A Classic Lodge on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon If you love national park lodges, the El Tovar Hotel experience is one of those things that grabs you the moment you step inside. The South Rim is only a short walk from the front door, but the hotel has a magic of its…
If you’re planning a California road trip, Highway 395 deserves a top spot on your list. Running along the eastern side of the Sierra Nevada mountains, this 150-mile stretch from Bridgeport to Lone Pine is packed with classic small towns, alpine lakes, ghost towns, and even the oldest living trees on Earth. We’ve driven this…
The short answer is late June to early September. The very best time to visit, in our opinion, is mid-August. How did we come up with this answer? Well, we had to draw a picture to explain. See below. Three Key Things to Consider You’ll want to consider three things when deciding when is the best time…
There’s something special about waking up in the heart of Zion Canyon, stepping outside, and walking straight from your room to the trailhead while the red cliffs glow with early morning light. It’s all part of the Zion Lodge experience, a quieter, more immersive way to start your day in the park. Yes, it’s true….
The Narrows in Zion National Park is one of the most unforgettable hikes we’ve ever done. It’s a slot canyon carved by the Virgin River, and unlike most trails, this one doesn’t run alongside a river—it is the river. At times, the water was up to our armpits. And yes, we got completely soaked. We’ve…
What trail takes you through five massive tunnels, offers sweeping views of Lake Mead, and was once a supply route for one of the greatest engineering feats in American history? The Historic Railroad Trail in Boulder City, Nevada, might just be one of the most unique and underrated hikes in Southern Nevada. Every time we’re…
On our Utah road trips, we almost always roll into Moab late in the day. After a long drive, we’re not quite ready to dive into a big hike, but we are itching to get into the park. That’s when we head straight for Park Avenue. It’s become a tradition for us: check into our…
Just south of Cedar City in the tiny town of Kanarraville, there’s a trail that manages to pack a lot of southern Utah’s beauty into just a few miles. Red rock cliffs, a cool flowing creek, a narrow slot canyon, and even a waterfall you climb by ladder, it’s all there. And thanks to a…
If there’s one hike that defines Arches National Park, it’s the trail to Delicate Arch. This freestanding natural arch is the park’s crown jewel and easily one of the most recognizable landmarks in the state of Utah. It was even featured on the Utah license plate for years. (We wish they’d bring that back.) Hiking…