Arches National Park Backcountry: Escape The Crowds
Description
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
Tour Options
Itinerary
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.
This 5-hour tour even includes a stop to see fossilized dinosaur tracks, left behind millions of years ago when dinosaurs roamed the region.
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 .
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.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- 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)
Reviews(2,044)
The ride was bumpy and sometimes very steep but this was a bonus! It is what added to a bit more fun and adventure to the outing. The proximity to the tower arch was great. Only a small hike to get to it
Marcia was the best guide ever. Extremely knowledgeable, tailored the trip to us and took ua to the coolest places. Highly recommend Marcia and this tour.
This was an excellent tour and a great way to experience Arches National Park. Our guide, Abbie, was friendly, knowledgeable, and enthusiastic throughout the trip. She provided informative commentary about the geology, history, and natural features of the park while ensuring that everyone had ample opportunity to enjoy the scenery and take photographs. Arches is a remarkable landscape, and the tour did an excellent job showcasing many of the park's most impressive features. The pace was comfortable, the vehicle was well suited to the terrain, and the overall experience was both enjoyable and informative. What I particularly appreciated was the opportunity to learn more about how the arches and other rock formations developed over time. The combination of spectacular scenery and knowledgeable interpretation made for a memorable experience. I have taken many guided tours over the years, and this was a very good one. Abbie did an excellent job, and I would not hesitate to recommend this tour to anyone visiting Moab and Arches National Park.
Loved the jeep ride tour through Arches! It was a great experience! We got to see arches up close and personal that you wouldn’t normally see on your own. Matt was a great tour guide. He kept us safe and very entertained and informed. It was a great day!
Awesome experience with Seth- he was super friendly and knowledgeable about the area, geology, and rock formations. He was a very skilled and careful driver and my son especially enjoyed the hikes and consideration from Seth. Would absolutely recommend this tour!
We had an awesome off road experience with Adam today to celebrate my husband’s birthday. Adam was very knowledgeable and informative on the tour and we felt very comfortable with his driving even though this was our first off-road trip into a national park. Would highly recommend because you’ll definitely see things that only experienced hikers would see, but from an air conditioned vehicle! Great tour for seniors!
Hi Cynthia, Please wish your husband a happy belated birthday from the team at Navtec. Thank you for choosing to spend this special day with us. We're so glad to hear that it was such an enjoyable experience. We strive to provide a safe yet exciting tour of the backcountry suitable for all ages so it warms our heart to read your remarks. We hope to have the opportunity to lead you on another expedition on your next visit to Moab! Best, Corey
We really enjoyed our experience. The guide shared many great facts and was very engaging. It was a little tight with three people in the back-seat bench, but thankfully, we had several opportunities to get out and explore, stretch our legs, etc. We would certainly book with them again.
Hello, We're so glad to hear that you enjoyed your tour of Arches National Park. Thank you for your review. We hope to have the opportunity to lead you on another expedition on your next visit to Moab! Best, Corey
Great day in Arches. Out guide Marcia was great. She was very knowledgeable and very funny. We were able to get very close to many arches.
Hello, We're thrilled to hear that you enjoyed your tour to the backcountry of Arches National Park. Thank you for your review and kind words regarding Marcia. Please keep Navtec in mind for your next visit to Moab! Best, Corey
We went on the sunset tour with Nav Tec and Seth. It was utterly brilliant. Seth was very helpful and informative- his geological knowledge was amazing and delivered in such a way as to teach without you realising how much knowledge you were able to absorb. Worth every penny - sorry, cent, and the sunset was awesome. We got to see things most people miss. Thanks Nav Tec and Seth.
Hello, We're ecstatic to hear that you enjoyed your tour of Arches so thoroughly. That is exactly the experience we strive to provide. Thank you for your review and many kind words about Seth. We'll be sure to pass along your remarks to him. We hope to see you again soon! Best, Corey
Our guide,Seth, was fantastic. He had a vast knowledge of the park and its history. He took us to unique spots for pictures that weren’t crowded. 100 % recommend.
Hello, We're so glad to hear you enjoyed your tour of Arches National Park. Thank you for your review and recommendation. We'll be sure to pass along your kind words to Seth. Please keep Navtec in mind for your next visit to Moab! Thanks again, Corey
