Exploring Southern Utah's National Parks

There’s a lot hidden in the wild spaces of the world, and few are wilder than the deserts and canyons of Southern Utah. Within a few hundred miles, you can visit a handful of National Parks. There are few places in the world where you can see such a variety of stunning landscapes in one region. Such is the diversity of the American Southwest. You could spend a lifetime exploring these parks, but if you only have a short time, be sure to hit these highlights.

Arches

Over 2,000 naturally formed stone arches dot the landscape throughout the sparse landscape of this park near Moab, Utah. Most of this region of the Southwest was covered by Lake Bonneville millions of years ago, and the rushing waters left behind stunning rock formations and shapes that are reminiscent of underwater landscapes.

Delicate Arch, Arches National Park, Utah | PD-US

Delicate Arch is probably the most recognizable of the arches, but it’s actually quite solitary. You’ll see more arches on shorter hikes in Devil’s Garden, with the very impressive Landscape Arch stretching an insane span. Drive the scenic loops to get to the trailheads and get great photo ops in this alien landscape.

Canyonlands

Canyonlands National Park is characterized by the gorgeous canyons, buttes and other rock formations that surround the Colorado River. The most shocking site there has to be The Needles at the Southeast corner of the park, filled with multicolored rock spires that look like nothing you’ve ever seen. In the park, you’ll also find sites like The Maze and the Island in the Sky, both of which offer special formations and seemingly endless trails to hike.

Grand Staircase and Escalante

Many of Southern Utah’s paleontological sites are clustered in Escalante National Monument and Grand Staircase. A diverse sample of Southern Utah landscapes all in one park that spans nearly 2 million acres. If you want to see the various ecosystems, wildlife and flora that have made their niche in the deserts, canyons and riverbeds of this region, make some time to wind your way through the trails of this area.

Bryce Canyon

You’ve never seen vistas like these. The world opens up when you stop at any of the scenic overlooks that fill the park. The horizon just seems to fall away as the massive sky falls to meet the huge open spaces that are often hidden by rock faces and canyon walls. You can actually see the curvature of the earth in some places around Bryce. This is the perfect part to drive through, and you’ll still find plenty of places to hike.

Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah | Gernot Keller, Wikimedia Commons

Zion

Angel’s Landing is one of the hardest hikes you’ll ever go on, and it’s not for the faint of heart, but it also provides one of the most amazing views in the park, not to mention the Western United States. More advanced hikers may want to take a guided tour through The Narrows, a trek through the ever closer canyon walls and sheer cliff faces. It’s possibly one of the most visually appealing and incredible hikes in the entire National Park system.

About the author: Rachel Phelps loves getting up early for a pre-dawn hike to hear the sound of the wilderness waking up. If you’ve ever seen the sun rise over the desert, you’ll know how she feels. You can find her writing about her travel experiences and favorite camping spots at PleasureTripping.com.