Arches National Park Back Country Adventure from Moab
5
Arches National Park Back Country Adventure from Moab
By Adrift Adventures
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About
The tour will head north on US 191 passing the entrance of Arches National Park which was designated as a National Monument before being changed to a National Park in 1971. Our special use permit allows us to enter the back door to Arches via Willow Springs Road. Along this backcountry route, you'll travel through the new area of the "Utah Raptor State Park". Here where Native Americans lived back in history for thousands of years you'll see dinosaur tracks and enjoy the views of the La Sal Mountains. The Park lies atop an underground salt bed that is responsible for the arches, spires, and sandstone fins. Several of the stops include Eye of the Whale(Backcountry), Balanced Rock(Pavement), Sand Dune Arch(Pavement), Delicate Arche Viewpoint(Pavement), and the Windows Section(Pavement). The trip length is approximately 4 hours duration. All vehicles are Jeep Rubicons which are enclosed and air-conditioned.
Lowest price guaranteeReserve now & pay laterFree cancellation
Ages 4-99, max of 12 per group
Duration: 4h
Start time: Check availability
Mobile ticket
Live guide: English
More
- Experienced, knowledgeable guide
- Ice, water, and snacks
- Parking available at the office
- Transport by 4x4 vehicle
What's not included- Gratuities
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off
- Park Entrance Fee
- Lunch
- This is not a private tour. Please contact our office for pricing. (additional fees apply)
- Entry/Admission - Eye of the Whale Arch
- Entry/Admission - Windows
- Entry/Admission - Sand Dune Arch
- Start:
- 378 N Main St, Moab, UT 84532, USAYou will be able to see the meeting point next door to the Comfort Suites We have a large statue of a man that is made out of pipes holding a large oar in front of our parking lot.
End:This activity ends back at the meeting point. - Not wheelchair accessible
If you have questions about accessibility, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 24134P2- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Please call our office to reconfirm your reservation the day before your tour.
- We advise that if you are, or anyone in your party is, over 6'2" and/or 225+ lbs. to please consult our office prior to your trip's departure date.
- The Jeep Wranglers used have four passenger seats, and the guide/driver has all guests rotate seats throughout the trip. This makes it so that one person is not stuck in the same seat for the entire trip.
- Not recommended for those with motion sickness, vertigo, etc.
- Due to these tours being backcountry tours, you will be going off the paved roads in an elevated vehicle that has the clearance for these special off-road trails.
- Things to bring: water bottle (free refills available), sunglasses, sunscreen, visor/hat, sun protection, sturdy footwear for hiking, day pack, camcorders and cameras (bring at your own risk)
- Not recommended for pregnant travellers
- Most travellers can participate
- Timed entry tickets are NOT needed for this trip.
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s cancelled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
- This experience requires a minimum number of travellers. If it’s cancelled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 12 travellers
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.
- If you have questions about this tour or need help making your booking, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 24134P2
From
$237.07
per adult
Select date and travellers
Similar experiences
Itinerary
- 378 N Main St, Moab, UT 84532, USAYou will be able to see the meeting point next door to the Comfort Suites We have a large statue of a man that is made out of pipes holding a large oar in front of our parking lot.
- 1
- 2Pass byArches National ParkArches National Park Scenic DriveBalanced Rock Trail
- 3
About the operator
Don’t take it from us – here’s what people have to say about this operator:
- dllac0 contributionsCanyonlands Backcountry 4x4 AdventureBeautiful scenery and our guide "Mark" was knowledgeable, pleasant, and made the trip very enjoyable. Great experience.Written 9 October 2024
- Mike_and_Angie_100 contributionsArches National Park 4 x 4 trip with Adrift AdventuresReally enjoyed this 4 hour trip from Moab around the Arches National Park with Adrift. Our driver Bill was very knowledgeable and a great laugh. The scenery was absolutely amazing. Moab is great also. Makes me want to do it again. Highly recommendedWritten 7 October 2024
- susanrT9560AE0 contributionsVery funRic was an amazing guide. We learned so much about canyonlands. The ride was a little scary at times but we felt very confident with Ric. I would recommendWritten 2 October 2024
- GolfCartFun0 contributionsFun and informativeThis was an interesting tour. It covered areas that most cars cannot navigate. We saw the canyon from below which gave it another perspective. Bill did a good job explaining what we were seeing. We recommend this tour to anyone visiting Canyonlands.Written 29 September 2024
- BobPaul0 contributionsGreat back country tour of CanyonlandsWe had a great early morning tour along Potash Road with Mark. Georgia’s scenery and rock formations along the Colorado River. Mark was a great guide- knowledgable, engaged, and personable. Highly recommend this tour.Written 25 September 2024
- owlprof0 contributionsHold your breath!Ric was an amazing guide for this incredible ride. Almost every turn left us awestruck by the natural beauty on display. Winding up the trail to Musselman Arch (spoiler alert - it’s a bridge) was breathtaking folllowed by the precarious climb up the Schafer Trail. And we didn’t even scratch all the natural wonders of Canyonlands. Would definitely do this adventure again!Written 21 September 2024
- 522jeffreyp5220 contributionsDire service avoid this company at all costsStay away from this company, dire service, we booked a whitewater rafting trip with this company several months in advance, arranged a trip and accommodation in Moab to do this activity , only for the company to cancel the trip with less than 24 hours notice. We we were en route for this trip when we called to confirm times as per their procedures when they cancelled the excursion on the spot they say due to a lack of demand, there were 5 of us in the party left high and dry , do not waste your time and money on a company like this that has no consideration whatsoever for their customersWritten 20 September 2024
- N9602RBlarrys0 contributionsDon’t Miss This TourSimply outstanding! Our guide, Mark, was so knowledgeable and imparted so much information that we all found educational. I would highly recommend this tour and tour guide.Written 20 September 2024
- Alex S0 contributionsCanyonlands 4x4Excellent way of seeing the canyons, in a 4x4 with local experienced guide. Big shoutout for Karl our guide and driver with great local knowledge. Well serviced and cared for jeeps made you feel really secureWritten 13 September 2024
- T1467UOalexs0 contributionsCanyon lands 4x4 ExcellentWhat an excellent mornings adventure. Views were second to nothing. Karl our guide and driver had an excellent knowledge of the geology as well as some great anecdotes of being a guide and driver. Nothing like it in the UK.Written 13 September 2024
- Experience7855220 contributionsFun back country adventureThis is the best way to see Canyonlands and the back country. Mark has lived here on and off for many years - permanently the last 8. He is informative, jovial, and professional. The Jeep 4x4 was brand new and comfortable. The roads here are challenging and require a rugged, high clearance vehicle and experienced driver. Very bumpy but we saw areas only a few people get to see. My husband and I loved this tour.Written 8 September 2024
- Tlb8130 contributionsIncredible Offroad ExperienceRic was outstanding. Very impressed with his knowledge of the area. The equipment was first rate, very well kept. I highly recommend both Ric as a guide and this particular tour provider.Written 7 September 2024
- F5125BVbeverlys0 contributionsSuperb Jeep excursion into the back country of Arches and Canyonlands. Highly recommended!!Mark took us to Canyonlands in the morning and Arches in the afternoon. He is a superb guide full of knowledge which he enjoys sharing. He graciously offered snacks and water whenever we needed and told us when the next "potty" stop would be. In the morning there were 4 of us and he kept having us rotate seats so no one got stuck in the middle back for long. It was a good way to do it. The vehicle was a 2024 Jeep with all the bells and whistles you could want. It is obviously lovingly maintained and clean as a whistle inside and out. I would highly recommend Adrift Adventures and Mark in particular for anyone wanting a Jeep trip in either park. It was a fantastic way to see things most people don't see in the back country.Written 7 September 2024
- Degggs0 contributionsExcellent service! Pulled me out of a ditch and I'm not even a customer!Maps on my phone sent me down the back entrance to Arches, a rough dirt road that I had no business being on at night, and my car got stuck, forcing me to camp there until morning. Mark and a tour group from Adrift came along first thing and offered to pull me out on their way down the road. Mark was friendly, calm, so helpful and informative. The folks on the tour were good sports and eager to support as well. They pulled me out easily and Mark saved me hundreds of dollars and so much time. I haven't even been on an Adrift tour but will of course recommend them to all my friends visiting the Moab area. Definitely the kind of folks you want to be around while adventuring through the elements in a remote area. You're the best Mark!Written 4 September 2024
- DayTrip167529362390 contributionsGet your feet wet (and more) with a rafting trip!So happy my husband found this gem of a business! We had the best time out on the Colorado River! I was pretty nervous at first, but felt safe the entire time, learned a lot, and met some great people! Everyone who works there, from our driver (Karl), the guides (Portia & Willow), to the owner (Mike), is friendly and personable! We will definitely return to Adrift Adventures on our next visit to Moab!Written 22 August 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinions of Tripadvisor members and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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5.0
485 reviews
Excellent
462
Very good
13
Average
3
Poor
3
Terrible
4
Karen G
1 contribution
Apr 2022 • Family
I will start by saying our tour guides were very nice and knowledgeable. The reason for my rating is twofold: 1) the tour description does not do a good job of explaining that this is mostly an IN CAR experience with only two up close stops at arches (Tower and Eye of the Whale). There are long stretches of slow off-road driving. Our guide even told us it was rare if he made made it through a tour without someone falling asleep. We flew by the hot spots in the park along the paved road (Windows, Park Ave, etc.). There is no stop with a view of Delicate Arch. Felt like we were in the car all day. 2) We had 4 passengers in each jeep plus the driver which meant 3 in the back. We were paired with another family who placed a member of the family who required a seat belt extension in the back seat. This meant we were VERY squeezed in the back seat. On top of that you get jostled around quite a bit while off-roading which made the whole situation quite uncomfortable. The tour advertises that passengers would be allowed to move around seats but that did not happen at all, which meant we were squeezed in the back the whole time. I don’t fault our guides for this but the tour company should consider that if a person requires a seat belt extender there should be a max of 2 people in the back unless they are all from the same family. In summary be aware of what you are signing up for. If you prefer a backroads tour by car, this might be for you. If you are hoping to see the main sites of Arches you are better off doing that on your own.
Written 15 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mike C
Cleveland, OH21 contributions
Apr 2023
What a great tour. I will have to give a lot of credit to Mark Trunzo for his expertise, professionalism and knowledge of the park and environment.
We arrived and got going first thing in the morning. He was packed and ready to go, so we put our things in the back and hit the road. We realized we forgot our National Park Pass back home so Mark took us in the back to do some off roading (like we asked), but it does not require a pass or fee. If you go through the gate with a tour your pass will only get 3 people in. Since we had 4 we would have had to pay for one.
The off roading was rough and at one point my daughter was not feeling well. Mark stopped and asked if she wanted motion sickness medication that he carried. She didn't want it so he also gave her some ginger chews and put her in the front seat. No more sickness. On our way he pointed out different vegetation, and eco system information that gave us a new perspective.
Our first arch stop was Eye of the Whale which cannot be accessed by paved road so we had it all to ourselves and it was magnificent. On our way back to the road I asked how often he took the top off. "Never" was the response. He showcased how clean and comfortable the vehicle was and nobody was breathing in all of the dust. The other tours we saw looked miserable as they passed by now that he mentioned it.
We hit at least 4 other locations that we walked to with short hikes, learning along the way. We made it to Delicate Arch in the back of the park, but since it was not a whole day tour we saw it from a great off road vantage point.
So let me clarify what you get with the tour since I read other reviews. You get local knowledge, understanding of the environment, historical perspective, short hikes to arches and an overall view of the park. That is what we wanted. You will need to go back in to see more in depth trails if you would like and Mark made those suggestions. He also suggested other hikes outside of the park that we went to and they were two of our favorites (Corona Arch and Grandstaff Trail).
I don't know about the other guides, but if you are lucky enough to have Mark Trunzo you will have an experience that you will never forget. The key is to ask questions. As he said, the worst tours are the ones where nobody talks. Not a problem here. I would recommend Adrift Adventures to anyone.
We arrived and got going first thing in the morning. He was packed and ready to go, so we put our things in the back and hit the road. We realized we forgot our National Park Pass back home so Mark took us in the back to do some off roading (like we asked), but it does not require a pass or fee. If you go through the gate with a tour your pass will only get 3 people in. Since we had 4 we would have had to pay for one.
The off roading was rough and at one point my daughter was not feeling well. Mark stopped and asked if she wanted motion sickness medication that he carried. She didn't want it so he also gave her some ginger chews and put her in the front seat. No more sickness. On our way he pointed out different vegetation, and eco system information that gave us a new perspective.
Our first arch stop was Eye of the Whale which cannot be accessed by paved road so we had it all to ourselves and it was magnificent. On our way back to the road I asked how often he took the top off. "Never" was the response. He showcased how clean and comfortable the vehicle was and nobody was breathing in all of the dust. The other tours we saw looked miserable as they passed by now that he mentioned it.
We hit at least 4 other locations that we walked to with short hikes, learning along the way. We made it to Delicate Arch in the back of the park, but since it was not a whole day tour we saw it from a great off road vantage point.
So let me clarify what you get with the tour since I read other reviews. You get local knowledge, understanding of the environment, historical perspective, short hikes to arches and an overall view of the park. That is what we wanted. You will need to go back in to see more in depth trails if you would like and Mark made those suggestions. He also suggested other hikes outside of the park that we went to and they were two of our favorites (Corona Arch and Grandstaff Trail).
I don't know about the other guides, but if you are lucky enough to have Mark Trunzo you will have an experience that you will never forget. The key is to ask questions. As he said, the worst tours are the ones where nobody talks. Not a problem here. I would recommend Adrift Adventures to anyone.
Written 17 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for the great review!
Written 19 April 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Juan G
2 contributions
The half day tour through Arches National Park was amazing and gave me a great opportunity to understand the landscape on a deeper level with Mark Trunzo. I would definitely recommend him for anyone wanting a fun jeep ride through the park while also getting great detailed knowledge on the surroundings. Truly excellent! 👏👏👏
Written 1 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for the great review! We are glad that Mark was able to make this trip fun!
Written 5 October 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Jay C
3 contributions
Jun 2021 • Family
Our half day 4 x 4 adventure with Jim Shreck was outstanding today. Jim was extremely patient and knowledgeable and answered every question that we asked him. We got to see some parts of the Arches national Park that were outstanding and off the beaten path.I would highly recommend Jim as a guide and adrift adventures as a great outfitter in the Moab area.
Written 21 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We are glad that Jim was able to take you into this great park. Thank you for the awesome review.
Written 23 June 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
ThePod
1 contribution
Jul 2020
We spent a morning exploring the Arches backcountry with our guide Bill after the monsoon the evening before. It was a super fun trip with stops to multiple sites along the way. Bill was extremely knowledgeable about the region. He is also a natural storyteller and his love of the Moab area comes through. We learned about fossils, local fauna and flora, as well as the spectacular geology and history of the area. Adrift was well organized, with dressing rooms and bathrooms available. The jeep was cleaned before our adventure. We highly recommend Adrift, and our guide Bill.
Written 3 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for the great review!
Written 4 August 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Mary F
Topinabee, MI6 contributions
Oct 2020 • Couples
We actually did the Arches in the morning and Canyonlands in the afternoon—an all day activity. We had a wonderful experience with Mark as our driver and guide. He was very knowledgeable about the area, pointed out some interesting desert facts and fun anecdotes about the region. His pleasant and courteous manner added to the overall enjoyment of our day.
The Jeep was comfortable and Mark expertly handled the road. We had our lunch at the top of a butte overlooking the Colorado River.
We appreciated how accommodating Mark was and recommend this excursion to anyone who wants to experience these parks via the backcountry.
The Jeep was comfortable and Mark expertly handled the road. We had our lunch at the top of a butte overlooking the Colorado River.
We appreciated how accommodating Mark was and recommend this excursion to anyone who wants to experience these parks via the backcountry.
Written 1 November 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for the great review! Mark is a great guide.
Written 9 November 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
EileenK
Long Island, NY9 contributions
This Jeep tour provided access to areas of the park that we would not have visited on our own. It was just enough challenging off-road driving to make it feel like an adventure, yet we always felt safe. Our guide Mark was excellent! His knowledge of the geology and history of Arches was enlightening. He made the tour seem more like a road trip with friends than an excursion with tourists we had just met.
Written 9 November 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for the great review! We are glad that Mark was able to take you on this great trip.
Written 15 November 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
benjamin
2 contributions
Apr 2022 • Family
Worth every penny. Brandon and Dan guided our family, where Brandon had the adults, Dan the kids. Both were great and I can say with confidence that Brandon is a fantastic, knowledgeable guide who truly knows the landscape and history. I would especially recommend these guys if it is your first time, as you really get a lot of insight into the park and surrounding area. Top of the line jeeps that make rock crawling and off-roading almost comfortable.
Written 4 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Great review!
Written 6 April 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
George D
1 contribution
Aug 2021
Arches & Canyonland With Mark Trunza Adrift Adventures
Aug 2021
In one day we did both half-day the Backcountry tours with Mark (Adrift Adventures) and Mark provided excellent tours. He knew both Parks (Arches & Canyonland) and made our whole day fun, informative, exciting, and safe. Safe is important, driving was extremely challenging.
Adrift Adventures is a high-integrity company. Booking any trip with them is highly recommended.
George D
Aug 2021
In one day we did both half-day the Backcountry tours with Mark (Adrift Adventures) and Mark provided excellent tours. He knew both Parks (Arches & Canyonland) and made our whole day fun, informative, exciting, and safe. Safe is important, driving was extremely challenging.
Adrift Adventures is a high-integrity company. Booking any trip with them is highly recommended.
George D
Written 20 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We are glad that you got to take this great trip with Mark! We are glad that Mark was able to make you feel safe and have a great time as well.
Written 20 August 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
JoAnn S
2 contributions
Oct 2021
We had the pleasure of experiencing a 4x4 Arches Park tour with Jim Schreck. Not only was he an excellent driver navigating the mountainous terrain with ease, he was extremely knowledgeable about the fauna and flora of the desert. While providing an exhilarating adventure he was also aware of our safety!
Book with Jim!!
Book with Jim!!
Written 29 October 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for the great review! Jim is a great guide and we are glad that you got to take this great trip with him
Written 4 November 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
we will be coming from grand Junction ,Co. so cant get there at 7am on May 6th, and there will only be two of us. also, we need to end up at Gateway, Co. by 4PM. Can we do a 3 hour tour? Hopefully there is a decent route
Dennis Carroll
Written 24 April 2021
Is it the guide and 3 passengers or guide and 4 passengers? There are 4 of us, all adults. Would it be to crowded?
Written 8 April 2021
How young can children be to go? We’ll have an 18-month old
Written 20 January 2021
I agree with sfb34136, not the appropriate trip for an 18 month old.
Written 25 January 2021
Yes, they will stop and let you photograph. Our driver was very receptive to this.
Written 24 July 2019
Hi, please name the arches and sights that we will stop and see on this tour. We are a party of 3, is this enough to make up a private tour? I am trying to find a guided tour that will bring us to the most number of arches and sights. Thanks.
Written 15 May 2019
Haven't a clue. We always use my personal car to drive to my locations
Written 10 May 2019
Is this tour ok for people with back problems?
Written 30 April 2018
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