Guided Hiking Trips in Southern Utah

Southern Utah Hiking Itinerary

Please arrive in St. George, Utah, the night before the trip begins. We have a pre-trip orientation at the Inn on the Cliff Lodge (511 S. Tech Ridge Drive) at 8:30 PM the evening before day 1. We will get acquainted, answer questions, and discuss tomorrow’s adventures. (Note: Shuttle to St. George and hotel for this night are not included).

• Morning Meet-Up: We meet at 8:30 AM at the Inn on the Cliff in St. George, Utah. From there, we depart for a 2-hour drive to a non-touristy, scenic area of Bryce National Park. Note: Breakfast is your responsibility on day 1.
• The Hike: We’ll spend 2 to 3 hours hiking and enjoying lunch among Bryce’s iconic red rock hoodoos and spectacular formations.
• Evening Arrival: After hiking, we make a scenic 1.5-hour drive to Boulder, Utah, checking into our basecamp or the Boulder Mountain Lodge between 5:00 PM and 6:00 PM. We’ll celebrate our first evening with a welcome dinner at the award-winning Hell’s Backbone Grill.

For the next four days, we use our deluxe basecamp as a launchpad to explore the most spectacular slot canyons and geological wonders in Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. With two guides on hand for groups of five or more, we can offer flexible hiking speeds and distances to match your comfort level.

Our daily excursions may include:

• Peek-a-Boo and Spooky Slot Canyons: Squeeze through world-famous, winding sandstone slot canyons.
• Upper & Lower Calf Creek Falls and Deer Creek: Hike to pristine desert oases featuring hidden waterfalls, swimming holes, and plunging pools.
• Phipps Arch, Escalante River & Caveman Caves: Discover dramatic rock arches, prehistoric Basketmaker II pictographs (1,500–2,500 years old), and ancient caves.
• Death Hollow/Escalante Confluence: Explore the dramatic meeting point of two remote desert canyons — a rugged highlight for adventurous hikers.
• Devil’s Garden: Walk among surreal, naturally sculpted hoodoos and arches.
• Cultural Highlights: Take an optional afternoon visit to the Anasazi State Park Museum to explore one of the largest ancient communities west of the Colorado River, or tour the organic permaculture garden at Hell’s Backbone Grill.
• Farewell Dinner: On our final evening at basecamp, we return to Hell’s Backbone Grill for a farewell dinner to close out the trip.

• The Grand Finale: We depart early for a 3-hour drive to Zion National Park.
• The Hike: We’ll head out on the trail to Zion’s Observation Point. Enjoy a dramatic lunch overlooking the entire Zion Canyon—by far the most majestic and sweeping vista in the park.
• Return: We drive back to St. George, arriving between 5:00 PM and 7:00 PM to wrap up our journey.

What is Included in Your Trip:

• Ground Transportation: All van transport starting and ending in St. George, including 4×4 access to rugged trailheads.
• Meals: All healthy, fresh meals from lunch on Day 1 to lunch on Day 6 (including our welcome dinner at Hell’s Backbone Grill).
• Expert Leadership: Seasoned professional hiking guides certified in Wilderness First Aid, CPR, and Utah Food Handling.
• Deluxe Basecamp Gear (if camping): 4-man Kelty tents (used for 1–2 people), comfortable cots, and 2-inch thick Paco sleeping pads.
• A Gift to Take Home: An official MFRE souvenir coffee mug!

What is NOT Included:

• Flights to/from Las Vegas, NV.
• Shuttle transfers between Las Vegas and St. George.
• Hotels in St. George (for the nights before and after the trip).
• Lodging at Boulder Mountain Lodge (if you select the lodging option instead of basecamp camping; booked directly by you).
• Breakfast on Day 1
• Personal sleeping bag and pillow.
• Alcoholic beverages (available for purchase nearby).
• Optional guide gratuities (typically 10-20% of trip cost).
• Travel Insurance

Gear List for Utah Hiking Trips

Southern Utah’s desert weather can be variable. Daytime temperatures range from 70–90°F, while nights can drop to 40–60°F. Synthetics and wools are best for layering.

Required Gear

• Camelback or other hydration backpack (3 liter capacity)
• Shoes – lightweight hiking boots
• Shoes – Shoes for river crossings (Astral or Keens with toe coverage)
• Sleeping bag rated 30F & Pillow (if camping)

• Sun hat (baseball hat ok, but larger full brim better with chin strap is better)
• Bathing suit for swimming holes
• Sarong or towel
• Women- Sun Dress
• Socks – ~8 pair (2 cotton for camp, 6 synthetic or wool for hiking)
• T-shirts – 3 (two cotton for evenings and one synthetic for daytime)
• Long sleeved shirts – 2 (one cotton for evenings and one synthetic SPF sun shirt for daytime)
• Long pants – 1 (Can be synthetic or cotton or jeans)
• Shorts – 2 (one cotton for evenings and one synthetic for daytime)
• Underwear – assorted (cotton for evening and silk/synthetic for daytime)
• Rain jacket
• Puff Ball Jacket or similar for evenings
• Medium weight fleece or wool sweater
• Personal toiletry items
• Sunscreen lotion and chapstick
• Sunglasses with retainer
• Camera or phone
• Headlamp

Optional items

• Ziploc bags – handy for small items or to isolate dirty articles from rest of gear
• Shoes- flip flop sandals (for MFRE basecamp)
• April/May & Oct/Nov trips- Based on the weather forecast (Boulder, UT), bring a ski hat, camp gloves, 1 pair of synthetic long john top and bottoms, and fleece type pants.

What to Expect on a Guided Utah Hiking Trip with MFRE

Physical Conditioning

All participants must be in good physical condition and have good balance over uneven terrain. Expect to hike 3 to 6 hours daily, covering up to 8 miles with roughly 1,000 feet of vertical elevation gain and loss.

Most days follow the same rhythm: hike in the morning, lunch at a scenic vista, and return to basecamp by early-to-mid afternoon (around 2–4 PM) to relax. Guests who want more can join guides for optional afternoon hikes.

The MFRE Basecamp has an outdoor community shower, a large kitchen, covered deck with lounge chairs, living room with large couch & community area, a large outdoor dining area for 12 and a 4 person hot tub. There is an indoor toilet and an outdoor compost toilet to be shared by the group.  There are also two large sinks for handwashing and an outdoor hand wash system next to the outdoor compost toilet. 

We provide most of the camping gear for you, including a NRS cot and a 2” “Paco” Sleeping pad, and 4-person Kelty tents (for 1 or 2 people only). You must bring a sleeping bag and pillow. 

Lodge: The Boulder Mountain Lodge is 5 blocks away so walking is easy or we can always pick you up in the evening/morning. Cost is ~$220-$300/night depending on the night.  You book direct with them and please be sure your trip is a go before you book.  This cost is additional. 

Bathing and Swimming

There is freshwater on many of the hikes and they offer opportunities to cool off.  There are also several ink wells or swimming holes so a swimsuit is essential.

All meals are provided from lunch Day 1 to lunch Day 6. We provide healthy and delicious meals, accompanied with lots of salads, fresh fruits and vegetables.  We also use as much organic produce/products as is available in southern Utah.  Our goal is to have you eat healthy meals so that you feel good and refreshed during the day with lots of energy for fun in this remote wilderness setting. Vegetarians, Vegans, Gluten Free and Paleo diets welcome and meat eaters alike.  

Every morning we have breakfast at MFRE basecamp and make lunches directly afterwards for the day.  We have oranges and apples, chips, fruit rolls and we make sandwiches. For the hike.  Evenings we have appetizers around 6pm and then dinner is served around 7-8pm.       

Drinks

We provide drinking water at all times at MFRE Basecamp.  We also provide limited (1-2/person/day) of non-sugary drinks like La Croix and Spindrift.  If you would like more then this please bring whatever you like.  We do not provide alcohol.  You can purchase alcohol at the Hills’ and Hollows store in town.  

Check the week’s forecast for Boulder, Utah before you pack — Southern Utah weather can be variable and vigorous, with daytime temperatures typically running 70–90°F and evenings dropping to 40–60°F. During peak summer months (June–August), we may adjust our schedule to depart earlier in the morning to beat the heat of the day.

There’s no such thing as bad weather if you bring the right gear. Come prepared with both warm and cold weather clothing — synthetics and wools are best for layering and staying warm no matter what the day brings. Most guests agree: it’s easy to over-pack for this trip!.  Most people agree they brought way too many things on the trip!

Expert Trip Leaders

James Snow Ellsworth

James is a naturalist and is deeply passionate about wild places and educating others about the natural world. He holds a degree in Physical Geography from ASU with minors in Anthropology and Geology.   With more nearly 40 years of experience guiding commercial river and hiking trips, James spent eight years working as a river guide in Arizona and Utah, followed by a decade as Director of International Rivers and Director of North America for Mountain Travel Sobek, leading and/or setting up expeditions on six of the world’s seven continents.  James currently works for Wantok Adventures on the Zanskar River in Ladakh, India.  James also served four years as President of the Middle Fork Outfitters Association, is a founding member of the Salmon River Outfitter Association, and sits on the President’s Council of The Wilderness Society. 

Taylor brings a relaxed confidence and welcoming presence to every MFRE trip. Wise beyond his years, he has a keen instinct for anticipating needs and getting things done. Raised in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, Taylor became a true outdoorsman early on, spending his youth skiing, hiking and rafting.

He earned a degree in Ecology and Watershed Management from the University of Wyoming.  In the winter, Taylor serves as an EMT on Ski Patrol in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Equally comfortable in the mountains, deserts and on the river, he is a highly skilled guide who takes pride in keeping guests safe, informed, and laughing all while anticipating their needs before they even know they have them.  Taylor has worked with MFRE since 2013.

A Utah Native, Luke brings a hard work ethic with a smile to an entire new level.  He also brings “good Vibes” to a whole new level.  Luke has an open mind and is curious about “what is Happening?” in natural landscapes and loves to teach MFRE guests about natural history of any place he visits.  He also works as an EMT on the Search and Rescue in Stanley, Utah and does work for Sawtooth Mountain Guides.   Simplicity, adventure, and friendship are his guiding principles, and sharing meaningful experiences and a love for the outdoors comes naturally to him.  Luke has worked with MFRE since 2020 and has been a guide since 2016. 

Utah Guided Hiking Pre & Post Trip Travel Details

• By Air: Fly into Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) in Las Vegas, NV.
• By Shuttle: Take a comfortable 2-hour shuttle from Las Vegas directly to St. George, Utah via the St. George Shuttle — reserve online at stgshuttle.com or call 435-288-6962 (~$120 roundtrip).
• Pre-Trip Lodging: We recommend staying at the Inn on the Cliff Lodge in St. George the night before the trip begins, to make our 8:30 PM pre-trip orientation convenient.

• Your trip wraps up back in St. George between 5:00–7:00 PM on Day 6. Most guests book their return shuttle to Las Vegas as part of the same roundtrip reservation made before the trip — same contact info as above.
• Post-Trip Lodging: Depending on your flight schedule, you may want a hotel in St. George for the night after the trip ends.

Note: Shuttle to St. George and hotel the night before the trip are not included.

• St. George Shuttle — 435-288-6962 / stgshuttle.com (~$120 roundtrip)
• Inn on the Cliff Lodge — 511 S. Tech Ridge Drive, St. George, UT / 435-216-5864
• Boulder Mountain Lodge (optional, in place of basecamp camping) — ~$220–300/night, booked directly, ~5 blocks from basecamp

Booking & Cancellation Policies

• Trip Price: $2,599 per person (based on 6 to 10 participants).
• Private Trips: We can arrange private custom departures for any date of the year for groups of 6 or more.
• Deposit: A $500.00 deposit per person is required to confirm your reservation. No credit card fees apply.
• Final Payment: Due 120 days before departure.
• Cancellation Policy:
  • Deposits are fully refundable (minus a $150.00 service fee per person) if written notice is received more than 120 days prior to departure.
  • Within 120 days of departure, all funds are non-refundable.
  • Private/Charter group deposits are non-refundable.
  • If MFRE must cancel a trip due to weather conditions, wildfires or any other circumstances, your trip will be refunded or re-scheduled for an agreed upon future available date.
• We strongly suggest purchasing travel insurance.

Have Questions or Want to Plan Your Trip? Contact us at 800-801-5146 or middlefork@idahorivers.com, or submit an inquiry below — since trip dates are flexible and set around your group, we’ll work with you to find dates that fit.

• St. George Shuttle — 435-288-6962 / stgshuttle.com (~$120 roundtrip)
• Inn on the Cliff Lodge — 511 S. Tech Ridge Drive, St. George, UT / 435-216-5864
• Boulder Mountain Lodge (optional, in place of basecamp camping) — ~$220–300/night, booked directly, ~5 blocks from basecamp