Colorado
15 Fun Things to Do in Winter Park Colorado Now
Ultra-rad guide to 15 awesome things to do in Winter Park Colorado right now.
Meet the American Southwest
Where the red rocks glow with an ancient light
Meet the American Southwest
Where the red rocks glow with an ancient light.
Explore the American Southwest like A seasoned pro
As the light illuminates vast red rock walls, your senses heighten. There’s something alive about this unrelenting landscape.
Alive and ancient.
There are stories etched in the most precarious ledges.
Wildlife thrives here, just out of view.
The desert calls with a timeless song. Its melody carried across the wind.
This is a place that ensnares your soul.
Must-See locales
Estes Park
Home to Rocky Mountain National Park, this iconic mountain town is a must-see for first-time visitors.
Moab
The desert adventure gateway. There is a lot on offer here from Arches to Canyonlands and several unseen places in between.
Best for: Mountain bikers, climbers, 4×4 enthusiasts, hikers, and those who want some sense of civilization.
Kanab
As an alternative to nearby Page, AZ, Kanab is a not-to-be-missed desert outpost. Kanab has a rich history to match the adventures here. As a home base for countless desert adventures, you don’t want to miss the area around Kanab.
Best for: 4×4 drivers, hikers, backpackers, rafters, and photographers
The Grand Canyon
The Big Ditch is an international icon. But there is much to see for the intrepid traveler beyond the viewpoints and rim-to-rim hike.
Best for: photographers, hikers, backpackers, and casual visitors.
Grand Staircase Escalante
Here is a place where you can truly get lost. Slot canyons and casual day hikes await those who are willing to make the journey into the heart of this ancient landscape.
Best for: Rugged hikers, canyoneers, and seasoned desert backpackers.
Estes Park
What makes Sedona so enticing is its ease and accessibility. Don’t be fooled, it’s crowded, but if you’ve got some flexibility and know-how, solitude is possible among these sandstone giants.
Best for: Casual visitors, photographers, hikers, and mystics.
Capitol Reef National Park
Arguably the sleeper pick of southern Utah’s Mighty 5 national parks, Capitol Reef has more than meets the eye. Incredible camping and hikes for every ability, make this a southwestern highlight.
Best for: Canyoneers, hikers, gravel bikers, and national park enthusiasts.
Bryce Canyon National Park
Bryce’s other-worldly landscapes really do look like the photographs. This place will transport your sense of time, space, and self. You might just think you’ve entered another dimension.
Best for: Casual visitors, photographers, intermediate hikers, and view chasers.
San Rafael Swell
From technical slot canyons to stunning desert camping, there’s a lot more than meets the eye at the San Rafael Swell. There’s a reason I make a pilgrimage here multiple times a year. Her secrets are well kept, but worth the effort.
Best for: Canyoneers, dispersed camping, off-the-beaten-path enthusiasts.
Must-See locales
The American Southwest is home to a treasure of trove of ah-ha moments and awe-inspiring landscapes. You just need to know where to look.
01
Moab
The desert adventure gateway. There is a lot on offer here from Arches to Canyonlands and several unseen places in between.
Best for: Mountain bikers, climbers, 4×4 enthusiasts, hikers, and those who want some sense of civilization.
02
San Rafael Swell
From technical slot canyons to stunning desert camping, there’s a lot more than meets the eye at the San Rafael Swell. There’s a reason I make a pilgrimage here multiple times a year. Her secrets are well-kept but worth the effort.
Best for: Canyoneers, dispersed camping, off-the-beaten-path enthusiasts.
03
Grand Staircase Escalante
Here is a place where you can truly get lost. Slot canyons and casual day hikes await those who are willing to make the journey into the heart of this ancient landscape.
Best for: Rugged hikers, canyoneers, and seasoned desert backpackers.
04
The Grand Canyon
The Big Ditch is an international icon. But there is much to see for the intrepid traveler beyond the viewpoints and rim-to-rim hike.
Best for: photographers, hikers, backpackers, and casual visitors.
05
Kanab
As an alternative to nearby Page, AZ, Kanab is a not-to-be-missed desert outpost. Kanab has a rich history to match the adventures here. As a home base for countless desert adventures, you don’t want to miss the area around Kanab.
Best for: 4×4 drivers, hikers, backpackers, rafters, and photographers
06
Capitol Reef National Park
Arguably the sleeper pick of southern Utah’s Mighty 5 national parks, Capitol Reef has more than meets the eye. Incredible camping and hikes for every ability, make this a southwestern highlight.
Best for: Canyoneers, hikers, gravel bikers, and national park enthusiasts.
07
Bryce Canyon National Park
Bryce’s other-worldly landscapes really do look like the photographs. This place will transport your sense of time, space, and self. You might just think you’ve entered another dimension.
Best for: Casual visitors, photographers, intermediate hikers, and view chasers.
08
Sedona
What makes Sedona so enticing is its ease and accessibility. Don’t be fooled, it’s crowded, but if you’ve got some flexibility and know-how, solitude is possible among these sandstone giants.
Best for: Causal visitors, hikers, photographers, and those into the mystics.
Best time to visit the American Southwest
October is hands-down the best month to visit the American Southwest.
Weather is variable (and spring break brings crowds) from March to April. By May the unrelenting heat sets in and doesn’t dissipate until October. Early November is a great time too.
Winter brings solitude and stunning lighting conditions. The surprise dusting of snow can last days on certain rock faces – creating a playground of photography opportunities.
More than half of the land encompassing the American Southwest is public land. You can spend a lifetime exploring here and barely scratch the surface.
Hike like a pro in the American Southwest
Hiking in the desert is a whole different animal. In some ways, it’s a simple place to walk, but this place can kill.
Always bring a GPS, pack plenty of water, and keep your skin protected from the relentless sun.
Don’t bust the crust. The raised, black soil is alive – and integral to stopping erosion and providing a healthy soil bed for desert plants to thrive.
Best time to visit the American Southwest
October is hands-down the best month to visit the American Southwest.
Weather is variable (and spring break brings crowds) from March to April. By may the unrelenting heat sets in and doesn’t dissipate until October. Early November is a great time too.
Winter brings solitude and stunning lighting conditions. The surprise dusting of snow can last days on certain rock faces – creating a playground of photography opportunities.
More than half of the land encompassing the American Southwest is public land. You can spend a lifetime exploring here and barely scratch the surface.
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Hike like a pro in the American Southwest
Hiking in the desert is a whole different animal. In some ways, it’s a simple place to walk, but this place can kill.
Always bring a GPS, pack plenty of water, and keep your skin protected from the relentless sun.
Don’t bust the crust. The raised, black soil is alive – and integral to stopping erosion and providing a healthy soil bed for desert plants to thrive.
Unique American Desert Experiences
Honestly, there are too many places to cover on a single page. This list features a few places you know about, and many you don’t.
Unique American Desert Experiences
Delicate Arch
The crown jewel of Utah deserves a visit. Here’s how to beat the crowds at this iconic location.
Reflection Canyon
The unique bends in the river won’t last forever – Lake Powell is draining. But a rugged cross-country trip to this overlook is worth an overnight.
Coyote Gulch
Like an oasis hidden in the ribbons of canyons, Coyote Gulch features views of green and red. Here’s how to do it in a day.
White Rim Road
This multi-day 4×4 road gives you a sense of just how massive Canyonlands National Park really is.
Cape Final
This single backcountry camp spot perched on the rim of the Grand Canyon gives you solitude and views.
Buckskin Gulch
At 23 miles long, this is the world’s longest-known slot canyon. You can visit it in a day, no experience required.
Moon house Ruins
This permitted day hike can be found lost among ancient canyons. Step back in time and experience the life of the Ancestral Puebloan people.
The Cosmic Ashtray
A rugged, cross-country hike takes you to a scene that you’ll have to see to believe.
The Queens Garden
Wander through the heart of Bryce Canyon along this iconic trail. A true wonder, this trail sees lots of traffic, but you can get the inside scoop on skipping the crowds.
The American Southwest is best explored by road. Having the the know-how to find free camping anywhere in this region is a must.
My biggest tip? Slow down, explore, and remember, you’ll be looking to come back no matter how much you see.
Beating the Crowds in the American Southwest
It's not a shock that this area sees crowds - there's nothing else like it on Earth. Early starts are essential to stay one step ahead, but the best way to get out there at popular locales is to snag permitted adventures. Plan your routes 6 months in advance. Every permit system has a different time frame, but this will ensure you have enough time to enter lotteries and grab coveted backcountry spots.
Quick tips for visiting
The American Southwest is best explored by road. Having the the know-how to find free camping anywhere in this region is a must. My biggest tip? Slow down, explore, and remember, you'll be looking to come back no matter how much you see.
Beating the Crowds in the American Southwest
It's not a shock that this area sees crowds - there's nothing else like it on Earth. Early starts are essential to stay one step ahead, but the best way to get out there at popular locales is to snag permitted adventures. Plan your routes 6 months in advance. Every permit system has a different time frame, but this will ensure you have enough time to enter lotteries and grab coveted backcountry spots.
Essential Gear
There’s no such thing as bad weather, just bad gear. Here’s a look at a few must-have essentials for your trip to the American Southwest.
Essential Gear
REI Flash 22 Hiking Pack
- A cost effective hiking bag suitable to carry all of your essentials.
- Light and fast, the REI Flash is great for travel or stashing in your backpacking pack.
Sunshirt
- The mountain sun can be harsh and unforgiving. This layer keeps you protected.
- No, long-sleeves in the summer aren't crazy when you have a layer that lets your skin breathe effortlessly.
- The partial zip and pocket are a perk, but they come at a premium.
Puffy Layer
- This pass gives you unlimited free access to any national park or monument in a 12-month period
- Perfect for road trips.
Meet Meg Your American Southwest Expert
I spend weeks out of every year exploring the American Southwest. I'm a technical canyoneer, long-distance hiker, and avid rock climber. It's my mission to empower you to get outside and go on your greatest adventure - without the throngs of tourist.
Meet Meg Your American Southwest Expert
I spend weeks out of every year exploring the American Southwest. I’m a technical canyoneer, long-distance hiker, and avid rock climber. It’s my mission to empower you to get outside and go on your greatest adventure – without the throngs of tourist.
Even More Adventures in the American Southwest
Ready to take your adventures further? Here’s a look at even more adventures you don’t want to miss.
Even More American Southwest Adventures
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