Six Days in Utah – Arches and Canyonlands (Part 1)

Utah, guys, seriously, it’s like my happy place forever. The scenery? Mind-blowing, and it keeps switching things up but always stays jaw-dropping. Even when it’s all flat and dull, those rocks are still fascinating, and those colors? Ah, they get me every time.

So, the Big Five Utah National Parks? They’re the cream of the crop in the US, no contest. My dad and I just returned from hitting four of them, plus we cruised down this highway that’s basically a feast for the eyes. In the next couple of posts, I’m going to share pictures and highlights from our adventure.

We had a tight schedule, only 6 days, and my travel buddies were elderly, so we kept the walking to a minimum and stuck to drives. We started our journey in Moab, the hub for Canyonlands National Park, Arches National Park, and Dead Horse Point State Park. Moab’s the holy grail for mountain biking, and you can rent bikes all over the place. These parks are so close, you can totally check ’em out in a day, or take your sweet time and really dig deep.

Now, more folks might flock to Arches, but personally, Canyonlands stole my heart. On the way there, don’t skip out on Dead Horse Point State Park. It’s got awesome camping spots, killer trails, and views that’ll make your jaw drop. And trust me, sunsets and sunrises there? Epic.

The snow-capped La Sal mountains behind those red rock canyons in Canyonlands? It’s like a painting. The park’s split into four parts, but I’m not much of a hiker, so I stick to the Island in the Sky drive. Needles is cool too, but a bit of a trek from Moab. Didn’t have time for that on this trip. The other bits? You need a 4WD or a boat to get to them.

After our morning in Canyonlands, we made our way to Arches for our afternoon slot. If you’re planning a trip between April and October, you need a timed reservation. They’re trying to limit the crowds, which I totally respect. But even with a reservation, expect a bit of a wait, but trust me, it’s totally worth it.

Arches is another spot you can enjoy from the comfort of your car. As you drive up, those red rock formations start popping up, and you’ll understand why they named it Arches. The drive isn’t a loop, so remember to backtrack when you’re done. There’s three main spots: The Windows, Wolfe Ranch/Delicate Arch, and Devil’s Garden. The Windows drive takes you past a bunch of cool arches, and there are short walks to get you up close. Wolfe Ranch gives you a peek into life in this wild but beautiful area, and Delicate Arch? It’s Utah’s crown jewel. It’s on their license plates and stamps, You can see it from below or hike the 3-mile trail to stand right under it. Devil’s Garden? Home to Landscape Arch, the longest natural arch span in North America.

Oh, and if you’re there in the afternoon, do yourself a favor and stick around for sunset. Those red rocks light up like they’re on fire.

Next week? We’re off to Capitol Reef, one of the hidden gems of the park scene. Can’t wait to share more with you all!