Arches & Canyonlands 4x4 tour from Moab: Two parks, one day

Nine hours across two national parks: Island in the Sky, Shafer Trail, Arches, and the White Rim in a single day

A full-day 4x4 tour from Moab combines Arches and Canyonlands National Parks in a single itinerary, traveling remote backcountry roads and overlooks with a licensed guide and small group. The tour covers Island in the Sky, Shafer Trail, White Rim, Marching Men, Tower Arch, and Eye of the Whale, with lunch and water included. A minimum of three people is required to run the tour, and park entrance fees are separate unless you hold an annual parks pass.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Arches and Canyonlands Parks

• Travel in custom 4x4 vehicle
• Visit Arches National Park
• See Marching Men formation
• Explore Tower Arch
• View Eye of the Whale
• Drive Shafer Trail
• Pass White Rim
• Visit Island in the Sky
• Explore Canyonlands National Park

The experience

Nine hours in a custom 4x4 vehicle means covering ground most day-trippers never see. The route starts in Canyonlands' Island in the Sky section, then drops onto the Shafer Trail (a narrow switchback descent into the backcountry) before crossing the White Rim and heading into Arches National Park. Your guide navigates the remote roads while you move through the landscape rather than stopping at a single overlook. The vehicle itself becomes part of how you experience the terrain.

Arches holds the second half of the day. You'll walk to Marching Men and Tower Arch, then reach Eye of the Whale: stops chosen for what they show rather than what crowds expect. Short walks break up the driving. Photography stops let you frame the light on the sandstone. Lunch and ice water come with the tour, though you'll want to bring a reusable bottle since your guide carries extra. The pace is built around the geology and the roads, not a checklist of viewpoints.

The 4x4 vehicle is not optional here. Some of these roads are rough enough that a standard car cannot go. Navtec Expeditions is an authorized concessionaire of both parks, and your guide carries the knowledge of someone who works this country regularly. Park entrance fees ($15 per person for a day pass) are separate from the tour price unless you have an annual parks pass. Bring it if you do. The tour needs at least three people to run. If your group is smaller, you can either pay for a third seat or choose a different tour option.

What’s included

• Licensed guide with expertise in canyon country geology and history.
• quality lunch and ice water throughout the day.
• four-wheel drive vehicle for the entire route.
• access to remote backcountry roads and overlooks in both parks.

Information

Lasts 9h, runs every day at 08:00, from US$ 275 per person, with a live guide in English and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:00Another time? ›

GroupUp to 161 private ›

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.3 with pickup ›

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (17 and older) · Youth (under 17)

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 yesterday

Good to know

Moderate physical effortPets welcomeNot recommended with back problems

Operated by NAVTEC Expeditions

Is this one for you?This is a shared-group tour led by a guide who drives and navigates the backcountry roads, so it suits travelers who want expert knowledge and remote access without arranging their own 4x4 vehicle or planning the route. If you prefer to drive yourself or want a private vehicle, this shared-guide format keeps the cost lower and puts someone behind the wheel who knows every switchback on the Shafer Trail.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (under 17).

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 Shafer Trail and why does it matter on this tour?

Shafer Trail is a narrow switchback road that descends from Island in the Sky into the Canyonlands backcountry, and it's the kind of route that separates this 4x4 tour from standard park visits. You're traveling roads most visitors never drive, seeing the landscape from inside the canyon rather than from an overlook.

How much walking is involved on this tour?

The tour includes short walks to specific stops like Marching Men, Tower Arch, and Eye of the Whale, but most of the day is spent in the vehicle covering the backcountry roads. It's designed for travelers who want to see remote terrain without a strenuous hiking itinerary.

Do I need to bring anything besides a camera?

Bring a reusable water bottle (your guide will have extra water available to refill it throughout the day) plus sun protection and footwear suitable for the weather. The tour operates in desert conditions, so hat, sunscreen and sturdy shoes matter.

What if my group is smaller than three people?

The tour requires a minimum of three people to operate. If your group is smaller, you can pay for a third seat to fill it, book a different tour option, or receive a full refund.

Are park entrance fees included in the tour price?

Park entrance fees are not included. You'll pay $15 per person for a day pass to each park unless you have an annual National Parks Pass, which you should bring if you own one.

Is this tour suitable for someone with back problems?

The tour is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries due to the rough backcountry roads and the length of time in the vehicle. You should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness for the short walks and the full-day itinerary.