Utah-Destinations List

Sleeping on the Edge: Camping at Dead Horse Point State Park

Our camping trip to Dead Horse Point State Park in Utah was an experience in high-desert solitude and spectacular scenery. Located near Moab, the park sits on a narrow peninsula of rock that towers 2,000 feet above the Colorado River. While the name comes from a tragic legend about wild mustangs, the reality of the park today is pure beauty.

A Campsite with a View

We stayed at the Kayenta Campground, and it was easily one of the best campsites we’ve ever had. In a landscape that can be harsh, the site was perfectly appointed with a nice shelter to shade our picnic table and electricity/water hookups (a luxury in such a remote area!).

But the real amenity was the landscape itself. We were surrounded by ancient twisted juniper trees and red sand, with a view that was simply breathtaking. Walking just a few steps from our tent offered a panorama of the vast canyon layers—red, orange, and purple rock stretching as far as the eye could see.

Wandering the Rim

During the day, we took advantage of the miles of hiking trails that weave along the cliff edge. We explored the Rim Trail, which offers constant, dizzying views of the river gooseneck far below. The geology here is mesmerizing; the cliffs are made of Wingate Sandstone, which forms those sheer vertical walls, sitting on top of the sloping Chinle Formation. It felt like walking on the roof of the world.

A Window to the Universe

The highlight of the trip came after the sun went down. Dead Horse Point was designated an International Dark Sky Park in 2016, making it one of the best places in the world to stargaze.

We joined a ranger-led night program, which was absolutely fascinating. The lack of light pollution meant the sky was an explosion of stars. The ranger used a high-powered green laser pointer to trace out the constellations for us—it looked like he was literally drawing on the sky.

They also had telescopes set up, allowing us to see planets with incredible clarity. Standing in the silent darkness of the desert, was a humbling and magical experience.

A High-Point of the Year

Camping at Dead Horse Point wasn't just a place to stay the night; it was about immersing ourselves in a landscape that feels ancient and vast. Between the comfortable campsite, the red rock trails, and the guided tour of the galaxy, it was an unforgettable adventure.

The Heart of the Mighty 5: Our Summer in Zion

One of amazing stops on of our massive Summer 2025 Road Trip—covering Utah’s "Mighty 5" and the Grand Canyon—expectations for Zion National Park were high. Yet, looking back, it wasn't just another stop on the map; it was the place where we felt the most connected to the landscape. Parking our camper van at the base of those towering cliffs, we found a perfect mix of adventure and convenience.

Life at Watchman Campground

We stayed at Watchman Campground, and it was the perfect home base. It’s rare to find a National Park campground that feels this wild yet is so convenient. We loved how the mule deer would casually wander right through our site in the evenings, unbothered by our presence.

The location was unbeatable. We were nestled right inside the park with views of the Watchman spire, but the town of Springdale was just a short walk across the river. Being able to pop over to the city for supplies or a treat, then immediately return to the solitude of our campsite, made the logistics of van life so much easier.

Two-Wheeled Freedom

The smartest decision we made was bringing the e-bikes. While the park shuttles are great, having the bikes gave us total independence. The kids absolutely loved the freedom of navigating along the Pa’rus Trail and up the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive without waiting in lines.

We rode all the way to the end of the canyon—the Temple of Sinawava. Feeling the wind as we cruised beneath the Great White Throne and Angels Landing was a highlight of the entire summer. It turned the journey into an adventure, not just a commute.

Walking on Water

At the Temple of Sinawava, we traded our wheels for water shoes to tackle The Narrows. Hiking in the Virgin River was unlike anything else we did on the road trip. In the summer heat, the cool water was a relief. We didn't do the whole 16 miles, but hiking bottom-up into the slot canyon, with walls closing in and towering a thousand feet above us, was an experience the kids are still talking about.

The Scenic Exit

When we weren't in the canyon, we were driving above it. The Zion-Mount Carmel Highway was a drive we’ll never forget. Navigating the camper van up the switchbacks and through the historic 1.1-mile tunnel (which feels like a portal to another world) was thrilling. We made plenty of stops for photos— near Checkerboard Mesa—marveling at how the landscape changed from sheer cliffs to twisted slickrock.

The Verdict

Zion offered us something the other parks didn't: a perfect blend of accessibility and wildness. Between the e-bike freedom, the deer in our "backyard," and the epic canyon walls, it set the bar incredibly high for the rest of our road trip.

Chasing a Childhood Dream: The Trek to Delicate Arch

As our Summer 2025 Road Trip started through the "Mighty 5," we set our sights on Arches National Park. Since we were staying in our camper van at nearby Dead Horse Point State Park—the perfect strategic base camp for hitting both Arches and Canyonlands—we had an early start for the day I had been waiting for since elementary school.

From Library Books to Red Rock

For me, this wasn't just a hike; it was a pilgrimage. I vividly remember sitting in my elementary school library, flipping through Highlights magazines and nature books, and seeing photos of Delicate Arch. Even as a kid, that freestanding curve of sandstone looked impossible, like it defied gravity. I promised myself back then that I would see it with my own eyes one day. Deciding as a family to make that trek was a big moment.

The "Around the Corner" Hike

We knew going in that the 3-mile hike wasn't a walk in the park. It involves climbing 480 feet in elevation, mostly over open slickrock with zero shade. We hit the trail at 8:30 AM to beat the heat, but the desert sun warms up fast!

The hike became a family endurance test. Our youngest had the best seat in the house, riding in the child carrier and enjoying the view without the work. The two older kids were troopers, scrambling up the rock face, though their energy definitely started to fade as the heat rose.

My wife, however, got the most entertainment out of my optimism. I kept telling everyone, "It’s just around the corner!"... for about a mile. It became the running joke of the morning. But once we got past the slickrock and navigated that final narrow ledge (which actually is around a corner), the struggle vanished.

Standing Under the Arch

Seeing Delicate Arch in person was everything I hoped it would be. Photos don't do justice to the scale of it—60 feet high and framing the La Sal Mountains in the distance. We sat on the rim of the sandstone bowl, drinking plenty of water (essential advice for anyone doing this hike!), and just took it in. It was a rough journey, and the older kids were worn out by the end, but we made it.

A Scenic Cool Down

After conquering the main event, we didn't have much hiking legs left, so we spent the rest of the day enjoying the park's scenic drive. We cruised past Park Avenue, Balanced Rock, and the Windows Section, hopping out for quick photos but mostly enjoying the AC.

Arches is a surreal landscape, but walking up that trail to fulfill a childhood dream—with my own children in tow—was the undisputed highlight of the summer.

Infinite Canyons: A Driving Tour of Canyonlands

Continuing our Summer 2025 Road Trip through the "Mighty 5," we headed into Canyonlands National Park. Since we were already camped at Dead Horse Point State Park, we were perfectly positioned to explore the park's Island in the Sky district, which sits on a massive mesa just minutes away.

Beating the Heat

After the physical exertion of our Arches hike, Canyonlands was a different kind of day. The desert heat was intense—likely pushing triple digits—so we made the executive family decision to swap long hikes for the comfort of the camper van's air conditioning. It turned into the ultimate scenic drive, hopping from one incredible viewpoint to the next without exhausting ourselves (or the kids).

Island in the Sky

The geography here is mind-boggling. We drove along the mesa top, which serves as a massive observation deck looking down thousands of feet into a wilderness of rock. Because we weren't doing long treks, we could hit all the major overlooks efficiently.

We stopped at Grand View Point, where you can see the white rim of the canyon tracing the landscape for miles. We also peeked over the edge at Shafer Canyon, spotting the crazy switchback road that winds all the way down to the bottom. Even without hiking deep into the canyon, the sheer scale of the place—carved by both the Green and Colorado Rivers—was humbling. It feels endless, a jagged ocean of red rock stretching to the horizon.

A Day of Perspective

While we missed out on the backcountry, seeing Canyonlands from the rim was spectacular in its own way. It gave us a chance to rest our legs while still soaking in world-class scenery. We left with a newfound appreciation for the vastness of the American West, all witnessed from the cool safety of our van.

Sweet Treats & Ancient History: Capitol Reef National Park

Our next stop on our Summer 2025 Road Trip through the "Mighty 5," we spent time in Capitol Reef National Park, and it ended up being the a standout surprise of the trip. While the other parks are famous for their dramatic arches and canyons, Capitol Reef offered us something unexpected: history you could taste.

An Oasis in the Red Rock

Driving into the Fruita Historic District, we were stunned to see lush green trees standing in stark contrast to the red cliffs of the Waterpocket Fold. These are the historic orchards, originally planted by Mormon pioneers in the 1880s. Walking among the 2,000+ fruit trees (cherries, apricots, peaches, and apples) felt like finding a secret garden in the middle of the desert. It was incredibly peaceful to wander through the rows, with the massive rock walls towering right above the greenery.

Stories in Stone

We visited the Petroglyph Panel Boardwalk along Highway 24. I had seen pictures and videos of these ancient carvings before the trip, but honestly, they didn't do it justice.

Seeing them in person was a completely different experience. Standing on the boardwalk, looking up at the sheer cliff face, we could clearly distinguish the bighorn sheep and the trapezoidal anthropomorphic (human-like) figures carved by the Fremont Culture nearly 1,000 years ago. The scale and clarity of the carvings were mesmerizing. It felt like a direct connection to the people who lived in this canyon centuries before us.

A Hidden Gem

Capitol Reef often gets labeled as the "stepchild" of the Utah parks, but for us, it was a highlight. Between the sweet taste of the orchards and the silent power of the petroglyphs, it offered a quieter, more intimate experience than the crowded trails of Zion or Arches.

A Forest of Stone: Our Stop at Bryce Canyon

As we made our way toward Zion on our Summer 2025 Road Trip, we carved out a few hours to stop at Bryce Canyon National Park. Even though it was a quick visit, the landscape was unlike anything else we had seen on the "Mighty 5" circuit.

A Crowded Amphitheater

The first thing we noticed was the popularity. Compared to the vast emptiness of Canyonlands or the quiet orchards of Capitol Reef, Bryce was buzzing with energy. It was incredibly busy, a testament to just how famous those red hoodoos are. Navigating the crowds took a bit of patience, but we were determined to see the sights.

The View from the Rim

With only a few hours to spare, we stuck to the highlights. We explored the Visitor Center to get our bearings (and a souvenir), then hit the easy-to-access viewpoints along the rim, at stops like Sunrise Point or Sunset Point.

Even from the parking areas, the view is arresting. We weren't looking up at cliffs (like in Zion) or across a flat mesa (like in Canyonlands); we were looking down into a massive natural amphitheater filled with thousands of hoodoos. These spires of rock, colored in shades of orange, pink, and white, looked like a silent army standing in the canyon. The contrast of the red rock against the deep green pine forests and the blue sky was incredibly photogenic.

A Quick Taste

While we didn't have time to hike down into the hoodoos on the Navajo Loop, just standing on the rim gave us a sense of the park's magic. It was a whirlwind stop, but seeing the "hoodoo capital of the world" with our own eyes was definitely worth the detour.

A Journey Through Time: Crossing Grand Staircase-Escalante

We drove through the heart of Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument along Scenic Byway 12. We thought this would just be a travel day to get from Point A to Point B, but it turned out to be one of the most memorable—and nerve-wracking—parts of our Summer 2025 Road Trip.

Views for Miles

This drive is often voted one of the most beautiful in America, and we immediately saw why. The landscape here is vast and untamed, a rugged mix of cream-colored slickrock and deep canyons that stretch out toward the horizon. We found ourselves pulling van over constantly because every turn revealed a new, impossible vista. The photo opportunities were endless, with the road winding through a landscape that looked more like the surface of Mars than Earth.

The White-Knuckle Ridge

However, the beauty came with a price! There were sections of the road—specifically the famous stretch known as "The Hogback"—that had my palms sweating on the steering wheel.

For a few miles, the road sits on top of a narrow, winding ridge with steep cliffs dropping away on both sides and virtually no guardrails. Driving a camper van along that razor’s edge was an adrenaline rush. It genuinely felt like one wrong move would send us tumbling off the map. My wife might have closed her eyes a few times, but the kids were glued to the windows (probably enjoying the thrill a little too much!).

A Drive to Remember

While it was a relief to get back on wider roads near Zion, that drive through the Grand Staircase was a highlight in its own right. It was thrilling, terrifying, and absolutely beautiful—a true adventure on the open road.