Shanti Hodges is the founder of Land Beyond Zion. She has been involved in the outdoors industry for 28 years, first as a journalist, then running a non-profit called Hike it Baby that was dedicated to getting families with young children out hiking, and now as the owner of Land Beyond Zion Tours and Camp Land Beyond Zion, a Boutique glamp camp. 
 
Shanti is a passionate advocate for getting as many people as she can into the outdoors hiking. Part of her drive to make the outdoors's accessible for all came from the fact that she saw from a young age how many people in the United States didn't have access to the outdoors. When she started Hike it Baby and then later moved to the Zion area, she made sure to focus her business efforts on marketing toward women, BIPOC, LGBTQ+, families and those with mobility issues and disabilities. 
 
In 2022 she began guiding on Angel's Landing and officially rebranded her company as Land Beyond Zion (originally called Wild Utah Tours). Previously she had focused on running women's retreats in the Zion area, but during covid the company shifted away from groups, to private guiding and she has focused on that primarily over the last 3 years. 
 
When not guiding Shanti spends time hiking and hanging with 11 year old Mason and their dog Sunny. They divide their time between Southern Utah and British Columbia where she grew up. 

Carmella’s love for the natural world began in childhood through Girl Scouts, where she learned to find value in all things nature and to always leave places better than she found them. As a young adult, she embraced adventure, exploring Western Caribbean culture and moving away from home to discover herself.

For the past 20 years, Carmella has worked as a registered veterinary nurse, specializing in emergency medicine. Her leadership skills have been evident throughout her life, from captaining her club soccer team to embodying a highly organized, "get-it-done" mentality.
Recognizing the increasing prevalence of anxiety and depression in today’s fast-paced world, Carmella believes in the healing power of nature. She is a certified meditation teacher and sound healing practitioner, using her skills to promote mindfulness, grounding, and a more natural lifestyle.

In her free time, Carmella enjoys getting lost in Freida McFadden books, perfecting her sourdough bread, and meandering through grocery aisles with an ever-growing list. She and her husband live in a remodeled RV, sharing their space with their quirky companions—Butters, a mischievous hairless cat, and Leroy, their long-legged Coonhound.

Insta: @purehealingresonancebycarmella

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Mckayla was born and raised by cowboys just outside of Zion Canyon and spent endless days in her youth exploring the mountains and canyons of this area on horseback, motorcycle, or on foot. Currently she splits her time between warm spots like Hawaii and Mexico in the winter and the Southwest the rest of the year. She's a fan of creating the perfect balance in life of roaming the desert and appreciating the tropics.

She lives just down the road from Zion in an offgrid earth home and practices sustainable agriculture is working toward creating food sovereignty for her community. Looking for homemade yogurt or amazing vegetables, she's your go to gal! Mckayla loves getting people outdoors and showing them the magic and beauty of Zion Canyon and surrounding areas, while educating them about the history, the geology and especially the native and edible flora and fauna in the area. 
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Instagram: @dirtfox94

He moved into his 2 door jeep in 2020 and hit the road, no destination or expectations to be had. After a transformative year that taught him his only limitations were self imposed, he discovered the southwest Utah desert in late 2021. He'd never had more fun. Whether he's climbing down a rock face or dropping down a slot canyon on a rope, or trekking up Angels Landing, he'll make any excuse to add some fear and excitement into his day. Discovering guiding in 2021 opened his horizons and forced him to foster skills he never understood he had. No "job" has ever fit this perfectly. The joy it brings has motivated him to learn more about this magical place he calls home. The colorful sandstone cliffs, dinosaur prints, canyons and buttes. Native rock writing and ruins, Hollywood history, marine fossils lying in the sand a mile above sea level. Everywhere you look, there is something wonderous to see and he loves showing off his new home to the people.
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Instagram: @lonejeepdweller

​With over 5 years experience leading groups throughout the breathtaking landscapes of the southwest, Jeremy brings a passion for nature and people to every hike. From the majestic canyons of Utah to the rugged mountains of Arizona, he's had the privilege of sharing his knowledge and love for the outdoors with adventures from around the world. As a professional hiking guide, he's dedicated to providing safe, informative, and unforgettable experiences that leave a lasting impression on his clients. Whether you're a seasoned hiker or just starting out, he's here to help you to connect with the natural beauty of the southwest and discover the joy of exploration. 

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Insta: @theresjermsoutside

From growing up recreating in Montana's mountains, to leading backpacking trips and doing long trail hiking in the Northeast, to taking up triathlon and sport climbing in southern California, sweating outdoors has always been a part of Neak's life in all the places they've lived. They combine this outdoor experience with skills as an educator and storyteller to create fun and engaging outdoor experiences. Neak's enthusiasm for sharing southern Utah landscapes with others is bolstered by past experience in cultural anthropology, environmental education, and earth & oceanographic science. Prior to guiding for Land Beyond Zion, they designed and facilitated educational programs for a small conservation nonprofit focused on celebrating and protecting Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument and completed a PhD with research focused on public lands conflict in southern Utah. 

Outside of guiding, Neak embraces the life of a jack-of-all-trades, with many of those "trades" centering on community involvement. They work part-time as the Executive Director of the Healthy Kane County Foundation, coach youth cross country running, teach youth and adult tap dancing, and help coach and choreograph for youth musical theater. On a Tuesday you might find them editing academic manuscripts or conducting ethnographic research, while on a Saturday you might find them whipping up tasty meals for a retreat in a remote location via their small personal chef business (Tilted Mesa Catering & Bakery). They are certainly never bored!

Neak's favorite things about guiding are crafting experiences to mesh with clients' interests and abilities, providing support to empower folks through the physical and mental challenges of hikes like Angels Landing, and getting to see nuanced seasonal changes of Zion by visiting the park so frequently. 

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Instagram: @arid_steppe-rat

  After growing up in the Ohio mid-west, Rian spent 4 years studying art and environmental studies in the Los Angeles metropolis. Being only her first "big" and true adventure on her own, her thirst for exploration was simply unquenched! During her time in school, she found her true passion in rock climbing, a vehicle for adventure, travel, and boundless self discovery that has only continued to expand and connect her to so many amazing and unfamiliar parts of the world like Italy, Spain, Mexico, and Turkey of most recent. Traveling has always been a priority to Rian but the irony is in her sense of home. As the heart on her sleeve, sentimentalist type she is, the Greater Zion area has become an all encompassing experience in finding herself and her place in the world, from scrambling and climbing up cherty limestone walls, to slip-sliding and rappelling down the red-orange walls of Zion Canyon, from vagabonding and transplanting with little sense of culture or community, to finding her chosen family and buying her own little patch of desert in little Apple Valley, Utah. When she's not guiding or rock climbing, she's working on house projects, knitting every color combination of her favorite beanie pattern, and coming up with stand-up comedy bits she even performs in person every once in a blue moon! Rian is someone with a genuine care and compassion for supporting and bolstering the experience of any and all who are fortunate enough to visit us here in Zion, Utah. 

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Instagram: @riandowns

​Carmella's partner is Matt Hoeft, who will also be filling in from time to time. Together they hail from northern Illinois, a place where sweet corn grows tall, apple pies are always fresh, and community roots run deep. Their journey together began in 2014 at a local gym, where Matt worked as the Lead Master Trainer and Carmella was a client. Their shared love for the outdoors became evident during bike rides through Rock Cut State Park, with its rolling hills, lush trees, and quiet trails. In 2018, they tied the knot and soon embarked on an adventurous new chapter.
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During one of their annual getaways to a small, privately owned whitewater rafting company, inspiration struck. Fueled by the rush of rafting and a desire for more adventure, they decided to embrace a nomadic lifestyle. Since 2018, they have been full-time travelers, exploring breathtaking landscapes, scaling towering peaks, and immersing themselves in the beauty of the natural world.
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Throughout their travels, Matt and Carmella have taken on roles that allow them to share their love for nature and hospitality. They’ve been ranch hands and housekeepers near Grand Teton National Park, zip line guides in Big Bend National Park, campground hosts in Yosemite National Park, and river guides in Glacier National Park, among other adventures. Their journey led them to Zion National Park in 2021, where they were captivated by its majestic canyon walls and found a sense of peace and overwhelming emotion they had never experienced from a park before.
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Their connection with Shanti Hodges and Land Beyond Zion ours was serendipitous, made possible through a mutual friend. Shanti’s incredible vision for her company and the tragic loss she suffered in 2024—the sudden passing of her son’s father—set the stage for a meaningful partnership.
 
This opportunity, born from heartbreak, has inspired Carmella and Matt to approach their work with Land Beyond Zion Tours with gratitude and intention.
As stewards of Land Beyond Zion Tours, Carmella and Matt are committed to preserving its legacy of connection, inclusivity, and awe-inspiring experiences in the Zion backcountry. They believe that even in the face of tragedy, the human spirit can find hope, purpose, and a path forward.
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Instagram: @matthoeft

Raised in southern Utah, Jackie has spent years exploring the red rock deserts, towering cliffs, and hidden canyons that make this region unforgettable. With Zion Park and the surrounding landscapes as her backyard, she developed a deep connection to the land early on-a connection that naturally grew into a passion for guiding others through it. For several years Jackie has been leading hikers of all experience levels through Zion and the breathtaking areas beyond the park's borders. Her guiding style blends local knowledge, safety and genuine enthusiasm for the outdoors. Whether its a peaceful sunrise hike, or a rugged canyon adventure, or a scenic off-the-beaten-path exploration, she loves helping others experience the magic of southern Utah in a meaningful way. She enjoys spending her free time on epic hikes with her dog, Luna. 

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Instagram: jackiecash_yo