Cowboys in the Canyons - Half & Full Day Wild West Tours
Embark on a Wild West adventure and visit destinations made famous by some of the Wild West’s most colorful and notorious outlaws including Butch Cassidy, The Sundance Kid, Cap Brown, Bill Tibbetts and the rest of the Wild Bunch Gang. Your guide will bring the past alive through the story as you walk in the footsteps of the outlaws. Choose between a half-day tour exploring the seemingly impenetrable route used to gain access to Robbers Roost or a full-day tour visiting the elusive hideout itself. Live the life of an outlaw for a day and join us on a wild west adventure! On this adventure, we'll:
- Explore locations where the Wild Bunch Gang sought refuge from the law
- Experience beautiful, secluded canyons in the Robbers Roost wilderness
- Learn about the area’s unique history and geology
- Enjoy a snack or lunch as your guide shares stories of the area’s past
Half-Day Wild West & Outlaw Tour
Our day begins as we caravan to the rim of the Dirty Devil Wilderness/Robbers Roost – a canyon system whose beauty rivals that of the Grand Canyon, yet remains off the beaten path. After a 360-degree overview of the region, we will travel where lawmen feared to go when outlaws ruled the roost. As we descend from the canyon rim through the rolling slickrock domes to the Dirty Devil River, your guide will share colorful stories about the outlaws as well as their encounters with the law. Once we reach the Dirty Devil River, savor a delicious snack accompanied by the stunning river and canyon views. From here, we will begin our ascent back to the rim of the canyon, stopping along the way to enjoy the scenic views.
Full-Day Wild West and Outlaw Tour
Our journey begins as we caravan through a wild and remote desert landscape, dotted with resilient shrubs adapted to extreme environments. Our destination is the infamous hideout, Robbers Roost, used by Butch Cassidy and the Wild Bunch Gang as well as other bandits traveling the Outlaw Trail.
Hike around the historically rich Roost while your guide shares stories, legends, and elusive facts of the outlaw's time in Robber’s Roost. Ponder the existence of an outlaw in the late 1800’s while you explore signs of the outlaws including the life-giving springs, remnants of a cabin, an old corral, and cowboy petroglyphs. Don’t forget to enjoy the vastness and beauty as you wander through one of the few wilderness areas remaining in the United States before we caravan back to civilization.
Duration
Full-day (8 hours)
Half-day (4 hours)
Location / Where to Meet
Hanksville, UT
We meet at the Intersection of HWY-24 and HWY-95 in Hanksville
(175 UT-24, Hanksville, UT 84734)
Ages
We welcome children aged 5 and older.
What's Included
- Experienced and professional guides
- Trail snacks and refreshments for half-day, lunch for full-day
- Federal land permit fees
- Safety equipment, including a team first-aid kit and satellite messenger
- A commitment to make the tour as exciting, challenging, and informative as you’d like
Not Included
- Travel Insurance
- Transportation to trailhead
- Gratuity for your guide
What to Bring / Wear
Wear clothes you can move in. Make sure to bring enough layers in case of cool temperatures. For your feet, comfortable medium-weight hiking shoes or boots work best. You need closed-toed shoes (no Chacos!) that you’ve worn before and broken in well. We recommend bringing:
- Layered clothing
- Comfortable, sturdy footwear
- Sun protection
- Small backpack
- Water bottles or bladder
- Headlamp or flashlight
FAQ
Do I need previous experience to participate?
No. This particular adventure is designed to accommodate all levels of hikers, from beginner to experienced. Adults should be able to carry a pack weighing 5 pounds.
What kind of lunch and snacks do you provide?
We are happy to include healthy and delicious sandwiches and snacks on all of our full-day outings. For snacks, we typically bring a nut mix and dried fruit along with us. We welcome you to bring some snacks of your own if you’ve got something specific you’d like.
Please note: we are happy to accommodate vegetarian, vegan, kosher, and gluten-free diets—after booking, just get in touch with us, and we’ll chat about your dietary needs!
Will there be cell service available?
There is usually little to no signal where we tour. It’s the perfect time to unplug and truly enjoy nature!
How strenuous is this adventure?
The hiking on this adventure is a level 2-3 out of 5. That means the hiking will be easy to moderate, with some off-trail hiking on rugged terrain. We'll hike between 3-6 miles with between 600-1200ft/day of elevation gained.
How much solitude will we experience?
Expect to see no other hikers or travelers on your trip.
How big are the groups?
We have a minimum of 2 and a maximum of 10 guests.
What will the weather be like?
The area in which we guide experiences four distinct seasons: moderate springs and falls, cool winters, and hot summers. Many consider the ideal weather in Canyon country to occur during spring (March-May) and fall (September-November). The sun shines throughout the year and the wind comes and goes throughout the seasons.