15 Breathtaking National Parks in Utah to Discover
The national parks of Utah are a delight for any traveler who is an adventure freak, a nature lover, or anyone interested in the geological wonders of America. These parks provide a combination of high cliffs, deep canyons, awe inspiring arches and vast desert landscapes.
Utah parks are truly unique in their formations and geology and are ideal for scenic drives as well as for hiking, camping, wildlife watching and so much more. Let’s have a closer look at 15 of the most beautiful parks of Utah that are yet to be discovered.
Zion National Park
Zion is one of the most visited National Parks in Utah, renowned for its fantastic cliffs and narrow, swift moving colourful canyons and the Virgin River. The park has stunning views that attract tourists throughout the year; you have to try Angels Landing and The Narrows trails. Zion Canyon Scenic Drive gives breathtaking vistas, while some less crowded paths of easy hiking are Emerald Pools.
Bryce Canyon National Park
Bryce Canyon is famous for beautiful, unique terrain of hoodoos that took millions of years to form. The Bryce Amphitheater is the center of the park and provides stunning views of the landscape in the morning and in the evening. The Navajo Loop Trail will take you through the middle of the hoodoos while Sunset Point and Inspiration Point offer spectacular panoramic views.
Arches National Park
Arches National Park boasts more than 2000 natural stone arches, and it seems like one has been transferred to a painting by Salvador Dali. The Delicate Arch, a freestanding arch, is especially famous and takes a very good picture at the sunset. If you’re into hiking, scenic driving, or just admire the fantastic rock formations – this park should definitely not be missed.
Canyonlands National Park
Canyonlands is Utah’s largest national park, divided into three sections; Island in the Sky, Needles, and the Maze. Within each area of the trail there are varied features ranging from canyons to highly isolated and rough terrains. Island in the Sky is a large mesa which offers relatively easy access to stunning views, while the Needles district will suit those who want to go for a hike in the fascinating landscape of sharp rock formations.
Capitol Reef National Park
Capitol Reef, which is not very famous, is a gem of Utah. Its Waterpocket Fold – a 100-mile long fold in the Earth’s crust – gives the region colorful cliffs, natural arches, and winding canyons. The Scenic Drive is more relaxed, while the Fruita Historic District offers a look at pioneer life and the park’s rather abundant fruit trees.
Dead Horse Point State Park
Dead Horse Point State Park is renowned for its stunning and very high view, giving a rare vantage point over the Colorado River and a location which has been used in many movies. The outlook is especially beautiful early in the morning or towards evening, when the river meanders through a twisting deep gully far beneath. It’s a good place for taking pictures and there are trails for hiking and mountain biking nearby.
Goblin Valley State Park
It is really pleasing for the eye – covered with sandstone formations which in form resemble goblins, mushrooms, and other peculiar shapes. Both children and grown-ups can spend time walking through these dark and still somehow fanciful ‘goblins’. There are several trails that are about a half an hour long, but it is just as enjoyable to walk around and make up your own path.
Kodachrome Basin State Park
Kodachrome Basin is also renowed for its colourful rock and ‘sand pipes’ which are huge formations of stone pinnacle developed from past geological processes. Called after the famous color film, the park has a lot of red, white and orange colored rocks. It has trails for hiking, horse riding and camping, therefore it is a good place for a one day trip or a camping trip.
Antelope Island State Park
Situated in Great Salt Lake, the Antelope Island State park is popular for beautiful, scenic views of the lake and free ranging bison. This island park is perfect for bird watching, walking and even taking a dip in the water of this salt water lake. The sunsets here are splendid and after dusk, the park has a kind of alien look to it, with its flat plains and barren appearance.
Natural Bridges National Monument
Natural Bridges National Monument is less crowded but just as picturesque, and it boasts three natural bridges. Sipapu, Kachina and Owachomo bridges are products of water flow over millions of years through the same energy. Hike to each bridge or drive the scenic byway and pull over at overlooks to view these amazing rock formations.
Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park
Coral Pink Sand Dunes is precisely what you can imagine, a desert filled with pretty pinkish sand dunes that one can ever imagine of. These dunes are particularly suitable for sandboarding, adventurous car driving, or for a quiet walk in the evening. Compared to the rock desert of Utah, the park has soft reddish sand that contrasts with the blue sky.
Dinosaur National Monument
The Dinosaur National Monument offers visitors the opportunity to experience history and geology of the area. It covers some part both of Utah and Colorado and has features such as rocks, fossil and petroglyphs. The Quarry Exhibit Hall gives a view to several thousand dinosaur bones, still embedded in the stone which makes this area especially appealing to history and nature lovers.
Cedar Breaks National Monument
Cedar Breaks is also known as the mini Bryce Canyon and has stunning structures of red color rocks and amazing views. Located at an altitude of more than 10,000 feet, the monument has crisp mountain air and beautiful pastures during summer while the red rock theater shines. It is also perfect for astronomy buffs as there are specific areas for the night sky during summer season.
Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument
Located over a million acres, Grand Staircase-Escalante is a large and relatively untouched country of slot canyons, waterfalls, and painted cliffs. The area is not as developed as other parks and therefore gives a feeling of the wild country. Favoured locations are the beautiful Calf Creek Falls trail, the beautiful Zebra Slot Canyon, and the beautiful wild country of Coyote Gulch.
Snow Canyon State Park
Snow Canyon which is near St. George is one of the most beautiful geologically diverse areas which features lava flows, red sandstone cliffs and petrified dunes. This is a relatively less explored park blessed with pleasant tracks and scenic vantage points unlike many tourist congested parks. Its colorful and huge rock formations make it ideal for a day trip and more so for families who want to discover Utah’s natural wonders.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
Affordable Home Entertainment: 11 Must-Have Finds For Enhancing Your Family Movie Nights
Affordable Home Entertainment: 11 Must-Have Finds For Enhancing Your Family Movie Nights
How to Clean Your Smoker Grill Combo Like a Pro
How to Clean Your Smoker Grill Combo Like a Pro
10 Best African Photo Safaris You Must Experience
Even if you’ve been on a safari in the past, an African photo safari is something you want to experience or at the very list add to the top of your bucket list.
But first, what is a photo safari? The phrase “photo safari” is not a common sentence structure but its meaning can be deduced easily. An African photo safari in general context means going on an adventure with the sole purpose of taking high-quality pictures.
10 Best African Photo Safaris You Must Experience
