Required fields are marked *. If you prefer a little more adventure, raft the Colorado River and see the wilderness in all its glory. If you manage to do everything in each itinerary, you'll probably be extremely busy. Hike the Intrepid Trail or mountain bike along the exhilarating singletrack trails. 2023 Lonely Planet, a Red Ventures company. All rights reserved. The region is an adventure mecca, with world-class white-water runs and challenging single-track trails. Disclosure: We may make a small commission from affiliate links on this page (at no cost to you) if you click our link and proceed with a purchase. Dont forget to explore the Escalante River, hike to the stunning Lower Calf Creek Falls, or venture into the remote regions of the monument. Thirty-four years later, I manifested my dream, Copy My Trip: Glamping and hiking at Utahs Bryce Canyon and Capitol Reef National Parks, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Utah packs a lot into 200,000 square kilometres - more than many countries, let alone states, could ever imagine. Amazingly, two of the tenwere found in this very park: the Narrows and Angels Landing. State: ArizonaEntrance fee: 7-day pass per vehicle $35Great for: Scenery, Family Travel, WalkingRead more:Grand Canyon National Park is geological and human history writ largeBuy the guide:Grand Canyon National Park guidebook. Katmai National Park & Preserveis famous for its wildlife, epic sport-fishing potential and unusual volcanic landscapes. Walk up through the layers as you, Visit the site of the 2002 Olympic ski jumping, bobsledding, skeleton, Nordic combined and luge events, which continues to host national competitions, Kanab's most famous attraction is outside town. Unconnected to the main Alaskan road network and covering an area the size of Wales, a visit here is a once-in-a-lifetime experience with a chance tostand spine-tinglingly close to formidable 1000lb brown bears pawing giant salmon out of the river. The cave's foremost feature is its 'boxwork' calcite formations (95% of all that are known exist here), which look like honeycomb and date back 60 to 100 million years. It is known for its enormous domes. State: FloridaEntrance fee: 7-day pass per person $15Great for: History, Photo Op, Scenery, DivingRead more:Land the perfect outdoor adventure in The Florida KeysBuy the guide:Florida travel guide. State: AlaskaEntrance fee: FreeGreat for: Wildlife, Photo Op, SceneryRead more:National Parks: The best free things to do in the US parksBuy the guide:Alaska travel guide. Kobuk Valley National Park has a desolate, severe beauty and is best known for its Arctic sand dunes like a Saharan desert in the midst of the tundra and migrating caribou. Called the River of Grass by Native American inhabitants, this is not just a wetland, or a swamp, or a lake, or a river, or a prairie, or a grassland it is all of those, twisted together into a series of soft horizons, long vistas, sunsets that stretch across your entire field of vision and the toothy grins of a healthy population of dinosaur-era reptiles. The Needles is an entirely different-looking area with orange and white sandstone spires that jut up from the desert floor. In 1972 that's all Tony and Maureen Wheeler needed for the trip of a lifetime - across Europe and Asia overland to Australia. Thanks to the thousands of rock spires (called hoodoos) that stretch skyward from the canyon floor, the park landscapes can almost seem alive at times, if not extraterrestrial. Check out our roundup of top experiences in America's national parks. Repeated freezes and thaws have eroded the small park's soft sandstone and limestone intosandcastle-like pinnacles known as hoodoos, jutted fins and huge amphitheaters filled with thousands of pastel daggers. Experience the earth's beauty at its most elemental in this rocky-and-rugged desert corner of the Colorado Plateau. Utah's national and state parks are full of natural wonders, each offering unique charm and extraordinary landscapes. Some 12 imposing glacier-carved summits frame the singular Grand Teton (13,775ft). Just looking for the best of the best? It hugs the eastern edge of an 18-mile plateau, and the high altitude sets it apart from the other national parks in southern Utah. All rights reserved. award-winning guidebooks, covering maps, itineraries, and expert Dinosaur National Monument straddles the Utah-Colorado border and preserves many dinosaur fossils and ancient petroglyphs. State: TexasEntrance Fee: 7-day pass per vehicle $30Great for: Wildlife, Walking, SceneryRead more:Welcome to the West: discovering Texas' best national parks and reservesBuy the guide:Texas travel guide. No state comes close to Utah in terms of highest concentration of national parks. A forbidding and beautiful maze of red-rock fins, bridges, needles, spires, craters, mesas and buttes, Canyonlands is a crumbling, decaying beauty a vision of ancient earth. Head to theChisos Basinfor the most dramatic landscape, but any visit should also include time in theChihuahuan Desert, home to curious creatures and adaptable plants and down along theRio Grande, the watery dividing line between the US and Mexico. The smallest national park in Utah is also probably its most visually appealing. As Amazon Associates, we earn from qualifying purchases. State: UtahEntrance Fee: 7-day pass per vehicle $30Great for: Cycling, Scenery, WalkingRead more:How to get around Moab, Arches and Canyonlands National ParksBuy the guide:Southwest USA travel guide, Giant slabs of chocolate-red rock and sweeping yellow sandstone domes dominate the landscape of Capitol Reef, which Indigenous Freemont people called the Land of the Sleeping Rainbow., State: UtahEntrance Fee: 7-day pass per vehicle $20Great for: Walking, Photo Op, SceneryRead more:Best outdoor activities in southern UtahBuy the guide:Southwest USA's Best Trips. 2023 Wander With Alex. State: ColoradoEntrance fee: 7-day pass per vehicle $25Great for: Cycling, Family Travel, WalkingRead more:Introducing Colorado's National ParksBuy the guide:Colorado travel guide. Dont miss the Fruita Rural Historic District, where the first Mormon homesteader arrived in 1880. Thats right, the largest island in, A family-friendly museum at Thanksgiving Point that houses one of the world's largest displays of mounted dinosaurs. Summer temperatures can soar above 100 degrees when the parks experience peak season. The, A 30-sq-mile jumble of high-walled canyons, the Maze is a rare preserve of true wilderness for hardy backcountry veterans. State: IndianaEntrance fee: West Beach $6.00 per vehicle per day; Dunewood Campground $25 per nightGreat for: Beaches, Wildlife, SceneryRead more:Where to find the USA's 12 newest national parksBuy the guide: Eastern USA guidebook. Hike the Cable Mountain trail in Zion, ride a horse or mule through Bryce or go swimming or tubing in Zion's Virgin River -all with your trusted travel companion. Given its small size, you can see and hike almost everything in a few days. mountain resorts. Utah is known around the globe for its five national parks, dubbed the "Mighty 5." Marvel at the Grand Canyon, paddle the Everglades and rock climb in Joshua Tree; all with your trusted travel companion. Hike the park's trails, go horseback riding, or relax on the sandy beaches. Lonely Planet Newsletter. Everyone can explore a more accessible Caribbean, Gaze at stunning stars in Minnesota's first International Dark Sky Park, the first national park in the United States, The complete guide to Yellowstone National Park, Yellowstone & Grand Teton National Parks guidebook, How to spend your first visit to Yosemite National Park, Zion & Bryce Canyon National Parks guidebook, Hawaii asks Maui visitors to postpone travel plans, How to explore Florida by car, train and water taxi, The 10 most incredible road trips in the USA, Copy My Trip: 6 days road-tripping all over El Salvador, I had yearned to visit New Zealand since age 11. Seven tidewater glaciers spill out of the mountains and fill the sea with icebergs of all shapes, sizes and shades of blue, making Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve an icy wilderness renowned worldwide. Yosemite National Park might just be the crown jewel of all 61 US national parks Daniel Gonzalez / Getty Images, From Acadia to Zion: A complete guide to all 63 national parks in the United States. The crown jewel of Colorado's national parks,Rocky Mountain National Parkencompasses 415 sq miles of granite mountaintops, alpine lakes, wildflower-filled meadows, hiking trails and star-filled nights, not to mentionmoose, elk, bighorn sheep, black bear and more. Easy: Bristlecone Loop Trail This hike offers a quick jaunt through a fir forest of the oldest tree species in the world. The Grand Canyon embodies the scale and splendor of the American West, captured in dramatic vistas, dusty trails and stories of exploration, preservation and exploitation. How to avoid the long lines at Arches National Park: all about their new reservation system, How to get around Moab, Arches and Canyonlands National Parks, Another mysterious monolith appeared in California and then suddenly disappeared, Making waves: the American Southwests best river trips, Explore the civilized side of Southern Utah, Traversing Bears Ears: adventuring through a sacred land, The best of the Colorado River: one step, pedal or stroke at a time, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. When coupled with its fruit farms, green valleys, and high canyon walls, this makes for a truly hidden gem in Utah. Don't miss the Fruita Rural Historic District, where the first Mormon homesteader arrived in 1880. Be prepared to get wet as most of the hike is in the river. Highlights include hiking down into the Navajo And Queens Garden Loop, the Sunset to Sunrise rim trail, and seeing the canyon up close on a full moon night. Here a dark, narrow gash above the Gunnison River leads down a 2000ft chasm as eerie as it is spectacular. While not located in Utah, nearby Grand Canyon National Park is an essential addition to any Utah road trip. Here is a list of national parks in Utah that you don't want to miss. 2023 Lonely Planet, a Red Ventures company. All rights reserved. Walking along the rim of the Bryce Amphitheater gives you breathtaking views of the silent city, full of dense and gigantic hoodoos, which are tall skinny shafts of rock. One of the best places to stay is the Grand Canyon Lodge, perched at 8,000 feet on the canyon rim. Rising abruptly from the desert, and dominating Great Basin National Park, 13,063ft Wheeler Peak creates an awesome range of life zones and landscapes,including the richly decoratedLehman Caves,glacial lakes and ancient bristlecone pines. Natural Bridge is another popular stop and is a stunning span of eroded red-hued limestone. Witness bison herds roaming freely, spot pronghorn antelope, and observe various bird species. With the "Mighty 5" national parks located in Utah, the Beehive State is a dream for outdoor adventurers Getty Images/iStockphoto. State: AlaskaEntrance fee: FreeGreat for: Backcountry hiking and camping, boating, flightseeingRead more:Introducing Alaskas national parksBuy the guide:Alaska travel guide. Consider reading some of these books set in national parks before your big trip, on your adventure, or once you get home to take you back to the parks until next time. Best national park for remote off-roading. And while the view is breathtaking from the valley floor, it only gets more impressive on the trail. Visit the Quarry Exhibit Hall to see over 1,500 dinosaur fossils exposed on the cliff face and even touch some of the 150 million-year-old fossils. 2023 Lonely Planet, a Red Ventures company. award-winning guidebooks, covering maps, itineraries, and expert State: UtahEntrance fee: 7-day pass per vehicle $35Great for: Scenery, Walking, Family TravelRead more:Utah's best national parksBuy the guide:Zion & Bryce Canyon National Parks guidebook, This article was first published August 2019 and updated March 2022. From the dramatic cliffs of Zion and the whimsical hoodoos of Bryce Canyon to the iconic arches of Arches National Park and the rugged canyons of Canyonlands, exploring these parks is an adventure you dont want to miss. State: NevadaEntrance fee: FreeGreat for: Photo Op, Scenery, WalkingRead more:What it's like to hike among 5000-year-old treesBuy the guide: SouthwestUSA travel guide. Sunrise in Cancun from our private villa! What remains is a wonderland for adventurers of all sizes, who can clamber up ladders to carved-out dwellings, see rock art and delve into the mysteries of ancient America. Although California and Alaska are each home to more, those parks are spread out across two massively-sized states. Mummified remains and, Covering 527 sq miles, Canyonlands is Utah's largest and wildest park. Here, you can peer at a grizzly bear, moose, caribou or even wolves, or trek into 6 million acres of tundra, boreal forest and ice-capped mountains a space larger than Massachusetts. For all of Colorados striking natural sights, the surrealGreat Sand Dunes National Park, a veritable sea of sand bounded by jagged peaks and scrubby plains, is a place of stirring optical illusions where natures magic is on full display. (Author) Pre-order Price Guarantee. Visiting Arches: Arches is best-visited from nearby Moab, just a ten-minute drive south. Other trails include Devil's Garden Trail, Balanced Rock Trail, Fiery Furnace, and Park Avenue. Famous for its otherworldly sunset-colored spires punctuated by tracts of evergreen forest, Bryce Canyon National Park is one of the planet's most exquisite geological wonders. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Your email address will not be published. Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument encompasses vast and rugged terrain, revealing ancient fossils, picturesque slot canyons, and towering cliffs. The town of Moab is the best base for adventure, with as much four-wheeling, white-knuckle rafting, outfitter-guided fun as you can handle. Just 5 miles north of Moab on Hwy 191,, Up and over, through and around: the 17-mile unpaved road (County Rd 242) that leads through Valley of the Gods is like a do-it-yourself roller coaster, You'll comprehend space in new ways atop the appropriately named Island in the Sky. The National Parks Service maintains 2,700 cherry, apricot, peach, pear, and apple trees planted by the early settlers. Here's how to plan your visit to Utah's national parks. 13 Best National Parks in Utah to Experience Nature's Beauty August 4, 2023August 4, 2023 From breathtaking landscapes to unspoiled wilderness, Utah is a popular destination for travelers looking for a fun and memorable family vacation. While not located in Utah, nearby Grand Canyon National Park is an essential addition to any Utah road trip. State: WyomingEntrance fee: 7-day pass per vehicle $35Great for: Wildlife, Scenery, Winter TravelRead more:5 US ski towns you can enjoy without hitting the slopesBuy the guide: Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks guidebook. 13 Best National Parks in Utah to Experience Nature's Beauty PDF Southwest USA - Utah - Lonely Planet The Capitol Reef Scenic Drive follows along the Waterpocket Fold and offers views of arches, hoodoos, and canyon narrows. Whether youre an avid hiker, a photography enthusiast, or simply seeking tranquility in nature, Utahs best national parks provide an array of experiences that create the perfect spot for families to explore. Capitol Reef National Park showcases the Waterpocket Fold, a unique 100-mile-long buckle in the Earth's crust. In just 48 canyon miles, the Gunnison River loses more elevation than the entire 1500-mile Mississippi. No other canyon in America combines the narrow openings, sheer walls and dizzying depths of the Black Canyon. It's easy to understand why the Lakotanamed this placemakosica(badland) when you lookover the rainbow-hued canyons and buttes that sit like an ocean boiled dry. If you are interested in archaeology, check out Horse Collar Ruin, a remarkably preserved ancestral Pueblo site. Before booking your next adventure to red rock country, heres what you need to know. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Welcome to Sometimes Home, a travel site by Mikkel and Dan Woodruff. Hike the loop trail to witness the breathtaking view. Utah is known around the globe for its five national parks, dubbed the "Mighty 5." Anchoring the southernmost link in the Cascades chain of volcanoes, this alien landscape bubbles over with roiling mud pots, noxious sulfur vents, steamy fumaroles, colorful cinder cones and crater lakes. The exhibits, many of which are hands, Blanding's Dinosaur Museum is fascinating and highly ambitious; it's aim is to cover the complete history of the worlds dinosaurs. Want proof? Zion & Bryce Canyon National Parks travel - Lonely Planet 25 Best National Park Book Recommendations (Guidebooks + More!) We also hope our content inspires you to find innovative ways to care for your home while you traveland while you're between trips enjoying your cozy nest. All rights reserved. State: TexasEntrance fee: 7-day pass per adult/child, $10/freeGreat for: Scenery, Walking, HistoryRead more:See the Southwest USA's most iconic landscapes on this epic road tripBuy the guide:Texas travel guide. Introducing the United States' 63 national parks - Lonely Planet Cycling, Family Travel, Walking may be one of the smallest national parks in the US (and one of the only urban parks), but its main attraction, the Gateway Arch, is the largest manmade monument in the US. It has the highest density of rock arches on Earth. State: ColoradoEntrance fee: 7-day pass per vehicle $20-30Great for: History, Winter Travel, SceneryRead more:Gaze at the stars in Colorado's incredible new dark sky parkBuy the guide:Colorado travel guide. Stargazing is mind-blowing any time of the year. Its famous formations are the eroded remnants of an long-extinct volcano that originated in present-day southern California before getting sheared in two and moved nearly 200 miles north along the San Andreas Fault. Lonely Planet USA's National Parks Lonely Planet is known for its city guides, but they have an excellent guide on the USA national parks too! Visit the Quarry Exhibit Hall to see over 1,500 dinosaur fossils exposed on the cliff face and even touch some of the 150 million-year-old fossils. For each park, you'll find tips on the best things to do, sample itineraries, maps, and reviews of restaurants and accommodations. Utah Road Trip: 3 Days 7 Different Ways - Red Around the World They're that good. Introducing the United States' 63 national parks - Lonely Planet Like a great, cold snake, the Cuyahoga River worms over a forested valley, earning its Native American name of 'crooked river' (or possibly 'place of the jawbone'). Either name is evocative and hints at the mystical beauty that Ohio's only national park. Climb to Angels Landing, drive Highway 12, and hike the Narrows; all with your trusted travel companion. InDeath Valley, nature is putting on a truly spectacular show: singing sand dunes, water-sculpted canyons, boulders moving across the desert floor, extinct volcanic craters, palm-shaded oases, stark mountains rising to 11,000ft and plenty of endemic wildlife. In addition to its beaches, the area is noted for its biodiversity, hosting over 2000 species of plants and birds. The healing waters the town is named for have been attracting everyone from Native Americans for centuries and early-20th-century health nuts, to a good chunk of the nation's organized-crime leadership. Park City travel - Lonely Planet | Utah, USA, North America Bryce is often paired with a trip to either Zion National Park or Capitol Reef National Park, which are no more than an hour or two away along the Utah 12 Scenic Byway. Once inside, visitors can get to nearly every top spot right from the singular scenic drive oftentimes right from the multiple parking lots that dot the drive. It puts the "glam" in glamping. We are proud members of the Society of American Travel Writers (SATW), and supporters of the Black Travel Alliance. Scores of wondrous caves hide under the hills at this unique national park. Full of history both geologic, Indigenousand more recent and featuring trails that range from ADA-accessible boardwalks to challenging treks that test the hardiest of outdoor athletes, America's national parks are at once culturally significant, approachable and wild.

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