This was an excellent guided trip. My husband rappelled at 50 for the first time with our 10 & 12 years olds. We felt very safe during the rappel. Appreciated the test run and the additional tips of securing chest for larger people while going down. Chris was great at talking us through the tough spots during the hike and during the rappel. Our kids seem to really enjoy this and learn so much more. In any case all of us loved the trip and we would definitely go with him again. Thanks Chris!
Professional and knowledgeable guides
All meals included in price
Child friendly
Join us on this backpacking adventure through Utah’s wonderful wilderness. We’ll guide you on a tour far away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, where time itself has very little meaning. You’ll discover a new part of this world that has been barely touched by human presence. Let yourself reconnect with nature in a place that you’ll soon come to realize is one of the most beautiful places you’ve ever seen.
Trip Details
Price
2 days/1 night: $595 per person
3 days/2 nights: $875 per person
4 days/3 nights: $1,125 per person
5 days/4 nights: $1,345 per person
10% discount for groups of 8 or more
Minimum rates apply
Departure time
8 AM
Meeting point
Hanksville, Utah
Availability
March through November
Duration
2-5 day options available
Group size
2-10 people
If you have more than 8 people in your group, contact us about doing a private tour.
Experience level
No previous experience required
This trip is suitable for beginners of all ages who are looking to enjoy an active, adventurous, and educational outdoor experience. Adult participants should be able to carry a pack weighing 25-45 pounds. Pack weights vary depending on the area, trip duration, time of year, and your height and weight.
Difficulty rating
2-3
Level 1
- Activity:
- Hiking: Easy hiking on well maintained trails
- Canyoneering: Easy hiking and scrambling using hands and feet for balance and support A rope may be used for handlines, belays, rappels and lowering packs
- Distances: Hike up to 2 miles
- Surfaces: Easy terrain
- Elevation Change: Little to none. Short sections of uphill travel.
Level 2
- Activity:
- Hiking: Easy to moderate hiking
- Canyoneering: Easy to moderate hiking and scrambling using hands and feet for balance and support. A rope may be used for handlines, belays, rappels and lowering packs.
- Distances: Hike up to 3 miles
- Surfaces: Flat or rolling terrain with some steep ascents/descents and uneven trails
- Elevation Change: Up to 600 ft/day
Level 3
- Activity:
- Hiking: Moderate, off-trail hiking on rugged trails
- Canyoneering: Moderate, sustained, climbing and scrambling using hands and feet. A rope is required for handlines, belays, rappels and lowering packs
- Distances: Hike up to 6 miles
- Surfaces: Rolling or mountainous terrain with some steep ascents/descents and uneven trails
- Elevation Change: Up to 1200 ft/day
Level 4
- Activity:
- Hiking: Difficult, off-trail hiking on rugged, technical terrain
- Canyoneering: Difficult, sustained, climbing and scrambling using hands and feet. A rope is required for handlines, belays, rappels and lowering packs.
- Distances: Hike up to 10 miles
- Surfaces: Rugged, exposed terrain with steep ascents/descents and uneven trails
- Elevation Change: Up to 3000 ft/day
Level 5
- Activity:
- Hiking: Very difficult, off-trail hiking on rugged, technical terrain
- Canyoneering: Very difficult, sustained, climbing and scrambling using hands and feet. A rope may be used for handlines, belays, rappels and lowering packs. May require advanced canyoneering techniques including guided rappels, multi-pitch rappels, complex ropework difficult pothole escapes, and advanced problem-solving and anchor building.
- Distances: Hike up to 14 miles
- Surfaces: Extremely rugged, exposed terrain with steep ascents/descents and uneven trails
- Elevation Change: Up to 4000 ft/day
Solitude rating
5
- Expect to be around other hikers and travelers most of the time.
- Expect to have some solitude, as much as an hour at a time without seeing other groups.
- Expect several hours of solitude at a time.
- Expect to see no more than one or two groups on your trip.
- Expect to see no other hikers or travelers on your trip.
Included
- Experienced and professional guides
- All meals
- Trail snacks and refreshments
- Federal land permit fees
- Safety equipment, including a team first-aid kit and satellite messenger
- A commitment to make the tour as exciting, challenging, and informative as you’d like
Not included
- Travel insurance
- Transportation to trailhead
- Gratuity for your guide
What to bring
A full packing list will be provided upon booking.
What Lies Ahead of You
Family-friendly excursions suitable for all levels
Scenic trails through the distinct Utah mountain range
Untouched nature and wilderness to discover
Reconnect as a family with the bare essence of nature
Discover Utah From Another Angle
We’ve designed and adapted these trips exclusively for families with children ages 8 and up. This excursion is the perfect opportunity for all family members to experience nature at its finest. We’ll travel to pristine and awe-inspiring destinations beyond the reach of day hikers. You will experience divine landscapes and breathtaking views that are remarkably unique.
Our experienced guides are dedicated to providing you with a trip that is entertaining, safe, and unique. In the evenings, enjoy relaxing around the campfire and eating great tasting backcountry meals while reconnecting with nature. This experience is perfectly tailored for families looking to build beautiful and long-lasting memories.
Itinerary
Arrival
Most people arrive in Hanksville, Utah the day before the trip departs. A small town of approximately 250 people, Hanksville’s services are limited, but you will find a few grocery stores, gas stations, motels, and restaurants.
Day 1
Depart Hanksville for Dirty Devil/Robbers Roost wilderness, a high desert wonderland of spectacular slot canyons, arches, spires and colorful, geologic wonders. Once at our canyon basecamp we will set up our living quarters for the trip, explore the surrounding landscape and enjoy a healthy and delicious dinner before retiring to our new wilderness home.
Day 2 – 4
Awake to a brilliant sunrise on the rim of your red rock basecamp. Enjoy a hearty breakfast, pack up for the day, and get ready for another epic day of hiking, canyoneering adventure and exploration. Return to camp to relax, kick back by the fire, and enjoy an evening of great food, conversation, and fun.
Last Day
Rise with the sun, gather for breakfast and break camp in preparation for your final day of adventure. Our guide will work with your group to select an epic final adventure in the Greater Canyonlands wilderness. Once your day’s adventure is complete, you will return to Hanksville for the end of the trip.
Other Important Information
We offer multiple tours in the Utah wilderness. See where we guide!
If you’ve decided to stay a little longer, take a look at our list of Utah recommendations(opens in a new tab), including the nearest towns with the best accommodation and restaurants. If you have any further questions, please get in touch with us(opens in a new tab)!
Frequently Asked Questions
No. This particular adventure is designed for all ages of family members from beginner to experienced.
Wear clothes you can move in and don’t mind if they get “worn-in” by the canyons. Make sure to bring enough layers in case of cool temperatures. For your feet, comfortable medium-weight hiking shoes or boots work best. You definitely need closed-toed shoes (no Chacos!) that you’ve worn before and broken in well.
Entrance fees, meals and snacks are included in the price.
Have more questions? Head to our FAQ page to read more!
Photo Gallery
This was an amazing day. The trip was informative and a lot of fun for everyone in the family. I really appreciated the time they took with our daughter who is 9 and was afraid to do the repel. They helped her over come her fear and then she had a great time too. I would highly recommend Get in the Wild Adventures. Our kids are already wanting to go back and do a full day adventure.
We literally had a private half day tour. Chris fed us information so that we felt more comfortable with the height challenge facing us. The repelling and hike through the park were amazing. We would love to return one day to do a day long excursion with Chris.
