Canyonlands 4x4 tour from Moab: White Rim Road half-day

Four hours on the White Rim Road, 1,000 feet up the Shafer Trail switchbacks.

A half-day 4x4 tour of Canyonlands National Park's Island in the Sky district from Moab, traveling the White Rim Road and steep Shafer Trail in a custom Toyota Land Cruiser with a local guide. The tour includes hotel pickup, park entry, a short walk to Musselman Arch, and stops at Ancestral Puebloan rock art sites along Scenic Byway 279. Children from age 5 are welcome. A minimum of three people is required to run the tour, or you can pay for the third seat yourself.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Utah Scenic Byway 279 Rock Art Sites15m · entry included
2. Canyonlands National Park1h

Half-day 4x4 Canyonlands adventure

• Start at Scenic Byway 279 petroglyph site
• Explore Rock Art Sites of Moab
• Enter Canyonlands on 4WD White Rim trail
• Drive to Musselman Arch and stroll 300'
• Backtrack White Rim to Shafer Trail switchbacks
• Climb Shafer Trail to Island in the Sky rim
• End tour at Scenic Byway 313

The experience

The tour starts with pickup from your hotel or campground in Moab, then heads to Scenic Byway 279 for your first stop at a petroglyph rock art site. Your guide explains the Ancestral Puebloan history marked on the canyon walls, giving context to the people who shaped this landscape long before the park existed. From there you enter Canyonlands on the 4WD trail and take a short run along the White Rim, the prominent sandstone formation that wraps 100 miles around the Island in the Sky.

The vehicle navigates steep switchbacks and sandstone ledges as you move deeper into backcountry terrain most visitors never reach. A short 300-foot walk takes you to Musselman Arch, a natural stone formation you'd miss from the paved viewpoints. Then the tour follows the White Rim Trail back to the iconic switchbacks of the Shafer Trail, an old cattle trail that climbs 1,000 feet to the rim with views across the backcountry spreading out below. The 4x4 trail ends at Scenic Byway 313, and your guide shares insights about the geology and ecology that carved this raw landscape.

The whole tour runs four hours and includes ice water for refills throughout the day. Bring a camera, extra water, and sun protection. The desert sun is direct and the terrain is exposed. The tour suits all fitness levels, though you'll be riding in the vehicle for most of the time and walking only the short stretch to the arch.

What’s included

• Hotel or campground pickup in Moab.
• professional English-speaking guide.
• 4x4 Toyota Land Cruiser for the full tour.
• Canyonlands National Park entry.
• ice water for refills throughout the day.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 08:00, 09:00, 13:00 and 15:00Last departure this season: 31 Dec

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (17 and older) · Youth (5 to 16 years) · Under 5: can't be booked

GroupUp to 20

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effort

Operated by NAVTEC Expeditions

Is this one for you?Four hours leaves room for other activities in Moab the same day (a morning hike, an afternoon in Arches, or time in town) without committing to a full-day backcountry push. The half-day window suits travelers who want the remote terrain and geology without the longer drive and extended time commitment.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (5 to 16 years). Children under 5 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is the White Rim Road and why is it part of this tour?

The White Rim is a prominent sandstone formation that wraps 100 miles around the Island in the Sky district of Canyonlands. This tour travels a short section of it on 4WD roads, giving you access to the remote terrain and views that the paved viewpoints don't reach.

Will I see Ancestral Puebloan rock art on this tour?

Yes. The tour stops at petroglyph rock art sites along Scenic Byway 279 at the start, where your guide explains the ancient drawings left on the canyon walls and the people who made them.

How steep are the switchbacks on the Shafer Trail?

The Shafer Trail is an old cattle trail that climbs 1,000 feet to the rim of Island in the Sky. The switchbacks are steep and narrow, which is why a 4x4 vehicle is necessary, but you ride in the vehicle the whole way, so you don't have to navigate them yourself.

What's included in the price, and what costs extra?

Hotel or campground pickup, the professional guide, the 4x4 vehicle, and ice water are included. National Park entrance fees are $15 per person unless you have a parks pass. Gratuity for the guide is optional. Food and soft drinks are not included.

What's the minimum group size for this tour?

The tour requires a minimum of three people to run. If your group is smaller, you can either pay for the third seat yourself or be offered other tour options with a full refund.