Truce Now

Feb

11

2026

5 Spots in Southern Utah That Feel Like Mars (Without the National Park Crowds)

Destinations, Hiking

Southern Utah has deserts like the one near Hanksville, Utah feels like stepping into another world, shaped by strange clay hills, alien valleys, and wide gray plains that resemble scenes seen in space imagery. Vast open views, muted colors, and sculpted ground create an atmosphere closer to science fiction than a typical road trip stop. Five Mars-like areas sit outside national park boundaries, avoiding entry fees and heavy crowds while offering equally striking visuals. Adventurers, photographers, and travelers seeking surreal terrain often find these areas more immersive due to silence, scale, and minimal development. Remote settings, raw geology, and sparse…

Feb

10

2026

By Patrick Duncan

What Nobody Tells You About Visiting Bryce Canyon in February

Destinations, Hiking

February at Bryce Canyon offers a quiet winter escape marked by stillness and open space rarely found during busier months. Summer draws the vast majority of annual visitors, while winter months often leave viewpoints empty and trails silent. Winter often carries assumptions of discomfort or limited activity, yet snow reshapes the park into something visually striking and surprisingly engaging. Cold conditions create an atmosphere that feels calm rather than harsh when visitors arrive prepared. Snow-covered hoodoos, muffled sound, and open viewpoints define February visits. Peace and isolation replace noise and congestion, creating an experience impossible during warmer seasons. Let us…

Feb

09

2026

By Patrick Duncan

Honest Take on the Bentonite Hills – Are the Mars Colors Real?

Destinations, Hiking

Photos of Bentonite Hills often circulate online with bold claims of Mars-like colors and unreal scenery. Social media posts and travel blogs frequently show intense reds, purples, and oranges that seem almost artificial, setting high expectations long before a visit ever happens. Reality on site tells a more nuanced story shaped by geology, light, and weather rather than filters or extreme saturation. That is why we want to talk about it today. We will try to separate visual hype tied to ideal lighting and photography choices versus what visitors actually see on the ground, helping expectations align more closely with…

Feb

05

2026

By Patrick Duncan

Why the Zion Narrows Might Actually Be Overrated (and Where to Go Instead)

Destinations, Hiking

Fame has turned Zion Narrows into one of the most talked-about hikes in the United States. Social media feeds, travel lists, and park conversations repeatedly frame it as an essential experience, often described as transformative and unforgettable. Descriptions focus on shifting light, rising canyon walls, and the novelty of walking directly through a river rather than along a dirt path. Popularity, however, brings trade-offs that rarely receive equal attention. Heavy crowds, physical difficulty, and safety restrictions shape daily conditions in ways that clash with common expectations. For many visitors, reality feels far removed from the quiet, immersive experience promised online.…

Jan

09

2026

By Patrick Duncan

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…