THE AMERICAN SOUTHWEST : 10 UNDERRATED PLACES TO VISIT
The American Southwest is a place I love. I love the US National Parks and I will make a post dedicated to it in the future. But with the growing crowds, I wanted to share a list of underrated places that awed me.
It took me several road trips to tick off all the destinations below. The best way to see these destinations is by car, as many of the destinations require driving to. I hope this post is an inspiration for your visit!
1. LEPRECHAUN CANYON
This beautiful location was a surprising treat. After spending a few days at Capitol Reef National Park, I wanted to venture on a day trip outside the National Park. This spot is about an hour away from Capitol Reef. Before I got to this canyon, I did not know there was an opportunity to do some technical canyoneering. As a climber, I was very excited! But, I did not have gear, guide or knowledge about the route, so I opted for safety first. I hiked in as far into the canyon as I could before it got too narrow for me to continue. It was very clear for me when I should stop, as the trail map I had ended, and the route got very confined and steep. The entrance to the slot canyon is super wide, and perfect watching the sun shine through. This was worth the drive, and wonderful to explore this hidden gem off the beaten path.
Activity : Hiking, Canyoneering
Distance : 2.2 miles (3.5 km) roundtrip
Difficulty : Moderate
Important information : Do not continue beyond the suggested route as it requires technical gear and experience.
2. MOAB
Mid Hike on the ‘Castleton Tower Trail’ (2.6 miles total)
If you are visiting Arches National Park or Canyonlands National Park, you are probably staying in Moab. But aside from being a hub for the national parks, it has a huge amount of things to explore. If you would like to get away from the crowds, this is the perfect destination. Namely, it is perfect for stargazing, swimming in rivers, hiking, rock climbing, off-roading, and mountain biking. Here are a few ideas below!
ROCK CLIMB
For avid rock climbers, this is a world-class destination. It can also be a great place for beginners to try climbing for the first time. There are plenty of guides available for all levels of climbing. I highly recommend Moab Canyon Tours; they are very friendly and conveniently located in the heart of town. Personally, I chose to climb the classic route called 'Ancient Art.' It offers plenty of thrilling exposure and is an absolute thrill ride. However, it's definitely not for those afraid of heights. This is a must-do for intermediate climbers. For newcomers to climbing, I suggest trying the route 'Looking Glass Rock'
SLICK ROCK
"Slick Rock is a trail mostly used by mountain bikers in Moab. It is located 15 minutes from the center of town. There are also jeep tours that can take you off-roading. When I visited, I decided to hike in a bit for the views. It was a beautiful sight. The area is great for recreation. Even if you don’t mountain bike, you can pack your lunch and enjoy a short or long hike!
STARGAZE
You can stargaze from anywhere in Moab, but you'll have a better experience if you find a darker place away from city lights. Great places for gazing include the Delicate Arch (if you don’t want to do the hike, the parking area is good too) and the Castleton Tower Camp Area. In mid-September, it is an optimal time to see the Milky Way. If you want to do astrophotography, you will want to go before sunset to set up your shot! I loved this experience!
CASTLETON VALLEY
If there is one hike I would recommend outside the national parks, it would be this one. It was not crowded, and it has some really nice views of the tower. You can also see rock-climbers scaling the side as well.
Activity : Hiking
Start Location Link : Click Here
Distance : 2.6 miles (4.18 km) roundtrip
Difficulty : Hard
Important information : The trail is not marked. It requires route finding. You will need to scale some loose rocky area. There are general areas of exposure, which require careful attention.
3. YANT FLATS
This hike was an absolute blast for me. It falls into the category of high-reward hikes, delivering a huge payoff at the end of the trail. During my visit, there were not many people around, and we essentially had the whole area to ourselves. Even after visiting numerous destinations known for colorful, wave-like textures, I can confidently say this was at the top of my list. The trailhead is relatively close to Zion National Park, and it is a great way to spend a day.
Activity : Hiking
Start Location Link : Click Here - Yant Flats Parking and Trailhead
Distance : 3.4 miles (5.4 km) roundtrip
Difficulty : Easy - Moderate
Important information : The trail can become extremely hot during the summer months. The optimal time to visit is between October and April. It is recommended to have a high-clearance vehicle for driving to the trailhead parking lot.
4. KANARA FALLS
After experiencing the Narrows hike at Zion National Park, I discovered my likeness for river hikes. What makes Kanarra Falls even more enticing is the added feature of a small waterfall you can hike through within the slot canyon. If you are road tripping from Las Vegas to Salt Lake City, this is an easy stop for a fun-reward. If the Zion Narrows hike or a lengthy visit to Zion isn't feasible, Kanarra Falls is an excellent alternative worth checking out!
Activity : Hiking, Waterfall Hike
Distance : 4.0 miles (6.4 km) roundtrip
Difficulty : Moderate
Important information : A permit is required for this hike. It can be purchased at the entrance or at https://www.kanarrafalls.com/ . The limit of permits is 150 per day. It costs $12 per person. The slot canyon is prone to flash-flooding, it is not advisable to hike this trail in the rain.
5. CEDAR BREAKS NATIONAL MONUMENT
Sunset View Overlook at Cedar Breaks National Monument
Cedar Breaks National Monument is part of the National Park System. It is a small yet mighty national monument. Categorized as a Dark Sky area, it offers excellent opportunities for stargazing. It serves as a superb alternative if you're seeking to escape the crowds at Bryce Canyon National Park. Highlights of the park include Point Supreme at sunset, Sunset View Overlook, and the drive to North View Overlook. It's truly underrated!
6. VERMILLION CLIFFS NATIONAL MONUMENT
The Vermillion Cliffs, located in Arizona on the border with Utah, are likely familiar to you from Microsoft Windows display backgrounds. Experiencing this incredible landscape in person is a must-do for your life bucket list!
The Vermillion Cliffs requires a permit access. There are two ways to obtain it. (1) Apply online four months in advance for the general lottery. (2) In person, enter the daily lottery, held two days in advance. If you win either lottery, you will need to pick up your permit and maps the day before your hike and attend a safety meeting.
Activity : Hiking
Distance : 6.4 miles (10.3 km) roundtrip
Difficulty : Hard
Best time to visit : October - Early November
Important information : A permit is required for this hike.
7. ANTELOPE CANYON
Antelope Canyon is located in Arizona. It is a huge destination for people across the world. I decided to included it in this list because I think it lives up to the expectations of the visit. It is beautiful, and an incredible gem.
There are two parts you can visit here. They are called (1) the upper canyon, and (2) the lower canyon. The upper canyon is wider and easier to walk through. The lower canyon is more narrow and requires you to squeeze as some points.
The canyon is operated by Navajo Nation Parks & Recreation, you will be part of a tour group that take you into the canyon.
A great tip : You can choose the “Guided Photography Package”. This allows you to tour the canyon for 2.5 hours, without being part of a group. You will be required to have a tripod and DSLR camera to book and do the tour.
8. LAKE POWELL
If there is a definition of underrated in the American Southwest, I think it would be Lake Powell. I came here as a kid, we rented a boat, and spent all day on the lake. It was the first time I experienced a day on a lake, Lake Powell hold a great significance for my love of the outdoors. I’m happy to say nothing has changed, except that is is much easier to access, and rent water vessels!
For my day activity on Lake Powell, I rented a kayak from Kayak Lake Powell. I explored the lake by paddling to the entry of Lower Antelope Canyon. From there you can do a small hike! Details are below.
Activity : Kayaking / Hiking
Distance : Paddling - 5.0 miles (10 km) roundtrip , Hiking - 1.0 miles (1.6 km) roundtrip
Difficulty : Easy - Moderate
Important information : Water Levels may vary from day to day, it is best to block out ample time to complete this.
9. MONUMENT VALLEY
Monument Valley is an essential stop for a round trip in the American Southwest. Situated on the border of Arizona and Utah, it is best paired with a trip to Lake Powell and Antelope Canyon. The main activity here is a 17-mile loop drive through the valley. After your visit, drive north to Moab!
Activity : Scenic Drive
Distance : 17.0 mile (27.3 km) loop
Difficulty : Easy - Moderate
Important information : Motorcycles and RVs are not allowed. Hours for the drive vary between Winter and Summer. Entrance fee is $8.
10. BONNIEVILLE SALT FLATS
The Bonneville Salt Flats are an easy drive west from Salt Lake City. It's one of the easiest ways to see a truly unique geological feature. It's super fun to walk deep into the flats. If it rains, you'll see a mirrored reflection against the sky. It's great for an RV overnight stay, or even just a stop a few hours before your flight!
