Click on photos for larger images. Sometimes you have to refresh the page to re-activate this feature. Hide Slide Show (you will have to refresh the page to see it again)

Arches National Park

Monday, October 19, 2026 - Monday, October 26, 2026 -- $1900 ★

Experience the awe-inspiring beauty of Arches National Park on a week-long hiking adventure through the remote Utah backcountry. This guided trip is designed for hikers who prefer the comfort of day hikes while still exploring some of the most iconic and photogenic landscapes in the American Southwest.


Arches is home to over 2,000 natural stone arches, along with towering spires, expansive mesas, and deep canyons. We'll explore nearly every major formation accessible by established trail, including the famous Delicate Arch, Landscape Arch, Double O Arch, Balanced Rock, and The Three Gossips.


Our hikes are low in mileage and require only day packs. While some scrambling over slick rock is involved, the terrain is generally moderate and accessible to most active individuals. October brings cooler daytime temperatures and crisp desert air, making it ideal for hiking, photography, and evening stargazing under some of the darkest skies in the country.


Expect stunning sunsets, expansive desert vistas, and a chance to disconnect and immerse yourself in one of the most iconic landscapes in North America. Whether you're new to hiking or a seasoned explorer, this trip offers a rich and memorable experience in a truly unique setting.



Topographical Map of Proposed Route

See Topo map


Weather

Weather is always an important factor when hiking in the desert. In October, you can typically expect daytime hiking temperatures in the 80s and nighttime lows in the 40s. However, conditions can vary. Daytime highs have occasionally reached 100°F, while overnight lows can dip into the 30s. There is also a small chance of rain and, on rare occasions, even snow.


Please come prepared for a wide range of conditions. Sun protection is essential—bring a wide-brimmed hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, and light, breathable clothing. All participants must carry water containers totaling at least 4 liters of capacity, as dehydration is a serious risk in the desert environment.


Being well-prepared will help ensure a safe and enjoyable experience in one of the most dramatic landscapes in the Southwest.



Probable Trip Leaders

Bruce Cannon
Collin Chambers
Any Other Guide(s) TBD

Cost

$1900 per person double occupancy. Here, double occupancy means that you will share a hotel room with another trip participant. Single room accommodations are available for purchase. You will also be responsible for transportation to and from Salt Lake City (SLC) as well as personal equipment, restaurant meals (typically 2 dinners) and any gratuities for guides.


Covered expenses include 1 hotel night, 6 nights in a front country campground, storage fees, 6 days of trail meals, airport transfers, ground transportation to/from/within the National Park, park permits, park entrance fees and awesome guides.


Tipping: In order to keep our prices competitive with (and hopefully favorable to) other outfitters, we shamefully can’t pay our guides as much as we think they deserve. Like most other guiding services, we rely on the generosity of our participants to make up this shortfall by tipping the guides. Gratuity can comprise a significant and important part of a guide’s compensation. The industry recommended gratuity amount is 10-20% of the trip cost. Gratuities are always optional and based on level of satisfaction but generally account for 30-60% of their income through gratuities. Fitpacking supports tipping to the greatest extent possible while remaining tactful and professional. Guides are not permitted to solicit tips in any way other than doing an exceptional job supporting and providing exceptional customer service to our participants. If your guides have served you well, please support them with gratuities so they can continue living their extravagant lifestyles of eating powdered meals, sleeping in the dirt and pooping in smelly outhouses and small holes they've dug.



Important notes about this trip


While many of the trails in Arches National Park are well-marked and enjoyable to hike, the terrain can be varied and occasionally challenging. Expect a mix of packed dirt paths, sandy sections, slick rock surfaces, and areas with steep drop-offs. In a few places, you’ll need to scramble using your hands—and sometimes your seat—to navigate short but rugged sections of trail.


Overall, the hikes are manageable for active individuals with a sense of adventure, and the terrain only adds to the experience. This is pure hiking pleasure through one of the most unique and visually stunning landscapes in the country.


Back to top
Sign Up For a Trip
Itinerary
Weather
Guides for this trip
Cost
Important Note
Difficulty (Please Read)
Map
 
 

Itinerary


Monday, October 19, 2026

Fly into Salt Lake City Airport (SLC). Plan to arrive by 1PM.

We will assemble at: Comfort Inn & Suites Salt Lake City Airport, 202 N Jimmy Doolittle Rd, Salt Lake City, UT, 84116, (801) 783-3165.

Mini-equipment shakedown, following up your virtual shakedown done prior to the trip

Make-your-own trail mix bar. You craft your personal trail mix from a cornucopia of nuts, fruits, sweets and occasional wildcard items that we provide.

All the items that you won't bring on the trail will be set aside and put in storage.

At around 3PM, shuttle to campsite: Devil's Garden Campground, Arches National Park. Site(s): Canyon Juniper Group Site Elevation: 5200'

Shuttling will take about 4 hours

Guides prepare dinner in camp. On some trips with longer shuttle times, we may opt to go out for an opening dinner at a local restaurant. (Cost of restaurant dinner not included in trip price)

Camp at Devil's Garden Campground, Arches National Park. Site(s): Canyon Juniper Group Site Elevation: 5200'


Tuesday, October 20, 2026

Shuttle to Park Avenue Viewpoint, elevation 4550'

Day-Hike 1.0 miles on the Park Avenue Trail past the 3 Gossips to the Courthouse Towers Viewpoint, elevation 4250'

Day-Hike 1.0 miles back to the shuttle vehicle(s)

Shuttle back to camp

Day-hike 1.3 miles via Broken Arch to Sand Dune Arch

Day-hike 0.9 miles back to camp

Base Camp at Devil's Garden Campground - Canyon Wren Group Site

Miles today: 4.2. Total miles: 4.2


Wednesday, October 21, 2026

Shuttle to Delicate Arch Upper Viewpoint Trail, elevation 4350'

Day-Hike 1.5 miles to Delicate Arch, the iconic image of Arches, elevation 4750'

Day-Hike 1.5 miles back to shuttle vehicle(s), elevation 4350'

Shuttle to Delicate Arch Lower Viewpoint Trail, elevation 4300'

Day-Hike 0.5 miles to the Delicate Arch Viewpoint, elevation 4500'

Day-Hike 0.5 miles back to shuttle vehicle(s), elevation 4300'

Shuttle to Balanced Rock, elevation 4950'

Day-Hike a 0.3 loop around Balanced Rock

Have lunch at Balanced Rock

Shuttle to Eye of the Whale Arch via Willow Springs and West Valley Jeep Rd., elevation 4925'

Day-Hike a 0.4 out and back to Eye of the Whale Arch, elevation 5010'

Return to Devil's Garden Campground, elevation 5200'

Base Camp at Devil's Garden Campground - Canyon Wren Group Site

Miles today: 4.7. Total miles: 8.9


Thursday, October 22, 2026

Drive on dirt and gravel road to the Tower Arch Trailhead, elevation 5100'

Day-Hike 2.2 miles to Tower Arch via the Marching Men, elevation 5100'

Day-Hike 2.2 miles back to the shuttle vehicle(s), elevation 5100'

Drive to Balanced Rock, have lunch here.

Drive to Double Arch Trailhead.

Day-Hike 0.5 round trip miles to Double Arch

Drive to the Windows Trail

Day-Hike 0.7 miles to Turret Arch, North Window and South Window

Day-Hike 0.7 miles on the Windows Primitive Loop Trail back to the shuttle vehicle(s)

Base Camp at Devil's Garden Campground - Canyon Wren Group Site

Miles today: 6.3. Total miles: 15.2


Friday, October 23, 2026

Day-Hike 1.0 miles to Devil's Garden Trail

Day-Hike 0.4 miles to Tunnel Arch, elevation 5400'

Day-Hike 0.3 miles to Pine Tree Arch, elevation 5400'

Day-Hike 0.8 miles to Devil's Garden Primitive Loop Trail, elevation 5400'

Day-Hike 1.6 miles to Private Arch Trail, elevation 5400'

Day-Hike 0.3 round trip miles to Private Arch and back

Day-Hike 0.3 miles to Double O Arch

Day-Hike 0.4 miles to Dark Angel

Day-Hike 1.2 miles to trail intersection

Day-Hike 0.7 miles to Navajo Arch and Partition Arch

Day-Hike 1.1 miles past Landscape Arch back to the trailhead

Day-Hike 1.0 miles to Devil's Garden Campground

Miles today: 9.1. Total miles: 24.3


Saturday, October 24, 2026

Drive out of the park to the Grandstaff Trail, elevation 4000'

Day-hike 5.1 round trip miles on the Grandstaff Trail to Morning Glory Arch, elevation 4550'

Shuttle to Pack Creek Campground

Camp at Pack Creek Campground group site

Miles today: 5.1. Total miles: 29.4


Sunday, October 25, 2026

Day-hike 2.0 round trip miles on the Mill Creek Rim Trail, elevation 4500'

End of hiking. Break camp

Miles today: 2.0. Total miles: 31.4

Shuttle 4 hours back to Salt Lake City

Shuttle back to local hotel: Comfort Inn & Suites Salt Lake City Airport, 202 N Jimmy Doolittle Rd, Salt Lake City, UT, 84116, (801) 783-3165.

Gather your off-trail items from storage

Farewell dinner at a local restaurant (Dinner cost not included in trip price)

Stay in our local hotel (included in trip cost)

This is the official end of the trip. You are welcome to spend the night at the hotel, however if you drove and would like to get on the road or if you flew and would like to schedule a late flight (or a red-eye if this is a West Coast trip) you can definitely do so.


Monday, October 26, 2026

Take free airport shuttle or we will pay for a shared cab/Uber


Back to top