Destinations - Page 3 of 6

Oct

03

2025

What to Do in Duck Creek Village, Utah – Cabins, Trails & Local Favorites

Destinations

Duck Creek Village offers a mountain retreat on Cedar Mountain at an elevation of around 8,400 feet. Positioned in a quieter corner of the region, it delivers a blend of seclusion and convenience. Travelers find it especially useful as a base to enjoy both local outdoor treasures and famous national parks nearby. Getting There & Scenic Routes Reaching Duck Creek Village feels like the beginning of an adventure, with each route offering its own sense of discovery. Drivers coming in from Cedar City usually follow Highway 14 east, a road carved through forested mountains that climb and curve at every…

Oct

02

2025

By Patrick Duncan

Inside the Abandoned Gunsmoke Movie Set – A Slice of Old West History in Utah

Destinations

Gunsmoke remains one of the longest-running television Westerns, shaping an era of American entertainment. Abandoned film sets have a peculiar magnetism, offering glimpses into how Hollywood once constructed its illusions. Among the forgotten backdrops, Utah holds a special place with remnants of Gunsmoke still lingering in its rugged desert scenery, evoking the spirit of the Old West. Let's discuss it. A Historic Western Filming Site in Johnson Canyon Built just three miles outside Kanab, the Gunsmoke Movie Set recreates Dodge City, Kansas, as seen in the legendary television series that aired between 1955 and 1975. With 635 episodes, Gunsmoke remains…

Sep

29

2025

By Patrick Duncan

Belly of the Dragon in Utah – What to Know Before You Go

Destinations, Hiking

Belly of the Dragon is a manmade drainage tunnel that has grown in popularity because of its dragon-like appearance. Located just off Highway 89 near Mt. Carmel Junction in Utah, it draws travelers who want short, quirky hikes that deliver dramatic visuals. Families, casual hikers, and adventure seekers often stop here, as it requires little time yet still provides an adventurous experience. Increasing attention on Instagram has turned it into a hotspot for quick photo opportunities, as well as a place to spend a little extra time for those who want more of an outing. What Is the Belly of…

Sep

25

2025

By Patrick Duncan

Kayaking in Sedona: Best Rivers, Tips & Tours (2025)

Destinations

Arizona isn’t usually the first place that springs to mind for paddling. Yet tucked into red rock country around Sedona, clear water threads through cottonwoods and desert hills. If your perfect day involves green pools, shade, and a hull sliding across riffles, Sedona’s backyard rivers are waiting. The Verde River and Oak Creek form the heart of the scene, offering everything from calm beginner stretches to classic whitewater. With updated state park fees, new guided options, and 2025 conditions shaping up, it’s the right moment to plan your paddle. Key Points Verde River and Oak Creek are the main spots,…

Sep

24

2025

By Patrick Duncan

5 Best Sedona Hikes with Waterfalls and Red Rock Views

Destinations, Hiking

Sedona is usually introduced by its cathedrals of sandstone, but there's another side to the story. Oak Creek and its tributaries cut cool corridors through the desert, feed riparian oases, and in the right conditions even form seasonal waterfalls. The mix of water and rock makes for a rare experience in Arizona: shady creekside trails with towering crimson walls overhead. After more than a decade of field visits and research, the hikes below stand out as the best ways to pair creek time with world-class red rock scenery. You'll also find practical notes about shuttles, passes, monsoon safety, and Leave…

Aug

29

2025

By Patrick Duncan

Top 15 Things to Do in Guanajuato, Mexico (2025 Guide)

Destinations

Colorful hills rolling like waves, music echoing through cobbled alleys, Baroque churches glowing at sunset - Guanajuato is not the kind of city you just look at. You feel it. It doesn't matter if it's a tuna band singing in the night or the cool air inside a silver mine; the city leaves impressions that linger. If 2025 is the year you make your way here, let's walk through the must-do experiences, the practical details, and the little tips that make a visit smoother. Quick Facts for Travelers 1. Wander the UNESCO Historic Center View this post on Instagram…

Aug

25

2025

By Patrick Duncan

How to Get From Scottsdale to the Grand Canyon (And What to See on the Way)

Destinations

Planning a drive from Scottsdale to the Grand Canyon is one of those Arizona road trips that genuinely delivers on every mile. The scenery shifts constantly: cactus-covered desert, red rock canyons, cool ponderosa forests, and finally, a rim that opens into one of the most astonishing views on Earth. It's not just about getting there; it's about how you get there. Let's break down the routes, highlights, and practical tips so you can shape your day the smart way. Quick Facts for 2025 Main destination: South Rim (open year-round). Closed for 2025: North Rim (infrastructure damage from Dragon Bravo Wildfire).…

Aug

21

2025

By Patrick Duncan

Are Sedona’s Swimming Holes Worth Visiting? Here’s What to Expect

Destinations

Arizona in summer has a way of testing your limits. The red rocks shimmer in the heat, the air feels heavy, and just when you think you've had enough, there's a cold creek winding its way through the canyon. Sedona's swimming holes are the natural answer to the desert's intensity, and they have been drawing both locals and travelers for decades. So, are they worth it? The short answer is yes - if you go prepared for crowds, weather quirks, and a few safety rules. What makes them special is the combination of crisp creek water, sandstone backdrops, and the…

Aug

20

2025

By Patrick Duncan

Escalante Petrified Forest – The Prehistoric Park No One Talks About

Destinations, National & State Parks

Southern Utah is packed with iconic stops that make it onto every road trip list: Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, and the endless slickrock stretches of Grand Staircase. But sitting quietly above the town of Escalante, tucked on a mesa above a desert reservoir, is a park that carries a story even older than dinosaurs. Escalante Petrified Forest State Park is not loud, not crowded, and not widely marketed. Yet, for those who pause and walk its short trails, it offers one of the richest concentrations of petrified wood in the entire West. We prepared a practical, detailed guide to the…

Aug

19

2025

By Patrick Duncan

Volcanoes, Craters, and Otherworldly Parks to Hike This Year

Destinations, Hiking

Have you ever caught yourself daydreaming about walking across a place so wild and strange that it feels like stepping into another planet? Volcanoes and craters hold that kind of power. They remind us that the Earth is alive, shifting and breathing in ways both dangerous and breathtaking. Parks built around them offer something rare: a chance to not just look at geological history, but to physically walk across it. Hiking through these landscapes in 2025 can feel almost meditative. The crunch of lava rock underfoot, the sudden hiss of steam vents, or the stillness around a vast crater -…