarah, and their two teenagers, Lydia and Silas.

Sarah Neal

Sarah Neal

Trip Coordinator Photography & Customer Service

Sarah’s greatest asset at TrekWest is her ‘professional tourist’ perspective. Born in South Africa and raised in Canada before calling Arizona home, she has a global eye for what makes a journey truly unforgettable. She intuitively understands what guests want to experience and is dedicated to showcasing the Southwest’s most stunning hidden gems.

A graphic designer and artist with 20 years of experience photographing and painting the Southwest, Sarah brings a creative eye to TrekWest. Through her brand, Pretty Little Wren, she shares her deep connection to Arizona’s landscapes by guiding guests to the Canyon’s most photogenic overlooks and providing expert photography tips.

Yep, as you may have guessed – Sarah is Wes’s other half, and also an integral part of all the businesses Wes has started and still currently runs. She met Wes in her teens and only years later in her twenties fell in love with Wes and the West at the same time. She helps run TrekWest and is often who you’ll get to chat with when you are coordinating private trips. Together with Wes they have two awesome kids – Silas and Lydia who live with them in the cinder hills of Flagstaff.

Wes and Sarah are true foodies. They have traveled the world, usually led by whatever scent wafts out of a local bakery, a top-rated coffee shop, or a “must-do” eatery. As the owners of Eat n’ Run Route 66 Cafe – where Sarah is the lead recipe developer -and an Arizona-sourced market, they are passionate about regional flavors. These culinary roots are the foundation of the delightful, locally inspired meals you’ll share with us on your journey!

Much like Wes, Sarah loves the outdoors—whether she’s on the clock or exploring with her two teenagers. At home and in her community, she is a musician at her church and a lover of both the creation and the Creator. She finds joy in cooking for friends and loved ones, designing beautiful spaces, and creating art, and starting her day with personal devotions, a great cup of coffee, and a walk in the woods with her hubby and a bandit-looking doodle named Koda.

Tom Weathers

Tom Weathers

Guide & Cowboy Poet Private Tours

A true voice of the West, Tom is a celebrated Cowboy Poet and master storyteller who brings the history of the Southwest to life. With a deep love for the land and a gift for narrative, he doesn’t just guide tours—he weaves the legends and lore of the Grand Canyon into an unforgettable journey. When you’re on a trail with Tom, every vista comes with a story.

A man of many talents, Tom is as skilled with a guitar as he is with a pen. From performing at regional cowboy festivals to serving as a musician for his church, he uses his music to connect with people and celebrate his roots. His incredible guitar skills add yet another layer to the rich, authentic experience he brings to every TrekWest tour.

Beyond the trails, Tom is a true pillar of the Flagstaff community. A man of deep roots, he is a devoted husband to his wife, Cindy, and a proud father to their three adult children. His greatest joy these days is spending time with his many grandkids, passing down the stories and traditions of the West to the next generation. Whether he’s serving at his church or supporting local heritage events, Tom’s commitment to his family and his hometown is at the heart of everything he does.

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TrekWest is a 5-star rated tour company on Tripadvisor and Google
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