Utah Ultimate National Parks Hiking Road Trip

Be sure to eat a gluttonous breakfast before meeting your group at 8:00am at our Rendezvous Hotel in Salt Lake City. You’ll be greeted by your Explorer Chick Guides with an official orientation to follow. We’ll then hop into our Explorer Chick Shuttle for a 4 hour transfer to Moab and the surrounding National Parks. Dolly Parton and Wilson Phillips singalongs are encouraged!

It’s a biggie drive, but we’re still getting our hike on. Throw on your daypack to walk a favorite trail surrounded by giant towers with views of the Colorado River. Though it sits outside of the National Parks, the trail is crazy-spectacular.

We’ll then unpack at our Explorer Chick House for the next 3 days with views of the rocky mesas and red desert right out our windows.

Distance: 4.4 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,653′
Hiking Time: 3 hours

Transfer Time: 4 hours
Accommodation: Explorer Chick House (Night 1 of 3)
Meals: L-D

It’s an extra early morning to snag the sunrise from the edge of Dead Horse Point State Park. Munch your breakfast and sip your coffee as the light wakes up the sky.

After an unforgettable sunrise, we’ll head over to Canyonlands National Park to tackle the steepest trail in the park – descending over 1,500 feet across 2.7 miles to the canyon plateau aka the best lunch spot in the park. We’ll likely be the only ones around as we feast like mighty She-Wolves. An intense hike back to the canyon rim will blast us up switchbacks along the cliffside – work those calves and earn that dinner!

After a triumphant finish, we’ll hop back in our SHE-nanigan Shuttle and pause at the best vista viewpoints the park has to offer. Commence sweaty glamour shots.

Hiking Distance: 5.4 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,548′
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours

Accommodation: Explorer Chick House (Night 2 of 3)
Meals: B-L-D

We’ll take our time exploring Arches National Park, with frequent shuttle stops to enjoy killer overlooks and trails – we’ll even stop to do a Boomerang of you chasing a tumbleweed. We’ll wander between red sandstone walls and up massive rock formations seeking out some of the 2,000 arches in the National Park. Look up and geek out as you stand beneath picture perfect arches shaped by the same wind that’s wicking your sweat.

The most iconic hike is saved for sunset – Delicate Arch. There are no words to describe the glow of the Arch as the sun sets on our long day. We’ll gather in the “bowl” to perch in awe (and snap a bajillion Glamour Shots).

Hiking Distance: Varies 5-10 miles
Elevation Gain: Varies 1,000-2,000′
Hiking Time: All day

Accommodation: Explorer Chick House (Night 3 of 3)
Meals: B-L-D

We’ll hit the road first thing to travel to the San Rafael Swell area and slay our first slot canyon. A quick hike up a wash brings us to a canyon with towering walls. Run your hand along the waves etched in the walls by water and time.

Nosh a picnic and marvel/giggle at the lesser known (but blatantly phallic) Goblin Valley State Park. Suggestive modeling is expected.

After countless “That’s What She Said” jokes, we’ll make our way to Escalante via one of the world’s most scenic roads – Highway 12. Over the next 3 hours, we’ll drive through Capital Reef National Park and cross over the remote Henry Mountains, leaving time for plenty of overlook stop offs. Then it’s full on Yurt Life for the next 2 nights!

Hiking Distance: 8 miles
Elevation Gain: 787′
Hiking Time: 4 hours

Transfer time: 2 Hours + 3 Hours
Accommodation: Shared Yurts (Night 1 of 2)
Meals: B-L-D

Hike through the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, where millions of years of wind and water have carved out a desert masterpiece. Yesterday was just the warm-up; today’s slot canyons bring the drama. Twisting passageways, rippling rock walls, and narrow squeezes that’ll make your inner thrill-seeker do a hair flip.

We’ll head back early afternoon to kick it at our cozy yurts. Sink into a porch chair with a cold drink, sprawl out on the couch, or take a catnap while the desert breeze does its thing. Still got gas in the tank? There’s always time for another quick hike before we clean up for a seriously memorable dinner where locally sourced ingredients and award-winning flavors meet high-desert magic.

Hiking Distance: 3.5 miles
Elevation Gain: 738′
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours

Transfer time: 2 Hours
Accommodation: Shared Yurts (Night 2 of 2)
Meals: B-L-D

Get ready for National Park #3! Today we crush the Fairyland Loop, winding through towering hoodoos and dramatically etched rock formations. Let out your best Mufasa roar as you gaze over the epic Bryce Amphitheater—no shame in taking a hundred photos, it’s that kind of view.

After the hike, we’ll roll into our luxe glamping digs. Stylish canvas tents, cozy lighting, and front-porch lounging. Best of all, swimming pools and hot tubs to soak those trail-weary legs as the sun dips behind the cliffs.

Hiking Distance: 8 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,545′
Hiking Time: 5 hours

Transfer time: 1 Hour + 1 Hour
Accommodation: Shared Glamping Tents (Night 1 of 2)
Meals: B-L-D

Zion teleports you to a different world. Towering cliffs rise above you, making you forget how many consecutive days you’ve worn that underwear.

You’ll jump right into the action hiking your booty right on to the top. Yes, you’ll ascend all 21 of Walter’s Wiggles to reach Scout Lookout. We’ll take a breather to sit in the stillness and take in the panoramic views of Zion Canyon and Virgin River before descending the trail to the series of natural pools and streams that make up the Upper and Lower Emerald Pools. Canyon views followed by an oasis? PINCH ME!

After our climb down, we’ll squeeze in as much trail time as we can before hopping our shuttle back to our luxurious Glamping Digs.

Hiking Distance: 6.29 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,650′
Hiking Time: 4.5 – 5 hours

Accommodation: Shared Glamping Tents (Night 2 of 2)
Meals: B-L-D

Hold those tears back – we have one last epic hike!

But today we’re exploring below the walls as we trek in the Virgin River. As the narrowest section of the canyon, the water levels can get deep, forcing intrepid Explorer Chicks to go for a swim.

SOAK IT ALL IN GIRL! You earned this high after 8 days of gnarly hikes, belly laughs, and new friendships. We’ll hug it up and roll out to drive the 4:30 hours back to Salt Lake City. The courage in your heart and stank in your boots will buoy you until your next Explorer Chick adventure.

Plan evening flight departures after 9pm.

Hiking Distance: 5 miles
Hiking Time: 5 hours

Transfer time: 4:30 hours
Meals: B-L

NOTE: Hiking the Narrows is not guaranteed. The Park closes the river to hiking when water levels are high and dangerous. In case of closure, your Explorer Chick guides will have alternative hiking plans.

Explorer Chick reserves the option to modify trip itineraries at the discretion of your tour director as necessary due to weather, conditions, illness, injury, group dynamics, or other unforeseen incidents.