Discover 15 hidden spots in Utah that offer unique experiences and are worth

Utah is one of the best hiking destinations in the United States. Depending on your interests and location within the state, you can see gorgeous deserts, jutting arches, luscious forests, or impressive waterfalls. Because it's virtually impossible to hike all of the hikes (even though I am trying - lol), I asked 11 other Utah

The Pacific Northwest is famous for its waterfalls and Oregon in particular has some beautiful waterfalls that you won't want to miss. There are so many different options to choose from so to help narrow it down, here are the best waterfall hikes in Oregon. If you are planning to visit the Columbia River Gorge

Utah is one of the best hiking destinations in the United States. Depending on your interests and location within the state, you can see gorgeous deserts, jutting arches, luscious forests, or impressive waterfalls. Because it's virtually impossible to hike all of the hikes (even though I am trying - lol), I asked 11 other Utah

Toquerville Falls is an incredible waterfall in Southern Utah. Not only is it scenic, but it makes for the best summer swimming hole!

Like most incredible destinations, you could spend forever in Yosemite. However, if you are a weekend warrior like myself, you may be visiting with more limited time. This post will cover a fairly aggressive, 2 day Yosemite Itinerary and you will leave the park feeling seriously accomplished. Note: Due to COVID-19, Yosemite requires a reservation

Kings Canyon National Park is often overshadowed by neighboring Sequoia and Yosemite but it is definitely worth a visit. A popular way to visit this park is to lump it in with a trip to the other two. That is exactly what we did – two days in Yosemite, one day in King’s Canyon and then

​Raft the Colorado, take a scenic flight over Canyonlands & explore Arches

The best hidden places in Utah you need to add to your Utah bucket list! Month 3 of vanlife was packed with Utah arches, off-roading in Moab, Toquerville falls, and exploring southern Nevada.

Moab is one of the most beautiful cities in the state of Utah. With several National Parks only a short drive away, sprawling deserts, and rock formations, Moab transports you to a new world. Since I spent my high school and college years in Salt Lake City, Moab was a common destination for my travels. Almost every summer or spring, I would head down to explore these great wonders. Before discovering these beautiful lands, I was convinced that the deserts were a dead wasteland with nothing to offer. You see, I was raised in Los Angeles and my definition of beauty relied on lush vegetation, high peaks, and long beaches rather that vast open lands. I was wrong. While the Arches of Moab are certainly no secret, I never really appreciated its glorious beauty until I visited. Now, I am obsessed. RELATED: Utah's Best Kept Secret: Goblin Valley Even as a Colorado resident, we still manage to make it down to Moab every year. Each Memorial Day weekend for the last four years, we have made the trek to our camping extravaganza to catch up with old friends, party, and take in the natural beauty of the surrounding areas. But as you’d imagine, holiday weekends draw the crowds. Coming into Moab on Memorial Day weekend, you’ll notice bumper to bumper traffic up and down Main Street. This can be a bit of a damper when it comes to escaping into the middle of no-where. However, as a person who has spent much time in these deserts, it’s not to difficult to get that secluded trip that you came to Moab for. Check out my tips to make the most out of your trip to Moab from a person who has spent countless years exploring this town. WHEN TO GO TO MOAB ? Moab gets hot. Like really really hot. I mean, it is a desert and much like you would expect, it is very hot in the middle of summer. The best times that I like to visit Moab is late spring like April or May. Depending on the year, temperatures can range from the high 80s to the mid 90s while staying relatively clear. This year in particular was hotter than the past few but most people I know can agree that this is the best times to go temperature wise. Too much earlier than that, it can get cold and rainy. My freshman year, I went for Spring Break. It was very cold and windy. I left early but my friends that stayed told me they woke up with icicles growing on their face. They ended up getting a room. Now, I am not saying that it’s that bad to check out these deserts at those times since it tends to be less crowded since it’s off season. Just be prepared with gear or alternate accommodations just in case. Remember, it can snow in Moab. On the opposite side, middle of summer could be unbearably hot. Like I mentioned, it gets up to the 90s in May, so you could only imagine how hot it can get in July or August. I have stayed in Moab during these times before, but I opted to rent a cheap room instead of camp. My fiancé Robb has camped here in August and has told me stories of extreme heat. It didn’t sound fun. When I go to Moab, I prefer camping so it’s a bit of a loss if we have to stay in a hotel. As for fall, I personally haven’t visited in this time, but I imagine that it is similar to visiting in spring. Usually by this time in the camping season, I am a bit worn out and the thought of driving six hours to camp isn’t quite as appealing as early season. Not to mention that it eventually gets darker earlier in the fall. Whatever floats your boat though. This is an opportune time to avoid crowds since I am not the only one who shares these thoughts. Moab is really the best when there aren’t too many people around. WHERE TO STAY IN MOAB? As I mentioned, I love to camp in Moab. There is something about being immersed in this red rock paradise that cannot be beaten. Also, if you have ever slept under a clear desert sky, you would know what I’m talking about. You can get miles and miles away from people, leaving an unpolluted sky where you can clearly see the moon and stars. If you’re lucky and there is no moon, you can get some of the most breathtaking views of the milky way. It’s truly enchanting. The trick of camping in Moab, however, is to find someone away from people. I get it. Some people want to be near accommodations. The thought of being far away from running water can be intimidating. However, I think the best experiences in Moab is when you actually feel like you are a world apart from civilization. I say that you should give it shot, even if only once because the surreal experience can’t be beaten. On top of that, you can be as loud as you want or as quiet as you want without a bit of disturbance. Moab offers some of the only places that you can really escape all society. Near Denver, it’s practically impossible to camp without people near you unless you are willing to travel hours away. Even so, you probably will run into people. Not so much in Moab. When you find these secluded spots, you may not see a single soul your entire trip. It’s just amazing. Besides, camping away from civilization does not mean you have to sacrifice any style. Just about a week ago, I spent six days in the middle of nowhere and it didn’t feel primitive at all. If you check out my tips to glam up your campsite, you too can bring luxury to your site, wherever you go! Between the lights, décor, and great food, civilization was hardly missed. Seriously, it felt more like a music festival than roughing it in the wild. Check out how to glam up your campsite in my glamping article here. So where do you actually camp? Here are a couple suggestions. Onion Creek This is where I went for my first camping trip to Moab with several friends. When entering Moab from the north on Highway 191, take the turn onto UT - 128 drive for roughly half an hour until you get to Onion Creek. You drive through a gorgeous canyon over a couple of rivers. Don't get caught up on one of the sites along the river since they are close together and usually full. It's worth the drive to get to Onion Creek. Once you are there, there are several dispersed campsites along the way. Another year, the first several were filled but you can keep going as long as you can until you find something. There is a whole other section of sites near the top of the creek. Just make sure you head any signs telling you not to camp in a particular site. No one wants to be woken up by a park ranger in the middle of the night. It's happened to me and my friends one year and she got a ticket. We weren't allowed to start a fire and the night sucked. You will need somewhat of a decent vehicle to get to these spots depending on the year. There are several river crossings that can be deeper if it’s been rainy. Luckily, Robb has a Subaru, so it isn’t a problem on our end but be wary if your car has low clearance. When I first went, we just parked my car near the entrance and had a truck take us to the site. One year, this was not open due to the rain. If that's the case, I recommend driving this road a little longer. There are some sweet paid sites just a couple miles after this spot that totally do the job. Canyonlands: Island in the Sky Another cool spot to camp at is near the entrance of Canyonlands Island in the Sky district. When heading into Moab on Highway 191, take the turn off to Canyonlands on UT - 313. There are plenty of BLM dispersed campsites along the way which are often not filled. One year, we had trouble finding a spot until we found this hidden gem down a dirt road. Much like I mentioned before, listen to signs along the way, especially if you go down a dirt road. They often clearly mark where dispersed camping is allowed and not allowed. This one is easy for any car to reach so it's a good option if you don't have the most optimal outdoorsy vehicle. Canyonlands: Needles District Ok , this is probably one of my best kept campsite secrets to date and yes, I'll be returning every Memorial Day weekend. I mean, we've camped here for the last four years and planning on our fifth. Don't worry, there are more dispersed sites down the road. This is my favorite area to camp in since no one goes down here. Canyonlands Needles District is roughly an hour south of the city of Moab, making it too much of an inconvenience for most people. Just head south on Highway 191 until you get to Highway 211. Head towards the Canyonlands entrance and you will find some awesome sites. I usually pick a spot in the Indian Creek recreational area and they are sweet! There are also spots up near the park entrance that sport really cool red rock backdrops. Again, watch the signage so you don’t end up camping somewhere you aren’t supposed to. There are so many great spots in this area, there is no reason to camp where you shouldn’t. If you are struggling to find somewhere, just keep going. There are a lot of awesome spots on BLM land that allows you to camp for free or cheap in Moab. You just need some patience. Now if you aren’t camping, there are plenty of hotels on Main St. in Moab. I’ve only stayed at the Super 8 on the north end of town but it definitely gets the job done. It’s one of the cheapest motels to stay in and it does have a pool and hot tub. Personally, I believe Moab is more about the outdoors, so I don’t care to spend much on a hotel anyways. WHAT TO DO IN MOAB? National Parks Obviously, the National Parks are a must. Given that I’ve been there several times, I often don’t make it in but it’s totally worth it to go in if you’ve never been. Arches National Park Arches is basically right next to the town and I believe you need to check it out at least once. The iconic Delicate Arch will blow your mind away. After a moderate 3-mile hike, you will come across this gorgeous bowl with Delicate Arch at the edge. It’s huge! This hike can get a little challenging near the end but it’s totally worth the effort. I mean, it’s on the Utah license plate for goodness sake. Besides this hike, there are several short walks to see other cool sites within the park. I’ve been able to hit many of them in one day, even without too much skills in hiking. Double Arch is a fun one for the kids. I personally feel that Arches hikes are generally pretty easy and I'm not this hardcore hiker. The only thing to note is that it is the busiest park in the area so opting for a weekday or Sunday might be your best bet. I've seen huge lines trying to enter the park. Canyonlands Canyonlands is broken into three distinct districts. The main district is Island in the Sky and it will blow you away. The expansive canyons

After spending a weekend full of adventure in St. George, Utah in the middle of February I have one main takeaway - winter is the time to visit! Skeptical? Here are 5 reasons why...

Oregon is an incredibly beautiful state. But its beauty can be overwhelming if you are trying to figure out where to go in Oregon for a trip. This list covers the best places to visit in Oregon to culminate a year of exploring this amazing state. As a side note, this list does not include

Like most incredible destinations, you could spend forever in Yosemite. However, if you are a weekend warrior like myself, you may be visiting with more limited time. This post will cover a fairly aggressive, 2 day Yosemite Itinerary and you will leave the park feeling seriously accomplished. Note: Due to COVID-19, Yosemite requires a reservation

Whether you are island hopping or heading to Kauai, Hawaii for an extended time, you are in for a treat when visiting this island. The rugged coastline, untouched lands, and beautiful beaches are truly incredible to experience. If you are currently planning activities that you must do in Kauai, look no further. This post covers

If you're going to go see the Northern Lights in the wintertime, likely a key area of preparation for you will be what to wear. Although I currently live in Salt Lake City, UT, one of the most important questions for me before this trip was how to dress for viewing the northern lights in

Thinking of planning a trip out west and wondering when is the best time to visit Utah? I get this question all of the time. But the answer really depends on what you want to do while you visit. Here are some of the highlights throughout the year so you can decide for yourself on

Like most incredible destinations, you could spend forever in Yosemite. However, if you are a weekend warrior like myself, you may be visiting with more limited time. This post will cover a fairly aggressive, 2 day Yosemite Itinerary and you will leave the park feeling seriously accomplished. Note: Due to COVID-19, Yosemite requires a reservation

For adventure lovers, Kanab, Utah is a destination worth checking out. It's basically about as south as you can get within Utah and feels like it isn't close to anything. However, Kanab is one of the few places in Southern Utah with an actual foodie scene, which is probably a relief if all you have

One of my favorite activities year-round in Utah is hiking. Fortunately, there are a plethora of options not far from Salt Lake City. If you are looking for where to begin, this post will cover the 11 Salt Lake City hiking trails you can't miss. I will order these by difficulty (in my opinion). Therefore

The best trail running shoes this year ranked & reviewed + top advice so you buy the most comfortable, high-performing shoes that work best for you

Like most incredible destinations, you could spend forever in Yosemite. However, if you are a weekend warrior like myself, you may be visiting with more limited time. This post will cover a fairly aggressive, 2 day Yosemite Itinerary and you will leave the park feeling seriously accomplished. Note: Due to COVID-19, Yosemite requires a reservation

Southern Utah is filled with undescribable beauty. While millions flock to its National Parks, you can avoid the crowds and still discover beauty in Kanab!

Like most incredible destinations, you could spend forever in Yosemite. However, if you are a weekend warrior like myself, you may be visiting with more limited time. This post will cover a fairly aggressive, 2 day Yosemite Itinerary and you will leave the park feeling seriously accomplished. Note: Due to COVID-19, Yosemite requires a reservation

The Oregon Coast is one of the most beautiful places in the world. With its rocky coastline and pristine beaches, it's no wonder that so many people flock to this area every year. If you're planning a trip to the Oregon Coast, or if you've already been there and are looking for more information on

The Pacific Northwest is famous for its waterfalls and Oregon in particular has some beautiful waterfalls that you won't want to miss. There are so many different options to choose from so to help narrow it down, here are the best waterfall hikes in Oregon. If you are planning to visit the Columbia River Gorge

Oregon is an incredibly beautiful state. But its beauty can be overwhelming if you are trying to figure out where to go in Oregon for a trip. This list covers the best places to visit in Oregon to culminate a year of exploring this amazing state. As a side note, this list does not include

Oregon is an incredibly beautiful state. But its beauty can be overwhelming if you are trying to figure out where to go in Oregon for a trip. This list covers the best places to visit in Oregon to culminate a year of exploring this amazing state. As a side note, this list does not include

The Columbia River Gorge is an incredibly accessible location for hiking if you are in the Portland, Oregon or Vancouver, Washington area. The area is massive and with short time, there is no way to do all of the hikes in the Columbia River Gorge. This post will help you narrow it down to the

Utah is one of the best hiking destinations in the United States. Depending on your interests and location within the state, you can see gorgeous deserts, jutting arches, luscious forests, or impressive waterfalls. Because it's virtually impossible to hike all of the hikes (even though I am trying - lol), I asked 11 other Utah

If you're in or around Salt Lake City or Park City, there is another destination not too far away with some unique attractions - Midway, Utah. We visited Midway over the long weekend in January as it was right before Austin's big surgery test so it was nice to have a staycation only 45 minutes

Like most incredible destinations, you could spend forever in Yosemite. However, if you are a weekend warrior like myself, you may be visiting with more limited time. This post will cover a fairly aggressive, 2 day Yosemite Itinerary and you will leave the park feeling seriously accomplished. Note: Due to COVID-19, Yosemite requires a reservation

Are you looking for an epic 10 day Portugal itinerary? This blog post has everything you need to know about planning a trip to Portugal. We'll start by exploring Lisbon, one of the most beautiful cities in Portugal. Then we'll move on to Porto, the country's second-largest city. From there, we'll head to the Algarve

The Icefields Parkway in Canada connects Lake Louise in Banff National Park to Jasper. The drive is incredibly scenic. If you drive straight through without stopping, it would take approximately 3 hours. But unless you drive this route regularly, there is no way you won't want to pull over at some of the scenic viewpoints.

Are you looking for an epic 10 day Portugal itinerary? This blog post has everything you need to know about planning a trip to Portugal. We'll start by exploring Lisbon, one of the most beautiful cities in Portugal. Then we'll move on to Porto, the country's second-largest city. From there, we'll head to the Algarve

If you're anything like me, you probably associate Idaho with potatoes. But in reality, there is so much more to the state. It is absolutely packed with hidden gems. Southern Idaho is around 2 hours from Salt Lake City, Utah, making it a great place to visit to explore the outdoors without having to drive

Like most incredible destinations, you could spend forever in Yosemite. However, if you are a weekend warrior like myself, you may be visiting with more limited time. This post will cover a fairly aggressive, 2 day Yosemite Itinerary and you will leave the park feeling seriously accomplished. Note: Due to COVID-19, Yosemite requires a reservation

Discover 7 of the best scenic drives and byways in Utah, including La Sal Mountain Loop State Scenic Backway and more.

Like most incredible destinations, you could spend forever in Yosemite. However, if you are a weekend warrior like myself, you may be visiting with more limited time. This post will cover a fairly aggressive, 2 day Yosemite Itinerary and you will leave the park feeling seriously accomplished. Note: Due to COVID-19, Yosemite requires a reservation

Like most incredible destinations, you could spend forever in Yosemite. However, if you are a weekend warrior like myself, you may be visiting with more limited time. This post will cover a fairly aggressive, 2 day Yosemite Itinerary and you will leave the park feeling seriously accomplished. Note: Due to COVID-19, Yosemite requires a reservation

Like most incredible destinations, you could spend forever in Yosemite. However, if you are a weekend warrior like myself, you may be visiting with more limited time. This post will cover a fairly aggressive, 2 day Yosemite Itinerary and you will leave the park feeling seriously accomplished. Note: Due to COVID-19, Yosemite requires a reservation

The Columbia River Gorge is an incredibly accessible location for hiking if you are in the Portland, Oregon or Vancouver, Washington area. The area is massive and with short time, there is no way to do all of the hikes in the Columbia River Gorge. This post will help you narrow it down to the

Utah is famous for its Mighty 5 National Parks, stunning red rocks, and beautiful mountain scenery. Are you thinking about heading to Utah? Here are 25 places to visit in Utah that aren't national parks. Hopefully this list will get you off the beaten path an onto your next adventure out west. Want to focus