Best of Escalante & Capitol Reef Tour
St. George, UT
Trip Highlights
- Slot Canyons
- Spring-fed Creeks
- Arches & Natural Bridges
- Waterfalls
- Charming Lodges
- Fascinating Geology
Description
The landscapes of Utah tell a dramatic geologic story of ancient seas, vast oceans and tectonic upheaval. On this tour, we will explore two of the most impressive areas formed by that fascinating history: Capitol Reef National Park and the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument! On daily hiking adventures, you will discover hidden slot canyons, desert waterfalls, towering natural bridges and arches and much more! At night you will enjoy iconic Canyon Country lodges and hotels, and wonderful regional cuisine. Join us for a unique and charming experience of the state of Utah!
$600 Single Supplement
The single supplement guarantees your own room. If you would like to forego the single supplement, you can request to be paired with a roommate of the same gender. If we are unsuccessful in pairing you with a roommate, the single supplement will apply.
DIFFICULTY LEVEL 2
Scale of 1-5. 1 is least difficult; 5 is most difficult
This trip follows a mix of well-maintained trails and sections of more rugged terrain. It includes mostly moderate hiking distances and elevation gains/losses. The most rugged parts of the tour are hiking in Escalante. The slot canyons can require scrambling and negotiating narrow spaces.
Hiking Distances:
4-7 mi
Backpack Weight:
10-15 pounds
Terrain:
Moderately Rugged
Max Daily Elev. ↑↓:
902 ft
Heights Exposure:
Significant
PHYSICAL DEMANDS OF THIS TRIP
- Hiking uphill or downhill with a 10-15 lb backpack for 5-7 hours
- Maintaining balance and footing on moderately rugged terrain, including hiking in or crossing creeks
- Hiking with occasional, significant heights exposure
SOLITUDE LEVEL 2
1 least solitude, 5 most solitude
We rate this Utah trip a Level 2 on solitude. You can expect as much as an hour of solitude at a time.
If a trip does not reach the minimum number of guests, you may choose to transfer to another trip date or another trip, be refunded your payments in full, or you may have the choice to pay a supplemental fee to run the trip with fewer guests. We make the final determination for these trips 4-6 weeks before the departure date, and notify guests of changes and options immediately.
UTAH SALES TAX
Utah is the only state we are based in that charges sales tax to outfitters and guides. The sales tax is based on the St. George, UT municipality rates, which are adjusted occasionally but are in the 6-7% range. For all of our hiking and backpacking tours that originate from our St. George, Utah base (Utah, Joshua Tree and Death Valley trips), the sales tax will be applied automatically to your payments. Feel free to call us at 1-800-715-HIKE (4453) with any questions!
Private Trips
Travel in perfect company by booking a private trip exclusively for your group!
Our sliding scale for private trips is based on the final number of guests in your group. Rates are per person and do not include sales tax, national park fees or guide gratuity. The final rate is based on the actual number of guests on the trip and may adjust based on cancellations or additions.
Please Note: you can also enjoy a private trip at our normal scheduled rates by filling any empty tour to capacity. However, if group members drop from the tour those spots will automatically become available on our website for instant booking. By purchasing a private trip at the rates listed below, your trip will remain exclusive to your group regardless of cancellations.
Private Rates FOr This Trip
- 2 People: Rate x 2.5
- 3 People: Rate x 2
- 4 People: Rate x 1.5
- 5+ People: Rate x 1.15
*all rates are per person and single supplements apply
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ITINERARY
Day 1
- Shuttle to Trailhead: 5 hours
- Hiking Mileage: 4 miles
- Elevation Gain/Loss: 291 feet
Today we leave St. George and enjoy a scenic drive through Utah’s gorgeous canyon country toward the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. Our first hike consists of pleasant hiking along the floor of a deep and imposing canyon. There will be lots of hiking across and in the creek so you’ll need your wading shoes for this one. The highlight of the day is the spectacular Escalante Natural Bridge, located a couple miles in. Following the hike we’ll check in to our cozy, modern lodge at the edge of the Utah wilderness, clean up and meet up for our first dinner together.
Day 2
- Hiking Mileage: 4-7 miles
- Elevation Gain/Loss: 400-800 feet
Today’s hike takes us down the historic Hole-in-the-Rock Road to the Devil’s Garden National Recreation Area. This is a great spot for young and old alike as it’s a fairyland of other-worldly small knobs, arches, and other eroded landforms. After lunch we’ll explore some local slot canyons in the Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument. Some canyons are dark and narrow, some are filled with water, while others contain surprises at every turn, like interconnected potholes, arches, and grottos!
Day 3
- Hiking Mileage: 6 miles
- Elevation Gain/Loss: 860 feet
- Shuttle: 90 minutes
Today we’ll enjoy breakfast and then check out of our hotel. Our final hike in the Escalante region will take us to the spectacular Calf Creek Falls. This is a beautiful hike along calf creek, a lush stream that is home to a substantial trout population. We’ll hike past ruins and pictographs, and have a good chance of seeing some wildlife. At the end of the trail we can take a swim (if you’re hearty – this water is surprisingly cold) below the 128-foot waterfall. We’ll eat lunch at the falls, and then have the opportunity to visit the town of Boulder, UT where we can make an optional visit to Anasazi State Park. This site was home to one of the largest Anasazi communities west of the Colorado River.
After our hike we’ll enjoy a relaxing, scenic shuttle to the entrance of Capitol Reef National Park, and our accommodations at the wonderful Capitol Reef Resort.
Day 4
- Hiking Distance: 7.2 miles
- Elevation Gain/Loss: 870 feet
Today’s hike is a journey through some classic history of the American West. We will follow Grand Wash, which includes sections of slot canyon hiking, to the amazing Cassidy Arch. This arch is unique for several reasons: it is named for Butch Cassidy, who is thought to have hidden in the canyons below the arch, and it is one of the only arches in Utah you can walk across! We will enjoy lunch on or near the arch, and then head back to the trailhead, savoring every moment of our time in this breathtaking place.
Day 5
- Hiking Distance: 3.5 miles
- Elevation Gain/Loss: 902 feet
- Shuttle to St. George: 3.5 hours
We end our week of hiking with a wonderful loop hike that beautifully showcases the wonder of Capitol Reef’s unique geology. Our hike is often accentuated by views of the western edge of the amazing Waterpocket Fold, and the towering, Aspen-covered plateau of Boulder Mountain. We will enjoy views of Chimney Rock, our hike’s namesake, which is an impressive stone buttress rising from the eroded slopes below.
After our loop hike we will savor a picnic lunch with the cliffs and canyons of Capitol Reef as our backdrop, before heading back to St. George for the conclusion of our tour.
Please Note: We always do everything in our power to follow the set itinerary, however it can change occasionally based on temporary access restrictions, weather, lodging/campground availability, guest ability/injury, natural events like fires and flooding, and other potential causes. Normal terms and conditions apply to trips with itinerary changes.
TRIP DATES & BOOKING
AVAILABLE TO BOOK
This trip is available and bookable online! Click on the date to register now or contact us online to book through our award-winning customer service team!
GOING FAST
This trip has 1 or 2 spots remaining and is bookable online! Click on the date to book now or contact us online to book through customer service.
REQUEST A RESERVATION
This trip is exclusively booked through customer service due to logistics with lodging, permits, staffing, availability, or something else. Please contact us online or call us at 800-715-HIKE (4453) to request a reservation.
Don't see your dates? Call us! We may be able to add new trip dates.
800-715-HIKE (4453)Trip Details
What's Included
- Top-of-the-line day pack and trekking poles
- All meals are included from breakfast the first day through lunch on the last day
- 4 nights of double occupancy lodging (single occupancy requires an additional single supplement)
- Trained hiking guide(s) with years of personal wilderness and hiking experience, medical certifications, and a passion for leading people into breathtaking landscapes. See Guide Bios.
- Roundtrip transportation from your hotel in St. George, Utah
- National park entrance fees
- Emergency equipment including a company-issued first-aid kit and communication device (InReach Explorer or satellite phone)
- Mandatory 5% national park fee that passes through directly to the parks we enjoy on this trip
What's Not Included
- Clothes, raingear, and footwear (see recommendations)
- Sunscreen, toiletries and personal items
- Water bottles and a headlamp or flashlight
- Alcoholic beverages
- Guide gratuity (industry recommendation is 10-20% of trip cost)
Click here to see a printable, downloadable trip information packet with more detailed guidance about what to pack.
Meals: What to Expect
We provide all your meals from breakfast the first day through lunch the last day. Your guide will prepare breakfasts and lunches with a variety of hot and cold meals that are appropriate for the day’s activities. Feel free to tell us about your food preferences, as we’re more than happy to tailor the menu to your needs/desires. Some specialty diets may require an additional fee.
For dinners, we’ve hand-picked local restaurants you’re sure to enjoy! We made our decisions based on the quality of their food, their charm, and how much local color and character they have. One very noteable restaurant we visit is the Hell’s Backbone Grill in Boulder, Utah – a highly acclaimed, award-winning grill!
We regularly accommodate vegan, vegetarian, kosher and non-gluten diets and will make adjustments for food allergies. These and other special dietary requests may require an additional fee.
Gear We Provide
We provide all group gear which includes the following:
- Deuter or Osprey backpacks
- Leki trekking poles
- Company-issued first-aid kit
- Emergency communication device(s)
Guest Packing List
When you register for this tour you’ll receive access to a printable, downloadable trip information packet with a detailed packing list specific to this trip (click here to see it now.) All trips require a sturdy pair of hiking shoes or hiking boots, rain gear, a recommended clothing system, a headlamp or flashlight, a hydration system (water bottles and/or bladder) and other items specific to each trip.
Trip Logistics
How Do I Register?
Reserve your spot today! In the Trip Dates & Booking section of this page, the green and red dates are bookable online by simply clicking on the date, and blue dates must be booked through our customer service team for a variety of possible reasons. To email our customer service team, you can click here to get the ball rolling. Our adventure consultants will confirm availability, and if you’re ready to register we’ll email you a link to a registration profile. You’ll have 72 hours to complete your profile (and that of any dependents) and pay the deposit.
Feel free to call us for more info – we’re here 7 days a week!
Where Do We Meet?
You will rendezvous with the guide and group in St. George, Utah for an orientation meeting at 5:00 PM the evening before the trip begins. Your guide will be in contact approximately 2 weeks before your trip starts to specify the orientation location. The guide will then pick you up at your hotel the next morning for transport to the trailhead. For Private Utah Tours your guide can meet you at your hotel in St. George or Cedar City, Utah at an agreed upon time.
Click here to see a printable, downloadable trip information packet with more detailed guidance about flights, shuttles, recommended lodging and more.
Travel to St. George, Utah
This Utah trip originates in St. George, Utah where you’ll meet your guide and group. St. George has a small airport served by Delta Connection and United Express. From the St. George Airport one can take a taxi into town or some hotels offer a complimentary airport shuttle. The more popular method of travel though is to fly into Las Vegas, NV and take a shuttle (www.stgshuttle.com or https://saltlakeexpress.com/destination/las-vegas-airport-nv/) to St. George. This is often your cheapest option. It is a 2-hour drive from Las Vegas to St. George on good roads.
Pre- and Post-trip On Request Lodging
We secure limited amounts of pre and post trip lodging in St. George, Utah as an optional add-on for guests of this trip. This lodging is on request, and is available on a first come, first serve basis. If interested, please reach out directly to our team to check availability.
Start/End Times
Your guide will inform you of the first day’s pick-up time at the orientation meeting. Generally, you can expect it to be between 5 and 8 am, although the exact time will depend on current weather and road conditions. We will drop you off at your hotel on the final day no later than 7 PM.
Safety Precautions
Your safety is our top priority. Our hiking tours are led by professional hiking guides, all of whom are wilderness-certified first responders or EMT’s, each with years of guiding and wilderness experience. Guides adhere to standardized risk management protocols in case of any potential or actual incident, and all tours carry an emergency communication device and comprehensive first-aid kit. Additionally we have a “24/7” system through which guides or guests can reach Wildland support personnel at any time.
If you have any further questions about safety, please contact us at 1-800-715-HIKE (4453) for more information.
Essential Eligibility Criteria
Essential Eligibility Criteria (“EEC”) have been specifically identified to help you understand the skills and abilities necessary to participate on each Wildland trip, and they apply uniformly to all potential trip participants, irrespective of the presence or absence of any disability.
Once you identify a trip in which you may be interested, please carefully review the EEC and itinerary details. If after reviewing the EEC that apply to your desired trip, you determine you need an accommodation in order to meet the EEC, please contact us prior to registering to discuss your requested accommodation.
The EEC exist for your own safety and the safety and enjoyment of all participants. If you are unable to meet the EEC for the trip, with or without an accommodation, you are not eligible for that trip. If you register and arrive for a trip for which you do not meet the EEC, you will be disqualified from participation on the trip and will be dismissed or evacuated from the trip without a refund.
Guide Working Parameters
Guides are required to take 8 hours off each 24-hour period to sleep, recuperate, take personal/down time…etc. In addition, as part of the 8 hours off they must sleep/rest or be in their tents/rooms uninterrupted for a minimum of 5 hours each night. We ask guests to respect these requirements and to not interrupt guides’ off time and sleep time unless there is a true emergency.
Age Restrictions
Age restrictions on this trip are as follows:
- 12 and older to join scheduled tours (mixed groups)
- 5 and older to join private tours, with final approval and specific logistical requirements (such as porter or stock assist) determined on a case by case basis
Weather in Southern Utah
Weather in Southern Utah
Southern Utah is a high desert. The weather is very moderate: occasional dustings of snow in the winter that melt rapidly, and summer temperatures in the low 90s (°F) that often cool down with thunderstorms. To be fully prepared, please follow the recommended clothing list closely (this list comes as part of your trip packet when you register). The ideal time to be in the Canyon Country is Spring and Fall. Read below for average high and low temperatures in Utah’s Canyon Country:
| Month | High | Low |
|---|---|---|
| Dec-Feb | 43° | 18° |
| March | 55° | 27° |
| April | 64° | 33° |
| May | 73° | 40° |
| Jun-Aug | 88° | 55° |
| September | 79° | 45° |
| October | 67° | 35° |
| November | 53° | 25° |
Accommodations
Escalante Escapes
2 nights
Escalante Escapes offers tiny luxury homes with wonderful, intentional, minimalistic design to provide all of the amenities and accessories needed for Wildland guests to feel totally at home while exploring the wonders and beauty of the Escalante Region. (views, wifi)
Capitol Reef Resort
2 Nights
Capitol Reef Resort has consistently been ranked as one of the Top 10 Resorts in Utah in Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best Awards. It is a wonderful hotel very close to the entrance to Capitol Reef National Park. Enjoy the swimming pool, hikes around the property, or just relaxing in your room between activities on this tour. (pool, spa, views)
* These exact accommodations are not guaranteed. In some instances alternative accommodations of similar quality and location may be used.
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