Travel to the Parks of Utah – Episode 979 – Amateur Traveler

Hear about travel to lesser-known parks in Utah, Arizona, and Nevada as the Amateur Traveler talks to Justin Barnes from justinandcrystal.com about their recent road trip through the American Southwest.

Justin said, “When I got back, I realized that in addition to all the photos we had from the national parks, which obviously are well covered, including, I think it was episode 503, I actually had more photos of the places outside the national parks and Monument Valley than I did inside the national parks and Monument Valley.”

This itinerary summarizes Justin Barnes’s recommended road trip through Utah and the surrounding region. It focuses on smaller, high-impact stops outside the major national parks, designed to be combined into a coherent, scenic route.

Overview

• Length: 7–8 days
• Best seasons: Spring or fall
• Route: Moab, Utah → southern Utah & northern Arizona → Las Vegas, Nevada (or loop back to Moab)
• Trip style: Short hikes, overlooks, geological curiosities, scenic drives

This route works particularly well as a companion to visits to Arches, Canyonlands, Bryce Canyon, Zion, and Capitol Reef, but it stands on its own as a tour of lesser-known landscapes.

Day 0–1: Moab Base

Moab, Utah

• Evening arrival in Moab
• Sunset at Dead Horse Point State Park, overlooking the Colorado River and canyon formations

Morning

• Hike the Corona Arch Trail, an easy walk to a massive freestanding arch

Afternoon

• Drive south and take the spur road to The Needles Overlook of Canyonlands National Park, a remote viewpoint above the Needles District

Overnight in Moab.

Day 2: Toward Monument Valley

• Drive south from Moab
• Scenic backroad drive through Valley of the Gods, a free, unpaved route among red rock buttes
• Optional stop at Goosenecks State Park, overlooking dramatic bends in the San Juan River
• Brief stop in Mexican Hat, Utah, to see the namesake rock formation

Overnight near Monument Valley, ideally at Goulding’s Lodge, Monument Valley or another Monument Valley View hotel.

Day 3: Page, Arizona & the Colorado River

• Morning revisits to Mexican Hat or Valley of the Gods for better light
• Drive west toward Page, Arizona
• Lunch at Birdhouse, Page
• Midday visit to Horseshoe Bend
• Short stop at Page, Arizona Caves: The One Hidden Behind the Shell Gas Station
• Walk across the Navajo Bridge near Lees Ferry
• Optional breakfast stop at Cliff Dwellers Lodge if traveling early

Overnight in or near Page, Arizona.

Day 4: Vermilion Cliffs & White Pocket

• Walk across the Navajo Bridge near Lees Ferry
• Optional breakfast stop at Cliff Dwellers Lodge if traveling early
• Turn north onto House Rock Valley Road beneath Vermilion Cliffs National Monument
• Stop at the Condor Viewing Site
• Explore White Pocket, ideally via a Private White Pocket Vermilion Tour

Drive north via Jacob Lake and Kaibab National Forest, then descend toward Kanab, Utah. Dinner in Kanab at Sego Restaurant. Overnight in Kanab.

Day 5: Kanab Area

• Morning visit to Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park for dune walks, sandboarding, or ATV tours
• Afternoon visit to the Once Upon a Time in America museum

Optional add-ons:

• Discover Kanab Sand Caves & Moqui Cave in Utah » Our Wild Wanderers
• Peek-A-Boo Slot Canyon or Peekaboo Slot Canyon Tours (requires sandy driving conditions)

Second overnight in Kanab.

Day 6: Highway 12 & Grand Staircase–Escalante

• Drive northeast on Highway 12
• Stop for pie at Bryce Canyon Pines Restaurant (with or without a Bryce Canyon visit)
• Scenic pullouts, including Boynton Overlook and Hogback Overlook
• Turn onto Hole In The Rock Road
• Explore Devils Garden, a natural area filled with hoodoos and arches

Overnight in Torrey, Utah, or Hanksville, Utah.

Day 7: Hanksville Highlights

• Morning stop at Kathline Rock View Area
• Explore Goblin Valley State Park
• Optional hike in Little Wild Horse Canyon (weather permitting)
• Visit the Bentonite Hills near Mars Research Station Utah
• Short hike to Long Dong Silver Spire in Utah
• Sunset at Moonscape Overlook

Overnight in Hanksville or Torrey.

Day 8: Fish Lake to Nevada

• Morning visit to Pando (tree) near Fish Lake, the world’s largest living organism
• Drive south and west toward Nevada
• Afternoon visit to Valley of Fire State Park, including:
  • Fire Wave Trail
  • White Domes Trail
  • Petroglyphs at Mouse’s Tank Trail in Valley of Fire State Park

End the trip in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Planning Notes

• Download offline maps; cell service is limited in many areas
• Be mindful of Utah vs Arizona time changes
• Slot canyons should be avoided during flash flood warnings
• Valley of Fire trails are seasonally restricted due to heat

This itinerary emphasizes variety, remoteness, and overlooked landscapes, combining dozens of short stops into a cohesive and visually striking road trip.

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