Michael's Guidebook
Sightseeing
Zion is my favorite National Park. Most backcountry canyons are near pristine and crowd free. Most do require the ability to rappel. Permits are required for technical canyons in Zion. They can be obtained from the backcountry desk. Recommended hikes include The Narrows, Canyon Overlook, Emerald Pools, Courtyard of the Patriarchs, and Watchman. Slightly more adventurous hikes include Kanarraville Falls and Angel’s Landing ( both require permits)
811 locals recommend
Zion National Park
Zion is my favorite National Park. Most backcountry canyons are near pristine and crowd free. Most do require the ability to rappel. Permits are required for technical canyons in Zion. They can be obtained from the backcountry desk. Recommended hikes include The Narrows, Canyon Overlook, Emerald Pools, Courtyard of the Patriarchs, and Watchman. Slightly more adventurous hikes include Kanarraville Falls and Angel’s Landing ( both require permits)
Spectacular canyon rim views of sculpted hoodoos. I highly recommend Bryce Point at sunrise. The hike I recommend most is a 3 mile loop starting at Sunset Point down Navajo Loop (Two Brides fork) to Queen’s Garden Trail ascending at Sunrise Point then back along the Rim Trail back to Sunset Point. I also recommend Hiking from Bryce Point to Sunset Point(mostly flat or down hill) and Mossy Cave (hike until the second bridge then enter the watercourse to the base of the waterfall.
465 locals recommend
Bryce Canyon National Park
Spectacular canyon rim views of sculpted hoodoos. I highly recommend Bryce Point at sunrise. The hike I recommend most is a 3 mile loop starting at Sunset Point down Navajo Loop (Two Brides fork) to Queen’s Garden Trail ascending at Sunrise Point then back along the Rim Trail back to Sunset Point. I also recommend Hiking from Bryce Point to Sunset Point(mostly flat or down hill) and Mossy Cave (hike until the second bridge then enter the watercourse to the base of the waterfall.
The best lighting is in the evening. While you can get good pictures of the dunes on foot, the full park is best seen in a ATV. Walking in loose sand is very tiring and daytime temps can be extreme.
123 locals recommend
Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park
12500 Sand Dune RoadThe best lighting is in the evening. While you can get good pictures of the dunes on foot, the full park is best seen in a ATV. Walking in loose sand is very tiring and daytime temps can be extreme.
It is a mini Bryce Canyon right off the road. Beautiful yet easily accessible.
16 locals recommend
Red Canyon
It is a mini Bryce Canyon right off the road. Beautiful yet easily accessible.
Unique multicolored sandstone canyon. It does require a permit that is extremely hard to obtain. Usually over 100 people per day wait for a 10 person lottery.
25 locals recommend
The Wave
The Wave TrailUnique multicolored sandstone canyon. It does require a permit that is extremely hard to obtain. Usually over 100 people per day wait for a 10 person lottery.
If you hike Buckskin Gulch, I recommend doing the Wire Pass Trailhead. Slot canyon hike. It is best down as a down and back trip. Shortly after the trail meets the main canyon, it widens and doesn’t change much.
18 locals recommend
Buckskin Gulch
If you hike Buckskin Gulch, I recommend doing the Wire Pass Trailhead. Slot canyon hike. It is best down as a down and back trip. Shortly after the trail meets the main canyon, it widens and doesn’t change much.
If you own a boat or are willing to rent on Lake Powell provides gorgeous views of the surrounding sandstone walls. I have rented kayaks and paddled down to the bottom of Antelope Canyon. It was a fun day on the water.
199 locals recommend
Lake Powell
If you own a boat or are willing to rent on Lake Powell provides gorgeous views of the surrounding sandstone walls. I have rented kayaks and paddled down to the bottom of Antelope Canyon. It was a fun day on the water.
2 mile round trip hike to some interesting cap rock formations.
18 locals recommend
The Toadstools Trailhead
2 mile round trip hike to some interesting cap rock formations.
Peekaboo and Spooky make a great loop hike. It can be strenuous in sections. A high clearance vehicle is recommended due to the poor road conditions just before the trailhead. Best visited in the early morning. Bring plenty of water. The last section of road requires courage to drive.
21 locals recommend
Peek-a-boo slot Canyon
Peekaboo and Spooky make a great loop hike. It can be strenuous in sections. A high clearance vehicle is recommended due to the poor road conditions just before the trailhead. Best visited in the early morning. Bring plenty of water. The last section of road requires courage to drive.
Red Hollow Canyon Trailhead
Short Slot canyon hike close to the cabin.
Blue Pool Wash
Beginner technical canyon between Kanab and Page. Rappels up to 60ft are required.
Another short hike near the house. Best done as a up and back trip.
8 locals recommend
Belly of the Dragon Trail Head
Another short hike near the house. Best done as a up and back trip.
I am torn over whether to recommend Antelope Canyon. When I first visited it, it was a magical place. Shafts of light shots could be set up. Due to vastly increased visitation, people are forced into group tours that herd people along. It is incredibly hard to get the same great photos now.
243 locals recommend
Upper Antelope Canyon
I am torn over whether to recommend Antelope Canyon. When I first visited it, it was a magical place. Shafts of light shots could be set up. Due to vastly increased visitation, people are forced into group tours that herd people along. It is incredibly hard to get the same great photos now.
If you are looking for a short canyon hike down to the Colorado River, this trail is great.
Cathedral Wash Hike
Cathedral Wash TrailIf you are looking for a short canyon hike down to the Colorado River, this trail is great.
This is a great place to take pictures of the Colorado River cutting through deep sandstone walls. Look for California Condors on the bridge scaffolding. They like to hang out here sometimes.
11 locals recommend
Navajo Bridge
U.S. 89AThis is a great place to take pictures of the Colorado River cutting through deep sandstone walls. Look for California Condors on the bridge scaffolding. They like to hang out here sometimes.
If you fail to get permits for The Wave, Coyote Buttes is another area you can try and get a permit for. It is another scenic area in the Paria Canyon- Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness.
7 locals recommend
Coyote Buttes
If you fail to get permits for The Wave, Coyote Buttes is another area you can try and get a permit for. It is another scenic area in the Paria Canyon- Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness.
A mile hike will bring you to one of the famous bends in the Colorado River. Best viewed in the early morning. During the day too much light can bleach out some of the rock colors. Evenings are not recommended unless it is a cloudy day. Most photos at that time will be taken into the sun.
241 locals recommend
Horseshoe Bend
1001 Page ParkwayA mile hike will bring you to one of the famous bends in the Colorado River. Best viewed in the early morning. During the day too much light can bleach out some of the rock colors. Evenings are not recommended unless it is a cloudy day. Most photos at that time will be taken into the sun.
The south rim has the most easily accessible views and resulting crowds. I think the north rim viewpoints are more dramatic. However, it takes much more time and effort to see them.
435 locals recommend
Grand Canyon
The south rim has the most easily accessible views and resulting crowds. I think the north rim viewpoints are more dramatic. However, it takes much more time and effort to see them.
Cedar Breaks is a small Bryce like area high in the mountains. It is a great place to go to escape the summer. Monument is at over 10,000 ft elevation.
210 locals recommend
Cedar Breaks National Monument
4730 UT-148Cedar Breaks is a small Bryce like area high in the mountains. It is a great place to go to escape the summer. Monument is at over 10,000 ft elevation.
It took me years to visit this area. However, the colorful pieces of petrified wood were worth the hike to see. Best seen in ear morning or evening for best light conditions.
13 locals recommend
Escalante Petrified Forest
710 Reservoir RdIt took me years to visit this area. However, the colorful pieces of petrified wood were worth the hike to see. Best seen in ear morning or evening for best light conditions.
Great place to pick fresh fruit right off the trees. Recommended hikes include Hickman Bridge, The Grand Wash, Sulphur Creek, Upper Muley Twist Trail.
77 locals recommend
Capitol Reef National Park
Great place to pick fresh fruit right off the trees. Recommended hikes include Hickman Bridge, The Grand Wash, Sulphur Creek, Upper Muley Twist Trail.