Utah Big Five Adventure
Spend 10 days crossing all 5 of the Utah National Parks off your bucket list!
Trip Length
10 Days

Intensity
Difficult

Group Size
8 Persons

Trip Dates
September 25 – October 4, 2022
Activities
Hiking & Interpretive Tours
Glamping & Camping
Whitewater Rafting
Canyoneering
Jeep Tour
Stargazing
Included
Medically-trained, naturalist guides
Round-trip transportation from and to SLC
All accommodations: Camping & Glamping
Tent, sleeping pad, & group camping equipment
All meals
Park entry fees
Not Included
Gratuity for your guide
Sleeping bag (available to rent for $50)
Personal camping gear (see pack list)
$4750
Trip Info
This adventure hits the highlights of all 5 Utah National Parks: Arches, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, Bryce Canyon, and Zion. Hike to spectacular rock formations, explore deep canyons, traverse over slick rock, float on the Colorado River, and stargaze in one of the darkest skies in the lower 48! Learn and appreciate how each one of these parks are connected, yet so different! Most nights are spent in relative luxury as you GLAMP, while other nights give you the opportunity to tent camp- all beneath the stars!
Weather
The best times of year to hike in the deserts of Utah are during early Spring from late February to May, and the fall months of September through early November. The summer months can be oppressively hot and not ideal for hiking. Daytime temperatures in spring and fall are usually from 60° to 80°F (16°-27°C) and nights are cool. In the early fall you should be prepared for the odd afternoon thunderstorm. Bryce Canyon sits at a much higher elevation, please anticipate warm days in the 60s with very cool evening temperatures.
Group
Good Trippers can be any age but most of our travelers are in their 30s – 50s.
We get families, couples and friends, but most of our travelers come solo! We have trips for all abilities, just make sure to review the Intensity section for information about what to expect on your trip.
All public trips are 18+. If you’re traveling with kids, we’d be happy to make any itinerary private! Email info@goodtripadventures.com.
Intensity – Difficult
Expect to spend 3-6 hours walking or hiking over the course of the day (and, yes there will be elevation change) while carrying daypacks with water and snacks! Suitable for most fit people with a bit of hiking experience.
Accommodations
- Three nights of glamping in Dead Horse Point State Park
- Two nights camping in Capitol Reef National Park
- Two nights camping in Bryce Canyon National Park
- Three nights of glamping or hotel stay near Zion National Park
- Pricing is based on double occupancy accommodations
- Single supplement is available for an additional $1500 per person
Flights
Your guide will meet you at Salt Lake City International Airport in Salt Lake City, Utah at 9:30am on Day 1, so please book a flight that arrives by 9 am. Alternatively, you can be collected at your accommodation in Salt Lake City at 8:30am if you are already in town.
Your trip ends back at Salt Lake City International Airport at around 12:30 pm on Day 4. Please book a flight that leaves after 14:30 to ensure you have enough time to check-in. Alternatively you can be dropped at your accommodation in Salt Lake City if you are staying at.
Itinerary
Day 1
Your host will meet you at Salt Lake City Airport where you’ll jump in the van and hit the road over to Moab, the base for your adventure in the Utah desert. After a quick stop in town for lunch, you’ll check in to your yurt. Later, you will then meet the group to head out on a sunset warm-up hike to get your first taste of Moab!
In the evening you’ll have dinner with the group while your guide gives you a heads-up on the big day tomorrow. Don’t forget to check out the stars before bed!
Meals: L, D
Day 2
Alarm clocks will be ringing early this morning as you wake up before the sun to head straight out into Arches National Park- named for the more than 2000 natural stone arches scattered throughout the park. Today you’ll take a series of short hikes along different trails to see a selection of these incredible formations including Delicate Arch: the iconic arch which adorns Utah’s license plates. Your hikes are set against a constant backdrop of bright red rock against the deep blue sky – an iconic southwestern sight.
After enjoying lunch in the park- you’ll head out on a whitewater rafting tour on the Colorado River! Experience the cooling splashes from the rapids (I & II class) in Utah’s hot desert and serene stretches with swim time.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 3
After breakfast, you’ll head over to Canyonlands National Park in the Needles District. You’ll watch the sun rise over the canyon before tackling one of the park’s most beautiful and diverse trails – the Cheslers Peak trail. The hike is challenging but you’ll be rewarded with amazing big-sky views across the vast openness of Canyonlands. The trail progresses from grasslands to sand dunes to slickrock and slot canyons! Epic! End the night with a sunset at Dead Horse Point!
Meals: B, L, D
Day 4
Enjoy breakfast and a leisurely morning, before a tour of short hikes & overlooks in a new district of Canyonlands National Park- the Island in the Sky! After lunch and a stop in town, your host will drive to your next destination- Capitol Reef! Upon arrival the group will set-up camp, enjoy dinner, and settle in for the evening of camping in tents beneath the dark sky.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 5
Gear up for a thrilling adventure today- off-roading in a Jeep! After enjoying breakfast, you’ll ride on four wheels in one of the more remote regions of Capitol Reef National Park: the Cathedra Valley district. You’ll visit: Temple of the Sun, Moon & Stars, Upper Cathedral Valley, Bentonite Hills, Jailhouse Rock, Walls of Jericho, Glass Mountain. Enjoy lunch in the park before heading out on an afternoon hike in the waterpocket fold district!
In the evening you’ll have dinner with the group and enjoy s’mores next to the campfire and your guide will give you the next day’s plans!
Meals: B, L, D
Day 6
After packing up camp and enjoying a delicious breakfast, you’ll take one more hike in Capitol Reef! Soak in the landscape before taking the 2 hour drive to your next destination: Bryce Canyon! Sitting at 9,000 feet- Bryce Canyon National Park takes you to a different dimension. Upon arrival you’ll set-up camp for the night and enjoy dinner! Take some time to relax before a telescope tour in the darkest sky in the lower 48!
Meals: B, L, D
Day 7
Today you’ll head into Bryce Canyon National Park for a full day of hiking amongst the fascinating red rock formations- hoodoos! Take in sweeping views anyway that you turn. Be surprised to know that the other half of Bryce Canyon is a dense pine forest- be on the lookout for wildlife such as deer, elk, prairie dogs and more! You’ll enjoy lunch in the park either on trail or near an overlook. After a long day of hiking, enjoy dinner, and a campfire as you listen to the next day plans!
Meals: B, L, D
Day 8
This morning you’ll wake before dawn to enjoy the sunrise over the canyon- just a short walk from your campsite. After leisurely packing up camping and enjoying a delicious hot breakfast your guides will transfer you to your next destination- Zion National Park. Upon arrival you’ll get ready for an epic adventure- canyoneering! Spend the afternoon day hiking, rappelling, down-climbing, stemming, and in some cases wading or swimming near Zion National Park.
After a day’s worth of adventure, settle into your luxury camping or hotel experience!
Meals: B, L, D
Day 9
Spend the last full day of the trip in Zion National Park! Expect to do 3 or 4 short hikes with ample opportunities to learn and appreciate why this place has been so special to so many generations of park visitors, pioneers and indigenous Americans. You’ll enjoy a picnic lunch in the park!
Enjoy dinner in town as you reminisce with the group about the past week!
Meals: B, L, D
Day 10
After breakfast, a leisurely morning, your host will drive you back through the desert to Salt Lake City in time for your departing flight.
Meals: B
Pack List
- Required Gear
- Day pack (15-30 liters recommended)
- Luggage (can be left in the vehicle, 1 small suitcase per person)
- Sleeping bag (also available to rent)
- Pack cover
- Headlamp
- Reusable water bottles or bladders (3L total capacity)
- Recommeded Gear and Personal Items
- Cotton or silk sleeping bag liner (optional, recommended if renting)
- Travel pillow
- Sunscreen
- Earplugs
- Insect repellent
- Toiletries (please choose biodegradable and scent-free items)
- Small, personal first aid kit (including blister treatment)
- Small, quick dry towel
- Required Clothing
- Warm jacket (down, puffy, fleece)
- Rain jacket or shell
- Breathable wicking base layers
- Lightweight hiking pants
- Warm clothes to sleep in
- Warm hat
- Sun hat with a brim
- Wool socks (1 pair per day of trip)
- Hiking boots
- Sunglasses
- Bathing Suite
- Recommended Clothing
- Rain pants
- Buff or neck scarf
- Comfortable clothes for camp
- Sandals or camp shoes