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A southwest road trip is always a good idea. It is great in any season and it has scenery, unlike anything you’ll see on this earth. Besides the most beautiful national parks, you'll find monuments, stunning state parks, and some amazing off-road locations that are out of this world.
Here are things you must add to your bucketlist when road-tripping in the southwest.
Sedona vortexes are thought to be swirling centers of energy that are conducive to healing, meditation, and self-exploration.
Vortex sites:
•Cathedral Rock: 1.2 miles.
•Bell Rock: 1 mile.
•Boynton Canyon: 7.5 miles.
•Airport Mesa: 3 miles.
Almost all of the Page slot canyons (Antelope Canyon) are east of the Colorado River & are made of Navajo sandstone, and they are beautiful. Antelope Canyon is protected by the Navajo Parks and Recreation and only authorized tour companies can take visitors to the canyon. There are two sections of Slot Canyon, Upper or Lower Canyon.
•Entrance Fee:
Upper Antelope Canyon 139$
Lower Antelope Canyon is 88$
If you're on a budget we suggest going to Lower Antelope Canyon because it's just as beautiful as Upper Antelope Canyon.
•Best time to visit: Mid-day for good lighting.
Most people drive through Monument Valley and stop only at the Forrest Gump spot, but Monument Valley, Navajo Tribal Park has a beautiful 17-mile loop road and it's worth visiting.
•Entrance Fee: 8$ per person.
For more information about Monument Valley - Click here!
The Wave is the premier photographic destination and is located in the Coyote Buttes.
•It's a strenuous 6.4-mile round-trip hike.
One of the Seven Wonders of the World, the Grand Canyon is an unbelievable spectacle of nature. It is a great, huge slash in the surface of the earth - 217 miles long, 4 to 18 miles wide, and a mile deep, with the Colorado River flowing at the bottom.
Utah has 5 incredible national parks: Arches, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, Bryce Canyon & Zion.
For a 10-day Utah Mighty 5 itinerary - click here!
Arches National Park is home to many beautiful Arches. Delicate Arch is the crown jewel in Arches National Park and the sunsets here make the arch glow.
•Length: 3.1 miles (5.1 km)
•Elevation gain: 629 feet (192 m)
•Difficulty: Moderate.
Goblin Valley State Park is such a fun place to explore. It's located in southeastern Utah. With its hoodoos, toadstools that look like goblins, and short hiking trails.
There are so many hidden gems in Utah that can be found when exploring off-road.
Places you shouldn't miss:
• Long Dong Silver.
• Factory Butte.
• Goblin Valley State Park.
• Bentonite Hills.
• Moonscape Overlook.
• Mars Desert Research Center.
Navajo Loop Trail is one of the most beautiful hikes in Bryce Canyon. It connects to Queens Garden which is definitely worth checking out too so you can start the hike from either Sunset Point (Navajo Loop Trail) or from Sunrise Point (Queens Garden Trail).
•Best time to hike: Sunrises are incredible here and less crowded.
•Best way to hike: Both involve a steep elevation, but if you'd like to get that cool Instagram photo of the hairpin paths better start with Navajo Loop Trail.
•Length: 2.9 miles.
•Difficulty: Moderate.
•Elevation Gain: 600 feet.
•Duration: 2-3 hours.
The Narrows is one of the most popular hikes in Zion NP and is a must! The Narrows is 18 miles long but the beauty of the hike is that you can go as far as you like and turn back when you're ready. It is best to go in at least 3 miles up to Wall Street.
Drones aren't allowed in National Parks so what better way to see Zion than from above? Besides the thrill of being on a helicopter ride, you'll see incredible views.
•Company: Zion Helicopters - Zion National Park Tours.
•Price: starting at 99$, we booked the 35-mile ride for 169$ per person.
The stunning red sandstone rock formations illuminate the valley, especially at sunset, making it look appear as though it’s on fire.
This park is located only 45 minutes away from Las Vegas, Nevada.
•Entrance Fee: 15$ per vehicle.
•Things to do: White Domes Loop, Fire Wave Trail, Rainbow Vista Trail, The Beehives, and more.
Badwater Basin, located in Death Valley National Park, is the lowest point in North America at 282 ft (86 m) below sea level.
•Length: 1.9 miles (3.1 km)
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