Toroweap Sunset Photo Tour
8 Hour Sunset Tour - $299/Person - The Best of the Grand Canyon!
Quick Summary
Toroweap is our favorite view of the Grand Canyon. The views of the Colorado River are sublime as it winds through the deep, narrow canyon walls. Throw in a few clouds and dramatic light and you have the makings for epic photography! This tour is rated Easy for physical intensity with less than 1 mile of hiking. For the best experience, consider booking our Toroweap Overnight Photo Tour and capture sunset, sunrise, and night photos!
Highlights
- Toroweap is our favorite view of the Grand Canyon. The views of the Colorado River are sublime as it winds through the deep, narrow canyon walls. Throw in a few clouds and dramatic light and you have the makings for epic photography!
- It's rare that we see anyone else out here. There are no railings or paved trails out here. This is how the Grand Canyon was meant to be seen!
- Getting here is not easy with a 60-mile drive down a rough dirt road. The last few miles require high clearance 4x4. But all that will be quickly forgotten as you gasp in awe the first time you look over the rim!
- Small group capped at 5 people max. We only go for the best light (i.e. no midday tours).
- For the best experience, we recommend our Overnight Camping Trip. On sunset tours, please be aware we are not able to stay for last light. NPS regulations require we are back through the gate no later than 30 minutes after sunset.
Trip Details
- Tour Length: 8 hours
- Drive Time: Around 2.5 hrs each way.
- Time Spent on Location: Approx 3 hrs
- Tour Departure Time: Departure times vary throughout the year. Please refer to the time listed on your booking. Plan to arrive 10 mins early to load your gear and finish the check-in process. The return time is approximately 8 hours after the departure time. Note that we operate on Utah time which is one hour ahead of Las Vegas. During the months of Daylight Savings (approx mid-March through early Nov), Utah is also one hour ahead of Arizona.
- Minimum Group Size: Our tours require a minimum of 2 people for the base price. After you book, we will try to combine single travelers with others. In the event the minimum is not met, you will have the option to pay the 2-person rate and go on a private tour, reschedule to a different date, or cancel and get a full refund.
- Tour Meetup Location: You will meet at our office in Kanab, UT. The address will be given in your confirmation email. This is a safe place to park your vehicle and you can leave any valuables inside. Once you arrive, you'll load your gear and sign a liability release waiver. Las Vegas is the closest major airport to Kanab. There is no public transportation to Kanab, so you’ll need your own rental car or private vehicle. We recommend that you stay in a hotel in Kanab the evening of your tour. There are many good hotels in the area like the Best Western, Hampton Inn, Holiday Inn Express, Comfort Inn & Suites, and the Canyons Botique.
- Permits: We hold commercial use permits for Toroweap and the Grand Canyon. If staying overnight, a backcountry camping permit is required. Contact Us for details.
Trip Details
- Road Conditions: The road to Toroweap is long and rough with the last few miles requiring high clearance 4x4. If it has been raining or snowing, the road may not be passable due to mud. Should that be the case, we will let you know as soon as possible so we can make arrangements to visit a backup destination.
- Tour Details: For the best experience, we recommend our Overnight Camping Trip. If you opt to do the sunset only (8 hour) tour, please be aware we are not able to stay for last light, as we have to be back to the gate 30 minutes after sunset, and it is about a 45 minute drive from the canyon rim.
- Weather Conditions: Toroweap is at lower elevation than the surrounding desert so it's often warmer and drier. But it can still get quite cold out here in the winter season. Make sure you dress for the weather. Bring a warm layer since it can get cold once the sun sets. The Grand Canyon is best for photography when the weather is unsettled. We cannot offer refunds due to weather unless we cannot go out at all.
- Hiking / Fitness: This trip is rated easy for physical exertion. We can drive almost all the way to the rim and then it's just a short walk along the rim to various view points.
- Overnight Option: Even though Toroweap is spectacular at sunset, it's even better at sunrise! The only way to photograph Toroweap at sunrise is to camp overnight on the rim. If you are interested in arranging an overnight tour, please Contact Us. We need to know to know at least a week in advance so we can acquire the backcountry camping permit. Camping gear is available to rent if you don't have your own. Night photography is also an option when doing an overnight trip.
Trip Details
- Food/Water: We do not provide food on our day trips. All participants should bring food/water to hold them through dinner. Many folks will eat their dinner during the drive from Kanab. We will have a cooler where you can store food and drink. We will provide food on overnight outings.
- What to Wear: You should check the weather forecast prior to coming on the trip. Toroweap is often 10 degrees warmer than Kanab. Don’t forget sunglasses and sunscreen. If rain or snow is in the forecast, bring a rain jacket. We recommend wearing sturdy footwear since we'll be traversing a lot of uneven and rugged terrain.
- Cell Phones: There is no cell signal at Toroweap or for most of the drive. However, bring your cell phone along! They are great for capturing candid images. There are USB ports in our vehicles so bring a charging cable if you need one.
- Safety: Our guides are trained in CPR/First-Aid. All 4WD vehicles are equipped with extraction equipment and a first-aid kit. We carry a satellite beacon with us in case of emergencies outside of cell range.
- Instructors: Due to scheduling complexities, we often don't know which instructor will accompany your group until a day or two prior. If you want a specific instructor, then please Contact Us to make your request. Although we'll do our best to make it happen, please note that there are no guarantees.
Need more information?
Please see our Frequently Asked Questions
Camera Gear
- Camera Gear: You can make use of just about any lens at Toroweap. The most useful will be a wide-angle zoom lens (equivalent 16-35 on a full-frame camera or 10-22mm on a crop sensor). You should also bring a mid-range zoom lens around 24-100mm to provide nice scale and compression. Telephoto lenses will be useful for isolating distant landforms and for any wildlife opportunities we encounter. All participants should bring a tripod. For filters, a circular polarizer can come in handy when there are clouds in the sky (it’s best to avoid polarizers on cloudless days). A neutral density filter can be nice to create long exposures for fast moving clouds. Don’t forget extra batteries, memory cards, and cleaning supplies. Please contact us if you’d like to rent any camera gear for your outing.
- Cancellation/Re-Scheduling: Please see our Terms and Conditions.
- Check out our photography tips for Toroweap HERE
Overnight Camping
- Camping overnight is the best way to experience Toroweap. You will get sunset, night photography, and sunrise the next morning.
- Overnight Trips are $650/person and include all camping gear and meals. Please Contact Us if interested so we can start procuring the overnight permits.
- Camping gear rental and food is $49/person. You can bring your own gear if you prefer.
- Each season has it's own perks:
- Spring: March to June is best for photographing Milky Way panoramics over the canyon.
- Summer: Monsoon storms can yield dramatic clouds and light. Mid-summer has the best alignment for sunrise.
- Fall: Cooler temps and good Milky Way alignment down-canyon.
- Winter: Best time to photograph sunset as the sun lines up with the river.
