Activities

Capitol Reef National Park, a hidden gem in Utah, is a unique blend of red rock cliffs, white domes, and hidden orchards. It stretches across the Waterpocket Fold, a 100-mile wrinkle in the Earth's crust. Unlike its more popular Mighty Five siblings, this park near Torrey, Utah, offers a peaceful and intimate experience for explorers who appreciate dramatic landscapes without the crowds, allowing you to relax and connect with nature.

Few sounds make your whole body jolt like the thunder of a whale breaching. The first time I saw a humpback launch out of the water in Alaska, it felt like the ocean itself had decided to take flight. One moment, the surface was calm and glassy, the next, a forty-ton animal was airborne, twisting in slow motion before crashing back down in a spray that soaked us like a summer rainstorm.

Zion stuns you immediately: massive sandstone cliffs rise like cathedrals, painted in streaks of red, cream, and pink. The Virgin River snakes through the canyon floor, where cottonwoods glow green against the desert stone.

Canyonlands is where Utah's desert goes cinematic: towering mesas, rivers carving labyrinthine canyons, and red cliffs stretching to the horizon.

Drive into Arches National Park and it feels like you've entered a natural sculpture garden on a colossal scale. Towering red rock fins, balanced stones the size of houses, and more than 2,000 natural sandstone arches dot the desert landscape.

Whales have always held a grip on the human imagination. They are the giants of our seas, elusive and mysterious, yet powerful enough to anchor entire mythologies. For centuries, humans pursued them for oil, meat, and baleen, nearly pushing many species to the brink. Today, the pendulum has swung in the other direction. Instead of hunting whales, people travel across the globe to catch a glimpse of them in the wild.

Utah: The Stargazing Capital of the World - If you want to experience a night sky filled with stars, Utah should be at the top of your travel list. The Beehive State has more certified Dark Sky destinations than anywhere else on Earth, making it a haven for astronomers, photographers, and anyone who has ever been awed by the Milky Way.

LATE SUMMER ESCAPES: As summer wanes and Labor Day nears, the pace mellows, but the adventure stays high. Wild Dirt explores standout trips to plan, or book now for August and September 2025, from sun‑drenched southern beaches to starlit northern wilderness.