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(2,049)
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.
The bus I'm following right now from Faro to Lisbon, has 1 or more carecas tires and the establishment is horrible. Shakes everywhere.
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.
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!
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
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!
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
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
Hi there, We are glad that you had a fun time on the technical 4X4 trails. We must admit, we have more fun when it is steep and bumpy, too! Thank you for taking the time to leave us a 5 star review. Best, Sierra
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.
Hi there, We are so happy to hear that Marcia showed you a great time out in Arches. We'd love to take out again whenever you're back in the area! Best, Sierra
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.
Hi Robert, We really appreciate you taking the time to write us a detailed five star review. We agree that Abbie is a gem! Thank you so much for the recommendation and for highlighting her going above and beyond on your tour. We will be sure to share this with her. Best, Sierra
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!
Hi Lesley, We really appreciate you taking the time to write us this great review and highlight our guide Matt! We will be sure to pass this on for him to see. If you are ever in the area and want to go on another adventure with us, we'd love to have you again. Best, Sierra
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!
Hi there, We are so glad to hear that you had a great time in Arches with Seth. We will be sure to pass this great review on for him to see. Thank you for taking the time to write us a review! Best, Sierra
