Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument   |  Andrew Burr

Guides and Outfitters

Guides and outfitters allow you to deeply experience the outdoors, without any planning or wayfinding stressors. They also know Utah’s lands intimately, offer local perspectives and geological insights, and make sure your trip follows the ethic of Forever Mighty. Not only can guides get you somewhere safely, they often take you and your family to places only accessible with a permit and the right gear. Guided trips can vary in length from half-day to multi-day adventures, and can include hiking and backpacking clinics, stargazing, petroglyph tours, river rafting trips, technical canyoneering, or bikepacking and mountain biking.

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How to Find a Guided Outdoors Experience

Written By Arianna Rees

6 minute read

You might not be a pro climber, camper or explorer, but Utah’s diverse collection of outdoor guides has all of the expertise you need to have an adventure worth getting stoked about.

Dinosaurs, Watersports and Rafting, Guided Experiences

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How to Find a Guide

TripAdvisor

TripAdvisor compiles thousands of listings for companies that offer guided experiences. You can search for any area and activity you’d like to try, browse company offerings and reviews, and book a trip right on the site. TripAdvisor can also connect you to places to eat and stay if you’re only looking for a part-day excursion.

Viator

Owned by TripAdvisor, Viator is an easy way to look up affordable guided adventures around the globe. Viator shows you what’s included in each experience, when you will depart and return, and additional info you’ll need to prepare. You can reserve your spot and pay now or later. See Viator’s Utah listings

AirBnb Experience

Find guided activities throughout the state through Airbnb's Experience platform, a partnership established with the Utah Office of Tourism. Airbnb Experiences connect you to unique outdoor and cultural experiences hosted by passionate locals.  Ready to tour a local Alpaca farm, anyone? 

Contact the National Park Service

There are lots of guided experiences that are offered in Utah’s national parks. Park rangers offer their own tours or can connect you with the right groups who lead expeditions into the park you’re wanting to explore.

Look locally

If you’re familiar with the area you’re visiting or know someone who is, one of the best ways to find a guide is by searching locally. Mom and pop outfitters are going to have the greatest expertise when it comes to the terrain, and asking locals or local businesses like hotels or restaurants can get you the best leads to find them. Contact regional travel offices, welcome centers and explore their websites. 

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