Canyonlands: 4x4 Backcountry Tour from Moab & Shafer Trail

Summary

Red rock canyons, switchbacks and stories from Moab’s wild side

You’ll ride deep into Canyonlands by 4x4 from Moab with a local guide who keeps things real (and safe). Expect seat swaps, steep Shafer Trail switchbacks, ancient Pueblo rock art stops, and time to wander short trails above the Colorado River. The silence out there hits different—you’ll feel it long after you leave.

What’s the experience like?

I almost missed the first turn—literally. I’d parked on the wrong side of the lot in Moab and ended up jogging across gravel with my backpack half-zipped. Our guide, Jess, just grinned and waved me over like this happened every day. She handed me a cold bottle of water before I even caught my breath. The Jeep looked ready for Mars, honestly. We squeezed in—me next to a couple from Denver who were already arguing about sunscreen—and rolled out toward Canyonlands. Thirty miles went by in a blur of red dust and that weirdly sweet desert smell you only notice when you’re not talking.

Jess had us rotating seats at every stop (“nobody gets stuck in the back all day,” she said), which meant I got to chat with everyone and see the rocks from different angles. The Island in the Sky district is… well, it’s huge. You think you’ve seen big before but then you’re up there on a mesa looking out over nothing but air and stone. She pointed out where the Shafer Trail drops down—those switchbacks are steeper than they look in photos, let me tell you. At one point we stopped at Gooseneck Overlook and I swear my knees wobbled just peering over the edge. The Colorado River is way down there, twisting through all that emptiness.

I didn’t expect to care much about ancient Pueblo stuff but Jess knew her history—she showed us faded handprints on a rock face that looked like they’d been left yesterday instead of centuries ago. There was this moment where everyone just went quiet except for wind scraping across the Jeep hood. Snacks came out (trail mix, nothing fancy) and someone tried to pronounce “Ancestral Puebloan” right; we all failed equally.

We took short walks at some viewpoints—the sand clings to your shoes like flour—and snapped photos nobody will believe are real colors. Heading back into Moab I was tired but weirdly awake inside; maybe it was leftover adrenaline or just too much sun. Either way, if you’re thinking about a Canyonlands 4x4 tour from Moab… yeah, do it. I still think about that view down Shafer Trail sometimes when things get noisy back home.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — 4x4 tour of Canyonlands National Park

• Meet guide in Moab
• Get seated in 4x4 vehicle
• Drive 30 miles to Canyonlands
• Explore Island in the Sky district
• View from mesa overlook
• Drive switchbacks of Shafer Trail
• Stop at Thelma and Louise Point
• Visit ancient Pueblo rock art sites
• Learn about Pueblo history and geology
• Take photo breaks and short trail walks
• Return to Moab tour start point

Top questions

How long does the Canyonlands 4x4 tour from Moab last?

The tour is a half-day experience starting and ending in Moab.

Is pickup included for this Canyonlands backcountry tour?

No hotel pickup; tours begin at the operator’s office in Moab where parking is available.

What kind of vehicle is used for the Canyonlands 4x4 adventure?

The tour uses 4-door Jeep Wranglers with four passenger seats plus a guide/driver.

Are snacks or drinks provided during the tour?

Yes, ice water and snacks are included throughout the trip.

Will we visit ancient Pueblo sites on this day trip?

You’ll stop at locations featuring ancient Pueblo rock art as part of your route.

How many people are in each vehicle?

Each Jeep holds up to four passengers plus one guide/driver; seats rotate during stops.

Is hiking involved on this Canyonlands tour?

You’ll have chances for short walks at scenic viewpoints but no strenuous hiking is required.

Is this tour suitable for people with motion sickness?

The backcountry drive includes off-road sections; not recommended for those prone to motion sickness or vertigo.

What’s included

Your day includes meeting your guide in Moab with parking provided at their office before heading out in an air-conditioned 4x4 Jeep Wrangler (seats rotate so everyone gets a new view). Ice water and snacks are offered along the way as you explore Canyonlands’ Island in the Sky district—with plenty of stops for photos, short walks, and stories before returning to town together.