Taking a commercial tour offers alternative ways to visit the national parks. Hire a private guide or go in a group. Taking a tour will help keep congestion down.

With the reservation system for Arches, taking a guided tour will get you into the park without a reservation. You will also learn more interesting tidbits about the park having a knowledgeable guide.

Driving App Guide

The GuideAlong app is just like having a tour guide in your car. Commentary plays automatically as you drive, providing helpful information about what to see and do, so you don’t miss a thing. Hear entertaining behind-the-scenes stories about the history, geology, hikes, wildlife, and cultural highlights along the route as you drive.

GuideAlong is easy to use and once downloaded, doesn’t require data or a cellular network, as it uses GPS signal while touring. Easy-to-follow routes have been created by professional tour guides; all you have to do is listen to the instructions and enjoy the commentary.

Take your sightseeing and exploring in the national parks up a gear with your own personal tour guide. GuideAlong.com.

Go With the Pros

There is a morning or sunset bus tour of Arches from Moab Adventure Center that is a perfect trip for all ages. 435-259-7019, MoabAdventureCenter.com.

Bret Edge leads private nature photography workshops throughout the national parks. He is passionate about helping photographers improve their skills and create dynamic images at iconic and off-the-beaten path canyon country locations. 602-571-4170, MoabPhotoWorkshops.com.

Bryan Haile Photography Tours offers full- and half-day commercially insured private tours of Moab’s most scenic areas. Landscape photography composition instruction is provided for all skill levels. Night photography and Milky Way Photography instruction under Moab’s darkest skies. 970-412-7464, BryanHailePhotography.com/moab-photo-tours.

Colin D. Young leads small group landscape photography tours in Arches, Canyonands, and beyond during the spring and fall, plus multi-day workshops for a deeper dive into the area’s red rock secrets. He specializes in helping photographers capture the Milky Way in our internationally recognized dark sky parks. 917-902-3063, RockLightPhotoTours.com.

Skip the lines and see the wonders of Utah from the air with Redtail Air. Their pilots give a narrated tour of the area as they fly you over the amazing scenery of Canyonlands, Arches, Monument Valley, or the Colorado River. 435-259-7421, FlyRedtail.com.

Wild West Voyages offers private, customized tours in both Arches and Canyonlands National Parks. Tours can be designed to emphasize hiking or general touring, according to your preference: morning, sunset, or full day.

All ages welcome. Tours include park fees and pick up/drop off at your downtown Moab lodging.

Combine with a Wild West Voyages river trip for the perfect day! 435-238-4257, WildWestVoyages.com.

Ranger-Led Programs

Rangers and volunteers in both Arches and Canyonlands may offer a variety of programs every day, spring through fall.

Programs include interactive programs, guided walks, evening programs, or special events like stargazing.

Program types, times, and locations vary throughout the year and may change due to weather or other factors. Check with the parks for details.

Picture Perfect

eFotoGuide is a series of ebooks for sale providing the most comprehensive information available for photographing America’s national parks and other scenic areas.
The ebooks are PDFs, accessible on all electronic platforms, including smartphones, tablets, and laptops. eFotoGuide.com.

See the Backcountry

NAVTEC Expeditions tours Arches National Park on both the main road or on the less-crowded 4x4 roads.

They offer a broad scope of driving-only, combo 4x4/hiking tours, or multi-day camping trips in all three districts of Canyonlands.

Take a single- or three-day tour around the White Rim Trail. This tour offers amazing views down toward the area where both the Colorado and Green Rivers meet, and up the 1,000ft wall of Island in the Sky. 435-259-7983, Navtec.com.