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Canyons of Utah: Arches & Canyonlands
Lodge-Based Photo Workshop
Upcoming Departures
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Starting From [Block//Current Price]
Single Supplement: +$550.00
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Deposit: $1,500.00
Start/End
Moab, UT / Moab, UT
Length
5 Days/4 Nights
Fitness Level
Level 2 - What's This?
Group Size
Up To 10 Guests
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
If you have any questions about a trip, itinerary, or gear, our Photo Experience Coordinators are available for a personalized one-on-one consultation to provide all the details you need.
Trip Description:
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). Please refer to our FAQ section for more details about gratuities
Trip Insurance & Medical Evacuation Insurance - see plans here.
Trip Itinerary
Trip Itinerary
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.
Physical Requirements
This is a Level 2 trip.
Moab’s high desert terrain presents unique challenges, with hikes reaching over 6,000 feet in elevation. Proper pre-hydration shortly before your trip will immensely improve your experience as well as others experience on the tour, drink at least two liters of water per day at least 3 days before your trip starts!
Expect up to three miles of daily hiking (12 miles total throughout the trip) on uneven, rocky, and sandy trails, with occasional steep ascents and descents over slickrock, which can be especially tricky when wet. Proper footwear with good traction is essential. Brief scrambling over rock formations may be required to access the best photographic vantage points. Guests should be comfortable hiking on uneven terrain while carrying 20–25 lbs of gear. Regular physical activity, such as walking or other moderate exercise, will help ensure a more enjoyable experience.
Please Note: The hikes are a critical part of this tour and are the only way to see most of the features in the area. You can complete this tour without any hiking, but it will eliminate about half of our proposed photo locations from your trip, including some very unique arches!
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Testimonials From Our Customers
Julie K.
"I have traveled with Backcountry Journeys (BCJ) several times over the last 4 years to Glacier NP, Costa Rica (2x), Smoky Mountains NP, Joshua Tree, Zion and Bryce NPs, and most recently to Alaska.
Every trip with BCJ has been an outstanding experience. The guides are professional photographers who put the experience of the guests first. They are willing to provide as much hands on help as you need/want. The guides are also extremely knowledgeable and well trained in wilderness safety as well as the areas they guide.
BCJ trips are well run from the time of reservation through the entire trip. They will take you to great places and find great photographic opportunities."
Every trip with BCJ has been an outstanding experience. The guides are professional photographers who put the experience of the guests first. They are willing to provide as much hands on help as you need/want. The guides are also extremely knowledgeable and well trained in wilderness safety as well as the areas they guide.
BCJ trips are well run from the time of reservation through the entire trip. They will take you to great places and find great photographic opportunities."
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Scott S.
"BCJ provides an outstanding experience for photographers of all levels of experience/expertise. Each day's excursion is well planned-out and the guides always have a back-up plan if the weather is less than cooperative.
I have now been on 5 trips and each one seems better than the last. I find the guides to be very helpful and personable. The guides provide the level of hands-on assistance each participant wants.
The accommodations are always good, taking into consideration what each particular destination has to offer. I plan to continue doing these trips with BCJ and can't recommend them highly enough."
I have now been on 5 trips and each one seems better than the last. I find the guides to be very helpful and personable. The guides provide the level of hands-on assistance each participant wants.
The accommodations are always good, taking into consideration what each particular destination has to offer. I plan to continue doing these trips with BCJ and can't recommend them highly enough."
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Katherine P.
"I have now been on 8 trips with Backcountry Journeys. I love traveling with this company, as I am a woman traveling alone, and all I have to do is show up and they take care of everything else.
They have wonderful, caring, helpful, FUN, and knowledgeable guides who make the days fly by. They get us to the best photography sites possible and are always willing to help with anything and answer all questions.
We stay in great places and there is always too much wonderful food! I have met other travelers on their trips who will be friends for life, plus the guides are more than guides--they become friends too. I know I will be doing more traveling with them in the future."
They have wonderful, caring, helpful, FUN, and knowledgeable guides who make the days fly by. They get us to the best photography sites possible and are always willing to help with anything and answer all questions.
We stay in great places and there is always too much wonderful food! I have met other travelers on their trips who will be friends for life, plus the guides are more than guides--they become friends too. I know I will be doing more traveling with them in the future."
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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!
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"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 worldwide.
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.
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 worldwide.
- 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