Cathedral Valley Tour: Discover Capitol Reef's Hidden Gems

Embark on a private Cathedral Valley tour to explore the hidden gems of Capitol Reef. Discover awe-inspiring features and experience the heart and soul of this stunning national park.

Duration: 7 hours
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Cathedral Valley - Guests will be picked up from their accommodations in one of our luxurious off-road SUVs. They will then embark on a journey through approximately 70 miles of Utah’s most remote landscapes. The famous Cathedral Valley Loop features a thrilling river crossing (safely navigated in our capable SUVs) and picturesque stops….
What's Included
  • Bottled water
  • In-vehicle air conditioning
What's Not Included
  • Gratuities
Additional Information

Cathedral Valley is a destination that often prompts visitors to ask, “Where is that? Why didn’t I see it when I visited Capitol Reef?”
The truth is, while some of its most breathtaking features are highlighted in promotional materials, accessing the area is not recommended for first-time park visitors in rental vehicles. However, it is highly…

Location
8J77+H8 Torrey
This pick-up address is The Hidden Falls gas station's parking lot. The same parking lot is shared with La Cueva restaurant. Park under a big green sign with gas prices on. Your tour guide will arrive in a SUV/Jeep with the letters MERIDIAN on it.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.9
(58 Ratings)
5 stars
4 stars
3 stars
2 stars
1 star
Heathbar314
Jun 5, 2026
Best way to see Capitol Reef - Our family had a great day with Mel exploring the less accessible areas of the Capitol Reef/Cathedral Valley area. He was very knowledgeable about the area, the geology and geography. He gave us a couple options to customize the trip to what we wanted to focus on. We chose to start at the overlook at 1000 Lakes that looks down into the park and surrounding areas, then we proceeded to drive down into the park and see everything up close. We stopped at multiple places along the way to take pictures and point out interesting things we wouldn't have known about if we did it on our own. We felt like we had the whole park to ourselves, the only other people we saw was Mel's wife with another private tour group. I originally booked the half day but later upgraded to the full day, and I'm glad we did. Mel picked us up and dropped us off at our hotel, which was very convenient. Highly recommended experience!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
H3825xrkathleenw
May 6, 2026
Totally worth the time - This 7-hour tour was insanely wonderful. Learned so much about Capitol Reef's geological history, explored all areas of the Cathedral Valley, and had a very fun time with our tour guide, Jeannie. She is passionate about the area and went out her way to answer our questions/share her vast knowledge.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Roncoate
Apr 21, 2026
Wonderful tour with a knowledgeable guide - We were blessed to have Mel as our tour guide. Mel is extremely knowledgeable about the geology and paleontology of Capital Reef. He took us to the main attractions of the North part of the park and lead us on several short hikes to incredible viewpoints. I would definitely recommend taking this tour.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
David_a
Apr 17, 2026
Awesome Day! - Awesome day! Mel was a super driver and guide, knowledgeable and personable. The Land Rover was clean and comfortable. We had a great time. Best tour we've been on.
Review provided by Viator
Cynthiaoa8042jf
Jan 27, 2026
Unbelievable scenery - Unbelievable scenery, amazing photos, and a great group of people. Would do it again in a heartbeat!. will book again..
Review provided by Tripadvisor
951abigailq
Jan 25, 2026
Breathing - Breathtaking views, amazing experience! 😊 The photography tour was well-guided and helped me capture stunning shots.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Emmanuelao3899pl
Jan 21, 2026
Highly recommend! 😊 - Had an amazing experience with Meridian Photography Utah Tours! Jenny Kay, the owner, was super friendly and knowledgeable about the Capitol Reef area. She took us on an incredible photography adventure, sharing insights into the park's history and natural beauty. The off road-tour was a thrill, and the Milky Way session was breathtaking.recommend!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
769adrianaaparecidad
Jan 13, 2026
Utah landscapes - This tour was awesome. Utah landscapes are beautiful and Meridian Photography made the trip easy and fun. I got some really nice pictures without any rush.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Pandurangu2025
Dec 14, 2025
Unforgettable Photography Adventure - I booked the tour with Meridian Photography utah Tours, and it was honestly the highligt of my entire trip. Our guide Jenny Kay knew all the hidden viewpoints and helped us fine-tune my shortsb without ever feeling rushed.Higly recommended
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Don_s
Oct 8, 2025
Stop looking and go with Meridian!! - Stop looking at other expeditions and go with Meridian. Mel was very professional, personable, safe and knowledgeable of the areas backcountry, geology and culture. The half day tour we took was a private tour.. just my wife and I. He took us off road to the best sites you can’t get to easily as a casual visitor. We also got to see a couple of fossil sites. They also customize trips according to what you want to do.. check them out, you will not be disappointed!!!!
Review provided by Viator
From $180
up to 8 guests
1 - Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).