I've heard a few different people tell me about Fish Lake National Forest and encouraged me to…read morevisit. So I expected it to be much busier than it was on a holiday weekend. Surprising, and happily, I found it to be almost void of any people, with the exception of a few stragglers by the water and recreating about. There are beautiful trees throughout and plenty of viewing points along the road to get some lovely pictures. Watch out for cattle-I was purely delighted to come across a large herd making their way across the road.

The ranger at the ranger station was very nice. Inside the station are bathrooms and informational…read morepamphlets about the area, as well as maps and a small corner with swag for purchase. Aside from Fish Lake (from which the forest takes its name), there are mountains and meadows that are equally beautiful. If you're interested, you can visit Pando. Pando is a quaking aspen that has multiple stems but they're all connected by a root system and all the "trees" have the same DNA. Pando is more like a iceberg where the below the surface portion is the significant bit. It is the world's largest tree (and perhaps organism) by mass. It is estimated to be at least several thousand years old, with some estimates being 16,000 years old. It feels so humbling to be visiting the forest since you feel like you're just a speck of dust compared to Pando around you. Mind blowing.

Incredible state park in Utah…read more As part of our family trip to Utah's National Parks, we stayed at Utah State Parks since they had openings. It was a good choice. This is a nice state park with friendly staff and clean facilities. There are clean restrooms with showers and even a laundry room. Just be sure to bring quarters if you arrive after the visitor center closes. In addition, the park itself has some recreational activities available and is located on historic land with pictographs to find. Very good state park.

Do you like petroglyphs? Do like short and reasonable hikes? Then Fremont Indian State Park is for…read moreyou. As a solo traveler with some mobility issues, I was worried about how much access I would have to various stops on the map from the visitor center. The crew in the gift shop were delightful! They high lighted the ones I could definitely do and I did!! I loved the paved little loop at the visitor center itself that is ADA approved. My favorite was probably the 100 Hands Cave. Just a neat little walk by the creek and a small hill to get to the sight. I forgot my binoculars, so if you go bring some with you! I went on the second weekend in May, so not quite the summer season yet, so it wasn't crowded at all and I spent a couple of hours there.

I was looking for a place to take a nap and later a walk. I found Lions Park and it is nice. I love…read moreto report on parks, (maybe I like the naps and walks??) so here is the Lions Park report: Volleyball, Baseball, Big Fire pit that could seat 35 in two circles around the pit Nice lawns, Well kept Restrooms Deep Shade so brink a blanket to enjoy the lawn for that nap Group area are there to enjoy as well with a sign up right there in the park Oh and a playground for the little ones too!

Note: Map App sent us to the wrong place!!!…read more But first: This is a great little park for a summer picnic lunch on the way to Moab. The first reviewer described it well, and is the reason why we chose to stop here. We're enjoying the shaded picnic tables, playground, and big grassy field for kicking a soccer ball around. There's also a basketball court, volleyball net on the grass, a little "skate park" with ramps, a drinking water fountain. It was pure luck that we found it, though, because the map app sent us up a gravel road for 4 miles in the wrong direction!!! We turned around after a driving a few hundred yards and the road started to climb (and a group of guys on ATVs gave us curious looks as they drove by) and decided to drive into town in hopes of finding a shady bench, when we stumbled upon it! I'm attaching a photo of the CORRECT location in the map app (Apple, I'm so disappointed in you, your map app is STILL cr*p!)

Mossy Cave Trail is outside the fee area for Bryce Canyon Canyon National Park, and I'm not sure if…read morethe rangers check if you've paid. Anyways, I have an annual pass so I didn't worry about it. This is one of the lowest elevation hikes in the park as well as one of the only hikes that begins with a climb and ends with a descent, so if you're not sure about your endurance and want an easy, safe hike where you won't get stuck, this hike is for you! You can see hoodoos, and also Tropic Ditch Falls. It's not a waterfall in the usual sense, as it's a result of a man-made canal that diverted water from East Fork of the Sevier River to Bryce Canyon. I would say that the view was....ok. The trail also leads you to Mossy Cave, which isn't a cave but a sheltered overhang. I was in the season where there wasn't any moss, nor any icicles. It was pretty cold temperature-wise in the grotto. This is a low-effort, low reward type of hike, which is ok. In comparison to the beautiful views that you can get in the scenic drive inside the park, I would say skip this trail if you're short on time and wanting views.

I was recommended this hike by my Airbnb host. It's rather short, took me about 20 min total…read more Parking is limited but because it's short I got lucky and got a spot from someone leaving. There are a couple NP potties there (no running water). There wasn't much water the day I came, you could see a trickle of the waterfall but it wasn't particularly exciting. Depending on the time of year, that can change. Overall, I wouldn't have spent time doing this hike if I hadn't been passing by it (but I was, on my way to Capitol Reef). But if you are passing, it's a nice walk with a little hill :)

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 Capitol Reef National Park became one of the most beautiful surprises of the entire journey. The drive from Death Valley to Capitol Reef was already an adventure, with constantly changing landscapes along the way. But nothing prepared us for the moment we arrived. Suddenly, the desert opened up into an incredible world of red rock formations, towering cliffs, and colors that seemed almost impossible. It was breathtaking. Capitol Reef is a smaller national park compared to some of the giants we visited, but it has a beauty and personality all its own. In fact, it became my husband's favorite park of the entire trip. There is something about the combination of landscapes, colors, history, and peacefulness that makes this park truly special. The scenery changes dramatically throughout the park. One area is filled with the famous red rock formations, cliffs, and sandstone walls that look like they were painted by nature. Then, as you explore other areas, the landscape changes into lighter limestone formations, with shades of yellow, cream, and gray. Everywhere you look there is a different view, a different texture, and a different color. One of the unique things about Capitol Reef is the historic Fruita area, where early settlers planted orchards along the Fremont River. Today, visitors can still see these beautiful fruit groves, which feel almost magical surrounded by the desert landscape. There is also a historic building in the Fruita area where they sell homemade fruit pies, and it is incredibly popular for a reason. The pies are absolutely delicious. We could not resist and enjoyed having pie and ice cream one morning for breakfast. When you are traveling, sometimes breakfast rules become a little more flexible! The park also has fascinating history, including ancient petroglyphs left by the Fremont people. Seeing these markings carved into the rock walls was a powerful reminder that people have been connected to this landscape for thousands of years. The hiking was another highlight. I especially enjoyed hiking through the Narrows, where I was able to explore on my own and experience the beauty and quiet of the canyon. Walking through the towering walls, surrounded by the colors and textures of the desert, was unforgettable. Capitol Reef feels like nature's own painting. The reds, oranges, yellows, blues, turquoise, and greens all come together to create a landscape that is constantly changing depending on the light. It is a park that invites you to slow down, look around, and appreciate the incredible creativity of the natural world. Capitol Reef may not always get the same attention as Utah's more famous parks, but it deserves it. It is beautiful, peaceful, full of history, and absolutely worth the visit.

This is an amazing national park. One thing I noted about the park is that it offers things for…read morepeople to do regardless of their activity level. If you're super fit and want to do hikes, good for you as there's plenty of strenuous hikes! If you aren't as active or use a mobility assistive device, you can travel on the very, very scenic drive and also learn about the ghost town of Fruita (although the NPS employees live there). If you time your visit right, you can even pick fruits from the orchards. I combined the Rim Overlook trail with the trail to Hickman Bridge to get amazing views, as well as hiked the Cassidy Arch trail. The trails weren't too crowded, so it was a great place to listen to nature and focus on hiking. You're rewarded with amazing views. Definitely hit up Gifford Homestead for fruit pies. They often sell out in the afternoon.

The Red Canyon portion is as beautiful as Bryce Canyon National Park. It's lesser known I think…read morebecause the visitors all swarm to Bryce, but I think it's a good thing too, which gives it a different vibe. Even if you don't stop to do any trails, the drive is gorgeous, with pull outs and shoulders to park at and gawk at the rock formations. (I'm not sure if you're supposed to be parking on the side of the road, but a lot of people were doing it!) There a bunch of informational signs outside the Red Canyon visitor center which provide information driving tours, hikes, ecology of the area, etc. From the parking lot are trail heads to hoodoo & birdseye trail, and also pink ledges trailhead. Of course, there's more to the national forest than the red canyon. There are high mountain forests and alpine lakes, which I didn't have the time to check out unfortunately. Next time!

On our way to Bryce Canyon we had to pass by the Dixie national forest…read more Dixie National Forest straddles the divide between the Great Basin and the Colorado River in southern Utah. Scenery ranges from desert canyon gorges of amber, rose, and sienna to high mountain forests, plateaus, and alpine lakes. The forest is a part of the world-renowned, with beautiful red rocks back drops scenery. Just amazing

There is some very interesting history at Cove Fort and we really enjoyed our visit. And it is…read morefree! Elder & Sister Isom were friendly and informative tour guides -- they each provided details about Cove Fort's origins and subsequent happenings here while allowing us space to look around and read the interpretive plaques on our own. The tour started with a good, short film shown in a restored cabin across the road from the fort. Then we proceeded to the rock fort with its 18-foot walls and huge thick gates. All of the rooms inside have each been decorated as they would have been when this outpost was functioning in the mid-1800's. We had passed by this place on the freeway several times previously, but thought it would be a long drive to reach the historical spot. Not so! It's close to the off ramp on a well-paved road. Plenty of parking and clean restrooms help make a visit here a very positive experience.

There's a 14 minute video that gives a bit of how the "fort" came to be. I can see how it served a…read morepurpose for travelers passing through, especially if the weather was particularly bad. They had a scavenger hunt for the kids, too.

Wow. During a visit to Utah's 5 national parks, this state park was a clear highlight, offering…read moreincredible amenities, friendly staff, and otherworldly views and ambience. The visitor center will likely be the only place you'll have Internet connectivity, but that's okay, because there is so much to take in here. A great outdoor area, gift shop, and even ice cream. And the bathrooms are super modern with a rainfall showerhead with hand attachment as well. There is even a really cool laundry room located in an old west style saloon building. These are excellent amenities and exactly what you need after a long day of hiking. In addition, the park itself is picturesque, with great design and privacy for most camp sites. Incredible state park.

What a great Utah State Park. It might be small but it sure has a lot to offer. Great views, nice…read morehiking, and a great campground area to stay. Highly recommended.

Sweet town. Complete with a Main Street, busy rigs and open scenic areas…read more This Covid period, I love how the town posted flags on the street lights with the pictures of their 2020 graduates. This is what being in a tight knit smaller town is all about. Of course, lots of outdoorsy things to do around the area.

A very quaint town that definitely has it appeal. It seems like a throw back into time that we…read moreenjoyed spending time grabbing a bite to eat, filling up with gas, and driving around to take in the historical building and it's charm. Perfectly located near the entrance to Bryce Canyon National Park.

Bryce National Park is beyond beautiful…read more The park has many walking trails along the rim as well as down in the canyon trails. Summer time can be a bit hot, average around 90* F. Bring plenty of fluids and be sure to have some healthy food before embarking on the trails Parking is very limited before 12pm. Utah is an hour ahead of NV and AZ. Be sure to pay attention. Park Rangers are available at all times. EMT are also on stand by. Take care and safety first. Stay 20ft back from the edge, no safety railings. Definitely worth every mile driven. The park is spectacular

What's not to love about touring around to visit national parks? Nothing! That's what…read more In 2020 I did a lot of road-tripping. I drove more than 8000 miles between August and October. One of the many places on my list to see was Bryce Canyon National Park. I wanted to see the red rock canyons and formations. The skies were blue. The temps were hot but thankfully the soft breeze cooled it down a little. There were groups of people taking the canyon trails down into the valley. We weren't feeling that adventurous and we had our American Akita with us so it was a no go. The views were exceptional. The rock formations were really cool. We drove in and out of several areas of the park to check out the park and red rock from different angles. It was pretty cool. The visitor center was informative too. Highly recommend!