Continuing our travel wish list theme for 2016, I’m sharing posts from 5 travel bloggers this week. First up, Canyonlands National Park. I’ve had a long time craving to go see each of Utah’s National Parks, also dubbed “The Mighty 5.” I’ve asked local travel blogger, Jennifer Melroy who writes at Made All the Difference to share with us a few of her favorite things to do and see in Canyonlands National Park. I can’t wait to check it out for myself. Her shot of the spires alone makes me want to explore this beautiful region. We’d love to add these to our family’s list of National Parks visited.
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I am standing on the Island in the Sky and watching the sunrise through Mesa Arch. It is my last day in Canyonlands National Park, and I don’t want to leave. I have a couple of hours to explore and hike around the large mesa that forms the Island in the Sky. Looking over the edge, I can just see the canyon Green River has spent years carving. Canyonlands is a packed full of trails for hikers, bickers, backpackers, four-wheelers. The canyon walls are made for exploring and climbing. Both the Colorado River and Green River provide whitewater rafters and kayakers some world class whitewater. The canyons carved by the rivers and rains show the geological history of the region.
What to Do:
- Take a hike through the Needles District
- Watch the sunrise through Mesa Arch
- Hike to Upheaval Dome
- Visit the cowboy camp and prehistoric petroglyphs along the Cave Spring Trail.
Where to Stay
- Squaw Flat Campground Camping – rough it in Canyonlands National Park in the Needles District
- Moab Under Canvas – a new glamping experience or campers not quite ready for the great outdoors.
- The Lazy Lizard Hostel – a fun youth hostel full of hikers, climbers, and mountain bikers.
Where to Eat
- Moab Diner – Classic American Diner with all American breakfast served all day long.
- Moab Yogurt – A great place to chill with a cold frozen yogurt after hiking all day
- Desert Bistro – A culinary gem hidden in the deserts of Utah.
1-2 items you should definitely
- A hat – the desert sun is unrelenting a hat will help protect you from the sun
- A good map of the area – some of the trails outside of Island of the Sky are a little hard to follow and a map can keep you on the right track.
Thank you Jennifer! You can find Jennifer writing about her travels on Made All the Difference or Facebook.
We all love to explore the great outdoors and learn more about the breathtaking National Parks throughout the U.S. I’ve written about the canvas tent company Under Canvas, in our Glamping post last spring. It would be a really fun way to spend time in Canyonlands with our family. We certainly enjoyed glamping on San Juan Island last summer. You can see our other posts on hiking with kids and visiting other National Parks, like our newest favorite, Lassen National Park or forever favorite The Grand Canyon.
{All photos are by Jennifer Melroy}
