Utah's Fabulous Five National Parks: Definitely Worth a Second Visit

 

As I gazed down into the canyon that forms Zion National Park, I was filled with awe and wonder as to how landscapes this dramatic can even exist. Towering canyon walls, colorful layers of exposed rock, and a vast canyon floor ... all carved over time by the quiet flow of a rather small, unassuming river.

And Zion is by no means unique for its awe-inspiring scenery. As we have seen during our travels through Utah, the landscape consistently feels larger than life ... making it the perfect place for not just one, but

five fabulous national parks!

Each park presents its own unique masterpieces sculpted by time and the forces of nature.

Deep canyons,

magical hoodoos,

fiery red rock formations,

pencil-thin arches,

and dramatic sunset colors make it easy to understand why ...

Utah’s national parks are definitely worth a second visit.

Zion National Park

Our first visit to Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks was in 2017 during our "Wildebeest" days. Back then we had to leave the 40 foot Class A parked in a campground an hour away, and made "day trips" into the parks with our tow vehicle. 

With that method of "touring" the parks, we found ourselves arriving at the parks during the peak hours along with the massive amount of other day visitors.

This time around, we were able to get a campsite at Zion’s Watchman Campground right inside the park. Staying there allowed us to skip the long morning commute into Zion just as crowds of tourists were pouring into the park. It also gave us the freedom to enjoy more late afternoon and evening hikes when the trails were a little quieter and the canyon seemed to glow even more beautifully in the softer light.

Highlights of our return trip to Zion included:

Observation Point Trail

This trail is accessed outside of Zion on its east side. We drove up to Zion Ponderosa Ranch where we paid $7.50 each to get on their shuttle that took us to the East Mesa Trailhead ... about three more miles down the road.  We could have driven our own van and parked right at the trailhead, but trust me ... when we saw the huge bumps and deep ruts in the road leading to the trail, we were very happy to leave that drive to the "experts".

The 3.5 mile trail led us through a flower-lined and relatively-flat forested area where occasional breaks in the trees gave us a hint of the beautiful scenery that lay ahead of us.

Our massive reward awaited as we stepped out onto Observation Point. The stunning, higher-than-Angels-Landing views delivered an incredible payout for the effort it took to get there.

Evening bike rides along the canyon road

The road into Zion's canyon is closed to vehicles, so the only way to get to the various trails and sights within the park is by bus or bike.

Peer out of the bus's tiny windows? Or see the incredible scenery up close?

For us, the answer was simple.

Angel's Landing Hike

Doug's personal goal for this visit to Zion was to be able to do the Angel's Landing Hike. Because this hike is so popular, one has to enter a lottery in order to get a permit to climb the last half mile to the summit. And, happy day ... he won the lottery! While I didn't share that same death-defying enthusiasm, I was able to hike with him most of the way up ... and "enjoy" plenty of switchbacks along the 2.5 mile climb with 1500 feet elevation gain up to Scout's Lookout.

After that point, the permit is required in order to ascend the last half mile to Angel's Landing. Holding on to the chains, he continued his journey.

Thankfully, he returned about an hour later with a huge smile and photo proof of his accomplishment.

Bryce Canyon National Park

In 2017, we only did a day visit to Bryce Canyon. This time through, we were able to secure a campsite in Sunset Campground in the park and spend three days among the hoodoos.

Located at an altitude of 8000 feet, winter coats were necessary even in early May.

Highlights of our return trip to Bryce Canyon:

Rim and Canyon Hikes

Magnificent views like this were our reward during our daily walks along the rim,

and with a little more effort, we got to a stroll through the Queen's Garden at the bottom of the amphitheater.

Ever-changing Colors 

From mid-morning sun,

to afternoon glows,

to sunset hues,

... every hour of the day cast the hoodoos in a unique and brilliant light.

Capital Reef National Park  

Even though May is considered the "off season", we found it difficult to be able to get a campsite at Capital Reef's Fruita Campground for more than one night. But, we were still able to enjoy the amazing rock formations that surrounded us.

... including the white "capital dome" shaped rock that the park is named after.

Highlights of our return trip to Capital Reef:

The Wildlife Oasis

The lush Fruita valley forms the heart of Capital Reef National Park ...  thanks to the hard work of the Fremont River that continues to carve its way through the surrounding rock formations. In the 1880s, this fertile land became home to a small, isolated Mormon community that took advantage of the precious water source to establish farms and plant thousands of fruit trees.

Today, the historic orchard and town is maintained by the National Park Service, creating a peaceful place where campers and wildlife comfortably coexist. And with the campground tucked beneath a thick canopy of trees, Starlink service is pretty much nonexistent ... but honestly, disconnecting from the internet feels like a small price to pay when surrounded by the beauty of this wildlife oasis, just as this mama and her new foal seem to understand.

Let's Climb Up the Side of a Mountain!

Not far from our campsite was one of my favorite hikes ... the Fremont River Trail.  But don’t let the trail’s name fool you into thinking it’s simply a mellow walk beside the river. What begins as a peaceful riverside stroll soon transforms into a slightly strenuous, yet incredibly rewarding climb along the canyon wall ... up, up, up to sweeping views overlooking the beautiful Fruita valley.

Pie for Breakfast!

Inside the historic Gifford House, freshly baked pies made with locally grown fruit and traditional recipes inspired by the early settlers have become a beloved treat for visitors. Pie for breakfast is definitely recommended because these sweet delights tend to disappear quickly each morning. Our personal favorite was the apple crumble.

Arches National Park

Arches National Park was also quite popular for campers, but we managed to get one day at their Devil's Garden Campground, and spent another day boondocking on BLM land just outside of the park.

Highlights of our return trip to Arches:

Park Avenue Trail

No arches were found on this first trail as we entered the park, but the expansive views of unique rock formations found on the Park Avenue Trail made it one of my favorites.

Devils Garden Trail

It takes a bit of hiking through narrow canyons ...

to capture a glimpse of the magnificent arches of all shapes and forms.

Delicate Arch Views at Sunset

I don't recall this hike being so tough last time we visited, but this strenuous 1.5 mile uphill hike ...

delivered a great payback as we were able to enjoy the park's most famous resident, Delicate Arch, at sunset ...

along with all the other park visitors!

Canyonlands National Park

Canyonlands, less than an hour from Arches National Park, often gets overshadowed by its more famous neighbor. But with its immense scenery with minimal crowds, it has become one of our favorite parks to visit. This park actually consists of four separate districts, and once again, we spent time at Island in the Sky. Perched high above the canyon floor, we were treated to breathtaking vistas that easily rivaled the grandeur of the Grand Canyon.

 The campground, Willow Flats, is "first come first serve", so we headed there first to secure our site for the next two days. From there, we were very close to fabulous hikes and serene sunset views.

Highlights of our return trip to Canyonlands:

Grand View Point Hike

The one mile Grand View Point hike along the canyon rim is a "must do" ... and for us a "must repeat" with amazing views from however high you are willing to climb!

Overlooks Galore!

Green River Overlook was just one of many breathtaking overlooks that offered us a glimpse into the river’s incredible power and unique artistry as it continues to carve this natural masterpiece.

Mesa Arch trail gave us a double delight with views reminiscent of those seen in both Arches and the Grand Canyon National Parks.

But, for us, just being able to slow down and enjoy the unique beauty that can be found in this dry desert landscape is the most endearing aspect of Canyonlands.

Utah's Fabulous Five once again captured our hearts.

From towering canyon walls,

to extraordinary rock formations,

to picturesque overlooks,

... each national park offered something completely unique. And when woven together during our Utah road-trip, they created an unforgettable journey that once again made us grateful for Mother Nature's incredible artistry. 

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