Ever since our first trip to Utah five years ago, we have been back six times. We have traveled the neighboring states as well, and seen all of the major sites. My favorite is Zion.
We are planning another trip this April and want to see if there is anything we have missed. In the So. Utah area we have been to, Zion, Bryce, Arches, Canyonland, Capital Reef, Highway 12, Lake Powell and Monument Valley.
Also I am interested in what would be everyone's favorite place in the whole Southwestern USA?

And Utah is missing you.

Zions is among my favorite places on earth.

I'm with you, mikec and dutch! Love, love, love Zion!
But...on our list for further adventures are hiking trips to Paria Canyon ("The Wave") http://www.americansouthwest.net/ari...otographs.html
and also The San Rafael Swell.http://www.sanrafaelswell.org/gallery/gallery.php

We have also enjoyed guided hiking in slot canyons of Escalante.
Have fun planning your next trip!

Have you been to Antelope Canyon just outside of Page? It was a real highlight for us.

If you're passing Page, AZ (from Zion/Bryce to the South Rim or Sedona) you get the most bang for a 3 hour stop going to Horseshoe Bend, Antelope Canyon & The best Dam View.

All either just to the west or south of Page. No need to actually go into Page.

Mike...not to far from Monument Valley is a great place to explore. Most visitors just pass right through Bluff, Utah not knowing what they are missing. Check out this site called "Beyond Mesa Verde" it might give you some other ideas on what you want to see this time.
http://reddirtdawg.blogspot.com/

Mike,

I would agree to spend some time in the Escalante Grand Staircase area. A rafting trip would be fantastic if you have never done one.

Also, don't forget northern Utah! The Wasatch(east of SLC) and Uinta mountains (east of Park City) offer incredible high altitude scenery, hiking and photo ops. American Fork Canyon, about a 45 min. drive from downtown SLC, has a large and beautiful cave - Timpanogas Cave.

Redford's Sundance is about an hour drive and is one of my favorite places on earth. So beautiful and different every day.

Dayle - How is the snow in PC?

Have you been to the Tree Room lately? If you have, any reviews?

I've never been there, but I've been told that Goblin Valley State Park, northeast of Capitol Reef, is supposed to be pretty cool - it's on my list of places to go someday. Goosenecks State Park near Mexican Hat, north of Monument Valley, is definitely worth a detour to see if you're in the vicinity - it has an amazing panorama overlooking the goosenecks of the San Juan River. If you've ever seen the Godfrey Reggio film "Koyaansqatsi", (with score by Philip Glass), there's a scene near the beginning with a slow pan across several curving canyons with layered cliffs and the river far below, and that's where that was taken. In fact, on our first trip to Utah in 1999, we went there because I saw a picture in a brochure that I recognized as being the same place as in that scene, so we went looking for it - we were not disappointed, it was fascinating!

We have been to Antelope Canyon. It was really nice. I have a sore neck from taking so many pictures looking straight up toward the sky.
We do like the idea of seeing more slot canyons along with everything else. Paria Canyon looks very cool.
Thank you all for the great ideas.
It is always exciting putting together trips to the Southwest.
Dayle, where would be the best place to do a raft trip in the Eccalante area?

I stopped at Goblin Valley on the way from Moab to Capitol Reef.

I wouldn't consider it a "destination" but definitely worth a few hours stop if you're in the area.

I stopped there late in the afternoon and there were a small number of others.

It's a great place for families as the rock formations are pretty small and kids are able to climb all over them.

Hi again, Mike,

I don't know of raft trips right in the Escalante area, but there are many in s. UT.

Look at the web sites for western river expeditions, moki mac, sherrie griffith, tag a long.

I did a 5 day oar powered (guides did the rowing)trip down the Green River in Desolation Canyon (100 mi. & 5 days) and it was one of the all time great vacations - with Moki Mac.

There are shorter trips of course. If I remember correctly, there is a 1 or 2 day trip on Westwater Canyon.

I love going to Mirror Lake which is a perfect one hour circular hike around the lake and great fishing too. It's a one hour drive from Park City.

Dutch- I've eaten at the Tree Room but very long ago and it was sublime. I like skiing at Sundance only after a major snowfall....they don't get as much snow as the other resorts. It is a fun outing though with a great looking fun bar for apres ski happy hour.

My favorite is also Zion.

I would highly recommend seeing the waterfalls in Havasupai. The town of Supai itself is quite depressing, but the waterfalls are beautiful. I read somewhere (maybe here?) that the area was badly damaged by a flood last year. Not sure what the status is now.

I also liked:

Valley of Fire SP, Nevada

Hiking the Wire Pass to Bulkskin Gulch in the Paria area

My kids loved rolling down the Coral Pink Sand Dunes near Kanab.

In the Southwest, I'd like to spend more time exploring Moab and the Canyonlands; hike the Narrows (again) and hike Angel's Landing in Zion; and hike the Wave and Paria Canyon.

You didn't mention Moab but it looks like you have been all over--so maybe you have been there.

My husband and I did a fun tour of Hovenweep, Mesa Verde, Chaco, Canyon de Chelly, Monument Valley.

Paria Canyon is an easy backpack in 4-5 days.

My favorite part of Southwestern Utah is the Grand Gulch area. Bridges NM, Grand Gulch, and all the other canyons in the Kane Gulch ranger district. I love staying in Bluff--quiet and pleasant. Stay at the Recapture Lodge and book a guided llama trip through the owners.

Once you have seen the "touristy" areas, you have to branch out to find new territory. Escalante is interesting and has some awesome slot canyons. Boulder Mountain Lodge is a good place to eat but you are not really going to find 5 star lodging. It depends on what you want.

How did Utah end up with so much amazing stuff?
Does anyone know what the hike to the Wave is like? We are use to more moderate 3 to 4 mile type hikes, and I heard that it might be more than twice that.
What would be some other slot canyons besides Antelope?

I haven't done the Wave or Antelope. But, I have researched them a lot. I don't think the hike to the wave is that big of a deal, other than no shade. The problem is finding it. If I do get the opportunity to go in the next couple of years, I will certainly take a GPS along with me. There is a couple of cool arches nearby as well that the GPS would allow easier location.

You might look at Canyon X as an alternative to Antelope Canyon.

The problem with hiking the Wave is not finding it-it is very easy to find--it is getting a PERMIT to go into it. They do give out permits in advance--you go through the ranger station. You can also show up the day before to play your luck in a "Lottery".

You can hike into Buckskin Gulch (total slot canyon) with very little effort. Just go as far as you want and turn around to come back the same way. (that is outside of Page/Kanab)

There are some cool hikes in Comb Wash etc around Bluff/Blanding if you like finding Ancestral Puebloan sites. (not slot canyons)

Moab has great hikes that are moderate and fun. Check out www.gorp.com for info on some trails as well as various Moab web sites. (we looked at all the rock art on a self-drive tour-that was really cool)