The 6 Southern Utah Spots That Top Our Travel Wish List
By Catherine Armstrong|Published October 25, 2018
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Catherine Armstrong
Author
Writer, editor and researcher with a passion for exploring new places. Catherine loves local bookstores, independent films, and spending time with her family, including Gus the golden retriever, who is a very good boy.
When you think of scenic spots in Southern Utah, you probably think of our popular national parks. They’re all certainly worthy of a visit, but when you’re looking for inspiration, some of our less-crowded spots are best. We recently found this list of legendary panoramas created by Visit Southern Utah, and now they’re all at the top of our travel wish list.
The Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument covers 1,003,863 acres, and is full of photogenic spots. From Calf Creek Falls to The Toadstools, you could spend months here snapping photos to your heart's content.
While it's technically just over the border in Arizona, we Utahns claim it for our own. To be fair, its care is administered by the Bureau of Land Management's Kanab, Utah office, and to reach it you'll park your car in Utah and walk across the Utah/Arizona border. The wave's gently undulating, ridged sandstone makes for the most unique scenery ever.
Permits for The Wave can be hard to get, but White Pocket, just six miles southeast, is a gem that's clearly underrated. You'll need four-wheel-drive to reach this remote place just over the border, but once you get here, you'll find a plethora of photo opportunities that will keep you busy for days.
Coral Pink Sand Dunes gets its reddish hues from the Navajo sandstone that makes up many of Southern Utah's rock formations. The grains of sand here traveled over wind currents 10,000 to 15,000 years ago, and now provide recreation for ATVs, hikers, and photographers.
It's though that Buckskin Gulch might be the longest slot canyon in the world, and it's definitely the deepest and longest in the country. This beauty is 13 miles long and offers up some of the most unique hiking on the planet. Photographers love the rich textures and light found here.
Lake Powell's vast size - 254 square miles - might be intimidating, but don't let it overwhelm you. This reservoir along the Colorado River is a prime spot for exploration. The best way to see it is by boat, where you can journey from canyon to canyon, snapping photos along the way.
If you enjoy seeing and taking photos of Utah’s most spectacular sights, you’ll want to join our Utah Nature Lovers Group on Facebook. Send us a request today – we’d love to have you join us!
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