Utah always has something to offer to wandering tourists, but the Beehive State attracts the most those who seek adventure and do not mind challenging hikes to be rewarded with majestic views. After all, Utah is home to five national parks: Zion, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Arches and Canyonlands.
If you are up for an adventure, visit Utah and plan a trip to one – or all – of these national parks:
Zion National Park
This park is open every day of the year and has two visitor centers that have maps and books for easier navigation. Since it is open all year round, you can prepare different activities for any season.
You can also book Zion national park tours so you can plan your trip in advance.
In Zion National Park, you can try hiking to the Angels Landing, or challenge yourself to hike all the way to the Observation Point where you will be rewarded with a 270 degrees view of the famous canyon. You may also bring your family for a hike to see Emerald Pools that boasts of desert oases with red rock monoliths, waterfalls and vibrant vegetation in between.
Bryce Canyon National Park
Bryce Canyon is also open all year, with offerings for different seasons. Its roads, however, may be sanded when a storm passes, so it will be best to secure a clearance first. A visitor center found at around 1.5 miles in Bryce Canyon National Park may help you.
It is closed only on Christmas and Thanksgiving Days, but open for the rest of the year. When visiting Bryce Canyon, you may choose to check Fairyland Loop or try Navajo Loop, which is the most popular trail. You can also head over to Sunset Point and see what the fuzz about Thor’s Hammer is.
Capitol Reef National Park
Capitol Reef is located at the center of Utah’s southern area. Visiting this park, however, will require some driving, unlike Zion and Bryce Canyon. You can ask from its visitor center that is open every day except during a few holidays.
If you plan to visit Capitol Reef, you can check Hickman Bridge requires only a short hike. Or you may opt to check out Cathedral Valley! If you pick this for hiking, you may walk around the Walls of Jericho, Temples of the Sun, Moon and Stars, Gypsum Sinkhole or the Glass Mountain.
Arches National Park
For touring this park, you may opt for bike or carpool as parking spots of this very popular tourist attraction fill up pretty easily. Weather in this area – Moab, Utah – however, may be at the extremes. One time, it is 40 degrees at Arches, but summers can be as hot as 100 degrees!
But if you do not mind weather that swings to extremes, then head over to Arches and see Delicate Arch that will give you a view of a span of rock thinning, a color of orange-red with a backdrop of the blue sky. Arches also has other hikes you may try Fiery Furnace, Double Arch, Corona and Bowtie Arches or Delicate Arch, to name a few.
Canyonlands National Park
Canyonlands is a desert, and it is advisable to check the weather before visiting as it may be as cold as 40 degrees here. You also have to remember that this park has four regions: It has Islands in the Sky, which is the most accessible.
It also has The Needles, would require a bit of hike but has secret corners you will surely enjoy; The Maze, a remote area that attracts more experienced backpackers; and the Green and Colorado Rivers.
You may also check other trails in this park such as the Grand View Overlook, Peekaboo Trail, Mesa Arch or Upheaval Dome Overlook.
