Hidden Secrets

• Under Canvas Moab
• Arches Devil's Garden Primitive Loop
• Canyonlands Gooseberry Trail

Discover the less-visited trails of Arches and Canyonlands national parks and stay the night in a unique setting that feels like camping yet is somehow much more comfortable.

In Arches National Park, if you take the 7.9-mile Devil's Garden Primitive Loop along with all the short spur trails to nearby arches and other features, this becomes the park’s longest and most challenging maintained trail in the park. It’s also one of the most spectacular. Follow the crowd toward Landscape Arch then leave them behind on the remote loop. Visitors should note that the hike becomes difficult beyond Landscape Arch.

In Canyonland National Park, you can count the number of routes off the Island in the Sky mesa on one hand. Gooseberry is by far the steepest and the most ingeniously plotted route. The 5.4-mile round-trip hike sheds a total of 1,400 feet to the White Rim, then picks it back up on the return hike.

A perfect treat for the road-weary traveler, Under Canvas Moab — glammed-up camping in beautiful white canvas tents, each with its own wood floor and furnishings. Did we mention the breakfast delivery or the proximity to Arches National Park?

• Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park
• Navajo Spirit Tours
• Hovenweep National Monument
• Natural Bridges National Monument

A day on the road. Explore 700-year-old (and older) archaeological sites well off the beaten path, see Monument Valley the way it’s meant to be seen, then grab a permit for the backcountry of Cedar Mesa, where Indigenous peoples once lived yet few people today ever visit.

Hovenweep National Monument is an inspiring place that begs visitors to ask questions about the ancients. 700-year-old and older archaeological sites can be visited by paved and improved dirt roads, but hikes are necessary to fully explore the ruins.

Tour the living landscape of Monument Valley with a Navajo guide and learn about the area’s ancient lore and fascinating geology, then enjoy a spiritual musical performance in a natural amphitheater.

Cedar Mesa's remote, rugged backcountry trails are not for everyone. But for adventurers with a love of solitude, archaeology and geographic beauty, day use permits are available at most trailheads and overnight permits are available at the Kane Gulch Ranger Station. A great place to start is the serpentine Grand Gulch.

Overnight at Valley of the Gods B&B or camp under the stars at the world’s first International Dark Sky Park, Natural Bridges.

The only home within the 360,000-acre Cedar Mesa region of San Juan County is Valley of the Gods B&B, a solar and wind-powered historic stone ranch-house. Relax on their large porch in the solitude of the Valley of the Gods or use it as an adventure base camp.

• Valley Of The Gods B&B
• Kayak And Sup Lake Powell
• Cohab Canyon To Grand Wash

This is the desert in high contrast, sharp relief and lots of color. From Cedar Mesa you'll head to the iconic Lake Powell. Rent a paddleboard at Bullfrog Marina for a tranquil day on the water, then head about 90 miles north to Capitol Reef and introduce yourself to something called the Waterpocket Fold on the little-traveled Frying Pan trail between the more popular Cohab Canyon and Grand Wash.

Slip into the mighty Lake Powell with a personal, self-propelled watercraft, and have a whole different experience than the boats flying down the lake. You can rent SUPs or kayaks from the concessionaire at Bullfrog Marina and enjoy a tranquil day on the waters — powered by you.

Taken individually, the Grand Wash and Cohab Canyon in Capitol Reef are both excellent out-and-back hikes with distinct trails. Separate yourself from the crowd by combining the two with the Frying Pan Trail, an excellent exploration of the Waterpocket Fold. Arrange a shuttle or add 2.5 miles of hiking up the road.

Overnight in Torrey or Boulder.

• Singing Canyon
• Boulder Outdoor Survival School
• Upper Calf Creek Falls Hike

Explore the Burr Trail, a paved-then-graded gravel and dirt road passing through the slickrock mountains and sandstone dunes of Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monument, Capitol Reef and Glen Canyon National Recreation Area.

Of all the stops on the Burr Trail, there’s really nothing like the little slot canyon at an inconspicuous turnoff 11 miles down from the starting point. Locals of Boulder, Utah, call this slot canyon, “Singing Canyon.” When you go, you'll know exactly why. With a week's more time, stamina and the right frame of mind, you might linger in Boulder for a serious lesson in outdoor survival. The Boulder Outdoor Survival School clearly states it is not for everyone. In fact, it’s not necessarily even for this itinerary without a custom booking. But if you commit to a week-long (or more) survival, explorer or skills course, you’ll certainly be more prepared for the unexpected on your journey.

Otherwise, continue down the infamous, winding Hogsback of the All-American Road Scenic Byway 12 to the lesser-visited Upper Calf Creek Falls. Few hikes in the Escalante region offer the rewards of this Upper Calf Creek Falls with such a minimal investment of time and effort — but be cautious as this trail is steep and requires good stamina and some rock scrambling. The reward is an 87-foot-high waterfall, pools of cool water and shady riparian oases.

Overnight in Panguitch or camp at Cedar Breaks.

• Kolob Reservoir
• Kanarra Falls
• Groovacious Record Store
• Dining in Cedar City

From Panguitch, you linger at an idyllic reservoir on a scenic backway or set out for Kanarraville Falls, pushing yourself up the ladders and scrambles to the very end. If you feel pangs for a little civilization, drop into Cedar City for a visit to the Groovacious Record Store.

In the subalpine zone above the famous sandstone canyons of Zion lies the pastoral Kolob Reservoir. Long known to locals for its fishing, it’s the perfect place to escape the summer heat, camp on the grassy shores, and paddle out onto its calm waters.

At Kanarra Falls, you can expect a stunning slot canyon with one of the most photographed waterfall and ladder scenes in Southern Utah. You can also adorn good water shoes and continuously cross the creek on the way to this fun, non-technical falls. This location has been increasingly popular in recent years, and hikers should note that a permit is required.

Groovacious Record Store is an independent record store in Cedar City. That may not mean something to everyone, but those who appreciate some deep convo about music will get it. Long live vinyl.

Grab a bite at Centro Woodfired Pizza then overnight in Cedar City.

• Parowan Gap
• Wah Wah Mountains

About 20 miles north of Cedar City, it's hard not to feel awe at the Parowan Gap, which seems to demonstrate prehistoric people’s strong knowledge of astronomy. The walls of the Parowan Gap are steep jumbles of weathered and fractured Navajo sandstone. There are an impressive number of panels covered in petroglyphs. Enjoy the short walk and interpretive signs. The Zipper petroglyph may be a calendar of solar alignments.

While you’re in the West Desert, a visit to one of the eponymous ranges of the Basin and Range Province will introduce you to this rugged and quiet topography. Few physiographic provinces are as misunderstood as the Basin and Range. Passed over by many as empty space, the geology actually creates individual islands of ecology with endless opportunities to explore. Wah Wah is a 55-mile-long range with great summits, like the aptly named Crystal Peak.

Finish up the trip with some organized outdoor fun at Eagle Point Resort. While it’s best known as a family-friendly ski area, Eagle Point’s fun carries on into the summer too. It’s the perfect spot for adventure lovers looking for a getaway. The resort offers hiking, mountain biking, disc golf, paintball and many more adventures in the setting of the dramatic Tushar Mountains. For one last dash of solitude, complete the Beaver Canyon Backway to Highway 89 rather than returning directly to the interstate.