Arches National Park Backcountry: Escape The Crowds
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September 2026
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Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
4.8/5
Based on 2,051 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Arches National Park Backcountry: Escape The Crowds worth booking?
Arches National Park Backcountry: Escape The Crowds is a 4-hour experience in Moab, United States, from $200 per person. It scores 84 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Exceptional”, based on a 4.8/5 rating across 2,051 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 84 / 100
- Rating
- 4.8/5 (2,051)
- Duration
- 4 hours
- From
- $200 per person
Experience the hidden side of Arches National Park on a refined overland journey. Traveling aboard a Toyota Land Cruiser, you’ll leave the pavement behind and venture deep into remote terrain rarely experienced by most p
What you get
About this experience
Experience the hidden side of Arches National Park on a refined overland journey. Traveling aboard a Toyota Land Cruiser, you’ll leave the pavement behind and venture deep into remote terrain rarely experienced by most park visitors. Your journey begins near Utahraptor State Park, where dinosaur tracks mark the beginning of a landscape shaped over millions of years. From there, enter the park and pass iconic formations including Balanced Rock before climbing rugged sandstone ledges into the backcountry. Wind through towering fins, sculpted spires, and the dramatic formations while your expert guide shares the geology, ecology, and human history of canyon country. Optional walks to Tower Arch, Eye of the Whale, and secluded slickrock viewpoints offer opportunities to explore beyond the road and experience the stillness of the desert away from the crowds Designed for travelers seeking depth, access, and authenticity, this journey offers a more intimate way to experience the landscape
What's included
Included
- Licensed experienced local guide
- National Park Tour by Four Wheel Drive Vehicle
- Ice water & lemonade (bring your own bottle)
Not included
- Gratuity
- Soft drinks/food (you're welcome to bring your own)
- Car or booster seats for children 7 years old and under
- Entrance fees
What you'll see and do
Arches National Park
Visit Arches National Park on a 4-wheel drive (4WD) tour that features spectacular sandstone arches and access to areas that most visitors don't see. An expert guide will maneuver your 4WD past red rock highlights such as Marching Men, Tower Arch and Eye of the Whale. Experience these monuments and more up close and learn about the park’s wildlife and history.
240 minutes here
This 5-hour tour even includes a stop to see fossilized dinosaur tracks, left behind millions of years ago when dinosaurs roamed the region.
10 minutes here · Admission included
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 .
20 minutes here · Admission included
Tower Arch
An optional hike to the awe-inspiring Tower Arch begins at the foot of the bluff, where the 4WD road ends. From here, the route is rocky and steep, though short. Tower Arch itself is very large with a 92-foot span and can be viewed from the trailhead for those opting out.
30 minutes here · Admission included
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Moab
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.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
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.
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 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- NAVTEC Expeditions
Know before you go
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- 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
- 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)
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 2,050 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
9 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
4 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Photo opportunities
3 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Physical effort
2 mentionsExpect real walking or climbing: reviewers mention the effort involved.
Traveler reviews
2,050 verified traveler reviews for Arches National Park Backcountry: Escape The Crowds. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Wild trip through Arches!!
Our guide Matt took our group yesterday for the evening tour through Arches and it was a memorable experience for all of us, to say the least. We requested hotel pickup and Navtec took care of all the details. Matt was an incredible guide with a wealth of knowledge about the history and geology of the park. We were driven to a number of stops with incredible views that allowed us to appreciate the majestic views in solitude. Matt was supportive and kind and tailored our trip to the unique needs of our group. We’re all incredibly grateful for the experience and Matt’s generous efforts to ensure we were all safe and had fun. It was an otherworldly trip we’ll never forget!
via Tripadvisor
If you’re interested, in...
If you’re interested, in way off road touring, this is it. Guide Adam was great. not for anybody who has motion, sickness, that’s for sure.
Response from the operator: Hi Steven, Thanks for taking the time to leave us a review and for the recommendation! We'd be happy to take you out on another adventure anytime. Best, Sierra
via Viator
Impressed by NAVTEC
My wife and I booked a Back country tour that promised to avoid the crowds at Arches. We made the right decision. We knew very little about Moab, UT. Admittedly, I thought we were simply going to see the arches on the UT license plate. I’m an idiot. Our tour guide Warren was full of facts and energy. It felt as if my wife and I were on a safari but instead of wild game we were hunting arches, (Apparently there are thousands), where we could experience them alone. I’m serious. We were guided by Warren to postcard-like locations and he carefully had us climb up and sit under these monstrous formations and No One Else Was There. Warren was full of historical, geological and pop culture facts and kept up a steady conversation while maneuvering us safely off-road that would have been impossible for most vehicles to navigate. He stopped when asked for photos but I reality the places he took us where more magical that any of the spots I thought were worthy of a picture. Bottom line. You can go where everyone else is going and you will feel like you are at Disney world or you can go where NAVTEC can take you and you will have it all by yourself. My favorite memory was when Warren, my wife and I were sitting in the shade under an arch looking at the vast formations that went on as far as the eyes could see and asked us to be quite. “Can you hear that?” We listened. Warren said, “ That’s what silence sounds like.” AMAZING!!!! Do what it takes to get on this tour. If it’s your first visit it may be the introduction to this vast park that has you return again and again. I’m already planning a trip to see the Arches during the winter.
via Tripadvisor
We had such a great time...
We had such a great time ! We got to go to places few people do. And Adam was such a great guide. We learned so much about the geology of the area and how all there amazing thing we were seeing came to be. I highly recommend this tour!
Response from the operator: Hi Kate, We are so happy to hear that you had a great time on your Arches tour with Adam. We agree that it is such an incredible landscape! Thanks for taking the time to leave us a five star review. Best, Sierra
via Viator
Family backcountry tour with teens
Navtec provided an awesome tour and we loved our guide Marcia. My 13yo said it was the most fun tour she has ever been on!
Response from the operator: Hi there, Thank you for taking the time to leave us this great review. We are so happy to hear that your 13 year old thought it was the most fun tour! We would be happy to take you out an another adventure anytime. Best, Sierra
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 4 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $200 to $220
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 718
- Verdict
- Exceptional
Why this scores 84
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Arches National Park Backcountry: Escape The Crowds: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Moab.
How much does Arches National Park Backcountry: Escape The Crowds cost?
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Prices start at $200 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: Escape The Crowds take?
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Plan for about 4 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: Escape The Crowds worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 84 out of 100, which we label "Exceptional". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.8/5 across 2,051 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable most popular in Moab, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Arches National Park Backcountry: Escape The Crowds?
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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: Escape The Crowds suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 4-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Arches National Park Backcountry: Escape The Crowds?
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Around 718 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-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Arches National Park Backcountry: Escape The Crowds 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.
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