Dreamland Safari Tours Has a Treat, Just for You.
Beyond the borders of Utah’s national parks lie desolate mesas, secret slot canyons, and incredible landscapes. Just in Kane County, Utah, there are 3,718 square miles of public BLM land and only 218 square miles of privately owned parcels. It is still possible to leave the crowds behind, capture the photo not yet taken, and experience true desert solitude and that’s exactly what Dreamland Safari Tours is all about.
Not far outside of Zion National Park exists an easy-to-hike red rock slot canyon that parallels Antelope Canyon in its photographic potential. Others long to visit Tuweep, which is perhaps the most stunning of all Grand Canyon viewpoints that are found 61 miles from pavement. Then there’s White Pocket, an up-and-coming destination sought by accomplished photographers. Tucked deep in Vermilion Cliffs National Monument, the bizarre but beautiful formation of white brain rock and colorful swirls is still unheard of to many locals. The trip requires miles of driving in deep sand, which limits visitation.
The land stretching from the Grand Canyon up to the top of the Grand Staircase was the last to be mapped in the continental U.S., and it remains remote and practically untouched to this day. Most don’t have the right vehicle, tools, and skills to travel to such secluded spots. That’s why many Utahns and visitors to the Southwest rely on professional guide services.
Based in Kanab, Dreamland Safari Tours has been sharing these less explored places with photographers and curious hikers since 2001. The company guides small groups to the best spots in Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Vermilion Cliffs National Monument, the Arizona Strip, and on BLM land surrounding Kanab. With over 15 tour options on the menu and varying degrees of physical difficulty, such as a leisurely stroll in a cool slot canyon, a drive through the Grand Staircase, or an 11-mile trek across windblown dunes to visit the amazing sandstone teepees right in the backyard of the famous Wave. No permit required. Descriptions of their trips are found on their website, www.dreamlandtours.net.
“We get a lot of calls from folks who wouldn’t normally sign up for a paid tour,” said Dreamland co-owner Paul Gagner. “They are seeking an authentic experience but don’t have the time to plan it, or the right vehicle to get there. At the end of the day, they tell us it didn’t feel like a tour at all, and that experiencing the area with a guide helped them get the most out of their SW Utah vacation.”
Gagner and his wife, Sunny Stroeer, are experienced outdoor adventurers who recently purchased Dreamland Safari Tours just as the Covid-19 pandemic was unfolding. They made the tough decision to temporarily suspend operations ten days after the purchase to keep the guides and guests safe.
“Buying the company was a dream for us,” Stroeer said. “We decided to go ahead with the purchase and do whatever we had to succeed.”
Visitors are already returning, and tours are back on with intensified health protocols in place and private tour options available. All groups are small, usually an average of just four or five people riding in a Chevy Suburban.
Paul and Sunny even go out of their way to try to obtain North Coyote Buttes permits for their guests so they can see the famous Wave or the adjacent wilderness area, South Coyote Buttes. If the lottery is unsuccessful, they visit other nearby options that rival the Wave in beauty and may even require less hiking. Overnight campouts allow serious photographers to capture the golden hour at places like White Pocket and custom trips, which include canyoneering if desired.
Paul Gagner is an accomplished climber with hundreds of first ascents to his name. He worked as a climbing ranger at Grand Teton National Park, and he has years of experience in executive management in the outdoor industry. Sunny Stroeer is a professional photographer (Her images have been published in National Geographic and Outside Magazine) and lifelong backcountry adventurer who holds many ultra run speed records. She has two degrees from Harvard but chose outdoor pursuits over a corporate career. Yes, she has solo hiked the 812- mile Hayduke Trail, but her tours are designed for the rest of us who simply want to walk around and take pictures. Paul and Sunny’s desire to share their love of nature is evident, and Dreamland’s eight naturalist guides echo their enthusiasm to get people outdoors.
“I love hosting kids on my trips,” said Guide Andrea Jasper. “Sometimes they’re not used to playing outside, and they’re hesitant, or they don’t want to get dirty. If I can get them to do somersaults down the sand-dunes with me by the end of the day, then I’ve done my job.”
