state parks near zion national park

Aptly named for its thousands of goblin-like formations, the unique state park looks like the backdrop to a magical fantasy novel. The Sleeping Rainbows Trail is a .75-mile loop that is much steeper than the other trails but has the densest concentration of petrified wood in the park. The towering rock column is one of the top places to visit in Kodachrome Basin. Youll want to be sure to take lots of pictures to try and share the experience with your friends. A bulk of Utahs state parks can be found near the Arizona borderamidst a jumble of national parks, national monuments, and BLM land. Sipapu, a Hopi name that celebrates the traditional portal through which the First People emerged into the present world, is the largest of the three and one of the longest natural bridges in the world. Park at the main overlook at Goosenecks and hike south and west along the old, increasingly rutted road for about a mile out to the tip of the mesa. Walk amongst kaleidoscopic colors and petrified logs up to 15 feet long. Sandstone goblins and fascinating formations cover Utahs Goblin Valley State Park, to which Hollywood frequently turns for its unusual landscapes, like alien worlds. Grab your camera. Utahs public lands are beautiful and dramatic during the day, but they might well become famous for how awe-inspiring they are during the night. Next Group. And for good reason. In geologic terms, the difference between an arch and a natural bridge is water. kearney Unlock new levels of understanding about the land you are traveling through, around and on by learning about the geology in Utah. It has a beach, a swimming area, and plenty of space for paddling or boating. Keep your bearings the visitor centre is easy to spot from any vantage and let yourself get lost between the hoodoos. Evidence for at least two collapsed bridges are found within the park.

As you visit, do your part to keep Utah Forever Mighty. Bring the family and experience this amazing place by hiking, camping, mountain biking, and exploring the surrounding canyons. Tents and motorhomes are allowed at the Dead Horse Point campground and dispersed sites can be found outside the park. In the Coral Pink Sands, restless winds shift Sahara-like dunes across a 3,700-acre state park. In total, Utah has 43 state parks. Top tip Be sure to check the Edge of the Cedars museum website for lectures, festivals and other events. It features remarkable Navajo sandstone formations, subterranean tunnels, and jaw-dropping vistas over the canyon. If youre not in a rush to get to Zion National Park from Northern Utah, consider taking a long, meandering route that features historic sites, adventure breaks and out-of-this-world scenery. Top tip The waters of the Flaming Gorge reservoir are famous for growing massive trophy trout, some as big as 13kg! The 1.2-mile Petrified Dunes Trail showcases some of parks most enticing landmarks. If ever a state park was made to be photographed, it is Utah's Kodachrome Basin State Park. Here's our guide for the best places to escape the crowds, Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning, Zion national park. When it comes to dramatic geology, southern Utah is well endowed. Dead Horse Point State Park is just as impressive as the more popular national parks outside of Moab. In the Neighborhood: Bryce Canyon National Park, Entrance Fee: $10 per vehicle (max. Photograph: Mark C Stevens/Getty Images/Flickr RF, The Castle, Capitol Reef national park. Camping: Coral Pink Sand Dunes has 16 standard campsites and 1 group site (no hookups). Numerous bolted routes throughout the canyon lure rock climbers. Individual entrance fees generally range from $10-20 per vehicle. Here the entrenched curves of the San Juan river nearly double back on themselves, exposing millions of layers of geologic history. This article was amended on 26 February 2020 to remove a photo which was captioned as being of Goosenecks state park, but was actually of Horseshoe Bend in Arizona. Stunning images and the promise of big adventure lure travelers from around the world toThe Mighty 5 national parks. Dan and I only had about half an hour to explore the Goblin Valley. Sand Hollow State Park is a favorite destination for local off-highway vehicle (OHV) enthusiasts and provides 15,000 acres of perfectly sculpted dunes within the vast 20,000-acre park. It is the tallest of the parks 67 chimneys. His DNA on one of the cigarettes led to his arrest. Visit Edge of the Cedars State Park Museum at 660 W. 400 N., which is in a residential area; 435-678-2238; stateparks.utah.gov/parks/edge-of-the-cedars. Cliffside park offering camping, hiking/biking trails, plus overlooks & views of the Colorado River. How many of these hidden gems have you been to? In Snow Canyons scenic valley, streaks of red and white sandstone swirl like melted ice cream. When Utahs dirt roads are calling you, its time to plan your van life road trip. Experiencing the peace of canyon country in the winter is an attraction of its own. With a name like Kodachrome, you know this is a place that begs to be photographed. In addition to being one of Utahs most photographed landmarks, Dead Horse Point has been the setting for numerous moviesincluding parts of Mission Impossible II, Need for Speed, and Thelma & Louise. Sunrise is one of the most beautiful times to visit Dead Horse Point.

But when we found ourselves stuck in St George and waiting for a vehicle fix, we reached out to a friend who was familiar with the area. Sometimes, nature creates a display of epic proportions. Photograph: Pritz Pritz/Getty Images/F1online RM, Ruins of an Anasazi pueblo Cedars state park, Utah Photograph: Alamy, Goblin Valley. South-east Utah is canyon country, with the Green, Colorado and San Juan rivers cutting sinuous and spectacular routes down through red, white and orange bedrock. As the story goes, on one occasion the cowboys forgot to open the gate and the remaining horses all died of thirst out on the point, within view of the Colorado river below but trapped by precipitous cliffs. Explore the geology and camp among the nooks and gnomes. Many visitors find Dead Horse Point State Park to be even more captivating than the views at the Grand Canyon. From June through August, Utahs famous canyon country is hot and crowded, but visit in the autumn, winter or spring and youll find pockets of desert solitude among the sunny yellow cottonwoods, snow-covered red rocks and colourful spring wildflowers.

Need winter vacation ideas? When we visited, the temperatures were certainly too cold for taking a dip. Or you can stay at the Zion Lodge (reservations recommended) or in nearby Springdale and around St George. All three spans can be viewed from overlooks, with trails leading down to each bridge. Its because the number of sites here, the dry environment that lends itself to preservation and the fact we have descendants of those folks who we can talk to to find out how these things came to pass.. Canyonlands is Utahs largest park. With this many marvels of nature in such close proximity, why not extend the fun and make it a road trip? Get the scoop and get ready. In some spots, the rock formations are close together and produce a maze-like playground ideal for exploration. The park is a popular area for off-road vehicles such as ATVs and buggies. Follow this itinerary for a week-long winter road trip across the snow-covered desert of Southeastern Utah. Edge of the Cedars state park in Blanding has a museum featuring the an impressive archaeological repository, plus the ruins of a Puebloan village. The state parks unique color palette is a result of eroding Navajo sandstone. Camping is available inside the park. Located at the edge of the Mojave Desert, Great Basin and Colorado Plateau, Snow Canyon State Park explodes with dramatic geology perfect for your outdoor adventure. Insteadas with the coastal dunes in Oregon and White Sands in New Mexicothe area is best explored by simply meandering around the ever-shifting sand sea. Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park is where weekend warriors can leave footprints in soft sand. The former is carved by wind and ice, while the latter is sculpted by a waterway. When the National Geographic Society traveled to the photogenic basin south in Bryce in 1948, its members found themselves struck by the areas colorful sandstone chimneys.

The valley floor can get crowded with people, but private cars are restricted in favour of free shuttles, which helps quiet the chaos.

Photograph: Dibrova/Getty Images/Flickr RF, Cart Creek Bridge at Flaming Gorge. With its close proximity to other popular destinations down Cottonwood Road, it makes for a spectacular base camp or a stop on an event-filled day in the desert.

Here the Flaming Gorge dam holds back the Green river, creating a massive cool, blue reservoir surrounded by towering red walls.

Explore rich Mormon historic sites, awe-inspiring canyons and mountains and unforgettable outdoor adventures. So when you find a route specifically designated as a scenic byway, you know youre in for a treat.

Though it lies in the shadow of nearby Zion National Park, Snow Canyon holds its own among southern Utahs epic red rock landscapes. While they may not boast the renown of the Mighty 5, Utahs state parks are often no less impressive.

Its chiseled red rock landscapes house a dizzying assortment of stunning scenic areas and sweeping vistas. Follow the Utah Pie Trail through a scenic landscape of water-sculpted canyons and sandstone peaks and past three iconic national parks to savor the flavor at five delectable pie stops. Erika is an avid traveler and explorer of over ninety countries on six different continents. This route is best attempted in the spring or fall, when its likely to be free of summer hoards, or winter snow and ice. Within its canyon walls, it boasts easy access to hiking trails, subterranean lava tubes, narrow slot canyons, and shifting sand dunes. Pause to take in the expansive vistas of the reservoir and surrounding mountains from the top of the hiking loop. Coral Pink Sand Dunes is the only major sand dune field on the Colorado Plateau. Kodachrome Basin State Park Photo: Depositphotos. Here countless canyons, buttes and mesas are carved into a topography so intricate that you find yourself wandering through places with names such as the Maze, the Needles and Island in the Sky. An annual Utah state parks pass costs $75 for in-state residents and $150 for out-of-state travelers. Welcome to Utahs Scenic Byway 12, a designated All-American Road. The tiny state park packs a lot of punch. Boasting glorious red rock formations and chiseled canyons, it is a destination that is at once dazzling, unique, and otherworldly. Whenever possible, he hikes Utah's Grand StaircaseEscalante National Monument with his dog. Start at the visitor centre (open year-round) and head either north to Cathedral Valley or south into the Waterpocket Fold area. The park includes a 22-unit campground, hot showers, modern restrooms, and a sewage disposal system.

Because the state parks in Utah are far more deserving than the recognition they often receive. Snow Canyon State Park is a 7,400-acre sampler of southwest Utahs most famous land features. Here are 10 of the best stops along Utah's Mormon Pioneer National Heritage Areas backroads and byways. Ace Kvale is a photographer and guide in Boulder, Utah. These geological oddities were formed by the continual erosion of the nearby Navajo sandstone cliffs. Then, cool off in the refreshing waters of the reservoir, popular for boating, canoeing and fishing. A travel-obsessed flight attendant, outdoor enthusiast and adventure-lover from the beautiful Pacific Northwest. Snow Canyon got its name from Mormon pioneers Lorenzo and Erastus Snow. Id read somewhere that the state park can be a noisy place to visit due to its popularity with dune buggies. Photograph: Matthew Crowley Photography/Getty Images/Flickr RF, Kodachrome Basin. Capitol Reef is a narrow park, less than 20 miles wide, but over 100 miles long, which protects the Waterpocket Fold, an awesome S-shaped warp in the Earths crust that was created over 65 million years ago by the same forces that built the Rocky Mountains. A few four-wheel drive roads run into the park, but this place is best seen on foot. From narrow slot canyons to grand sweeping vistas, sandstone plateaus to meandering rivers, San Rafael Country and the San Rafael Swell are home to some of the most spectacular scenery in Utah. In a state rife with geologic oddities, Goblin Valley state park, near Hanksville, sets a high bar for bizarre rock formations. Scenic Byway 12 has all the breathtaking views (and riding) you could ever hope for. In the shadow of Utahs national parks, a handful of state parks lie scattered about the rose-colored desert. Since 2011, she has spent time studying Arabic in the Middle East, teaching English in Namibia and working as a flight attendant for a major US airline. You could spend a lifetime exploring the land between the Colorado and the Green rivers and still not reach all the way into the parks red depths. Unsubscribe anytime by clicking the link at the bottom of your email. Most people flock to the Moab area to visit Arches national park, but this morbidly named gem of a state park is much quieter and possibly even more scenic. Though they arent as highly trafficked as the national parks, you can still improve your trip bymaking reservations, where permitted, as some state parks near national parks are popular base camps. Looking for scenic bike rides in Utah? Venture back in time through discovery of artifacts and remnants of the past. Explore the history and beauty within Utahs 43 state parks. But travelers with a little bit more time would be remiss to skip the oft-overlooked state parks. Then take your shoes off to leave footprints in the orange-red sand dunes. The park is named after its series of domes and cliffs, eroded into white Navajo sandstone, which somewhat resemble the US Capitol building in Washington DC. Top tip: Seeking solitude? The Flaming Gorge is also know for its endless backpacking options. Named by the members of a National Geographic expedition in 1949, Kodachrome Basin looks a bit what Yellowstone national park might look like if all its thermal water features dried up. The landscape covered with mushroom-like sandstone goblin formations and eroded cliffs is often compared to Mars. Youre doing it wrong if you think road trip pit stops are boring layovers on your way to more exciting destinations. All Rights Reserved. Top tip The hike up Angels Landing is not for the faint of heart, but its worth every vertiginous step. About 90-percent of the dunes are open for ATV riders, an attraction for which this state park has become ever popular. (801) 538-7220 Top tip Three marked hiking trails wind through Goblin Valley, but this is a place for wandering. Dan and I spent a morning in Kodachrome Basin, following our sunrise visit to Bryce. Photograph: Michael Busselle/Getty Images, White Canyon, Natural Bridges national monument. Many of the gorgeous rock columns in the park can be seen while driving, but its worth your time to get out and explore. Before it reaches the Colorado River, the San Juan River flows through a series of tight loops known as goosenecks. Look down 1,000 feet to see this amazing sight with no crowds. stateparks.utah.gov. Dan and I visited Sand Hollow following a vehicle breakdown that upended our plans. Along with seeing a rare beetle-leg necklace and 2,000-year-old sandals in pristine condition, youll learn about people like Blandings infamous Earl Shumway who looted thousands of sites in the 1980s and 90s, leaving behind a trail of empty Mountain Dew cans and cigarette butts. From a gear checklist to suggestions about where to camp and how to handle stressful situations, writer and photographer Elisabeth Brentano shares her experiences. Either way, its a fantastic place for a hike in the Island in the Sky district of Canyonlands. Here are eight enticing state parks along the The Mighty 5 road trip, which means each day youll have the option to stop at the national parks if its your first time to Utah, or leave them for the other travelers if youre looking to see Utah from another angle. I can only imagine how much I would have loved scrambling around the park as a child. The state park lies only a few miles from the national parks entrance. The otherworldly landscape of melting stone mushrooms is playfully photogenic and just plain fun. After all, they are among the most geologically fascinating areas in the United States. While visiting Utahs national parks, consider a stop at one of seven parks within a days drive to the Grand Canyon: Edge of Cedars, Goosenecks, Kodachrome Basin, Coral Pink Sand, Dead Horse Point, Snow Canyon, and Goblin Valley. In winter, it is a place that allows for serenity and quiet contemplation. The trail to Owachomo is an easy half-mile round trip, while the climb down to Sipapu is considerably steeper and negotiates stairs and three ladders. The park got its name from local legend. In the Neighborhood: Red Cliffs Desert Preserve and Zion National Park, Entrance Fee (Quail Creek): $15 per vehicle (max 8 people per vehicle); $10 for Utah seniors 62 and older (max 8 people per vehicle), Entrance Fee (Sand Hollow): $15 per vehicle; $10 for Utah seniors 65 and older. Whether hitting the Sundance Film Festival in Park City and Salt Lake City in January or visiting Utah throughout the year, youll find yourself near some Utahs most iconic and most filmed places. Last modified on January 29th, 2021 at 15:31. The strangely shaped rocks are eroded out of entrada sandstone, a reddish rock that dates to the time of the dinosaurs and underlies much of south-east Utah. But southern Utahs beauty isnt limited to the grandeur of Zion, the delicacy of Arches, or the ruggedness of Canyonlands. Copyright 2022 Utah Office of Tourism. Back in the 19th century, cowboys used the point as a natural corral, where they could herd mustangs out to the tip and build a fence across the bottleneck of the point. Previous Group Three of the most spectacular examples of natural bridges can be found in south-east Utah, just west of Blanding at Natural Bridges national monument. Trails for hiking, climbing & horseback riding amid dunes & sandstone cliffs. The color of the sand moves too from red to pink depending on the light.

Located just east of the more famous (and often overcrowded) Bryce Canyon, Kodachrome offers a quieter alternative. At Sand Hollow State Park near St George, a human-made reservoir has created a recreational haven for water sports enthusiasts. Get up early to start your trip on the right note: sunrises are spectacular in canyon country. This trip assumes a start in Salt Lake City, Utah or Grand Junction, Colorado, and heads toward Moab, though travelers arriving via Las Vegas should reverse the order and launch their Utah trip from St. George.

Its the longest exposed monocline in the world, but you dont have to be a geologist to appreciate Capitol Reefs amazing rocks. There are many ways to explore Southern Utah.

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