Page Updated: May30, 2023
Southeast Utah
Leg 3 took us from Brian Head to Blanding where we discovered southeastern Utah is just as spectacular as Zion’s corner, only a little less green. Making a last minute tweak to our travel plans, we took the scenic route across the state to ensure a stop at Capitol Reef National Park. The vast stretches of wilderness along southern Utah are punctuated with beautiful buttes, spires, and plateaus making the experience captivating.
The Blanding Bunkhouse served as homebase. The rental - owned by Lynn and Lynette Stevens - is private and secluded and pretty much perfect.
The Stevens’ also offer personally-guided hikes and horseback rides that I really wish we had taken advantage of while we were in the area. Big - BIG - regrets missing out on this one.
We had a sinfully short two weeks in the area and saw as much of southern Utah as we could possibly cram in while still working. We visited three National Parks. Explored two National Monuments. Went on three scenic drives. Saw one state park. Found a hidden gem. And threw in a side jaunt to Colorado to visit a friend. Whirlwind busy; we had a blast!
THE LOCAL GRUB
Dropped into Fiesta Mexicana on a brutally hot day while touring Moab. All we really wanted were thirst quenching margaritas, but these nicely chargrilled Steak Tacos were pretty much perfection.
Steak Tacos
Navajo Frybread
Since we’d never heard of it, we tried Navajo Flatbread at Stagecoach Restaurant in Gouldings Monument Valley. The bread can be enjoyed plain, used to sop up savory soups and gravies, or eaten in as dessert with honey or powdered sugar. We opted for the latter. It resembles funnel cake, but it’s denser - still delicious.
Cheesesteak & Chips
After burning some calories hiking in Canyonlands Needles, we popped into the Granary Bar and Grill for an early dinner. Nothing overtly special about the food, but the establishment is 1920’s Prohibition Era Speakeasy which gave it a pretty neat vibe.
scenes from the leg!
THE FUN STUFF
06/05/2021
Before we traveled into Utah for the first time, we’d never heard of Capitol Reef National Park. When we saw it referenced on paraphernalia in Zion and Bryce gift shops, we decided not to skip the sole Utah National Park missing on our list…
Capitol Reef National Park
06/05/2021
Natural Bridges National Monument
Even after a long travel day with multiple stops - and especially since we were driving right by it - we had to squeeze in a late day stop to Utah’s first National Parks Service area…
06/06/2021
Loam Zone - Sailing Hawks Loop
Neat spot skirting the outside edge of San Juan National Forest with beautiful vista points overlooking Durango
06/12/2021
Canyonlands National Park: Needles
In our pursuit of cramming all of the Mighty 5 into our first ever Utah trip, we spent a day knocking about The Needles district of Canyonlands National Park.
06/12/2021
Very cool trail. Almost feels like you’re on another planet. Wildflowers, slickrocks, booty-scootin’ and incredible vistas at the summit.
Squaw Flat - Big Springs Loop
06/13/2021
On the corner of “nowhere” and “where’s my cell signal,” there’s Hovenweep; a cluster of ancestral Puebloan ruins still standing along the rim of Little Ruin Canyon.
Hovenweep National Monument
06/13/2021
Recommended to us by a national parks ranger on our visit to Hovenweep National Monument, “Since you’re going to Monument Valley, you’ve got see the Moki Dugway!” She was not wrong!
Moki Dugway Scenic Backway
06/13/2021
If you find your self knocking about southeastern Utah, like scenic driving, have a few hours to kill, and happen to be in the vicinity of Mexican Hat; this place is for you!
Valley of the Gods Scenic Drive
06/13/2021
On occasion we stumble upon cool stuff by accident. This is one of those times. On the hunt for a magnet to signify our visit to Monument Valley, I put my finger on the map (on my phone, because who uses paper maps anymore) on a spot tagged gift shop, and said “let’s stop here and see what they’ve got.”
Goulding’s Monument Valley
06/13/2021
International Dark Sky designations have been given to many of the parks and monuments across the Four Corners region of the United States.
Stargazing Valley of the Gods
06/15/2021
Canyonlands National Park: Island in the Sky
Standing at Grand View Point and taking in the “grand view,” I thought - Wow, the Grand Canyon has nothing on this place!
06/15/2021
Ten hours is not enough; especially if you’re sleeping for six of them. Conveniently situated between Canyonlands: Island in the Sky and Arches National Parks, Dead Horse Point State Park also sits just 30miles from Moab….
Dead Horse Point State Park
06/16/2021
Mighty 5 quest complete! Arches marked the last of our visits to Utah’s national parks, and it was a satisfying end to our visit to the beehive state!
Arches National Park
06/16/2021
Wow! Just as dope as you think it is. Started at dawn. Hiked clockwise getting beautiful early morning sun through the arch windows.