Canyonlands National Park is one of the most unique and awe-inspiring landscapes in the United States. Located in southeast Utah, close to Arches National Park and not far from Goblin Valley State Park and Capitol Reef National Park, this desert park offers visitors the opportunity to explore dramatic canyons, towering mesas, and iconic sandstone formations…
We love Arches National Park, and in a state full of incredible rock formations, Arches holds its own with the top sites and locations. We’ve visited Arches several times and done all the hiking trails in the park, and Devil’s Garden really can’t be missed. The Devil’s Garden trail is one of the top hikes…
National Parks tend to get all the attention—and for good reason. They’re home to some of the most iconic landscapes in the country, with some of the most magnificent National Parks concentrated in the western US. But also scattered across the west are dozens of National Monuments that quietly protect places just as scenic, fascinating,…
If you like a bit of adventure and a really unique type of hike, Spooky Gulch and Peekaboo Slot Canyons are absolutely an experience you need to have! These vibrant orange, pink, and red-orange canyons have twisting, turning trails and super tight, super narrow passages and make for an unforgettable hike. Both canyons are part…
Utah’s landscapes have a way of making my soul feel alive. There’s just something about the red rock, the towering cliffs, and the deep, winding canyons that pulls me in every time. The contrast of blue sky against rust-colored stone, the way the light shifts across the desert, and the sheer scale of these formations—it’s…
Outside of the popular Arizona destinations like the Grand Canyon, Antelope Canyon, Lake Powell, and Sedona are a whole host of other incredible places just waiting to be discovered… For me, Petrified Forest National Park is the literal definition of a hidden gem (in more ways than one!). First off, it truly does feel actually…
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…
Before every trip with my young kids, I was frantically Googling things like, “Can I bring milk through security?” or “Do I have to fold my stroller at TSA?” I’ve been there—more times than I can count. After 24 flights with babies and toddlers (and plenty of airport meltdowns), I’ve learned a few tricks. Today,…
Far from the crowds, this corner of Canyonlands is a maze of sandstone towers, hidden canyons, and sweeping desert views. This is the Needles District, near Monticello, Utah (basically in the middle of nowhere), and is about 1.5 hours from the more popular Island in the Sky district. Chesler Park is the most popular hike…
This district is one of the most off-the-beaten-path spots in US National Parks, but it’s packed full of beauty… If you are looking for a National Park that is under the radar, Canyonlands is absolutely one you should consider. And even within Canyonlands, the Needles District is a total hidden gem. Canyonlands surrounds the joining…