Just as the last light faded, darkness fell; the only sources of light were headlamps and the Milky Way overhead. If you hadn’t already felt the vastness, you did now, surrounded by darkness with only the stars above and the risk of a misstep causing you to fall about 1,400 feet into the crater. We made sure to stay far from the edge. I’ve seen the Milky Way many times, but lying on the clay dirt, looking up at the sky, I couldn’t help but wonder,

How the hell am I on the Moon, looking at the Milky Way while still on Earth? How is this real?

If you've been following me for a while, you know this park is truly special to me. The picture on my homepage was taken at sunrise in October of 2020, while I stood on the edge of this park. Even parts of “Let’s Be Gray,” my short story in Blood Sweat Tears, feature it. It is, hands down, my favorite state park, and I’ll tell you why below!

When you think of Moab, you automatically think of Arches and Canyonlands National Park. Or, when you think of Utah in general, you immediately think of other iconic national parks like Zion and Bryce, or maybe of hiking through some slot canyons.

However, just before you reach Canyonlands, you’ll find Dead Horse State Park. It shares the same road that leads to the national park, and all you have to do is turn right. This park offers breathtaking views, a fascinating history, and abundant outdoor activities.

If you are not familiar with the term Utah Mighty 5, it refers to the very diverse collection of national parks within the state. These parks range from the stunning arched structures of Arches National Park to the landing only angels can alight in Zion National Park. The other three—Capitol Reef, Bryce Canyon, and Canyonlands—offer epic, dramatic hoodoos, and wildlife. Visiting these parks on one epic road trip is a real treat since you will explore landscapes shaped over years of rain, wind, and a little magic from Mother Nature!

This post will give you a visual taste of each park on this magical road trip!

This hidden gem, Hanksville, nestled in the beautiful but strange landscapes and rock formations of southern Utah, will transport you from Earth to Mars and then the Moon when you visit it. When I covered the Utah Mighty 5 (the five national parks in Utah) on my last road trip through Utah, I didn’t realize I was in Hanksville, and so I missed out on seeing the Moon!

Hanksville is the perfect place to jet off for all kinds of adventures—from national parks, secret slot canyons, hiking, biking, camping, and more. I highly recommend this area, and below I’ll cover the top 6 places you can visit within a three-hour drive!

Let’s go on a Utah adventure, shall we?

Are you craving an epic road trip with unforgettable views? Then, this trip is for you! I've driven this route three times, and below, I will share what to expect, my favorite tips, and why you should do it!

Let's go on this larger-than-life road trip, shall we?

After three trips to Moab, I finally ventured beyond my usual campsite and tried something new. Though I was hesitant to leave my tried-and-true favorite, I’m glad I took the leap. Now, I’m excited to share my two favorite camping spots and what makes them truly special!

I have visited Moab three times now, and here are my favorite places I have checked out—they include parks worth exploring and local businesses to visit. However, if you plan to visit the national parks, you will need a National Park Pass.

Kanab, Utah, is filled with fantastic places to hike, camp, or tour, and it’s worth visiting if you get a chance. Follow my tips to have an experience that’s even better than mine on your next solo trip to Utah, and remember always to leave no trace.

Are you craving an epic road trip with unforgettable views? Then, this trip is for you! I've driven this route three times, and below, I will share what to expect, my favorite tips, and why you should do it!

Let's go on this larger-than-life road trip, shall we

My tips and tricks for BCNP!

Another thing that Bryce is famous for is its most extensive collection in the world of Hoodoos. They formed over millions of years of erosion. There is a famous Native American Story of how these Hoodoos were created. The short version of this story is the Coyote God, who oversaw the land and had invited the Legend People to a grand feast. These people were known to be selfish and abused the land. Legend people dressed to the nines and painted their faces for the feast. But before the Legend People started to gorge on the food, the Coyote God cast a spell on them and turned them into stone. Ones who didn't turn into stone tried to escape by climbing on top of each other until they turned into stone, which is why hoodoos, cling to the sides of the cliffs. Or maybe it's nature, I guess we won't ever know!

My tips and tricks for Zion National Park and hiking the Narrows.

Finally, I reached Wall Street, the famous part of the hike. This is where the walls of the canyon tower 1500 feet tall, and it’s the narrowest, with the river only being 22 feet wide. Once I passed this section, I hung out at the riverbank, enjoying the view. I kept looking up at the sky because the sun was finally out, and it was a bright blue sky with some white clouds. It made the rocks stand out even more. I was chatting with a few people as I was asked to take a couple of pictures of them. I heard one of them talking about this Floating Rock up from Wall Street. Floating Rock is another stopping point on this hike. It is a giant boulder that looks like it is floating on the river. My curiosity peaked, and I kept hiking after getting some pictures of myself at Wall Street. I went to Floating Rock, and then I turned around and headed back. Looking back now, I should have continued to Big Springs; it’s about another 1-1.5 miles down; this was the last point before you had to turn around because the rest of the Narrows needed a permit.