Capitol Reef National Park
Surrounding a 100-mile wrinkle in the earth’s crust, this 381-sq-mile park is a celebration of geology and the powerful forces of time and weather.
To get a grip on this vast place, start small, kicking off with a visit to the Fruita Historic District and its fruit-rich orchards. About 1,900 fruit trees – bearing apples, apricots, pears and peaches – are a reminder of the hard work of Mormon settlers here beginning in the 1880s. 2,000 year-petroglyphs, or rock carvings, are another human-sized highlight. For the big rocks and a regional geology lesson, hop onto the 7.9-mile Scenic Drive ($20). Sights at its eleven stops include sandstone cliffs, ancient dunes, a shale bed and a monocline. Established as an International Dark Sky Park in 2015, with minimal light pollution at night, the park is a prime spot for stargazing.
Utah's national parks
Road trips through red rock country
Capitol Reef National Park Tours
Utah Horseback Camping
Guided Utah backcountry tour
5 daysFrom $1,800| Utah | |
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Private guided tour |
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Family, Active, Camping, Horseback Riding, Nature & Wildlife, National Parks |
Recommended Multi-Day Tours
Utah Horseback Camping
Guided Utah backcountry tour
5 days From $1,800 per person By Hondoo Rivers & Trails| Destinations | Utah |
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| Activity | Family, Active, Camping, Horseback Riding, Nature & Wildlife, National Parks |
| Tour Type | Private guided tour |
| Physical Level | Mild |
Each camping ride is unique and we seldom cover the same backcountry trail or use the same camp site more than once or twice a season. These are base-camp rides supplied by 4X4 vehicles. The backcountry featured on our Utah horseback camping rides access areas too remote for inn lodging. Camp location is generally situated at a higher elevation in mid-summer and a lower elevation in spring and fall seasons. Areas explored: Capitol Reef National Park, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, San Rafael Swell Wilderness, or Utah’s High Plateaus.
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Guided excursions |
Guided hikes, horseback rides and jeep trips with an expert local guide. Guides/wranglers, cook, camp jack and interpretive specialist well versed in canyon lands social and natural history. All park permits included. |
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Accommodation |
On multi-day/overnight tours: either camping or inn accommodation, depending on the itinerary. |
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Ground transfers |
All transportation during the tour. |
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All meals |
On overnight tours: all meals from lunch on day two through lunch on the last day. |
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Equipment |
On horseback tours: seasoned mountain horses for novice or experienced riders. Saddle bags and quality tack. |
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Camping equipment |
On camping tours: complete outfitting with deluxe base-camp including cooking and dining tents, showers and chairs, canvas sleep tent, cot, foam pad and inflatable Thermarest, freshly laundered sleeping bag, sheet, pillow and blanket and six inch foam sleeping pad or cot. |
Utah Guided Hiking
One-day guided hiking tour
1 daysFrom $120| Utah | |
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Private guided tour |
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Family, Adventure, Hiking & Trekking, Active, Nature & Wildlife, National Parks |
Recommended Day Tours & Activities
Utah Guided Hiking
One-day guided hiking tour
1 days From $120 per person By Hondoo Rivers & Trails| Destinations | Utah |
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| Activity | Family, Adventure, Hiking & Trekking, Active, Nature & Wildlife, National Parks |
| Tour Type | Private guided tour |
| Physical Level | Mild |
At our headquarters in Torrey, Utah, Hondoo is surrounded for scores of miles by rugged wilderness which often seems impenetrable. However, for those who know where to go there exist intricate trails established by Indians, explorers, stockmen, outlaws and outfitters.
Some trails have been formally improved by land managers; many have not. For those interested, Hondoo will guide hikes to Capitol Reef National Park, Grand Staircase & Escalante Canyons National Monument, San Rafael Swell Wilderness, or other landforms in the area.
Let us design a trip for you or your group–we especially enjoy being the local expert for non-local tour operators. We have all necessary permits which allow us to guide you on public lands. All day hikes require a two person minimum Lunch is provided on full day tours. The price of day hikes includes transportation, your guide and lunch; trips depart as arranged. When arranging your trip, inquire with Hondoo about specific trails, length and difficulty of the trails for the area you’re interested in exploring. You may choose a special emphasis hike which feature slot canyons, slickrock mountains, natural wonders, or rock art panels.
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Guided excursions |
Guided hikes, horseback rides and jeep trips with an expert local guide. Guides/wranglers, cook, camp jack and interpretive specialist well versed in canyon lands social and natural history. All park permits included. |
|
Accommodation |
On multi-day/overnight tours: either camping or inn accommodation, depending on the itinerary. |
|
Ground transfers |
All transportation during the tour. |
|
All meals |
On overnight tours: all meals from lunch on day two through lunch on the last day. |
|
Equipment |
On horseback tours: seasoned mountain horses for novice or experienced riders. Saddle bags and quality tack. |
|
Camping equipment |
On camping tours: complete outfitting with deluxe base-camp including cooking and dining tents, showers and chairs, canvas sleep tent, cot, foam pad and inflatable Thermarest, freshly laundered sleeping bag, sheet, pillow and blanket and six inch foam sleeping pad or cot. |
Utah Horseback Inn to Inn
Guided Utah backcountry tour
6 daysFrom $2,700| Utah | |
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Private guided tour |
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Family, Active, Horseback Riding, Nature & Wildlife, National Parks |
Recommended Multi-Day Tours
Utah Horseback Inn to Inn
Guided Utah backcountry tour
6 days From $2,700 per person By Hondoo Rivers & Trails| Destinations | Utah |
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| Activity | Family, Active, Horseback Riding, Nature & Wildlife, National Parks |
| Tour Type | Private guided tour |
| Physical Level | Mild |
On our inn-to-inn trail rides, we select daily destinations from several dozen available. Our lodging location changes mid-week from Torrey, UT to Boulder, UT as our ride meanders down the Waterpocket Fold towards Lake Powell. Our horseback ride destinations move us from the Capitol Reef National Park area into the Grand Staircase/Escalante Canyons National Monument. During warm weather or fall foliage, excursions to the lakes and alpine meadows of Fishlake or Dixie National Forest become part of our itinerary.
Trails on all of our Utah horseback rides are mostly un-groomed and pioneered by wildlife, Indians, outlaws or herdsmen. Areas explored are selected for their scenic quality, pristine natural condition and remote location. As a general rule, the rides explore higher environs (to 11,500 ft.) during mid-summer and lower elevations (to 3,900 ft.) earlier or later in the season. Life zones visited may range from Alpine to upper-Sonoran depending on ride and time of year.
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Guided excursions |
Guided hikes, horseback rides and jeep trips with an expert local guide. Guides/wranglers, cook, camp jack and interpretive specialist well versed in canyon lands social and natural history. All park permits included. |
|
Accommodation |
On multi-day/overnight tours: either camping or inn accommodation, depending on the itinerary. |
|
Ground transfers |
All transportation during the tour. |
|
All meals |
On overnight tours: all meals from lunch on day two through lunch on the last day. |
|
Equipment |
On horseback tours: seasoned mountain horses for novice or experienced riders. Saddle bags and quality tack. |
|
Camping equipment |
On camping tours: complete outfitting with deluxe base-camp including cooking and dining tents, showers and chairs, canvas sleep tent, cot, foam pad and inflatable Thermarest, freshly laundered sleeping bag, sheet, pillow and blanket and six inch foam sleeping pad or cot. |
US RV Rentals
Thousands of RVs across the US
daysFrom $49| Western USA, East Coast, Maine, Virginia, North Carolina, West Virginia, New Hampshire, Tennessee, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Vermont, Wisconsin, Michigan, South Dakota, Illinois, Missouri, Arkansas, New York, South Carolina | |
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Self-guided tour |
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Family, Active, Overlanding, Road Trips, Nature & Wildlife, National Parks |
Southwest National Parks
Explore canyons and lakes by foot and boat
7 daysFrom $7,990| Arizona, Las Vegas, Grand Canyon, Utah | |
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Custom itinerary, Private guided tour |
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Adventure, Hiking & Trekking, Active, Road Trips, Nature & Wildlife, Photography, National Parks |
Recommended Multi-Day Tours
Southwest National Parks
Explore canyons and lakes by foot and boat
7 days From $7,990 per person By SA Expeditions| Destinations | Arizona, Las Vegas, Grand Canyon, Utah |
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| Activity | Adventure, Hiking & Trekking, Active, Road Trips, Nature & Wildlife, Photography, National Parks |
| Tour Type | Custom itinerary, Private guided tour |
| Physical Level | Mild |
Get ready to check off half a dozen National Parks from your “must-visit” list, for this 7-day Southwest National Parks Tour deftly combines the best natural landscapes in the USA with the luxurious treat of having your own private driver.
Begin by soaking up the views at Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks, continuing onward to Arches and Canyonlands National Parks via the scenic route through Capitol Reef National Park. Refresh with a few days in the Page region of Arizona and cruise along picturesque Lake Powell, before concluding with one of the seven natural wonders of the world, the lesser-visited North Rim of the Grand Canyon.
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Accommodation |
Accommodation is included and our destination experts will help you chose the perfect hotels. |
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Guided excursions |
You'll be shown around each destination by a local expert (we call them ‘docents’) who knows the place inside out and enjoy private excursions. |
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Some meals |
Select meals included. |
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Support |
We'll greet you at the airport and be by your side every step of the way, making room for spontaneity as you go, with 24 hour support. |
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