
Arches National Park Backcountry 4X4 Tour
Traveler rating
4.9/5
Based on 100 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Arches National Park Backcountry 4X4 Tour worth booking?
Arches National Park Backcountry 4X4 Tour is a 4.5-hour experience in Moab, United States, from $213 per person. It scores 74 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 4.9/5 rating across 100 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 74 / 100
- Rating
- 4.9/5 (100)
- Duration
- 4.5 hours
- From
- $213 per person
Experience Arches National Park the way it was meant to be seen—Our exclusive permits allow us remote access off the beaten path. The adventure begins in Utah Raptor State Park to visit fossilized dinosaur tracks on our off-road route into the park. Sit back and take in the views from a climate-controlled 4x4 built specifically to handle this demanding terrain. Your guide will dig into the human history and geology of the region, traveling over the shifting salt valley beds that engineered the world's highest concentration of natural stone Arches. Discover hidden landmarks most visitors miss like the Eye of the Whale. Tucked away in Herdina Park, it is an incredibly quiet pocket of the park. As we transition out of the backcountry, the route showcases the park’s heavy hitters. We take in expansive views of Balanced Rock, the Windows Section, and gain a glimpse of the famous Delicate Arch giving you a flawless overview of the park on your way back to Moab.
What you get
About this experience
Experience Arches National Park the way it was meant to be seen—Our exclusive permits allow us remote access off the beaten path. The adventure begins in Utah Raptor State Park to visit fossilized dinosaur tracks on our off-road route into the park. Sit back and take in the views from a climate-controlled 4x4 built specifically to handle this demanding terrain. Your guide will dig into the human history and geology of the region, traveling over the shifting salt valley beds that engineered the world's highest concentration of natural stone Arches. Discover hidden landmarks most visitors miss like the Eye of the Whale. Tucked away in Herdina Park, it is an incredibly quiet pocket of the park. As we transition out of the backcountry, the route showcases the park’s heavy hitters. We take in expansive views of Balanced Rock, the Windows Section, and gain a glimpse of the famous Delicate Arch giving you a flawless overview of the park on your way back to Moab.
What's included
Included
- Bottled water
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Snacks
Not included
- Gratuity not included but always appreciated
- Entrance fees
What you'll see and do
Arches National Park
This tour explores the backcountry of Arches National Park in approximately 4 hours. You will ride along in one of our 4x4 backcountry vehicles with heat and a/c for optimal comfort during all seasons. Throughout this half day experience you will learn all about the parks, history, and geology of the Moab area. Your guide will point out Arch formations, and other towering landscapes along the way. Since our tours are private we can stop for photos at any point. Sights on this tour include but are not limited to Marching Men, Tower Arch and Eye of the Whale Arch. This tour will include both pavement sections and 4x4 road sections that are not paved. Water and snacks are always provided for free. This tour includes your National Park Entry fee. You DO NOT need a reservation in Arches National Park to participate in this tour.
Pass by without stopping
Utahraptor Park
Before crossing into the national park, our off-road route cuts directly through Utahraptor State Park, home to one of the densest Early Cretaceous dinosaur bone beds in North America. Here, we leave the 4x4 for a short walk to examine fossilized dinosaur tracks permanently stamped into the desert stone. Your guide will decode these ancient footprints, introducing you to the prehistoric hunters—including the massive, fearsome Utahraptor—that ruled this exact terrain millions of years before the arches even formed.
20 minutes here · Admission included
Eye of the Whale Arch
Eye of the Whale Arch is located in the Herdina Park area of Arches. An optional 1/2 mile hike leads you under the arch to an outcropping of seldom visited red rock formations
30 minutes here
Balanced Rock Trail
Standing over 128 feet tall, Balanced Rock is one of the park’s ultimate heavy hitters, but it’s a lot more than just a great photo stop. Your guide will show you how this massive, 3,500-ton block of Entrada Sandstone is performing a high-wire balancing act atop a shrinking pedestal of softer Dewey Bridge mudstone. It is a perfect, real-time demonstration of how different rock layers erode at different speeds, offering a striking reminder that this ancient landscape is constantly changing right before our eyes.
Pass by without stopping
Upper Delicate Arch Viewpoint
No trip to Arches is complete without seeing the park’s crowning jewel. Our route brings us to a overlook, offering a classic long-distance view of Delicate Arch.
15 minutes here
Windows
This spectacular zone features the highest concentration of massive spans in the entire park, including North Window, South Window, Turret Arch, and the towering Double Arch. Your guide will point out the massive cavernous openings of Double Arch—famously featured in the opening scene of Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade as the hidden cave of the Cross of Coronado. Beyond the movie magic, you’ll discover how these immense amphitheaters were hollowed out from the inside out, creating some of the most dramatic overhead architecture in the American Southwest.
Pass by without stopping
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Moab
2182 US 191 is South of downtown moab. Please do not rely on GPS alone to find us. Starting from the center of town head SOUTH on 191, we will be located on the right hand side of the street, located inside Moab Reservation Center and Xtreme 4x4 Tours
Hotel pickup
Pickup is available for selected locations. Pickup begins about 15 minutes before departure.
Ends at
2182 US 191 is South of downtown moab. Please do not rely on GPS alone to find us. Starting from the center of town head SOUTH on 191, we will be located on the right hand side of the street, located inside Moab Reservation Center and Xtreme 4x4 Tours
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 6 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Moab Scenic Adventures
Know before you go
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Please book separate reservations for groups over 6. Your group will travel together in separate vehicles.
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 96 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
9 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
The guide
7 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Traveler reviews
96 verified traveler reviews for Arches National Park Backcountry 4X4 Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Mike is Best Tour Guide in Arches
Mike, our tour guide with Moab Scenic Adventures, was the best. He loved his job and it showed. He was knowledgeable about the history and rock formations in Arches. Mike was also accommodating by showing us what we wanted to see along with showing us some rarely seen views of the park. The most enjoyable part of our tour, was that Mike made it fun. His insight and tidbits are something everyone should experience.
via Tripadvisor
Not once but twice
Extreme 4x4 was very helpful designing our experience and we also booked another adventure with them which is the ultimate review
via Tripadvisor
Fun with Tyler!!
My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed this tour and our time with Tyler. He was prompt, very friendly, and knowledgeable about the area. We really had a fun time with him! Highly recommend this tour!! Mark and Vera from Texas
Response from the operator: Thank you so much, Mark and Vera, for taking the time to share your wonderful experience! We're thrilled to hear you had such a great time on your tour, and enjoyed you time with Tyler. We truly appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you back for another adventure in the future.
via Viator
Beautiful
Professional, knowledgeable, beautiful. We enjoyed this experience. Light hiking, water and snacks, overall great experience.
via Viator
Arches backcountry
Went with guide Jack, very knowledgeable and personable, making for an amazing experience!
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 4.5 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $213 to $225
- Hotel pickup
- Available for selected locations
- Booked in 30 days
- 35
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Who runs this experience
Operated by Moab Scenic Adventures, who run 5 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 64.6.
See everything Moab Scenic Adventures runsWhy this scores 74
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Arches National Park Backcountry 4X4 Tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Moab.
How much does Arches National Park Backcountry 4X4 Tour cost?
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Prices start at $213 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Moab usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Arches National Park Backcountry 4X4 Tour take?
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Plan for about 4.5 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Moab is not rushed.
Is Arches National Park Backcountry 4X4 Tour worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 74 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.9/5 across 100 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Moab, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Arches National Park Backcountry 4X4 Tour?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Arches National Park Backcountry 4X4 Tour suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 4.5-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Arches National Park Backcountry 4X4 Tour?
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Around 35 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Moab can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Moab and add a light layer if any part of the 4.5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Arches National Park Backcountry 4X4 Tour start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Moab within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Moab?
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Moab is the gateway to Arches and Canyonlands: sunrise arch tours, 4x4 runs on Hell's Revenge, Colorado River rafting, canyoneering and dark-sky stargazing. Park entry timing systems change often, so we weight tours that handle reservations for you. On Outty we rank every Moab experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include HIGHLY RATED U-DRIVE Moab Hell’s Revenge UTV Off-Road Adventure, BEST! Hell's Revenge U-Drive 4X4 Tour in Moab +Dinosaur Tracks!, 5-STAR Moab Hell's Revenge UTV U-DRIVE TOUR + DINO TRACKS. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Moab?
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April to May and September to October, avoiding peak summer heat. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Moab?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
What is included in Arches National Park Backcountry 4X4 Tour?
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Included: Bottled water; In-vehicle air conditioning; and Snacks. Not included: Gratuity not included but always appreciated; and Entrance fees. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Does Arches National Park Backcountry 4X4 Tour include hotel pickup?
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Yes, pickup is offered, or you can meet at the start point instead from 46 listed pickup locations in and around Moab. Be ready about 15 minutes before the start time.
What languages is Arches National Park Backcountry 4X4 Tour offered in?
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It runs in English. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Arches National Park Backcountry 4X4 Tour?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
Is Arches National Park Backcountry 4X4 Tour wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Arches National Park Backcountry 4X4 Tour if the weather is bad?
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This experience depends on good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.
What do travelers say about Arches National Park Backcountry 4X4 Tour?
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Across 100 reviews averaging 4.9 out of 5, recurring themes include knowledge and storytelling, the guide. Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
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