Moderate · 2.5 / 4 / 6.5 hours
East Zion UTV + Slot Canyon Canyoneering
Open-air UTV into private backcountry, then guided rappels into a hidden slot canyon. Kids 5+.
Guided Adventure
Zion Backcountry Jeep Tour
Private open-air Jeep Wrangler/Land Rover tours into Smith Mesa or East Zion — petroglyphs, dinosaur tracks, ghost towns (Grafton).
Photo: Mike Newbry (Unsplash) · Unsplash License
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Duration
- 3 hours typical
- From the lodge
- ~45 min
- Type
- Private 4×4
Private open-air Jeep tours are the antidote to a Zion shuttle day. Three-hour outings into Smith Mesa or East Zion — areas private vehicles can't easily reach — with a guide who knows where the petroglyphs are, where the dinosaur tracks are pressed into the rock, and where Grafton's pioneer ghost town stands beneath the West Temple at golden hour.
The vehicles are open-air Wrangler-style Jeeps (some operators run modified Land Rovers), seating 4-6 guests. Tours run sunrise, mid-day, and sunset; sunset is the most popular for photography.
**Why this over a self-drive:** the routes use unmaintained dirt roads that defeat rental SUVs and require local permits to access in places. The guide's narrative — geology, archaeology, pioneer history — is the value-add.
Before you go
- Open-air vehicles — sun protection essential
- Bumpy ride — not ideal for back issues or pregnancy
- Dust is real — close phones in cases, sunglasses help
Pair it with
← Back to all experiences 
Moderate · 2–3 hours
Smith Mesa Scenic Drive
Helicopter-tour views into Kolob Terrace and West Zion. A locals' secret. High-clearance.
Easy · ~2 hours
Stargazing Zion — Private Dark Sky Tour
Zero-gravity recliners, degreed astronomers, 11-inch telescope on Saturn's rings. SQM 21.70 dark.
Ready for your zion backcountry jeep tour day?
Book your cabin and discover the area at your own pace. The trails start at the door.