Our trips access terrain that most visitors are not able to see on their own. We provide guides, equipment, transportation, and local logistics. Our trips are private and available from all Zion National Park lodging locations. We offer the best selection of canyoneering and climbing routes in the area.
CANYONEERING
Private trips into water carved slot canyons. We offer the best selection of canyoneering routes in the Zion region.
ROCK CLIMBING
Join us for a trip into the vertical realm. We offer sport, traditional, and multi-pitch options on a variety of rock types.
FAMILY TRIPS
Outdoor adventure customized for you and your family. We routinely work with groups that have a wide range of ages and abilities.
OAK CREEK CANYON & VIA FERRATA
South Fork of Oak Canyon also know as Eye of the Needle is a high elevation canyon just north of Zion National Park. This trip involves flowing water and Via Ferrata climbing exit.
Slot Safari
Expect off road driving into slot canyon hiking routes. Hiking distances vary and can be customized to fit your group’s abilities.
CANYONEERING INSTRUCTION
We teach modern canyoneering techniques and systems. Our curriculum has evolved over time into what we believe are the most practical courses available.
Jennifer Kovatch2023-09-26Hands down this adventure was the best part of our southwest slot canyon road trip. We did a 1/2 day canyoneering trip in Unnamed Canyon. From a scenery perspective, the canyon was beautiful and rivaled lower Antelope Canyon, but without all the crowds 🤩. From a canyoning perspective, it was super fun and definitely good for beginners. Our guide, Josh, was knowledgeable, helped me work through my initial fears of rappelling, and made me feel safe the entire trip. I did this adventure with my friend and will definitely come back with Red Desert Adventure again to do this trip and hopefully a new one with my 9 yr old and husband.Marc Caplan2023-09-042023 - Two year later update: I want to tell you what a great pleasure it was for me and my two twenty-year-olds to go canyoneering with Andy again in August.. The guy is great. I’m 77 and I felt totally supported by Andy the whole time – as did my kids. Never felt uncomfortable. He couldn’t have been a better insightful guide and helpful support throughout the morning. A total pleasure and a time filled with wonderful memories. Andy said he had an 83 year old (and 79) – so I guess that means I’ve got to keep coming back to Red Desert canyoneering for at least another seven years. Hope to find Andy still there! Red Desert is a class outfit and Andy is a class guy. If anyone I know heads for Zion and looking for adventure, Red Desert is the place to go. 2021 - Canyoneering and Rappelling expedition. Never gone before. After solid instruction from Andy and his support all the way, all three of us rappelled down three cliffs – total 155 feet -- without assistance. Then he maneuvered all of us, with me climbing on his shoulders, out of the very barrow slot canyon we needed to get through. Always felt safe! One of the best experiences ever. I’d do it again in a heartbeat! Ask for Andy – he’s the best!Adam Welch2023-08-24Amazing experience. Jack, our guide made us feel very safe. It was exactly the experience we came to Zion to have. Already planning our next trip with Red Desert Adventures.Pascal2023-07-25Wir haben eine Canyoning Tour mit Red Desert Adventure gebucht. Unser Guide Andy war sehr sympathisch und auch sehr erfahren. Zu anfangs hat er uns alle möglichen Routen mit den Schwierigkeitsstufen erklärt. Nachdem wir eine Route ausgesucht haben, sind wir zusammen zum Ausgangspunkt „Lamb Knolls“ gefahren. Dort wurden wir dann ausgerüstet und nach kurzer Wanderung im Canyon eingewiesen. Andy hat immer für unsere Sicherheit gesorgt und den Schwierigkeitslevel nach Rücksprache angepasst. Ausserdem hat er uns vieles über das Gebiet erzählt bspw. die Geologie, die Geschichte und die Tiere. Nach den jeweiligen Passagen sind wir wieder in die höhe gestiegen und haben uns durch verschiedene Routen abgeseilt. Wir hatten sehr viel Spass und haben dabei die wunderschönen Canyons erkundet. Ein echtes Abenteuer. Wir würden jederzeit wieder einen Trip buchen.Brandon Ruffalo2023-07-18What an incredible experience! Our guide Andy was top notch! Very personable, knowledgeable of the area geography and canyoneering.D Iles2023-06-30Our family of 4 (kids ages 15 and 12) just finished our second full day canyoneering trip with Andy (we were here 3 years ago too). This is a must do activity in Zion if you are looking for a memorable and exhilarating experience. This was once again the highlight of our trip. Andy took us to unbelievable slot canyons that were beautiful and quiet (we were one of the only ones there). Andy is a true pro who makes everyone feel safe confident and capable. I would highly recommend this trip!Jeff Downs2023-06-17We’d definitely book again. Our guide Jack was amazing! He knew just what each person in our group needed to enjoy themselves. From our 9 and 12 year old kids to my parents on their 60s. Definitely ask for Jack when you book!Ryan Gillikin2023-05-12We did the full day, high adventure trip with Andy. It was the highlight of our trip for sure. We have done a lot of climbing and rappelling but this trip was amazing and Andy was very knowledgeable about the history and geology of the area. Hope to be back for another trip next year!Amanda Rice2023-05-06My experience lol, it's sort of hard to put into descriptive words as I have never experienced anything quite like this. Andy K. was our guide through Red Desert Adventure and simply put was amazing, knowledgeable, an absolute expert at canyoning and had extremely good skills in patience and tolerance. I remember meeting him and him asking about our experience. I want to say he knew then that he'd have a his hands full with my husband and I for the day and I undoubtedly think we did not dissapoint in that respect. We had the pleasure of exploring Water Canyon at a very unique time out here in Southern Utah. Large amounts of snow run off created a ton of water flow so the canyon was intense for us new beginners. We booked the High Adventure trip which consisted of hiking Kanan mountain up to a water "course" of around 10-12 rappels to get back down. We got more than we bargained for as this was a very difficult hike up and not for the faint of heart on the way back down. Andy was incredible. He kept us safe and was extremely patient while we learned about rappelling through this experience. He was engaging and kept the entire experience a more than memorable experience my husband and I will never forget. We are NOT experienced climbers, in our forties and overweight slightly. For those looking at this thinking "that doesn't look so tough, or I can do this....you need to really consider maybe the half day tour versus the gusto High Adventure provided. It was the hardest thing we have ever done and I cannot stress this enough, you really need to be prepared to keep it moving for at least 7 hours. You need to get your mind right and prepared for sensory overload of the most beautiful canyons I could ever imagine seeing. You have to stay focused on this trip, so mount a camera versus taking your phone out and then make sure your mount is secure because this is a bumpy and jumpy ride. Safety is of utter importance because your life depends on it. The rappelling was incredible!!! INCREDIBLE. But extremely challenging due to environment: the water was very cold even with special gear and to get to the water course of rappels you hike ALL the way up. It took us 4 hours to make it to the Apex and that wasn't even 1/2 way or the most challenging aspect of the tour. Climbing gear is heavy and you have a camel bag you are carrying with you so extra weight. Wear good shoes, wear layers, even if it's sunny, as you can take them off as you need to. In summary, if you want an Adventure, Red Desert doesn't dissapoint in the slightest. I honestly cannot believe we were able to complete this. I am beyond thankful for the opportunity and for Andy and his abilities. I would give this 100 stars if I could. You are in good hands with this outfit. Do it, book it, and cherish it, you will never forget it. Thank you Andy, for everything, it was rad. *most of these photos are on the hike. The rappels required a lot of focus so we kept our cameras in our bag. Our Gopro was helpful in capturing the rappels. The head mount was perfect as an FYI. Make sure that device is secure! The footage will be unreal.Susan2023-04-27My 4 friends & I were first timers & we got the adventure of a lifetime! Josh is knowledgeable & patient. Go - you won’t be disappointed!
UTAH PUBLIC LANDS
We are licensed, insured, and permitted to operate on Kane County BLM, Washington County BLM Arizona Strip BLM, Henry Mountains Fields Station BLM, the Dixie National Forest, and the Utah State Trust Lands Administration. We love Utah Public Lands.
