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Utah national park Bryce Canyon

Which Utah National Park is Best? It Depends on What You Value

“Mighty Five” Utah National Parks Ranked I spent five weeks and visited every Utah national park. They call them the “Mighty Five.” What surprised me was that I expected to like the most popular parks most, but I liked them least. Other parks I’d never heard of turned out to be the best. This is my impression of the parks as someone who likes to hike and enjoy the solitude of the wilderness. If you want those things too, you’ll...

Jackson Hole

Visiting Capitol Reef National Park

I’d decided to skip Capitol Reef National Park during my five-week visit to Utah. But it was all the things I didn’t like about the other parks that made me go. I’m so glad I did. It ended up being my 2nd favorite Utah National Park. Why? The number one reason Capitol Reef National Park is worth visiting is the crowds. This park doesn’t have any. My other reason is history. Oh, and the pie. Who am I kidding? It’s...

Antelope Island Buffalo

Visiting Antelope Island, Utah, Where the Buffalo Roam, For Now

On Antelope Island, the buffalo roam. And it’s a beautiful miracle where once they were nearly extinct.   Not so many years ago, the American Bison, or buffalo as they’re commonly called, were decimated. They say that once in the late 18th century, these glorious beasts numbered over 60 million. There were so many buffalo in this country that a buffalo crossing could last up to six days. If your path crossed theirs, you’d have to wait as they lumbered and rumbled past, like waiting at a passing train. But we hunted...

Utah national park Bryce Canyon

Why Bryce Canyon Was My Least Favorite of the 5 Utah National Parks

I have the most unpopular opinion about Bryce Canyon National Park. It’s beautiful, and the hoodoos are spectacular, but it only ranks third on my list of the big five Utah National Parks. It’s ranked only third, not for lack of beauty or amenities – it has those in spades, but because I found it nearly impossible to get away from the crowds. To me, a national park should be a place to immerse yourself in nature, not dodge hordes...

Hiking the Valley of Fire in Nevada

They say the Valley of Fire State Park in Nevada is named for the red sandstone formations, but it’s probably also the intense blazing heat in the park where 115-degree temperatures aren’t unusual. Still, it’s such a unique and beautiful area; the risks may be worth the reward. The park was formed by the uplifting and faulting of geography, followed by erosion during the time of dinosaurs 150 million years ago. It now has a Mars-like landscape, with a likewise...

Mossy Cave

Why Mossy Cave at Bryce Canyon is the Park’s Most Unique Hike

Hiking to the Mossy Cave trail at Bryce Canyon National Park might come with a bit of a surprise – if you’re looking for moss or a cave. Still, thopugh short, it’s one of the best hikes in Bryce Canyon. What you will find at Mossy Cave is something better than a cave, especially in the hot desert- water. Lots of it, falling off a cliff – as in a waterfall. However, there is no mention of this in the...

Kolob Canyon Overlook

Experience a Surprise at Zion’s Emerald Pools

An unexpected surprise awaits hikers at Zion’s Emerald Pools in Zion National Park, Utah. I hiked the Kayenta Trail to the Emerald Pools. The park has 12 trails in Zion Canyon that most visitors traverse, and this one is popular because it’s pretty easy but unique and quick to tack on after one of the more extensive hikes like Angel’s Landing or the Narrows. This trail is listed on the park map as a 1.5-hour hike on an unpaved path...