Do I need to know how to drive a UTV?

No — rides can be guided with a driver provided, but many tours allow passengers to swap and try driving on tame sections; guides brief all drivers on safety.

What is the minimum age or weight limit?

Age and weight limits vary by operator; check at booking but expect minimum ages for drivers and family-friendly passenger allowances.

Are helmets provided?

Most operators supply helmets and safety equipment; confirm with the booking if you require child helmets or special sizes.

How close do we get to archaeological sites and petroglyphs?

Guides respect protected cultural sites and will point out areas from a respectful distance; digging or collecting is prohibited.

What happens in bad weather?

Monsoon storms or high winds may force route changes or cancellations for safety; operators typically offer rebooking or refunds per their policy.

Can I bring a camera bag or tripod?

Yes, but pack small and secure items; large tripods can be cumbersome on a UTV — a compact tripod or stabilizer is recommended.

Grand Staircase Round-Up: UTV Adventure Through Kanab’s Hidden Canyons | ATV/UTV | Sightseeing Tour

Adventure Brief

Spend eight hours behind the wheel of a side-by-side UTV exploring rarely seen canyons, double arches, and slickrock overlooks in Grand Staircase-Escalante. This guided tour from Kanab delivers remote geology, photo stops, and off-road thrills in a single, well-run day trip.

8 hours

moderate

From $668.29

The Grand Staircase Round-Up UTV Tour launches from Kanab, Utah, and spends a full day carving a route deep into Grand Staircase-Escalante’s raw backcountry. Departing from 681 Chinle Dr, Kanab, UT 84741, USA, this eight-hour ride stitches together open desert roads, narrow slickrock ledges, and secret-sided canyons that most visitors never see. Drivers and passengers climb into side-by-side UTVs and trade pavement for a landscape of high plateaus, deep washes, and sculpted sandstone. Key features along the way include double arches carved into soft sandstone, narrow slot cuts that light up when the sun hits them, and broad overlooks that reveal the layered bands of the Grand Staircase. Much of the ride crosses Navajo and Carmel sandstone formations; expect the rounded domes, thin fins, and sweeping slickrock that define this stretch of southern Utah. Plant life is sparse but striking — pinyon and juniper cling to ledges while desert wildflowers pick out color in spring. This trip is a guide-led, full-day excursion ideal for travelers who want an efficient, high-adrenaline way to experience remote geology without a multi-day backcountry plan. Knowledgeable local guides read the terrain, point out geological history, and find photo-ready spots where arches and fins frame the horizon. The UTVs make it possible to reach canyons and overlooks that would otherwise demand hours of hiking, so photographers and families with limited time can still stand inside slotted walls and beneath natural arches. Cultural notes arise naturally: Grand Staircase-Escalante holds Native American petroglyphs and traces of frontier-era travel, though specific archaeological sites are protected and off-limits; guides will respect and explain local history without disturbing sites. Conservation matters here — staying on established vehicle routes and packing out waste helps preserve fragile cryptobiotic soil and delicate sandstone surfaces. Why choose this operator? The tour converts the remote scale of Grand Staircase into an accessible day trip. For visitors based in Kanab, it’s an efficient way to see hoodoos, arches, and expansive canyon country in a single outing, especially during shoulder seasons when the light is dramatic and the temperatures are forgiving. Practical perks: rest breaks at scenic overlooks, multiple photo stops, and the chance to compare vantage points from both vehicle and short, guided walks. If you want wide, wild Utah vistas paired with the thrill of off-road travel, The Grand Staircase Round-Up UTV Tour delivers a concentrated, well-run sample of Grand Staircase-Escalante’s best remote scenery. Expect frequent stops for water, clear safety briefings, and options to swap drivers; bring day’s supply of water, wide-angle lens for dramatic foregrounds, and layered clothing to handle desert sun and canyon shade—this mix of adrenaline, geology, and guided access makes the tour the truly most efficient way to read Utah’s ancient rock record.

About Kanab Tour Company

Kanab Tour Company is a licensed outfitter and guide service based in Kanab, Utah, offering a diverse range of guided outdoor experiences across Southern Utah.

The company coordinates ATV and UTV tours, slot canyon canyoneering, national park day trips, and multi-day desert expeditions designed for a variety of skill levels. Operating from Kanab, guides lead trips to nearby destinations including Bryce Canyon, Zion National Park, the Grand Canyon North Rim approaches, Hog Canyon, South Fork Indian Canyon, and Coral Pink Sand Dunes. Trips include helmet and gear provision for motorized tours, guided rappels and technical support for canyoneering, and organized camping and photography instruction for extended desert expeditions. Services also include permit assistance through the Stand In for the BLM Lottery option to simplify backcountry access. Kanab Tour Company emphasizes safety, local route knowledge, and small-group guiding; guides provide route navigation, interpretive insights about geology and history, and hands-on support during technical sections. Booking options cover half-day, full-day, and multi-day itineraries, and many tours include snacks or lunch and bottled water. The business serves visitors seeking adventure riding, slot canyon descents, scenic national park hikes, and night-sky photography. With a focus on authentic Southern Utah experiences, Kanab Tour Company connects guests to iconic landscapes while handling logistics, equipment, and permits, making challenging routes accessible to capable participants. Reservations are available from the Kanab area; travelers should review trip details and physical requirements before booking. Customer questions about equipment, difficulty, and pickup logistics are addressed during booking and pre-trip communication process.