National Parks

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.

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.

As you drive through the hazy blue ridges, the allure of the Smokies becomes apparent. The mist that curls off the endless layers of forested peaks conceals a world of waterfalls, wildlife, and traces of Appalachian culture. With over 12 million visitors each year, the Great Smoky Mountains is America's most visited national park. And it's no wonder.

Grand Teton is a skyline you feel in your ribs. The range shoots straight up from sage flats with lakes strung at its feet like mirrors. Sunrise at Oxbow Bend, a paddle on String Lake, elk bugling in autumn, then alpenglow that stops conversation. The park is compact, photogenic, and endlessly hikeable.

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.