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TRIP DETAILS
All-Inclusive Lodge-Based Photo Workshop
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Start/End
Start: Moab, UT at 5 pm
End: Moab, UT at 12 pm
End: Moab, UT at 12 pm
Group Size
Limited to 10 Guests
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TRIP OVERVIEW
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HIGHLIGHTS
- Explore the iconic landscapes of the southwestern United States, including two National Parks and over 1.8 million acres of public lands
- Photograph some of Utah's most famous landmarks, such as Delicate Arch and Mesa Arch, as well as discover lesser-known gems
- Capture stunning landscape photos during the golden hours of sunrise and sunset, with guidance from experienced photo guides
- Immerse yourself in the unique geology of the southwest's most iconic canyonlands
- Small-groups, with a great client-to-guide ratio
Utah's Canyons are a landscape photographer's dream, and our Canyons of Utah: Arches & Canyonlands workshop is the perfect way to experience the beauty of this region. With two National Parks and over 1.8 million acres of public lands, this area is a paradise for photographers seeking to capture the magic of red rock formations, canyons, and mountains.
On this five-day journey, you'll have the opportunity to photograph some of Utah's most famous landmarks, such as Delicate Arch and Mesa Arch, as well as discover lesser-known gems that are off the beaten path. Your experienced guide will ensure that you're in the right place at the right time to capture the stunning beauty of the landscape during the golden hours of sunrise and sunset.
The itinerary is designed to maximize your photo opportunities while allowing for some downtime to explore the area's unique geology. You'll spend your days hiking and driving through the stunning terrain, capturing the play of light and shadows on the red rocks and cliffs.
Please note that this workshop is designed for those who love to hike and explore, it is a Level 2 trip. The terrain can be challenging, but the rewards are well worth it. If you have any questions about the physical requirements of the trip, please give us a call at 928-478-1521.
Join Backcountry Journeys on this unforgettable journey through Arches and Canyonlands National Parks and discover the magic of the desert landscape through your lens.
Please note: Due to the nature of the terrain and photo locations our Canyons of Utah: Arches & Canyonlands is a “hiker” trip. Although the purpose of this trip is photography it is best suited for those that like to get out and hike! For any questions please give us a call at 928-478-1521.
On this five-day journey, you'll have the opportunity to photograph some of Utah's most famous landmarks, such as Delicate Arch and Mesa Arch, as well as discover lesser-known gems that are off the beaten path. Your experienced guide will ensure that you're in the right place at the right time to capture the stunning beauty of the landscape during the golden hours of sunrise and sunset.
The itinerary is designed to maximize your photo opportunities while allowing for some downtime to explore the area's unique geology. You'll spend your days hiking and driving through the stunning terrain, capturing the play of light and shadows on the red rocks and cliffs.
Please note that this workshop is designed for those who love to hike and explore, it is a Level 2 trip. The terrain can be challenging, but the rewards are well worth it. If you have any questions about the physical requirements of the trip, please give us a call at 928-478-1521.
Join Backcountry Journeys on this unforgettable journey through Arches and Canyonlands National Parks and discover the magic of the desert landscape through your lens.
Please note: Due to the nature of the terrain and photo locations our Canyons of Utah: Arches & Canyonlands is a “hiker” trip. Although the purpose of this trip is photography it is best suited for those that like to get out and hike! For any questions please give us a call at 928-478-1521.
What's Included
- All listed meals and non-alcoholic beverages during the workshop
- All transportation during the workshop
- All lodging during the workshop
- All permits and park fees
- Professional photography guiding and instruction
- Gratuity for service staff
What's Not Included
- Transportation to and from Moab, Utah
- Meals not listed as included on the itinerary
- Lodging outside workshop dates
- Alcoholic beverages
- Souvenirs and personal items
- Gratuity for photography guide(s)
- Trip Insurance & Medical Evacuation Insurance - see plans here.
Worry Free Travel Guarantee!
HERE’S THE DEAL
We offer one of the most rock solid guarantees in the travel industry - our worry free travel, peace of mind guarantee to you!We’re so confident that the Photography Trips we offer will not only meet but exceed the lofty expectations set forth on our website – if your trip experience does not 100% match the promises laid forth on our website we will gladly give you a credit toward a future trip.
Natural events such as wildlife & weather are certainly out of our control but every aspect of the trip including logistics, accommodations, vehicles, itinerary & your expert trip leaders will match the lofty promises we’ve made on the site – we guarantee it!
ITINERARY
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Most meals included – (B,L,D) denotes Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 1 (D)
Arrive in Moab, Utah. Please meet in the lobby of our hotel for an orientation and welcome dinner at a nearby restaurant.
Day 2 (B,L,D)
This morning will be our earliest of the week as we head to the Islands in the Sky district of Canyonlands National Park to capture perhaps one of the most iconic desert landscape photos in Utah. Sunrise at Mesa Arch is an incredible experience and should be on every landscape photographer’s bucket list. We’ll photograph this icon as the sun crests the horizon, making for stunning images of the arch, canyons and rock features below with the La Sal Mountain range on the horizon, complete with a Starburst. We’ll remain here following sunrise as the arch provides a “surprise” to those willing to wait for a while a while. As the golden hues fade from underneath the arch, we will pack up and head back to Moab for a short break until lunch.
Following lunch, we’ll set out for Arches National Park, and an afternoon hike to Sand and Broken Arches. Here, we’ll be immersed in the geology of the park as we stretch our legs and photograph the two arches, fins and other features that dot the landscape here.
Directly after our hike we’ll press on to our evening’s sunset shot, Balanced Arch. This is one of the most iconic features in the Park, and also one of the most photographed. We’ll photograph Balanced Rock from a spot most don’t. As the sun has fully set and we capture the last bit of glow, we’ll return to Moab for a delicious dinner at a carefully selected local restaurant before retiring for the evening.
Day 3 (B,L,D)
We will depart our hotel early this morning, heading for nearby Castle Valley. Here, in the foothills of the La Sal Mountains, we’ll find Castleton Tower and the adjacent ridgeline known as the Rectory. These rock features have been seen in television and film for years and have become uber famous in the rock-climbing community, as well. As optimal light fades, we will head back towards town, stopping along the Colorado River at different vantage points as the great river carves its way through the towering canyon walls.
We’ll have brunch at our hotel and break shortly to rest up before heading out for our afternoon activities. We’ll either hike or check out Newspaper Rock and have a picnic along the way.
This evening we’ll head back towards Canyonlands, and the Island in the Sky District, where we’ll find a few late afternoon vantage points overlooking the famed Shafer Canyon before settling in for our sunset shot of the expansive system of canyons below our perch up high on the cliffs. We’ll soak it all up as the setting sun turns the rock features and canyons below a fiery red. Upon our return to Moab, we’ll dine at one of Moab’s most famous restaurants before heading back to our wonderful hotel for some much-needed rest.
Day 4 (B,D)
Today is all about Arches National Park. The ‘Windows’ section of the Park offers a stunning selection of rock features. Turret Arch is viewed by many as perhaps the best sunrise spot in the Park. The angle of this dynamite feature positions it perfectly to catch the glow of the morning sun as it crests the horizon. We’ll find a nice choice of compositions here.
When we’ve had our fill, we’ll check out nearby Double Arch and the Parade of Elephants before moving on to Park Avenue, an area (and possible short hike) that is a perfect spot to continue our discussion on the geology of the rock features here at Arches.
We’ll take this afternoon off to provide time for you to see and experience the town of Moab, as well as get some rest and relaxation before the most physically challenging evening of our tour.
We will likely get a mid-afternoon start in order to head back into Arches National Park, this time to shoot Delicate Arch at sunset. The arch is 1.5 miles (3 miles roundtrip) from the road, so we will have to hike with all of our equipment over a moderate trail of slickrock. Bring a headlamp, as typically the best views of this magical location are after the sun has just dipped below the horizon, lighting up the La Sal mountain range in the background.
Day 5 (B)
Our final shot will be at the Devil’s Garden section of Arches National Park, and the famous and enormous Landscape Arch. We’ll have a nearly 1-mile hike to get to the arch, which stretches roughly 300 feet! Landscape Arch is the largest natural span in the Western Hemisphere, and this thin sliver of free-standing rock is a sight to behold as it seems to defy gravity and time. Once we’re satisfied with our sunrise images, we’ll check out neighboring arches as we hike back towards our vehicle.
Back in Moab we’ll have brunch at a local coffee shop, reveling in the successes of our time together before saying goodbye after a wonderful tour of the Canyons of Utah: Arches & Canyonlands National Parks.
Day 1 (D)
Arrive in Moab, Utah. Please meet in the lobby of our hotel for an orientation and welcome dinner at a nearby restaurant.
Day 2 (B,L,D)
This morning will be our earliest of the week as we head to the Islands in the Sky district of Canyonlands National Park to capture perhaps one of the most iconic desert landscape photos in Utah. Sunrise at Mesa Arch is an incredible experience and should be on every landscape photographer’s bucket list. We’ll photograph this icon as the sun crests the horizon, making for stunning images of the arch, canyons and rock features below with the La Sal Mountain range on the horizon, complete with a Starburst. We’ll remain here following sunrise as the arch provides a “surprise” to those willing to wait for a while a while. As the golden hues fade from underneath the arch, we will pack up and head back to Moab for a short break until lunch.
Following lunch, we’ll set out for Arches National Park, and an afternoon hike to Sand and Broken Arches. Here, we’ll be immersed in the geology of the park as we stretch our legs and photograph the two arches, fins and other features that dot the landscape here.
Directly after our hike we’ll press on to our evening’s sunset shot, Balanced Arch. This is one of the most iconic features in the Park, and also one of the most photographed. We’ll photograph Balanced Rock from a spot most don’t. As the sun has fully set and we capture the last bit of glow, we’ll return to Moab for a delicious dinner at a carefully selected local restaurant before retiring for the evening.
Day 3 (B,L,D)
We will depart our hotel early this morning, heading for nearby Castle Valley. Here, in the foothills of the La Sal Mountains, we’ll find Castleton Tower and the adjacent ridgeline known as the Rectory. These rock features have been seen in television and film for years and have become uber famous in the rock-climbing community, as well. As optimal light fades, we will head back towards town, stopping along the Colorado River at different vantage points as the great river carves its way through the towering canyon walls.
We’ll have brunch at our hotel and break shortly to rest up before heading out for our afternoon activities. We’ll either hike or check out Newspaper Rock and have a picnic along the way.
This evening we’ll head back towards Canyonlands, and the Island in the Sky District, where we’ll find a few late afternoon vantage points overlooking the famed Shafer Canyon before settling in for our sunset shot of the expansive system of canyons below our perch up high on the cliffs. We’ll soak it all up as the setting sun turns the rock features and canyons below a fiery red. Upon our return to Moab, we’ll dine at one of Moab’s most famous restaurants before heading back to our wonderful hotel for some much-needed rest.
Day 4 (B,D)
Today is all about Arches National Park. The ‘Windows’ section of the Park offers a stunning selection of rock features. Turret Arch is viewed by many as perhaps the best sunrise spot in the Park. The angle of this dynamite feature positions it perfectly to catch the glow of the morning sun as it crests the horizon. We’ll find a nice choice of compositions here.
When we’ve had our fill, we’ll check out nearby Double Arch and the Parade of Elephants before moving on to Park Avenue, an area (and possible short hike) that is a perfect spot to continue our discussion on the geology of the rock features here at Arches.
We’ll take this afternoon off to provide time for you to see and experience the town of Moab, as well as get some rest and relaxation before the most physically challenging evening of our tour.
We will likely get a mid-afternoon start in order to head back into Arches National Park, this time to shoot Delicate Arch at sunset. The arch is 1.5 miles (3 miles roundtrip) from the road, so we will have to hike with all of our equipment over a moderate trail of slickrock. Bring a headlamp, as typically the best views of this magical location are after the sun has just dipped below the horizon, lighting up the La Sal mountain range in the background.
Day 5 (B)
Our final shot will be at the Devil’s Garden section of Arches National Park, and the famous and enormous Landscape Arch. We’ll have a nearly 1-mile hike to get to the arch, which stretches roughly 300 feet! Landscape Arch is the largest natural span in the Western Hemisphere, and this thin sliver of free-standing rock is a sight to behold as it seems to defy gravity and time. Once we’re satisfied with our sunrise images, we’ll check out neighboring arches as we hike back towards our vehicle.
Back in Moab we’ll have brunch at a local coffee shop, reveling in the successes of our time together before saying goodbye after a wonderful tour of the Canyons of Utah: Arches & Canyonlands National Parks.
Please note that the exact sequence of the itineraries on all photography trips will be based on weather and lighting conditions. The goal on these trips is to make sure we are at the right place at the right time for the perfect light on our subjects. Also, itineraries can change for a variety of other circumstances including floods, forest fires, national park closures, road closures, and more. Due to the nature of wildlife and landscape photography, we do not guarantee any specific sightings or specific compositions.
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Backcountry Journeys
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TRIP ENROLLMENT
Our team of Photo Adventure Specialists will guide you through onboarding and enrollment when you book a trip. Expect excellent customer service.
ALL-INCLUSIVE
Enjoy a hassle-free experience with an all-inclusive package that takes care of all your needs, from transportation to meals and lodging.
PHOTOGRAPHY
Improve your photography skills with personalized guidance from professional photographers who are passionate about helping you succeed and getting you to the best locations.
BCJ COMMUNITY
Become part of our family - interact with BCJ guides and new friends. Share images, ask questions, talk about everything photography!
WE RECOMMEND TRIP INSURANCE
BACKCOUNTRY JOURNEYS
"Backcountry Journeys offers guests the unique opportunity to explore our natural world from behind their own lens. We run a selection of hand-crafted Photo Tours, Workshops & Safaris connecting passionate people to exceptional experiences. Locations include Yosemite, Alaska, Yellowstone, Glacier National Park, Hawaii, Utah as well as Botswana & Costa Rica."
- Russ Nordstrand, Backcountry Journeys Founder & Director
- Russ Nordstrand, Backcountry Journeys Founder & Director
TRIP CATALOG
Download our Trip Catalog for detailed information on our many destinations for photography tours, workshops, and safaris.
All Images & Content are property of Backcountry Photography Tours, Workshops & Safaris LLCs - Copyright 2024
BACKCOUNTRY JOURNEYS
"Backcountry Journeys offers guests the unique opportunity to explore our natural world from behind their own lens. We run a selection of hand-crafted Photo Tours, Workshops & Safaris connecting passionate people to exceptional experiences. Locations include Yosemite, Alaska, Yellowstone, Glacier National Park, Hawaii, Utah as well as Botswana & Costa Rica."
All Images & Content are property of Backcountry Journeys Photography Tours, Workshops & Safaris LLC - Copyright 2024
TRIP CATALOG
Download our Trip Catalog for detailed information on our many destinations for photography tours, workshops, and safaris.