Tours/Moab/Canyonlands NP. Backcountry Morning or Afternoon 4X4 JEEP
Viator · group up to 12 pax

Canyonlands NP. Backcountry Morning or Afternoon 4X4 JEEP

4.9(492)Moab1 hour
VIATOR4.9(75)TRIPADVISOR5.0(417)

Description

On this half-day 4WD adventure from Moab, explore the rugged, red stone interior of Canyonlands National Park, where you’ll experience the beauty of the Island in the Sky district and the stunning Gooseneck Overlook. Your professional guide will navigate your vehicle down the switchbacks of the famous Shafer Trail, where you will not only see the remains of ancient Pueblo civilizations but also admire the canyon walls that drop 1,000 feet (300m) down. It’s an easy drive from Moab to Canyonlands, and the views of the meandering Colorado River help cap off this Utah adventure.

Tour Options

Isky
  • Duration: 4 hours 30 minutes Canyonlands Island in The Sky

Itinerary

Your tour begins in the town of Moab where you’ll meet your professional guide, who will help you get comfortably situated inside of the off-road, 4x4 vehicle. Enjoy the 30-mile (48km) drive from Moab to Canyonlands National Park, where you’ll 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, you’ll make stops with very photographic vistas of the Colorado River and the view from Thelma and Louise Point. In addition to the popular lookouts, your expert guide will take 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. You’ll 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 town of Moab to the spot where the tour began. **For the safety and comfort of all our National Park Backcountry Jeep tour guests, if the seat belt cannot be safely fastened, then this issue will need to be taken care of before the date of your tour. We encourage guests to address all seating needs when booking. We highly recommend not leaving any possible seating issues for the day of your tour. Our jeep tours are operated in 4-door Jeep Wranglers, and hold a max of 4 passengers, plus one of Adrift’s well trained, and knowledge guides as the driver. We fill all 4 passenger seats, in each of our jeeps, on a daily basis.

Your tour begins in the town of Moab where you’ll meet your professional guide, who will help you get comfortably situated inside of the off-road, 4x4 vehicle. Enjoy the 30-mile (48km) drive from Moab to Canyonlands National Park, where you’ll 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, you’ll make stops with very photographic vistas of the Colorado River and the view from Thelma and Louise Point. In addition to the popular lookouts, your expert guide will take 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. You’ll 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 town of Moab to the spot where the tour began. **For the safety and comfort of all our National Park Backcountry Jeep tour guests, if the seat belt cannot be safely fastened, then this issue will need to be taken care of before the date of your tour. We encourage guests to address all seating needs when booking. We highly recommend not leaving any possible seating issues for the day of your tour. Our jeep tours are operated in 4-door Jeep Wranglers, and hold a max of 4 passengers, plus one of Adrift’s well trained, and knowledge guides as the driver. We fill all 4 passenger seats, in each of our jeeps, on a daily basis.

Your tour begins in the town of Moab where you’ll meet your professional guide, who will help you get comfortably situated inside of the off-road, 4x4 vehicle. Enjoy the 30-mile (48km) drive from Moab to Canyonlands National Park, where you’ll 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, you’ll make stops with very photographic vistas of the Colorado River and the view from Thelma and Louise Point. In addition to the popular lookouts, your expert guide will take 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. You’ll 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 town of Moab to the spot where the tour began. **For the safety and comfort of all our National Park Backcountry Jeep tour guests, if the seat belt cannot be safely fastened, then this issue will need to be taken care of before the date of your tour. We encourage guests to address all seating needs when booking. We highly recommend not leaving any possible seating issues for the day of your tour. Our jeep tours are operated in 4-door Jeep Wranglers, and hold a max of 4 passengers, plus one of Adrift’s well trained, and knowledge guides as the driver. We fill all 4 passenger seats, in each of our jeeps, on a daily basis.

Your tour begins in the town of Moab where you’ll meet your professional guide, who will help you get comfortably situated inside of the off-road, 4x4 vehicle. Enjoy the 30-mile (48km) drive from Moab to Canyonlands National Park, where you’ll 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, you’ll make stops with very photographic vistas of the Colorado River and the view from Thelma and Louise Point. In addition to the popular lookouts, your expert guide will take 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. You’ll 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 town of Moab to the spot where the tour began. **For the safety and comfort of all our National Park Backcountry Jeep tour guests, if the seat belt cannot be safely fastened, then this issue will need to be taken care of before the date of your tour. We encourage guests to address all seating needs when booking. We highly recommend not leaving any possible seating issues for the day of your tour. Our jeep tours are operated in 4-door Jeep Wranglers, and hold a max of 4 passengers, plus one of Adrift’s well trained, and knowledge guides as the driver. We fill all 4 passenger seats, in each of our jeeps, on a daily basis.

Your tour begins in the town of Moab where you’ll meet your professional guide, who will help you get comfortably situated inside of the off-road, 4x4 vehicle. Enjoy the 30-mile (48km) drive from Moab to Canyonlands National Park, where you’ll 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, you’ll make stops with very photographic vistas of the Colorado River and the view from Thelma and Louise Point. In addition to the popular lookouts, your expert guide will take 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. You’ll 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 town of Moab to the spot where the tour began. **For the safety and comfort of all our National Park Backcountry Jeep tour guests, if the seat belt cannot be safely fastened, then this issue will need to be taken care of before the date of your tour. We encourage guests to address all seating needs when booking. We highly recommend not leaving any possible seating issues for the day of your tour. Our jeep tours are operated in 4-door Jeep Wranglers, and hold a max of 4 passengers, plus one of Adrift’s well trained, and knowledge guides as the driver. We fill all 4 passenger seats, in each of our jeeps, on a daily basis.

Pass by

Cataract Canyon is a 46-mile-long canyon of the Colorado River located within Canyonlands National Park and Glen Canyon National Recreation Area in southern Utah.

Pass by

Corona Arch is a natural sandstone arch near Moab. The arch is located within the same rock formation as Pinto Arch and Bowtie Arch.

Pass by

Drive the backcountry of the island in the sky district along the white rim trail

Pass by

Drive along this scenic HWY to the Shafer trail.

Highlights

Ice water and snacks
Air-conditioned vehicle
Parking available at the office
Experienced, knowledgeable guide

What's included

Included
Ice water and snacks
Air-conditioned vehicle
Parking available at the office
Experienced, knowledgeable guide
Not included
Gratuities
Car infant seat (required by Utah State Law for children 8 years and younger or under 57 inches)
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Lunch

Traveller Ratings

4.9
492 reviews
5
473
4
15
3
0
2
1
1
3

Important Information

  • Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Please call our office to reconfirm tour the day before your scheduled tour date.
  • We advise that is you are, or anyone in your party is, over 6'2" and/or 225+ pounds to please consult the tour office prior to your trip's departure date.
  • The Jeep Wranglers used have four passenger seats, and the guide/driver has all guests rotate seats throughout the trip. This makes it so that one person is not stuck in the same seat for the entire trip.
  • Not recommended for those with motion sickness, vertigo, etc.
  • Due to these tours being 'backcountry' tours, you will be going off the paved roads in an elevated vehicle that has the clearance for these special off-road trails.
  • Things to bring: water bottle (free refills available), sunglasses, sunscreen, visor/hat, sun protection, sturdy footwear for hiking, day pack, camcorders and cameras (bring at your own risk)

Reviews(492)

M
melissarB7785EN
July 8, 2026
Do it! You won't regret it.

Im so happy I booked this tour! Rode in on Motorcycle so it was the most cost effective way to get to Thelma and Louise point. The switchbacks and views were incredible. I had Mark as a guide and he did an amazing job!

E
elizabethlQ9949II
June 30, 2026
Great Tour!

Enjoyed this Tour! We met Eric our driver/guide and hopped in the Jeep and off we went. It was so nice to be in AC and no dust flying in our face. Eric was very knowledgeable about the area and gave us lots of fun facts. The scenery was amazing. Plenty of restroom breaks. And LOTS of photo opportunities. We really enjoyed this tour.

Operator response

Thank you for the review!

I
isabellawK2206FE
June 30, 2026
Must do in Moab

We had Mark do our tour and he was amazing! Made us feel so comfortable and his knowledge of the area was so impressive. The tour was absolutely incredible and a must do if you are in the area! If you can definitely ask for Mark! He was amazing!

Operator response

Thank you!

P
Patti D
June 23, 2026
Excellent tour with a knowledgeable guide.

Our driver was excellent and a knowledgeable guide. He knew so much about the area as well the history and geology. We appreciated the air conditioned jeeps as it is very hot in June.

Operator response

Thank you!

J
Julia W
June 22, 2026
Great day

Phil was well versed in the surroundings and shared his knowledge in a way anyone could understand. Stopped in some great spots. He gave us ideas for what to do on our last day as well. Thanks for the great afternoon.

Operator response

Thank you for the review!

M
MeganL787
June 21, 2026
The heights were worth it

Bill our guide was phenomenal. He was clear, precise and detailed on our tour of the Backcountry of Canyonlands National Park. My six year old and I thoroughly enjoyed the bumpy ride, learning about the Petroglyphs, Potassium Harvesting, Uranium Mining and the forming of the Shafer Trail. It was awesome to get up close to the Mussleman Arch and learn so much about the Colorado and Green Rivers. The off-roading was a blase and we are thrilled with our experience. We would have never been able to experience this part of Canyonlands NP without a tour.

Operator response

Thank you!

E
Explorer09241047606
June 18, 2026
Go with the best.

Great experience. The views were fantastic. Phil was the guide. He was extremely knowledgeable and patient. Highly recommend.

Operator response

Thank you!

D
doncC5243ZN
June 12, 2026
Very rewarding excursion to explore the canyonlands

Mark was an outstanding guide—both incredibly knowledgeable and genuinely entertaining. His passion for creating a great experience truly stood out, as he made sure everyone felt welcomed and satisfied throughout the tour. He took the time to answer all of our questions and ensured we didn’t miss any of the highlights the canyons have to offer. I would highly recommend this jeep tour, especially if you have the chance to go with Mark!

Operator response

Thank you!

R
Ron_R
June 9, 2026
Wonderful

You get the full experience of seeing Canyonlands from the bottom to the top, Doug was amazing and was able to answer all of our questions in regards to the area.

Operator response

Thank you!

L
Leslie W
June 6, 2026
The only way to see Canyonlands

The tour was amazing! Our tour guide Mark was very knowledgeable and shared many fascinating facts about the Canyonlands we never would have known about the area. He pointed out petroglyphs that other visitors sped by. We really appreciated Mark‘s expert driving. The roads are very rough and having someone who knows the terrain is a big plus. I can’t imagine people who drive their own cars making it all the way.

Operator response

Thank you!

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