Canyonlands National Park Backcountry Adventure
Recommended by 97% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Moab, USA
- 4 hours (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
Why travelers loved this
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Overview
On this half-day 4WD adventure from Moab, explore the rugged, red stone interior of Canyonlands National Park, to experience the beauty of the Island in the Sky district. Your guide navigates the switchbacks of White Rim Road, where you can see the remains of ancient Pueblo civilizations and admire the canyon walls that drop 1,000 feet (300m). Enjoy fewer crowds and access remote areas that most people never experience on this unforgettable journey.
- Stop at scenic lookouts with panoramic views of canyon country
- Travel the rugged terrain of the Shafer Trail by 4WD
- See examples of rock art from ancient indigenous Pueblo cultures
- Choose from multiple departure times to fit your schedule
What's Included
- Professional guide
- Ice Water
- National Park Tour by Four Wheel Drive Vehicle
- Pick-up from your hotel or campground, if needed
- Gratuity for Guide :)
- Soft drinks + food
- National Park Entrance Fees ($15/person unless you have a parks pass)
- Car/booster seat (required for children 7 & under)
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- NAVTEC EXPEDITIONS321 N Main St, Moab, UT 84532, USA
You can meet us at our office 15 minutes prior to departure at 321 N. Main St. in Moab. We have parking for your convenience and there is also free curbside parking all around if our lot is full. Please contact Navtec directly for pick-up.
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.Itinerary
Your tour begins in the middle of Moab. Meet your guide and get comfortably situated inside the 4WD vehicle. Enjoy the 30-mile (48km) drive from Moab to Canyonlands National Park to explore the popular Island in the Sky District with its spectacular desert scenery.
Start off atop a mesa with views looking out over the horizon before your guide deftly maneuvers the switchbacks of Shafer Trail. On this section of the 100-mile (161-km) White Rim Road Loop, make stops at famous Musselman Arch and other beautiful vistas.
In addition to the popular lookouts, your expert guide takes you to spots that aren’t as frequently visited, where you’ll find everything from ancient Pueblo rock art to vertical views down the canyons. Learn the history of the Pueblo people who inhabited the Four Corners area, and aside from the culture and history lessons, your guide will also explain the geology of the red rock canyons before you.
When you stop for a break to take photos, venture out on one of the short trails that leave from many of the viewpoints; you’ll get a different perspective and angle for photographing the canyons.
When this Canyonlands tour from Moab is over, your guide will return you to the middle of Moab to the spot where the tour began.
Start off atop a mesa with views looking out over the horizon before your guide deftly maneuvers the switchbacks of Shafer Trail. On this section of the 100-mile (161-km) White Rim Road Loop, make stops at famous Musselman Arch and other beautiful vistas.
In addition to the popular lookouts, your expert guide takes you to spots that aren’t as frequently visited, where you’ll find everything from ancient Pueblo rock art to vertical views down the canyons. Learn the history of the Pueblo people who inhabited the Four Corners area, and aside from the culture and history lessons, your guide will also explain the geology of the red rock canyons before you.
When you stop for a break to take photos, venture out on one of the short trails that leave from many of the viewpoints; you’ll get a different perspective and angle for photographing the canyons.
When this Canyonlands tour from Moab is over, your guide will return you to the middle of Moab to the spot where the tour began.
1
Potash Road
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
2
Utah Scenic Byway 279 Rock Art Sites
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
3
Island in the Sky
1 hour • Admission Ticket Not Included
4
Musselman Arch
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included
Shafer Trail Viewpoint (Pass By)
Canyonlands National Park (Pass By)
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Things to bring: camera, water bottle (lots of extra water provided on your tour for refills) and sun protection
- NAVTEC Expeditions is an authorized concessionaire of Canyonlands and Arches National Park
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Most travelers can participate
- Every 4x4 tour needs a minimum of 3 individuals to run. If your trip does not meet the minimum, you will be offered other tour options or get a full refund. (Another option is to pay for the 3rd fare)
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 20 travelers
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Featured review
We had an incredible half-day driving tour of Canyonlands, and I can’t recommend it enough! The views were absolutely breathtaking—every turn felt like a postcard moment. It was the perfect way to experience so much of the park in a short amount of time without feeling rushed.
But what truly made the experience unforgettable was our guide, Marsha. She was amazing! Not only was she incredibly knowledgeable about the park’s history, geology, and hidden gems, but she also made the tour fun, engaging, and personal. You could tell she genuinely loves what she does, and it made all the difference.
Marsha knew exactly where to stop for the best views and photos, and she shared stories and insights you’d never get just driving through on your own. She made sure everyone was comfortable, answered every question, and kept the energy positive the entire time.
If you’re considering a tour of Canyonlands—do it, and definitely ask for Marsha. She made an already beautiful place even more special!
Reviews
4.9
based on 1,126 reviews
Sort by: Most insightful
avtec tours provided us with two backroads jeep tours - one in arches and one in canyonlands. We had the MOST amazing guide and driver Ben who was part geologist, paleontologist, archeologist, biologist, botanist, historian, story teller ,AND …an excellent driver . I highly recommend Navtec for a park experience you cannot script yourself. It was an unforgettable experience that made our vacation! Thanks Ben!
Response from Host, Sep 2026
Hi there,
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re thrilled to hear that your Arches and Canyonlands adventures with Ben were such a memorable part of your vacation.
Ben truly brings an incredible depth of knowledge, passion, and storytelling to every tour, and we’ll be sure to share your kind words with him. We’re especially glad his expertise- from geology and paleontology to history, plants, wildlife, and everything in between- helped make your experience so special.
Thank you for choosing Navtec Tours and for recommending us. It was our pleasure to be part of your adventure, and we hope to see you back in Moab for another unforgettable experience!
Best,
Sierra
This tour of the Canyonlands back country was simply awesome. Our tour guide was delightful. He was knowledgable, helpful and really seemed to enjoy what he was doing. The back country was stunning. I highly recommend this tour.
Response from Host, Sep 2026
Hi Linda,
Thank you so much for the wonderful review! We’re thrilled to hear that you had an awesome time exploring the Canyonlands backcountry. It’s great to know your guide’s knowledge, enthusiasm, and helpful nature made the experience even more enjoyable.
The Canyonlands backcountry truly is an incredible place to explore, and we’re so glad you got to experience its stunning scenery with us. Thank you for choosing Navtec and for the recommendation! We hope to see you again for another unforgettable adventure.
Best,
Sierra
Marcia, the guide, was amazing! Super knowledgeable and happy to share. We talked geology, chemistry, history, and other sciences. Our whole carful was interested in what she had to say. She skillfully drove us up roads I'd be afraid to walk, navigating around switchbacks like a champ on the Schafer Trail. Geez, some of those corners were tight.
Marcia was particularly good with my husband who had visual limitations, making sure he was able to walk safely, and that he could see the sights.
Oh, and the sights! Deep canyons and high walls, a hidden spring, various layers of different types of stone, red, white, green, and a tiny bit of, likely radioactive, yellow.
This tour was worth every penny!
Response from Host, Sep 2026
Hi Judith,
Thank you so much for taking the time to leave us this wonderful review! We are so pleased to hear that you had a great tour in Canyonlands with Marcia and were able to learn a lot about the incredible sights that you were seeing. We will be sure to pass this along to Marcia and thank her for sharing her passion and knowledge out on the trail.
Best,
Sierra
This tour takes you into beautiful and remote parts of Canyonlands. You see the Colorado River wind its way through the canyons and amazing rock formations. Your guide is fortunately the driver and the source of valuable information about what you see. It was a great experience.
Response from Host, Sep 2026
Thank you for the great review! We're so glad this tour gave you a real look at the remote, beautiful side of Canyonlands, from the Colorado River winding through the canyons to those incredible rock formations. Having a guide who's both driving and sharing that knowledge along the way really is the best way to experience terrain like this, since you get to take it all in without missing a thing. We appreciate you sharing your experience and hope to see you on another tour soon!
I understand why this tour has so many positive reviews, but it just wasn’t the right fit for my family. I’m writing this review because I think it’s helpful for people with a similar travel style to know what to expect.
There were five of us (including one single rider) in a five-passenger vehicle. While I understand that’s how the math works, the vehicle itself was old (around 30 years old) and the air conditioning worked at 50%. It also didn’t seem the most reliable.
Our guide, Marcia, was knowledgeable, passionate, and clearly loves what she does. She shared a tremendous amount of information about topics like photosynthesis, salt mining, fungi, the Spanish Trail, and the geology of the area. If you’re someone who enjoys an in-depth educational experience, you’ll likely appreciate the tour.
For us, however, it felt more like a four-hour geology lecture than the sightseeing experience we were hoping for. Much of the information was very technical, and we found ourselves wishing for more fun, relatable facts and stories about Canyonlands.
We also thought the tour was longer than necessary. A significant portion of the time was spent before reaching the main park, and we would have preferred to get into Canyonlands much sooner and spend more time enjoying the scenery.
Canyonlands itself is absolutely stunning, and we don’t regret seeing it. If you’re looking for a highly educational, geology-focused experience, this tour may be perfect for you. If you’re more interested in simply taking in the incredible views without hours of detailed commentary, you may be happier with a shorter tour or exploring the park on your own and saving your money.
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Kris,
Thank you for taking the time to share such thoughtful feedback, and for speaking with me directly about your experience. We genuinely want every guest to leave having had a wonderful time- enjoying the scenery, the adventure, and the incredible landscape that makes Canyonlands so special.
We’re proud that our guides bring a tremendous amount of knowledge and passion to their trips. The geology, ecology, history, and science of Canyonlands are very much part of its majesty, and we love helping guests understand the story behind what they’re seeing. At the same time, your feedback is a valuable reminder that the right balance between education, storytelling, sightseeing, and simply taking in the landscape can look different for every group.
We also appreciate your feedback regarding the vehicle and overall pacing of the trip. I’m glad we had the opportunity to connect directly afterward and address your concerns. Feedback like yours helps us continue improving how we tailor the experience to our guests.
Thank you again for traveling with us, and for recognizing Marcia’s knowledge and passion. We truly appreciate it and wish you and your family all the best in your travels.
Best,
Wes
Excellent Guided Tour, and it really is back country.....!!!
4 hours WELL SPENT.....You really get to view unusual formations, and I strongly recommend Guided Tours for these type of adventures as once the paved road ends, it's gravel roads and no signage as to which way to proceed....And Folks, most of us are not experienced enough to drive these type of off road, no cellphone towers etc...
Your vehicle breaks down, you're in a world of hurt....spend the money, our guide spoke for about 4 hours explaining vista points etc....
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Hi there,
Thank you so much for taking the time to leave us this wonderful review and emphasize the benefits of using a guiding service like us on these technical backcountry roads. We are glad that we were able to bring you out into Canyonlands and would be elated to have you on another adventure, anytime!
Best,
Sierra
We were amazed at the sites that we were able to experience on this tour. We never expected to see so much beauty and the knowledge and expertise of our guide was exceptional.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Hi Gary,
Thank you for choosing us to take you out into the backcountry and thank you for taking the time to write this great review! Hopefully we can go on another adventure together someday.
Best,
Sierra
Great guide and great experience Would recommend this guide Alan and this triip to everyone beautiful place
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Hi Ken,
We really appreciate you taking the time to leave us a review! We hope you have a great day.
Best,
Sierra
Alan our tour guide was great .Very friendly and knowledgeable about the canyons. The sights spectacular
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Hi there,
Thank you for leaving this great review! We hope that we can take you out on another tour someday soon.
Best,
Sierra
Alan was a GREAT tour guide, provided great information and provided a fun off road tour. I would definitely recommend this tour.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Hi Judi,
Thank you so much for sharing this and giving us a five star review.
Hope you have a wonderful day,
Sierra
Bring water and snacks,sunscreen and a sense of adventure.
Our guide, Warren was great. Very knowlegable.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Hi Kyle,
We really appreciate the five star review! Hopefully we can take you on another adventure sometime soon.
Best,
Sierra
Trip was awesome. Got to experience the canyonlands from a different perspective traveling on the back roads with the tour.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Hi there,
We are so happy to hear that you had a great time. Let us know if you are ever in the area and want to go on another adventure with us!
Hope you have a great day,
Sierra
Bring sunglasses, cameras, sunscreen and water bottles! Definitely recommend this tour! Not just looking at rock formations but gaining a lot of knowledge of the area!
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Hi Evelyn,
Thank you for taking the time to write a five star review and highlight our employee Blaine! He is so knowledgeable and we are lucky to have him. We would love to take you out on another adventure again if you are ever in the area.
Best,
Sierra
Our guide, Marcia, was outstanding. She was exceptionally knowledgeable about the geology of Canyonlands and provided clear, informative commentary throughout the tour. What I particularly appreciated was that the narration remained focused on the landscape, geology, history, and natural features of the park.
The route itself was spectacular. Climbing the Shafer Trail provided unforgettable views and a unique perspective on Canyonlands that cannot be appreciated from the overlooks alone. The scenery was breathtaking, and Marcia's explanations of the geologic processes that created the landscape added a level of understanding that made the experience even more rewarding.
The pace was excellent, there were plenty of opportunities for photographs, and the entire tour was professionally conducted from start to finish.
I have taken many guided tours over the years, and this ranks among the very best. If you have the opportunity to take this tour, I highly recommend it. Marcia's knowledge, professionalism, and enthusiasm for the geology of the region made an already outstanding tour even better.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Hi Robert,
We are elated that you ha such a great time in Canyonlands with Marcia. She is so knowledgeable and passionate and it shows! We really appreciate you leaving us a five star review and would be happy to take you out on another adventure with us anytime.
Best,
Sierra
The guide and the vehicle were excellent. Very good route and 4 hours was the right amount if time for us. The park was not crowded which made our experience even better
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Hi there,
We are delighted to hear that the pace and route met your expectations! We intentionally choose our routes in order to allow our guests to experience the least amount of crowds possible while in the park. Thank you for taking the time to leave us this wonderful review.
Best,
Sierra
My wife and I did the Canyonlands tour with Marsha as our guide. She was fantastic. Very knowledgeable and gave us information and stories about the city of Moab, the formation of the rock structures and surrounding vegetation and wildlife. It was not only some great
sites to take in but the valuable information she shared. Well worth it!!
Terry P
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Hi Terry,
We are so glad to hear that Marcia shared so much great knowledge with you and that you had a great time on your Canyonlands tour! We really appreciate you taking the time to write us this great review, and we hope that if you are in the area again you will consider joining us on another adventure.
Best,
Sierra
Marcia was a great driver and her knowledge of biology and geology made our back country tour of Arches NP wonderful. I would highly recommend this tour to anyone.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Hello,
We're so glad to hear that you enjoyed your tour of Arches National Park. Thank you for your review and recommendation. We'll be sure to pass along your kind remarks to Marcia. We hope to have the opportunity to lead you on another expedition on your next visit to Moab!
Best,
Corey
Great tour with Warren! Highly recommend and excellent way to see this very large, amazing National Park! You will not be disappointed!
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Hi Jennifer,
We're thrilled to hear that you enjoyed your tour of the Island in the Sky District of Canyonlands National Park. Thank you for your review and recommendation. We'll be sure to pass along your kind words to Warren. Please keep Navtec in mind for your next visit to Moab!
Best,
Corey
It was great and John was a wonderful guide. A real repository of local knowledge and a true geology buff! He even have us handouts to explain rock formations over the ages. It was a great tour! would recommend.
Response from Host, May 2026
Hello,
We're so glad to hear you enjoyed your tour of the Island in the Sky district of Canyonlands National Park. Thank you for your kind words regarding John, he is certainly a gem. We greatly appreciate your review and recommendation. Please keep Navtec in mind for your next visit to Moab!
Best,
Corey
This adventure is a uniquely perfect way to explore Canyonlands Island in the Sky District. Andrew, our guide, is very knowledgeable, friendly, and a great driver! We had plenty of stops to take in the breathtaking views. Highly recommended this Canyonlands excursion!
Response from Host, May 2026
Hello,
We couldn't agree more that this tour is a uniquely perfect way to explore Canyonlands Island in the Sky District. That is exactly the experience we strive to provide, so we are thrilled to read your review. Thank you for your review and recommendation. We will certainly pass along your remarks to Andrew.
Best,
Corey
Not the typical tourist tour!! This was amazing in a 4Runner with Andrew!!! Great tour of BLM lands, inside Canyonlands and the White Rock Rim trail, and then departing via the Switchback Rd, looping back through Long Canyon before heading.
Response from Host, May 2026
Hello,
We're so glad to hear you enjoyed your tour of the Island in the Sky district of Canyonlands. We are thrilled to read "not the typical tourist tour" as that is exactly the experience we strive to provide. Thank you for your review and kind words regarding Andrew.
Best,
Corey
Tour was wonderful! Great guide, comfortable travel … loved every minute. Cool evening so be sure to bring a jacket
We really enjoyed our half day tour with Ben V. He is very knowledgeable of Moab and Canyonlands. Would definitely recommend the Canyonlands 1/2 day tour.
I had a fantastic experience on the Navtech guided tour through Canyonlands National Park! Our guide, Ben V. was very knowledgeable and made the trip super fun!
Fantastic tour from a totally different perspective! Adam, our drive, was great and very knowledgeable and a lot of fun. Highly recommend!!
Really enjoyed the back country tour and all the insight we gained from Ron. The views were simply amazing and it was nice to get away from all the crowds. Ron is very knowledgeable with a low key personality and very accommodating. We deeply enjoyed the day.
Outstanding tour. Guides were friendly and knowledgeable. Views spectacular. Totally recommend this experience
Doing this tour was a great opportunity to experience Canyonlands in a way not possible had we done it on our own. Seth is a great guide. His geological background was a real bonus!
This tour is great & allows you to see Canyonlands from so many perspectives. Adam was awesome.. a competent driver and a great guide. The heights made some of our group anxious & he handled them with grace and respect.
What a great way to experience Canyon Lands. Picked up at the hotel, and away we went. Ron was the best guide! He had so much information and passion for the area. His desire to share not only the sites but also the history of the area really enhanced our appreciation of this National Park. We are both so glad that we made this a part of our Itinerary. We also feel that we totally lucked out by having Ron as our guide. Thanks again for a memorable day in Moab!
Member Pricing
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$228.00
per personWas $240.00(-5%)
up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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