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Gateway to the Grand and Mighty National Parks -- 8 NPs in 10 days (2 of 2)
".. stillness, soliture and space; an unobstruced view every day and every night of sun, sky, stars, clouds, mountain, moon, cliffrock and canyons; a sense of time enough to let thought and feeling range from here to the end of the world and back; the discovery of somthing intimate -- though impossible to name -- in the remote." -- Edward Abbey
Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands, Capital Reef and Arches National Parks
The hoodoos of Bryce Canyon are like Mother Nature's own alien sculptures, leaving you both amazed and wondering if you’ve stumbled onto another planet. The name "Bryce Canyon" is a bit of a prank if you're into geology, because it's actually an amphitheater, not a canyon. We took on the Queen's Garden/Navajo Combination Loop hike (2.7 miles with a 696-foot elevation gain) and pedaled our way along the multi-use path to catch the views at Sunset, Sunrise, Inspiration, and Bryce Points. We camped out at North Campground, strategically close enough to the showers and laundry facilities to keep us smelling fresh and looking less like we’d been living in the wild.
So... we decided to take the scenic detour known as Bovine Boulevard, aka Route 12, from Canyonlands to Capitol Reef National Park. Let's just say, we wouldn't recommend this path unless you're a fan of playing "dodge the cow" on winding roads that climb like a roller coaster. Our CamperVan was definitely not amused!
Wow!!! Winner Winner! The other national parks on our trip were truly amazing, but Capitol Reef was my absolute favorite! From homemade pies, fascinating history, and lush orchards, to incredible hikes and breathtaking night skies—this place has it all! We kicked off our escapade at the Gilford Homestead with some scrumptious pies that could make your grandma jealous, then set up camp at Fruita Campground before hitting the trails. From the campground, we bravely crossed the road (dodging imaginary tumbleweeds) and started our climb on the Cohab Canyon Trail (about 1.7 miles one way), then crossed Rt 24 to conquer the Hickman Bridge Trail (1 mile up and 1 mile down). Our journey continued with a hike/walk along Rt 24, where we paused to admire petroglyphs and strolled through the Merin Smith Place orchard on our way back to the campsite (a grand total of 5.5 miles with a 1,023' elevation gain). Though hoofing it back along Rt 24 wasn't exactly the yellow brick road, our feet, legs, and lungs were doing a happy dance for not having to retrace our steps on the Cohab Canyon Trail. We also enjoyed a quick Ranger-led walk and gawked at the night sky that was so awe-inspiring, it could make a star feel like a celebrity.
Canyonlands was like the commercial break during a marathon of intense hiking episodes. The park's standout feature? Those deep, twisty canyons that look like Mother Nature couldn't decide which way to go. We spent about half a day here, tackling the Mesa Arch trail (a breezy 0.9 miles roundtrip with a whopping 152 feet of elevation gain), the Grand View Point Overlook Trail (a solid 2 miles with 257 feet of vertical challenge), and the Upheaval Dome Overlook Trail (1.5 miles with a leg-burning 521 feet of elevation gain). After that, we rolled into Moab for a well-deserved pizza feast. With our bellies full, we set off for Arches National Park, ready to camp under the stars for two nights.
In all honesty, Arches National Park was on my bucket list too, and let me tell you, it didn’t disappoint! Those stone 'arches' are absolutely incredible! and the sunsets? Pure magic! Plus, we even got a rainbow—Mother Nature's way of saying, "You're welcome!"
Although we chickened out on the cliff-hanging Delicate Arch Trail, we still had a blast. We strutted our stuff on the South and North Windows and the Turret Arch via the Windows Trail. Across the parking lot, we tackled the Double Arch Trail, clocking in at a whopping 2.8 miles with a 534-foot elevation gain—basically a stairmaster in nature. We then moseyed over to Courthouse Towers and hiked to the Park Avenue Viewpoint, which was about 2 miles with a 356-foot elevation gain. Next, we huffed and puffed our way up a 250-foot climb to the Upper Delicate Arch Viewpoint, a 1.1-mile roundtrip adventure. We wrapped up our hiking day with a 2.5-mile roundtrip trek to Landscape Arch, gaining 240 feet in elevation.
5 Recommendations:
If you get the chance, swing by the Mighty 5 Utah National Parks. Sure, they all share a love for red rocks and canyons that seem to be auditioning for a geology talent show, but each park has its own quirks that might make you question if you've accidentally teleported to Mars. Plus, it's a great excuse to appreciate the folks you're with and the stunning wonders of nature—just don’t forget your camera and your sense of awe!
In my not-so-humble opinion, Bryce Canyon's hoodoos are the rock stars you absolutely can't miss! And guess what? There's a nifty bike path for you to channel your inner Tour de France, plus a shuttle that'll whisk you into town for some grub when your stomach starts growling louder than a bear. If you're camping in the national parks, rejoice! There are warm and clean showers and laundry services—unlike the other Mighty 5, where you'd be stuck smelling like a campfire and looking like you just wrestled a raccoon.
You might not have the foggiest idea about Capitol Reef National Park—I sure didn’t until I started scheming this escapade—but it’s absolutely worth a day trip, if not more! Trust me, the night sky there is so dazzling, it’s practically rolling out the red carpet for you to stay for the evening show. Keep an eye out for the campsite skunk—he's got a talent for surprise visits! One night, he strutted by us like he was on a red carpet, just four feet away! And honestly, who can resist fresh fruit and pie? If you’re itching to pick fruit from their orchards, aim for September! Here's a little nugget of wisdom: steer clear of Scenic Byway 12 unless you're itching for a surprise white-knuckle thrill ride!
If you're bunking down in Moab and have a wild obsession with off-roading or mountain biking, rumor has it that Canyonlands National Park is like the Disneyworld of dirt and adrenaline. For the rest of us mere mortals, it's still a pretty nice place to visit. Plus, you're basically neighbors with Arches, so if you're on a quest to collect national parks like trading cards, swing by, and maybe tackle a few of the shorter hikes. It's all the adventure with less of the sweat!
Arches National Park is an absolutely stunning destination, and the journey through its curvy, hilly roads is all part of the adventure! You'll be captivated by the breathtaking beauty at every turn, so get ready for an exciting drive between your thrilling explorations.
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