If you're heading to Zion and want something that feels straight out of a Western movie, Grafton…read moreGhost Town is 100% worth the quick detour. We stopped here not expecting much, and it ended up being one of the most unique spots of the trip. This place dates back to the 1860s and was settled by pioneers trying to farm along the Virgin River. Between floods, isolation, and tough conditions, the town was eventually abandoned--but what's left behind is seriously cool. Unlike a lot of ghost towns, Grafton actually has several well-preserved buildings, including an old schoolhouse, homes, and even a cemetery. Walking through it feels quiet... almost too quiet. It's the kind of place where you can actually picture what life was like back then. And the setting? Unreal. You've got massive red rock cliffs from Zion in the background, which makes it feel way more cinematic than your average historical stop. It's no surprise this place has been used in movies. There's no entry fee, no crowds (usually), and no over-the-top tourist setup--just raw history and insane scenery. If you're already visiting Zion, skipping Grafton would honestly be a mistake. It's quick, eerie, beautiful, and totally unforgettable. Follow us for more hidden gems on our socials @reessroots

I remember going to Grafton with my family when I was a child, so when I had the opportunity to go…read moreback and visit as an adult, I was excited to see how it changed. It's much cleaner and well-maintained than I remembered. I think the LDS church owns the property now and is doing some renovations on the buildings. You can walk through most of the buildings as well as the grounds around them. It's a neat stop and worth taking the time to be in the space and energy of some of Utah's history.

Great flight with Kevin Mortensen94. He was our helicopter pilot. Knowledged flyer, handles the…read morehelicopter well, all the time, relaxed. Also knows about the areas we went through. Answers were good and awesome overall. He is great at what he does. Thanks

Big Kev was amazing!! He made us feel safe, welcome and felt right at home. I'm terrified of…read moreheights so I didn't think this was going to go as well as it did. 10/10​

This place has a view you'll be upset you missed. A nice walking path for those who don't hike a…read morelot. Even the drive up is breathtaking. There is a $25 fee per car to park. There is also a gift shop.

This review is for Bartizan Arch Trail which was a ~5 miles round trip that took ~3 hours to…read morecomplete. This was a surprisingly unique and stunning hike near Cedar City, Utah. While most of southern Utah was over 90°F; the temperature in this area was easily ~30° lower! Within the first ~1 mile to Spectra Point were amazing views of the canyon. This reminds me of Bryce Canyon National Park except you can't walk into the canyon. For the most part, the declines start after Spectra Point towards Bartizan Arch. As a result, the inclines back out can feel a bit strenuous. The trail was on the exposed rims of the canyon as well as parts of the nearby forest. Furthermore, the trail was slightly rocky and becomes narrower near the arch. Watch your steps! For those looking for a shorter hike; I would recommend going up to Spectra Point which would be a ~1.9 mile roundtrip. In my opinion, the view at Ramparts Viewpoint wasn't too much of a difference compared to the view at Spectra Point Viewpoint. Parking lot and restrooms were next to the Cedar Breaks National Monument visitor center. Short video of the hike for those interested! https://youtu.be/C9IpeLT1i3g

Though relatively small in size, Kolob Canyon is mighty when it comes to beautiful views and…read moreengaging hiking opportunities. Basically the back side of Zion, it has a short scenic road and both easy and more challenging hikes available. The views are pretty amazing from the road, even if you don't ever get out of the car. This is a regular stop on our road trips, usually on the way back home. During the rainy season or just after it, there are amazing waterfalls that drop from the sheer cliff faces. Definitely something worth seeing! As you drive up to the entrance, there is a little visitor center with some interesting local information. It's also where you will pay your entrance fee and interact with any rangers for additional information if you need it. They also have Zion date stamps. While it isn't a destination in and of itself, it is worth making a stop on any road trip. Five stars.

Stopped by for info and for some souvenirs including a park donation Zion park ticket…read more Nice little shop, Matt helped us today, thank you... great friendly service

One of the most beautiful outdoor experiences of my life…read more The Narrows combines stunning scenery, lush plant life, wildlife, and just the right amount of adventure. What more could you ask for? We visited on June 22 under nearly perfect conditions. It was hot in Springdale, but the slot canyon stayed cool and comfortable. The water was deep enough in spots to give the youngsters a little trepidation and excitement, but everyone made it through with huge smiles and a sense of accomplishment. The towering canyon walls, flowing river, and ever-changing scenery make this a hike unlike any other. Equal parts beauty and exhilaration. One final note: please don't feed the fat little squirrels. They're already living their best lives and definitely don't need the extra calories.

So full disclosure I did the river walk out to the start of the narrows. And while I KNOW this full…read morehike is a stunner I opted not to go farther than a short wade in up to my knees because I did not want to get wet!! I asked some folks going in about their waders; most people get them from Zion outfitters and I was told they're about $60 per person to rent (most including at least one, if not two walking sticks to help you keep your balance). I was also told they don't keep you fully dry, water still gets in but they do help keep you warm. If you go far enough in, the water comes up to your chest (assuming you're average height). Plan accordingly with your bag(s) etc. This hike is as long as you want it to be, the whole thing is the "view" within one of the deepest and most iconic slot canyons in the state - carved by the Virgin River itself that you're walking in. You can go up to 8-10 miles but most folks don't go that far before turning back. Even just the river walk out to the start of the river is really lovely though. One day I'll come out and hike beyond knee-deep :)

We visited on a busy Friday in early June. Arrive right when the park opens for easier parking. The…read morebus system is seamless with buses every 5 minutes, no stress getting around. The drives and hikes are absolutely breathtaking. Early June meant warm temps, but the park is well-planned with water stops, restaurants, and stores throughout. The Narrows trail was crowded even in early season, curious what peak summer looks like there. Bring hiking shoes, plenty of water, and sunscreen. It's a lot of work while you're doing it, but the payoff is incredible. The photos you get are unbelievable. A must-see experience.

LOVE LOVE LOVE Zion! Everyone needs to come visit Zion!…read more Truly beautiful and relaxing here! Def would go back

How tall do you think this mammajamma is? Wrong...it's taller than that. Go see. It's a quick…read moredetour from I-15 and is a nice place to stretch your legs. It's on private property so be cool. When I was there they also had some self-serve stray bales for sale. You can tell the owner puts some love into their property. Nice work, owner. Thanks for the roadside attraction. Plenty of space to pull over/off the road, even if you were pulling a trailer, etc. They have a spot you can toss your old plates so they can add them someday. Some questions: How do they get up there?! Is there a Maryland plate? (The good folks at the MDOT are kooky about recovering their old plates!)

Mood - Weird Stuff Part 2…read more As I was in the area def wanted to check out more things to arouse my curiosity. This pole came on my radar. The rain started to pour down and it became a bit of an adventure. Upon arriving you cant miss it. This pole is clearly seen from the intersection. It is on private grounds. The pole stands 81 feet tall and is adorned with license plates from all 50 states. Kimball Gardner is the proud owner of this roadside attraction as it sits in his yard. He welcomes you to drop off any plates you would like to have added to his continual work in progress. This work of art started in a smaller state of mind and after gaining much attention the pole had to be increased in size to allow for all of the plates that have been donated to his cause. Would def recommend as it is something to see. Even if just once. Pricing is free. However be mindful as it sits on private property. Location is E Washington Dam Rd - St George UT, ample parking on the street.

I took my dogs on this trail for a hike and they were happy and tired! HAha. Amazing rock…read moreformations and views! It's only 1hr and 45 mins drive from Las Vegas. Just wanted a different scenery out of Vegas. They also have a garden area. It is worth a drive! No entrance fee. Free parking and they have plenty different areas to park.

We visited Pioneer Park for the first time recently, and while it's definitely a beautiful and…read moreunique spot, our experience was a bit mixed . We didn't really know where to start when we arrived, and there wasn't much direction, so we ended up just climbing the first rock formation we saw. Honestly, if it weren't for a group of people ahead of us, we probably wouldn't have had any idea where to go. I was hoping to make it to the arch, but the climb felt a little too steep and slippery, especially with kids. We were carrying our three-year-old and keeping a close eye on our six-year-old, who was feeling a bit more adventurous than we were comfortable with in that terrain. We didn't make it very far in and mostly just stopped to take a quick photo so we could say we visited. It was also pretty hot, with the sun beating down the whole time, which made it harder to explore and enjoy the park fully. That said, the park itself is really nice, and you can tell there's a lot to see if you're prepared and know where you're going. I'd recommend going earlier in the day, bringing plenty of water, and maybe looking up a map or trail guide ahead of time, especially if you're visiting with young kids. Overall, it's a cool place, but we didn't get to experience it as much as we had hoped. Definitely worth another try with better planning!

You have to be careful when trying to use Google Maps when getting here (Petroglyphs site). You…read moremay go to the wrong side of the mountain if you're not careful, it's best to use GPS coordinates. 36.982827, -113.503066 This is free to visit and an easy activity for families, singles, or groups. The hike is easy and short, less than a 1/2 mile. There is a sort of gate that you have to squish through. The best Petroglyphs are the right on the "trail". It's a short trip, I would pair this with glitter mountain and warner valley dinosaur tracks. This trail also has a toilet and picnic area on site. If it has rained recently you may not want to visit. Cars can get stuck in the mud! All wheel drive not required when it's dry. Bring water, snacks, sunscreen, and garbage bag. Keep an eye on kids so they aren't messing with the Petroglyphs, or can be tempting for them to scratch at things with the rocks laying around. Always clean up after yourself!

Great little hike for all ages. There is a porta potty one seater. There is a little picnic table…read more Easy walk to read the history of the petroglyph. Staying on the path you will see plenty of the petroglyphs. Further in there is a platform you can walk up to see the other petroglyphs.