Pick Your Park: Private Day Tours from Salt Lake City to Utah's National Parks
Difficulty
moderate
Duration
8–14 hours
Fitness Level
Moderate fitness recommended — you should be comfortable walking 2–5 miles with elevation changes.
Overview
Choose your park and spend a day driving from Salt Lake City into Utah’s emblematic landscapes. This private tour gives groups up to six the flexibility to hike iconic overlooks, explore backcountry dirt roads, and learn the geology and history that shaped each park.
Pick Your Park: Private Day Tours from Salt Lake City to Utah's National Parks
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The van eases out of Salt Lake City's grid and the Wasatch Range slides rearward like a folded map. In the front seat, a guide sketches the day: red stone amphitheaters, wind-sculpted fins, and a dirt road that might jolt the vehicle into a different century. For a group of up to six, this is a choose-your-own-adventure through Utah’s most singular landscapes — Arches, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, Goblin Valley, or Bryce Canyon — each a different grammar of rock and sky.
Adventure Photos
Adventure Tips
Start before dawn
Leave Salt Lake City early to maximize cooler morning hours in the park and avoid midday crowds and heat.
Bring a Park Pass or cash
Have your America the Beautiful pass or payment ready — some parks have limited entry kiosks and seasonal lines.
Wear grippy shoes
Trails range from paved overlooks to loose dirt and slickrock; stable footwear reduces slips on uneven terrain.
Expect long drives
Plan for 3–4 hours of driving each way for most park choices and bring motion-sickness remedies if needed.
Local Insights
Wildlife
- Mule deer
- Golden eagles
History
This region preserves traces of Fremont and Ancestral Puebloan peoples and later Mormon pioneer roads; many trails follow historical routes.
Conservation
Stick to established trails and pack out waste; visiting in small private groups minimizes impact and helps protect fragile cryptobiotic soils.
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Adventure Hotspots in Salt Lake City
Frequently Asked Questions
Recommended Gear
Sturdy hiking shoes
Support and traction for uneven trails, slickrock and short steep sections.
Hydration system (2–3L)
Long drives and dry air increase fluid needs; guides provide water but carry your own for hikes.
summer specific
Layered clothing
Temperatures can swing with elevation and wind — pack a light insulating layer and windproof shell.
Sun protection (hat, sunscreen, sunglasses)
High desert sun and reflective rock intensify UV exposure even on cool days.
summer specific