Established in 1997, Desert Highlights is Moab’s original canyoneering, rock climbing and packrafting guide service. Still proudly small and locally owned, the crew has mapped and pioneered many of the red-rock routes they now sha...
Established in 1997, Desert Highlights is Moab’s original canyoneering, rock climbing and packrafting guide service. Still proudly small and locally owned, the crew has mapped and pioneered many of the red-rock routes they now sha...
This Moab-based outfit has earned an incredibly strong reputation for their canyoneering, rappelling, and national parks tours. What stands out most in the feedback is the exceptional quality of their guides. Jacob, Jake, Preston, Madison, and owner Kai all get praised repeatedly for being patient, knowledgeable, and skilled at adapting to different comfort levels and abilities. Multiple families mention nervous kids who ended up having a blast thanks to guides who took extra time to build confidence without any pressure. The private tour approach seems to be a real differentiator here. Reviewers love having guides focused solely on their group, which allows for personalized pacing and more thorough instruction. People rave about the variety of experiences offered, from beginner-friendly rappels to slot canyons and packrafting combos. The attention to detail impresses too—guides handle all the logistics, bring snacks, cook meals on overnight trips, and even snap photos so everyone gets in the shot. Several families have returned multiple times over the years, which speaks volumes about consistency. If you're looking for a reliable, safety-focused operation that genuinely cares about creating memorable adventures for all ages and experience levels, this comes highly recommended.
My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed 4 full days of guided hiking with Desert Highlights. I called Kai prior to booking and she listened carefully as I explained our past hiking experience and what we were looking to accomplish. We spent one day in Arches, one day in the Canyonlands Island in the Sky, one day in the Canyonland Needles and one day in Bureau of Land Management. The hikes were exactly what we were looking for in terms of length and distance. Our guide Eliza was very professional, knowledgeable and fun! We were very happy that we used Kai's recommendations for lodging and restaurants. We will recommend Desert Highlights to our friends.
Jack Berger
April 29, 2026
My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed 4 full days of guided hiking with Desert Highlights. I called Kai prior to booking and she listened carefully as I explained our past hiking experience and what we were looking to accomplish. We spent one day in Arches, one day in the Canyonlands Island in the Sky, one day in the Canyonland Needles and one day in Bureau of Land Management. The hikes were exactly what we were looking for in terms of length and distance. Our guide Eliza was very professional, knowledgeable and fun! We were very happy that we used Kai's recommendations for lodging and restaurants. We will recommend Desert Highlights to our friends.
Jack Berger
April 29, 2026