Canyonlands National Park Backcountry Adventure
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September 2026
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Who is going?
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
4.9/5
Based on 1,120 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Canyonlands National Park Backcountry Adventure worth booking?
Canyonlands National Park Backcountry Adventure is a 4-hour experience in Moab, United States, from $220 per person. It scores 85 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Exceptional”, based on a 4.9/5 rating across 1,120 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 85 / 100
- Rating
- 4.9/5 (1,120)
- Duration
- 4 hours
- From
- $220 per person
Discover the wild beauty of Canyonlands National Park on this half-day 4x4 adventure through the Island in the Sky district. Travel deep into the park aboard a custom 4x4 Toyota Land Cruiser as your expert local guide na
What you get
About this experience
Discover the wild beauty of Canyonlands National Park on this half-day 4x4 adventure through the Island in the Sky district. Travel deep into the park aboard a custom 4x4 Toyota Land Cruiser as your expert local guide navigates steep switchbacks sandstone ledges, and sections of the legendary White Rim Road. Along the way, learn about the geology, ecology, and ancient cultures that shaped this rugged landscape, including remnants of Ancestral Puebloan history. With fewer crowds, incredible scenery, and access to remote terrain most visitors never experience, this tour offers an unforgettable introduction to the raw beauty and adventure of Canyonlands. This tour is ideal for travelers who want to experience the rugged beauty of Canyonlands beyond the paved viewpoints—without committing to a full-day adventure. It’s perfect for photographers, families, first-time visitors to Moab, and anyone looking for a comfortable but adventurous introduction to the backcountry.
What's included
Included
- Pick-up from your hotel or campground, if needed
- Professional guide
- National Park Tour by Four Wheel Drive Vehicle
- Ice Water
Not included
- 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)
What you'll see and do
Potash Road
Our first stop is along Scenic Byway 279 at a petroglyph rock art site. Guides provide insight to the people who passed this way and left markings on the canyon walls.
15 minutes here · Admission included
Utah Scenic Byway 279 Rock Art Sites
The Rock Art Sites of Moab offer travelers easy access to ancient drawings scattered along paths even a novice can navigate.
15 minutes here · Admission included
Island in the Sky
We enter Canyonlands National Park on the 4WD trial and take a short trip along the White Rim. This prominent sandstone formation wraps for 100 miles around the Island in the Sky.
60 minutes here · Admission not included
Musselman Arch
Our excursion along the White Rim follows the trail along a bench to Musselman Arch. Guests take a short 300' stroll to see this amazing natural stone arch.
30 minutes here · Admission not included
Shafer Trail Viewpoint
We backtrack along the White Rim Trail to the iconic switchbacks of the Shafer Trail. This old cattle trail climbs 1000' to the rim of Island in the Sky with magnificent views of the backcountry of Canyonlands. The 4X4 trail ends at scenic byway 313.
Pass by without stopping
Canyonlands National Park
This 4 hour guided interpretive tour starts along the banks of the Colorado River and travels into Canyonlands on 4WD roads up to the mesa of Island in the Sky.
Pass by without stopping
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 12 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- NAVTEC Expeditions
Know before you go
- 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 1,120 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
5 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Photo opportunities
3 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Traveler reviews
1,120 verified traveler reviews for Canyonlands National Park Backcountry Adventure. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Best Way to See Canyonlands
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.
via Viator
Not for us
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 the operator: 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
via Viator
Absolutely stunning scenery. No hiking required! The 104 degree day didn’t keep us from enjoying the natural beauty !
John, the self proclaimed “old guy”, was our guide. He was a wealth of knowledge and history about the area, geology, and all the Western movies that were filmed in the desert. Salty snacks and cold water were on the truck. It was quite hot the day we went so we stopped several times. The entire journey was filled with beauty and rugged nature. The roads were very rugged and some were not really roads so prepare for some rocking and bouncing. Bring a battery charger. I took so many photos!!!
via Tripadvisor
Excellent Guided Tour,...
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 the operator: 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
via Viator
Canyonlands Tour
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 the operator: 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
via Viator
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
- $220 to $240
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 392
- Verdict
- Exceptional
Why this scores 85
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Canyonlands National Park Backcountry Adventure: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Moab.
How much does Canyonlands National Park Backcountry Adventure cost?
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Prices start at $220 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 Canyonlands National Park Backcountry Adventure 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 Canyonlands National Park Backcountry Adventure worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 85 out of 100, which we label "Exceptional". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.9/5 across 1,120 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 Canyonlands National Park Backcountry Adventure?
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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 Canyonlands National Park Backcountry Adventure 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 Canyonlands National Park Backcountry Adventure?
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Around 392 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 Canyonlands National Park Backcountry Adventure 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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