Canyonlands National Park Backcountry 4x4 Adventure from Moab
Overview
Available languages
4 hours
Mobile ticket
On this half-day 4WD adventure from Moab, explore the rugged, red stone interior of Canyonlands National Park, where you’ll experience the beauty of the Island in the Sky district and the stunning Gooseneck Overlook. Your professional guide will navigate your vehicle down the switchbacks of the famous Shafer Trail, where you will not only see the remains of ancient Pueblo civilizations but also admire the canyon walls that drop 1,000 feet (300m) down. It’s an easy drive from Moab to Canyonlands, and the views of the meandering Colorado River help cap off this Utah adventure.
Additional Info
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Please call our office to reconfirm tour the day before your scheduled tour date.
We advise that is you are, or anyone in your party is, over 6'2" and/or 225+ pounds to please consult the tour 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)
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Shafer Trail Viewpoint
Your tour begins in the town of Moab where you’ll meet your professional guide, who will help you get comfortably situated inside of the off-road, 4x4 vehicle. Enjoy the 30-mile (48km) drive from Moab to Canyonlands National Park, where you’ll explore the popular Island in the Sky District with its spectacular desert scenery. Start off atop a mesa with views looking out over the horizon before your guide deftly maneuvers the switchbacks of Shafer Trail. On this section of the 100-mile (161-km) White Rim Road Loop, you’ll make stops with very photographic vistas of the Colorado River and the view from Thelma and Louise Point. In addition to the popular lookouts, your expert guide will take you to spots that aren’t as frequently visited, where you’ll find everything from ancient Pueblo rock art to vertical views down the canyons. You’ll learn the history of the Pueblo people who inhabited the Four Corners area, and aside from the culture and history lessons, your guide will also explain the geology of the red rock canyons before you. When you stop for a break to take photos, venture out on one of the short trails that leave from many of the viewpoints; you’ll get a different perspective and angle for photographing the canyons. When this Canyonlands tour from Moab is over, your guide will return you to the town of Moab to the spot where the tour began. **For the safety and comfort of all our National Park Backcountry Jeep tour guests, if the seat belt cannot be safely fastened, then this issue will need to be taken care of before the date of your tour. We encourage guests to address all seating needs when booking. We highly recommend not leaving any possible seating issues for the day of your tour. Our jeep tours are operated in 4-door Jeep Wranglers, and hold a max of 4 passengers, plus one of Adrift’s well trained, and knowledge guides as the driver. We fill all 4 passenger seats, in each of our jeeps, on a daily basis.
White Rim Road
Your tour begins in the town of Moab where you’ll meet your professional guide, who will help you get comfortably situated inside of the off-road, 4x4 vehicle. Enjoy the 30-mile (48km) drive from Moab to Canyonlands National Park, where you’ll explore the popular Island in the Sky District with its spectacular desert scenery. Start off atop a mesa with views looking out over the horizon before your guide deftly maneuvers the switchbacks of Shafer Trail. On this section of the 100-mile (161-km) White Rim Road Loop, you’ll make stops with very photographic vistas of the Colorado River and the view from Thelma and Louise Point. In addition to the popular lookouts, your expert guide will take you to spots that aren’t as frequently visited, where you’ll find everything from ancient Pueblo rock art to vertical views down the canyons. You’ll learn the history of the Pueblo people who inhabited the Four Corners area, and aside from the culture and history lessons, your guide will also explain the geology of the red rock canyons before you. When you stop for a break to take photos, venture out on one of the short trails that leave from many of the viewpoints; you’ll get a different perspective and angle for photographing the canyons. When this Canyonlands tour from Moab is over, your guide will return you to the town of Moab to the spot where the tour began. **For the safety and comfort of all our National Park Backcountry Jeep tour guests, if the seat belt cannot be safely fastened, then this issue will need to be taken care of before the date of your tour. We encourage guests to address all seating needs when booking. We highly recommend not leaving any possible seating issues for the day of your tour. Our jeep tours are operated in 4-door Jeep Wranglers, and hold a max of 4 passengers, plus one of Adrift’s well trained, and knowledge guides as the driver. We fill all 4 passenger seats, in each of our jeeps, on a daily basis.
What‘s Included
Ice water and snacks
Air-conditioned vehicle
Parking available at the office
Experienced, knowledgeable guide
Gratuities
Car infant seat (required by Utah State Law for children 8 years and younger or under 57 inches)
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Lunch
Options
Isky
Duration: 4 hours 30 minutes
Canyonlands Island in The Sky
Reviews
458 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Spectacular full day tour
KeithB183,,Dec 19, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We chose the full day tour, half at Canyonlands and half at Arches National Park, broken into two 4-hour tours with lunch served in between. Mark was an amazing guide. Along with a great knowledge of the parks' back country, he also had an amazing ability to spot animals and interesting objects along the way: petroglyphs high up on walls, big horn sheep on far cliffs, figures in rock formations, and fat prairie dogs in the grass. The Canyonlands tour started far below the park plateau, above the Colorado river. We were visited by a family of big horn sheep along the way, before climbing up the narrow cliff-side road up to the top. Stops along the way gave a chance to take photos of the vistas and rotate seats in the Jeep. The roads were rough and steep, but otherwise fairly flat. The Arches tour went through desert back country and then straight up past formations called the Marching Men to a view of Tower Arch. Mark expertly guided the jeep along a track that required real, technical off-roading. If we were not in a new and scrupulously maintained Jeep I would have been somewhat worried. Our tour had a full car, with four riders and the driver. If you have been in a Jeep Wrangler, you'll know the back seat is tight. I was able to book directly with them a little late in the season only a few days ahead but Mark did say they sell out in high season. If you are very afraid of heights this may not be the tour for you. If only moderately afraid, try to arrange yourself to be in the middle or left side of the rear seat during the steepest portions. If you want to see over the edge on the way up, right side. The off-road Arches tour requires bracing strength to keep from being tossed around. They are serious about the need for a valid park admission - the rangers check.
Highly recommend!
Tina A,,Dec 1, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Great guide who was very knowledgeable, had a great personality and went above and beyond to make our trip memorable. Highly recommend!
Solo female traveler 1/2 day Canyonlands.
janettC9195YK,,Nov 15, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Wonderful 1/2 day Canyonlands! Communication with Mike at Adrift was excellent. I’m a solo traveler and wanted to maximize my experience. My trip to Moab was Nov 14-16. Mark was my guide for the trip. Also excellent! He knows his way around the canyons and the terrain. I highly recommend! Mark was very well prepared for this trip. Water, Snacks and TP. If you’re a solo female, this is your team.
Don’t look down!
V3468UXkimh,,Nov 9, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This tour and our guide, Bill were great. Stunning scenery, petroglyphs and we saw two groups of big horned sheep. The jeep ride was bumpy but in a fun adventurous way. This was the only day we spent at Canyonlands National Park and it seemed like a great way to see as much as possible. Our only issue is my husband and I are from Illinois where the roads are flat and straight and we didn’t realize how far up we were going to be, on a narrow gravel trail with no guardrails. We didn’t know what we didn’t know. If you’re afraid of heights, ask about an alternate excursion.
Fabulous Canyonlands Jeep Tour
Larry B,,Oct 22, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Well run -- Mark, our guide, was very knowledgeable and personable, making for a most enjoyable educational experience. The scenery was breathtaking and because of Mark's expert driving we were able to fully appreciate it.
Fantastic guide and fun backcountry tour!
Roam03679871300,,Oct 18, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our family of four had a blast on this trip! Mark was an excellent guide, knowledgeable and a lot of fun. The jeep was great and it was a fun ride!
You won’t be disappointed.
Joanne D,,Oct 16, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00This is an adventurous jeep trip into canyonlands. I was extremely glad we had an experienced driver to show us the sights as the roads were narrow and muddy. Some had sheer cliff dropoffs and not for the faint of heart. Our guide Mark was very knowledgeable and took great care of us!
Highly recommend! Team Bill!
traveler5435175,,Oct 12, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a lovely time with Bill doing a 4x4 adventure in Canyonlands. The Jeep was immaculate and Bill was a very friendly and knowledgeable tour guide. We had a great time and saw amazing views. The tour definitely takes you on a road that most people won’t see. We highly recommend the trip! Totally worth it!
Canyonlands Adventure
727anno,,Oct 7, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our driver, Bill, was experienced and knowledgeable. The Jeep we had was up to the difficult task that the road threw at it. We had a beautiful day, and enjoyed the experience!
Great visit to Canyonlands backcountry b
Julie B,,Oct 5, 2025
- Review from Viator
4.00There will be 4 people plus driver in a small Jeep. I thought we were going on a private tour. Even though it was crowded, we learned so much!
From US$210.00
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Operated by Adrift Adventures