Truce Now

Jan

09

2026

Best Time To Visit Zion National Park – Monthly Weather, Crowd Levels, Shuttle Season, And Hiking Conditions

Destinations, Hiking

Zion National Park draws visitors year-round with towering sandstone cliffs, narrow slot canyons such as the Narrows, and dramatic elevation changes that shape weather and trail access. Planning a visit requires balancing comfort, crowd levels, open trails, and transportation rules inside the canyon. Seasonal shifts change water flow, plant life, wildlife activity, and daily hiking conditions, making timing a key part of trip planning. Each part of the year brings its own rhythm, ranging from colorful spring growth to quiet winter days marked by snow-dusted cliffs and open roads for private vehicles. Seasonal Overview in Zion National Park Seasonal shifts…

Jan

08

2026

By Patrick Duncan

Bryce Canyon Sunrise Point Guide – Best Sunrise Time, Viewpoints, Parking, And Photo Tips

Destinations, Hiking

Bryce Canyon ranks among the top places in the United States for watching sunrise due to its hoodoo-filled amphitheater and high-elevation viewpoints. Light at dawn transforms the canyon walls into shifting layers of orange, pink, and gold within minutes. Visitors often describe sunrise as the most visually dramatic time of day inside the park. Sunrise Point serves as one of the most popular dawn viewing areas thanks to its wide, 360-degree perspective overlooking the Bryce Amphitheater. Photographers, first-time visitors, and early risers gravitate here for unobstructed views and easy access. More than two million people visit Bryce Canyon each year,…

Jan

07

2026

By Patrick Duncan

Queens Garden Trail Bryce Canyon – Route Map, Difficulty, Trail Length, Best Time To Hike, And What To Expect

Destinations, Hiking

Queen’s Garden Trail sits inside Bryce Canyon National Park and ranks among the most visited hikes in the area. Close-range views of hoodoos define the experience, with erosion-shaped rock spires rising on all sides. Gentle grades and well-maintained paths make the route approachable while still offering dramatic scenery. Pairing Queen’s Garden Trail with Navajo Loop Trail and a short stretch of Rim Trail creates a compact loop that showcases many of Bryce Canyon’s most recognizable formations. Thor’s Hammer, Wall Street, and the Queen Victoria hoodoo all appear along this route, creating a well-rounded outing. First-time visitors, photographers, and families often…

Jan

06

2026

By Patrick Duncan

Canyonlands White Rim Road Guide – Permits, Route Options, 4×4 Requirements, Camping, And Safety Tips

Destinations, Hiking

White Rim Road forms a remote, roughly 100-mile loop inside the Island in the Sky district of Canyonlands National Park in Utah. Construction occurred during the 1950s under the Atomic Energy Commission to reach uranium prospects that later closed. Travel follows the top edge of the White Rim Sandstone layer, which gives the route its name and character. Solitude dominates most of the drive, paired with vast skies, exposed cliffs, and a strong sense of self-reliance that defines one of the most demanding Four Wheel Drive routes in the United States. Let us talk about it in greater detail. Permits…

Oct

12

2025

By Patrick Duncan

Big Water, Utah – Dinosaur Tracks, Slot Canyons & Scenic Backroads

Destinations, Hiking

Big Water, Utah captures the imagination of travelers seeking prehistoric discoveries, striking desert scenery, and stories of rebellion. Located along Highway 89 near the Arizona border, the town serves as a gateway to Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monument and Lake Powell. Visitors find an unusual blend of science, history, and outdoor adventure waiting to be explored. Adventurers, hikers, and dinosaur enthusiasts flock here for its fossil beds, narrow canyons, and scenic drives that stretch through ancient rock formations. The Geological & Paleontological Wonderland Big Water offers more than sweeping desert views; it represents one of the most scientifically significant fossil regions…

Oct

11

2025

By Patrick Duncan

Mt. Carmel, Utah – Gateway to Zion and a Quiet Escape Nearby

Destinations, Hiking

Mt. Carmel offers an inviting contrast to the busier town of Springdale, providing travelers with a more tranquil base near Zion National Park. Its proximity to the park’s East Entrance makes it a strategic stop for those seeking peace without sacrificing adventure. History, natural beauty, and easy access to East Zion’s outdoor experiences make it a spot worth considering for travelers who value both relaxation and exploration. With all of this in mind, let us see what we can expect from Mt. Carmel while we are visit. Zion’s Lesser-Known Gateway Mt. Carmel sits gracefully along Highway 89, connecting visitors…

Oct

10

2025

By Patrick Duncan

Alton, Utah – A Tiny Town with Big Scenery (and Zero Crowds)

Destinations

Imagine a quiet place where red cliffs glow in the evening light, deer wander freely through open meadows, and the air feels untouched by noise or rush. Alton, Utah, is that kind of rare find. Though small in size, it offers a grand setting filled with history, open skies, and peaceful surroundings that soothe the soul. For travelers who crave serenity and space, few destinations can match its sense of calm. Prepare to see why it’s the perfect retreat for those seeking solitude and nature at its finest. Let's take a look at the most important things about this interesting…

Oct

09

2025

By Patrick Duncan

Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park – Sandboarding, Camping & Scenic Views

Destinations, National & State Parks

Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park offers one of Utah’s most stunning natural settings for outdoor enthusiasts. Situated in southern Utah near Kanab, it covers roughly 3,730 acres of soft salmon-colored dunes created by windblown Navajo sandstone. The park provides endless opportunities for recreation and relaxation, drawing adventure seekers, photographers, and families looking for a peaceful escape. Its vivid pink hues contrast beautifully with the surrounding red cliffs and blue skies, creating an unforgettable backdrop for every visit. Visitors can enjoy sandboarding, off-highway vehicle rides, hiking, camping, and stargazing all within a single weekend trip. @mimi.alxt almost died but so…

Oct

08

2025

By Patrick Duncan

Upper vs Lower Antelope Canyon – Which One Should You Visit?

Destinations, National & State Parks

Few landscapes in the American Southwest stir as much awe as Antelope Canyon. Hidden in the red sandstone near Page, Arizona, this narrow slot canyon has become one of the most photographed places in the world. Its smooth, sculpted walls seem to flow like water, glowing in shades of orange, gold, and purple. But before you can wander through its twisting passages, you face one question: Upper or Lower? Both parts of Antelope Canyon are inside the Lake Powell Navajo Tribal Park, and both can only be visited on a guided tour led by authorized Navajo guides. They’re close in…

Oct

08

2025

By Patrick Duncan

Best Trails & Natural Pools in Bell Smith Springs, IL

Destinations

Tucked deep in the Shawnee National Forest, Bell Smith Springs feels like a secret pocket of the Midwest that forgot it wasn’t the Ozarks. You’ll find it in Pope County, Illinois, near the small town of Eddyville, where clear turquoise creeks wind through sandstone canyons and lush, fern-filled hollows. It’s not a theme park or a manicured resort. It’s raw, wild, and refreshingly unpolished. Locals call it one of the crown jewels of southern Illinois hiking, and for good reason. The area holds roughly eight miles of linked trails looping through cliffs, springs, and shaded pools, all carved out by…