Moab, Arches & Canyonlands Photo Expedition

Arrive in Grand Junction, the nearest major airport to Moab, where you are met and transferred to our hotel. A once humble railroad hub and ranching outpost in western Colorado, Grand Junction has become a flourishing agricultural center and vibrant university town renowned for its farm-to-table fare, abundant microbreweries and nearby Palisade wines. On the northeastern edge of the Colorado Plateau, it’s also a gateway to adventure, especially for the magnificent Utah desert that lies next door. Ours begins this evening with a welcome dinner with our Photo Expedition Leaders. Chosen for their expertise in both photography and natural history, our guides offer an overview of the journey ahead, including an orientation to the rewards and challenges that come with creating images in these arid, colorful environs known for their challenging light conditions. We’ll also get a preview of the rich history, geology, wildlife and ecology of the Colorado Plateau, the grand backdrop for the photography adventures to come.

Our day begins early with a sunrise photo tour to the Colorado National Monument just west of Grand Junction, one of the area's best kept secrets. Although it is filled with stunning red rock canyons and monoliths like the better-known national parks in the region, the monument remains less visited than its more famous neighbors. Following the scenic 23-mile Rim Rock Drive, we climb more than 2,000 feet in elevation. Completed in 1950, the winding two-lane road features three historic tunnels carved through solid rock and offers pullouts with commanding compositions of sweeping canyons, the lone sandstone tower of Independence Monument and the distant Rocky Mountains.

Continue to Moab, an optimal base for photographing more of the Colorado Plateau, a vast landscape covering 130,000 square miles across parts of Colorado, Utah, Arizona and New Mexico. The high-desert terrain is characterized by elevations between 5,000 and 7,000 feet and its distinctive geology of deeply eroded canyons, flat-topped mesas and colorful rock formations. We stop first at a dinosaur track site, where we encounter ancient history etched into rock. On a scenic hike, walk through a rugged landscape of slickrock and juniper to encounter fossilized footprints left by long-extinct creatures, offering a glimpse into a prehistoric world. This afternoon, settle into our riverside rooms at Red Cliffs Lodge, tucked away in a peaceful setting outside the adventure hub of Moab. Perched on the edge of the Colorado River beneath imposing canyon walls, the lodge is our comfortable base for the next three nights, perfectly positioned for exploring and capturing the beauty of the surrounding red rock landscape. Our Expedition Leaders start with a photo presentation at the lodge, before we head out on our first sunset photo shoot.

Covering more than 300,000 acres of the Colorado Plateau, Canyonlands National Park is a vast red rock wilderness carved by the Colorado and Green rivers over millions of years. Its varied geography spans four distinct sectors, and our focus today is the Island in the Sky district, a dramatic mesa perched high above the surrounding landscape, offering sweeping views of deep canyons and layered sandstone formations. We get an early start to photograph the sunrise at Mesa Arch, perhaps the most iconic view in the park. As the first rays of dawn break over the horizon, the underside of the arch glows deep orange and vermilion, framing a classic vista of the canyon below—an essential shot for photographers. More of Canyonlands’ wonders await the lens as we continue to dramatic overlooks and hike over terrain revealing the region’s remarkable geology. Following a winding trail across slickrock expanses, past ancient rock art, we find an intimate connection to the region’s cultural history as we gain a deeper appreciation for the immense forces that shaped this landscape.

Later this afternoon, there’s time to rest and recharge at our lodge before a captivating night of astrophotography (weather permitting). Under some of the darkest skies in the country—both Canyonlands and Arches are International Dark Sky Parks—the absence of urban light reveals a brilliant celestial canvas. With guidance from our Expedition Leader, refine techniques for capturing the night sky, experimenting with long exposures and careful composition. As the Milky Way stretches overhead and constellations come into focus, we are immersed in the wonder of photographing the cosmos, finding a deeply moving connection to the beauty and mystery above us in the silence of the desert night.

After a relaxed morning following our late night of astrophotography, more stunning vistas await in and around Moab. With our Expedition Leader at the helm, whose knowledge of our environs runs deep, we seek out a variety of striking landscapes and intriguing sites, from ancient petroglyph panels that offer a glimpse into the region’s cultural heritage to lesser-known arches and sweeping canyon viewpoints. Our itinerary is flexible, allowing for spontaneous stops and creative opportunities along the way. A highlight is Dead Horse Point State Park, an immense expanse of layered canyons, mesas and high-desert woodlands that is every bit as spectacular as its national park neighbors. The view from the point is one of the most photographed scenic vistas in the world, and it has been featured in many films. Two thousand feet above the Colorado River, the overlook surveys a dramatic view of Canyonlands' sculpted pinnacle and buttes, with the river twisting below. Legend holds that Dead Horse Point got its name because of its use as a natural corral by cowboys in the 19th century, where horses often died of exposure.

In late afternoon, we head out for a hike to Delicate Arch, the most recognizable natural arch in Arches National Park and perhaps the world. Arriving in time for golden hour, we watch the lowering sun ignites the sandstone in luminous hues of red, rust and gold. This is one of the Southwest’s most iconic photography locations, and the play of light on rock showcases nature's geological artistry in constantly shifting perspectives. There's time to experiment with various settings as shadows lengthen and the landscape transforms with every passing minute. Witnessing Delicate Arch in the fleeting light of sunset, we understand why Edward Abbey wrote in Desert Solitaire, “If Delicate Arch has any significance, it lies...in the power of the odd and unexpected to startle the senses…to compel us into a reawakened awareness of the wonderful—that which is full of wonder.”

If weather conditions align, we may have another opportunity this evening to capture the wonders of Moab’s night sky. Designated as an International Dark Sky Community by DarkSky International, Moab offers exceptionally low light pollution and expansive desert horizons—ideal for photographing the Milky Way, star trails and other celestial highlights.

Few geological phenomena are as emblematic of a place than the 2,000-plus sandstone arches within Arches National Park. These rock formations are the physical evidence of the power of erosion, as wind, rain, sun and time converge to shape the malleable landscape. Entrada Sandstone, which comprises most of the park’s arches, is particularly susceptible to erosion due to its composition. Water seeps into cracks, freezes and expands, breaking the rock apart, while wind carries away loose particles. The result is an intricate tableau of stone shapes that evoke wonder and whimsy at every turn.

Our day dawns in the park, where we capture the first rays of sunrise transforming the landscape with a shifting palette of warm hues. The sandstone formations seem to glow from within, their red and orange tones deepened by the intensifying sun's rays. Shadows stretch long across the desert floor, creating striking contrasts that highlight the textures and contours of the rugged terrain. The remainder of the morning is devoted to photographing more of the park's natural arches and sandstone features with our Expedition Leader, who excels at finding moments of solitude to contemplate the wonders before us. In the afternoon, we photograph ancient petroglyphs etched into the canyon walls by the ancestral Puebloan people who inhabited this region some 2,000 years ago. These rock carvings offer insight into the lives and worldview of the area’s early inhabitants, depicting animals, human figures and geometric patterns.

Rise early to photograph another magical desert sunrise on a quiet walk along the Colorado River. Given our lodge’s optimal location, we don’t have to go far to experience this daily splendor. After breakfast, it's time to start making our way back to Grand Junction along the 44-mile Upper Colorado River Scenic Byway, a winding two-lane road that traces the river’s path through a dramatic gorge. Passing through Castle Valley, look for the famous profiles of Castleton Tower and the Fisher Towers, observing how the gleaming light of morning transforms these sandstone spires from maroon to vermillion, rust and gold. The surrounding terrain has been featured in many movies, including famous westerns, which are remembered at the Moab Museum of Film & Western Heritage located at Red Cliffs Lodge. Cross the Colorado River at the site of Dewey Bridge, which was the original wooden span carrying Highway 128 over the river. Built in 1916, the famous suspension bridge was the second longest west of the Mississippi and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places until it was destroyed by a fire in 2008. Once we’re back in Grand Junction, you may enjoy exploring this lively western town on your own if your flight schedule permits.