Red Desert Adventure

Eric Draper came to Zion from Salt Lake City, driven there by the climbing. He reached the main canyon before the shuttle system existed and used that access to establish new routes on the sandstone walls — routes that are still climbed today. His photography, shot on those same walls and in those same drainages, has been published by Patagonia, Black Diamond, and Mountain Hardwear. He began guiding canyoneering and rock climbing professionally in 2003, built Zion Rock and Mountain Guides, and in 2010 expanded into the current operation: Red Desert Adventure.

The company is fully licensed, insured, and permitted to operate in Zion National Park, on BLM lands, National Forests, and Utah State Trust Lands. The guide roster carries serious AMGA credentials — lead guide Steffan Gregory holds AMGA Certified Alpine Guide certification — and the company maintains an unusually high ratio of AMGA-credentialed staff for a regional outfitter. Services include canyoneering, rock climbing, via ferrata, Oak Creek, and slot canyon safaris. Draper selects guides not just for their technical ability but for their depth in Zion specifically — most have been operating in this canyon system for a decade or more.

Red Desert Adventure runs private tours, custom to group ability, operating daily from 7 AM.

**Verification notes** Website live; Eric Draper confirmed as owner on LinkedIn (Owner, Eric Draper Photography/Red Desert Adventure) and KSL.com article. AMGA certifications for guides confirmed on the guides page. NPS and BLM permit status confirmed on website. Phone verified.