
moderate
2 days (full days)
Moderate fitness—comfortable walking on uneven terrain for up to 3 miles and brief climbs over slickrock.
Two full days of guided hiking and interpretation across Arches and Canyonlands, with private transport, gourmet picnic lunches, and flexible routes tuned to your group’s fitness. See Delicate Arch at close range and catch Mesa Arch at sunrise without the ticket hassle.
The van slips away from Moab before dawn, tires whispering across pavement that still holds last night’s desert chill. By the time the sky lightens the red stone has begun to heat, its faces catching the light like a slow-burning ember. A guide opens the door and the group steps out into a world carved by time: fins, fins become arches, mesas cut into canyons that drop away and dare you to look over the rim.

Early departures dodge the heat and crowds—Mesa Arch at first light is worth the alarm clock.
Wear shoes with good grip and step deliberately; sandstone offers poor traction when dusty or wet.
Carry at least 3 liters per person during summer and sip frequently—shade is rare on main trails.
Stay on designated trails and avoid climbing fragile formations; Leave No Trace rules apply in full.
The area holds long histories from Ancestral Puebloans to the Ute and Paiute; rock art and routes point to longstanding human relationships with the desert.
High visitation stresses fragile soils and cryptobiotic crust—stay on trails, avoid trampling crusts, and pack out all waste to reduce impact.
Essential for negotiating slickrock and uneven sandstone surfaces.
High sun exposure and dry air make frequent drinking crucial—carry ample water for the day.
summer specific
There’s little shade on primary trails and reflection off sandstone increases UV exposure.
summer specific
Temperatures swing from cool mornings to warm afternoons—layers keep you comfortable at sunrise and sunset.
fall specific