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.

One of Utah's awesome 5 national parks and one that you should check out…read more Also located in Moab along with the much busier Arches, this is still worth a visit for sure. You'll likely be able to get in pretty easily and park at each of the trails and viewpoints. There are some great sights and plenty of easy trails. I'm not much of a hiker but there are some easier trails that even beginners should be able to handle at a reasonable pace. Good facilities throughout and places to stop for a quick bite. Check this place out.

Fear of heights/ cliffs will be nerve wracking for the person. But it's doable in an AWD vehicle…read more IF you continue on Potash Rd you will need a full SUV type clearance and 4WD vehicle. Ranger gave inadequate advice re:vehicular clearance for this road. We went to Gooseneck overlook ( think Thelma and Louise end of movie) and back up to enjoy the rest of the Canyonlands.

Impressive hike to go to the Morning Glory Natural bridge through Grandstaff canyon. 4.5 miles…read moreround trip. Only to be careful is poison oak. I'm very sensitive to it, so I was extra cautious not to touch any plants and had long sleeve and long pants. The natural bridge was very cool. The canyon is gorgeous. Worth the visit for sure.

Great early morning hike. Truly beautiful nature! Watch out for the poison ivy although it wasn't a…read moreproblem for us.

We took this as a side trip and we really should have given this more time. If you are thinking of…read morecoming here, I recommend looking at all the activities offered to see how much is here to do so you won't feel as though you missed out on some of what makes this park FUN! As for us, we ran around the valley, played hide and seek, marveled at how these "goblins" were made and just had a great adventure with the time we had.

A triumph of both western topography and federalism. This is one of those awesome parks that would…read morein some ways be less special if it were "upgraded" to a national park. It's great the way it is. Just a few notes: -- the campsite is just amazing; you are nestled in among caves and washes, and your kids can merrily wander off "to the kids cave" or climb up onto a crest and watch the sunset or the rhythm of the campsite. They do have a shared bathroom with running water, which keeps the place just civilized enough for moderately experienced car campers. -- at the same time, this place is really remote. If you realize at campside that your propane stove doesn't work, you would have to drive an hour each way to Green River to get more. Instead, you will just have to figure out how to boil coffee and macaroni and cheese over a campfire. -- the stars. The city lights are far far far away, and the desert sky is clear, so you can see so so many stars. And if you sit and stare at them you see more. The only place I have ever seen so many stars in my life is standing on the side of the road outside Marfa, TX. -- two decades ago this was one of the first camping trips of my life, and it remains a special place in my heart.

Top Rated Hike in Moab! This trail is a gem. I felt it was a moderate hike overall... maybe even…read moreeasy for experienced hikers. Parking is free, mostly dog-friendly, and outside of the National Parks. We did this 5 mile hike on a partly cloudy morning in June 2024. We got to the trailhead around 7am and took our time heading up to the Lookout. It sprinkled a little about a half hour in, so we found a cave like overhang to take a break. This trail is mostly uphill on the way in, and has at least two, very steep sections, rock stairs, one ladder, and you have to be sure not to lose the trail as some sections are not easily identifiable. We took about an hour and half going in, spent about 30 minutes at the lookout, and powered through the hour back in partial sun. It was the perfect length hike for me, with the right incline. Like any trail in Moab, be sure to bring lots of water and dress for the climate.

Great hike. Impressive towers and cool to see those towers in close distance. Around 4.5 miles with…read more750 feet elevation change. Easy trails. A day before the hike we camped at BLM site at the trailhead which was convenient. $20. In the end of December only us hiking there. Solitude was nice.

Seriously one of my favorite place on earth. Beautiful red rock canyons and solitude. The…read morehighlight for me is the "reef". A sandstone feature that shoots up out of the earth. You drive right through it on I-70. There're are endless camping spots. From the established spots like Goblin Valley and The San Rafael River. But the true gems are the little spots that you will find down a bumpy dirt road. Grab a map or check Google earth. There's tons of area to explore. Summers can be brutally hot, so I recommend the spring and fall. Also come prepared. Unless you are near 70 there's not much for cell service. Enjoy your public lands!

Fantastic rest stop with beautiful views of the San Rafael Swell right off the 70…read more Ample parking for cars and even saw a couple semi trucks resting. Interesting informational pieces explaining the area. Great place to stretch your legs and get some sun on this long stretch of highway.

This is a great hike. Longbow Arch is impressive! Not only the arch. This hike includes very big…read morepetroglyph panel! Also dinosaur track can be seen. Short hike with not much elevation gain. Much less crowded compared to Corona Arch in the same area. Recommended.

This hike is a hidden gem within the Moab area. The hike begins as rocky and incoproates steep…read moreinclines (but no equipment required). Then, the hike becomes desert-like; flat and sandy. Then, the hike becomes jungle-like; humid and full of trees until you reach the arch. We saw no one on the way up and only a few people on the way back (in mid-afternoon). If you want to avoid the massive crowds at other hikes, check out this trail!

Don't miss this one! When we first arrived in Fruita, Colorado. The Colorado National Monument was…read morenot on our list of things to visit. We would of totally missed it if it hadn't been for some people we met at a restaurant. Colorado National Monument is not a National Park; it is a National Monument managed by the National Park Service. It's name doesn't portray the beauty and magnitude of this gorgeous park. It is a 23 mile drive and is often called the mini-grand canyon. The towering red rock monoliths and the Canyon views were absolutely incredible.

What bliss this is…read more Colorado National Monument is basically the smaller in scale sandstone-stacked cousin of the Grand Canyon, but without all the horrific traffic and crowds upon crowds, especially at the start of summer. This place has miles of views with gorgeous towering cliffs, dramatic canyons and many trails for walking and hiking. You can also see the Grand Mesa (the world's largest flat-topped mountain) and the Book Cliffs from the monument. And it has that Grand Canyon feeling when you look at its depth -- as though you are looking directly into a painting. Along about a 20-mile highway (with an east and west entrance) you can enjoy the full views. There are plenty of places to pull over and park to take a look or to plan for a hike. And be very, very careful. The main drive is very deeply beloved by cyclists, so be sure to drive slow and keep eyes on the road. Do not miss Independence Monument. This is a glorious rock spire. also, the Kissing Couple is adorable. The Coke Ovens are these beautifully shaped domes -- some of my favorites in the area. Also, be aware of wildlife. I did not get lucky, but there are regular sights of bighorn sheep, coyotes, red-tailed hawks, eagles and many other animals. I did see a pretty spectacular aerial fight between a hawk and a raven during a recent visit, though. Also, be sure to check out the visitor center on the west side. It has some natural history exhibits and a gift shop. There is also the Saddlehorn Campground, which is very well maintained and has a good number of spots, but not all with sprawling city or canyon views. All told, there are three loops with nearly 80 sites. Some are small and best for a pair and others that are good for a couple of tents on one site. Overall, bring lots of water and snacks, because it is dry and sometimes feels desert like. And do not over rely on cell service, as there are a number of dead zones.

This review is for Cassidy Arch Trail which was a ~3.1 miles round trip that took ~2 hours to…read morecomplete. Steady inclines mostly near the beginning. Follow the rock cairns for the last stretch to the arch. Amazing views throughout the hike! Required to drive ~1 mile on dirt road to reach the trailhead. Short video of the hike for those interested! https://youtu.be/4rdkNmKmd5M

This is a very popular hike in Capitol Reel National park. It is understandable why it is popular…read more The Cassidy Arch is really nice. The way to the trailhead on dirt road is already really scenic. Then trailhead to the arch is all great view. Every step is wonderful. This hike goes to the top of the arch, but on the way the entire arch is visible. Not difficult and long. Half a day's nice hike.

One of my favorite most memorable little hikes in the world -- you can do this as an 8 mile loop,…read moreor just wander into the slot canyon to the right for a while and then turn around when you lose steam. Either way, you find yourself walking along the bottom of a slot canyon, occasionally scrambling over rocks or cramming yourself in narrow slots. This is worth the trip to the San Rafael Swell, otherwise one of the most remote places I know of the continental U.S.

This review is for Little Wild Horse Canyon & Bell Canyon Loop which was a ~8.1 miles round trip…read morethat took ~4 hours to complete. Started the loop by going clockwise. Quite a bit of rock scrambling and a couple sketchy descents closer to Little Wild Horse Canyon. In addition, there were a few spots in Little Wild Horse Canyon that were extremely narrow and tight to maneuver. Trail was mostly flat and sandy. Overall, Stunning views of the slot canyons! Short video of the hike for those interested! https://youtu.be/0aHmkQKQ2vI