Capitol Reef Backpacking
Guided Backpacking Trips
6 Days, 5 Nights 32MI / 51KM
Trip Highlights
Our Capitol Reef backpacking trip includes a journey through remote canyons, a visit to iconographic but seldom-seen geologic features, and a traverse of the Waterpocket Fold to the south. We will visit one of the only double arches in the world and traverse to the southern edge of the Park for a unique hike through a slot canyon similar to the famous Zion Narrows (but with virtually no visitors other than ourselves.) Our challenging Capitol Reef Backpacking concludes at one of the most scenic byways in America before making the journey back to St. George.
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Remote Wilderness
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Sandstone Cliffs
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Surreal Rock Formations
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The Clearest Night Sky You've Ever Seen
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Stunning Slot Canyon & Narrows Hiking
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A Rare Double Arch
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Desert Solitude
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Trip Details
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Trip Type
Guided Backpacking Trips -
Trip Length
6 Days, 5 Nights -
Daily Hiking Distance
4-10 mi -
Group Size
4-10 Guests
Is This Trip Right For me?
Everything is off trail on this trip, so prepare for hiking in soft sand, wading in water, and walking over uneven terrain. Hiking distances are moderate, and there’s easy-moderate amounts of elevation gain. Be prepared to carry 4 liters of water at times, which will increase pack weight.
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 Capitol Reef: 6 hours
Hiking Mileage: 5 miles
Elevation Loss: 800 feet
On this amazing Utah backpacking tour, our early-morning drive to Capitol Reef begins with an ascent into the high desert country of the Colorado Plateau, in the heart of which lies the tremendous topography of the Waterpocket Fold – our semi-private playground for the next six days. After passing by popular Bryce National Park and through the pioneer towns of Escalante and Boulder, UT, we’ll turn onto a scenic Utah road that takes us into Capitol Reef. The views of the surrounding canyon country, their incredible isolation and Lake Powell beyond are our reward for our long morning’s drive. Our first day’s hike is a great warm-up that starts at a beautiful overlook, where we can take in the vastness of the landscapes before dropping down into it. We’ll descend into the canyons of Capitol Reef, learning about the geology and history as we go. At the end of the day we’ll set up camp near a creek, enjoy our first backcountry dinner and prepare for the next morning’s adventure in the narrows!
Day 2
Hiking Mileage: 5.5 miles
Elevation Gain: 200 feet
Elevation Loss: 200 feet
Comparable in size and similarity to the famed Virgin River Narrows in Zion National Park, Capitol Reef’s remote narrows receives less than 1% of the visitation of its famous cousin. Odds are we’ll have the place pretty-well to ourselves. Today is a day hike, at the end of which we’ll return to our first night’s camp. By traversing the narrows with light daypacks, we’ll be better able to explore and enjoy the incredible scenery around us. Wildland will provide the use of Neoprene socks for warmth while hiking through water – a seasonal necessity in the chilly narrows. Depending on the time of year, the water in the canyon can be deep enough to swim. For this reason, there is no guarantee today’s hike will be completed as a full loop. If the guide deems conditions unsafe we will turn around, and return to camp.
Day 3
Hiking Mileage: 4-6 miles
Elevation Gain: 400 feet
Today’s hike takes us along the southernmost boundary of Capitol Reef National Park. We’ll follow the remnants of an old wagon trail supply route pioneered in 1881 by Mormon settler Charles Hall. We’ll pass an impressive, red-colored, 500-foot “slide” while following the faint wagon tracks along a desert creek. We’ll also take time to explore one of the numerous side canyons that branch off from the main drainage. We’ll set up camp at the junction of the creek and another prominent canyon. We’ll settle into our remote campsite and enjoy some down time before reconvening for a delicious dinner prepared by your guide(s).
Day 4
Hiking Mileage: 10 miles
Elevation Gain: 500 feet
Here we’ll begin our hike north, retracing a historic wagon route further up canyon, beyond a scenic overlook. While today’s hike is long, the forgiving terrain will make it easy to take in the scenery. We will enjoy the serene vistas and unique geology as we hike up the serpentine canyon. We will also find one of the most impressive (yet seldom visited) geologic features in the American Southwest: stunning natural bridge. It is a spectacular, 120-foot-wide double arch – one arch perched atop another – and one of just a hand full of such rock formations in the world.
Day 5
Hiking Mileage: 8 miles
Elevation Gain: 700 feet
As we ascend out of the canyons, notable sites include a cave with inscriptions from early settlers and cattle rustlers of the 19th century, and impressive alcoves that cut overhangs above the canyon walls. We’ll visit one of the more notable geological sites in Capitol Reef National Park, which is an iron-infused crop of red rock mushroom plumes carries delightful contrast to the white slickrock below. We’ll wander among and photograph these tranquil geologic wonders before continuing to tonight’s camp.
Day 6
Shuttle to St. George: 6 hours
Hiking Mileage: 4 miles
Elevation Gain: 400 feet
With walls that never cease to impress, we’ll ascend out of the lower canyon to the trailhead. The canyon we ascend today is a labyrinth of rock piles, sheer canyon walls, and overhanging amphitheaters. Because the stream bed meanders dizzyingly between steep walls, the canyon earned its name for having enough turns to “twist a mule.” Once back to the trailhead, we will relax into the van and enjoy a final, scenic drive through Utah back to St. George.
Trip Dates
What's Included
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Top-of-the-line tent, sleeping pad, sleeping bag, and technical backpack
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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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Comprehensive, roundtrip transportation from your hotel in St. George and back
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All necessary entrance fees and permits
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Emergency equipment including a company-issued first-aid kit and satellite communication device
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
Backcountry Sleeping
TENT CAMPING
Sleeping on backpacking trips is in premier 1-person, 2-person or 4-person backcountry tents. Solo travelers, and anyone else who requests it, are issued single tents. Top-of-the-line self-inflating sleeping pads and sleeping bags (professionally laundered after every trip) are also provided.
Backcountry Cuisine
FRESH & DELICIOUS
Meals from breakfast Day 1 through lunch the last day are fully included and prepared by your guide. We never use dehydrated backpacking meals, instead serving freshly prepared, delicious backcountry cuisine made with a variety of common and specialty ingredients that travel well in the wilderness.
Amazing Campsites
IN THE ACTION
Campsites vary by destination, trip and even by the individual day of a trip. However, you can expect to camp in beautiful areas that put you right in the action to make the most of your trekking adventure. We carefully design our itineraries with campsites in mind.
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. Alternatively, you may choose to forfeit the pre-trip meeting and meet us in the town of Escalante, UT on the first morning of our trip. This can be more convenient if you are traveling overland from points North or East, but not recommended if you are a novice backpacker.
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.
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
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 normally before 7 PM (this time is not guaranteed, as a variety of circumstances can influence our exact return time).
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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Justin C
4 months agoFantastic Trip
The overall trip was fantastic. Austin was great and I could not have asked for a better experience.
Mitch M
5 months agoA total wow experience.
I want to thank our guide Jennie for a great trip. She set a pace that was good for the entire group, allowed time for observation and learning, did a fantastic job with the food (you can tell she prides herself on being a great backcountry cook) and created an inclusive environment. I plan on hiking with her again. Capital Reef is a geological wonder. Being up close to Brimhall Arch is a total wow experience. It also required a technical hike to reach, which made it even more meaningful. Except for this side-hike, the trip was not hard. However, on 3 days we had to carry extra water because of desert conditions.
Anne C
5 months agoFABULOUS experience
This was my seventh backpacking trip with Wildland. I have loved every moment of every trip. The guides are amazing. They take care of everything and make it look effortless. I will keep doing them as long as I'm able!
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