Utah is famous for its natural arches, and while Arches National Park gets most of the attention (with good reason), there are tons of jaw-dropping arches outside the park boundaries as well. Arches are one of the most unique and rare rock formations in nature, as they require just the right mix of geologic conditions…
Many people who visit Death Valley stop at Zabriskie Point, admire the sweeping badlands landscape for a few minutes, and then move on. But one of the best hikes in the park begins right below the overlook, taking you into the maze of colorful ridges and winding canyons that make this area so famous. There…
Looking for a hidden gem arch that requires a bit of adventure to reach? Funnel Arch is a truly beautiful arch that you can enjoy after a short but exciting hike through slickrock and desert terrain. On our recent trip to Moab, we were really looking for other fun trails beyond Arches National Park and…
Just 30 minutes from the Las Vegas Strip, Red Rock National Conservation Area is an incredible desert gem. One minute you’re surrounded by casinos, neon lights, and traffic. The next, you’re driving into a quiet desert landscape filled with towering cliffs and wide open valleys. Red Rock is part of the Mojave Desert, the smallest…
Sedona is truly one of the premier hiking and outdoors destinations in the United States. The way that the red rock mountains surround the town, full of mind-blowing shapes, crazy cool caves, and towering spires, is something that every outdoor lover dreams of. And the best thing is that the hiking trails around Sedona really…
Georgia State probably isn’t the first place that comes to mind when you’re thinking about great vacation destinations. It doesn’t have the national name recognition of New York, the dramatic landscapes out west, or the turquoise water of Gulf Coast Florida. But after spending quite a bit of time exploring the state, I can tell…
Cathedral Gorge State Park is an underrated and remote park in southern Nevada filled with tall spires, slot canyons, and a ridge of “badland” type formations. I loved exploring this super secluded park full of beauty and wonder. Cathedral Gorge is just a couple hours from Las Vegas and southern Utah so you can easily…
Many people don’t realize that between the glitzy Las Vegas and the epic national parks of Utah and Arizona is an often underrated and overlooked Nevada State Park: Valley of Fire. Valley of Fire State Park is truly one of the most stunning, jaw-dropping places I’ve visited in the southwest United States—and I’ve traveled all…
Joshua Tree National Park is named for its most iconic feature: the Joshua tree. These unusual plants grow primarily within the Mojave Desert in southern California and Nevada, with a small range extending into western Arizona. The park contains an estimated 879,000 Joshua trees, and as you drive through, you’ll often see hills and valleys…
Death Valley National Park is a place of extremes. Located in eastern California, right along the Nevada border, it’s officially the hottest place on Earth, holding the world record for the highest air temperature ever recorded at 134°F (57°C). It’s also the driest place in the United States, averaging only about two inches of rain…