Founded By Scott McFarland And Is The Region’s Original Company Offering Off-Road Tours Through The Red Rock Wilderness
When Scott McFarland arrived in Moab, Utah 20 years ago from Park City, he only intended to stay for the season. Two decades later, he is the owner/operator of High Point Hummer & ATV, the region’s original company offering off-road tours. As it has for so many others, the Red Rock wilderness surrounding Moab seduced him with its beauty and has become his home.
“If you like the outdoors, high adventure and beautiful scenery, it’s hard to beat the Moab,” McFarland told The Buzz. “It’s a unique place, with two national parks literally on our doorstep. We are at the foot of a 12,000 ft. mountain range making for fabulous views. The Colorado River runs right through town. Arches National Park is two miles from my office in downtown Moab.”
The Moab’s claim to fame is its unique and spectacular geology, Scott explained. The red rocks are actually petrified sand dunes, remnants of a huge desert that covered the region hundreds of millions of years ago. This prehistoric sandstone has been carved by wind and water into some of the most spectacular rock formations on earth. Arches National Park has some 2,000 documented natural stone arches alone, and there are many more outside the park.
Thousands of acres of the red sandstone, called “slickrock” for its wind-polished smoothness, surround the town of Moab. Outside of the national parks, much of the land is operated by the Bureau of Land Management. Hundreds of miles of off-road 4X4 roads and trails lead across this wilderness, mostly, McFarland said, without need for permits.
This natural treasure trove makes Moab one of the top destinations in the world for mountain biking, ATV riding, off-road four-wheeling, and rock climbing. The Slickrock Trail is internationally known, and a bucket-list experience for mountain bikers. The Jeep Safari Route, scene of an annual 9-day event held every Easter, includes 630 miles of challenging road divided into 38 different trails, bearing evocative names such as Hells Revenge, Cliffhanger and Poison Spider.
Scott’s company offers guided tours of the red rock wilderness via Hummers and the new Polaris RZR Side by Sides, which seat from two to six passengers. Visitors who prefer to explore on their own can rent a Jeep, ATV, off-road motorcycle, or one of the Polaris RZR models. High Point also offers canyoneering and rock climbing guided adventures.
High Point guided tours cover a lot of ground, climbing to the top of cliffs for spectacular views of the Colorado River far below, visiting secluded canyons and hidden arches, and riding by ancient dinosaur tracks and petroglyph art. The popular sunset tours provide stunning vistas of rocks glowing gold and red in the last rays of the sun. Along the way, guides share details of the region’s geology and history.
Scott loves nothing more than taking first-timers on a ride through the wilderness. “They just can’t comprehend these big open spaces,” he said. “It’s so picturesque, so huge, like a calendar or postcard come to life.”
But, according to Scott, the real reason to take a High Point tour is the fun you’ll have. This is definitely not a smooth ride through a theme park. Tour drivers scale cliffs, bounce over rocks, ford streams and make precipitous descents. “It’s like a natural roller-coaster ride,” Scott said.
McFarland recommends that families try his Hummer tours, which use top-of-the-line vehicles customized with special off-road seats and other safety features. “It’s hard to find an activity that little kids, teens, grandparents, the whole family will enjoy. This tour has the right mix of thrills, scenic splendor and affordable prices to make everyone happy,” he said.
After 20 years in Moab, Scott McFarland is not even considering moving on. “I’ve just begun to scratch the surface,” he said. “There are canyons I haven’t explored; arches I’ve heard about but haven’t had time to visit. I’m not done yet.”
Renee Wright
A graduate of Franconia College in Social Psychology, Renee has worked as Travel Editor for Charlotte Magazine and has written three travel guidebooks for Countryman Press among other writing assignments. She enjoys food and camping.
Make Sure To Stay At:
ACT Campground & Environmental Learning Center, a green-integrated camp park that models the ways commercial or residential properties can be environmentally friendly.