Utah's Arches & Canyonlands Walking & Hiking Tour
Utah's Arches & Canyonlands Walking & Hiking Tour
5 days
4 nights
Activity Levels 2-4
Deluxe Hotels
2025: Sep-Oct2026: Apr-May, Sep-Oct
Epic National Parks in the Southwest
Canyons stretched across the Colorado Plateau like an enormous wind-scoured sculpture garden. Soaring sandstone spires tinged in brilliant orange and red. Intricate canyon labyrinths in a million crimson variations. Around every delicate arch, behind each massive monolith, the landscape of this red-rock wonderland invites exploration.
Highlights
- Marvel at nature's creations—soaring spires, arches, fins and canyons—in a landscape formed by eons of wind and water
- Explore Arches National Park and behold iconic—and aptly named—Delicate Arch, the state symbol of Utah
- Savor vast desert panoramas and views of the Colorado River from the high mesa of Dead Horse State Park
- Journey through the Earth's history amid rippling rock layers in Colorado National Monument
Start/End Grand Junction, Colorado
* Start/End locations may vary. Do not book flights until your trip details are confirmed.
Itinerary
Days 1-2
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 • Wind your way up, down and around an adventurous trail leading toward expansive views of the soaring sandstone formations known as Fisher Towers, a series of enormous monoliths • Look for climbers scaling the towers and enjoy sweeping views of Castle Valley, Onion Creek and the Colorado River below • The afternoon is yours to wander around the quirky town of Moab or relax by the hotel pool.
Nights 1-2
Find mountain and city views at this modern hotel with an ideal location in Moab. (pool, spa)
Days 3-5
Marvel at the wilderness and jaw-dropping 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 Overlook offers a vivid panorama of the Needles' red and white layers of Cedar Mesa Sandstone, as well as views of the La Sal Mountains • Prepare to be awestruck in 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 glamping resort that bridges comfort and nature • 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
Nestled at the base of Moab's famed red cliffs, this upscale glamping retreat has individual canvas-walled tents each with a private deck—perfect for stargazing. (pool)
What's Included
See moreStraight Talk
We want to make sure you're on the trip that's right for you. Every Backroads trip is unique and this one is no exception.
At ULUM Moab, we stay in large canvas-walled platform tents. Each is outfitted with a king-size bed including linens, a wood burning stove, an evaporative cooler and an en suite bathroom. The property has limited cell reception, with Wi-Fi only available in the communal building. With canvas walls and doors, sounds may carry from nearby tents and chirping crickets, so we suggest packing earplugs.
The Southwest’s canyon country is vast. As a result, this trip includes a few longer shuttles that allow us to cover the distance between the highlights we visit in Colorado and Utah.
While this trip has an activity level rating of 2–4 based on mileage and elevation gain, some of the terrain can feel more challenging. Be prepared to hike on a variety of trail surfaces, including rugged desert trails with some rocky and sandy sections, sections of slickrock as well as some well-maintained dirt paths. A few sections require the ability to step up and down rock steps that have a higher rise than typical stairs. Your Backroads leaders will be there to lend a helping hand!
Hotels
Adventure-Ready Hotels
Ideally located with ready access to trip activities, our Casual hotels are also known for their character and charm.
Hotels may vary based on departure. Any variations will be displayed when selecting a departure under Dates & Prices.
Nights 1-2
*Deluxe Hotel
Find mountain and city views at this modern hotel with an ideal location in Moab. (pool, spa)
Nights 3-4
*Deluxe Hotel
Nestled at the base of Moab's famed red cliffs, this upscale glamping retreat has individual canvas-walled tents each with a private deck—perfect for stargazing. (pool)
Gallery
Review Snapshot
by PowerReviews
Reviewed by 15 customers
Beautiful hiking trip
Great for geology, beautiful vistas and great leaders who work hard to make sure everyone is having a great time
Beautify countryside; great people ...but
Beautiful country side, Great people, nice hotels, lots of good food. The only problem, was the trip was rated as fairly easy, however some of the trails were much harder than described. Part of the reason was the high altitude that needed some adjustment. I think I was on the first Utah trip, so maybe they reevaluated the activity level..
Every detail considered !
A wonderful chance to get outdoors in beautiful country! The areas chosen to visit were well suited to the group, with interesting scenery, invigorating hiking, and opportunities to explore the plants, birds, and reptiles along the way. Not a strong hiker, I was concerned about my ability to fit in, but the leaders tailored the day's activities for those of us who weren't as competent as others. Accommodations were extremely comfortable. Meals were excellent with opportunities to make personal choices, and snacks were high quality. Leaders were the best! Friendly, knowledgeable, and caring. Very high marks to Backroads!
My expectations were high and I was not disappointed!
The Backroads experience was terrific and will bring me many years of great memories. The staff was fun, helpful, courteous, and friendly and made it their goal to meet all our needs. The trails chosen were fantastic and the scenery unmatched. The meals, wine receptions and extra goodies were yummy. We felt safe and appropriately challenged on the hikes. We loved the Utah Arches and Canyonlands Tour!
Our trip far exceeded our expectations
The overall tour from transportation to meals to the high quality individuals ( Sarah,Alissa,and Nadya) was off incredible. We had some dietary requirements that were handled without any issues. We couldn't be happier!
OMG! Exceeding expectations is an understatement.
We loved hikes in 10 national parks. This was by far the best. Why? Backroads! Every hike was beautiful. There were 20 of us. Backroads trip leaders made each of us feel like masters in mountain climbing. Hotels! Dinners, companionship! Trip leaders! If you want the best of the best, Backroads is your answer!
National treasure not to be missed!
This was my second time to Utah on a hiking trip and Backroads plus our leader, Ross did not disappoint me. Got to see and hike pretty much everything I wanted to, the accommodations we stayed in were top notch, and the lunches prepared by Ross so gourmet! Met a wonderful group of women who were fun and celebrated my birthday on this trip. And Ross was so accommodating with our musical choices loading up songs for us each evening to listen and sing along next day on our drives. Definitely recommend for all ladies wanting to travel solo.
There is nothing better than desert hiking!
This tour far exceeded my expectations! The views and landscapes are amazing! Every day offered two activity level options so there was something for everybody. I don't believe there was single person in my group that did not love what they were doing and seeing everyday! If you enjoy desert hiking or are looking to experience it for the first time, this trip will not disappoint!
perfect in every way!
every component was exceptional, food, lodging, hikes, super leaders, all 5 star
It was a totally delightful trip
Having done 2 previous hiking trips with Backroads, I expected it to be well planned and thoughtfully executed... and it was so. The 3 group leaders were friendly, courteous, helpful, competent, diligent, responsive and hard workers. It could not have been better. The landscapes were so much more awesome and impressive than I had expected.
Dates & Prices
Dates & Prices
Click on dates for pricing, itinerary variations (if any) and to book your trip. Price is per person, double occupancy in USD.
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