Utah's Hidden Gems - Part 3
Updated: Jan 25, 2023
Last but not least I'd like to share few parks that are on my bucket list, some of these destinations are just across the border in northern Arizona as well. You can easily do a circle tour and visit all of them, but you will likely need a month as there is so much to see and do!
You can see Dead Horse Point State Park from Canyonlands NP this is where they filmed the movie "Thelma & Louise" https://stateparks.utah.gov/parks/dead-horse/
Canyonlands NP Canyonlands National Park is divided into four districts which consists of mesas, buttes, fins, arches and spires. The districts are divided by the Green and Colorado Rivers. Traveling between them requires two to six hours by car as the roads do not connect within the park. We really enjoyed Canyonlands but only had half a day to enjoy Island in the Sky district, so we are looking forward to going back & doing a lot more exploring! https://www.nps.gov/cany/index.htm
Canyonlands Districts:
Island in the Sky is the most accessible district, we enjoyed hiking a couple of trails here that offered expansive views of the canyons! https://www.nps.gov/cany/planyourvisit/islandinthesky.htm
If you are adventurous you can enjoy a multi day mountain bike trip or a four wheel drive trip on the 100 mile White Rim Road. https://www.nps.gov/cany/planyourvisit/whiterimroad.htm
The Needles is in the southern end of the park and offers more of a backcountry experience. You can see these from Island in the Sky!
The Maze is a remote district and requires a lot more time and self-reliance to visit. https://www.nps.gov/cany/planyourvisit/maze.htm
Horseshoe Canyon Unit is northwest of The Maze, it's a day use area with stunning American Indian rock art panels. https://www.nps.gov/cany/planyourvisit/horseshoecanyon.htm
The Rivers offers flatwater trips on the Green or Colorado rivers and whitewater trips in Cataract Canyon are unique ways to experience the park which usually involves two or more days of boating. https://www.nps.gov/cany/planyourvisit/rivers.htm
Capitol Reef NP is a hidden treasure filled with cliffs, canyons, domes, and bridges in the Waterpocket Fold, a geologic monocline (a wrinkle on the earth) extending almost 100 miles. Like Canyonlands Capital Reef also has districts, both districts are remote, rugged regions. Make sure to pay attention to weather conditions as roads can become impassible. https://www.nps.gov/care/index.htm
Capitol Reef Districts:
The Waterpocket District (or southern section)
The Cathedral Valley District (or northern section) https://www.nps.gov/care/planyourvisit/cathedralvalley.htm
Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument is 76 miles east of Zion NP and is the largest national monument managed by the BLM. It contains three distinct units Grand Staircase, Kaiparowits, Escalante Canyon. From its spectacular Grand Staircase of cliffs and terraces, across the rugged Kaiparowits Plateau to the wonders of the Escalante River Canyons, the Monument is a diverse geologic treasure with monoliths, slot canyons, natural bridges, and arches. https://www.blm.gov/programs/national-conservation-lands/utah/grand-staircase-escalante-national-monument
Glen Canyon Natl Recreation Area
Lake Powell is part of the Glen Canyon Natl Rec Area where you can rent house boats or take a boat tour to Rainbow Bridge which is available from the park's concessioner, Lake Powell Resorts & Marinas. Tours depart from Wahweap Marina about 50 miles on the lake from Rainbow Bridge, the tour is an all day excursion. https://www.nps.gov/glca/index.htm
Horseshoe Bend is a 270º horseshoe-shaped bend in Glen Canyon. You can hike just over a mile to the overlook which is over flat terrain, the trail is wide and easy for low-impact hikers and accessible to wheelchairs. https://www.nps.gov/glca/planyourvisit/horseshoe-bend.htm
Rainbow Bridge Natl Monument
If you enjoyed Arches NP you will enjoy Rainbow Bridge Natl Monument as it is one of the world's largest known natural bridges. It's the sixth-longest natural bridge in the world, it's arch is 290 ft above the dry bed Bridge Creek in RBNM the park is tucked in a side canyon on the south coast of Lake Powell Natl Rec and used to be one of America's most remote natural wonders that you could only reach by a multi-day hike or horseback ride down Navajo Mountain. But now you are able to reach Rainbow Bridge via a boat ride to a dock and a short amble up a trail. For extremely well-prepared and thoughtful adventurers who want an unforgettable journey, there are two rugged trails that trek through squiggly canyons, and some of the wildest and least accessible country left in the lower 48 of the United States. https://www.nps.gov/rabr/index.htm
Vermilion Cliffs National Monument is 80 miles east of Zion NP and 57 miles north of the Grand Canyon North Rim and 67 miles southwest of Lake Powell. It's located in Arizona just south of Utah state line. This national monument protects the Paria Plateau, Vermilion Cliffs, Coyote Buttes, and Paria Canyon. Elevations in the monument range from 3,100 feet to 6,500 feet. https://www.blm.gov/visit/vermilion-cliffs
Grand Canyon - North Rim even though this is in Arizona I would recommend taking the time to visit especially if you are spending time in southern part of Utah as it offers spectacular views of the canyon.
Did you know it's only visited by 10% of all Grand Canyon visitors! It's a road less traveled and less crowds, be sure to allow some time to relax on the Grand Canyon Lodge patio I love the photo of Adam sitting there! We enjoyed a delicious lunch at the Grand Canyon Lodge as well.
The North Rim offers some great hikes which you can get to by taking a scenic drive and short walks to each. Point Imperial is the highest point on North Rim 8,803 ft and overlooks Painted Desert & eastern end of Grand Canyon while Cape Royal provides unlimited vistas and is popular for both sunrise & sunset. If you are lucky you'll see wildlife and bison near the North Rim! https://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/north-rim.htm
I hope you will share your favorite Utah adventures!!
All photos courtesy of Jill Theriault
Written by: Jill Theriault
Crossroads Coaching - @crossroadscoachingongodstime
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