Utah Arches & Canyonlands National Parks Hiking Tour

This journey offers an intimate, expertly guided immersion into the heart of Utah’s Red Rock Country, focusing on the dramatic landscapes of Arches and Canyonlands National Parks. While many visitors only see these icons from paved overlooks, we take you deep into the remote Needles District and across the hidden slickrock expanses that define the American Southwest.

Decades of Desert Expertise: On this trip you get the benefit of MT Sobek's decades of experience as National Park Service authorized guides—you'll discover secluded viewpoints and geologic wonders far from the standard tourist paths with our experts.

Remote Wilderness Focus: Beyond the famous namesake rock formations, you’ll explore remote sections of Arches National Park seldom visited by other hikers, like the remote Klondike Bluffs region. You will experience the towering sandstone spires of the Needles District in Canyonlands, offering a more rugged and quiet desert experience.

Comfortable Shared Casitas: After active days on the trail, you’ll retreat to unique shared casitas with private bedrooms and en suite bathrooms, where you can relax in a setting that perfectly complements the desert landscape.

Geologic Depth: Gain context on the unique forces of erosion and time that have sculpted this remarkable red-rock landscape from our seasoned guides.

Spring and fall departures take advantage of the most temperate and pleasant conditions for desert hiking. During these windows, peak summer heat has either not yet arrived or has begun to fade, allowing for longer days on the trail and comfortable hiking conditions.

Spring (April-May): A favorite for many, this season often brings vibrant colors, blooming desert flora and comfortable daytime temperatures that are ideal for active exploration.

Fall (September-October): As the summer heat wanes, the air becomes crisp and clear, providing exceptional visibility and stunning light for photography among the red rocks.

The standard minimum age for this trip is 18. This itinerary is designed with adult travelers in mind, based on daily activity levels, accommodations, and overall group experience.

Families or groups with children younger than 18 please check out our private departures .

A Level 3 rating indicates a moderate challenge, balancing active days with comfortable lodge nights. In the desert, this means navigating varied terrain—from soft sand and dirt trails to open sandstone slickrock— with sun-exposed trails and dry air.

Daily Hiking Duration: Expect to spend 3 to 6 hours on the trail most days, covering distances between 4 and 8.5 miles.

Elevation Changes: Daily hikes involve elevation gains and losses typically ranging from 800 to 1,000 feet.

Desert Hiking and Scrambling: You will frequently hike off trail across uneven rock surfaces and through sandy washes (dry river beds), with occasional light scrambling using your hands to maintain balance and steady footing.

Back-to-back Active Days: While the lodge provides great rest each evening, six consecutive days of hiking in the desert environment require cumulative physical effort.

We plan the itinerary carefully, but adjustments may be needed due to weather, trail conditions, or other factors. MT Sobek and our guides make thoughtful decisions when needed in real time to keep the experience safe and enjoyable, and any significant changes will be communicated as early and as clearly as possible.

In the desert, changes are most often prompted by weather or park-specific logistics. Arriving with a spirit of adventure and flexibility ensures you will have the best possible experience regardless of any shifts.

Once your reservation with MT Sobek is finalized, we'll notify you of your trip's status. After your departure is confirmed to operate, flights and travel arrangements may be purchased. While we can often confirm departures in advance, some decisions may be finalized closer to final payment.

Once your booking is finalized with MT Sobek and your trip has been confirmed to operate, flights may be purchased. If you are unsure of the status of your trip, be sure to check with your Adventure Coordinator prior to booking non-refundable flights.

Arrival: You will need to arrive at Grand Junction Regional Airport (GJT) by 9:00 am on Day 1 to meet your guide and the group at the baggage claim for the transfer to Moab. For the best experience, we strongly recommend arriving at least one day early, when possible, to allow for travel delays and starting the tour feeling rested.

Departure: On Day 6, schedule your departure from Grand Junction Regional Airport (GJT) after 6:00 pm, allowing for the approximate 2-hour transfer back from Moab and our afternoon arrival at the airport around 4:00 pm.

We recommend booking a hotel near the airport to ensure a seamless meet-up on the morning of Day 1. If you stay in town after the tour, you can arrange an independent transfer to a hotel of your choice. Lodging and dining information can be found on the Grand Junction Tourism website .

No, MT Sobek does not arrange private transfers for this itinerary. However, taxis and rideshare options are readily available in Grand Junction for the short trip between the airport and your hotel. Guests can also make advance shuttle arrangements at Moabexpress.com .

For guests who choose to drive to the trip start, we recommend parking at the Grand Junction Airport (GJT) and meeting your group at the baggage claim to participate fully in all planned activities on Day 1.

Yes, on Day 5 there is around 4 hours of total drive time, including the transfer between Arches and Canyonlands National Parks. Most transfers are relatively short, ensuring that the bulk of your day is spent exploring the trails rather than in the van.

This is a moderate Level 3 trip featuring five consecutive days of hiking for 3 to 7 hours daily. You will cover 4 to 8.5 miles per day with elevation changes of up to 1,000 feet, requiring a solid base of physical fitness.

Hiking and Light Scrambling: Be prepared for varied terrain including soft sand, dirt trails, and open sandstone slickrock. These uneven surfaces require good balance and surefootedness, especially when navigating steep sandstone inclines, scrambling with your hands for balance, and on downhill hiking sections.

Desert Climate: The dry desert air and strong sun intensity make physical exertion feel more strenuous. Constant hydration is critical as you manage the effects of the arid climate, heat, and limited shade on the trail.

Vertical Intensity: Daily hikes involve significant elevation gain and loss, often totaling 800 to 1,000 feet. Navigating these changes in elevation on sandstone requires good conditioning and endurance.

Back-to-Back Days: With six days of consecutive hiking and no full rest days, your muscles must be prepared to recover quickly between excursions into the national parks.

To get the most out of your desert adventure, we recommend starting a training regimen at least two months prior to departure. Focus on building cardiovascular endurance and leg strength to prepare for six consecutive days of hiking on varied terrain.

Engage in aerobic exercise 3 to 4 times a week for at least 45 minutes; activities like brisk walking, hiking, or cycling are excellent for building heart and lung capacity. If possible, practice on trails with elevation gain and loss to condition your muscles for the sandstone inclines and descents you will encounter in the parks. Try to maintain an average pace of around two miles per hour, which is an average group hiking pace on this trip.

It is also essential to spend ample time walking in the hiking boots or trail shoes you plan to wear on the trip to ensure they are comfortable and to prevent blisters.

Remember that a gradual, consistent increase in your activity level is much more effective—and safer—than trying to consolidate all your training into the final weeks before the trip.

Most days are quite active, with the group returning to the lodge in the late afternoon. You will typically have a few hours of downtime before dinner to explore downtown Moab or enjoy the lodge amenities such as the spa. Please consult your Adventure Guide to determine the best time for your spa treatment, which we ask that you book independently, should you choose to visit the spa during the trip. Dinner is on your own one night of the trip, and you'll have more flexibility in the late afternoon and evening that night.

On this trip, you will stay at the Hoodoo Moab, Curio Collection by Hilton , located just off Moab's Main Street and minutes from Arches National Park. This upscale property offers a high level of comfort with modern amenities, including a heated outdoor pool, a restorative spa, and onsite dining. Guests are housed in shared casitas, which feature two private bedrooms—typically one King room and one double Queen room—each with its own private bathroom. While the common living area of the casita may be shared with another guest or a guide, having a private room and bath ensures a comfortable "home base" for your desert adventure.

Yes, we can accommodate many common dietary restrictions on this tour with advance notice. Let us know about your dietary restrictions and food allergies as soon as possible, so we can coordinate with guides, hotels, and restaurants. Common dietary restrictions, including vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free, can be successfully managed on this itinerary. Please also list these on your Participant Information Form.

Yes, a limited number of single rooms are available on this trip. About a third of our travelers go solo, and single room inventory often books up quickly! Please note that single rooms are typically assigned within a shared casita where you have a private bedroom and bathroom but share the living area. You can find more information on solo traveler options here .

The key to desert comfort is layering and sun protection. Essential items include moisture-wicking hiking clothes, a wide-brimmed sun hat, UPF-rated clothing and high-SPF sunscreen, and a high-quality daypack.

Hiking Footwear: Supportive hiking shoes or boots with solid soles, good traction, and ankle support are key to your enjoyment of this trip.

Layering for Variable Weather: Spring and fall temperatures can range from near freezing in the morning to 70°F or higher during the day. UPF-rated clothing is helpful in the desert sun. Pack a fleece or wool sweater/jacket, a down jacket, and a waterproof rain jacket with a hood to stay prepared for shifting conditions.

Hydration Essentials: Staying hydrated is critical in the arid Utah climate. You should bring reusable water bottles or a backpack hydration system with a total capacity of at least 3 liters. Consider bringing powdered electrolytes to replenish minerals lost to sweat in the heat.

Daypack Requirements: You will need a daypack with a 20- to 30-liter capacity to carry your daily essentials, including your lunch/snacks, drinking water, sunscreen, rain shell, and personal items.

Trail Gear: Trekking poles are provided by MT Sobek, though you are welcome to bring your own preferred hiking poles if you choose. Other important accessories include sunglasses, spare prescription lenses, and a personal medical kit.

Sturdy, properly fitting hiking footwear is essential for this trip. We recommend hiking boots or supportive hiking shoes with solid soles, good traction, and ankle support to handle uneven trails, slickrock, and variable terrain.

Some hikers are comfortable using low-ankle trail shoes in certain conditions, but you should also bring high-ankle hiking boots in case trail conditions or weather require extra stability.

Whatever footwear you choose, it is critical that it fits well and is fully broken in before the trip. Hiking in unfamiliar terrain for multiple days in a row puts added stress on feet and ankles, and reliable, well-tested footwear makes a meaningful difference in comfort and safety.

Desert weather is defined by its dramatic range. While days are often warm and sunny, temperatures can drop rapidly once the sun sets.

Average Temperatures: Daytime highs typically range from 60° to 90° F+, while evening lows can dip to 40° or 50°F.

Intense Sun: Even on cooler days, the desert sun is very strong; high-SPF protection, sunglasses and a hat are needed year-round.

Arid Climate: The air is extremely dry, making constant hydration a top priority throughout the day.

Seasonal Variations: April and October tend to be milder, while May and September can see highs reaching 100°F.

Standard US electrical outlets are available at the hotels, and you’ll be able to charge phones, cameras, and other personal electronics normally.

For international guests, US electricity operates at 120 volts and has Type A two-pin or Type B three-prong outlets. Check to see if your electronics are dual voltage, or if you need a converter.

Tipping for restaurant staff, activity vendors, and hotel staff is included in your trip price. Gratuities for your MT Sobek guides are not included and are entirely at your discretion. On our hiking adventures in the United States, we recommend tipping your guide team $50 to $70 per day, per guest. To ensure equitable distribution, please deliver all gratuities to the trip leader, who can accept them in cash or via apps such as Venmo, Zelle, or PayPal.

Specific tipping recommendations for your departure will be outlined in your Final Details, which are sent about three weeks before the trip.

Yes, we strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance for all trips. Travel insurance can help cover trip cancellations or interruptions, medical expenses, emergency evacuation, travel delays, and other unexpected situations.

We offer travel insurance with Arch RoamRight and will be happy to provide you with a quote. Please see our Travel Resources page for more information.

In the event of a medical emergency, your guides are equipped with emergency communication devices to coordinate assistance. Evacuation options vary by location; in most parts of the parks you’ll visit, a transfer back to the vehicle or a short carry to the trailhead is possible, though more remote areas of Canyonlands may require more complex logistics. The National Park Service will determine what evacuation methods will be available based on the specific emergency and location within the parks.

Helicopter evacuations are not always available, and guests should be prepared to hike out to the nearest evacuation point whenever possible, rather than expecting to rely on helicopter support unless it is necessary. We highly recommend travel insurance that includes medical evacuation coverage.

If you have extra time in the area, we recommend exploring these local highlights:

Colorado National Monument: Located just outside Grand Junction, it offers stunning rim drives and short hikes among red-rock monoliths.

Downtown Moab: Spend an afternoon browsing local galleries, outdoor gear shops, and enjoying the vibrant cafe scene.

Dead Horse Point State Park: Famous for its dramatic overlook of a gooseneck in the Colorado River, it is a short drive from Moab.

Wine Tasting: Grand Junction and nearby Palisade are home to several excellent Colorado wineries and orchards.