Discover the thrill of Escalante Petrified Forest State Park! Unveil ancient fossils, vibrant petrified wood, and stunning landscapes. Dive into campground adventures with hiking and mesmerizing geology. Watch now for an unforgettable journey! Escalante Petrified Forest State Park in Utah is a captivating destination known for its vibrant petrified wood and breathtaking scenery. Nestled near the town of Escalante, the park features a stunning array of ancient fossils, colorful mineral deposits, and striking geological formations. Visitors can explore the Petrified Forest Trail, a loop that winds through a landscape dotted with petrified wood dating back millions of years. The park also boasts the serene Wide Hollow Reservoir, perfect for fishing, kayaking, and paddle boarding. The park's campground offers a memorable stay amid nature's splendor. With 52 campsites, including RV hookups, tent spaces, and even a group site, the campground provides ample facilities for a comfortable visit. Each site is equipped with picnic tables, fire pits, and access to clean restrooms and showers. The campground's prime location allows easy access to hiking trails, the reservoir, and a visitor center where guests can learn more about the park's rich history and geology. Whether you're seeking adventure or tranquility, Escalante Petrified Forest State Park's campground is an ideal base for your outdoor explorations.

Hell's Backbone is a scenic route in Utah that winds through dramatic canyons and rugged landscapes. The road, known for its breathtaking views and challenging terrain, offers an unforgettable adventure for intrepid travelers. Hell's Backbone is a scenic byway in southern Utah that offers a thrilling journey through some of the state's most rugged and remote landscapes. Stretching between the towns of Boulder and Escalante, this 38-mile route navigates the spine of a high plateau, providing breathtaking views of deep canyons, sheer cliffs, and dense forests. The road, originally constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s, includes the famous Hell's Backbone Bridge, a narrow span that arches 1,500 feet above the canyon floor, offering panoramic vistas of the surrounding wilderness. Travelers on Hell's Backbone can expect a mix of gravel and dirt roads, often narrow and winding, making it a challenging drive best suited for high-clearance or four-wheel-drive vehicles. Along the way, several pullouts and viewpoints invite visitors to stop and take in the dramatic scenery, while numerous hiking trails beckon those looking to explore the backcountry. This remote and less-traveled route provides a sense of solitude and adventure, capturing the wild beauty and rugged spirit of Utah's backcountry.

Kodachrome Basin State Park in southern Utah is known for its colorful rock formations and towering spires. This scenic destination offers hiking, photography, and unique geological wonders, perfect for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers. Kodachrome Basin State Park, nestled in southern Utah near Bryce Canyon, is a hidden gem that captivates visitors with its strikingly vibrant rock formations. Named after the famous color film due to its dazzling array of red, orange, and white hues, the park is a visual spectacle shaped by millions of years of geological forces. The park’s iconic features include towering sandstone spires known as sedimentary pipes, which rise dramatically from the desert landscape. These formations, some over 170 feet tall, are unique to this region and add to the park's allure. The park offers a range of activities for outdoor enthusiasts. With over 12 miles of hiking trails, visitors can explore narrow canyons, open desert landscapes, and panoramic viewpoints. Popular trails like Angel’s Palace and Panorama Trail offer opportunities to witness the park’s beauty from different vantage points, while the Shakespeare Arch trail takes hikers to one of the park’s few natural arches. The diverse terrain makes it a favorite destination for both casual walkers and experienced hikers looking for scenic adventures. Kodachrome Basin is also a haven for photographers. The park’s vivid colors and dramatic rock formations create an ever-changing canvas, especially during sunrise and sunset, when the light plays on the rocks, enhancing their color. In addition to its geological wonders, the park is home to various wildlife species, including mule deer, coyotes, and numerous bird species, making it a great spot for nature lovers to enjoy both landscape and wildlife photography. Camping in Kodachrome Basin is another highlight for visitors, with well-maintained campgrounds that offer stunning views of the night sky. The park’s remote location means minimal light pollution, allowing for incredible stargazing. Whether you're looking for a day trip or a peaceful retreat into nature, Kodachrome Basin State Park provides a serene escape filled with natural beauty and adventure.

Hole in the Rock Road winds through Utah’s remote desert, leading adventurers to stunning sites like the surreal Cosmic Ashtray, the unique rock formations of Devil's Garden, and the historic Batty Pass Caves. Hole in the Rock Road is an iconic, rugged backcountry route that takes explorers deep into Utah’s Escalante Desert. Originally blazed by Mormon pioneers in the late 1800s, this unpaved road now invites adventurers to discover some of the area’s most unique and remote attractions. Stretching over 60 miles, Hole in the Rock Road is surrounded by sweeping vistas, colorful desert formations, and landmarks that offer a fascinating look into both natural and human history. Along the journey, visitors can hike to incredible sites like the Cosmic Ashtray, a surreal, crater-like sandstone formation that appears almost alien in its design, carved by millennia of wind and water erosion. Further along, Devil’s Garden showcases a striking collection of sandstone hoodoos, arches, and towers that feel like stepping into a natural sculpture garden, offering plenty of opportunities for exploration and photography. The Batty Pass Caves add a touch of mystery; these man-made caves, carved into the cliffs, were used by the Batty family as a unique homestead in the early 20th century. Hole in the Rock Road is more than just a drive—it’s an adventure that promises solitude, spectacular scenery, and a glimpse into the past. Its many side trails lead to secluded wonders, perfect for those seeking to explore Utah’s lesser-known desert marvels.

Bryce Canyon is a majestic place, but add in some golden hour sunrise lighting while hiking the Queen's Garden Loop and you have something that is bucket list-worthy. You have not lived until you see this for yourself! Queen’s Garden Trail has some of the most stunning views of the many hoodoos within the Bryce Canyon amphitheater. These hoodoos are the trademark of Bryce Canyon National Park and what it is known for. The trail is also one of the more popular ones in the park so the trail is well maintained and easy to follow. At 3.2-miles, this hike can be easily be completed in a day with plenty of time to spare. The Wall Street section of Bryce Canyon is something you just have to see for yourself. After making your way through clusters of hoodoos and a forest of trees, you will be met with an impressive almost slot-canyon-like entrance that rises back up to the rim. It is impressive and an unforgettable experience. The choice is really up to you. While hiking counter-clockwise does have its advantage of descending down Wall Street’s switchbacks, most don’t consider the gradual inclines to be too difficult. Many reviews note that children do not have a hard time with them either. Don’t be fooled though! You will still have to climb back up in elevation through Queen’s Garden Trail. The advantage of hiking clockwise really lies in the time one starts hiking. If one starts hiking clockwise at sunrise, the sun illuminates the hoodoos within the amphitheater with amazing golden light and will continue to rise to light up the Wall Street area in magnificent ways throughout the hike. If you need proof for yourself, you can see our video for what to expect on this early morning hike.

Take a scenic ride from Panguitch, Utah to Kodachrome Basin State Park, stopping at Red Canyon, showcasing vibrant red rock landscapes and Mossy Cave, with its Bryce Canyon-like formations and beautiful waterfall. Embark on a relaxed drive from Panguitch, Utah, to Kodachrome Basin State Park, a route filled with striking landscapes and fascinating stops. As you head out from the charming town of Panguitch, your first stop could be the Red Canyon Visitor Center. Nestled along Highway 12, this area offers vibrant red rock formations that preview the dramatic scenery of Southern Utah. Stroll through its easy trails or simply admire the towering hoodoos and cliffs that glow in the sunlight. Continuing your journey, stop by Mossy Cave, a hidden gem that feels like a piece of Bryce Canyon. Here, you’ll find a unique blend of towering red rock spires, a small cave, and a scenic waterfall. Though not lush like its name suggests, the area provides an opportunity for a short, rewarding hike with Bryce-like views and the refreshing sight and sound of flowing water in a desert landscape. The drive then winds through more of Utah's scenic beauty before you arrive at Kodachrome Basin State Park. Known for its colorful, layered rock formations, Kodachrome Basin feels like stepping into a natural painting. The park is perfect for hiking, photography, or simply soaking in the vibrant surroundings. Whether you're spending the day exploring or just passing through, this laid-back drive offers a taste of Southern Utah's natural wonders.

Join us on an unforgettable road trip from Kanab's charming Parry Lodge to Escalante Petrified Forest State Park, exploring the magical Sand Caves and the mysterious Belly of the Dragon, with a few surprises along the way! Our road trip between Kanab and Escalante Petrified Forest State Park began at the historic Parry Lodge, a charming and nostalgic hotel that has hosted numerous Hollywood stars. Setting out from this iconic location, we drove northeast along US-89, eager to explore the natural wonders of southern Utah. Our first stop was the Sand Caves, a series of striking man-made caves carved into the soft, orange sandstone. The short hike to the caves was well worth it, as we were rewarded with stunning, wave-like formations and sweeping views of the surrounding landscape. Continuing our journey, we soon arrived at the Belly of the Dragon, an intriguing man-made drainage tunnel further formed by water erosion. The cool, narrow passage offered a unique and somewhat eerie experience, contrasting sharply with the sun-drenched desert above. As we made our way further, we planned a visit to Mossy Cave near Tropic. Unfortunately, upon arrival, we found the area crowded with visitors, leading us to skip this stop. While it was a bit disappointing, it didn't dampen our spirits for the rest of the trip. We continued on Scenic Byway 12, soaking in the breathtaking scenery, until we reached Escalante Petrified Forest State Park. Here, we marveled set up camp right next to the water and immersed ourselves in the afternoon light. This road trip, filled with diverse landscapes and fascinating stops, was a memorable adventure through one of Utah's most beautiful regions.