I wasn't looking for Jacobs Chair. My goal was the canyon beneath it. Although adjacent to a…read morenicely paved Highway 95 (north of Natural Bridges National Monument), this area is very remote. Cell phone service? Nope. Ensure that you have a full tank of gas, a lot of water, snacks, the right clothing, and some good sense. You can't help but see Jacobs Chair because it's a monumental red stone beacon of a chair that sits atop a mountain range. I assumed it has some biblical reference -- doesn't so much in Utah? -- but it's named after Franklin Jacob Adams who, in 1940, lost his life trying to cross White Canyon on his horse during a flash flood. Fortunately or unfortunately, there was no rain in the forecast during my 100-degree visit in White Canyon below the Chair. Hiking is a bit of slow motion even on a normal day because the open canyon is basically a sandy beach interspersed with larger rocks. Add in the intense sun and I took it very leisurely. I stopped beneath cliff overhangs along the way to take advantage of the only shade available. I imagined myself creating my own cliff dwelling as I hung out and gazed into the canyon. I also tried to visualize Mr. Adams on his horse. This is not a slot canyon so I couldn't comprehend how much water it must have taken to create such a torrent to wash him and his horse away.

Goosenecks State Park was a nice stop during our trip through southeastern Utah. The entrance fee…read morewas only $5 per vehicle, and we enjoyed spending some time exploring the dramatic river canyon views. It seems like it would be an even more memorable experience for those camping overnight. Unfortunately, it was extremely windy during our visit, which limited how long we stayed, but it was still worth the stop to see this unique landscape.

What an amazing location! Another wonder of nature. At only a $5 cover charge you can experience…read morethe force of water and the power it has to transform land. Easy access, plenty of parking, clean restrooms, and they offer a camping area.

There are places you've seen in a hundred movies, on countless postcards, and in more than a few…read moredaydreams--and then there's the moment you finally see them with your own eyes. Monument Valley absolutely lives up to the hype. Towering red sandstone buttes rise from the desert floor, creating one of the most iconic landscapes in the American Southwest. The vast open spaces, dramatic silhouettes, rich Navajo history, and ever-changing light make this a place that's impossible to capture fully in a photo--apparently the rocks know how to work a camera better than I do. It was easy to understand why this incredible landscape has been featured in so many classic Westerns, road trips, and sweeping desert scenes. Every turn looked like a postcard, every angle looked familiar, and every view somehow still felt larger than life. A truly unforgettable stop. Note: There's a fee to get in the park, and then another fee to do the scenic drive. The road was very rough in some places, but so worth the views

I don't even know where to begin, visiting the Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park was absolutely…read morebreathtaking and deeply spiritual. The contrast of the rich red rock formations against the vivid blue sky is pure eye candy, almost surreal. But what made the experience even more meaningful was meeting members of the Navajo Nation. Learning about their culture and traditions added a powerful, educational layer to the trip. I couldn't leave without buying a unique piece of jewelry handcrafted by an elder. It features multiple stones representing protection, health, and prosperity, and knowing the meaning behind it makes it even more special. We will definitely be back. This place is simply stunning. Travel tips: * You will need an SUV, the roads are rough and not suited for regular cars * Bring sunscreen and lip balm, the dry desert climate is no joke * Go at sunrise or sunset for the most incredible colors and fewer crowds * Bring cash for local vendors (especially for authentic handmade Navajo jewelry) * Allow plenty of time, this isn't a quick stop, it's an experience to take in slowly Absolutely unforgettable.

Natural Bridges is one of the most pristine, unspoiled, well-maintained and absolutely gorgeous…read moreNational Monuments I've ever visited. There are three large natural bridges created by erosion that can be seen from the well-paved loop road. You may also hike down to see the bridges closer up; some of the hikes require a bit of dexterity, as you will be navigating ladders and steep staircases. But it's completely worth it. In addition to the stunning natural beauty, there are well-maintained historical relics including petroplyphs and kivas. The visitor center will collect the admission fee (well worth it, believe me) and has books, souvenirs and some hiking supplies available for purchase. My highest recommendation.

This monument delivered on its name - there are in fact natural bridges located here. The three…read morenatural bridges can be seen from overlooks, but to get under them requires hiking. The trail to Sipapu bridge is the most fun as there are stairs, ladders, and steep switchbacks on exposed rock face. There's also a ledge that can be walked on at the middle of the trail that gives an excellent view of the bridge if you don't want to hike down all the way. There's also a small cliff dwelling on the ledge to look at up close. Other more complete structures can be seen at the end of Horsecollar House Overlook.

There are so many structures standing here! The loop hike was well marked, with the first portion…read more(going counterclockwise) taking you past the structures along the rim of the canyon, and the second portion descending and ascending the canyon back to the visitor center. I liked how you could get up close to the structures and see them in detail - no entering or touching though! Some were build right on the edge. I wonder how they manage to design them and maintain them on such a precarious position. The visitor center has helpful NPS rangers and a small gift shop. There are some displays, but the best part is to go out and explore! The bathrooms are also nice with running water.

We arrived at the end of the day on Sunday. The Ranger recommended the circle hike but directed us…read moreto go to the south first. Great hike and ruins are amazing!

We had a great time Canyoneering and kayaking. Our guides were awesome. Everything was perfect.read more

Had a great experience with Levi and Ally on a combination River/Hummer trip. They were very…read morefriendly and knowledgeable about the area and it's history. Had a great lunch, a great float, and a great Hummer ride!

This whole area is kind of confusing as the entrances are small and not well marked. I stopped by…read moremultiple visitor centers to see how I could get to the dinosaur track site, and the map I was provided took me down a bumpy dirt road that took a long time to navigate as I was in a sedan - and then when I let the site I found that there's another entrance off the highway that is much more direct and right off the highway. Anyways, it took a while to find the tracks as they're pretty eroded and not protected at all. There are multiple signs saying to not park on the tracks as it's right off the road and I could see that people might park on it mistakenly thinking it was a parking area. I would not recommend visiting the tracksite since it's pretty underwhelming. Visiting the Butler Wash Ruins was a much better experience, although you have to keep an eye out for the entrance off the highway as it's not well marked. It takes you to a parking lot and the trail goes from dirt/gravel to a slickrock area that is well marked with cairns.

Blanding is a great base from which to explore the area. Not too far away, going southwest on…read moreHighway 95 toward Natural Bridges Monument, are the Butler Wash Ruins dating from about AD 1200. From the parking area, it's a short walk to the overlook from which you can see the cliff dwellings on the other side of a narrow canyon. While you can't get close to the dwellings (unless you're a bit of gecko), you can explore the slick rock area and find a small arch on the other side of the dwellings. (It's not visible from the overlook area.) I've been here a few times and have spent a few hours each time exploring the area. However, most visitors will probably take a few snapshots and be on their way.

I booked online about a week in advance but accidentally selected the wrong time. After a little…read morephone and email tag, their team quickly helped me switch to my preferred slot. The day before our tour, Julia called to let us know strong headwinds were expected and asked if we wanted to adjust our time. We already had a different morning tour scheduled, and they were incredibly accommodating with our plans. At the launch site, we met our guide Logan, and we were lucky that it was just our family of four on this tour. Husband and I wore aqua shoes and my daughters opted to wear their Birkenstock sandals and go barefoot, which was fine if you're okay with getting red mud on them. Logan was friendly, patient, and extremely knowledgeable. I was a bit nervous since I'm a beginner kayaker, but he let us move at our own pace. It ended up being a great workout while still feeling peaceful and relaxing. The scenery was absolutely stunning. The canyon was quiet, beautiful, and not crowded at all. We paddled across Lake Powell and into the canyon, and the cool lake water felt amazing in the warm end-of-March weather (mid-80s). They provided life jackets, offered bottled water, and Logan even took photos of us both on the water and at the end of the canyon, which we really appreciated. He also shared helpful paddling tips along the way. The entire tour lasted about 2.5-3 hours and was a perfect mix of adventure and relaxation. Highly recommend for families and beginners looking for a scenic and well-guided kayaking experience!

This was such a cool experience! We had the best guide John who was an absolute gem! Our group was…read moreabout 6 people all varying in age and fitness level. Our group completed the kayak and hike which were very much worth it! We needed slight accommodations and Sid and John were reassuring and supportive for both my mom and I. This tour is really for everyone and I can't recommend this tour company and John enough. Because we traveled during off season, we had the entire lake and trail to ourselves. John left much time for us to take cool pictures and was a wealth of knowledge. He made sure to engage with each person in the group and was successful in getting the more shy individuals to step out of their comfort zones. John and Sid (the other employee) made this tour worth it. They provided awesome recommendations for things in the area and also future outdoor related activities in the U.S. Be sure to pack enough water. Remember you are in a kayak and your items will likely get soaked. Luckily they provide one water proof bag per kayak which can hold your phone and camera. If you feel the need to pack more, I recommend that you bring your own waterproof back pack. I opted to go barefoot in the kayak and wear shoes on the hike. You will have to walk through water to get on and off of the boat. Do not let your size and fitness level deter you from this tour. The team is incredibly accommodating and reassuring, making this the perfect tour for all. Highly recommend this tour and either Sid or John!

There's not a whole lot to say about Mexican Hat Rock. It's a cool natural rock formation that…read morelooks like it sounds like it looks... but it's definitely worth the stop and pictures! When driving, it's more difficult to see when heading north... but if you're traveling toward it heading south, then you're in for a treat! Cool roadside stop with no admittance fees and just a short drive off the expressway! Go check it out! *****FIVE STARS*****

This unique rock formation is located just north of the town of Mexican Hat, UT. You can pull off…read moreUS-163 onto a dirt road. There is a sign saying this is private property, so we weren't sure how far we should go. We drove a little ways, stopped, and took a few pictures before turning around to leave. This is a 300 ft tall and 60-foot wide red sandstone formation. On one website it says it looks like an upside-down sombrero. Oh, now I "see" it!! I didn't really think it looked like a sombrero, but it makes sense that it is upside-down! If you find yourself driving by, it will be hard to miss. Take a few moments to take a look. It is pretty cool!

We did a 2 hour ride. I'm an intermediate rider and my partner had never rode before. We had a…read moregreat time. We called ahead and were told to show up at 9am. The owners had some hold ups getting their water and hay in that morning because it was a Sunday. So, they were a little late (about 30 mins), but it was ok. The ride went to an arch that is not accessible to the public on the road and some petroglyphs. Prices were reasonable. The guide was nice and made jokes.

From the owner: Indian route 42, John Ford's point. Dinéh Trail Ridesread more