Rappel through Pool Arch Canyon on a private full-day trip
6 - 8 hours
Guide, Helmet, Harness
Explore Pool Arch Canyon (aka Rock of Ages) with your private guide as you hike, climb, and rappel through narrow sandstone corridors. Expect water in the canyon and a full day of moderate physical effort.
Minimum age: suggested 12 (exceptions sometimes made). Wear closed-toe hiking shoes and plan to get wet while walking, wading, or possibly swimming through pools. Everyone must sign an Acknowledgement of Risk Form on arrival.
Groups under 10: Cancel 2+ weeks out for a full refund. Within 2 weeks but outside 48 hours: charged a $20/person deposit. Within 48 hours: no refund. Groups 10+: 10% deposit required and non-refundable unless guides cancel due to weather. Full refund if your guide cancels due to bad weather.
Yes. Everyone in your group must sign an Acknowledgement of Risk Form when you arrive.
Wear closed-toe hiking shoes and hiking clothes you don’t mind getting wet. Choose quick-dry (no cotton) layers appropriate for the weather; in cooler months, bring a warm layer.
Bring enough water for 6–8 hours (at least 2 liters per person, more in summer), snacks and a lunch, and a backpack to carry your water, food, and gear. A hair tie is needed if you have long hair. Optional (recommended): sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, camera.
16 South 100 East Moab, Utah 84532
Jake, Kai, Joe, Eliza, Skyeler, and the rest of the crew have built something genuinely special in Moab. Reviewers consistently rave about the depth of knowledge their guides bring, whether it's geology, local wildlife, or plant life, with many noting it transformed a fun outing into a real learning experience. The booking process gets just as much praise as the trips themselves, with Kai in particular highlighted for taking time to understand what guests are actually looking for and matching them to the right adventure. The range of experiences on offer is broad, from multi-day hiking itineraries across Arches and Canyonlands to canyoneering routes with 200-foot rappels that you simply couldn't find on your own. Families with kids, school groups, and solo adventurers all show up in these reviews, and the guides seem genuinely skilled at calibrating the experience to the group. One Seattle school has been returning every year for six years, which says a lot about consistency. Safety protocols are mentioned frequently and always in a reassuring, confidence-building way rather than feeling restrictive. It's hard to find a single complaint across the board, and that kind of sustained reputation in a competitive outdoor guiding market is worth paying attention to.
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