“In the American Southwest, I began a lifelong love affair with a pile of rock.” So spoke Edward Abbey--and honestly? I get it. The American Southwest is full of deep canyons, red stone monuments, and awesome national parks, but there’s more to it than that. It’s a place I’ve visited a dozen times throughout my life, and which always seems to draw me back in. The dry heat, the orange earth, the smell of sagebrush and the wind across my face pulls me back time and time again. Whether you’ve never been or you’re still waiting for your next chance, the places in these photos are sure to inspire: Arches National ParkArches is one of the coolest parks in Utah, featuring massive sandstone arches and strange, otherworldly formations. My personal favorite is the Delicate Arch, one of the most famous in the park, for obvious reasons--standing alone in otherwise smooth terrain, this red-gold arch looks like a portal to another dimension. You can walk to one of the viewpoints (an easy 100 yards for the lower viewpoint or a half mile for the upper viewpoint) where you can see it clearly, albeit from far away, or hike three miles to see it up close. I would also have to recommend the massive Landscape Arch, for the beauty of the walk and sheer scale of the arch, and the Windows section, which is just plain fun to explore! I recommend visiting during spring or autumn, when the weather is cooler but the roads are all still accessible. If you visit during summer, be sure to pack lots and lots of water, sunscreen, and a shade umbrella or hat, because it gets outrageously hot. Antelope Slot CanyonSouth of Lake Powell, Antelope Slot Canyon is one of the world’s most famous of its type, with a majestic beauty that has drawn photographers and beauty-seekers in from all over. Antelope Slot Canyon is actually split into two--Upper and Lower. I visited the Upper canyon, which is shorter and more crowded, but easier to navigate than Lower Canyon, and features the famous light beams on a more regular basis. Situated on Diné (Navajo) land, it’s only accessible through a guided tour; I would recommend asking the guide company you use what time is best to visit before you go, but it’s hard to go wrong with the very early or late slots if you're looking for fewer crowds, or around 10 am or 1 pm for the best light. Prices for the Upper Canyon tour range from around $60 for an hour inside the canyon, or around $160 for the two hour photographer’s tour, plus another half hour for transportation. I took the standard tour, which was nice but a little rushed; if your main goal here is to get that perfect shot, book the photographer's tour, and shell out an extra $10 for the best light. Quick photography tip: turn your flash off, otherwise micro crystals in the sandstone will reflect the light, causing white spots to appear in your shot! Bryce CanyonBryce Canyon is one of my favorite national parks, all because of its incredible hoodoos. Hoodoos are weird, gorgeous rocks which have weathered over time to form finger-like pinnacles, stretching up into the sky. Hiking into the canyon surrounds you with these orange and golden monoliths--it feels like traveling through Wonderland! I’ve written a post about my top hiking recommendations in this park, but for those of you on a schedule, I have to recommend hiking the Rim Trail at sunrise or sunset, when the views of the hoodoos are simply stunning. For the best views not connected to a trail, look no further than the Natural Bridge lookout. Grand Staircase-EscalanteAs one of the largest parks in Utah, there’s clearly a lot to see here--so much so that I dedicated an entire blog post to this park! This park features a little bit of everything, from arches to hoodoos to beautiful rainbow cliffs. Zion National ParkZion is a marvel of contrasts, with fiery red cliffs juxtaposed with cerulean waterfalls and slow-moving rivers cutting paths through the canyons. My previous post on this park gave you all the advice you’ll need to have a great time here, but I’ll sum it up quickly: do your research and get here early, before the tour buses start rolling in. Snow Canyon State ParkA mere three hours north of the Grand Canyon is the tiny Snow Canyon State Park. Best known as the backdrop for Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, here you can wander among lava flows, a slot canyon, and numerous caves, all while admiring the stunning red-gold sandstone cliffs. Like Grand Staircase, this park features a little bit of pretty much everything the Southwest has to offer--just in a much smaller package. Grand Canyon National ParkOkay, y’all had to know this one was coming. Last but not least, this is probably America’s most famous park, and, yes, it does deserve that title. If you go here, I have three words for you: North Rim sunrise. The North Rim of the canyon is the least-crowded area of the park, and while it doesn’t have as many visitor services as the more popular South Rim, it’s worth a visit if you’re interested in the quiet tranquility of the park. I found this article really helpful in figuring out which part of the park is right for you to visit. Regardless of where you go, sunrise is the best time to visit, when the light makes the canyon pale and beautiful. But really? No matter where or when you go in the Southwest, you’re sure to see something incredible. Have you been to the Southwestern U.S.? Share some of your favorite spots in the comments section below! Like this post? Why not share it?If you enjoyed this article, please leave me a comment telling me what you think! Or, if you found it useful, share it with your friends! You'll be helping me turn my passion for travel into a business, and more importantly, you'll be helping your friends out with any travel questions they might have, too. See more adventures!If you liked this post, you may also like:
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Hi, there! Call me Kris. I’m a world traveler, author and artist working to showcase the world's beauty and inspire you to find your confidence to see the world!
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