The Southwest is one of America's most famous landscapes. Contrary to popular opinion, though, it's more than just dust and cacti. The remains of ancient settlements, glittering gemstone logs, massive sandstone arches, imposing dunes, and, yes, more than a few saguaro cacti, make up the southwestern part of the country that's appeared in so many iconic pictures, paintings, and films. It's almost become synonymous with America itself.
2219 Sitgreaves Dr, Overgaard, Arizona 85933 USA
Arches National Park is incredibly popular, and it's not hard to see why. There are more than 2,000 sandstone formations here that are begging to be explored! Double Arch and Delicate Arch are two of the more popular arches, and both are easily reached via short hikes. If it's too hot for much outdoor activity, there's a scenic drive that loops through the park, offering equally epic views.
What's not to love about Capitol Reef National Park? It's got awesome hikes, stunning scenic drives, breathtaking landmarks, a fascinating history... and it's one of the lesser-visited parks in Utah. Learn about the park's outlaw history (these are the old stomping grounds of Butch Cassidy and his Wild Bunch), see the massive rock formations on a hike through Cathedral Valley, and keep an eye out for the white sandstone domes that earned the park its name; some think they look like the dome of the U.S. Capitol building!
The Escalante National Monument is, in a word, incredible. It's utterly massive, at 1.9 million acres, and it's also pretty remote. But, that means that Escalante is the best place to enjoy the desert as it was meant to be seen: untouched and totally wild. If you're a little worried about hiking into the desert wilderness, then explore the area from the comfort of your vehicle on a scenic route, such as the Burr Trail.
Slightly more remote and less developed than nearby Arches, Canyonlands National Park provides a slightly different look at the Utah scenery. The park is made up of several different units, and they're all fairly separate from each other, so decide which you want to see before you visit. The Needles District is popular for its many trails, scenic overlooks, and multicolored sandstone spires!
Covering nearly 3,000 square miles of wilderness, the San Juan National Forest offers mountains to climb, scenic byways to drive, ghost towns to explore, and loads more. A quick trip from quaint towns such as Ouray and Durango, the forest provides striking beauty from nearly every angle.
2219 Sitgreaves Dr, Overgaard, Arizona 85933 USA
From red sandstone arches to scrubby deserts to forested mountains, the American Southwest is an enchanting and distinctive place where petrified forests are made of glittering gemstone minerals, healing vortexes abound, and buried treasure isn't so far-fetched an idea!