Best of Escalante & Capitol Reef Tour
Inn-Based Hiking Tours
5 Days, 4 Nights 26+MI / 42+KM
Trip Highlights
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!
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Slot Canyons
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Spring-fed Creeks
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Arches & Natural Bridges
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Waterfalls
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Charming Lodges
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Fascinating Geology
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Trip Details
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Trip Type
Inn-Based Hiking Tours -
Trip Length
5 Days, 4 Nights -
Daily Hiking Distance
4-7 mi -
Group Size
2-6 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 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.
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 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.
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 day pack and 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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4 nights of double occupancy lodging (single occupancy requires an additional single supplement)
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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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Alcoholic beverages
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Guide gratuity (industry recommendation is 10-20% of trip cost)
Accommodations
* These exact accommodations are not guaranteed. In some instances alternative accommodations of similar quality and location may be used.
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)
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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Linda B
5 months agoBest Time
Had the best time our hiking tour. Connor was an awesome guide.- smart and fun!! The meals were outstanding. Great accommodations.. 10 out of 10.
Maggie A
6 months agoIncredible
First, I could not have been happier with my overall experience with my first time on a hiking tour. Beau is a knowledgeable and passionate guide, a born educator that made things so fun and interesting! The depth of his knowledge in the area is incredible. We were a very diverse group with very different needs and ideas of what this trip should be. Beau was diligent in trying to satisfy everyone's expectations. This would be a monumental task in this small group. I had a very minor medical issue on one of our hikes and he handled it with professionalism, calm and reassurance. . I will be back to Wildland Trekking in the fall (Hopefully!) Our accommodations were great along with all of our meals. Utah Truck Taco's will be in my heart forever!
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