National & State Parks Archives

Apr

06

2026

8 Best Glamping Near Zion National Park in 2026 – Scenic Stays Worth Booking Early

Finding great glamping near Zion is no longer hard. Narrowing the list is the real job. The area now offers everything from safari tents and stargazer camps to Airstreams, yurts, treehouses, and wagon stays. Location still matters, though. So do private bathrooms, heat and air conditioning, on-site food, pool access, night-sky viewing, and how easily you can get into the park without turning every morning into a logistics puzzle. Zion’s 2026 shuttle season began March 7, and during shuttle season, visitors cannot drive personal vehicles on Zion Canyon Scenic Drive, which makes where you sleep and how you plan each…

Mar

27

2026

By Patrick Duncan

What is the Best Utah Mighty 5 Route If You Only Have 6 Days

Destinations, National & State Parks

Utah’s Mighty 5 includes Zion, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Arches, and Canyonlands. Driving remains the most practical way to experience all five parks within a single trip due to long distances and limited public transportation. An ideal visit usually spans seven to ten days, allowing time for hiking, viewpoints, and rest. A six-day version compresses the experience into a faster pace, requiring careful planning and efficient routing. Total distance often exceeds 1,000 miles, so time management plays a major role. Las Vegas works as the most common starting point due to its proximity to Zion. Salt Lake City offers a…

Mar

25

2026

By Patrick Duncan

Visiting Moab in Winter – Is It Worth It?

Destinations, National & State Parks

Moab, Utah sits near two of the most famous national parks in the United States: Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park. Location in a high desert creates dramatic seasonal swings, with scorching summers and cold winters, while spring and fall attract the largest number of visitors. Winter often gets ignored, yet many travelers describe it as a hidden gem and a best-kept secret. Choosing to visit during colder months offers a quieter atmosphere, lower prices, and striking visual contrasts that differ greatly from peak seasons. Weather and Climate in Winter Winter in Moab brings a mix of cool air,…

Mar

23

2026

By Patrick Duncan

White Rim Road Permit Guide – Day Use vs Overnight

Destinations, National & State Parks

White Rim Road forms a roughly 100-mile loop in Canyonlands National Park within the Island in the Sky district. Completion in a single day usually takes about 10 to 14 hours and demands an aggressive pace. Most visitors choose a 2 to 3 day schedule to allow for safer travel and time at viewpoints. Permits are required due to narrow cliffside roads, limited camping capacity, and environmental protection needs. Two primary permit types exist: day-use permits for single-day completion and overnight permits for backcountry camping. The choice of permit directly affects pacing, safety margin, and overall experience. Permit System Overview…

Feb

24

2026

By Patrick Duncan

3 Days in Death Valley – My Ideal Itinerary

Destinations, National & State Parks

I consider Death Valley National Park one of the most extreme and fascinating places in the United States. It holds the record for one of the hottest air temperatures ever recorded on Earth at 134 °F, and it contains the lowest point in North America at 282 feet below sea level. Conditions are dry, dramatic, and powerful. Salt flats stretch for miles, dunes rise in soft curves, mountains shift color with the light, and volcanic craters remind me how active this region once was. Spending three full days here gives me enough time to experience the major sights at a…

Feb

20

2026

By Patrick Duncan

Valley of Fire – The Best Day Trip from Las Vegas

Destinations, National & State Parks

Trade the neon lights of Las Vegas for a landscape that looks like another planet. Just an hour northeast of the Strip, fiery red sandstone formations rise from the desert floor, glowing intensely under the Nevada sun. Many visitors say it feels like stepping onto Mars, thanks to the park’s dramatic geology and surreal colors. Valley of Fire State Park is Nevada’s oldest and largest state park, designated in 1935. It spans more than 40,000 acres of vibrant red Aztec sandstone outcrops, layered with streaks of gray and tan limestone. The rock formations were shaped over millions of years, creating…

Feb

20

2026

By Patrick Duncan

Savanna Portage State Park vs. Jay Cooke

National & State Parks

Minnesota has a long list of state parks that are worth the drive, but when people talk about planning a proper weekend outdoors, Savanna Portage and Jay Cooke tend to come up first. They sit within reach of each other, yet the experience in each feels noticeably different once you arrive. Jay Cooke tells a different story. The St. Louis River cuts through a rocky gorge, and the park builds around that drama. Visitors cross a swinging suspension bridge, climb ridgelines for wide river views, and move through terrain that feels sharper and more vertical. Both parks deliver time outside…

Feb

18

2026

By Patrick Duncan

Goblin Valley State Park – Is it Really Like Another Planet?

Destinations, National & State Parks

Goblin Valley State Park is known for a surreal desert setting filled with thousands of bizarre rock formations that many travelers describe as feeling like another planet. Strange sandstone figures rise across a broad basin, forming shapes that look sculpted by imagination rather than nature. Visitors often compare the scene to science fiction worlds, with clusters of squat, mushroom-like rocks stretching as far as the eye can see. Other areas in Utah offer dramatic views, yet few create the same sense of stepping onto unfamiliar ground. Countless hoodoos crowd the valley floor, forming an open expanse that invites curiosity at…

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…