Southern Utah boasts striking landscapes, sweeping vistas, unforgettable national parks, and otherworldly views. Aside from natural wonders, Southern Utah’s appeal lies in towns such as Springdale, Colorado City, and Kanab serving up unforgettable meals paired with local adventures and cozy lodging.
If you have been searching for a Southwest United States travel itinerary that hits all the top spots, you are in luck. I have spent the last 20-plus years exploring the Southern Utah and Northern Arizona areas. Without a doubt, these are some of my favorite areas in the United States. With a countless number of stunning canyons, incredible rock formations, and amazing slot canyons to explore, it is an outdoor adventure wonderland.
The park, which gets its name from a legend that cowboys used the peninsula of rock surrounded by sheer sandstone cliffs to corral wild mustangs. According to the legend, horses were once left corralled on the waterless point where they died of thirst. If you believe the legend, these dead horses still haunt the park to this day.
From Alstrom Point in Glen Canyon, the panorama sweeps across Lake Powell’s maze of finger-like canyons. Hoodoo rock formations rise dramatically above the water, and at sunset the entire scene glows in warm light, creating one of the Southwest’s most unforgettable vistas.
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.
There are a lot of incredible and challenging hikes in North America, but few compare to the exhilarating experience of climbing to the top of one of the tallest mountains in the United States. In American mountaineering circles, the name for mountain peaks with an elevation of over 14,000 feet (or 4,267 meters) is a “fourteener”. For many hiking and climbing enthusiasts, getting to the top of these incredible peaks has a magnetic-like allure.
Traveling opens up new worlds. It’s more than just a luxury; it can spark new passions, hobbies, and even new love. In addition, a growing body of research suggests that travel can have significant health benefits for seniors. For example, one study found that older adults who took annual vacations were 32 percent less likely to die over nine years than those who didn’t travel. And another study found that women who vacationed just once every six years were almost eight times more likely to develop depression than those who vacationed twice a year.
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.
Boasting its breathtaking collection of forests, mountain ranges, valleys, and deserts, the US is adorned with a wealth of stunning national parks that are ripe for exploration. As the handful of dazzling options makes choosing which spots to hit such a complicated decision, we thought that creating a shortlist of the best national parks to visit might help make it easier for you to plan your next trip.
Southern Utah has no shortage of stunning backcountry hikes, but the trek to Reflection Canyon is my favorite—and one of the toughest. The unmarked 15‑mile round‑trip route winds through slot canyons and deep washes with almost no shade, fully earning its “Difficult” rating. The beauty of Reflection Canyon is unforgettable, but preparation is essential. I created this Reflection Canyon trail guide to help you get ready so you can complete the hike safely and confidently.
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