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Reflection Canyon Backpack – an Escalante Classic
Fully Guided Trip
Beginner-friendly
Classic Photography Destination
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We go out of our way to open the wonders of the West to EVERYONE.
We are permitted, licensed, and insured.
Dreamland Safari Tours holds Special Use Permits from the Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument, Grand Canyon National Park, the Vermilion Cliffs National Monument/Paria Wilderness, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Kanab Bureau of Land Management, Kaibab National Forest, Arizona Strip Bureau of Land Management, Zion National Park, and Bryce Canyon National Park.
Don't see your preferred departure date or time available via online booking? Give us a call.
For sunset or sunrise at our more remote locations, we recommend a scheduled or custom overnight or multi-day tour - and we are happy to work with you to develop an itinerary that meets your needs.
All listed tour durations and pickup times are approximate. Please allow 10-20 minutes of pickup time flexibility for unforeseen circumstances and varying pickup logistics. Water and snacks are provided on all tours. A lunch option is available on all tours of 6+ hours at an additional charge. Vegetarian option available.
We reserve the right to fill all empty seats on non-private tours. Cancellation / Reschedule / Weather policy applies.
Please familiarize yourself with our FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS before contacting us.
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Reflection Canyon has become a bucket list destination for many a landscape photographer.
Panoramic vistas, remote red rock landscapes, the sparkling blue water of Lake Powell and an infinite sky – that’s what makes Reflection Canyon a classic. Nestled deep in Grand Staircase Escalante, the only way to access Reflection Canyon is on foot. The closest outpost of civilization is the town of Escalante, Utah; from there, you have to be prepared to travel more than fifty miles of increasingly rough dirt road just to reach the Reflection Canyon trailhead. From here, 15+ miles of off-trail hiking (7.5 miles each way) lead to the overlook. For the intrepid adventurer who is not deterred by such challenges, backpacking Reflection Canyon can be like stepping through a portal to a different world.
Price
Starting at $1,795
Tour prices are subject to sales tax & public land use fees.
Tour prices are subject to sales tax & public land use fees.
Private Tour Upgrade Available?
Contact us for Custom Options
Tour Length
5 days total: 3 days / 2 nights on the trail + 2 nights in Escalante (one night pre- and one night post-hike).
Departure Times
5pm
Difficulty (1-10)
7
Recommended abilities
Good endurance, strength and balance required. Must be in good cardio shape and able to carry 35lbs for 8 mile days on uneven terrain. First time backpackers ARE welcome.
Permits
No special permit is required for this tour.
Location
Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument
Attractions
Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument
Special Interests
Geology, Photography, Sunset
What is included on your backpacking trips?
Backpacking trips include overnight permits, lightweight tents, team cooking equipment, main meals, trailhead transport from the closest town, water purification, team first aid and emergency communication, and of course experienced backpacking guides. Almost all of our backpacking trips also include a hotel night (double occupancy) before and after the hike, as well as a team dinner pre- and post-hike.
What gear do I need to bring?
Dreamland Safari Tours provides tents, team cooking gear, water purification, team first aid & emergency communications. You need to bring (or rent) a backpack, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, cup/bowl/spoon, and your hiking attire including a waterproof jacket and down jacket. Rentals for backpacks, sleeping bags & sleeping pads are available through Dreamland Safari Tours.
What type of food should I expect?
Dreamland Safari Tours provides breakfasts, dinners, and light lunches while we are on the trail (as well as water, coffee and tea). You can expect both fresh meals and the occasional backpacker's freeze-dried meal. We can accommodate many dietary restrictions with prior notice.
What is the bathroom situation?
Except for the Grand Canyon itineraries, there are no outhouses to be found on our backpacking itineraries. On most backpacking trips, expect to bury solid human waste by digging cat holes. For some itineraries such as the Paria and Buckskin Gulch, the use of wag bags is mandatory.
How much weight will I have to carry?
Standard pack weights for most of our itineraries vary between 35 to 40 lbs, which includes a ~5 lbs team gear allocation in addition to your personal gear. Your gear choices, trip duration, and water availability on your itinerary are the main determinants of final pack weight.
Is it possible to hire porters?
Most of our itineraries are subject to strict group size limits, which makes it difficult to impossible to offer porter services. That said: if you are booking a private backpacking adventure and would like to explore the possibility of adding on porter services, please give us a call or send us an email to discuss.
How do I get to Kanab or Escalante or... ?
Most of our backpacking programs start and finish in small desert towns which can be admittedly hard to reach. Public transport options are very limited, which makes travel by (rental) car advisable. If you are flying in and would like to avoid renting a car, please give us a call - we may be able to assist with car pools with other backpackers or airport pick ups.
Is there a place to leave my vehicle?
There is a safe spot to park your vehicle for the duration of the backpack on each of our itineraries.
Is tipping the guide customary?
Yes! A typical gratuity is $20-$40 per person per day -- so for a 5-day trip, the suggested tip would be between $100 and $200 total. You can read more about guide tipping from the perspective of one of our guides on our blog here.
About Backpacking in Grand Staircase Escalante
Grand Staircase Escalante lies at the heart of the Colorado Plateau in Southern Utah. The National Monument encompasses a vast area of 1.87 million acres, most of which are accessible solely via dirt roads, on horseback or on foot. The Grand Staircase is characterized by five massive rock layers spanning ~160-175 million years of geologic history, and there is no better way to experience Grand Staircase Escalante’s impressive scenery than by backpacking along its expansive plateaus and through its deep canyons.
About Dreamland’s Guided Reflection Canyon Backpack
The Dreamland Safari Tours Reflection Canyon Backpack starts and finishes in the town of Escalante. For stress-free logistics, your trip fee includes a hotel night (double occupancy) and team welcome & closing dinners in Escalante before and after the trail portion, in addition to the three days and two nights that we spend along Hole In The Rock Road and at Reflection Canyon. The Reflection Canyon Backpack entails less hiking mileage than most of our other backpacking adventures, as well a plenty of time for foundational backpacking skills development or – for experienced backpackers – some added exploration time along Hole In The Rock Road. This makes Dreamland’s Reflection Canyon Backpacking Adventure suitable for motivated first-timers as well as seasoned backpackers who enjoy the peace of mind of having a guide direct the planning and logistics for an excursion like this one.
We are proud to utilize our decades of experience in desert adventures, backcountry risk management and expedition planning to share with you an unforgettable time photographing Grand Staircase Escalante from the immersive perspective of a challenging to access, backpacking-only location. You bring your personal backpacking gear and camera – we take care of the rest.
What does Dreamland Safari Tours’ Reflection Canyon Backpack include?
- 3 days along Hole In The Rock and Reflection Canyon plus two nights in Escalante
- Transport from Escalante, Utah to Reflection Canyon Trailhead and back
- Main meals & double occupancy lodging in Escalante pre- and post-workshop
- Lightweight backpacking tents (unless you prefer to bring your own)
- Group gear including kitchen gear, water purification, GPS communication and first aid
- Experienced backpacking guides at a 1:4 guide-to-guest ratio
2026 DATES
April 17-21, 2026
October 22-26, 2026
Custom, private departures are available – call us at 801-708-0973 or send us an email at hello@dreamlandtours.net.
Check back as we intermittently add new dates to our schedule.
Permits & Group Size
Please note that there is a 3-person minimum for this itinerary. The maximum group size is 10 guests and 2 guides. Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument and the Escalante District of Glen Canyon National Recreation Area require overnight permits; we take care of all permitting requirements on your behalf.
Fully Guided Tour
Photography Paradise!
Interesting Geology!
Other Paria / Vermillion Cliffs Tours
Itinerary
Day 1
5pm – Escalante Hotel check-in, team meet & greet; gear check and backpacking skills session
~7pm – Team welcome dinner
Dinner & double occupancy lodging are included in the price of this adventure
Day 2
Early breakfast followed by the drive towards Reflection Canyon Trailhead along historic Hole In The Rock trail – 62 miles of scenic and increasingly rough dirt road driving.
Establish camp for the night at Hole In The Rock; optional hike through Hole In The Rock down to Lake Powell (~1.5 miles, 1500ft of elevation change)
Day 3
Breakfast at camp, then commence backpacking to Reflection Canyon. ~8 miles, 700 ft of ascent. Establish camp for the night at Reflection Canyon, with opportunities for sunset, astro and sunrise photography.
Day 4
Break down camp and return to trailhead, followed by drive back to Escalante & hotel check-in. Team celebration dinner.
Dinner & lodging are included in the price.
Day 5
Departure
Guest Experiences with Dreamland Safari Tours
What to Expect on this Reflection Canyon Guided Backpacking Trip
The Reflection Canyon and Hole-in-the-Rock Backpacking trip is a moderate desert backpacking adventure and, similar to the Boulder Mail Trail, one of the less physically demanding guided backpacking trips that we offer; you need to be ready for two days with 8+ miles of hiking while carrying a ~35 lbs pack. The terrain on the Reflection Canyon Trail involves off-trail hiking with steady undulation, totaling a minimum of ~700 ft of ascent each day. While the Reflection Canyon Backpack is a fully guided adventure and Dreamland Safari Tours will take care of group logistics, you have to be prepared to carry your own overnight gear as well as three liters of water, snacks, and your share of the food required for the entire time on the trail.
If you are at all concerned about your physical ability to complete and enjoy this backpacking adventure, please give us a call at 801-251-6036 to discuss the feasibility of your participation.
What Gear Should I Bring for Reflection Canyon?
All participants will receive a comprehensive gear check list as well as recommendations for appropriate attire for this trip. We provide tents, cooking gear & meals but ask that participants bring their own overnight gear (i.e. backpack, sleeping pad, sleeping bag, etc. – rentals are available) and backpacking-appropriate clothing layers including a lightweight but warm downjacket, hardshell (GoreTex) layer, and more. We are available to provide recommendations and advice as you select your attire.
