DURATION:
5 Days/4 Nights
AVAILABILITY:
Mar-Oct
GROUP SIZE:
Max 8-10
STARTS IN:
Salt Lake City
ENDS IN:
Salt Lake City
TRIP STYLE:
Lodging
March through the end of October is the perfect chance to explore Utah’s world renowned landscapes while resting at the day’s end in rustic luxury accommodations. Experience what southern Utah is all about as we travel through “Canyon Country” and work our way up the Colorado Plateau to some of the most incredible sights in the American Southwest. One iconic site after another, this tour will provide an unforgettable experience to see all 5 of Utah’s National Parks including Zion, Bryce Canyon, Arches, Canyonlands and Capitol Reef. Click here to learn more about our relaxed booking and travel options.
6+ Guests: $2299 per person
5 Guests: $2749 per person
4 Guests: $3199 per person
1-3 Guest(s): Call for pricing
Today, we’ll depart from Salt Lake City and drive through the beautiful Wasatch mountains en route to the incredible canyons of southern Utah. First up for the five National Parks is Canyonlands, known for being rough, rugged, and desolate…but with much beauty to behold! We will explore the district called Island In The Sky where we’ll hike to some outstanding viewpoints and see an iconic natural arch.
Additionally, we will stop at Dead Horse Point State Park for one of the most awe-inspiring views of the mighty Colorado River. This amazing place has been featured in many movies and television shows ranging from “Thelma & Louise” to HBO’s recent series “Westworld”.
This evening we’ll arrive to our rustic lodge and have a nice dinner.
Driving time: 4 Hours
Hiking: 3+ miles – Minimal elevation gain
Accommodation: Red Cliffs Inn, Hilton Moab, or similar in Moab, Utah
Wake up to breakfast included at your lodge and get ready to explore one of the greatest collections of natural arches on the planet at Arches National Park! We will depart early to view the Windows, Double Arch, and hike 3-miles round-trip to one of the most famous features in the entire southwest, Delicate Arch.
“A weird, lovely, fantastic object out of nature like Delicate Arch has the curious ability to remind us—like rock and sunlight and wind and wilderness—that out there is a different world, older and greater and deeper by far than ours” – Edward Abbey, Desert Solitaire
After some additional active options in Arches National Park, we make a trip to their visitor center before returning to Moab for a couple hours of down time at our campsite. Depending on group preference, some additional options this afternoon may include a visit to Castle Creek Winery and/or a visit to Castle Valley just outside of Moab. This evening, you will be dropped off in the town of Moab for an opportunity to shop and dine on your own. We’ll then pick you up and take back to your rustic lodge and allow you to relax for the rest of the night.
Driving time: Local
Hiking: 3-5 miles – 700+ feet elevation gain
Accommodation: Red Cliffs Inn, Hilton Moab, or similar in Moab, Utah
Departing from Moab, we drive 2 hours to our first adventure for the day at Goblin Valley State Park. This place is out of this world! It is hard to envision a more “alien-like” landscape than what you’ll see here. Small hoodoos, locally known as goblins, fill a former tidal plain and make for one of the most unique destinations in the American Southwest.
After Goblin Valley, we’ll enjoy one of America’s most scenic drives as we explore Capital Reef National Park for a possible hike to view a famous Natural Bridge. Capitol Reef National Park includes 241,904 acres of amazing red rock formations, cliffs, canyons and natural bridges. It is Utah’s wilderness at its best. Capitol Reef is also the least visited of Utah’s National Parks, so it’s definitely worth checking out! This evening we’ll arrive to our rustic lodge near Bryce Canyon National Park.
Driving time: 5 Hours
Hiking: 2-3 miles – 400+ feet elevation gain
Accommodation: Ruby’s Hotel or similar near Bryce Canyon City, Utah
This morning we will enter Bryce Canyon National Park just in time to capture the sun rising over a collection of sandstone spires called “hoodoos”. Explore several viewpoints before we descend into the Bryce Amphitheatre on “The world’s best 3-mile hike”. This trail is rated as moderate and is a wonderful way to view a variety of geology, flora, & fauna.
Later in the day we’ll head to our lodge just outside of Zion National Park! You’ll have plenty of time to enjoy the property before we have an incredible dinner.
Driving time: 2 Hours
Hiking: 3-4 miles – 600+ feet elevation gain
Accommodation: Lodging at Majestic View Lodge or similar
Today we explore our 5th National Park in 5 days at Zion National Park! Marvel at the giant red cliffs that rise over 2,000 feet above the blue-green waters of the Virgin River. We’ll spend the day exploring much of what this park has to offer before making our return trip to Salt Lake City.
*Due to many natural variables in the outdoors, we take what mother nature provides for us when deciding on which hike we will do. Depending on the weather options include: Upper Emerald Pools, Observation Point, The Narrows or similar.
After several hours of optional hiking and exploring, we depart from Zion National Park and begin our return 4.5-hour drive to Salt Lake City.
Driving time: 5 Hours
Hiking: 3-6 miles – minimal elevation gain
Return to Salt Lake City: We plan to return to SLC by approximately 7:00pm. If you plan to depart from Salt Lake International Airport after the trip, be sure you do not book a flight prior to 10:00pm or 22:00 due to various circumstances out of our control.
This was an absolutely fantastic experience made better by Nick and James. It was a perfect combination of day hiking, some challenging hike-climbs (Angels landing) and down time at stunning... read more sites. These guys had a great mix of knowledge, positive attitude, patience and humor thorughout...More
MountainBased has expanded to these two great parks. I went on the Utah 5 with them two years ago and couldn’t wait to join them again! So much fun! Justin... read more and Eric created the greatest trip. Hiking to Mount Washburn. Rafting the Snake River. S’mores...More
These two guys were amazing! I can't say enough about them. Eric and Nick are great! Their knowledge of the trails and history of the parks is amazing. Their food... read more recommendations are spot on! The lodging choices are very good. However, Ruby's Inn in Bryce Canyon leaves a little to be desired. Overall, I would highly recommend this trip to anyone wanting to experience the amazing beauty of Utah. The guys went above and beyond with the safety and cleanliness during Covid. If you're considering a trip to the mighty 5, definitely use these guys!!
It has always been a lifelong dream to see the National Parks. This trip exceeded our expectations in so many ways. It was well organized and action packed. ... read more Our guides moved us at a good speed to see the great sites and hike the trails....More
I did the Southern Utah Hiker trip with MountainBased from Sep 2-6, 2019 and I cannot say enough good words about my overall experience. My guides for this trip were... read more Nick and Nick and they run the whole 5 day trip with the most effortless professionalism and expertise I have seen. Very friendly. Engage the whole group. Prepared the most awesome food. Drive us to every site in their van with enough breaks for snacks and refreshments. Time the hikes to perfection depending on weather and sun. This was my first time hiking, camping and in Utah and I cannot possible imagine having a better introduction to hiking that this trip with MountainBased. The whole trip has just been one high after the other. I highly recommend doing a trip with MountainBased and look forward to doing another one myself. More
I've been wanting to see Utah for a while and only had a week to do so. After reading the positive reviews, I decided to book with Mountain Based.... read more Got to see Utah's Mighty Five and then some! From perfect weather, to wildlife sitings, to...More
The Yellowstone and Grand Tetons camping trip was one of the best experiences of my life. Nick and James were fantastic guides (and cooks)! They are so knowledgeable, very friendly,... read more and really passionate about what they do. They went out of their way to make...More
I can't speak highly enough of this tour. This tour is one of the best travel experiences I have ever had!! The guides go above and beyond to... read more make sure everyone has the most incredible trip. The guides' attention to detail and local knowledge made...More
I just returned from a perfect five day adventure to Utah. I am a weekend hiker and was looking for an active vacation, more budget-based. I’m not big on sleeping... read more in a tent so my greatest question was “how are the sleeping pads”. I can...More
Check out a more in-depth list of what to bring here.
Experience all five of Utah’s National Parks in just five days from March through October! This lodging and hiking trip will allow you to see Utah’s greatest gems.
Spend three unforgettable days in the Moab area as we explore two of Utah’s most spectacular National Parks – Arches & Canyonlands National Park, while staying at the stunning Red Cliff’s Lodge!
Witness the astounding geology of ancient rock shaped by the rushing force of water as you hike through our favorite places in the desert of Southern Utah: Zion, Bryce Canyon, and Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument.