From the ER to the Red Rock: The emergency physician bringing peace of mind to America’s national parks

Utah’s Western Awakenings brings small-group journeys through the Grand Canyon, Monument Valley and Utah’s Mighty Five, led by its emergency-physician founder, to WTM London (USA Pavilion, Stand N6-513, Booth 16)

For most travellers, the American Southwest’s greatest wonders lie hours from the nearest hospital. For guests of Western Awakenings, they are explored alongside an emergency physician.

Founded in 2018 by Jeremy Franklin, MD, an emergency physician with about 20 years’ experience, Western Awakenings runs premium small-group adventures from its base in Mountain Green, Utah. The company is led by its founder, who personally guides most departures, bringing deep knowledge of the region’s parks together with the calm judgement of the emergency department.

Its signature journey, the Southwest Sweep, is a 10-day all-inclusive tour from Las Vegas through the Grand Canyon, Monument Valley and Utah’s Mighty Five national parks: Zion, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Arches and Canyonlands. Small groups and an unhurried pace give travellers time on quieter trails and at less-visited viewpoints, away from the busiest crowds. Private departures are available on request.

The company also offers the Moab Mixer, a guided mountain-biking trip on the trails around Moab, near Arches and Canyonlands, and Utah Utopia, a winter ski and snowboard trip in the Northern Wasatch mountains.

“I’ve spent my career helping people through some of their hardest moments. In the national parks, I get to share some of the most extraordinary places on earth, and my guests can relax knowing someone experienced is looking after them,” said Jeremy Franklin, MD, founder of Western Awakenings. “We like to slow down and give people time to really take these places in, and we hope our guests go home feeling refreshed and inspired.”

Franklin’s love of wild places began early: he spent his first 18 months in Chile, grew up outdoors and went on to train in emergency medicine. Western Awakenings is a licensed National Park Service Commercial Use Authorization operator.

At WTM London 2026, the company is meeting tour operators and travel advisors from the UK, Europe and beyond. Trips are commissionable to travel advisors, and net rates are available to tour operators for departures of three or more guests.

• Southwest Sweep (10 days, from Las Vegas): from US$9,995 per person, double occupancy

• Moab Mixer (5, 6 or 8 days, mountain biking): from US$3,995 per person

• Utah Utopia (5, 6 or 8 days, ski and snowboard): from US$3,795 per person

• Single-room pricing and roommate matching available for solo travellers

Meet Western Awakenings at WTM London, Excel London, 3–5 November 2026: USA Pavilion, Stand N6-513, Booth 16.