New Hiking Adventures In The Southwest: Moab Hikes and Grand Canyon Hiking Tour
Key Takeaways
- Explore new Southwest hiking destinations — Experience two breathtaking additions to our adventure lineup: the Kanab Creek Wilderness near the Grand Canyon and Moab Canyon Country in Utah, both offering world-class scenery and solitude.
- Kanab Creek delivers unmatched backcountry beauty — This remote Grand Canyon hiking area features ancient Puebloan ruins, stunning limestone narrows, and fresh-water springs that make multi-day backpacking trips possible.
- Moab offers the ultimate multisport adventure — Combine epic hikes through
Canyonlands and
Arches National Park with a thrilling Colorado River rafting day, all while staying in comfortable downtown lodges.
- Ideal seasons for Southwest hiking tours — The best times to explore the Grand Canyon and Utah canyons are from
late April to early June and
mid-September to late October for optimal weather and scenery.
- Perfect for all experience levels — Whether you’re a seasoned backpacker or a first-time adventurer, these new Moab and Grand Canyon hiking tours offer something for every explorer.
We’ve been leading adventurous travelers on hiking and backpacking tours through the canyons and mountains of the Southwest since 1999. Grand Canyon Hiking Tours have definitely been a focus over the years and the Grand Canyon is still our most popular destination. And with countless options for incredible backcountry hiking adventures in the southwest, Grand Canyon hiking never fails to satisfy that thirst for wildness, solitude and world-class scenery.
But one of the funnest parts of our job is discovering new destinations to lead trips, figuring out the logistics and implementing the trip into our ever-growing list of adventures. Our guides love to have some variety throughout the season and our many returning guests enjoy the opportunity to discover wonderful destinations that they may have never heard of before.
And our more recent investigative work has turned up two incredible new destinations that we are excited to be offering this year: Grand Canyon’s Kanab Creek Wilderness & Utah’s famous Canyon Country near Moab.
Discover more Utah hiking and canyon adventures across Canyonlands, Arches, and other scenic parks.
Kanab Creek
The Kanab Creek Wilderness encompasses 75,000 acres of incredible canyon country bordering Grand Canyon National Park. This remote and desolate region offers outstanding opportunities for solitude and world-class hiking through red sandstone plateaus and gorgeous limestone canyons over 2000 feet deep.
This seldom-visited wilderness was once home to the ancient puebloan tribes and you can still see evidence of their occupation in the form of pictographs drawn on the canyon walls and the occasional stone structures they built as dwellings and food storage cavities. This area has long been a favorite destination of our guides due to its incredible scenery, remote location and endless possibilities for exploration.
Fresh water springs are relatively numerous here, making it even more desirable in this otherwise arid region. With everything there is to see in Kanab Creek, you can spend anywhere from 3 to 8 days out here. It’s a truly fascinating and beautiful wilderness that we are very excited to share with our guests.
Learn more about our Kanab Creek Wilderness backpacking trip.
Explore some of the best limestone narrows in the Grand Canyon region! These exciting canyons feature towering walls of smooth, polished limestone, waterfalls and inviting pools. Don’t expect to see too many other folks out here. It takes a hearty hiker to reach these places but the effort is well worth the reward.
For those folks not looking for quite as strenuous an experience, you might consider a 3 or 4 day backpack to Mountain Sheep Spring where we’ll setup a base camp and spend our time exploring without carrying everything with us each day.
There is plenty to see around here, including the amazing Jumpup Canyon with its 3 mile stretch of continuous limestone narrows often no more than 20 feet wide! You have to see it to believe it.
As with most Grand Canyon destinations, the best times to visit are late April to early June and mid-September through late October.
Moab Multisport Adventure
As if Moab needed any introduction! Centrally located near a whole bunch of the best Utah Canyon Country destinations: Island in the Sky, Needles, Arches NP, La Sal Mountains and host of others not to mention being in Canyonlands National Parks.
This place is a hiker’s playground! We developed this incredible lodge-based trip to feature the best hikes in the area as well as a day of whitewater rafting on the Colorado River! Spend your days exploring sandstone canyons, amazing natural arches and breathtaking vistas with each night spent in a comfortable lodge right in the heart of downtown Moab.
This view from the Needles District of Canyonlands NP highlights the amazing dichotomy of beautiful sandstone formations resting beneath the lofty, snow-capped peaks of the La Sal Mountains. The slickrock hiking is a real treat and tons of fun! Then a day in Arches NP visits the largest concentration of sandstone arches in the world.
Enjoy an afternoon in the labyrinth of rock fins known as the Fiery Furnace! You’ll appreciate having a guide lead you through this confusing maze of narrow corridors while you marvel at the unique formations at every turn.
This is a wonderful trip that is great for everyone from hardy, veteran hikers to families and novice Southwest explorers. Our guides are very excited to share this one-of-a-kind landscape with you! Looking for more comfort-focused trips? Explore our Lodge-Based Adventures across the Southwest.
Frequently Asked Questions
Explore the best new hiking adventures in the American Southwest, including Moab’s canyon country and the Grand Canyon’s Kanab Creek Wilderness.
What makes the Kanab Creek Wilderness special?
Kanab Creek Wilderness is a remote 75,000-acre area on the edge of the Grand Canyon featuring deep limestone canyons, red sandstone plateaus, and ancient Puebloan pictographs. Its isolation offers unmatched solitude and incredible hiking, with springs providing fresh water in this otherwise arid region. It’s ideal for multi-day backcountry adventures.
When is the best time to hike Kanab Creek or the Grand Canyon?
The best seasons for hiking in Kanab Creek and most Grand Canyon areas are late April through early June and mid-September through late October. These months offer moderate temperatures, fewer crowds, and ideal conditions for backpacking and exploring canyons comfortably.
How difficult are the Kanab Creek hikes?
Kanab Creek hikes range from moderate to challenging. The terrain involves canyon descents, stream crossings, and rugged routes through limestone narrows. Shorter 3–4 day trips, such as those to Mountain Sheep Spring, offer less strenuous options for those seeking a rewarding but manageable experience.
What can you see while hiking in Kanab Creek?
Hikers can discover ancient rock art, remnants of Puebloan dwellings, waterfalls, and narrow limestone canyons like Jumpup Canyon, where the walls close to just 20 feet apart. Wildlife, desert plants, and striking red and white rock formations make every step visually rewarding.
What is included in the Moab Multisport Adventure?
The Moab Multisport Adventure combines world-class hiking with a day of whitewater rafting on the Colorado River. Participants explore Canyonlands and Arches National Parks, hike among sandstone arches and slickrock formations, and stay in comfortable lodges in downtown Moab for an active yet relaxing trip.
What are the main hiking highlights around Moab?
Moab offers exceptional hiking through Canyonlands’ Needles District, Arches National Park, and the Fiery Furnace’s maze-like rock fins. Trails showcase massive arches, sculpted sandstone, and panoramic desert-mountain vistas with the snow-capped La Sal Mountains in the background—a stunning contrast unique to this region.
Is the Moab Multisport Adventure suitable for beginners?
Yes. This adventure is designed for a wide range of fitness levels, from seasoned hikers to families and newcomers. The guided hikes balance activity with comfort, and staying in lodges each night ensures a relaxing recovery after full days of exploring Utah’s canyon landscapes.
How long are the Kanab Creek and Moab trips?
Kanab Creek expeditions typically last between 3 and 8 days, depending on the route and experience level. The Moab Multisport Adventure is a shorter lodge-based trip that combines several days of hiking with one day of rafting, offering a balanced mix of activity and comfort.
Why choose guided hikes in the Southwest?
Guided hikes provide expert navigation, safety, and local knowledge of geology, ecology, and history. In remote places like Kanab Creek or the Fiery Furnace, guides ensure you see hidden gems, avoid hazards, and experience the landscape deeply—all without the stress of logistics or permits.
What other Southwest hiking tours are available?
Beyond Moab and Kanab Creek, there are numerous guided adventures across Canyonlands, Arches, and Grand Canyon regions. Options range from backpacking trips through remote canyons to lodge-based tours focused on comfort, photography, or family-friendly exploration of the Southwest’s iconic red rock landscapes.
Four Season Guides, 506 N Grant St suite o, Flagstaff, AZ 86004, United States
+19285251552
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