Fremont Indian State Park is one of the often-overlooked gems in Utah It is an amazing state park that anyone with an interest in Native American culture, history, or art should put high on their list to visit I have visited Nine Mile Canyon many times over the years When I finally visited Fremont Indian State Park, I was dazzled by the amount and quality of rock art lining the canyon walls To me, it was as fascinating to visit as Nine Mile Canyon, though with easier access Even on a holiday weekend, we felt we had...

Tucked into the eastern slopes of the Wind River Mountains, Sinks Canyon State Park in Wyoming is a hidden gem Just six miles southwest of Lander, this unique canyon is named for the remarkable natural phenomenon where the Middle Fork of the Popo Agie River disappears underground into a limestone cavern - known as "The Sinks" - only to reemerge a quarter mile downstream at "The Rise" Sinks Canyon offers a wealth of outdoor activities for visitors of all skill levels and interests Hikers can explore a network of tra...

I'm consistently impressed by the state parks in Utah Everyone knows about the national parks, but the state parks often have incredible beauty without quite the crowds! Dead Horse State Park, near Canyonlands’ Island In The Sky is stunning with views similar to Island In the Sky The park offers great camping, easy roadside views, mountain bike trails, and over 6 miles of jaw-dropping hiking along the rim of the mesa This makes an excellent alternative or addition to the nearby Island In the Sky What's in a name Co...

Dinosaur National Monument, located on the border of Utah and Colorado, is a renowned paleontological site that boasts a rich history dating back to its discovery in the early 20th century The monument's origins can be traced to 1909 when paleontologist Earl Douglass, working for the Carnegie Museum of Natural History, stumbled upon a treasure trove of dinosaur fossils in the rugged canyons of the area The site quickly garnered attention from the scientific community and the public, leading to the establishment of ...

Cleveland-Lloyd Dinosaur Quarry is known to have the largest concentration of Jurassic dinosaur fossils ever found The quarry is located miles down a dirt road in a relatively remote location I have visited several times and have never seen more than a few other visitors If you are a dinosaur enthusiast, this is a place you want to visit The quarry has a small visitor center that has numerous examples of the types of fossils found at the quarry, and a wealth of information Near the visitor center are two large meta...

Wild Rose Park is an absolute gem in North Salt Lake Tucked up into the foothills, this is a great family friendly park The trailhead has toilets, picnic tables, and a playground for the kids, making it a good choice for a family picnic Those looking to get more energy out can hike one of several hikes that leave the picnic and playground areas, heading up into the foothills There are a couple of loops that are about 2 miles each but can easily be done as an out and back if looking for something shorter We have vis...

Escalante Petrified Forest State Park is a great family destination The park was created in 1963, and expanded in 1972 to include shoreline on Wide Hollow ReservoirWhile visiting the park there are a full range of things to do including; canoe rentals in the summer, hot showers, full camping hook-ups, and hiking trailsTwo hiking trails in the park provide both views of the town of Escalante, as well as the petrified wood specimens The State Park is a great destination for camping Be aware visiting the petrified woo...

Kelso Dunes is likely the most visited attraction in the Mojave National Preserve The dunes encompass a massive 45 square miles with the tallest dune reaching about 650 feet 200 meters above the surrounding landscape It is the largest sand dune area in the Mojave Desert The main dune, described here, is steep, sandy, and quite beautiful! I was amazed on our mid-winter visit how many others were visiting but also making the steep loose trek to the dunes lofty summit Kids, families, and those that are young at heart ...

While most people visit Arches National Park to see well arches, however, the Park Avenue Trail is one of my personal favorites despite its lack of arches The trail, a 1 mile "through" hike between stops on the main park road, is exquisitely lined with soaring walls and towers The scale of the scenery really makes this hike special Though you can see the entire trail from the trailhead, nothing beats actually hiking down near the towering walls Photography Note: The hike is a pleasure anytime, however, morning and ...

Made a national monument in 1933, Cedar Breaks National Monument encompasses a large eroded amphitheater The monument gives stunning views of the forbidden landscape below The amphitheater stretches about 3 miles wide and plunges over 2000 feet from the rim to the valley floor It is an impressive place to visit If the views remind you if nearby Bryce Canyon, it is no coincidence The geologic layers that created Bryce Canyon are the same that created Cedar Breaks, though the colors a bit more muted at Cedar Breaks T...