South-east Utah is canyon country, with the Green, Colorado and San Juan rivers cutting sinuous and spectacular routes down through red, white and orange bedrock. Last modified on January 29th, 2021 at 15:31. Snow Canyons Navajo sandstone cliffs share the same history and geology as Zion. From narrow slot canyons to grand sweeping vistas, sandstone plateaus to meandering rivers, San Rafael Country and the San Rafael Swell are home to some of the most spectacular scenery in Utah. Journey along meandering trails and waterways, or ride off-highway vehicles on shifting seas of coral pink sand. Named by the members of a National Geographic expedition in 1949, Kodachrome Basin looks a bit what Yellowstone national park might look like if all its thermal water features dried up. There are many ways to explore Southern Utah. Discover some of the most picturesque places to photograph in Southern Utah, and learn some tips for how to shoot and travel responsibly. This route is best attempted in the spring or fall, when its likely to be free of summer hoards, or winter snow and ice. The trails offer several opportunities to stop and savor the views before tackling the next leg of trails. Nonetheless, the state park is well worth shelling out an extra $20 to visit. But southern Utahs beauty isnt limited to the grandeur of Zion, the delicacy of Arches, or the ruggedness of Canyonlands. In the Coral Pink Sands, restless winds shift Sahara-like dunes across a 3,700-acre state park. As you visit, do your part to keep Utah Forever Mighty. This trip assumes a start in Salt Lake City, Utah or Grand Junction, Colorado, and heads toward Moab, though travelers arriving via Las Vegas should reverse the order and launch their Utah trip from St. George. Top tip Be sure to check the Edge of the Cedars museum website for lectures, festivals and other events. Get access to more than 30 brands, premium video, exclusive content, events, mapping, and more. This article was amended on 26 February 2020 to remove a photo which was captioned as being of Goosenecks state park, but was actually of Horseshoe Bend in Arizona. Camp, hike, boat, ride, and explore all 43 Utah State Parks Quail Creek State Park offers adventurers the chance to appreciate Southern Utahs dramatic landscapes from the water. The Bears Ears area, situated around two rounded humps of rock shaped like a bears ears, inspires many mysteries and local legends. A 17-mile road, bumpy but passable to most vehicles when dry, loops through the area, between highways 261 and 163. The strangely shaped rocks are eroded out of entrada sandstone, a reddish rock that dates to the time of the dinosaurs and underlies much of south-east Utah. If ever a state park was made to be photographed, it is Utah's Kodachrome Basin State Park. The park has a campground and rooms can be found in nearby Torrey and along highway 12, towards Boulder. When it comes to dramatic geology, southern Utah is well endowed. Camping: Reserve a Yurt for a unique overnight experience. Goblin Valley boasts a campground with hot showers, a rarity in this dry desert state. Id read somewhere that the state park can be a noisy place to visit due to its popularity with dune buggies. Please note some state parks close their gates at night. (801) 538-7220 Some of Utahs best state parks dot the landscape of Mighty Five country, swaddled by adventurous national forest or the rugged Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument.
In summer months, it provides an escape from the areas searing heat. Dead Horse Point State Park is just as impressive as the more popular national parks outside of Moab. In the Neighborhood: Grand StaircaseEscalante National Monument and Bryce Canyon National Park, Entrance Fee: $10 day-use pass; $5 for Utah seniors 62 and older. We heeded his advice and soaked in views over the lake at sunsetas a warm glow lit up the surrounding rocks in effervescent shades of orange and pink. Camping: Kodachrome Basin has more than 30 stand sites and 14 sites with full hookups. Angels Palace is among the most beautiful short hikes in Kodachrome State Park. 
Here are eight enticing state parks along the The Mighty 5 road trip, which means each day youll have the option to stop at the national parks if its your first time to Utah, or leave them for the other travelers if youre looking to see Utah from another angle. Almost every Utah road trip includes visits to the Mighty 5. Due to its remote location and low light pollution, the night sky here is known for being one of the best in the west and the areas high elevation often means cooler temperatures here than elsewhere in Utah, making this park a good choice for summer trips. You could spend a lifetime exploring the land between the Colorado and the Green rivers and still not reach all the way into the parks red depths. In the inhospitable and rugged terrain, the horses often died of thirst and exposure. Hotel rooms and hostel beds can be found 30 miles away in Moab. At nearly twice the size of the nearby Quail Creek Reservoir, Sand Hollow offers boating and other water recreation in a spectacular setting.
Coral Pink Sand Dunes are open for hiking and kid-friendly playing. Youre doing it wrong if you think road trip pit stops are boring layovers on your way to more exciting destinations. Explore the history and beauty within Utahs 43 state parks. 
When not traveling overseas, she loves exploring her own backyard in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. Bring the family and experience this amazing place by hiking, camping, mountain biking, and exploring the surrounding canyons. All three spans can be viewed from overlooks, with trails leading down to each bridge. Quail Creek State Park lures swimmers, boaters and anglers year-round with its exceptionally warm waters and mild winter climate.
An annual Utah state parks pass costs $75 for in-state residents and $150 for out-of-state travelers. The color of the sand moves too from red to pink depending on the light. Or you can stay at the Zion Lodge (reservations recommended) or in nearby Springdale and around St George. Previous Group The park includes a 22-unit campground, hot showers, modern restrooms, and a sewage disposal system. Goosenecks state park, near Mexican Hat, boasts one of the best overlooks showcasing the power of rivers over rock.
Entrance Fee: $20 per vehicle; $10 for Utah seniors 62 and older; $10 per motorcycle, bicycle or pedestrian. Camping opportunities abound, ranging from all-inclusive RV resorts to rustic cabins and remote tent sites. Here, three majestic bridges, named Kachina, Owachomo and Sipapu, span the White and Anderson canyons. Differing theories suggest that the columns are either remnants of ancient springs, or pathways created by earthquakes. Though it lies in the shadow of nearby Zion National Park, Snow Canyon holds its own among southern Utahs epic red rock landscapes. Top tip All three bridges can be linked by a 8-mile loop that runs through the bottom of the White and Armstrong canyons, making for a nice all-day trek. In the shadow of Utahs national parks, a handful of state parks lie scattered about the rose-colored desert. Theres even a 1,000-year-old kiva you can climb into outside the museum. 
Here the entrenched curves of the San Juan river nearly double back on themselves, exposing millions of layers of geologic history. Top tip You can drive all the way out to the edge of Dead Horse Point, but why drive when the walk is among the most spectacular in the south-west? Unlike some of Utahs other state parks, there are no established hiking trails that criss-cross the warm-hued landscape. If you want to know what Mars looks like then the dramatic terrain of Capitol Reef National Park and the surrounding lands are a good place to start. Venture back in time through discovery of artifacts and remnants of the past. This state park is made up of a shifting landscape of sand. With this many marvels of nature in such close proximity, why not extend the fun and make it a road trip? Explore the geology and camp among the nooks and gnomes. 8 people per vehicle). The otherworldly landscape of melting stone mushrooms is playfully photogenic and just plain fun. It is the tallest of the parks 67 chimneys. Check out the worlds densest concentration of dinosaur bones at Cleveland Lloyd Dinosaur Quarry and explore other prehistoric wonders around Utah. Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park. Spend a day on the water then retire to a campsite in a spectacular red rock desert setting. Kodachrome Basin photographed under the Milky Way.
The Flaming Gorge is also know for its endless backpacking options. Sandstone goblins and fascinating formations cover Utahs Goblin Valley State Park, to which Hollywood frequently turns for its unusual landscapes, like alien worlds. Edge of the Cedars state park in Blanding has a museum featuring the an impressive archaeological repository, plus the ruins of a Puebloan village. Southern Utah is a land of hyperbolic beauty and awe-inspiring desert scenery. Though actual snow occasionally blankets the fiery landscape on chilly winter days, the park is not named after frozen precipitation. The dunes are estimated to be between 10,000 and 15,000 years old. 
Kodachrome Basin covers 2,240 acres and is surrounded by Grand StaircaseEscalante National Monument on three sides. For hotels and hostels, stay in Moab or Blanding. Southern Utah State Parks Near the Mighty 5, Here are eight enticing state parks along the, Grand StaircaseEscalante National Monument, Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity. Only a fraction of the park can be seen from the road. Kodachrome Basin State Park lies 26 miles southeast of Bryce Canyon National Park, along Utahs achingly beautiful Highway 12. Treks ranging from easy overnights to multi-week adventures can be found in the nearby Uinta mountains, Ashley and Wasatch-Cache national forests, including 13,528-ft Kings Peak, the highest mountain in Utah. And with their flaming red rock, delicate spires and weathered canyons, the dazzling red rock areas are nothing if not unique. The park has two developed campgrounds and free dispersed camping can be found nearby.
Plan your Utah winter road trip! It is among the most beautiful state parks in Utah and should not be missed when traveling around the American Southwest. With its close proximity to other popular destinations down Cottonwood Road, it makes for a spectacular base camp or a stop on an event-filled day in the desert. When we visited, the temperatures were certainly too cold for taking a dip. The name Edge of the Cedars come from the parks location between the densely forested Manti-La Sal national forest and the treeless desert to the east, a prime habitat for early human settlement. The small Utah state park was never part of our original American Southwest itinerary. Explore the kaleidoscopic colors of wood reclaimed from the Earth and find yourself in awe at the ancient remnants at Escalante Petrified Forest State Park. Kodachrome Basin has more of these rock spires than anywhere else in the world. Dead Horse Point State Park overlooks a scenic U-shaped bend in the Colorado River. Photograph: Matthew Crowley Photography/Getty Images/Flickr RF, Kodachrome Basin. Hotel rooms and other accommodations can be found in Vernal, home to the Utah Field House of Natural History and close to Dinosaur National Monument, another gem for dinosaur-lovers. The trail follows a set of chains up a narrow ridge of sandstone to a spectacular summit that looks straight down through the heart of Zion. For mountain bike enthusiasts, Dead Horse has a splendid network of rolling singletrack trails over gentle slickrock domes and through the knee-high sage. stateparks.utah.gov. In the Neighborhood: Red Cliffs Desert Preserve and Zion National Park, Entrance Fee (Quail Creek): $15 per vehicle (max 8 people per vehicle); $10 for Utah seniors 62 and older (max 8 people per vehicle), Entrance Fee (Sand Hollow): $15 per vehicle; $10 for Utah seniors 65 and older. The 'Goblins' are made of Entrada sandstone deposited 140 million years ago. Photograph: Michael Busselle/Getty Images, White Canyon, Natural Bridges national monument. A travel-obsessed flight attendant, outdoor enthusiast and adventure-lover from the beautiful Pacific Northwest.
It's got Zion, it's got Canyonlands Utah has so many amazing parks that busy Bryce and the Arches don't even make the cut. The Sleeping Rainbows Trail is a .75-mile loop that is much steeper than the other trails but has the densest concentration of petrified wood in the park. Sunrise is one of the most beautiful times to visit Dead Horse Point. Tents and motorhomes are allowed at the Dead Horse Point campground and dispersed sites can be found outside the park. The park is a popular area for off-road vehicles such as ATVs and buggies. Keep your bearings the visitor centre is easy to spot from any vantage and let yourself get lost between the hoodoos. Join me as I discover the road less traveled. This is a place for explorers: more than 100 miles of trails lead from the valley into the narrow river canyons to the north and up the towering red and tan walls of Navajo sandstone to the east and west. Numerous bolted routes throughout the canyon lure rock climbers. Campsites tend to fill up fast on weekends, so reservations are recommended. In winter, it is a place that allows for serenity and quiet contemplation. Most people flock to the Moab area to visit Arches national park, but this morbidly named gem of a state park is much quieter and possibly even more scenic. It features remarkable Navajo sandstone formations, subterranean tunnels, and jaw-dropping vistas over the canyon.
It is open year round. Get up early to start your trip on the right note: sunrises are spectacular in canyon country. Here thousands of mushroom-shaped hoodoos sit clustered in a secluded valley on the edge of the spectacular San Rafael Swell. So when you find a route specifically designated as a scenic byway, you know youre in for a treat. Many visitors find Dead Horse Point State Park to be even more captivating than the views at the Grand Canyon. Photograph: Mark C Stevens/Getty Images/Flickr RF, The Castle, Capitol Reef national park. Create a personalized feed and bookmark your favorites. Explore rich Mormon historic sites, awe-inspiring canyons and mountains and unforgettable outdoor adventures.
Here the Flaming Gorge dam holds back the Green river, creating a massive cool, blue reservoir surrounded by towering red walls. Unlock new levels of understanding about the land you are traveling through, around and on by learning about the geology in Utah. Camping is available inside the park. With limited time in the area, we chose to hike the scenic Angels Palace Trail for aerial views over the parks unique landforms. High winds passing through the notch between the Moquith and Moccasin Mountains pick up loose sand particles and then drop them onto the dunes because of the Venturi effect. But dont miss the stunning 850-year-old scarlet macaw feather sash found on the very southern edge of Canyonlands National Park. The state parks unique color palette is a result of eroding Navajo sandstone. Since 2011, she has spent time studying Arabic in the Middle East, teaching English in Namibia and working as a flight attendant for a major US airline. Entrance Fee: $10 per vehicle; $5 for Utah seniors 65 and older. Heres what you need to know to travel safely, protect Utahs rural communities, and help preserve sensitive desert landscapes. Visiting these destinations in the order above makes for an unforgettable tour of southern Utah's state parks. It can move as much as 50-feet each year. Visit Edge of the Cedars State Park Museum at 660 W. 400 N., which is in a residential area; 435-678-2238; stateparks.utah.gov/parks/edge-of-the-cedars. According to folklore, cowboys once used the land as a natural corral for wild mustangs. When the National Geographic Society traveled to the photogenic basin south in Bryce in 1948, its members found themselves struck by the areas colorful sandstone chimneys. Many of the gorgeous rock columns in the park can be seen while driving, but its worth your time to get out and explore. Erika is an avid traveler and explorer of over ninety countries on six different continents. Unsubscribe anytime by clicking the link at the bottom of your email. Coral Pink Sand Dunes is the only major sand dune field on the Colorado Plateau. Marvel at geologic wonders carved and sculpted over time or view the night sky from a secluded campsite. Utah is a place for all seasons, except summer. Kodachrome Basin State Park Photo: Depositphotos. In the sweltering summer months, head to the Flaming Gorge, north of Vernal, on the Wyoming border.