Arches and Moab National Parks Hiking Weekend
Overview
Read HERE for info on 2023 Dates.
Join us for several unforgettable Moab hikes in the deserts of Southern Utah over one long weekend! Spend four days trekking the best hiking trails in Canyonlands and Arches National Parks by day. At night, explore the Moab area or relax in our private Explorer Chick lodgings.
Your weekend has been carefully curated and “in the field” tested by your Explorer Chick team! We’ve spent YEARS playing in this outdoor mecca in the desert. You’ll squeeze in some serious ground over the course of a long weekend working on those hiker booty gains. Most of the ground you’ll cover doesn’t even show up on Moab, Utah hiking blogs.
Moab Hikes Highlights
Arches National Park
Explore six arches in one hiking trail to discover the namesake of Arches National Park. Witness the power of wind as you trek among iconic red rock formations where over 2,000 arches have been documented. Descend down layers of red, pink, brown, and white sandstone to enjoy a well-earned lunch on the White Rim of the Colorado River.
Canyonlands National Park: Needles District
Wander through red rock slot canyons, among sandstone hoodoos, and across wind-eroded plains in the Needles District of Canyonlands National Park. Feel like you’re on a desert planet as you admire the vast and desolately beautiful landscapes.
Sunrise Breakfast and Island in the Sky
Catch an unforgettable sunrise at Deadhorse Point State Park as you sip your coffee and munch on your breakfast. Next, gear up and hit the trail in Canyonlands to conquer the steepest trail in the park. (You’ve got this!)
Delicate Arch Hike
You better believe we wouldn’t let you miss this! Your reward after a brief hike? One of the most famous geological structures in the world. Gaze in awe at some of Mama Nature’s best work before taking your turn to pose in the photo op sweet spot.
Every day, expect to be challenged by a new trail, and a new horizon, and new friends. Your thighs will sing every day as you walk a new hiking trail, admire a new desert horizon, and conquer a new national park!
Rest and Relaxation in the Moab Area
Your heart will swoon every night as you kick off your dusty hiking boots, share bad jokes, and enjoy fresh-made meals in the Explorer Chick lodge. We’ll enjoy the occasional meal out and even squeeze in some time for you to meander and shop in the funky town of Moab. Your weekend of epic Moab hikes begins with an easy rendezvous at a Salt Lake City airport hotel—we take care of all the transportation from there!
(Phew, did we mention this is all going down in four days?!)
Explorer Chick is an approved and permitted Commercial Operator for Arches and Canyonlands National Parks.
Adventure Highlights
- Experience 4 days of hiking Explorer Chick’s favorite desert trails in two iconic National Parks near Moab, UT: Arches and Canyonlands.
- Witness the power of wind as you hike among iconic formations in Arches National Park where over 2,000 arches have been documented.
- Wander through slot canyons, among sandstone hoodoos, and across wind-eroded plains in the Needles District of Canyonlands National Park.
- Wake early to watch the sunrise over the canyon in Dead Horse Point State Park while munching on breakfast and sipping on hot coffee.
- Hike in secluded areas of the desert where you’ll hear nothing but the rustle of the wind and scruff of your hiking boots.
- Meander into the shops of the quaint and artsy town of Moab.
- Relax with a comprehensive itinerary that makes the logistics, transportation, navigation, meal planning, lodging, and everything between easy.
- Geek out with supportive and encouraging Explorer Chicks on a private, women-only, small group adventure tour.
Day 1: Welcome to Utah!
Your day begins at 8:00am at our Rendezvous Hotel located in Salt Lake City, UT. Be sure to eat a hearty breakfast before meeting up with the group. You’ll be greeted by your Explorer Chick Guides in the morning with an official orientation to follow. We’ll then hop into our Explorer Chick Private Transport for our 4 hour transfer to Moab and the surrounding National Parks.
We won’t waste any time today as throw on our daypacks and hit the trails in Arches National Park. You’ll wander your way between red sandstone walls and up massive rock formations seeking out the some of the 2,000 arches in Arches National Park. You’ll look up in awe at the longest arch in the United States, stand under picture perfect arches eroded through time by wind, and soak in your first taste of the Utah Desert Sun.
We’ll unpack at our Explorer Chick House for the next 4 days with views of the rocky mesas and red desert right out our windows.
Distance: 5 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,069’
Time: 3 hours
Accommodation: Explorer Chick House
Meals: L, D
Day 2: Explore Canyonlands National Park: Needles District
After a hearty breakfast, we’ll lace up our hiking boots and begin our weekend of Moab hikes by exploring one of Explorer Chick’s favorite trails in Canyonlands National Park. (Hint: You won’t find it listed as a “best” online!) We’ll navigate portions of desert slick rock where the trail is only marked by scattered cairns. We’ll hike among towering sandstone pillars that jut straight out of the ground. We’ll squeeze through a labyrinth of narrow slot canyons to view desert landscapes that seem to belong on a different planet. We’ll bask in the sun while eating our trail lunch with panoramic views. Along the trail keep your eyes peeled for hidden caves, lizards, pre-historic fossils, and your desert glamour shot.
On the way back to our Explorer Chick House, we’ll make a stop at one of the best preserved petroglyph sites in Utah. Hundreds of petroglyphs puzzle historians as they attempt to decipher stories from centuries ago.
Distance: 11.6 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,935′
Time: 6-7 hours
Accommodation: Explorer Chick House
Meals: B, L, D
Day 3: Dead Horse Point State Park and Canyonlands National Park: Island in the Sky
We’ll have an extra early morning today, but it’ll be worth it as you view the sunrise from the edge of Dead Horse Point State Park. Munch on your breakfast and sip your coffee as the sun paints her colors across the sky.
After an unforgettable sunrise, we’ll head over to Canyonlands National Park to tackle the steepest trail in the park. We’ll descend over 1,500 feet in 2.7 miles to the canyon plateau below where we’ll be greeted by the best lunch spot in the park. Chances are, we’ll be the only ones around.
A challenging hike back to the canyon rim will take us up the switchbacks along the cliffside working those calves and earning our dinner! After a triumphant finish, we’ll hop back in our van and stop at the best vista viewpoints that the park has to offer. Sweaty, dirty, glamour shots are the best proof of a day well-spent!
Hiking Distance: 5.4 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,548′
Time: 4-5 hours
Accommodation: Explorer Chick House
Meals: B, L, D
Day 4: Delicate Arch Hike
We’re saving the most iconic hike for last – Delicate Arch. This picturesque formation has graced Utah license plates since 1996, the Olympic Relay Torch passed under it in 2002, and now you will have the opportunity to stand under the prominent Delicate Arch to snap your glamor shot.
After our final hike, we’ll pack up and say goodbye to the desert as we drive the 4 hours back to Salt Lake City. The memories and red desert dirt on your hiking boots will stay with you for months after you return home.
Plan evening flight departures after 7pm.
Hiking Distance: 2.9 miles
Elevation Gain: 613′
Time: 1.5 hours
Meals: B, L
*Explorer Chick reserves the option to modify trip itineraries at the discretion of your tour director as necessary due to weather, conditions, illness, injury, group dynamics, availability, or other unforeseen incidents.
- 4 days/3 nights in a shared house near Moab, UT. Shared, 2 Explorer Chicks per room. Each Explorer Chick will have her own king, queen, double, twin, or bunk bed. Beds selected at random.
- Entrance and commercial permit fees to Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park
- All meals as indicated in itinerary: B-3, L-4, D-3
- All tips for included meals
- Guided hiking throughout with 2 experienced Explorer Chick Guides
- A commemorative Explorer Chick shirt
- Private Explorer Chick land-transportation throughout itinerary
- A detailed Travel Guide with everything you need to know for your trip
- The freedom to enjoy your vacation and mindlessly wander!
- Small Group experience! Your Explorer Chick Adventure is exclusive and limited to 10 women
*Packages do NOT include your rendezvous hotel, departure hotel, airfare, airport transportation, alcoholic beverages, travel insurance, Explorer Chick Leader Tips, meals exclusive of itinerary, or costs for additional activities.
*Does NOT include your Explorer Chick Guide’s Tips – Tipping your Explorer Chick Guides is optional, but customary. If you wish to recognize your Explorer Chick Guides for exceptional service we recommend you tip total 10-25% of your trip costs. Gratuity may be given to one guide—the team divides tips among themselves after the trip.
You will receive a Travel Guide with all the hotel and additional information you’ll need to prepare for your epic trip!
Your adventure begins and ends in Salt Lake City, UT.
Day 1: Arrival. We will rendezvous as a group at 8:00am on Day 1. It is highly recommended to arrive the day before. You are responsible for booking your arrival hotel and airport transportation.
Day 4: Departure. Plan to fly out of Salt Lake City on Day 4 after 7pm. It is recommended to fly out the following day in case there are road delays or issues on the trail. You are responsible for booking your departure hotel and airport transportation.
We require a minimum of 5 Explorer Chicks for this trip. Please confirm your trip is guaranteed before booking airfare.
Daily Moab Hikes:
During your National Parks and Moab, Utah Hiking Weekend you will hike some of the best trails in Arches and Canyonlands National Parks.
- Devils Garden (5 miles/300′ gain)
- Chesler Park/Joint Trail (11.6 miles/1,935’ gain)
- Gooseberry (4.2 miles/1,500′ gain)
- Delicate Arch (2.9 miles/600′ gain)
We highly recommend training prior to your adventure. The itinerary is packed full of hiking. You should be comfortable with hiking up to 11 miles in a day carrying a light day pack with elevations gains up to 1,935 feet.
You should be training on rough and rugged terrain – not perfectly paved sidewalks. Also, find steps, a hill, or the StairMaster and get to climbing! Your quads, booty, and calves will thank you.
Train your tootsies! Do not show up with brand new hiking boots or trail shoes. You should be spending hours upon hours in your boots leading up to your adventure to break them in. Better to suffer blisters at home than to miss out on a hike due painful hot spots on your feet. This is our number one injury. Don’t let it happen to you!
Explorer Chick prides itself in curating trips for women who live an active, healthy lifestyle. What this means is we tackle the big climbs, the long trails, the bucket lists, and the uncomfortable. To get the most from your adventure we recommend having a solid fitness base with training on trails in a variety of weather conditions and hill/stair climbing. Train how you play!
Please consider your ability to meet the physical demands very seriously. It is for the safety of both you and our group. All Explorer Chicks will be required to sign an Acknowledgement of Physical Demands as part of their waiver upon booking.
Related Reads
5 Reasons to Head to Moab in Winter
Arches National Park Facts That Will Blow Your Mind
How to Train for Hiking and Backpacking Trips
How to Layer for Your Winter Hike
The 10 Essential Items to Pack for Every Hike
Still not convinced that THIS is the adventure for you?
We’ve rounded up some of our most popular blog posts, so you can get to know us a bit better and learn what really goes down on your Explorer Chick Adventure.
- Remember How it Feels to Play
- You are NOT Alone
- The Power of Explorer Chick
- What Does an Explorer Chick Look Like?
- We are ALL IN
- We Do Dumb Stuff
- The Explorer Chick Purpose
- The Traveler vs. the Tourist
- 6 Benefits to Booking with a Tour Company
You can always reach us by email with more questions! Info@ExplorerChick.com
To protect your travel investment and your hide, we highly recommend purchasing travel insurance. World Nomads is our trusted travel insurance provider. Receive an no-hassle, online quote in less than 2 minutes.
TRIP PRICE:
2022: $1,999
2023: $2,099
Save $200 with Early Bird Pricing!
See our Discount page for Codes and Expirations!
Non-Refundable Deposit: $200 due at booking to secure your spot
Payment Plans Available: Email payments@ec-old.design-works.com after booking to set up your monthly payment plan.
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5 Reviews
Liz
October 4th, 2020I don’t even have words to describe how much this amazing group of women, who were complete strangers to me last week, mean to me. In a matter of hours, others would assume we were all friends who have traveled together for years. The laughs, the talks, the support, and the pure fun can’t even begin to touch any other travel experience I’ve ever had. Our guides were two of the most phenomenal women I’ve ever had the privilege to meet, and hope I get to travel with them both again in the future. If you have a gypsy soul, and love adventures, I can not recommend Explorer Chick enough. Seriously the best four days of my year, hands down!
Carleigh
October 4th, 2020Day 4 in Moab and we’re almost done 🙁 But quite a day today! After our ~12+ mile hike yesterday, when I found out today’s was “only” 5.2 miles, I thought : ah, a recovery hike! Then I found out it’s the steepest trail in Canyonlands National Park. The Gooseberry Trail drops over 1000 feet in less than a mile. Do you see that white rimmed canyon in pic 1? That’s where we hiked to. Pic 2 is what the trail looked like most of the way down. Going down was definitely fear-of-heights inducing, but going back up just plain sucked. I have eaten ice cream TWICE today, because I deserve it after that. However, the group – which I dubbed the ‘Goosey Gang’ because I think I am very clever – rocked it. And of course, some great pics. We also spent the morning at Dead Horse Point to catch the sunrise!
Jessica
October 5th, 2020What an amazing trip!!! It was an adventure of a lifetime and I’m so thankful for Liz for bringing me along! I think we both needed this trip for sure!! Thank you to @explorerchickadventureco for the wonderful opportunity to meet some awesome women and for challenges I never knew I needed! Looking forward to the next adventure!
Laurie Fontenot
March 9th, 2021Everything about the Moab weekend was amazing – the company, the food prepared by the guides, the hiking (challenging but rewarding), and the condo (cozy and fully stocked).
I didn’t want to go back home! And I want to bring more friends on more Explorer Chick trips! I miss the crew already!
Nicki
March 9th, 2021Woot woot! We’re so happy you LOVED your Moab weekend hiking trip with stories to tell for days. Cheers to more boundless adventures!