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!

This week's adventure took us through the Island in the Sky district of Canyonlands National Park,…read moreand every stop seemed to top the last. Stop #1: Island in the Sky Visitor Center Started the day with incredible views overlooking the famous Shafer Trail, with its dramatic switchbacks winding down the canyon walls. It's an amazing introduction to the park's vast landscape. Stop #2: Aztec Butte A short hike led us to ancient Puebloan granaries tucked into the sandstone cliffs. Standing where people lived and stored food hundreds of years ago adds a whole new layer to the scenery. Stop #3: Upheaval Dome One of Canyonlands' biggest mysteries! Scientists still debate whether this enormous crater-like formation was created by a meteorite impact or the collapse of an underground salt dome. Whatever its origin, it's a fascinating place to explore. Canyonlands is massive, rugged, and absolutely unforgettable. Every overlook makes you feel tiny in the best possible way.

As part of our quest to visit all 63 U.S. national parks, we set off on a six week road trip. I…read morehave a personal rule: I only count a national park as "visited" if I actually spend time there, hike or walk through it, and truly experience it. On this trip, we visited 14 national parks, and Canyonlands National Park was another fascinating stop in our Utah adventure. Canyonlands is a park of enormous scale. It is hard to truly understand the size of this landscape until you are standing at the viewpoints looking out over endless canyons, mesas, and cliffs carved by the Colorado and Green Rivers over millions of years. The views are dramatic and humbling. Located close to Moab, Canyonlands has a very different atmosphere from some of the quieter parks we visited. Moab itself is like an outdoor playground, especially for people who love off-road adventures, mountain biking, dirt bikes, four-wheel drives, and exploring the backcountry. That energy definitely carries into the park. Of all the parks we visited on this trip, Canyonlands was probably the busiest and, personally, not one of my favorites. That does not mean it was not beautiful. It absolutely was. It just has a different feeling. Much of Canyonlands is experienced from above, looking down into the incredible maze of canyons below. Getting into the deeper parts of the canyon system requires more time, preparation, and often specialized equipment, especially if you want to explore beyond the main viewpoints. Since we only had two days, we focused on hiking and exploring the more accessible areas. I enjoyed several beautiful trails, including the hike to Mesa Arch, one of the park's most iconic viewpoints. Seeing the arch framing the vast canyon landscape beyond it was spectacular. We also explored other overlooks and trails where the views seemed to go on forever. One challenge for us was accessibility. My husband has mobility limitations, and Canyonlands does not offer as many easy, accessible trails or paved perimeter paths compared with some other national parks. Many of the experiences are geared more toward people who want longer hikes, rugged trails, or backcountry adventures. That said, Canyonlands is still an impressive place. The sheer size, the geology, and the views are unforgettable. Standing above those massive canyons gives you a sense of the incredible forces that shaped this land over millions of years. For visitors who love hiking, off-road exploration, backpacking, or seeing landscapes from dramatic viewpoints, Canyonlands is definitely worth visiting. For us, it was not the emotional favorite of the trip, but it was still an important piece of the incredible diversity we experienced across America's national parks.

This place is amazing. They have a nice museum explaining the Navajo life and mentions the code…read moretalkers. Can see the monuments from all over the center. There's a restaurant inside however it was closed when we were there. There's also a nice big gift shop.

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

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.

A great park for shade and a break on a hot day of adventures around Moab. They were installing…read moresome new sod so part of the park was closed, but glad to see the town taking care of it.

Fantastic park by the stream with magical musical instruments. There are multiple playground areas…read moreplenty of shade trees and grass to chill or grill on.

This spot in Monument Valley is named for Academy award winning director John Ford. He is known for…read moreWesterns such as "Stagecoach", "The Searchers", and "The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance". Many of his movies were filmed in Monument Valley and starred John Wayne. Nearby Goulding's Museum & Trading Post has included some history of John Ford movies that were shot here in the Valley that you can check out. John Ford's Point is one of the many viewpoints of the 17 mile loop drive (mostly dirt) in Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park. You have to pay a fee and register your car to enter into the park. You can do this at the View Hotel. Another option is to book a guided tour if you don't want to drive your vehicle. Once you reach the point, you will see some shops that sell Navajo handicrafts, jewelry, and fry bread. There is someone on hand that will take your picture on a horse with the scenic background for around $5. To the left are the Camel Butte and Three Sisters rock formations. You can't miss them! Definitely walk out to the ledge and have a photo taken of you with the amazing view of Monument Valley in the background. It is an incredible site to see! If you have ever seen any of John Ford's classics, you will recognize some of the monuments and mesas that you see in some of the scenes in his movies. John Ford's Point was definitely a highlight for me when I was driving around the Monument Valley loop.

Getting a photo taken on a horse like John Wayne for only $10?? Best $10 I've ever spent.read more

Amazing lucky find passing through Moab!…read more New parking facilities equipped with new & clean restrooms. Grassy picnic areas. Bikers frequently pass by on the paved pathway along the Colorado River. Walk over to the bridge and gaze up closer impressive red rock features especially with a blue sky backdrop. A peaceful rest break. *An underground spring is across the street from the parking area to fill your water jugs with; careful of passing cars.

Nice park. We went to walk on the bridge and look at the river. Restrooms were clean and electric…read morevehicle chargers available. Two sets of parking - lower and upper level. Nice biking trail. Cool metal and rock sculptures. Connects Moab to Arches National Park and other trails.