National Parks of Utah and Arizona
Sacha and his daughter, Bailey were lucky enough to have a few days together to explore the beautiful national parks of Utah and Arizona.
Zion National Park become a national park in 1919 and is approx. 229 square miles in size.
Visiting Zion National Park is a sensory feast, where towering red rock formations, like the iconic Zion Canyon and the imposing Angels Landing, create a breath-taking landscape. The vibrant hues of the sandstone cliffs change with the shifting sunlight, offering a mesmerizing play of colors.
The main road in the national park is the beautiful Zion Canyon Scenic Drive, at 7.7 miles long (12.4 km). The Zion Canyon Scenic Drive is closed to private vehicles from April to late October and visitors need to ride the park shuttle bus.
Zion Lodge is the only in-park lodging and is stunning, built in 1920’s and then again in 1966 after a fire. it has 76 rooms, some suites and 40 historic cabins.
Bryce Canyon National Park is a surreal masterpiece of nature, showcasing a unique collection of crimson-colored hoodoos - towering, whimsically shaped rock spires that create an otherworldly landscape. As the sun rises or sets, the amphitheaters of hoodoos glow in brilliant shades of orange and pink, casting enchanting shadows. The sprawling vistas from Sunrise Point, Sunset Point, and Inspiration Point provide awe-inspiring panoramas of this geological wonder.
The 18-mile main road that traverses the national park is the best way to see the park quickly at it links all the main and best view points and hike trails.
Bryce Canyon Lodge is the only in-park lodging at Bryce Canyon National Park. Opened in 1925, the lodge has 40 cabins and 70 motel rooms.
Discover the captivating landscapes of Moab, Utah, where red rock canyons and arches paint a mesmerizing backdrop. Home to iconic parks like Arches and Canyonlands, Moab's outdoor playground invites exploration.
Canyonlands National Park established in 1964 and is over 250 000 acres in size. Canyonlands National Park, a sprawling masterpiece in southeastern Utah, mesmerizes with its rugged canyons, towering mesas, and winding rivers. Divided into four distinct districts by the Colorado and Green Rivers, the park boasts diverse landscapes, including the Island in the Sky, the Needles, the Maze, and the rivers themselves.
Opened to the public in 1959, Dead Horse State Park is only 5,300 acres in size. Perched on a stunning plateau, Dead Horse Point State Park presents a panorama of breathtaking beauty. Overlooking the Colorado River, the park offers awe-inspiring views of towering red rock canyons and distant mesas.
Established in 1929, Arches National Park is massive at 120 Sq Miles of high desert beauty. A geological wonderland near Moab, enchants visitors with its surreal red rock landscapes and over 2,000 natural sandstone arches. Home to iconic formations like Delicate Arch and Landscape Arch, the park offers a visual feast of contrasting colors and unique rock formations. Visitors can explore the Windows Section, where massive arches frame the desert horizon, or hike to the fiery hues of Fiery Furnace. The Park Avenue Trail and Balanced Rock add to the allure.
Monument Valley, an iconic symbol of the American Southwest, captivates with its vast red sandstone buttes and mesas that rise dramatically from the desert floor. Straddling the Arizona-Utah border within the Navajo Nation, this cinematic landscape has graced countless films and photographs. The Mittens and Merrick Butte, silhouetted against vivid sunsets and expansive skies, create a timeless and awe-inspiring tableau. Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park offers as 17 mile self drive loop, it’s a must do (link below).
navajonationparks.org/navajo-tribal-parks/monument-valley/
The Grand Canyon is 277 miles long, up to 18 miles wide and can get to a depth of over a mile, its massive. This unparalleled marvel in Arizona, is a geological masterpiece carved by the mighty Colorado River over millions of years. Towering cliffs, plateaus, and deep canyons define this natural wonder, with the South Rim serving as a popular vantage point for breathtaking panoramic views. Visitors can explore trails like Bright Angel and hike to iconic points like Hopi Point for unforgettable vistas.
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