Hiking Archives - Truce Now

Apr

08

2026

Utah and Arizona Permit Guide for Slot Canyons and Backcountry Trips

Destinations, Hiking

Slot canyons and remote backcountry areas in the American Southwest draw hikers, climbers, and canyoneers seeking narrow passages, sculpted rock walls, and remote terrain. Utah and Arizona contain some of the most sought-after routes, especially in Zion National Park and Grand Canyon National Park. Controlled entry helps reduce erosion, protect vegetation, and prevent overcrowding in confined canyon corridors. Safety remains another major factor. Slot canyons present hazards such as flash floods, difficult navigation, and technical descents that require ropes and specialized gear. Permit systems allow park staff to track visitor plans, which improves emergency response coordination when incidents occur. Why…

Mar

23

2026

By Patrick Duncan

What is the Best Time to Visit Bryce Canyon – Month by Month

Destinations, Hiking

Bryce Canyon National Park sits in southern Utah and draws visitors with towering hoodoos, tall spire-shaped rock formations created through frost weathering. Elevation ranges between about 8,000 and 9,100 feet, which makes conditions much cooler than nearby destinations like Zion National Park. Crisp air, dramatic elevation changes, and open viewpoints define the overall experience. Timing plays a major role in planning a visit. Weather shifts quickly due to elevation, and seasonal changes affect trail access, road conditions, and available activities. Snowfall, summer storms, and spring thaw all shape what visitors can do on any given day. The best overall months…

Mar

20

2026

By Patrick Duncan

Do You Need a Permit for Buckskin Gulch or Wire Pass?

Destinations, Hiking

Buckskin Gulch ranks among the longest and deepest slot canyons on Earth, cutting through sandstone in northern Arizona. Narrow corridors, towering walls, and occasional stretches of flowing water define the experience. Access often begins at Wire Pass, a short side canyon that connects directly into Buckskin Gulch. Wire Pass functions as the most common and quickest entry point. Many visitors choose it for day hikes due to its relatively short approach and dramatic slot section. Both areas sit inside the Paria Canyon–Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness, managed by the Bureau of Land Management. Heavy visitation has led to strict regulations. Permits and…

Mar

19

2026

By Patrick Duncan

The Wave Lottery Explained for First-Time Visitors

Destinations, Hiking

Located in Coyote Buttes North within the Paria Canyon–Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness along the Arizona and Utah border, The Wave lottery is one of the most recognizable sandstone formations in the United States. Its sweeping curves and layered patterns formed over millions of years, creating a striking visual effect that attracts hikers and photographers from across the world. Fragile sandstone makes the area highly sensitive to human impact. Strict protection measures exist to preserve its condition for future visitors. Access requires a permit, and entry without one is not allowed. Oversight falls under the Bureau of Land Management, which enforces regulations…

Feb

25

2026

By Patrick Duncan

Is Monument Valley Worth the Drive? My Real Experience

Destinations, Hiking

Monument Valley had been sitting on my bucket list for years. Photos in old Western movies and glossy postcards planted the image in my mind long ago. Towering red buttes rising out of the open desert felt like the definition of the American Southwest. I always told myself I would make the trip one day. Eventually, I stopped putting it off. While planning a road trip through Arizona and Utah, I realized I was close enough to finally make it happen. Distance and remoteness had always made me hesitate. Long stretches of highway, limited services, and hours behind the wheel…

Feb

23

2026

By Patrick Duncan

Is Horseshoe Bend Overrated? My Honest Take

Destinations, Hiking

Few views in the American Southwest are as instantly recognizable as Horseshoe Bend. A dramatic 270 degree turn of the Colorado River cuts through towering sandstone cliffs, creating a scene that has flooded Instagram feeds, travel blogs, and bucket lists for years. I had seen the photos countless times before finally visiting in person, and I wondered if reality could measure up to the hype. With more than 2 million visitors each year, popularity raises a fair question. Is the experience truly worth the stop, or has it become overrated due to social media exposure and heavy traffic? I want…

Feb

19

2026

By Patrick Duncan

Peek-a-boo and Spooky Gulch – How to Hike Utah’s Tightest Slots

Destinations, Hiking

Peek-a-boo and Spooky Gulch rank among the most iconic nontechnical slot canyon hikes in Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monument. A rare loop route winds through towering sandstone walls and dramatic narrows, creating an experience that feels both adventurous and playful. Scenic red and purple rock formations twist overhead while sculpted passages narrow and widen without warning. Hands-on scrambling adds excitement, yet no technical gear or permits are required. Many hikers describe the route as an adult playground shaped by wind and water over time. Without further ado, let us talk about it. Reaching the Dry Fork Slots Planning begins long before…

Feb

12

2026

By Patrick Duncan

Tired of Zion Crowds? This Tiny Utah Town Actually Looks Like Mars

Destinations, Hiking

Utah’s famous parks like Zion draw massive crowds year after year, often turning peaceful desert scenes into busy corridors packed with tour buses and long lines. A few hours away sits a tiny desert town where scenery feels less like Earth and more like a distant planet. Hanksville, Utah delivers an otherworldly desert scene so striking that scientists and space researchers use nearby terrain to simulate Mars conditions, all without heavy tourism. Sparse population, open horizons, and dramatic color shifts define daily life around town. Hanksville sits in south central Utah, acting as a gateway to red and gray desert…

Feb

11

2026

By Patrick Duncan

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…