Zion Photo Tour
8 Hour Tour - Sunrise or Sunset - $299 per Person
Quick Summary
Zion National Park boasts some of the most spectacular scenery in the Southwest and is a mecca for landscape photography. No matter the season of the year, we'll find the best photo opportunities for you. Tours can be tailored based on the desired level of physical intensity of the group. If you wish to visit the Narrows, you must be physically fit with no balance or mobility issues. Professional photography instruction is included to help you capture your best images!
Highlights
- Zion National Park boasts some of the most spectacular scenery in the Southwest and is a mecca for landscape photography.
- Experience the towering walls of The Narrows, peer over gigantic vistas, feel the spray of waterfalls, gasp at brilliant fall color, or enjoy intimate forest scenes.
- There are also many opportunities to photograph wildlife like bighorn sheep, mule deer, and turkeys.
- Small group size capped at 5 people to ensure personalized photography instruction and individual attention.
- Zion trips can either be scheduled for either sunrise or sunset. Night photography can be arranged upon special request.
- We have many spots where not many people go so we can avoid the crowds.
Trip Details
- Tour Length: 8 hours
- Drive Time: Around 60-90 mins each way.
- Time Spent on Location: Approx 5 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 Zion National Park.
- Group Size: Our groups will never exceed 5 people per guide. We like to keep our photo tours small so we can give adequate individual attention. For those photographers that feel more independent, we will allow you to wander away from the group and explore on your own within reasonable limits.
The Narrows
- The Narrows are one of the most spectacular locations in the park for landscape photography. Visiting the Narrows is very physically strenuous and is only for those with good fitness, mobility, and balance.
- Tripods CAN be used in the Narrows on our tours. In fact, you must have a tripod in order to get shots with the soft water effect.
- Wading gear is needed during the colder months and be rented from shops in Springdale, UT.
- Depending on the time of year, bus reservations or a private shuttle are needed to get up the canyon.
- Our permits allow us to take you as far as the beginning of Wall Street. There is lots to photograph along the way and we'll be pressed for time as it is.
Trip Details
- Tour Meetup Outside of Kanab: PLEASE CONTACT US AHEAD OF TIME TO MAKE ARRANGEMENTS if you would like to meet somewhere besides our Kanab office. We may or may not be able to accommodate your request depending on the day's itinerary and the other folks that will be on the tour.
- Weather Conditions: Zion National Park is impressive in all seasons and is often at it's best during inclement weather. There is a lot of topographical variation so the temperature can vary considerably from the bottom of the canyon to the top of the rim. We cannot offer refunds due to weather unless we cannot go out at all. Zion is a great destination when it’s raining. The crowds thin out, the waterfalls start flowing, and the foliage turns deep green. Please ensure you dress and prepare adequately for the weather.
- Hiking / Fitness: Zion trips can be tailored to the fitness levels of the group. If you’re up to it, we’ll take you on some long, strenuous hikes with amazing views. We can also do a driving tour with just short walks to photo spots. Most of our tours will end up somewhere between the two extremes. If you want to do the Narrows or another hike through water, we recommend either using your own waders or renting wading gear from an outfitter in Springdale (canyon shoes, neoprene socks, dry pants, and hiking pole). Please let us know ahead of time if you want to do a water hike.
- Trip Itinerary: The exact tour itinerary is flexible based on current conditions, fitness levels of the group, and what the group is interested in. Zion is great for both sunrise and sunset tours. Note that we do not serve the Kolob Canyons section of the park.
- Food/Water: We do not provide food on our outings. All participants should bring food/water to hold them through the tour. Many folks will eat during the drive to/from Kanab. We will have a cooler where you can store food and drink.
Trip Details
- Night Photography: Occasionally we get requests to stay out later for night photography. A 2-hour night photography add-on is $99/person and will only be done if skies are clear and everyone in the group agrees to it. Due to restrictions imposed by the National Park Service, night photography will be conducted outside the park boundaries.
- What to Wear: If it’s going to be hot, wear light-colored clothing and a hat. If the temperatures are cold, bring warm layers and long pants. Don’t forget sunglasses and sunscreen. Even when it’s warm outside, the temperature can drop quickly after the sun sets so you may wish to bring a light jacket. If it’s very cold and or windy, don’t forget a warm hat and some gloves. If rain, wind, or snow are in the forecast, bring a rain jacket, a warm hat, and gloves. We recommend wearing sturdy closed-toe footwear in due to the uneven terrain and sand.
- Cell Phones: Bring your cell phone along! They are great for capturing candid images. Plus, most folks will have cell service when near Springdale. 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 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, note there are no guarantees.
Camera Gear
- Camera Gear: A wide angle zoom lens is useful in the canyons and slickrock areas (equivalent 16-35 on a full-frame camera or 10-22mm on a crop sensor). A mid-range lens in the range of 30-100mm will provide nice scale and compression. Telephoto lenses will be useful for the wildlife opportunities we encounter. Bring as many lenses as you like - just ensure your pack isn’t too heavy. For filters, a circular polarizer can come in handy for removing the glare from the water. A neutral density filter can be nice to smooth out rough water or 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.
Need more information?
Please see our Frequently Asked Questions
