These FAQs are specific to this tour. If you would like to view our general FAQs CLICK HERE.

1. How much walking will we do on this trip?
The Photographer’s Dream Tour makes many short stops at scenic viewpoints within the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. There are a few short hikes mixed in. We walk about 1.5 miles in Willis Creek slot canyon. There are a few short but steep inclines with loose footing on the trail and various rock and rubble to step over. Willis Creek usually flows 1-2 inches of water. Fancy footwork can keep your feet mostly dry, or bring river sandals or a change of socks and shoes in case you get wet. There is also a short, flat and easy walk in Kodachrome Basin State Park and a very easy walk on a paved trail to see Grosvernor Arch. Finally, we often visit a viewpoint of the Rimrock hoodoos, which entails a 1-mile round-trip level walk across the desert.

2. How much driving will we be doing?
This is largely a driving tour through the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. We will cover a lot of ground to see many incredible viewpoints that traverse nearly 250 million years of geologic history. The tour heads a bit over 50 miles up Johnson Canyon and Skutumpah Roads, then down the 47-mile Cottonwood Canyon Road, all surrounded by incredible scenery. Most of those miles are unpaved. Many stops are made along the way for photographing viewpoints and taking short hikes.

3. Is this tour offered year-round?
We offer the tour year-round, but the Cottonwood Canyon Road is impassable when it’s wet. Therefore, we are not always able to run the tour in the winter when snow or snowmelt make the road slippery and rutted. We also occasionally have to change or cancel this tour after heavy rain, which is most likely in the monsoon season of July and August, but can happen any time of the year. We don’t like to cancel unless we’re concerned about the safety of the road. The bentonite clay of the Cottonwood Road is a formidable foe when wet.

4. Are there bathrooms on this tour?
There is a flushing toilet and nice facilities at Kodachrome Basin State Park where we typically stop for lunch and there is a clean pit toilet at Grosvernor Arch. We will be away from bathrooms for much of the day, however. At any time, you may duck behind a tree or bush for privacy. Bury all solid waste. Guides carry toilet paper, hand wipes and plastic bags in each truck. Do not leave any trash on the ground. Paper must be bagged up and can be discreetly discarded into the trash bag at the truck.

5. Are drones allowed on this tour?
This tour visits several locations. Drones are allowed at many of the locations. Some of them are better for flying a drone than others. When operating a drone on tours, please be mindful of other guests on the tour and other hikers who may be in the area. Others seek remote locations for the solitude. Please do not fly drones close to other people and limit the amount of time the drone is in the air. Always follow instructions from your guide.

To read more FAQs that are common to all of our tours, visit our FAQs page.