“National parks are the best idea we ever had. Absolutely American, absolutely democratic, they reflect us at our best rather than our worst.”
– Wallace Stegner
It was April 2016, and in five months, we would be moving to Vancouver. In our eight-year stay in the US, we had been to some fantastic National Parks. For our last vacation, we decided to do a 10-day Utah road trip and explore some of the iconic National Parks.
Kasturi and I had already been to Zion National Park, so Bryce, Arches and Canyonlands National Park were on top of our list. After some research, we included Red Canyon, Monument Valley, Antelope Canyon and a few other state parks on our trip.
On May 27, 2016, we arrived in Salt Lake City. The next day after a leisurely breakfast, we started driving south.
Red Canyon – Dixie National Forest
Late in the afternoon, we reached Red Canyon in Dixie National Forest. For many travelling East on Scenic Highway 12, Red Canyon is the first stop. After a quick stop at the visitor center, we took the short scenic trail.
We were soon on a ridge with great views of the canyon. I saw a couple who had gone a bit too far to take ‘Insta-worthy’ photos. They had climbed up a rock formation, but were struggling to come down. It was good entertainment for a few minutes before the couple got down.
We continued our drive on Highway 12 and reached Cannonville, where we would be staying for the next two nights.
Bryce Canyon National Park
The next day, I left early around 5:15 am to watch the sunrise at Bryce Canyon National Park. In 30 minutes, I was at the parking lot, and after a quick hike, I was at the Sunrise Point. It was quite busy at the rim, so I decide to hike down the Queens Garden Trail.
I enjoyed the sunrise, but it was not what I expected. Only later, I realized that Sunset or Inspiration point would have given a much better view of the canyon. I continued the hike along Queens Garden Trail, came up Navajo Loop Trail to reach the rim and then drove back to Cannonville.
In three hours, I was back at Bryce Canyon with Kasturi and Kavya. We hiked the Queens Garden Trail, and Kavya enjoyed the ride on my shoulders. As we made our way down, we were surrounded by Hoodoos. Going through each of the tunnels was probably the highlight for Kavya.
As we got closer to the Wall Street section of the Navajo Loop trail, Kavya decided to walk. The Wall Street section is quite steep and has several switchbacks.
I was surprised to see Kavya hike this trail to the top. We explored a few more places in Bryce Canyon National Park and then made our way back to Cannonville.
Upper Antelope Canyon
The next day, we drove South to Antelope Canyon. The parking lot at Upper Antelope Canyon was packed, and there was a long line for the tour. Guided tour was the only option to see the canyon. After waiting for more than two hours, it was our turn.
We hopped on a four-wheel-drive truck, and after a 20-minute ride, we were at the canyon’s entrance. Going in through this entrance, felt like I was stepping into a different world.
Our guide talked about how the canyons were formed, impressive structures in the canyon and its significance to Navajo Nation. As we made our way through the canyon, the guide pointed out key spots and even camera settings to take the best pictures.
Shortly into our tour, I realized that my shots were not going to be in the art gallery anytime soon. I let go of the pressure to take the perfect ‘Antelope Canyon’ photo and just enjoyed the walk. Kavya just wanted to play in the sand.
After an hour or so, we were back at the parking lot. I made a quick stop at the washroom and immediately regretted my decision. It was by far the worst portable washroom I had visited anywhere in the US. Other portable toilets were in the same condition, and some were even locked. Navajo Nation Parks & Recreation could at least provide some basic amenities given the fee for all guided tours.
Monument Valley
Our next stop was Monument Valley. We would be staying overnight at Tear Drop Arch B&B in Monument Valley. Finding this B&B in the dark was an adventure in itself. Google directions were sketchy, and for the last few minutes, we were driving on a dirt road.
We stopped by a house, got directions and finally reached our B&B. It was a Navajo family’s home, and the host was friendly. We had a small room with a shared bathroom. For one night, it was okay.
I got up early the next day and drove to Monument Valley Tribal Park to watch the sunrise. Professional and amateur photographers alike had lined up at the rim. The sunrise over the buttes was magical.
I drove back to B&B and had breakfast. Our host served traditional fried bread (very similar to Indian bhature) with different sauces. After breakfast, it was time to explore more of Monument Valley with Kasturi and Kavya.
We drove through the 14-mile dirt road and explored several key sites in the park. The towering sandstone buttes, the desert, the colours and everything in this landscape seems out of the world.
“A minimalist look at the American Southwest, Monument Valley has big rocks, big sky, and…nope. That’s it.”
– Utah.com
We took a break at one of the spots, and Kavya was happy to get out of the car.
We got back to the Monument Valley parking lot and had lunch at “The View” restaurant. We enjoyed some more of Navajo fried bread and tacos while enjoying the view of the valley. Soon, we were back on the road heading to Moab.
Goosenecks State Park
Our first detour was to Goosenecks State Park. A small state park with a unique view of San Juan River winding its way through the canyon.
Natural Bridges National Monument
Our second stop on the way to Moab was at Natural Bridges National Monument. Utah’s first national monument, declared in 1908, it has three natural bridges.
“Three majestic natural bridges invite you to ponder the power of water in a landscape usually defined by its absence.”
– NPS
That’s deep.
We hiked to Owachomo Bridge. Standing below this massive natural formation was an experience in itself. It is the smallest and thinnest of the three bridges in this park.
We saw the other two bridges Kachina and Sipapu, from the viewpoint. These bridges are named in honour of Puebloans, whose ancestors moved into this area around 700 AD.
After a brief stop for dinner somewhere along Hwy 191, we reached Moab late in the evening. We had booked one of the cabins at Moab Rim Campark. It had a bunk bed, and for the next five days we stayed here, Kavya was a happy camper.
Moab Giants
The next day our first stop was Moab Giants – a Dinosaur Museum with several indoor and outdoor attractions. There is a half a mile trail that has full-sized replicas of several Dinosaurs.
The museum has done a great job of leveraging technology to educate and entertain people. This Dinosaur Museum was probably Kavya’s favourite part of the trip.
Dead Horse Point State Park
We continued on Hwy 313 to Dead Horse Point State Park. We drove to the viewpoint where you get a panoramic view of the Colorado River, making its way through the landscape. The park gets its name from an unfortunate incident in the 19th century of wild horses corralled at this point, that died of thirst.
The rest of the day, we explored Canyonlands National Park.
Canyonlands National Park
After a quick stop at the visitor center, we drove to a trailhead. While Kavya and Kasturi took a break, I did a quick hike to the two overlook points for Upheaval Dome. It is a 3-mile wide 1000 ft crater, and geologists are still debating how it was formed.
At the visitor center, we had picked up a small kids activity book. As we hiked around, we looked at rocks, plants, critters and landscape features. Back at the visitor center, Kavya became a Junior Ranger and happily put on her ranger hat.
Our last stop in Canyonlands National Park was Mesa Arch. As easy half a mile hike took us to the beautiful arch with great views of the canyon.
Arches National Park
For the next two days, we explored Arches National Park, a park with more than 2000 arches. We picked up the park map from the visitor center and made our way through significant sites along the 18-mile scenic road.
First up was Double Arch.
Then we stopped by the Fiery Furnace viewpoint.
Later in the day, we hiked Pine Tree Arch and Tunnel Arch Trail.
Even though we did relatively smaller and easier hikes, it was a long day.
The next day we started with a short hike in the Windows Section of the Arches National Park.
Around noon, we took a break at one of the picnic sites. After a quick nap, Kavya was ready for another hike.
We hiked the two-mile out and back trail at Devil’s Garden.
The key attraction was Landscape Arch, which is the longest arch in North America (306 ft).
Around 7 pm, we started our hike to Delicate Arch. Kavya hiked for fifteen minutes or so and then enjoyed the ride on my shoulders.
As we reached Delicate Arch, we saw hundreds of people from all over the world seated across the sandstone bowl. Like us, everyone was here to enjoy the sunset colours of this arch.
People were taking turns posing in front of the arch, and some were getting creating with handstands and arch pose.
Around 8:30 pm, we started our hike down to the parking lot.
La Sal Mountains
After seven days of seeing the desert landscape, a trip to the La Sal Mountains was a refreshing change. As we drove on the scenic loop rood, we gained elevation and enjoyed views of forests and snow-capped mountains.
We parked at the Oowah lake and went up one of the trails. There was still some snow on the ground. After an hour or so, we turned around and got back to the lake. The drive down was beautiful as we transitioned from the mountain to the desert environment.
Back in Moab, we had dinner at Miguel’s Baja Grill and later enjoyed campfire outside our cabin. The next day we drove back to Salt Lake City and took a flight back to Indianapolis.
Hoodoos at Bryce Canyon, buttes at Monument Valley, desert landscape of Canyonlands or the world-famous arches at Arches National Park – all were awe-inspiring. All of these are icons of the American Southwest. The best part – to get to explore these beautiful places with Kasturi and Kavya.
Travel Tips
Websites that helped me in planning the trip –
Discover Moab | Utah Travel Industry Website | US National Parks | Utah State Parks
Navajo Nation Tribal Parks Website for Antelope Canyon and Monument Valley
Check out Utah Tourism’s weather page for an excellent overview of the weather for different seasons and regions.
If you are going to Utah in a busy season, book your accommodations in advance.
Disclosure: I am not affiliated with any of the above individuals or organizations.
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khoop chan lihiley
khoop aawadale
Thank you!
Raja tumba chanda madi baredidi
Yella odide, yella photos nodide
Good Raja.
Thank you ammma.