Is the rappelling portion mandatory?

No, the rappel through the Occulus arch is optional and guides will ensure safety for those who choose to participate.

What should I bring on the tour?

Bring water, sturdy shoes, sun protection, and weather-appropriate clothing. Climbing gear is provided for rappelling.

Are there age or fitness restrictions?

Participants should be comfortable hiking on uneven terrain and capable of a 90-foot rappel if choosing that option; minimum age may apply.

Is prior rappelling experience required?

No prior experience is necessary; guides provide instruction and safety equipment for all skill levels.

How remote is the location?

The tour takes place in a remote desert area near Hanksville, Utah, accessible by vehicle but requiring preparation for wilderness conditions.

What wildlife might be seen?

Visitors often spot desert birds, lizards, and occasionally mule deer during the tour.

Occulus Canyon Hiking & Rappelling with Get In The Wild | Hiking

Located in the heart of Utah’s San Rafael Swell, Get In The Wild Adventures offers the Occulus Canyon Tour—a half-day adventure that delivers a full spectrum of rugged canyon experiences. This trip plunges visitors into the thick of Navajo sandstone country where towering, orange-hued canyon walls carved by eons of wind and water rise dramatically. Hikers follow a twisting slot canyon, where the sun filters through narrow cracks and lights up desert varnish streaks that coat the rock surfaces like ancient paint strokes.

One of the tour’s standout features is the inspection of remarkable Barrier-style pictographs, echoing the stories and cultures of the Ancient Puebloan peoples who once called this region home. These rock paintings anchor the journey with a historical pulse, bridging past and present beneath the open sky.

After the canyon trek, the route ascends to a panoramic summit, offering 360-degree views that stretch across Robbers Roost, Canyonlands, Bears Ears, and the distant Henry Mountains. This vantage point is a rare chance to absorb the vast, wild landscape that defines the San Rafael Swell.

The ultimate highlight awaits at the natural arch known as the Occulus. From here, adventurous guests can opt to free-rappel 90 feet through this vast sandstone skylight into a wide alcove below—a thrilling descent that combines technical skill with natural grandeur.

Get In The Wild Adventures anchors itself as a vital outdoor partner in Hanksville, Utah, linking visitors directly with the geological and cultural richness of one of the West’s most hauntingly beautiful wilderness areas. This tour cleverly blends hiking, geology, history, and adrenaline into an accessible yet unforgettable experience for those eager to move beyond traditional trails.

About Get In The Wild Adventures

Get In The Wild Adventures is a Utah-based guiding company specializing in canyoneering, backpacking, and cultural tours across Southern Utah's redrock country. The company offers a broad roster of experiences ranging from 1-day Introduction to Canyoneering trips up to multi-day Technical Canyoneering Courses and Canyoneering Basecamp Expeditions. Programs include vehicle-supported basecamps, hands-on workshops, and specialty courses such as Advanced Anchor and keeper-pothole rescue instruction.

Instruction is delivered in outdoor classrooms and real canyon settings like Bluejohn Canyon and technical routes including Leprechaun and Mindbender. Courses teach rope skills, anchor systems, rappelling, pothole escapes, and group leadership techniques. Additional offerings include backpacking excursions, a Red Rock Yoga and Hiking Retreat, Wild West & Outlaw Tours that explore historical outlaw sites, and logistical services like vehicle shuttles.

Get In The Wild Adventures emphasizes safety, practical skills, and small-group learning. Expert instructors focus on progressive skill development — from introductory rappels and gear selection to advanced physics-based anchor building for Class 3B canyons. Trip formats include single-day outings, weekend workshops, and extended basecamp expeditions, making options accessible to beginners and advanced participants alike.

All program descriptions, locations, and technical ratings are program-specific and tied to Southern Utah landscapes such as the Robbers Roost Wilderness and the San Rafael Swell. Customers can expect structured curricula, hands-on practice, and opportunities to explore remote wilderness while developing confidence and leadership in canyoneering and backcountry travel.