05/01/2021 - 05/16/2021: All 5 National Parks in Utah and more
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I was in Utah from Saturday, 05/01/2021 - Saturday, 05/16/2021. Inspired by my mini-hiking trip to Indiana Dunes, New Buffalo, and Saugatuck in October 2020, I was eager to delve into the world of National Parks. Utah seemed like the perfect destination—it gave me the opportunity to reconnect with my good friend Heidi and explore multiple National Parks all at once!
During my time in Utah, I saw Salt Lake City, Park City, all 5 National Parks, Lower Calf Creek Falls of Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Kodachrome Basin State Park, and Dead Horse State Park. It was truly an epic trip!
I arrived in Salt Lake City on Saturday, 05/01/2021.
On Sunday, 05/02/2021, Heidi, her husband, and I had brunch at Ice Haus, a German-style gastropub in Murray, UT, known for its live music, bar bingo, great food, cocktails, and an extensive beer selection. After brunch, we set off for Park City to wander around Historic Main Street, stopping at No Name Saloon, a lively restaurant/bar with a rooftop patio, for a drink.
While you could easily spend a couple of days in Park City, we only had a few hours to spare, so we stuck to the main area before heading back to Salt Lake City to relax for the evening.
Heidi and her husband had to work Monday through Wednesday, leaving me to explore Salt Lake City on my own.
Monday, 05/03/2021
I took a bus from the suburbs into downtown Salt Lake City, starting my day at Washington Square Park, a pretty public park, filled with trees, walkways, and statues surrounding the Salt Lake City and County Building.
From there, I walked to Gateway Plaza, an eclectic, mixed-use shopping and entertainment destination located in the heart of downtown Salt Lake City.
City Creek Center, an open-air shopping mall with offices, a fountain, and a simulated creek, was next on my itinerary. While I didn't make any purchases at either shopping center, both locations were really interesting to explore.
Temple Square is a popular visitor attraction owned by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, occupying a 10-acre city block. Since it’s such an iconic landmark in Salt Lake City and only a 2-minute walk from City Creek Center, I had to include it in my self-curated walking tour. While I couldn’t go inside due to renovations (closed until 2024), it was still an impressive sight to see!
Continuing my exploration, I proceeded to the Utah State Capitol. Situated atop a hill, the Capitol offers sweeping views of Salt Lake City, the Wasatch and Oquirrh Mountains. Surrounding the building are beautifully maintained and sculpted lawns, trees, flowerbeds, and shrubs.
Next, I walked to Memory Grove Park, home to veterans' memorials and a replica of the Liberty Bell. The park's main loop spans approximately 0.8 miles.
After exploring the park and walking along City Creek Canyon Road, a popular route for walking, jogging, and bicycling that extends into the northeast mountains, I stopped to take a Lyft to the Ensign Peak Trailhead, a short but steep 1-mile hike offering stunning panoramic views of the Salt Lake Valley, Wasatch Mountains, Great Salt Lake, and Antelope Island. It took me about 40 minutes to complete the trail.
I finished the hike around 2:30pm and decided to walk the 2.4 miles from Ensign Peak Trailhead to Whiskey Street, a well-known whiskey bar in the heart of Salt Lake City to meet up with Heidi and her husband.
After drinks, we stopped at Gracie’s, a gastropub with two patios and great city views, and ended the night at Takashi, a sushi spot known for signature rolls and an extensive sake list.
According to Google Fit, I logged an impressive 33,765 steps that day!
Tuesday, 05/04/2021
After spending the previous day wandering around downtown Salt Lake City, I opted for a change of scenery and started my day by taking a Lyft to the Living Room Trailhead, a 2.5-mile hike that offers stunning views of the city. The trail’s end features rock formations that resemble chairs and couches, giving the trail its name. It took me about 1.5 hours to complete.
After the hike, I walked the short distance to the Red Butte Gardens, one of the largest botanical gardens in the Intermountain West Admission is $14, which can be purchased at the entrance. With 21 acres of developed gardens and 5 miles of hiking trails, you could easily spend a day here, but I only spent about 2 hours there.
Next, I headed to Liberty Park, Salt Lake City's oldest and second-largest city park, covering 80 acres. The park features a pond with two islands, walking/running paths, swimming pool, tennis courts, paddle boats, picnic facilities, and is home to Tracy Aviary,
Next, I headed to Liberty Park, Salt Lake City's oldest and second-largest park, covering 80 acres. The park features a pond, walking paths, tennis courts, and paddle boats. It's also home to Tracy Aviary one of only two accredited standalone aviaries in the United States. Entrance is $14, which can be purchased online or in-person at the main entrance on the north side of the Visitor’s Center.
Heidi picked me up from the park around 4pm that day and we headed back to her place for dinner.
Wednesday, 05/05/2021
This was my last full day in Salt Lake City before heading to the National Parks.
That morning, I took a bus to Sugar House Park, the city’s largest public park, which spans 110.5 acres and features several amenities, including a large pond and hilly areas ideal for sledding. The park also connects to Parley’s Trail, an east-west multi-use pathway linking the Bonneville Shoreline Trail on the east to the Jordan River Parkway on the west.
Afterward, I walked to Canyon Rim Park, a 16-acre space in Millcreek City with picnic pavilions, athletic courts, and scenic walking trails.
I wrapped up my day at Roots Café, a cozy coffee shop known for fresh-pressed juices, gourmet sandwiches, and pastries. It was the perfect spot to enjoy lunch before catching a Lyft back to Heidi’s to prepare for the hiking portion of the trip.
On Thursday, 05/06/2021, Heidi dropped me off at an Enterprise Rent-A-Car so I could pick up the rental car I’d be using for the rest of the trip. I opted for a midsize SUV.
After securing the car, I returned to Heidi’s place to pack up and prepare for our journey. Departing around 10:30am, we headed to Thousand Lakes RV Park in Torrey, UT, our accommodation for the Capitol Reef portion of the trip. This scenic park offers RV sites, tent sites, and cabins, along with picturesque views and an on-site restaurant. We opted for one of their cabins with a kitchen.
After securing the car, I returned to Heidi’s place to pack up and prepare for our journey. We left around 10:30am to head to Thousand Lakes RV Park in Torrey, UT, our accommodation for the Capitol Reef portion of the trip. This scenic park offers RV sites, tent sites, and cabins, along with picturesque views and an on-site restaurant. We opted for one of their cabins with a kitchen.
Shortly after we arrived, we changed into hiking gear and headed to the Fish Creek Trailhead to hike parts of the Fish Creek Lake Trail and the Fish Creek Cove. The hikes rewarded us with sightings of ancient pictographs, petroglyphs, and a slot canyon featuring a small waterfall!
After spending a couple of hours hiking, we returned to Thousand Lakes RV Park for dinner and headed to bed.
Friday, 05/07/2021 was dedicated to exploring the Cathedral Valley District of Capitol Reef National Park. The Cathedral Valley driving loop spans 57.6 miles and typically takes 6 to 8 hours to complete. This remote and rugged region requires a vehicle with high ground clearance for optimal navigation. Foot and vehicle traffic in Cathedral Valley is minimal, so travelers should be prepared for unexpected challenges. Assistance may not be readily available, and response times can vary greatly depending on the season. It's essential to carry ample water, food, fuel, appropriate clothing, and emergency supplies for any unforeseen circumstances.
Within the Cathedral Valley District, we saw the Bentonite Hills, Temple of the Sun and Moon, Upper and Lower Cathedral Valley, Glass Mountain, and the Gypsum Sinkhole.
Next, we hiked the Upper Cathedral Valley Overlook Trail. It took us about 15 minutes to complete the 0.2-mile round trip hike. The overlook offers stunning panoramic views of the rugged Cathedral Valley and the towering sandstone monoliths known as the Cathedrals.
The Jailhouse Rock and Temple Rock Route was the main hike we did while visiting the Cathedral Valley District of Capitol Reef National Park. We spent nearly 2 hours hiking close to 4 miles through this unique and remote landscape.
Exploring the Cathedral Valley District of Capitol Reef National Park was such a unique way to visit the park. I felt like we were in our own remote oasis, since we encountered very few people along the loop drive.
We returned to Thousand Lakes RV Park around 7pm, where we enjoyed dinner at Torrey Grill, the on-site restaurant. Afterward, we headed to bed, preparing for an early start the next day.
On Saturday, 05/08/2021, Heidi and I set out from Torrey, UT at 6am for Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. We drove the scenic Highway 12 Byway, stopping at overlooks to capture photos of the stunning sunrise as we made our way to Lower Calf Creek Falls.
We arrived at the Lower Calf Creek Falls parking lot around 7am and were fortunate to secure two of the last available spots on a Saturday morning. Lower Calf Creek Falls is one of the more accessible and popular hikes in Grand Staircase-Escalante, partly because the trailhead is located directly off the main highway—most other trails in Escalante require navigating dirt roads. For those planning to hike this trail on a weekend, arriving early is highly recommended.
The 6.7-mile out-and-back hike winds through a picturesque canyon and leads to a soaring 126-foot waterfall. It was such a wonderful way to start the day. According to my Garmin watch, it took us about 4 hours to complete the hike.
Heidi and I departed from Grand Staircase-Escalante around 12:30pm to drive to Kodachrome Basin State Park, where we embarked on the Panorama Trail hike. The park offers six hiking trails, most of which are less than 1 mile in length, with the Panorama Trail being the exception. The full loop is 6 miles, but if you skip the spur trails, the distance is only 3 miles.
We chose the shorter route and spent nearly 2 hours hiking 3.85 miles, according to my Garmin watch.
We left the park around 4:30pm to check into our hotel at Stone Canyon Inn in Tropic, UT—a beautiful inn offering breathtaking views of Bryce Canyon National Park. That evening, we treated ourselves to dinner at Stone Hearth Grille, an upscale restaurant located at the inn.
Sunday, 05/09/2021, was devoted to exploring Bryce Canyon National Park. Heidi and I checked out of Stone Canyon Inn and drove the short distance to the park to embark on the Navajo Loop and Queen’s Garden Trail.
Sunday, 05/09/2021, was dedicated to exploring Bryce Canyon National Park. After checking out of Stone Canyon Inn, Heidi and I drove to the park to hike the Navajo Loop and Queen’s Garden Trail. Renowned as the park's most popular hike and highly recommended by the National Park Service for first-time visitors, this trail offers a unique combination of the distinctive hoodoos found along the Queen’s Garden Trail and the iconic switchbacks of the Navajo Loop Trail.
Around 12:30pm, Heidi and I parted ways, with her heading back to Salt Lake City, while I continued on to the second leg of my journey.
I began the solo portion by driving Bryce Canyon Scenic Drive, the main park road, south to Rainbow Point, the southernmost viewpoint. After capturing photos, I turned around and drove north to Fairyland Point, the northernmost viewpoint, stopping at scenic overlooks along the way.
I reached Fairyland Point around 3:30pm. After capturing some photos there, I proceeded to drive to Zion Park Motel, the hotel I stayed at while visiting Zion National Park.
I arrived at Zion Park Motel around 5:45pm on Sunday, 05/09/2022. I chose this affordable option because it’s just one mile south of Zion National Park, and cost $408.69 for three nights in May 2021. Though the rooms were a bit dated, I didn’t mind as I’d be spending minimal time in the room. The bed was comfortable, which was perfect!
After checking in and freshening up, I went to Oscar’s Cafe, a popular spot for generous portions of authentic Mexican food. Following dinner, I walked to Sol Foods Supermarket for additional supplies before calling it a night.
On Monday, 05/10/2022, I arrived early at the Visitor Center to catch the 6am shuttle to The Grotto, the 6th stop of the Zion Canyon Shuttle. From there, I planned to tackle the Angel’s Landing hike to Scout’s Lookout.
The hike begins by crossing a bridge over the Virgin River onto the West Rim Trail, leading to Refrigerator Canyon, a shaded, paved section. Then came Walter’s Wiggles, a series of 21 switchbacks with a 250-foot elevation gain. Beyond that, is the sandy plateau of Scout’s Lookout.
At this point, hikers can continue to Angel’s Landing, stay on the West Rim Trail, or head back down. I chose to stop at Scout’s Lookout, where I enjoyed a sandwich, snapped some photos, and relaxed before heading back down to the bus stop. While I’ve heard the view from Angel’s Landing is breathtaking, I personally was nervous to hike the narrow ridge from Scout’s Lookout to Angel’s Landing, and found the view from Scout’s Lookout to be stunning enough for me.
Next, I took the shuttle to the Temple of Sinawava stop, the last shuttle stop along the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive, to hike The Narrows, a unique and exhilarating trek through the Virgin River.
There are 2 ways to complete the river hike: Bottom-Up or Top-Down. The Top-Down option is the more challenging and adventurous route, requiring a permit. The Bottom-Up hike, the route I chose, is the most common and accessible way to experience The Narrows.
I didn’t rent any gear for this hike, as I was comfortable with using my own gear. To keep my feet from getting uncomfortable while hiking in the water, I wore neoprene socks under my Darn Tough hiking socks. Luckily, my hiking shoes, the Salomon Speedcross 5, are waterproof.
I didn’t rent any gear for this hike, as I was comfortable with using my own. To keep my feet comfortable, I wore neoprene socks under my Darn Tough hiking socks. My Salomon Speedcross 5 hiking shoes are waterproof, which was perfect for this hike. I highly recommend using a hiking pole on this hike, as mine definitely helped me maintain my balance.
I also had dry bags inside my day pack. I used them to store my camera, portable chargers, food, and anything else I didn’t want to get wet. Dry bags are great for keeping your gear dry in wet conditions, as long as the bag isn't fully submerged.
I also had dry bags inside my day pack to store my camera, portable chargers, food, and anything else I didn’t want to get wet. Dry bags are great for keeping gear dry, as long as they’re not fully submerged.
Upon exiting the shuttle, I continued onto the Riverside Walk, a paved trail that leads to The Narrows. The river hike begins at the end of the paved trail. Mystery Falls, a beautiful spot where water cascades down the sandstone walls from the canyon above, is on the left side just under half a mile from the end of Riverside Walk. Wall Street, one of the narrowest and most photogenic parts of the trail, is about 1.5 miles up from the end of the Riverside Walk. My goal had been to make it to Wall Street, but I unfortunately turned around just before reaching that spot.
After exiting the shuttle, I continued on the Riverside Walk, a paved trail that leads to The Narrows. The river hike begins at the end of the paved trail. Mystery Falls, a beautiful spot where water cascades down the sandstone walls, is on the left side, just under half a mile from the end of Riverside Walk. Wall Street, one of the narrowest and most photogenic parts, is about 1.5 miles up the trail. My goal was to make it to Wall Street, but I unfortunately turned around just before reaching that spot. I didn’t realize that until after the hike.
Nothing is marked along the route, so it’s a game of watching for specific landmarks as you hike up the river. The spot I turned around at looked quite narrow and, even with the hiking pole, I fell into the water a couple of times. When I reached what I thought was Wall Street, I felt pretty happy with all I had seen and, since I was kinda soaked from falling, I decided it was as good as any time to turn around and hike back to Riverside Walk.
There are no markers along the route, so it’s a game of watching for landmarks as you go. I turned around at a narrow spot and, despite my hiking pole, fell into the water a couple of times. When I reached what I thought was Wall Street, I was kinda soaked from falling and decided it was as good as any time to turn around and hike back to Riverside Walk.
When I reached the paved area, I took off the neoprene socks and switched into dry hiking socks. Luckily, it was a sunny day, and my clothes and shoes dried quickly.
It was around 2pm when I returned to the Temple of Sinawava stop to catch the shuttle back to the Visitor Center. Since it was still early, I hopped off at the Zion Lodge stop (#5) to explore the area and hike the Emerald Pools trails.
The trails offer scenic paths through vegetation and alongside streams, leading to pools nestled in the canyon's cliffs. Divided into Lower, Middle, and Upper levels, these trails offer varying levels of difficulty and provide stunning views of the park's natural beauty.
According to my Garmin watch, it took me about 2 hours to hike almost 4 miles of the Emerald Pools trails.
I returned to the car around 5:30pm and drove back to Zion Park Motel to shower and change. Afterward, I ventured out again to walk to the Springdale Visitor Center and returned to the hotel around 9pm, heading straight to bed.
On Tuesday, 05/11/2021, I again arrived at the Visitor Center before 6am to catch the shuttle to the Big Bend stop. Shuttles don’t pick up here to take visitors up the canyon, but they do stop to bring visitors down. From the Big Bend stop, you can see a large bend in the Virgin River and stunning views of the Great White Throne, Angel’s Landing, and Cable Mountain. I hiked along the river to the Grotto stop, where I was thrilled to spot a deer crossing the river!
I continued walking to the Grotto stop, where I caught the shuttle back to the parking lot and the car.
After retrieving the car from the parking lot, I drove about an hour to the East Mesa Trailhead to hike The East Mesa Trail, a quiet hike through a ponderosa pine forest on the upper east side of Zion National Park, leading to Observation Point. From there, you can see all of Zion Canyon, including Angel’s Landing, the Virgin River, and the road going through the park.
A 4-wheel or all-wheel drive is highly recommended for reaching the trailhead, as it’s down a section of dirt road There are only 15 parking spots, but if full, shuttles are available from Zion Ponderosa.
I arrived at the trailhead around 11:30am and completed the 7.5-mile hike in about 3 hours.
My next stop was the Canyon Overlook Trail, a relatively flat and easy hike that leads to incredible views of Zion Canyon.
The trail isn’t accessible from the shuttle and can only be reached via private vehicle. The parking area is located on Highway 9, just east of the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel. Parking is extremely limited right by the trailhead, but there are overflow lots further down the road. I arrived around 4:30 pm, and luckily didn’t have any issues getting a parking spot.
The 1-mile out-and-back hike took me about an hour to complete.
I then drove back to the Visitor Center parking lot to hike The Watchman Trail, arriving around 6:30 pm.
The trailhead is conveniently located right by the Visitor Center plaza, across the street from the shuttle stop.
It was the perfect spot to watch the sunset and end the Zion National Park portion of my trip.
On Wednesday, 05/12/2022, I left Zion Park Motel in Springdale around 8am and arrived in Moab by 1:30 pm. I went straight to the trailhead for Corona and Bowtie Arches.
Starting from the trailhead, I crossed the railroad tracks and followed the old road that ascends to a gap in the slickrock bench above. Following cairns, I proceeded up the wash for about 100 yards until the trail veered left. Along the way, 2 safety cables provided security, particularly in slightly exposed sections, aiding in traversing the terrain safely while enjoying views of Corona Arch in the distance. After ascending steps carved in sandstone with the assistance of the second safety cable, I continued east, climbed a short ladder over the ledge, and followed cairns to reach the top of a large bench. From there, a short walk along the wide slickrock bench led me to the base of Corona Arch.
The trail starts by crossing the railroad tracks and following an old road that ascends to a gap in the slickrock bench above. After a short walk through the wash, the trail veers left. Along the way, two safety cables helped with some exposed sections. After climbing a short ladder, I continued across a larger slickrock bench, eventually reaching Corona Arch.
Completing the almost 3-mile trail took approximately one hour and 45 minutes. Afterwards, I headed to Adventure Inn, my accommodation for visiting Arches and Canyonlands National Parks. I chose to stay there because it’s conveniently located on the main road in Moab, U.S. Route 191, just five miles from Arches National Park and 32 miles from Canyonlands National Park. Additionally, there were a couple of gas stations nearby. It was also relatively affordable, costing $393.96 for three nights in May 2021.
After completing the nearly 3-mile trail in about 1 hour 45 minutes, I drove to Adventure Inn for my stay while visiting Arches and Canyonlands National Parks. I chose this place for its convenient location on U.S. Route 191, just five miles from Arches and 32 miles from Canyonlands, with a couple of gas stations nearby. It was also affordable, costing $393.96 for 3 nights in May 2021.
After a busy day, I called it an early night in anticipation of the next day's adventure.
On Thursday, 05/13/2021, I spent 18 hours immersed in the wonders of Arches National Park. I arrived at the Windows Trail trailhead at 3:30am for night sky photography and stayed until just after sunset at 8:22pm. It was a long but memorable day.
I chose the Windows section for my night sky shoot after learning that capturing Turret Arch framed by the North Window is considered the quintessential sunrise shot. Since I also planned to photograph the sunrise there, it made sense to start with night sky photos. Plus, the short, easy climb up a gravel trail to the Windows section made it an accessible spot to navigate, even in the dark with just my headlamp.
Click here to view more night sky photos from the Windows Section
As first light approached, I wrapped up my night sky photos and continued along the trail to walk through the North Window, scrambling up the rocks for a sunrise shot of Turret Arch framed by the window. After spending about 3 hours in the Windows section and feeling satisfied with my photos, I headed back to my car to continue my journey.
Next on my itinerary was the Devil’s Garden Trail, a popular 8-mile hike known for its stunning collection of natural arches. The trail offers the chance to explore up to eight impressive arches.
I started with Tunnel Arch and Pine Tree Arch, then continued clockwise, visiting Landscape Arch, Partition Arch, Navajo Arch, Double O Arch, Dark Angel Arch, and finally Private Arch. After enjoying the serene beauty at Private Arch, I retraced my steps, passing Double O Arch and Landscape Arch before heading back to the trailhead.
Though advertised as 8 miles, both my AllTrails and Garmin apps recorded a distance of 9.9 miles, taking just under 6 hours. The extra mileage added an unexpected challenge to the hike, but the opportunity to view the breathtaking scenery and unique formations made it all worthwhile.
Next, I headed to the Sand Dune Arch parking area to hike the Sand Dune and Broken Arch Trails, arriving around 2:30pm. The Sand Dune Arch Trail is a short, easy walk through sandy terrain, while the Broken Arch Trail winds through open blackbrush and grassland flats to the arch. Though it appears broken due to a crack at the top, Broken Arch is actually intact. According to AllTrails, the 1.65-mile hike took me about 45 minutes to complete.
After completing the Sand Dune and Broken Arch Trail hike, I drove to Skyline Arch and set out on the short, easy 0.4-mile round-trip hike from the parking lot to take in the scenic views of the arch.
Next, I headed to Park Avenue and Courthouse Towers. While the Park Avenue Trail is a short 2-mile out-and-back, I had already hiked nearly 12 miles between Devil’s Garden Trail and Sand Dune and Broken Arch Trail, and still had a 3-mile hike ahead of me to reach Delicate Arch for sunset. So, I decided to skip the hike and instead took photos of Park Avenue from the viewpoint. Afterward, I drove to the Courthouse Towers parking area for more photo opportunities.
Around 5:30pm, I left the Courthouse Towers parking area and drove to the Wolfe Ranch Parking Lot, which serves as the trailhead for Delicate Arch Trail.
I spent Friday, 05/14/2021, exploring the Island in the Sky section of Canyonlands, catching the sunset at Dead Horse Point State Park, and venturing back into Canyonlands for some night sky photography at Mesa Arch.
Canyonlands National Park is divided into 3 districts: Island in the Sky, The Needles, and The Maze. Positioned in the park's northern region, Island in the Sky is the most easily accessible of the three. If you only have one day to spend at Canyonlands, I recommend spending your time there, driving the scenic drive on top of the mesa, pausing at the various overlooks for beautiful views of the park or completing some of the short hikes.
Canyonlands National Park is divided into three districts: Island in the Sky, The Needles, and The Maze. Located in the northern part of the park, Island in the Sky is the most accessible of the three. If you only have one day to explore Canyonlands, I recommend spending your time there.
I began my morning at Mesa Arch, one of Canyonlands' most famous destinations, renowned for its stunning sunrise photo opportunities. Perched on the edge of the mesa, Mesa Arch offers panoramic views of the canyon below and the distant La Sal Mountains. Sunrise was at 6:11am that day, and I had read that arriving at least an hour before sunrise was ideal for securing a good spot. However, since my hotel was a 45-minute drive from Mesa Arch, I would have had to leave by 4am to arrive on time. After spending 18 hours in Arches National Park the day before, I couldn’t bring myself to wake up that early. Instead, I arrived at Mesa Arch around 8:30am, and although I missed the sunrise, the scenery was still breathtakingly beautiful.
After spending about an hour at Mesa Arch, I drove to Grand View Point Trail, located at the southernmost end of the Island in the Sky scenic drive. This easy 2-mile out-and-back hike offers spectacular views of both sides of the canyon the entire way. It took me about an hour to complete the hike.
Next, I made my way to Green River Overlook, a short walk on a paved path that offers a breathtaking panorama of the rugged landscape carved by the Green River. Perched atop a towering mesa, the overlook provides sweeping views of deep canyons, colorful rock formations, and the meandering path of the river below.
Murphy Point Trail, an easy 3.6 out-and-back hike, was my next destination for the day. I reached the Murphy Point Trail parking area around 1pm. The trail begins with a stroll through a grassy plateau, gradually revealing the majestic buttes encircling the Island in the Sky district.
About ½ mile in, there is a junction where hikers can either turn left or continue straight. Turning left leads to Murphy Loop Trail, a 10.1-mile loop that offers outstanding views from atop the Murphy Hogback and White Rim Road. The route to Murphy Point continues straight past the junction. At the end of the trail, Murphy Point provides sweeping panoramic views of Candlestick Tower, the Green River, and the White Rim Road.
After reaching the point, time was spent soaking in the stunning vistas and enjoying lunch. The trail remained quiet until the overlook, where a solo hiker and a couple eventually arrived. Sharing conversation with them made for a really pleasant midday break before heading back.
Next, I made my way to Orange Cliffs Overlook. With it being right next to Grand View Point Overlook, I should have stopped there first after hiking the Grand View Point Overlook Trail in the morning. But, I unfortunately didn’t think to look that closely at a map before visiting the park to see the most strategic way to see the entire park, and was instead following more of a list of things I had read were the top places to see in Canyonlands. Consequently, I ended up doing a bit of unnecessary backtracking from Murphy Point Overlook to reach Orange Cliffs Overlook.
The Orange Cliffs Overlook offers stunning panoramic views of the surrounding landscape, characterized by its vibrant orange-hued cliffs, deep canyons, and unique rock formations. One thing to note is that parking is limited at this location, but it's just a short stroll from the parking lot to reach the overlook.
Next on the itinerary was Buck Canyon Overlook. A short walk along a paved pathway from the parking area leads to this viewpoint, offering stunning vistas of the canyon below and the distant La Sal Mountains.
White Rim Overlook Trail was my next hike for the day. The 1.8 mile round-trip hike provides panoramic views of the iconic White Rim rock formation, the expansive canyon below, and again offers views of the distant La Sal Mountains on the horizon.
I returned to my car after hiking White Rim Overlook Trail at 5pm. My main priority for the day was to see the sunset at Dead Horse Point State Park, which was scheduled at 8:23pm that evening. While there was more I wanted to see at the Island in the Sky district of Canyonlands, I was eager to explore the state park prior to the sunset. Content with what I had seen, I decided to make my way to Dead Horse Point State Park, stopping stopping at Aztec Butte and Shafer Trail Viewpoint along the way.
I returned to my car after hiking White Rim Overlook Trail at 5pm. My main priority for the day was to see the sunset at Dead Horse Point State Park, which was scheduled for 8:23pm that evening. While there was more I wanted to see in the Island in the Sky district of Canyonlands, I was eager to explore the state park before sunset. Content with everything I had experienced, I decided to make my way toward Dead Horse Point, stopping at Aztec Butte and Shafer Trail Viewpoint along the way.
Aztec Butte is a 2-mile out-and-back hike that rewards hikers with amazing butte-top views of the canyon. Instead of completing the full hike, I opted to pull over at the overlook and snap a few photos before continuing to Shafer Trail Viewpoint. This viewpoint is just a short stroll from the parking area and offers a dramatic view of the Shafer Trail as it winds down Shafer Canyon toward the La Sal Mountains. To drive the Shafer Trail, a high-clearance 4WD vehicle and experienced driver are strongly recommended.
In retrospect, I realize that I did a fair amount of unnecessary driving to cover all the sights I wanted to see in Canyonlands that day. Without a close look at the map beforehand, I ended up following a general list of top places to visit in the park, which led to more backtracking than needed. Looking back, a more efficient route after the Grand View Point Overlook Trail would have been: Orange Cliffs Overlook, followed by White Rim Overlook, Buck Canyon Overlook, Candlestick Tower Overlook, Green River Overlook, Aztec Butte, and finally Shafer Trail Viewpoint before heading to Dead Horse Point State Park.
Hopefully, my experience will be a lesson to you to look closely at a map before visiting a park! :)
I arrived at Dead Horse Point State Park at 5:40 PM on Friday, 05/14/2021, with plenty of time before the sunset at 8:23pm. Entry to the park costs $20 per private vehicle.
Situated high above the White Rim Trail in Canyonlands National Park, the park offers sweeping panoramic views of the Colorado River as it winds through the deep canyons below. Thanks to its elevated position, Dead Horse Point is one of the best places in the area to watch the sun dip below the horizon. As the light fades, the sun casts a warm golden glow over the rugged cliffs and rock formations, creating a captivating play of light and shadow across the landscape.
After arriving, I made a quick stop at the Visitor Center, then continued along the main park road to the Overlook parking lot, located at the very end of the park. While the park features 8 miles of interconnected hiking trails, each leading to a different overlook, I chose not to hike and instead spent my time exploring the main overlook area. It was the perfect spot to unwind and soak in the breathtaking views and the beauty of the sunset.
I left Dead Horse Point State Park around 9:00pm to re-enter Canyonlands National Park, reaching Mesa Arch by 9:45pm. I stayed there until 12:30am, enjoying the quiet night and the clear skies.
It was a great opportunity for some night photography, with minimal light pollution and a great view of the stars above the arch. I had wanted to capture the Milky Way rising behind Mesa Arch, but that wouldn’t be aligning until closer to 2am. With it already being a long day, I opted to leave at 12:30am, instead, knowing I still had an hour to drive back to the hotel.
It was a perfect opportunity for night photography, with minimal light pollution and a great view of the stars above the arch. I had hoped to capture the Milky Way rising behind Mesa Arch, but it wouldn’t align until closer to 2:00am. Since it had already been a long day, I decided to leave at 12:30am, knowing I still had about an hour to drive back to the hotel.
When I reached the car, I cranked up the volume on the stereo to stay awake during the drive back and fell asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow.
On Saturday, 05/15/2021, I began the final leg of my two-week hiking trip in Utah. After checking out of Adventure Inn at 9am, I drove back to Salt Lake City, returned the mid-sized SUV to Enterprise Rent-A-Car, and then took an Uber back to Heidi’s place to reconnect with her and her husband before flying home the next day.
Saturday, 05/01/2021: Flew to Salt Lake City
United flight at 2:10pm to arrive in Denver at 4:54pm
Sunday, 05/02/2021: Park City
Brunch at Ice Haus
Spent the day at Park City
Wandered around the historic downtown area
Stopped at No Name Saloon for a drink
Monday, 05/03/2021: Salt Lake City
Walked around Salt Lake City stopping at the following places:
Washington Square Park
Gateway Plaza
City Creek Center
Temple Square
Utah State Capitol
Memory Grove Park
Took a Lyft to the Ensign Peak Trailhead to hike to the top of Ensign Peak
Walked from the Ensign Peak Trailhead to Whiskey Street to meet up with Heidi and her husband for a beer
Gracie’s for a drink
Dinner at Takashi
Tuesday, 05/04/2021: Salt Lake City
Hiked the Living Room Trail
Walked around Red Butte Garden
Took a Lyft to Liberty Park to wander around the park and check out the Tracy Aviary
Wednesday, 05/05/2021: Salt Lake City
Visited the following parks:
Fairmont Park
Parleys Park
Canyon Rim Park
Lunch at Roots Cafe
Thursday, 05/06/2021: Fish Creek and drove to Torrey
Picked up the rental car to drive towards Torrey
Stopped in Fish Creek to hike some of the Fish Creek Lake Trail and the Fish Creek Cove Trail
Drove to Thousand Lakes RV Park to check into our place there
Friday, 05/07/2021: Capitol Reef National Park
Drove through the Cathedral Valley Loop of Capitol Reef National Park
Hiked the Upper Cathedral Valley Overlook trail
Hiked the Jailhouse Rock and Temple Rock Route trail
Saturday, 05/08/2021: Lower Calf Creek Falls and Kodachrome Basin State Park
Drove on Highway 12 towards Tropic
Stopped for sunrise photos
Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument
Hiked Lower Calf Creek Falls
Kodachrome Basin State Park
Hiked the Panorama Trail
Checked into our hotel at the Stone Canyon Inn
Dinner at Stone Hearth Grille at Bryce Canyon
Sunday, 05/09/2021: Bryce National Park and driving from Bryce to Springdale
Hiked the Navajo Loop and Queen Garden’s Trail and Bryce Canyon National Park
Heidi headed back home, while I continued on
Drove Bryce Canyon Scenic Drive
Drove to Springdale to check into Zion Park Motel
Dinner at Oscar’s Cafe
Monday, 05/10/2021: Zion National Park
Hiked the Angel’s Landing Trail
Stopped at Scout’s Lookout
Hiked the Narrows
Stopped just before Wall Street
Hiked the Emerald Pools Trail
Tuesday, 05/11/2021: Zion National Park
Took the shuttle to Big Bend stop - stop 8 and walked along the river to the Grotto stop - stop 6
Left the park to drive to the East Mesa Trailhead
Hiked the East Mesa Trail to Observation Point
Hiked the Canyon Overlook Trail
Went back into the park
Hiked the Watchman Trail hike to watch the sunset
Wednesday, 05/12/2021: Drove from Springdale to Moab
Checked out of Zion Park Motel
Drove to Moab
Hiked Corona Arch before checking into the hotel
Checked into Adventure Inn
Thursday, 05/13/2021: Arches National Park
Arrived at the park around 3:30am to get photos of the night sky from the Window section
Watched the sunrise from the Windows section
Drove to Balanced Rock Viewpoint and Trail to get photos of Balanced Rock
Hiked the Devil’s Garden Trail
Hiked the Sand Dune Arch to Broken Arch Loop trail
Drove to Park Avenue and Courthouse Towers
Hiked Delicate Arch trail for sunset
Friday, 05/14/2021: Canyonlands National Park and Dead Horse Point State Park
Mesa Arch Trail
Grand View Point Trail
Green River Overlook
Candlestick Tower Overlook
Murphy Point Overlook Trail
Orange Cliffs Overlook
Buck Canyon Overlook
White Rim Overlook Trail
Aztec Butte
Shafer Trail Viewpoint
Drove to Dead Horse Point State Park to watch the sunset
Drove back into Canyonlands to the Mesa Arch trailhead
Night sky photos at Mesa Arch
Saturday, 05/15/2021: Drove from Moab to Salt Lake City
Checked out of Adventure Inn
Drove from Adventure Inn to Millcreek Enterprise Rent-A-Center to drop off the car
Met back up with Heidi and her husband for the day
Sunday, 05/16/2021: Flight home
United flight at 12:15pm from Salt Lake City back to Chicago
