Bryce and Escalante Basecamp
Camping Hiking Tours
5 Days, 4 Nights 22-25MI / 32-40KM
Trip Highlights
For this iconic Utah hiking tour we’ve taken our popular Bryce & Escalante Inn-based Tour in Southern Utah, and added a basecamp adaptation. Our Escalante Basecamp Hiking Tour is an exciting and diverse journey into the classic landscapes of the West. You’ll experience the intricacies of this secluded and diverse landscape. Each day is completely different as we set out on increasingly exciting hikes and adventures into breathtaking Canyon Country. Waterfalls, slickrock, deep canyons, natural arches and bridges, relics of the Native Americans and pioneers who once called this land home, and endless views make this week one of the most enchanting you’ll spend on the planet!
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Big Canyon Views
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Slot Canyons & Waterfalls
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Scenic Camping
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5 days Exploring Utah's Secrets
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Breathtaking Solitude & Scenary
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Spires, Oases & Natural Bridges
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Guides Choice Trip
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Trip Details
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Trip Type
Camping Hiking Tours -
Trip Length
5 Days, 4 Nights -
Daily Hiking Distance
4-10 mi -
Group Size
2-10 Guests
- day by day itinerary
- logistical and travel information
- gear and clothing lists and more
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Is This Trip Right For me?
This trip follows a mix of well-maintained trails and 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.
Difficulty Level
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Solitude Level
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Trip Itinerary
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.
Day 1
Shuttle to Bryce: 2-hour drive from St George
Shuttle to Escalante: 1-hour drive from Bryce
Hiking Mileage: 5-8 miles
Elevation Gain/Loss: 900-1,500 feet
Our Utah national park adventure starts by making our way to the Escalante country, visiting Bryce Canyon National Park en route. We’ll hike one of the lesser-traveled trails in Bryce, but one that offers some of the most impressive scenery in the Park. We’ll be in the northern part of Bryce, where we’ll enjoy superb vistas of Boat Mesa, the Sinking Ship formation, Tower Bridge, China Wall, Fairyland Canyon and other amazing rock structures.
After our hike we’ll make our way to the stunning destination for our next 3 days – Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. We’ll set up our basecamp and your guide will prepare your first of many delicious meals.
Day 2
Hiking Mileage: 4 miles
Elevation Gain/Loss: 291 feet
Today’s trek consists of pleasant hiking along the floor of a deep and imposing canyon. There will be lots of hiking across the creek so you’ll need your wading shoes for this one. The highlight of the day is the spectacular Escalante Natural Bridge, located 1.5 miles in. Following the hike we’ll return to our basecamp, eat a tasty meal and, possibly go for an evening or full moon hike, then settle in for the night.
Day 3
Hiking Mileage: 6 miles
Elevation Gain/Loss: 860 feet
Today’s hike 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. Once done at Anasazi State Park, we’ll drive back to our basecamp and enjoy another delicious dinner.
Day 4
Hiking Mileage: 4-7 miles
Elevation Gain/Loss: 400-800 feet
This day 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 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 5
Hiking Mileage: 3 miles
Elevation Gain/Loss: 615 feet
Shuttle to St. George: 3.5-hour drive
On our last morning we’ll eat breakfast and head west toward the starting point of our trip, St. George, Utah. But the trip isn’t over yet! We’ll stop at Bryce Canyon National Park to enjoy a classic hike through its famous hoodoos and spectacular vistas. Our hike takes us down from the rim, through the stunning corridors of Wall Street and past the Silent City, before bringing us back to the rim of the Bryce Amphitheater. We’ll enjoy lunch on the rim, gazing into the maze of Wall Street and contemplating our incredible week. After lunch we’ll load up and head back to St. George, where we’ll say our goodbyes and start scheming about our next adventure!
Snow Canyon Add-On Hike
Extend your adventure with a day hike in the amazing “Miniature Zion Canyon” – Snow Canyon State Park! Click here to learn more.
Trip Dates
Click on a date to register. You can also click here to request new dates or book through customer service.
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What's Included
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Top-of-the-line tent, sleeping pad, sleeping bag, and day pack
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Use of trekking poles
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All meals are included from breakfast the first day through lunch on the last day
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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.
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Roundtrip transportation from your hotel in St. George, Utah
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National park entrance fees
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Emergency equipment including a company-issued first-aid kit and communication device
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Mandatory 5% national park fee that passes through directly to the parks we enjoy on this trip
What's Not Included
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Clothes, raingear, and footwear -
Sunscreen, toiletries and personal items
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Water bottles and a headlamp or flashlight
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Guide gratuity (industry recommendation is 10-20% of trip cost)
Accommodations
Premier Campgrounds
4 NIGHTS
On our basecamp tours we hand pick wonderful campgrounds that put us right in the action for exceptional hiking and camping vacations. They may be national park, state park, or private vehicle-accessible campgrounds. They may vary by trip date depending on availability and seasonality.
Fantastic Meals
14 MEALS
Basecamp trips include meals for the duration of the tours beginning with breakfast the first day through lunch the final day. Meals are prepared by your guide(s) using fresh ingredients, exclusive Wildland recipes, and we adhere to all department of health outdoor cooking codes.
Comfortable Camping
CAMPING AMENITIES
What amenities do basecamp tours include? Cold and hot drinks, campfires (where/when allowed), camp chairs, access to showers, fresh food, roomy tents, comfortable sleeping pads, comfy sleeping bags, camp pillows and more! Camp comfortably, eat like royalty, and hike til your heart’s content!
Trip Logistics & FAQs
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.
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
Reviews
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Nancy V
6 months agoVery happy with the trip
This was the first time I joined a small group camping trip and it was everything I had hoped for. There were four of us all around the same age and ability. All the equipment that was provided was of good quality and all that I needed. Casey was great! and such a good cook! All the food was delicious and he accommodated all the food preferences for us all. He was very knowledgeable of the area and of other trips from Wildland. I am very happy with the trip and look forward to going on another one.
Stacey J
6 months agoHikes were Beautiful
Casey Donohue was the ultimate guide for my 5-day basecamp adventure through Bryce and Escalante, Utah! His knowledge of the area was impressive. The hikes were beautiful and perfect for the group’s abilities. The food was delicious, and he made a special effort to cater to everyone’s preferences. This is my second trip with Wildland. 10/10 would explore with Wildland and Casey as the guide again.
Barbara C
1 year agoWe loved it!
We loved this trip! It was a challenge for us but our guide had so much knowledge and experience it made well worth it. Having someone prepare our food every breakfast, lunch and dinner was a big bonus! Our guide selected meals that were of great variety, quality and flavor! We loved it!
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