I’ve done bits and pieces of Utah’s Scenic Byway 12 throughout my life. But it wasn’t until this summer that we made a day trip out of driving the full length of this famous and beautiful highway. It would take more than a single day to explore all of the stops along the way, but…
My wife and I spent a day exploring Crater Lake National Park. From the magnificent viewpoints of the lake, to hiking through the dense forest, Crater Lake has hikes for just about any level of hiker. Here’s a rundown of the best hiking trails at Crater Lake National Park in Oregon. Tips to Help You…
While driving Scenic Byway 12 in Utah, you may expect to see a runaway train hurdling through the towering orange rocks. No, you didn’t transport to the line at Disneyland’s Big Thunder Mountain, although Utah’s Red Canyon looks exactly like it – minus the runaway train. As a kid, I traveled through Red Canyon often…
Most people flock to Island in the Sky at Canyonlands National Park. It’s near Arches National Park and Dead Horse Point State Park. But driving the extra distance to explore The Needles District of the park is totally worth it. And there are great trails for kids, and ones the adults can enjoy, too. The…
Kodachrome Basin State Park is a short 30-minute drive east of Bryce Canyon National Park. It offers a variety of hiking trails in landscapes boasting a variety of colors, rock formations and wildflowers. If you stop in the visitor’s center to grab a souvenir, I caution you: Paul Simon’s song, Kodachrome, may end up stuck…
I’ve always wanted to hike The Narrows in Zion National Park in southern Utah. For one reason or another, it wasn’t until this summer I was able to make it happen. My wife and I experienced it a couple of weekends ago and learned a few valuable things to help others maximize their trek up…
Sand dunes are great. But since I don’t own an off-highway vehicle (OHV) or all-terrain vehicle (ATV), I wasn’t sure I would enjoy a visit to the Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park near Kanab, Utah. After spending a few hours hiking the dunes, sledding the slopes and photographing the landscape, I discovered a spot…
Bryce Canyon National Park in central Utah is beautiful year round. I’ve hiked Bryce Canyon in the winter and braved the trails in the heat of the summer. Hike Bryce Canyon and enjoy its several trails that are great for kids – not too long and with great points of interest. Explore these trails in…
Lower Calf Creek Falls is an iconic spot in Utah. Growing up, we would visit Escalante, Utah, for their annual Pioneer Day parade. Visiting the falls was just part of the trip. But it had been more than two decades since I last made the hike. So we took a day trip to hike Lower…
July is a beautiful time to explore Albion Basin up Utah’s Little Cottonwood Canyon. The wildflowers are in full force, wildlife wander through the mountains, and a family hike to Cecret Lake (pronounced secret lake) is good for the soul. But the mosquitoes are out in full-force around sunset – so be prepared. 2023 UPDATE:…
