Utah's Arches & Canyonlands Hiking & Walking Tour
Epic National Parks in the Southwest
Across the Colorado Plateau, canyons yawn through a vast natural sculpture garden of brilliant reds and oranges. From delicate arches to towering monoliths, every trail reveals a new wonder of this geologic maze.
We rate our trips based on a range of activity levels from 1-5.
See this trip's Activity Options & Terrain for more details.
From $3,799 - $3,849/person
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Snapshots from the Trip
Trip at a Glance
Highlights
- Get a front-row seat to nature’s creations—spires, arches, fins and canyons—in a vibrant red-rock landscape carved by millions of years of wind and water
- Explore Arches National Park and see famed formations including Delicate Arch, the state symbol of Utah
- Take in vast desert landscapes and views of the Colorado River from the high mesa of Dead Horse State Park, learning the legends that inspired the name
- Trace earth’s ancient past through the sculpted canyons and rippling rock layers of Colorado National Monument
- Hike to Fisher Towers, whose soaring sandstone spires rise like a natural city skyline above the desert
Sample itinerary. Trip details may vary by departure.
Start Grand Junction, Colorado Airport & Travel Details
- Follow spectacular trails atop Dead Horse Point, a vast mesa with an incredible view of the Colorado River as it twists through a gooseneck canyon 2,000 feet below you
- Soak up scenery of Canyonlands National Park, the largest and least developed of Utah’s national parks
- Explore the Needles, clusters of sandstone spires in the southern end of the park
- Chesler Park Viewpoint offers a vivid panorama of the Needles’ red and white layers of Cedar Mesa Sandstone, as well as views of the La Sal Mountains
- Spend an afternoon wandering the charming town of Moab or relaxing by the hotel pool.
Nights 1-2
Deluxe Hotel
With views of Moab’s red rocks, this Curio Collection by Hilton property is a block from Main Street and about 10 minutes from Arches National Park. Modern accommodations and interiors inspired by the surrounding Western landscape create a comfortable retreat, while a heated outdoor pool, hot tub and full-service spa offer space to unwind after an active day. (pool, spa)
Hotels may vary on select departures. Click View Dates and choose a departure to see any variations.
- Welcome to Arches National Park, home to the world’s greatest concentration of natural sandstone arches
- Hike to some of the park’s most iconic features, including Double Arch and Delicate Arch
- Explore to your heart’s content before heading to our rustic riverside hotel
- Wind your way up, down and around an adventurous trail leading to views of Fisher Towers, a series of enormous monoliths
- Look for climbers scaling the towers and get sweeping views of Castle Valley, Onion Creek and the Colorado River below
- Unwind poolside or visit the lodge’s Moab Film and Western Heritage Museum
- Journey to Colorado National Monument, home to 20,500 acres of sandstone monoliths and red-rock canyons
- Meander through geologic time on the Monument Canyon Trail.
Nights 3-4
Deluxe Hotel
Set along the Colorado River beneath Moab’s red rock cliffs, Red Cliffs Lodge combines rustic Western design (think vaulted ceilings and exposed wood beams) with modern comforts in its reimagined all-suite accommodations. The property features a year-round outdoor hot tub, a seasonal solar-heated pool and the Moab Museum of Film & Western Heritage, which highlights the area's role in classic film and television productions. (pool)
Hotels may vary on select departures. Click View Dates and choose a departure to see any variations.
End Grand Junction, Colorado Airport & Travel Details
This trip has an activity level range of 2-4
All breakfasts, 5 lunches, 3 dinners
All accommodations on your Backroads trip
All gratuities at hotels and restaurants
Expertise and services of Backroads Trip Leaders
Lightweight carbon hiking poles
Backroads On Trip App with route maps, elevation profiles, daily snapshots and more
Additional local guides and experts, plus equipment for included activities as detailed in your itinerary
Exclusive activities, tours and cultural experiences, as detailed in your itinerary
All luggage transfers and porterage during your trip
Snacks and beverages between meals
Private cocktail and wine receptions on the first and last nights of your trip
Choice of Backroads t-shirt or hat, plus water bottle and luggage tag
Detailed Travel Planner with destination tips and pre-trip information
