The colossal, awe-inspiring pink-and-red-stained sandstone landscapes of the desert Southwest commenced their slow and patient development some 250 million years ago. With the help of some rain, a little wind and a few determined rivers, this land brought forth a vast assemblage of deep canyons, sheer cliff walls, towering mesas and wild rock formations like natural arches and hoodoos found nowhere else in the country. And with five national parks, each offering its own unique perspective on this breathtaking wilderness, it's safe to say that Utah acquired the best of that assemblage. What's more, these five parks are in such close proximity to each other that seeing all in one exciting vacation is not out of the question. But why hurry?
Arches National Park's most popular feature is the Delicate Arch.
Arches National Park There are more than 2,000 arches scattered throughout Arches National Park, and while they look like the work of some artsy mythological giants, it was eons of weathering and erosion that formed these physics-defying structures. The park's, and perhaps the world's, most famous arch is Delicate Arch, and you'll understand why it's so popular as you turn the final corner of the trail and see it in person for the first time. Drive the park's 40-mile paved road through the heart of this landscape, but make the effort to park your car and explore the rest of the park by foot or bike along trails ranging in difficulty like those leading to Devils Garden, Landscape Arch, Balanced Rock, and the Windows Section, where you can view multiple arches at once.
The Green and Colorado rivers carved the deep canyons of Canyonlands National Park.
Canyonlands National Park The currents of the Green and Colorado rivers worked their way through the sandstone heart of southeast Utah's high desert to carve the deep canyons of Canyonlands National Park. Here visitors will encounter colorful canyon walls along with a multitude of nature's best sculptures like towering mesas, buttes, fins, arches and spires. A four-wheel excursion or a multi-day mountain bike trip along the extraordinary 100-mile White Rim Road, looping its way around and below the top of Island mesa, is the best way to experience this park. Cool off afterwards as you ride the rapids of the Colorado and see these great canyon walls from the bottom.
Capital Reef National Park Once known to the Navajo as the Land of the Sleeping Rainbow, the site of Capital Reef National Park is 378 square miles of geological serenity surrounding the Waterpocket Fold. This 100-mile stretch of colorful sandstone ridges runs parallel along the emerald green oasis of the Fremont River, once settled by Mormon pioneers, and is surrounded by a remote backcountry playground you won't want to leave. One of the most isolated sections of this playground is Cathedral Valley, a quiet region of the park inhabited by little more than unique desert wildlife and an endless panorama of 100-foot jagged monoliths. Hoist your pack and venture out into Lower Muley Twist Canyon or Halls Creek Narrows for nature's best serving of solitude and much-needed reflection.
Bryce Canyon National Park is filled with Hoodoos, which are tall, skinny rock formations carved into pink cliffs.
Bryce Canyon National Park Hoodoos are tall, skinny rock formations carved into pink cliffs (imagine giant sandstone totem poles rising out of the earth and all huddling together) that populate the northern section of Bryce Canyon National Park in astonishing density. You can view this Hoodoo Country by horseback during the day, and then join "The Dark Rangers" at night to experience the sanctuary of stars that make this park so popular after dark. The rest of the park is a series of natural amphitheaters painted by colors best viewed at sunrise and sunset. Plan accordingly for a moonlight hike through Bryce's nocturnal wilderness and see the hauntingly beautiful side of the park's pillars, columns, windows and hoodoos.
Visitors should hike the world-famous Zion Narrows along the Virgin River's slot canyons where the sky is left to peek through slivers of towering canyon walls that close in high above you.
Zion National Park If you only visit one of Utah's five national parks, make sure it's Zion National Park. Hike the world-famous Zion Narrows along the Virgin River's slot canyons, where hanging gardens cling to red rock cliffs, ponderosa pines squeeze in where they can along the way, and the sky is left to peek through slivers of towering canyon walls that close in high above you. For a challenge, get a permit and a detailed map to hike the Subway, a diverse and beautiful canyon hike that you won't soon forget. Adding to the adventure, parts of the hike require short rappels and mandatory swims. But if you can't get a permit or you don't want to get wet, set out on Angela's Landing along a narrow rock fin where you will no doubt get your fill of adventure.
While it is possible to see all five of these great national parks in one vacation, you'll want to consider that seeing and experiencing are two very different things. Luckily, these parks have at least one thing in common-they all offer a place to park your car. So rather than drive through these landscapes, turn off the engine, leave the car behind and experience these places on foot. However, if you choose this route, you'll need far more than one vacation to take advantage of Utah's great national parks.
