Trip to Southern Utah's National Lands

We are planning to visit some national parks, monuments and untamed wilderness of Southern Utah and Northern Arizona this summer. I have never seen such awe-inspiring, other-worldly and at the same time formidable place. Those stratified red rocks, smoothed out tepee formations, emerging hoodoos, narrowing canyons, water carved rock bridges, occasional waterfalls, a patch of greenery within towering stand-stones are some things we do not get to see often. I believe, there is no place like Colorado plateau, such expanse with myriad of rock formations with geological, paleological and historical (native American) importance, anywhere in the world.

Amphitheater, Bryce Canyon Nat Park, UT

The Teepees, Petrified Forest Nat. Park, AZ

Finns, Arches Nat. Park, UT

Painted Desert, Petrified Forest Nat. Park, AZ

Colorado plateau expands over four US states- Utah, Colorado, New Mexico and Arizona. It probably encompasses the highest concentration of national parks and other protected lands. See the list below.

We visited a few national parks in this area way back (2011)....when we were just learning the nuts and bolts of exploring the national parks. At that time we were so naive that we gave a day to explore some of these parks...looking back  we have come a long way. This time we plan to give more time to better explore each park..hopefully...even though we know seeing all is an illusive dream.

From east cost, we are flying-in and out of Las Vegas airport. So, our travel will be on a circular route. In 13 days, my "over ambitious" plan include exploring around 3 national parks, and around 3 or so national monuments and a couple of small state parks. Here is our tentative road route.


South Utah | My new trip on Roadtrippers.com!

Hope to keep updating this with our upcoming adventures and experience!

View of Colorado river from Desert View, Grand Canyon Nat. Park, AZ

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National parks and monument of Colorado Plateau:

• National parks (from south to north to south clockwise):

Petrified Forest National Park, AZ

Grand Canyon National Park, AZ

Zion National Park, UT

BryceCanyon National Park, UT

Capitol Reef National Park, UT

Canyonlands National Park, UT

Arches National Park, UT

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, CO

Mesa Verde National Park, CO

Chaco Culture National Historical Park, NM

• National Monuments (alphabetical):

Aztec Ruins National Monument, NM

Canyon De Chelly National Monument, AZ

Canyons of the Ancients National Monument, CO

Cedar Breaks National Monument, UT

Colorado National Monument, CO

Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument, NV

Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, UT

El Malpais National Monument, NM

El Morro National Monument, NM

Hovenweep National Monument, UT

Navajo National Monument, AZ

Natural Bridges National Monument, UT

Rainbow Bridge National Monument, UT

Sunset Crater National Monument, AZ

Vermilion Cliffs National Monument, AZ

Walnut Canyon National Monument, AZ

Wupatki National Monument, AZ