What is your favorite Utah Nat'l Park? (Moab, Escalante: college, live)

[Evlevo]

I am a big fan of National Parks (I have visited 18 different ones) including all of Utah's National Parks (with the exception of Capitol Reef). I have loved them all immensly! If I had to choose, I would have to say that Zion is my favorite (and in my top 3 overall).

To anyone who has been to Zion, you know why it is so amazing! To those that haven't, you'll have to visit to truely discover it's magic. You just cannot put into words the majestic towering sandstone in a valley of greenery at sunset and come even close to capturing the feeling you get when you are there!

[OhioNative]

Last year I did a road trip out West from Georgia. We camped in Sedona, AZ in Oak Creek Canyon, hiked the Grand Canyon, and went to Zion, Bryce, and Arches. I would have to say that Zion was the highlight of the trip, hands down. My favorite part was hiking the Riverside Walk with my family, where spectacular scenery was accessible with a stroller! (no backcountry for me with a 2 and 5 year old).

[vegaspilgrim]

I'll vote Arches. The thing about Arches that most people forget is that the beauty of the park has little to do with the actual dinky arches. It's the entire colorful landscape, the rugged, craggy layers of rocks and land, the beautiful junipers and sagebrush, the beautiful red sand, Pine Tree Arch, and the spectacular views of the snow capped La Sal mountains rising in the distance. I went there last summer, when it was hot, but with thunderstorms coming in. We got a little bit of rain, and it was amazing. Took the obligatory Park Avenue photo shot.



Moab is where it's at!

[Evlevo]

Originally Posted by vegaspilgrim

I'll vote Arches. The thing about Arches that most people forget is that the beauty of the park has little to do with the actual dinky arches.

You have inadvertantly made me laugh! I say that because the first day that I visited Arches, my wife had a bad fever and so we were stuck with the "car-tour", where you just pull off at all of the designated vistas (I usually prefer to get out and hike because it avoids the crowds).

There was this idiot with a thick New York accent at the first stop who kept loudly informing all of his traveling companions "This is SOOOOO AMAZING!", "This makes you feel so insignificant!", "The natural beauty is STUNNING!" over and over and over again! I waited about 15 minutes for him to leave (or at least shut up), but he didn't so I just moved on to the next place.... sure enough, he showed up 2 minutes later and hadn't slowed his 'proclaimations' one bit! I had to wait in the car for a 1/2 hour for him to "build up enough of a lead" that I didn't have to see him again. I'd forgotten about him, thanks for the laugh!

What a Tool!

I think when you are talking about Utah's parks, there really are no wrong answers!

[j1n]

hey...Canyonlands is pretty cool. Moab's a great location in Autumn...Canyonlands (red rock canyons) on one side and the La Sals (snow capped alpine) on the other.

[SLO Toad]

I've lived in California for 20 years, but I grew up in Utah. I've been to all of Utah's National Parks and monuments, hiked the trails, etc. Zions is spectacular and so is Bryce, but both are crowded. Canyonlands is much less "peopled" and the Escalante wilderness area south and west of Moab is eerily desereted (not a good place for your car to blow a hose). Capitol Reef is okay. But none, in my humble estimation, can compare with Arches National Park near Moab. It is huge, so even if there are 10,000 people in the park, you can take a trail and never see a single person, but you will see lots of critters. The silence along these trails is so deep, every footstep echos. However, as beautiful as it is during the day and in the early morning hours, sunset will take your breath and heart away. Red chimney rocks, purple LaSalle Mountains in the background and the most exquisite pink, coral and lavendar skies offset the sage and grass, making them appear intensely green. Arches at sunset is like a glimpse of the divine. Incredible.

If you want an unparalled experience, spend the day in Arches (and please stay for the sunset), then take the scenic drive through the Escalante wilderness area into the Dixie National Forest and on toward Bryce Canyon, Red Rock Canyon and Zions. You'll savor it.

[Agoraphobic]

I voted Arches. I go down to Moab a few times each year and always go to Arches, it's addicting. If you really want a good experience call the park ahead of time and get access to Fiery Furnace. It's a guided tour or you can get your own permit to go down there. It's a great place to be in the middle of the day because it's much colder down there than on the surface. There are a lot of hikes in the park and they all deliver beautiful views and/or great scenery.

[aaronufl]

Originally Posted by SLO Toad

If you want an unparalled experience, spend the day in Arches (and please stay for the sunset), then take the scenic drive through the Escalante wilderness area into the Dixie National Forest and on toward Bryce Canyon, Red Rock Canyon and Zions. You'll savor it.

I agree with this 100%. Every summer when college lets out and I visit friends in Utah, I always make sure to take time to head out to Moab and the surrounding areas. Quite possibly one of my favorite places to be.

[yellowsnow]

Did you forget Great Basin? Or is it technically in NV? I always thought it was in Utah!

[Evlevo]

Originally Posted by yellowsnow

Did you forget Great Basin? Or is it technically in NV? I always thought it was in Utah!

Nope, that is in Nevada... I went there after visiting Zion! That's a great park too, but for completely different ways.