Three days.
Two wild nights.
Zero crowds.
Disappear into the greater Canyonlands on a private 3-day, 2-night guided backpacking trip. Ancient ruins. Hidden canyon camps. A sky full of stars. Your guides know every mesa, every route, and every story the desert has to tell.
The Colorado Plateau
on your own terms
Towering mesas, labyrinthine canyon systems, ancient petroglyphs, and a silence that resets something deep. This isn't a tram-window version of Canyonlands — it's the real thing, on foot, carrying what you need, sleeping where few ever sleep.
Your Clapper Adventures guide builds the itinerary around your group's pace, interest, and fitness. Whether you're chasing archaeology, photography, or simply the feeling of being truly off the beaten track — this trip delivers.
3-Day Private Guided
Backpacking Expedition
What three days in
canyon country looks like
Every group gets a custom route. The outline below is a representative 3-day structure — your guide will shape the exact itinerary based on your pace, interests, and current conditions before your trip.
Meet your guide in Moab for a gear check, route briefing, and permit confirmation. Then it's time to leave the pavement behind. The first day eases you in — big views come fast, and your guide will point out the geological layers, flora, and first signs of ancestral Puebloan presence along the way. Camp at a private desert site with the canyon to yourselves.
The heart of the trip. Your guide leads you into terrain that most visitors will never see — a different canyon system from Day 1, ancient granaries, petroglyph panels, and natural arch formations far from any maintained trail. Lunch in the shade of a canyon wall. A new campsite, a new vantage point, and another sky full of stars that remind you how big this place really is.
The final morning is unhurried. Coffee at camp, last views, one more ridge line if you want it. Then the trail out — which, like all good departures, has its own magic. You'll arrive back at the trailhead with full legs, a quieter mind, and enough stories for a long time to come. Return to Moab mid-afternoon.
What's included
Not Included
A full gear list and food planning guide is provided at booking. Questions? Call us at 435.260.7066.
Expect 6–10 miles of hiking per day on uneven desert terrain, often off-trail, with a loaded pack (25–35 lbs). Some days include significant elevation gain and route-finding on slickrock and sand. You don't need mountaineering experience — but consistent aerobic fitness and comfort on rough ground makes a real difference.
Is this trip
right for you?
This trip is designed for people who want the real thing — not a theme park, not a shuttle tour. It's tailored to your group's pace and abilities, but it does ask something of you physically and mentally. Here's who gets the most out of it.
"We've been guiding people into these canyons for decades. The places we take you to — you won't find them on any app. That's the whole point."
— Clapper Adventures Guides, Moab, Utah
Flexible booking,
clear terms
We know plans change. Our policy is straightforward, and when circumstances allow, we'll always work with you to apply credits toward a future trip.
More than 60 Days Before Departure
Full deposit refund. No questions asked. Your $300 deposit is returned in full.
60–15 Days Before Departure
50% of total trip cost is retained. We'll do our best to apply remaining value toward a future trip.
Less than 15 Days Before Departure
Full trip cost is non-refundable. We strongly recommend trip insurance for any large travel investment.
Reservation Details
Or call us directly: 435.260.7066
Questions before
you commit?
We hear these a lot. Still not covered? Give us a call — we love talking about these trips.
Call 435.260.7066
Three days from now,
you could be out there.
Private guided backpacking in the greater Canyonlands — tailored to your group, your pace, and your definition of a perfect desert expedition.
📞 435.260.7066Fully permitted · Certified guides · Private tours only · Moab, Utah