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Spring Break! 2020 Edition

Spring Break! 2020 Edition

Posted in: Outdoor adventures, Travel on March 3, 2020.

Hooray for Spring!

It’s that time of year again! Things are starting to green up, the song birds are starting to sing, and schools and universities across the country are releasing their students into the wild. It’s Spring Break! And, as is tradition for millions of Americans, Spring Break means it’s time to head someplace warm and exciting. As luck would have it, we at the Lodge know of the perfect place… Southern Utah!

A highway sign welcoming visitors to Utah

Photo by Jaxon Lott via unsplash.com

National Park Road trip

The perfect way to maximize Spring Break, and to see the most of Southern Utah, is to take a national park road trip. And as minor authorities on the subject of national parks, road trips, and Southern Utah in general, we think we’re qualified to offer you a suggested itinerary. So, ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, we present to you the Spring Break 2020 Road Trip Itinerary!

The view from inside a vehicle that is driving on a scenic, winding dirt road

Photo by Clark Tibbs via unsplash.com

Arches and Canyonlands

Kick things off in the town of Moab, the gateway to Canyonlands and Arches National Parks. You’ll definitely want to explore both parks, since each is uniquely awesome. We suggest that you spend two days in Arches and one full day in Canyonlands. Check out some of these awesome hikes while you’re there:

Canyonlands National Park

  • Grand View Point – This is probably the best overlook in the park. You’ll get to see an expansive mesa, with the Green River below you, cutting canyons in the stone. It’s pretty great.
  • Mesa Arch – A very short hike will take you to the most famous location in Canyonlands. It’s one heck of an arch, with an equally impressive backdrop.

Arches National Park

  • Delicate Arch – You gotta hike to Delicate Arch. It’s just something you do when you visit Utah. It’s a little strenuous when you reach the uphill, slickrock section, but we think it’s worth the climb.
  • Double Arch – This is a trail is easy (easy enough for kids) and leads to a great, and also very famous arch. We’re pretty sure you’ve seen it a few times before in film and television.

A dusky sunset over a vast canyon

Photo by Varun Yadav via unsplash.com

Zion

Say goodbye to Moab and all those Arches! It’s time to visit Utah’s most famous park, Zion. Drive on down to Saint George and check into your accommodations. Then it’s time to go to experience the wonders of the park! Stop by the visitor center, take the tour bus up Zion Canyon, and absolutely hike one of the following hikes:

  • Upper Emerald Pools – A great, easy hike with big payoff. It will take you up into the cliffs of Zion Canyon to a remarkable set of still pools. Don’t stop just at the lower or middle pools, the top one, Upper Emerald Pool is our favorite.
  • Angel’s Landing – If you’re up for a challenge, Angel’s Landing is the quintessential hike in Zion. It’s a pretty tough climb, but the view from the top is something you’ll never forget. Also, you just might see a California Condor up there with you.

A barn and field  set against a red cliff

Photo by Tracy Zhang via unsplash.com

Capitol Reef

We’ve saved our favorite for last! After you’ve enjoyed a couple days in Zion National Park, drive up to Capitol Reef. After the busy crowds of Zion, you’ll love the laid-back atmosphere of Capitol Reef. Wander through the orchards, stop by the Gifford House to buy goodies, and get hiking on some of these great trails!




  • Cassidy Arch – This is a fantastic trail with a fantastic view of Capitol Reef and the Waterpocket Fold. The trail is a bit steep at first, but it levels out to a flat slickrock mesa, and leads you to the natural arch. And yes, you can totally walk across it. (Just be careful.)
  • Hickman Bridge – This is the most popular hike in Capitol Reef. It’s fun, it’s short, and it’s got a cool bridge at the end. What’s not to love?

Better in Bulk

Since, if you follow our road trip outline, you’ll be visiting four national parks, we suggest that you buy the annual park pass. It’s a great way to save money on the entrance fees. The pass costs $80, but lets you into any national park or monument in the country for a year. We think that’s a pretty sweet deal.

The famous Delicate Arch, a sandstone arch with blue sky background

Photo by Joshua Sukoff via unsplash.com

Perfect Week of Nature

That’s it! That’s our Spring Break Road Trip! Go explore the best of Utah’s national parks, and got make the most of your Spring Break vacation!

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