Dead ? End street but not for the 4-wheelers driving through town
Saint Elmo is one of the most accessible and best preserved ghost towns in the West. It’s located just southwest of Buena Vista, CO. in Chalk Creek Canyon. We would recommend a stop to explore this historical ghost town. And maybe ? witness a Casper the friendly ghost along the way! PS the town is more historical than haunted ?
We sat along the banks of the Chalk Creek and ate lunch ? How long can you keep your feet in a Colorado Creek?
The drive up to the ghost town begins near the Mt Princeton Hot Springs Resort and the road ascends over 10,000 feet ?elevation along the Chalk Creek. We stopped ✋ on the way back and had a picnic ? lunch along the river banks to listen to the rush of a Colorado creek. *You will always find an answer in the sound of water ?*
Over 2,000 miners, wives, saloon girls, & etc. lived a hard life down these streets
Word of Warning ⚠️ ~ The road becomes a dirt road about half the way up the mountain. We had no issue pulling our teardrop, GG; however, if lots of rain occurs during or just prior this road could be an issue. Check conditions if in a big rig.
Each building has old newspaper ? depicting life in the region
The town has over 43 buildings remain scattered around: a saloon, courthouse/jail, mercantile, church, and private homes. The Chalk Creek winds through the town which has a current residence of 3 and ? of chipmunks.
Number one residents of St Elmo
History of St Elmo– Originally called Forrest City in 1880, Saint Elmo was renamed and incorporated shortly after. Gold and silver was what the miners were searching. Hard work and hard play was the life of these settlers. In its heyday of around 2,000 residents in 1881, the town was full of saloons, dance halls and other staples of a mostly male population. Females were very popular & would often have multiple marriage proposes to choose between.
St Elmo General Store
St. Elmo General Store – Open May to Sept was a fun ? stop for icecream, souvenirs, antiques, cabin rental. Outside the doors ? of the General Store is home to hundreds of hummingbirds who call St Elmo home from the spring to summer. We watched the hummingbirds for over an hour with an ice cream ? in hand from the General Store.
Walking through history
Road warriors need to pass the time when on the road. I highly recommend the Audible books ?
Ghost Town Guest House – Year round, supper, bed and breakfast located in town. The guest House appeared to be very quaint and maybe when back in this area we will consider a stay.
4×4 or jeep rental will help explore surrounding ruins
Pro-Tip: Our plan was to stop by St Elmo and spend an hour; albeit, if we had a do over our suggestion would be to plan atleast three days or more in this area. I was not aware of all the 4-wheel adventures that are available nearby. There are a few ruins around St Elmo you could explore with extra time, including Hancock and Mary Murphey Mine. It’s best to have a 4×4 or rent a Jeep, then you can go over Tincup Pass and explore Pitkin, Tincup and Ohio City. All easily done in a day. There is no camping on Co Rd 162.
Chalk Creek transversing the town
Money saving tip: Buy the annual national parks pass. The National Park Pass will also allow access to all the national monuments. The cost is $80. If you plan on being in any of the National Parks more than three times within a year then you will save money. The pass will sometimes allow discounts to camping in the National Forest ?. There’s also discounts for seniors which can be applied against camping threw out America. Other discounts apply so please read the eligibility which can save you more money. We estimate we saved over $600 in park fees.”The fire is the main comfort of camp, whether in summer or winter.” Thoreau
This site contains paid advertisements. By clicking the links it does not cost you any extra money as the seller pays Travelswithgg a referral fee. We will never place any links without 100% satisfaction of a product we use.
Traveling across the country is challenging enough to not have to worry about ones drinking water. We carry with us the Berkey water filtration system which we consider one of the best on the market.
“The woods are lovely, dark and deep.”
Our thoughts ? about St Elmo Ghost Town
It’s free. The drive towards the town will amaze and relax. The town is a portal to the past lives of the early settlers. I promise you will be not be disappointed. I wish we had rented a keep and gone over Tincup Pass. ~Life is better by the camp fire~
Drone flying is fast becoming a hobby of mine. After much research I purchased the Mini from DJI. I am very satisfied but still an amateur having a blast. Check out our drone videos within the blog which we hope you will enjoy.
Products we love ❤️
After 12,000 miles on the road and hundreds of miles hiking ? throughout America, our Merrells have withstood all types of terrain and although they may be dirty, the quality is outstanding and are ready for the next 12,000.
Being on the water is very therapeutic and lots of fun. Space is always our issue so the inflatable kayak was our answer. Easy to inflate but we did buy a battery ? pump to make life easy. We have kayaked the lakes of Montana, Idaho, Arkansas, Minnesota, South Carolina, Arizona and the Intex has not let us down.
Robin’s favorite outdoor cooking utensil
Great personal usb fans. Perfect for warm dry camping nights
Our Retro Jr offers only so much space so to expand the cooking area, Robin loves this easy to put up table from Lifetime. No issues after multiple setups and break downs.
Campers are for the most part very honest and friendly people. However, pulling GG through a city and leaving her to go explore can make one feel uneasy ? so this easy locking ? system was our solution.
Our teardrop does not come with a refrigerator so coolers are our life blood. We needed to keep our food cold for days on end and these coolers did the trick.
Grand daughter had her first birthday so the best gift was to start her love of camping. Love you Bridget.
Traveling over 12,000 miles in a Teardrop trailer one realizes space is an issue. We highly a roof rack to aid in carrying more items ie inflatable kayak, life jackets, oars, and etc.
12,000 miles on the road, one of my best purchases was my Costa sunglasses ?. The glare from driving is gone and the polarized lenses intensified the colors of my surroundings.
View from the Visitors Center of the Garden of the Gods
Traveling through Colorado Springs is not complete without a stop ? at the Garden of the Gods which is said, “the most striking contrast between the plains and mountains in North America” with respect to biology, geology, climate, and scenery.” We were impressed and we know you will be also.
There’s a whole world out there, right outside your window. You’d be a fool to miss it. —Charlotte Eriksson
The cost is FREE and driving through the park will allow nice views; however, we highly recommend parking at the Visitor Center and picking up ? a free map then walking into the park. With over 15 miles of hiking ? trails of which we completed the Perkins Central Garden Trail that is a 1.5 mile paved trail that is wheelchair and stroller accessible.
South Gateway Rock, Garden of the Gods
Helen Hunt Jackson wrote of the Garden of the Gods, “You wind among rocks of every conceivable and inconceivable shape and size… all bright red, all motionless and silent, with a strange look of having been just stopped and held back in the very climax of some supernatural catastrophe.” ~The Ute Indians believed the Garden of the Gods was the birthplace of their people. Dinosaur ? bones and petroglyphs dating back to 1330 BC can be found within the park highlighting the sacred surrounding beneath the 14,000 Pikes Peak ⛰ looming in the distance.
Formation of the Three Graces
PARK HOURS
May 1 – October 31: 5AM – 11PM
November 1 – April 30: 5AM – 9PM
Both the park and Visitor & Nature Center are free and open to the public.
Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas & New Year’s Day.
Red Hogbacks of the Garden of the Gods
How was Garden of the Gods named? The first European explorers referred to this site as Red Rock Corral. Then, in 1859 a new group of surveyors explored the site and one gentleman remarked that the area would be a great location for a beer garden. His companion retorted that this place of incredible beauty was suited for more than just a beer garden, that it was a place fit for gods to assemble. And that’s how “Garden of the Gods” got its name!
Hiking the Perkin Nature Trail at Garden of the Gods
One activity very popular within the park is Rock Climbing. ?♂️ You must fill out the free registration form and abide by all rules. We were not brave enough to try this activity but we had fun resting and watching the brave at heart venture up these steep walls. Want to learn how to rock climb? Check out these outfitters and they will teach you in Garden of the Gods Park.
We watched these rock climbers for over an hour
Road warriors need to pass the time when on the road. I highly recommend the Audible books ?
Biking – Guided electric bike tours provided by Amp’d Adventures, who also rent e-Bikes and standard mountain bikes. Mountain biking is permitted on select trails in the park, and all one-way roads have paved bike lanes. View a Bike Trail Map for more details.
Horseback Riding – Guided horseback riding is provided by Academy Riding Stables. They offer 1 & 2-hour rides fitted for beginners and experts.
Other Ways to See the Park – Explore Garden of the Gods on a Segway or on a Jeep tour! Short and long tours are provided by Adventures Out West.
Birding – A variety of birds can be seen in Garden of the Gods Park.
Very spiritual location
Pro-Tip After spending a day in the Garden of Gods, we highly recommend a journey into Manitou Springs for the best hamburger ? we have ever had at the Keg Lounge. We have traveled across America and have never tasted such a good ? burger except for Robins homemade jalapeño burger. ?
Best Hamburger ? we have ever tasted in the USA at the Keg in Manitou Springs
Money saving tip: Buy the annual national parks pass. The National Park Pass will also allow access to all the national monuments. The cost is $80. If you plan on being in any of the National Parks more than three times within a year then you will save money. The pass will sometimes allow discounts to camping in the National Forest ?. There’s also discounts for seniors which can be applied against camping threw out America. Other discounts apply so please read the eligibility which can save you more money. We estimate we saved over $600 in park fees.”The fire is the main comfort of camp, whether in summer or winter.” Thoreau
This site contains paid advertisements. By clicking the links it does not cost you any extra money as the seller pays Travelswithgg a referral fee. We will never place any links without 100% satisfaction of a product we use.
Traveling across the country is challenging enough to not have to worry about ones drinking water. We carry with us the Berkey water filtration system which we consider one of the best on the market.
“There’s no wi-fi in the mountains, but you’ll find no better connection.”
Our thoughts ? about the Garden ? of the Gods
We believe old and young will find some activity to be entertained within this park. It’s free. How can one complain about spending a day walking among these sentinel spires, hogbacks, and unusually formations that were created millions of years ago. I promise you will be not be disappointed. ~Heaven is under our feet as well as over our heads. —Henry David Thoreau
Drone flying is fast becoming a hobby of mine. After much research I purchased the Mini from DJI. I am very satisfied but still an amateur having a blast. Check out our drone videos within the blog which we hope you will enjoy.
Products we love ❤️
After 12,000 miles on the road and hundreds of miles hiking ? throughout America, our Merrells have withstood all types of terrain and although they may be dirty, the quality is outstanding and are ready for the next 12,000.
Being on the water is very therapeutic and lots of fun. Space is always our issue so the inflatable kayak was our answer. Easy to inflate but we did buy a battery ? pump to make life easy. We have kayaked the lakes of Montana, Idaho, Arkansas, Minnesota, South Carolina, Arizona and the Intex has not let us down.
Robin’s favorite outdoor cooking utensil
Great personal usb fans. Perfect for warm dry camping nights
Our Retro Jr offers only so much space so to expand the cooking area, Robin loves this easy to put up table from Lifetime. No issues after multiple setups and break downs.
Campers are for the most part very honest and friendly people. However, pulling GG through a city and leaving her to go explore can make one feel uneasy ? so this easy locking ? system was our solution.
Our teardrop does not come with a refrigerator so coolers are our life blood. We needed to keep our food cold for days on end and these coolers did the trick.
Grand daughter had her first birthday so the best gift was to start her love of camping. Love you Bridget.
Traveling over 12,000 miles in a Teardrop trailer one realizes space is an issue. We highly a roof rack to aid in carrying more items ie inflatable kayak, life jackets, oars, and etc.
12,000 miles on the road, one of my best purchases was my Costa sunglasses ?. The glare from driving is gone and the polarized lenses intensified the colors of my surroundings.
We needed a one night stop ? and were traveling ? on I-40 outside of Oklahoma City. As luck would have it, Red Rock Canyon Adventure Park was a short drive off the interstate ?.
Hiking the Rough Horsetail Trail
After hours of driving through a flat Oklahoma, it was a pleasant surprise to descend into the Red Canyon. The drive into the canyon was surreal and unexpected. In addition to RV and tent camping, the park offers picnic areas, nature trails, a small fishing pond, and playground equipment. The canyon walls are a favorite for rappelling and open exploration. In season, the park operates a swimming pool with bathhouse (and adjacent food concession) and the group camp, which offers overnight sleeping in bunkhouses, and a kitchen/dining hall for meals or meetings. Group picnic shelters are also available. The park and surrounding area has good opportunities for fall foliage viewing.
Scaling the walls of Red Rock Canyon
Red Rock ? Canyon Adventure Park at a glance
Reservations-
Amenities-
Fees-
Open Season-
Closest Town-
Water ?-
Best time to Visit-
Check in-
Check Out-
Restrooms-
Cellular Service-
Reservations are recommend but we were able to secure an open site.
$30-35 fee/site for overnight RV 30amp
$15 for tent sites
$10 per car ? for day use
Year round
Hinton, OK
Our RV site had potable water
Spring and Fall ~summer gets? hot~
2PM
12PM
? were clean but a little outdated. I felt the pay showers ? were costly considering the high cost of camping in this park
Very weak signal to NO signal
Nature Trail
Our thoughts ? about the campground
The Red Rock Canyon Adventure Park was a state park but has changed into private hands around 2018. We found RRCP an oasis in a desert ? that begins with a descent into a red canyon that is verdant with trees ? and rough horsetails. We highly recommend exploring the trails within the canyon. The campsites were relatively large allowing space between sites. The camp host was very friendly and the campgrounds are well maintained; albeit, a little outdated. We did not have a cell phone signal while at this campground except in occasional locations. We felt the cost was a little expensive; however, there are a lot of amenities within the park.
Rough Horsetail Nature Trail
Other area attractions:
??Hike the Rough Horsetail Nature trail or one of the many trails ??
After 12,000 miles on the road and hundreds of miles hiking ? throughout America, our Merrells have withstood all types of terrain and although they may be dirty, the quality is outstanding and are ready for the next 12,000.
Being on the water is very therapeutic and lots of fun. Space is always our issue so the inflatable kayak was our answer. Easy to inflate but we did buy a battery ? pump to make life easy. We have kayaked the lakes of Montana, Idaho, Arkansas, Minnesota, South Carolina, Arizona and the Intex has not let us down.
Robin’s favorite outdoor cooking utensil
Great personal usb fans. Perfect for warm dry camping nights
Our Retro Jr offers only so much space so to expand the cooking area, Robin loves this easy to put up table from Lifetime. No issues after multiple setups and break downs.
Campers are for the most part very honest and friendly people. However, pulling GG through a city and leaving her to go explore can make one feel uneasy ? so this easy locking ? system was our solution.
Our teardrop does not come with a refrigerator so coolers are our life blood. We needed to keep our food cold for days on end and these coolers did the trick.
Grand daughter had her first birthday so the best gift was to start her love of camping. Love you Bridget.
Traveling over 12,000 miles in a Teardrop trailer one realizes space is an issue. We highly a roof rack to aid in carrying more items ie inflatable kayak, life jackets, oars, and etc.
12,000 miles on the road, one of my best purchases was my Costa sunglasses ?. The glare from driving is gone and the polarized lenses intensified the colors of my surroundings.
We love ❤️ to camp in the National Forest and the National Parks. We needed a one night stop ? and we were traveling ? on Independence Pass (road between Aspen and Twin Lakes) and Twin Peaks campground was a perfect ? lay over.
Campsite at Twin Peaks Campground ⛺️
Twin Peaks is a first-come, first-served campground located west of Twin Lakes Reservoir in a shaded aspen and lodgepole pine forest. It is located above the whitewater of Lake Creek at 9,600 feet with spectacular views of the Sawatch Range. The Continental Divide and Mount Elbert trails are in the nearby area. Firewood is available for sale at the host site.
One of the trails at campground
Twin Peaks at a glance
Reservations-
Amenities-
Fees-
Open Season-
Closest Town-
Water ?-
Best time to Visit-
Check in-
Check Out-
Restrooms-
This is a first-come, first-served campground; No sites are reservable
$23.00 fee per site for overnight camping. Golden Age and Golden Access Cardholder: 50% discount off the camping fee only.
June 1 – Sept 29
Leadville, CO
During the 2020 season, water will be unavailable at this campground. Please bring water for your camp, including enough water to completely drown your fire, leaving it cold to the touch, if you are having a campfire.
Summer
2PM
12PM
Vault toilets are located throughout the campground.
GG among the aspen and lodge pine ? forest
Our thoughts ? about the campground
We did have some noise from the road but at night this was not an issue. A stream goes past the edge of the campground making sites 6, 16, 18 on the stream and our recommendation. The camp host was very friendly and the campgrounds are well maintained. We did not have a cell phone signal while at this campground.
Other area attractions:
Drive Independence Pass-One of the state’s highest paved passes. It runs from Twin Lakes to Aspen (NO vehicles larger than 32 feet ? allowed
After 12,000 miles on the road and hundreds of miles hiking ? throughout America, our Merrells have withstood all types of terrain and although they may be dirty, the quality is outstanding and are ready for the next 12,000.
Being on the water is very therapeutic and lots of fun. Space is always our issue so the inflatable kayak was our answer. Easy to inflate but we did buy a battery ? pump to make life easy. We have kayaked the lakes of Montana, Idaho, Arkansas, Minnesota, South Carolina, Arizona and the Intex has not let us down.
Robin’s favorite outdoor cooking utensil
Great personal usb fans. Perfect for warm dry camping nights
Our Retro Jr offers only so much space so to expand the cooking area, Robin loves this easy to put up table from Lifetime. No issues after multiple setups and break downs.
Campers are for the most part very honest and friendly people. However, pulling GG through a city and leaving her to go explore can make one feel uneasy ? so this easy locking ? system was our solution.
Our teardrop does not come with a refrigerator so coolers are our life blood. We needed to keep our food cold for days on end and these coolers did the trick.
Grand daughter had her first birthday so the best gift was to start her love of camping. Love you Bridget.
Traveling over 12,000 miles in a Teardrop trailer one realizes space is an issue. We highly a roof rack to aid in carrying more items ie inflatable kayak, life jackets, oars, and etc.
12,000 miles on the road, one of my best purchases was my Costa sunglasses ?. The glare from driving is gone and the polarized lenses intensified the colors of my surroundings.
Bryce Canyon boast the largest collection of hoodoos in the world ?. This is an amazing place. When asked about Bryce Canyon the previous owner was heard saying, “Its, a helluva place to lose, a cow.” Although, it is a great place to explore, hike, and roan among the these strange geological spires.
“The beauty and charm of the wilderness are his for the asking, for the edges of the wilderness lie close beside the beaten roads of the present travel.” — President Theodore Roosevelt
Queens ? Trail (recommend hiking from Sunset PT to Sunrise PT
I remember as a little boy making sand castles ? at the beach. Not with a bucket, but letting the sand ooze between ones fingers so as to let the turrets all look long and pointed. Image now being reduced in size to about an inch and walking around and into your castle. This is the adventure that awaits you at Bryce Canyon.
Natural Bridge on Navajo Trail
Bryce Canyon is home to a horseshoe-shaped amphitheaters carved from the eastern edge of the Paunsaugunt Plateau, scenic vistas, and the dark night sky. *Pondering: a treehouse is an insult to a tree – “Hey, I killed your friend, now hold him.”
The beginning of the Navajo Trail descending into the canyon
Navajo Loop is the most popular trail which takes visitors down the rim from Sunset Point through the narrow corridors of Wall Street and then intersects with Queens Garden Loop Trail. We departed the Navajo trail and continued on the Queens ? Garden trail. It added an extra couple of miles but the scenery was breathtaking. We also recommend starting at sunset ? point and then hike up sunrise point. The ascent seemed to be a more gradual climb up and not as steep.
The Wall section of the Navajo Trail
Hiking into Bryce Canyon is considered a moderate hike with almost 1,000 foot descent and a 1,000 ascent to complete the hike. In the summer the temps can reach ? so bring lots of water, hiking shoes, trek poles and etc. Do not fear if a hike into the canyon is not your thing atleast walk the Rim Trail from Sunrise PT to Sunrise PT. And Don’t miss Inspiration Point.
View of the 1,000 foot decent into Bryce Canyon
Road warriors need to pass the time when on the road. I highly recommend the Audible books ?
We highly recommend the Mossy Cave Trail(Off scenic HWY 12)in the northern end of Bryce Canyon National Park offers hikers the chance to experience up close the hoodoos and spires of the park without having to descend 1,000 feet to the bottom of the amphitheatres. This trail follows a stream that leads to a natural grotto, a shelter cave that looms protectively over the trail, bearing ice sickles in the winter and lichen and moss in the warmer seasons. Read a more detail of this hike in our other blog: Kodachrome
Natural Bridge is a great photo opt while driving through Bryce Canyon
Some of the majestic scenery in Bryce Canyon National Park can be seen by auto touring, no hiking needed. You can enjoy all of the park’s major overlooks if you get out of your car and take leisurely strolls out to the edge of the pavement. A bad day camping is still better than a good day at work.
Thor’s hammer is a nice pull off the scenic drive within Bryce Canyon
Money saving tip: Buy the annual national parks pass. The National Park Pass will also allow access to all the national monuments. The cost is $80. If you plan on being in any of the National Parks more than three times within a year then you will save money. The pass will sometimes allow discounts to camping in the National Forest ?. There’s also discounts for seniors which can be applied against camping threw out America. Other discounts apply so please read the eligibility which can save you more money. We estimate we saved over $600 in park fees.”The fire is the main comfort of camp, whether in summer or winter.” Thoreau
Queen’s Trail
This site contains paid advertisements. By clicking the links it does not cost you any extra money as the seller pays Travelswithgg a referral fee. We will never place any links without 100% satisfaction of a product we use.
Traveling across the country is challenging enough to not have to worry about ones drinking water. We carry with us the Berkey water filtration system which we consider one of the best on the market.
No hiking required on the scenic drive through Bryce Canyon. Just pullover.
Some of the the pullouts one can expect on the scenic drive through Bryce Canyon. “There’s no wi-fi in the mountains, but you’ll find no better connection.”
Fairview Point:
From this vista you can look out over parts of Bryce Canyon, and also famous features in Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. From north to south you can see the Aquarius Plateau (Pink Cliffs), the Kaiparowits Plateau (Grey Cliffs), Molly’s Nipple (White Cliffs), and parts of the Kaibab Plateau. On most days you can easily see Navajo Mountain.
Ponderosa Canyon overlook Natural Bridge: The structure called Natural Bridge is one of several natural arches found in Bryce Canyon. This one is particularly photogenic; it has been sculpted from some of the reddest rock of the Claron Formation, which is rich in iron oxide minerals. From many vantage points you can frame rich green, Ponderosa pine trees through the arch. Agua Canyon: This viewpoint overlooks two prominent hoodoos. The taller of the two is known as “The Hunter.” To the right is a smaller hoodoo commonly referred to as the “Rabbit,” or alternatively the “Backpacker.” Ponderosa Canyon: This vista overlooks Ponderosa Canyon, so named because huge Ponderosa pine trees grow on the canyon floor. Some of these trees measure more than 5 feet in diameter and exceed heights of 150 feet. The name is a bit confusing because the viewpoint is surrounded by a forest of Blue Spruce and Douglas-fir trees. Rainbow Point: From this vista you can look north over much of Bryce Canyon National Park. Here you can see the snaking rim of the Pink Cliffs, and many of the park’s hoodoo-filled amphitheaters. Agua Canyon overlookAmazon Launchpad Holiday Gift Guide
Rookie Mistake: We made the assumption that we could explore, hike, and drive this area in 1 day. If I had a do-over, I would plan on spending atleast 3 full days to a whole week. You will not be sorry ?.
Another beautiful overlook
Drone flying is fast becoming a hobby of mine. After much research I purchased the Mini from DJI. I am very satisfied but still an amateur having a blast. Check out our drone videos within the blog which we hope you will enjoy.
Products we love ❤️
After 12,000 miles on the road and hundreds of miles hiking ? throughout America, our Merrells have withstood all types of terrain and although they may be dirty, the quality is outstanding and are ready for the next 12,000.
Being on the water is very therapeutic and lots of fun. Space is always our issue so the inflatable kayak was our answer. Easy to inflate but we did buy a battery ? pump to make life easy. We have kayaked the lakes of Montana, Idaho, Arkansas, Minnesota, South Carolina, Arizona and the Intex has not let us down.
Robin’s favorite outdoor cooking utensil
Great personal usb fans. Perfect for warm dry camping nights
Our Retro Jr offers only so much space so to expand the cooking area, Robin loves this easy to put up table from Lifetime. No issues after multiple setups and break downs.
Campers are for the most part very honest and friendly people. However, pulling GG through a city and leaving her to go explore can make one feel uneasy ? so this easy locking ? system was our solution.
Our teardrop does not come with a refrigerator so coolers are our life blood. We needed to keep our food cold for days on end and these coolers did the trick.
Grand daughter had her first birthday so the best gift was to start her love of camping. Love you Bridget.
Traveling over 12,000 miles in a Teardrop trailer one realizes space is an issue. We highly a roof rack to aid in carrying more items ie inflatable kayak, life jackets, oars, and etc.
12,000 miles on the road, one of my best purchases was my Costa sunglasses ?. The glare from driving is gone and the polarized lenses intensified the colors of my surroundings.
Hiking Willis Creek slot canyon in the Grand Staircase Escalante
Willis Creek slot canyon is located outside the gates of Kodachrome Basin State Park. Unlike some other canyons in this area, Willis Creek is very easy to explore, with no obstacles of any kind, just a flat, stony streambed enclosed by shapely, delicately colored walls of Navajo sandstone.
Our toughest challenge was getting to the trail head. Skutumpah Road – the unpaved route between Johnson Canyon and Cannonville, was recommended to use a 4wd.
Driving down Skutumpah Rd. was a scene out of a cowboy ? movie
We drove our Nissan; albeit, several sharp turns had the car fishtailing near steep cliffs. My adrenaline was pumping by the time I pulled into the trail head.
We met cowboys ? leading a herd of cattle down the road
Hikers will have to cross this stream numerous times; however, the creek is only several inches deep so walking ?♀️through the stream is cause us no issues and was fun. All ages will enjoy this hike. Alway check conditions before going into a slot canyon-flash floods can happen anytime.
Robin’s favorite part of drive – seeing cowboys
The trail is an out and back. We walked to the balanced rock in the middle of the slot canyon and then returned. I estimate we did about 4 miles round trip. If you become tired ? just turn around. Bring water because summer heat can be hot ? but there is a nice break from the heat inside the slot canyon.
Willis slot canyon hiking through the sandstones
Road warriors need to pass the time when on the road. I highly recommend the Audible books ?
Several springs ensure its waters flow year round, and just after the crossing of the Skutumpah Road – the unpaved route between Johnson Canyon and Cannonville, the creek enters a moderately deep gorge and passes through several short but very beautiful sections of narrows.
Queen Robin ? on her thrown
Occasional small waterfalls form where the floor drops over small chokestones, and the canyon has several quite lengthy curving, narrow passageways, nicely illuminated when the sun shines, and always very photogenic. We came across a young lady taking nudes in one of these waterfalls. She covered up and we continued hiking ? but this hike is secluded and not as popular as Zion so no fear of large crowds.
Entering the narrows of Willis Slot Canyon
Money saving tip: Buy the annual national parks pass. The National Park Pass will also allow access to all the national monuments. The cost is $80. If you plan on being in any of the National Parks more than three times within a year then you will save money. The pass will sometimes allow discounts to camping in the National Forest ?. There’s also discounts for seniors which can be applied against camping threw out America. Other discounts apply so please read the eligibility which can save you more money. We estimate we saved over $600 in park fees. It may not save one money on this hike but a trip to Bryce Canyon or Capital Reef should not be missed when in this area.
Climbing into the slot canyon to walk Willis Creek
This site contains paid advertisements. By clicking the links it does not cost you any extra money as the seller pays Travelswithgg a referral fee. We will never place any links without 100% satisfaction of a product we use.
Traveling across the country is challenging enough to not have to worry about ones drinking water. We carry with us the Berkey water filtration system which we consider one of the best on the market.
Great hike for all ages
I did not write this – but WOW does it speak to my heart!!! Worth the read.
Barely the day started and… it’s already six in the evening. Barely arrived on Monday and it’s already Friday….
and the month is already over….
and the year is almost over….
and already 40, 50 or 60 years of our lives have passed….
and we realize that we lost our parents, friends. and we realize it’s too late to go back…
So… Let’s try, despite everything, to enjoy the remaining time…
Let’s keep looking for activities that we like…
Let’s put some color in our grey…
Let’s smile at the little things in life that put balm in our hearts.
And despite everything, we must continue to enjoy with serenity this time we have left.
The canyon is not as deep as Narrows in Zion but still impressive
Let’s try to eliminate the afters…
I’m doing it after…
I’ll say after… I’ll think about it after…
We leave everything for later like ′′ after ′′ is ours. Because what we don’t understand is that:
Afterwards, the coffee gets cold…
afterwards, priorities change…
Afterwards, the charm is broken…
afterwards, health passes…
Afterwards, the kids grow up…
Afterwards parents get old…
Afterwards, promises are forgotten…
afterwards, the day becomes the night…
afterwards life ends…
And then it’s often too late….
So… Let’s leave nothing for later…
Because still waiting see you later, we can lose the best moments,the best experiences,best friends,the best family…
The day is today…
The moment is now… We are no longer at the age where we can afford to postpone what needs to be done right away.
Now go wonder, or is there an “after” in the way?
The landscape and views walking into Willis Slot Canyon
The drive to find Willis Creek trailhead is worth the drive. The hike is easy and worth the effort. Now go wonder.
Drone flying is fast becoming a hobby of mine. After much research I purchased the Mini from DJI. I am very satisfied but still an amateur having a blast. Check out our drone videos within the blog which we hope you will enjoy.
Products we love ❤️
After 12,000 miles on the road and hundreds of miles hiking ? throughout America, our Merrells have withstood all types of terrain and although they may be dirty, the quality is outstanding and are ready for the next 12,000.
Being on the water is very therapeutic and lots of fun. Space is always our issue so the inflatable kayak was our answer. Easy to inflate but we did buy a battery ? pump to make life easy. We have kayaked the lakes of Montana, Idaho, Arkansas, Minnesota, South Carolina, Arizona and the Intex has not let us down.
Robin’s favorite outdoor cooking utensil
Great personal usb fans. Perfect for warm dry camping nights
Our Retro Jr offers only so much space so to expand the cooking area, Robin loves this easy to put up table from Lifetime. No issues after multiple setups and break downs.
Campers are for the most part very honest and friendly people. However, pulling GG through a city and leaving her to go explore can make one feel uneasy ? so this easy locking ? system was our solution.
Our teardrop does not come with a refridgerator do coolers are our life blood. We needed to keep our food cold for days on end and these coolers did the trick.
Grand daughter had her first birthday so the best gift was to start her love of camping. Love you Bridget.
Traveling over 12,000 miles in a Teardrop trailer one realizes space is an issue. We highly a roof rack to aid in carrying more items ie inflatable kayak, life jackets, oars, and etc.
12,000 miles on the road, one of my best purchases was my Costa sunglasses ?. The glare from driving is gone and the polarized lenses intensified the colors of my surroundings.
Drive through Kodachrome State Park With over 67 monolithic stone spires
America the beautiful. It’s time to go wondering. As soon as you see it, you will know that the name fits perfectly. Kodachrome Basin State Park, with its red tinged rock formations and incredible blue skies, just begs to be photographed. The National Geographic Society came up with the name, and everyone agreed with it.
Wow Wow Wow WOW ? ?
We originally chose this location as a home ? base to hike and visit Bryce Canyon and the Grand Staircase National Park ;however, we underestimated this state park as it should have been a destination to explore more than a sleep ? over.
Sedimentary Pipes within Kodachrome Basin State Park
There are over 67 monolithic stone spires, called sedimentary pipes, accentuate multihued sandstone layers that reveal 180 million years of geologic time. Walking among the spires resonates the power and beauty of nature. The race is long and in the end it is only against yourself. ?
Welcome to Kodachrome
Road warriors need to pass the time when on the road. I highly recommend the Audible books ?
Alert: Shakespeare Arch collapsed in April of last year. The trail is still open but there is now just a pile of rubble where the arch used to be. Our country is so beautiful ? make more time for yourself and see these natural wonders. No one ever said on their death ? bed, “I wish I had worked harder.”
Kodachrome Basin State Park offers 54 options for camping: ⛺️ 30 standard sites, 15 Full hook ups, 6 standard-partial hookup, 2 bunkhouses, 1 group site. We have camped across the USA and the bathrooms ? within Kodachrome State Park are some of the best we have witnessed. The showers remind us of a day in the spa ?♂️ within the Ritz. Laundry ? facilities are top notch.
Coffee in the morning with a Jackrabbit
Camping Fees:
Basin Campground standard Site (no hook-ups): $25.00/ night (max. 8 people, 1 vehicle)
Basin Campground Full Hook-Up Site (13 sites available): $35.00/night (max. 8 people, 1 vehicle)
Bryce View Campground: $25.00/night (Vault toilet, no hookups, max 4 people, 1 vehicle)
Arch Campground: $35.00/night (max 8 people, 1 vehicle, power and water hookups)
Bunkhouses: $85.00/night (No running water in bunkhouse, bring your own bedding, max 6 people, 1 vehicle)
Additional vehicles will be charged an additional vehicle fee per night:(Limit of one additional vehicle per site)
Additional Vehicle Fee:
$16.00 Per night (There is a maximum of one extra vehicle allowed on each site.)
Moon ? rise on William’s Birthday ? over Kodachrome Basin State Park
Geology
The geologic interest of the park are sandstone spires and columns called sand pipes, believed to be found nowhere else on earth. It is believed that the area was once similar to Yellowstone National Park with hot springs and geysers, which eventually filled up with sediment and solidified. Through time, the Entrada sandstone surrounding the solidified geysers eroded, leaving large sand pipes. Now stop ? waiting and plan your adventure today. Tomorrow may never arrive.
Free range cows ? roam the basin as we drive towards Shakespeares arch trail head
Rookie Mistake: We made the assumption that we could explore, hike, and drive this area in 3 days. We did not put a dent in the many todo adventures along this stretch of road and the afternoon heat limited adventures in the later day. Temperatures near ? in early August when we visited made hiking tough except in the morning.
Drone flying around Kodachrome State Park Campgrounds
Things to do within the park
Chimney Rock is the main attraction at Kodachrome Basin State Park, with the largest spire towering at 170 feet tall. Several hiking, biking, and equestrian trails run throughout the park. We would recommend spending atleast a full day exploring Kodachrome Basin State Park.
The Grand Parade Trail is an easy, 1-mile scenic trail that follows along the park road.
Angels Palace is another easy 1/2-mile trail
Eagle’s View Overlook is a little more challenging 3/4 mile trail
Panorama Trail is a 3 mile roundtrip That leads to the renowned Ballerina Slipper formation, with the option to continue for another two miles on the Big Bear Geyser/Cool Cave Trail. We did not have time to do Cool Cave trail but was told it is a must do. Next time. ?
OMG ? this is real life. All who wonder are not lost
You are next to the Grand Staircase so plan to also explore this area ? ?♀️ ? – We recommend hiking Willis Creek Trail as we did a full day hike & was very happy with this hike.
Great slot canyon outside of Kodachrome Basin State Park
Robin love ? to cook ?? and her favorite accoutrement is this fish spatula from Amazon also check out her recipes within the webpage. All tried and delicious ? while on the road.
Willis Creek trail was a great ? hike
This site contains paid advertisements. By clicking the links it does not cost you any extra money as the seller pays Travelswithgg a referral fee. We will never place any links without 100% satisfaction of a product we use.
Traveling across the country is challenging enough to not have to worry about ones drinking water. We carry with us the Berkey water filtration system which we consider one of the best on the market
Hiking Near Kodachrome
Willis Creek Slot Canyon –
Willis Creek Narrows is a mellow and accessible hike. Here, you’ll find great visual rewards with minimal effort. Skutumpah Rd is recommended to use 4wd; but, our Nissan made the journey with a couple scary hair pin turns. Check road conditions and weather before making this trip.
Willis Creek Slot Canyon is located off Skutumpah Road in Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. The hike is a 4.8-mile round trip, but you can turn around after you finish the narrows section, making it a 2.6-mile round trip. The trail gains a scant 300 feet as it follows the perennial Willis Creek. Much of the hike involves uncountable creek crossings or hiking directly in the creek, but the creek is generally only an inch or two deep. We enjoyed the feeling remoteness and seclution-you will likely only see a dozen or so other friendly hikers along the way.
Willis Creek with multiple stream crossings
Must do hike along the scenic byway drive just outside the gates BryceCanyon
The Mossy Cave Trail is an easy (.4 mile) route that begins beside UT 12 between Tropic and the Bryce Canyon turn-off at Ruby’s Inn.? The trail is mostly a level trail, following beside the fast-flowing stream and across two footbridges to a junction. We took some time to take off our shoes ? and let the cool water run over our feet ?.
The trail comes to a Robert Foster “fork in the road.” The left fork has a short but steep climb through a patch of pine woodland to the cave, actually just a wide, mossy overhang in the Claron limestone, kept moist by water dripping from the ceiling. This freezes in winter, and the large ice pillars beneath do not fully melt until midsummer, partly as the cave faces northeast and hence receives no direct sunlight.
Soaking after the Mossy Trail/Waterfall hike
The Waterfall
The right branch of the trail leads a little further upstream to the waterfall, where the stream tumbles 15 feet over a ledge into a circular pool; above is a swirling channel and several quite deep potholes. We hiked up using the trails and then down walking, along and in, the stream.
Waterfall hike via the Mossy Cave trail
Further erosion is slowed by an underlying layer of much harder dolomite. Apart from small hoodoos and other minor formations lining the cliffs above the stream, the surroundings are wooded and gently undulating – not as scenic as the more famous section of Bryce National Park to the south. Don’t be afraid to take the roads less traveled. ?
Bryce Canyon is only 20 miles away from Kodachrome Basin State Park
Inspiration Point Bryce Canyon
Off Road Trail near Kodachrome
Cottonwood Canyon Road, also known as Road 400, is a 46 mile dirt road that connects U.S. Highway 89 with Utah SR 12 at Cannonville and traverses portions of the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, offering a unique view into its heart. As high clearance vehicles are recommended, it’s ideal for four-wheeling, and drivers will be rewarded with an up close look at some stunning natural features, including colorful rock formations. If you want to get out on your feet, there are a number of outstanding hiking trails that can be accessed along the route too, like the Cottonwood Narrows, Hackberry Canyon and Round Valley Draw.
Cottonwood Canyon Rd is highly recommended but check road conditions
Money saving tip: Buy the annual national parks pass. The cost is $80. If you plan on being in any of the National parks more than three times you will save money. The pass will also allow you access to the National Monuments and sometimes discounts in the National Forest ?. There’s also discounts for seniors which can be applied against camping threw out America. Other discounts apply so please read the eligibility we can save you more money. We estimate we saved over $600 in park fees.
Natural Bridge at Bryce Canyon National ParkCottonwood Canyon Rd
Drone flying is fast becoming a hobby of mine. After much research I purchased the Mini from DJI. I am very satisfied but still an amateur having a blast. Check out our drone videos within the blog which we hope you will enjoy.
Products we love ❤️
Paid ads-we recommend
After 12,000 miles on the road and hundreds of miles hiking ? throughout America, our Merrells have withstood all types of terrain and although they may be dirty, the quality is outstanding and are ready for the next 12,000.
Being on the water is very therapeutic and lots of fun. Space is always our issue so the inflatable kayak was our answer. Easy to inflate but we did buy a battery ? pump to make life easy. We have kayaked the lakes of Montana, Idaho, Arkansas, Minnesota, South Carolina, Arizona and the Intex has not let us down.
Robin’s favorite outdoor cooking utensil
Great personal usb fans. Perfect for warm dry camping nights
Our Retro Jr offers only so much space so to expand the cooking area, Robin loves this easy to put up table from Lifetime. No issues after multiple setups and break downs.
We enjoy a good cup of coffee ☕️ and one of our favorite cafes offers a pour over. ( How to make the best pour over coffee) If you are still making coffee in a pot break the yoke of social conformity and consider alternatives to a drink of the gods (coffee) every morning. This Insta Pot has been a godsend to our travels.
Campers are for the most part very honest and friendly people. However, pulling GG through a city and leaving her to go explore can make one feel uneasy ? so this easy locking ? system was our solution.
Our teardrop does not come with a refridgerator do coolers are our life blood. We needed to keep our food cold for days on end and these coolers did the trick.
Grand daughter had her first birthday ? so the best gift was to start her love of camping. Love you ? Bridget.
Traveling over 12,000 miles in a Teardrop trailer one realizes space is an issue. We highly a roof rack to aid in carrying more items ie inflatable kayak, life jackets, oars, and etc.
12,000 miles on the road, one of my best purchases was my Costa sunglasses ?. The glare from driving is gone and the polarized lenses intensified the colors of my surroundings.
The Great Sand Dunes National Park or as the native Americans called it “the sand that moves”
As a kid who does not remember playing in a sand box. Well welcome to an epic dune field encompasses 30 square miles and the tallest dune towers 750 feet which is the largest in North America. The kid in every visitor loves to sled down the sand year-round and plunge into the soft-sand tracks. I was ready to go sledding but the fear of a busted knee had me just watching the kids and adults ? having the time of a life.
Entrance to the Great Sand Dunes
What formed the Great Sand Dunes? Geologists believe sediments from the surrounding mountains filled the valley over geologic time periods. After lakes within the valley receded, exposed sand was blown by the predominant southwest winds toward the Sangre de Cristos, eventually forming the dunefield over an estimated tens of thousands of years. The wind patterns are constantly moving the sand and if you can wake up early enough yours could be the first steps ? of the day.
Approaching the 30 square miles of dune fields
Money saving tip: Buy the annual national parks pass. The National Park Pass will also allow access to all the national monuments. The cost is $80. If you plan on being in any of the National Parks more than three times within a year then you will save money. The pass will sometimes allow discounts to camping in the National Forest ?. There’s also discounts for seniors which can be applied against camping threw out America. Other discounts apply so please read the eligibility which can save you more money. We estimate we saved over $600 in park fees.
Preparing to climb ??♀️ a sand dune
This site contains paid advertisements. By clicking the links it does not cost you any extra money as the seller pays Travelswithgg a referral fee. We will never place any links without 100% satisfaction of a product we use.
Traveling across the country is challenging enough to not have to worry about ones drinking water. We carry with us the Berkey water filtration system which we consider one of the best on the market.
Hiking and exploring Great Sand Dunes
Hikers and visitors can explore any part of the 30 square mile dunefield you wish; there are no designated trails in the sand. A dunes-accessible wheelchair is available for free loan at the Visitor Center. Summer air temperatures are pleasant at this high elevation, but during afternoon hours the sand surface can reach 150F degrees, and dangerous thunderstorms can develop. Plan to hike the dunes in early morning or evening to avoid heat exhaustion, burned feet, or fatal lightning strikes.
Our hike came to a sudden end with a bad thunderstorm ⛈ approaching
High Dune at First Ridge: There are five dunes over 700 feet tall. The high dune on the first ridge is neither the highest in elevation nor the tallest in the park, but it looks that way from the main parking lot. This is the most common destination in the dunefield, providing a great view of the entire dunefield. It is about 699 feet (198 m) from base to top. Cross a half-mile (1km) of the Medano Creek bed, then zigzag up along ridgelines to reach it. Robin and I began this hike and a bad thunderstorm ⛈ approached us that was extremely menacing and we turned back.
Average round trip hiking time for High Dune is 2 hours and 2.5 miles. There is no formal trail and popular hiking applications do not show changes to the dune and are often inaccurate. Plan to take as much as 4 hours to hike roundtrip if not acclimated to the high altitude and lower oxygen level.
Sand feels like beach ? soil upon your feet and is a challenge to walk upon
Road warriors need to pass the time when on the road. I highly recommend the Audible books ?
Star ⭐️ Dune: The tallest dune in North America stands at 750 feet (229m) from base to summit. While it can be hiked from the summit of the High Dune on the first ridge, it’s more direct, and less up and down, to access it via its base along the Medano Creek bed. From the Dunes Parking Lot, hike about 2 miles (3.2 km) south down the Medano Creek bed until the massive pyramid-shaped Star Dune comes into view. Follow a ridge to its summit.
Average round trip hiking time for High Dune is 6 hours and 8 miles. Plan to take as much as 9 hours to hike roundtrip. It is a strenuous hike so be prepared
The landscape and views from the parking lot are worth a visit
Rookie Mistake: Not allowing enough time to hike more of the sand dunes, explore the Forest ? trails, splashing in ? Medina Creek, sand boarding, 4wd the Medina Pass Rd, star gazing, exploring Zapata Falls, Los Caminos Antiguos Scenic and Historic Byway, Fat biking ?♀️ Medina trail and San Luis Lakes State Wildlife Area are just a few of the many things to do. If we could have a do over, it would be to spend atleast 3 full days in this enchanted region. Do NOT rush through the Great Sand Dunes. We will be back soon and will definitely stay longer. Go wonder!
Dune hikes start here
Forested Trails-This diverse area offers a little of everything
Montville Nature Trail
In summer, keep this hike as an option for afternoon as an escape from the heat of the dunes. Walk along a shady forested trail named for a late 1800s settlement, comprising 20 houses in its heydey. Rest near the trail’s highpoint, where you’ll find outstanding views of Mt. Herard, the dunes and the valley.
(Please be aware that hunting is permitted during legal seasons in Great Sand Dunes National Preserve, the higher mountainous areas above the dunes. Primary rifle seasons are in fall months. Check with a park ranger for details.)
Mosca Pass Trail
This trail follows a small creek to the summit of a low pass in the Sangre de Cristo mountains, winding through aspen and evergreen forests. Allow 2-3 hours to reach the pass; the trail is 3 1/2 miles (5.7 km) one way. American Indians and early settlers used this route for travel into the valley.
Sand Ramp Trail
This 11 mile trail is most commonly used as an access to various backpacking sites along the foothills, rather than as a destination trail for scenery, since it stays at the same elevation along the base of the mountains. Begin hiking the Sand Ramp Trail in Loop 2 of the campground or at Point of No Return Parking area. After the first two miles, much of this trail is sandy soil or pure sand, up and down along the foothills, so this hike can be grueling. Allow for more time than the mileage indicates.
Sunrise over the sand dunes
Nearby Attractions:
Zapata Falls
This popular short hike is located on BLM (US Bureau of Land Management) land south of the national park, off of Highway 150. It is a good option for summer afternoons when sand surface temperatures are high. Simply driving to the trailhead provides an excellent view of the entire dunefield and San Luis Valley. However, the hike to the falls requires wading over slippery rocks into a rock crevasse.
From the Visitor Center, drive south 8 miles, then turn left (east) onto a dirt road marked by a large sign. Drive 3.5 miles to the trailhead. We attempted to drive this road but it was very rough and our fear was GG would take a pounding and not recover. To view the falls, hike 1/2 mile, and wade into a crevasse where the 30 ft. high falls cascade onto a ledge.
Zapata Falls however not our picture as road conditions kept us away
Caution: Rocks are slippery. Water may be deep and swift in early summer during snowmelt, or during heavy thunderstorms. Rarely, rocks may fall from above into the crevasse. In winter, the falls freeze, creating an icy sculpture. Ice and snow may make the hike very slippery. Falling ice may be a hazard in spring.
San Luis Lakes State Wildlife Area protects a wetland complex adjacent to Great Sand Dunes National Park. Birdwatching and photography are primary activities here, although hunting is permitted in season. As with most protected wetlands, this wildlife area is closed to the public for shore bird nesting from February 15 – July 15 each year. We planned to camp at Zapata Fall campground but the road was in such bad shape for the 3 mile step incline we chose to camp in this wildlife area And we were impressed.
Entrance to San Luis Lake Wildlife Area
Camping within San Louis requires a valid Colorado hunting or fishing license. We did not have one and the cost was expensive since we were not planning on fishing or hunting. The camp host allowed us to stay one night for free. It was a gift ? from heaven since all the first come first serve sites with the Great Sand Dunes were taken. Each site has electricity and pit toilets.
Our campsite ? looking towards the sand dunes
CAMPING IN GREAT SAND DUNES NATIONAL PARK- this was our second choice but no vacancies
The Piñon Flats Campgroundis run by the National Park Service, with 44 sites that are first-come, first-served and 44 that visitors can reserve in advance. We recommend a reservation. When we return this would be our first choice. Walking the sand dunes at night would be on our new bucket list.
For those traveling in 4WD vehicles, there are 21 campsites along Medano Pass Road within the park that are free and available on a first-come, first-served basic.
For those willing to haul their gear and everything else needed in backpacks, free backcountry permits (required) are available at the park’s visitor center. You can pitch your tent anywhere in the 30-square-foot dunefield that lies outside the day-use area. You’ll have a minimum hike of 1.5 miles over the dunes, but will experience a unique overnight setting.
Backpacking (with a permit) is also available amid the foothills and mountains along the Sand Ramp Trail within the park, where the dunes give way to the mountains.
Daytime activities can be exhausting but one must save some energy for adventures at night! Night at Great Sand Dunes can include dunes exploration under a bright full moon, viewing thousands of stars on a clear moonless night, listening for owls along the foothills, or observing migrating amphibians on a wet night.
With a combination of dry air, little light pollution, and high elevation, Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve is an excellent and easily accessible dark sky viewing location! In 2019, Great Sand Dunes was certified as an International Darksky zone.
We observed the Neowise comet over the sand dunes
We were luck enough to view the Neowise Comet while at the San Luis Wildlife Refuges. The picture above is NOT ours because our camera ? did not have proper aptitude for night viewing but this is what we saw. Go roam and don’t forget the journey does not end when the sun goes down.
The Milky Way is highest and clearest in the evening sky during late summer and fall.
Watch the weather forecast to time your visit for nights with little chance of rain. If it is rainy, watch for frogs, toads and salamanders along Medano Creek or in the dunes! Rainy weather is safe for exploration unless it is accompanied by lightning.
When exploring the dunes on dark nights, make sure to plan in advance how you will find your vehicle after you return, because the parking lot/trail access is not obvious in the dark. When hiking back toward the Dunes Parking Lot, aim toward the left end of the long line of trees along Medano Creek. The parking area is located about 100 yards (100 meters) to the right of the end of the trees.
Minimize your use of lights. Shining a bright flashlight will diminish your night vision for up to 30 minutes, limiting your view of the night sky and wildlife, and harming other visitors’ experience. Use only a red light if needed.
Keep an eye out for the night-life of the dunes, including camel crickets, kangaroo rats, toads, salamanders, coyotes, bobcats, and owls. Never touch wildlife, and remember that their nocturnal eyes are highly sensitive to light. Use only a red light if needed.
Don’t just depend on your eyes to experience the night. Feel the soft night breezes. Listen for the call of owls, the howling of distant coyotes, the calls of frogs and toads, the rustle of creatures in the forest, and the drum of kangaroo rats thumping warnings to each other. And smell the fresh scents of piñon pine, juniper, and seasonal flowers. You may notice that your senses grow sharper as you spend more time in dark and quiet locations.
Drone flying is fast becoming a hobby of mine. After much research I purchased the Mini from DJI. I am very satisfied but still an amateur having a blast. Check out our drone videos within the blog which we hope you will enjoy.
Drone flying around San Luis Lake Wildlife Campground
Products we love ❤️
After 12,000 miles on the road and hundreds of miles hiking ? throughout America, our Merrells have withstood all types of terrain and although they may be dirty, the quality is outstanding and are ready for the next 12,000.
Being on the water is very therapeutic and lots of fun. Space is always our issue so the inflatable kayak was our answer. Easy to inflate but we did buy a battery ? pump to make life easy. We have kayaked the lakes of Montana, Idaho, Arkansas, Minnesota, South Carolina, Arizona and the Intex has not let us down.
Robin’s favorite outdoor cooking utensil
Great personal usb fans. Perfect for warm dry camping nights
Our Retro Jr offers only so much space so to expand the cooking area, Robin loves this easy to put up table from Lifetime. No issues after multiple setups and break downs.
Campers are for the most part very honest and friendly people. However, pulling GG through a city and leaving her to go explore can make one feel uneasy ? so this easy locking ? system was our solution.
Our teardrop does not come with a refridgerator do coolers are our life blood. We needed to keep our food cold for days on end and these coolers did the trick.
America the beautiful. It’s time to go wondering. Our Drive to Capital Reef National Park from Bryce National Park was made spectacular because we chose to drive the scenic HWY 12 byway with a designation of an All America Road. Only one-third of America’s scenic byways get this distinction, and it’s given because these roads offer unique features that you can’t find elsewhere making these byways tourist destinations unto themselves. Your adventure begins today.
All American Road: scenic Hwy 12 Utah
Hwy 12 is 122.863 miles (to be exact) of pure driving ? bliss. Welcome to Utah’s Scenic Byway 12, also known as “A Journey Through Time Scenic Byway.” In short, fans of scenic driving, motorcycle ? touring, epic bike rides, and people with a love of journey. It’s even better if loved ones don’t mind you saying “wow” a thousand times over the course of the 122-mile drive. Begin to plan your adventure today.
The All-American Road: Scenic Byway 12 connects U.S. 89 near Panguitch on the west with S.R. 24 near Torrey on the northeast. It is not the quickest route between these two points, but it far and away the best. We truly believe that often we have a destination in mind and the destination quickly takes a backseat to the journey as we climb into the Dixie National Forest. We could not stop pulling the car over to gawk and marvel at another overlook.
Driving through the Grand Staircase-Escalante
A stop at the scenic overlook near the road’s summit at about 9,000 feet puts it all into perspective. Atmosphere envelopes distant lands, the Henry Mountains, Grand Staircase–Escalante, and the shimmering red rock of Capitol Reef National Park. Contrasting stands of subalpine fir and aspen decorate the immediate surroundings.
As you proceed east from Bryce Canyon ,you’ll enjoy driving through the two red arches in Red Canyon. Then, you’ll be in awe as you lay witness to the actual “stairs” in the Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monument just past Henrieville — a different color of sandstone to the north and to the south. Along the “Hogsback” between Escalante and Boulder, hairpin turns dare you on a road that drops off drastically from the shoulders down into deep canyons below.
You’ll yet again change geography as you traverse through the aspen and pine groves, and meadowlands of Boulder Mountain before finally heading back to the desert near Capitol Reef. Don’t worry, there are plenty of pull-offs and scenic overlooks so you don’t have to take pictures while driving (not recommended).
Scenic Hwy 12 Utah
Capital Reef National Park
The Fruita Campground is often described as an oasis within the desert. Adjacent to the Fremont River and surrounded by historic orchards, this developed campground has 71 sites. This park has captured our hearts ? and was one of our favorite of Utah’s Mighty 5 (Zion,Bryce, Capital Reef, Arches, and Canyonland).
Fruita Campground
Robin love ? to cook ?? and her favorite accoutrement is this fish spatula from Amazon also check out her recipes within the webpage. All tried and delicious ? while on the road.
Each site has a picnic table and firepit and/or above ground grill, but no individual water, sewage, or electrical hookups. There is a RV dump and potable water ? fill station near the entrance to Loops A and B. Restrooms feature running water and flush toilets, but no showers ?. Accessible sites are located adjacent to restrooms. The campsites are a little close together for our liking however sleeping under the red canyons in a historic orchid was out of this world.
The nightly fee is $20.00 ($10.00 for Golden Age/Senior Pass or Golden Access/Access Pass holders). Check-out time is 11:00 am. The Fruita Campground is open year-round, and is the only developed campground in Capitol Reef National Park. Highly recommend: The Gifford House Store and Museum sells baked goods, coffee and tea, canned goods, ice cream ?, and other snacks during the spring and summer season (usually March through October). We purchased the homemade pies ? and cinnamon rolls. They were delicious ?.
Deer roamed the campgrounds however do not as fees will be assessed
The Fruita Historic District could be considered the heart of Capitol Reef National Park. For thousands of years, people have called this verdant valley home. Now the Fruita Historic District offers visitors opportunities to experience amazing geology, learn about human history, and explore a diverse landscape. We were amazed to view the petroglyphs along the trails. Capital Reef offers a little something for everyone and is not as crowded as many of the other Utah parks.
Do Not skip this park and should be a bucket list place to visit
This site contains paid advertisements. By clicking the links it does not cost you any extra money as the seller pays Travelswithgg a referral fee. We will never place any links without 100% satisfaction of a product we use.
Traveling across the country is challenging enough to not have to worry about ones drinking water. We carry with us the Berkey water filtration system which we consider one of the best on the market
Hiking in Capital Reef
When you die and get to watch the movie of your life, you’d better hope there’s a montage about when you hiked all of the following. If not all the angels will pity you and it will be awkward.
Hickman Bridge: This gawk-worthy natural bridge is a three-for-one nature special: After a short hike and a moderate amount of effort, you’ll see the bridge in question, its kid sister — the miniature Nels Johnson bridge — and the ruins from a Fremont pit house. Now that’s some efficient fun!
Cathedral Valley: Want to see all the world’s religious architectures done in red rock by an invisible geologic hand? Head over to the remote Cathedral Valley, where you can wander amongst the Temples of the Sun, Moon and Stars, as well as the Walls of Jericho. When you’re done picking your jaw off the ground, head away from these stone monoliths to Glass Mountain — a hill of shimmering crystals — or the giant Gypsum Sinkhole.
Goosenecks Overlook: Get some perspective on life and eons of geologic time with this quick jaunt to a vista overlooking Sulphur Creek, which winds it way in tight turns through a layer cake of rainbow rock 800 feet below.
The Scenic Drive is a 7.9 mile (12.7 km) paved road, suitable for passenger vehicles. Allot about an hour and half roundtrip to drive the Scenic Drive and the two dirt spur roads, Grand Wash and Capitol Gorge. Unless you are advised roads are not safe, we recommend driving into the gorge on the dirt road all the way to the end. It is almost as impressive as Scenic Hwy 12.
Scenic drive within Capital Reef is a must do
These dirt spur roads enter canyons and lead to trailheads, and are usually suitable for passenger cars and RVs up to 27 feet in length. The Scenic Drive, Grand Wash, and Capitol Gorge roads can be closed due to snow, ice, mud, and flash floods. Check at the visitor center, or call 435-425-3791, for possible road closures.
Driving into the gorge
Off Road Trail near Capital Reef
Off-road enthusiasts are required to keep vehicles on designated routes when driving within Capitol Reef National Park. That said, inside the park there are rugged routes leading into scenic areas, and many of the park’s colorful vistas may be experienced from jeep trails just outside park boundaries. Recommended drives include:
Hiking into the slot canyon at the base of the gorge
Cathedral Valley
Vehicles with good ground clearance can usually negotiate the 58-mile loop road through spectacular Cathedral Valley’s stark landscape, past such landmarks as the Temples of the Sun & Moon and Glass Mountain. Road conditions can vary greatly depending on recent weather conditions so check at the visitor center for current road and weather information before visiting Cathedral Valley.
Hartnet Road
The western half of the Cathedral Valley Loop, or the Hartnet Road, begins 11.7 miles east of the Visitors Center off Utah Hwy 24. Visitors must ford the Freemont River soon after leaving the highway, which may require a 4WD vehicle, in order to take this route to Cathedral Valley. The remaining 24 miles provide a sweeping view of the Blue Flats and the South Desert. High clearance vehicles are recommended. Travelers should stop by the Visitor Center for the most recent updates on weather and road conditions.
Petroglyphs within Capital Reef
Caineville Wash Road
The eastern side of the Cathedral Valley Loop, or the Caineville Wash Road, begins 18.6 miles east of the Visitor Center. By taking the eastern side of the Cathedral Valley Loop, visitors avoid the Fremont River Ford. For those planning to drive the entire loop it is recommended that they start at the River Ford to make sure they are able to make the crossing. Conditions on the Caineville Wash road vary widely based on recent weather. Check with the Visitor Center for current road information.
Burr Trail
The Burr Trail is one of the most popular backroads in southern Utah. From Boulder, it extends for about 68 miles through Grand Staircase-Escalante’s Long Canyon and Circle Cliffs, the Waterpocket Fold of Capitol Reef National Park, and other amazing scenery to Hwy 276 above Bullfrog Marina on Lake Powell.
Historic Fruita
Boulder Mountain
Boulder Mountain, south of SR 24, has many roads that are excellent for 4-wheel drive vehicles. North of Boulder Mountain, over the back of Thousand Lake Mountain via Loa and Fremont, is a ruggedly scenic 25-mile route into Cathedral Valley in Capitol Reef National Park.
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South Draw Road
This high clearance 4-wheel-drive road stretches from Pleasant Creek to the park boundary near Tantalus Flats. The road is rocky and rough, and crosses the creek several times. In harsh weather the road becomes impassable for even 4WD vehicles. Access to the road from Boulder Mountain is closed during winter because of deep snow.
Notom-Bullfrog Road
This dirt road intersects Utah Hwy 24 9.3 miles east of the Capitol Reef Visitor Center and stretches south to Bullfrog Marina. This road offers beautiful scenery as well as superb hiking; access to many of the park’s backcountry trails can be found along this route. The condition of this road changes with the weather. It is recommended that visitors check with the Visitor Center before heading out.
Hiking the slot canyon
Money saving tip: Buy the annual national parks pass. The cost is $80. If you plan on being in any of the National parks more than three times you will save money. The pass will also allow you access to the National Monuments and sometimes discounts in the National Forest ?. There’s also discounts for seniors which can be applied against camping threw out America. Other discounts apply so please read the eligibility we can save you more money. We estimate we saved over $600 in park fees.
Mountain Biking options
Four designated roads throughout Capitol Reef National Park allow visitors to experience the splashes of colors via bike. Bicycles are not allowed off road, washes, closed roads, or other trails to protect the fragile desert environment. Bring plenty of water, as water is difficult to find on all routes. Reservations may be required; so check with the visitor’s center for availability. For overnight trips, camping is allowed in three designated campgrounds or along nearby BLM or USFS lands.
A handout available at the visitor center identifies and describes recommended routes.
Drone flying is fast becoming a hobby of mine. After much research I purchased the Mini from DJI. I am very satisfied but still an amateur having a blast. Check out our drone videos within the blog which we hope you will enjoy.
Products we love ❤️
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After 12,000 miles on the road and hundreds of miles hiking ? throughout America, our Merrells have withstood all types of terrain and although they may be dirty, the quality is outstanding and are ready for the next 12,000.
Being on the water is very therapeutic and lots of fun. Space is always our issue so the inflatable kayak was our answer. Easy to inflate but we did buy a battery ? pump to make life easy. We have kayaked the lakes of Montana, Idaho, Arkansas, Minnesota, South Carolina, Arizona and the Intex has not let us down.
Robin’s favorite outdoor cooking utensil
Great personal usb fans. Perfect for warm dry camping nights
Our Retro Jr offers only so much space so to expand the cooking area, Robin loves this easy to put up table from Lifetime. No issues after multiple setups and break downs.
We enjoy a good cup of coffee ☕️ and one of our favorite cafes offers a pour over. ( How to make the best pour over coffee) If you are still making coffee in a pot break the yoke of social conformity and consider alternatives to a drink of the gods (coffee) every morning. This Insta Pot has been a godsend to our travels.
Campers are for the most part very honest and friendly people. However, pulling GG through a city and leaving her to go explore can make one feel uneasy ? so this easy locking ? system was our solution.
Our teardrop does not come with a refridgerator do coolers are our life blood. We needed to keep our food cold for days on end and these coolers did the trick.
Any road trip Near Santa Fe, New Mexico would not be complete without a visit to Bandelier National Monument which lies 23 miles away. It did take us an hour to drive through the ? mountains; albeit, the stunning landscape helps the time fly. Every turn through the mountains has a more incredible view.
Bandelier National Monument
Near Las Almos, NM, the Bandelier Monument preserves the homes and territory of the Ancestral Puebloans also knowN as the Anasazi. These structures date to between 1150 and 1600 AD. We hiked ? around and into these cliff homes and are sure it will amaze young and old visitors. There are 128 National Monuments located in the USA ?? and we recommend stopping ? by as many as you can if they are on your journey. ?♀️ You will be impressed.
Frijoles Canyon and walkways toward the cliff dwellings
Money saving tip: Buy the annual national parks pass. The National Park Pass will also allow access to all the national monuments. The cost is $80. If you plan on being in any of the National Parks more than three times within a year then you will save money. The pass will sometimes allow discounts to camping in the National Forest ?. There’s also discounts for seniors which can be applied against camping threw out America. Other discounts apply so please read the eligibility which can save you more money. We estimate we saved over $600 in park fees.
Bandelier National Monument
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Traveling across the country is challenging enough to not have to worry about ones drinking water. We carry with us the Berkey water filtration system which we consider one of the best on the market.
Hiking and exploring Bandelier National Monument
Bandelier National Monument has over 70 miles of trail within its boundaries and many more miles that connect out into the adjacent Santa Fe National Forest Lands.
Frijoles Canyon Overlook before driving into the canyon to the cliff dwellings
We hiked the Main (Pueblo) Loop Trail and Alcove House Trail (click here for more information) which are accessed from the visitor center in Frijoles Canyon. These trails take you to many Ancestral Pueblo sites. We highly recommend adding an extra 1 mile and include the Alcove House trail to your plans.
The Main (Pueblo) Loop Trail is a 1.4 mile loop trail through archeological sites. Most visitors spend between 45 minutes and one hour on this trail. Ladders along the trail allow visitors to climb into cavates (small human-carved alcoves). The Main (Pueblo) Loop Trail takes you past the Big Kiva, Tyuonyi, Talus House, and Long House.
Pick up a $2 trail guide at the Park Store to learn more about the sites along the trail through descriptions of 21 numbered stops.
The first section of this trail is flatter and may be travelled by wheelchairs and strollers; however, some areas exceed accessibility standards and some areas contain stairs/dropoffs. In winter, this is the only trail on which the snow is removed.
Flora along the trail
The Falls Trail is another trail that is very popular (click here for more information). It takes you to a beautiful waterfall. Before the flash floods of 2011 the trail continued to the Lower Falls and ultimately to the Rio Grande. Flooding destroyed the trail leaving no access to the Rio Grande from Frijoles Canyon. There are no archeological sites on this trail. We did not allow enough time to explore this trail but on our next visit it is a must do.
The Falls Trail starts at the end of the Backpacker’s Parking Lot near the visitor center. The trail descends 400 vertical feet in its 1.5 mile length to the Upper Falls. A beautiful trail in any season, this trail is not cleared of snow in the winter and can be extremely icy.
falls trail waterfall
There are steep dropoffs along the trail and plank bridges ? across the creek. We Use to call this a Robert E Lee overpass (log across a stream). Keep children close at all times and watch for wildlife. Take plenty of water ? . Water from the creek should not be drunk without first treating it.
THIS TRAIL IS NOT ACCESSIBLE TO WHEELCHAIRS OR STROLLERS.
Within Bandelier’s 33,000 acres there are over 70 miles of trail. Some trails are short easy loops while others can encompass many miles and steep rocky switchbacks. There are even several trails suitable for cross-country skiing or snowshoeing in the winter. Longer backcountry trails often involve hiking more than 12 miles round-trip. Wilderness permits are required and are available at the visitor center for overnight stays in the park’s backcountry. Water is not readily available on most backcountry trails. Please check at the visitor center for current conditions before hiking in the backcountry.
Pets, bicycles, and pack animals are not permitted on any park trails.
Another must see attraction near Bandelier National Monument is Valles Caldera National Preserve. It protects a large portion of the Valles Caldera, an area of significant geological, ecological and cultural interest. The Valles Caldera is a supervolcano eruption, like Yellowstone, and one of the largest young calderas on Earth. It formed about 1 million years ago when multiple explosive eruptions occurred that produced an immense outpouring of ash, pumice, and pyroclastic flows. It is considered by geologists to be still active.
One of many hiking trails Valles Caldera region
Main Entrance is open daily except Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. Please visit the Valles Caldera National Preserve’s website at www.nps.gov/vall for the most up-to-date information. We camped next to the Valles Caldera in Jemez Falls campground and our review is available about this wonderful campground.
Valles Caldera
About 120,000 visitors come to the preserve each year to enjoy activities such as hiking, biking, fishing, hunting, and simply enjoying this southwest geologic gem. The busy season in Valles Caldera runs from May-October.Please use these websites to find information on:
Permits and Reservations for recreational activities including backcountry access and guided tours, commercial uses including filming and photography, and special uses such as weddings.
There are no goods and services available within the preserve. You should bring whatever you will need during your stay, including plenty of water. Nearby communities can fulfill needs for groceries, supplies, and lodging.
Drone flying is fast becoming a hobby of mine. After much research I purchased the Mini from DJI. I am very satisfied but still an amateur having a blast. Check out our drone videos within the blog which we hope you will enjoy.
Rookie Mistake: Not allowing enough time to explore the Jemez Mountain, Valles Caldera, Santa Fe National Forest, City of Santa Fe, the natural hot ? springs, waterfalls, and all the natural wonders in this area of New Mexico. If we could have a do over, it would be to spend atleast 1 full week or more in this enchanted region. Do NOT rush through New Mexico. We promise we will be back soon and will definitely stay longer.
We did hike the McCauley hot springs trail from the Jemez Falls campground. The hike is about 6 miles round trip all down hill to the springs. So it is a tough hike back. We changed into bathing suits ? with a dip in the warm waters and a lunch afterwards before hiking back to camp. Our altitude was above 8,000 which lead to warm days and chilly nights.
Jemez Falls And consider camping at Jemez Falls campground
Drone flying is fast becoming a hobby of mine. After much research I purchased the Mini from DJI. I am very satisfied but still an amateur having a blast. Check out our drone videos within the blog which we hope you will enjoy.
Drone flying around Jemez Falls Campground
Products we love ❤️
After 12,000 miles on the road and hundreds of miles hiking ? throughout America, our Merrells have withstood all types of terrain and although they may be dirty, the quality is outstanding and are ready for the next 12,000.
Being on the water is very therapeutic and lots of fun. Space is always our issue so the inflatable kayak was our answer. Easy to inflate but we did buy a battery ? pump to make life easy. We have kayaked the lakes of Montana, Idaho, Arkansas, Minnesota, South Carolina, Arizona and the Intex has not let us down.
Robin’s favorite outdoor cooking utensil
Great personal usb fans. Perfect for warm dry camping nights
Our Retro Jr offers only so much space so to expand the cooking area, Robin loves this easy to put up table from Lifetime. No issues after multiple setups and break downs.
Campers are for the most part very honest and friendly people. However, pulling GG through a city and leaving her to go explore can make one feel uneasy ? so this easy locking ? system was our solution.
Our teardrop does not come with a refridgerator do coolers are our life blood. We needed to keep our food cold for days on end and these coolers did the trick.
