Archive for ‘Mountain Park Guides’

How to Visit the Incredible Valley of the Gods in Southern Utah

How to Visit the Incredible Valley of the Gods in Southern Utah

In my opinion, there are few areas in the continental United States that are as jam-packed with incredible landscapes and adventure opportunities than the American Southwest. The area is chalk-full of incredible slot canyons, mesa-filled valleys, amazing rock formations, and some of the most beautiful vistas your eyes will ever see. One of my favorite spots in the Southwest United States is the breathtaking Valley of the Gods in Southern Utah. With this Valley of the Gods guide in hand, you can be certain your trip to this enchanting place will be one you will never forget.

The Ultimate Goblin Valley State Park Guide for Visitors to Southern Utah

The Ultimate Goblin Valley State Park Guide for Visitors to Southern Utah

While Southern Utah’s five incredible national parks may get most of the attention from visiting travelers, you would be remiss to discount the region’s many incredible state parks. One of the most popular and most beautiful of these state parks is the amazing Goblin Valley State Park. Renowned for its valley filled with stunning rock formations, Goblin Valley State Park rivals Bryce Canyon National Park in terms of beautiful rock formations. In addition to the beauty of the park, there are also several incredible things for visitors to do within the park as well. In this Goblin Valley State Park guide, I will spotlight the many spectacular viewpoints, trails, and activities that are available to travelers who visit the park.

Leprechaun Canyon Trail Guide – Visitors Guide to Leprechaun Canyon Slot

Leprechaun Canyon Trail Guide – Visitors Guide to Leprechaun Canyon Slot

monuments, state parks, and recreation areas with miles upon miles of incredible trails and challenging climbing routes to explore. Some of the most popular features in the area with outdoor enthusiasts are the many incredible slot canyons. In this Leprechaun Canyon trail guide, I am going to let you know why the Leprechaun Canyon slot is one of my favorite slot canyons in all of Southern Utah. Not only is this slot canyon incredibly beautiful, but it is also one of the lesser-known slot canyons in the area, so it is not nearly as crowded as some of the others. Best of all, the Leprechaun Canyon slot is relatively easy to get to and explore (if you aren’t doing any climbing), so it is a slot canyon that the whole family can enjoy!

The Definitive Reflection Canyon Trail Guide for the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area

The Definitive Reflection Canyon Trail Guide for the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area

There are a number of spectacularly beautiful backcountry hikes that you can take in the Southern Utah area, but my favorite is undoubtedly the hike to Reflection Canyon in the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. While it is one of the most breathtaking hikes that you will find in the area, it is also one of the most difficult. There is no marked trail to help you navigate the roughly 15-mile round trip hike thru slot canyons and deep washes, and shelter from the blistering sun is almost non-existent. That’s why I believe this trail earns every bit of the “Difficult” rating that it has been given. The awe-inspiring beauty of Reflection Canyon is definitely something that all backcountry hikers should see in their lifetime, but it is important that you are prepared for this hike before setting out. I have created this Reflection Canyon trail guide to help you with that preparation so that you can complete this hike safely and successfully.

The Ultimate Waterhole Canyon Guide for Visitors to the Page, Arizona Area

The Ultimate Waterhole Canyon Guide for Visitors to the Page, Arizona Area

When people see my photographs of the incredible Antelope Canyon on Instagram, I am often asked for recommendations on when and how to book a tour. My advice is always to book early and be prepared to deal with crowds. You see, the two times I visited the canyon were well over a decade ago, and there was far less demand for tours and the crowds were much smaller. I still think Antelope Canyon is an incredible sight that you should try and see at least once in your life. However, if you are either trying to book a tour last minute or would like a beautiful canyon experience without the massive crowds, then I would suggest that you keep reading my Waterhole Canyon guide. Believe me, this breathtaking canyon won’t be a secret for long either, so this is your chance to tour it before the crowds get much larger!

The Definitive Great Sand Dunes Guide for National Park Enthusiasts

The Definitive Great Sand Dunes Guide for National Park Enthusiasts

Planning a road trip across the United States to visit some of the country’s beautiful national parks is a time honored tradition for many Americans, and something that draws visitors from around the world to the country each year to enjoy. The United States is filled with many beautiful park lands that showcase all different types of incredible landscapes. In my opinion, one of the most underrated national park lands in the United States is the breathtaking Great Sand Dunes National Park in Colorado. In putting together this Great Sand Dunes Guide, I had little trouble thinking of amazing things for visitors to see and do within this unique and beautiful park.

The Best White Sands Visitor Guide for Travelers Visiting White Sands National Park

The Best White Sands Visitor Guide for Travelers Visiting White Sands National Park

If you are planning a visit to White Sands National Park, you are in luck.  In my White Sands Visitor Guide, I am going to give you all of the information that you will need to plan a memorable trip to this beautiful park.  In this guide, I will cover the top things to see and do in White Sands National Park, where to stay while you visit, some of the other nearby attractions that you can see, and when it is best to visit the park.

Rocky Mountain National Park Guide

Rocky Mountain National Park Guide

There are a number of absolutely breathtaking mountain ranges in the United States and the Rocky Mountains in the Western part of the country are some of America’s most beautiful. Perhaps nowhere else in the country is this beautiful mountain range better showcased than in Rocky Mountain National Park in the state of Colorado. That is why I was beyond excited to create my Rocky Mountain Park Guide to share this beautiful park with you. Though with so many wonderful things to say about the park, it was hard to know where to being. With a range of elevation between 7,600-feet ( 2,316 meters) and 14,259-feet ( 4,346 meters) inside the park, the diversity of landscapes and wildlife that you will see while visiting Rocky Mountain National Park is truly awe-inspiring. In addition to a myriad of other wildlife, the park is home to over 280 different bird species, an abundance of elk, and the bighorn sheep that have become a symbol of this alpine park.

Capitol Reef National Park Visitor Guide

Capitol Reef National Park Visitor Guide

With five popular national parks within a relatively short distance of one another in Southern Utah, there is definitely no shortage of amazing outdoor activities in the area. If you throw in the parks and monuments in Southern Colorado and Northern Arizona, this region is one of the premier outdoor adventure regions in North America. If you love outdoor adventure, then you will love all of the activities and sights that are outlined in my Capitol Reef National Park Guide. While some of the other national parks in Southern Utah may get more attention on tourist sites, any hardcore national parks enthusiast will tell you that Capitol Reef National Park is a hidden gem in the US National Parks system.

The Ultimate Corona Arch Trail Hiking Guide

The Ultimate Corona Arch Trail Hiking Guide

While Arches and Canyonlands National Parks draw a majority of the tourists to the Moab, Utah area, the Corona Arch is one of the Moab regions hidden gems. Because of its proximity to the city of Moab, the Corona Arch Hike is quickly becoming one of the areas most popular hikes. It is easy to get to, fairly accessible to people without a lot of hiking experience, and the Corona Arch is every bit as big and as beautiful as the infamous Delicate Arch inside Arches National Park.