3 Days hiking in Banff

Banff is truly one of the most awe-inspiring mountain destinations. Gorgeous wilderness, endless outdoor adventures, and upscale amenities to suit even the pickiest traveler. The biggest challenge will be narrowing down your options to best suit your travel plans. Here are a few ideas:

Banff Itinerary/overview:

DAY 1: CHECK THE BOX AND HEAD TO LAKE LOUISE-

THE CRAZINESS AT LAKE LOUIS IS WORTH THE VIEW

My Pepper and I decided to get touristy Lake Louise out of the way right off the bat. Let me tell you- it was a madhouse! I would recommend getting there early- and I mean EARLY, to beat the rush of tourists. The main parking lot is SMALL- so we were hell bent on getting a parking spot instead of being diverted to the satellite lot and having to take the Parks Canada or Roam Transit shuttle. So, we got up at the crack-ass of dawn and arrived at the main lot to Lake Louise and the Fairmont Chateau. The lot was about half-full when we arrived at 6:15am, so we were in good shape. Since it was so early, and the Fairmont IS a lovely hotel- we opted for a latte and croissant at the cafe in the front of the hotel for a pit stop before heading out to hike. Few tourists were up yet- just the salty ones like us. So it was a peaceful breakfast before we ventured out to the trails.

Since my Pepper and I are experienced hikers - I didn’t worry too much about our first day on the trails…and I was wrong. So, this was no Half Dome level hiking experience- but be PREPARED when you head out to sight see. We ended up hiking 12 miles that day! It was exhausting! And I did not put my hair up…sweaty, salty long hair is no fun.

Start the hike behind the hotel and Upper Lake Louise Parking Area. There are a variety of options from this trailhead depending on your energy level, ability, timeframe and preparation.The Lake Agnes Trailhead is one of the most popular as it leads up to a charming teahouse. It is loaded with tourists by mid-morning, so head up there early! We arrived in time to grab a table and have a cup of tea. By the time we left there were was a line of people waiting to get a seat.

A second tea house is located off the Lake Agnes trail via the Plain of Six Glaciers Trailhead by following the Highline Trail. (Its about a 14.6km loop). Prior to reaching the teahouse you will see a wooden gate. Keep walking past it to Mirror Lake. The Teahouse and Lake agnes are right in front of you. You will have to climb a few sets of wooden stairs- so the thought of some tea and banana bread are a welcome sight! Chow down, hikers!

The Saddleback Trails and Fairview Mountain trailheads are a bit more challenging- so be prepared with water and snacks so you can enjoy the spectacular view!

DAY 2: MORAINE LAKE

I cannot say this often enough- get there early! We decided to arrive for sunrise so we could again get a parking spot in the main lot at Moraine Lake. We arrived at 5:15am and got one of the last spaces! Cars were hovering around the perimeter, but by 6am parking attendants arrive and block traffic from driving up the road that leads to the lot.

Tip: A sneaky way to get the traffic attendants to allow you onto the road to reach the lot, turn on your headlights and tell the attendants you are hiking the Paradise Valley trail. Its a trailhead near Moraine Lake, and a secret amongst locals to access Moraine Lake. This will work if you are leaving Lake Louise and want to stop at Moraine Lake to go canoeing or whatever. Otherwise you will be diverted to a remote lot and have to take a shuttle to Moraine Lake. So annoying! Forget it! Just play nice and say you are hiking the Paradise Valley Trail.

You can certainly hike around Moraine Lake or go canoeing on the gorgeous blue glacial waters. But we opted for a more challenging hike than the previous day! My Pepper and I had had enough of 5000 of our Instagram besties crowding the beautiful trails! We wanted the solace and peace of Mother Nature! So, we grabbed a can of bear spray ( recommended on certain trails) and made our way to the Larch Valley Trailhead. This trail has a warning sign to hike in groups of 4 as a matter of safety. So, being the rule-breakers that we are, we figured, meh! We will meet hikers along the way and join them….which is exactly what happened. Just as we were approaching the Trailhead a Japanese gentleman was loitering around and asked if he could walk with us on our hike. Of course you can! Safety in numbers, my new friend! And how interesting is it to wander through Banff learning about another countries culture!

The three of us and our bear spray proceeded to hike along the Larch Valley Trail to Sentinel Pass (about 5 1/2 hours) up steep switchbacks through the forest. If you decide to head all the way up Wenkchemna Pass (about 8 hours total round trip) you will be rewarded with spectacular view of The Valley of the Ten Peaks along the Continental Divide. You will also be one of the few hikers on the trail-away from the hustle and bustle of the tourist trap at the lake. Enjoy the solitude!

Tip: It is much cheaper to buy bear spray in Canmore. $40 in Canmore, $50 in Banff. The rub is that you cannot take it home with you on the plane! We shared the love and passed our can along to another traveler.

Day 3: Bourgeon Lake via Harvey Pass Hike

Head to the Bourgeon parking lot to start your day. The lot is SMALL, really small. There is only room for about 20 cars. So…set the alarm and just get there early! The entrance to the trials at the gated staircase. (To prevent bears from wandering on the Trans-Canada Highway)

The trail is about 20 kilometers out and back with an elevation gain of 1075meters in total (if you head all the way up to the Matterhorn of the Rockies). It will take 6-8 hours and is a pretty strenuous hike.

Don’t forget your bear spray! This is another trail where it is recommended you hike in groups of 4, for your own safety. We met a great couple from Spain that we ended up hiking with all day. It was a great experience! Not only did we hike a long, beautiful, back-country mountain route, but we learned about life in another country from people just like us!

The back country trail is so fun! You will traverse through the forested land and cross numerous creek crossings of Wolverine Creek. While some may decide to stop at Bourgeau Lake for lunch and turn around and head back- I highly recommend continuing to Harvey Pass to the right of the lake. You will hike in almost complete solitude on a rough, mile long skree path toward Mount Bourgeau. Keep your eyes open for Marmots! They are hiding out all along the way.

After about 2km you will reach Harvey Lake. Keep going to the left of the lake for views of Mount Assiniboine (the Matterhorn of the Rockies!) If you get a wild hair head up even HIGHER to the top of Mount Bourgeon- 400m up! For you Instagram junkies, you may be able to catch a signal to post a pic around Harvey Pass.

Do you have time for a 4th day?

There are tons of other great hikes you can do- can you say Iceline Trail? -but we had to head back to the airport. On our way, we stopped in Canmore for lunch. Ugh, I wish we had another day or two! Canmore is small and charming, but without all the crowds of Banff. Cycling is HUGE here, with free ride, cross-country, and downhill mountain bike trails. Rent a road bike and head to the Legacy Trail in Canmore, which runs along the Trans Canada Highway. It is a 26 mile round-trip ride through the wild. Now get out there!

Tip: Purchase a multi-day park pass online and avoid the lines at the entrance. One pass is needed per vehicle.

4 days at Yosemite National Park!

Parking:

Get your booty out of bed early arrival to score parking- we arrived by 6 am each day and were able to find a spot in both Yosemite Village and Half Dome (Curry) Village. This way you can avoid the entrance and exit lines and fees into the park each day too! If you are staying outside the park, account for the 25 miles drive from the park entrance to Yosemite Village when planning your time.

Day 1:

If you did not get a permit for Half Dome:

There are tons of trails to hike, naturally. We opted for a Half Dome warm-up hiking on Upper Yosemite Falls . This may or may not have been a good idea...The hike itself is 8 miles round trip (including Yosemite Point) with an elevation gain of 3000 feet. This was NOT a warm up hike. It was challenging. Whose idea was it to hike this the day before Half Dome?! Yep- I was a little tired and sore...and salty...

Park in Yosemite Village or near Yosemite Valley Lodge for easy access. The trailhead is between both lots- but get there early to park! Space is limited.

This trail has very well constructed switchbacks to ease the elevation gain, but its very steep, very rocky and technical. Wear your heavy duty, sturdy footwear (high top boots) for ankle support! There are no water stations until you get to the top of the Falls (stream water - treatable with a filter). Bathrooms are at the trailhead only. You can get some great pictures of Half Dome and the Valley below here too!

Crowds thin out, thank god, as you get toward the top, but it can be very crowded for the first two hours of the hike. Get out of my Half Dome shot, people! Watch out for bees and mosquitoes along the trail - especially the at the top! The bees are vicious! There is a gorgeous spot at the summit to relax your feet in the stream. We started at 7:30am and were finished by 2:30- plenty of time to eat, hang in the hot tub and catch some ZZZZ's....

Day 2:

Half Dome, baby!

Half Dome is a MUST for every bucket list hiker. But, its not easy to get access to the iconic mountain. The Half Dome hike requires a permit for the ascent of Sub Dome and Half Dome- and only 300 permits are issued each day to control the crowds. Permits are issued via lottery system, which begins March 1-31 for the season. Check out details about permits here.

Tip: our group of 8 people applied for the lottery ($10 to apply) with 2 different email addresses each, naming 1 trip "leader". NONE of us got a permit! Even in the "slow" season after Labor Day! Thousands of hikers apply every year, unfortunately. Luckily, one of our group members inquired with a tour company called Southern Yosemite Mountain Guides and we were first on the list for their permits! Each guide company is allotted permits as well, so be sure to use that as a back-up plan. The guide company we used was Southern Yosemite Mountain Guides.

There is also a lottery for each permit day offered two days in advance. Apply for this lottery before 1 pm two days prior to the day you wish to hike. They announce the permit winners later that day.

The last option is to take a chance and hike to Sub Dome and ask if any hikers have extra permits. People gather at the base of Sub Dome right before the Park Ranger checks permits. This is a great place to make friends and see if you can jump in on some else's permit. Each permit approved allows for 6 people to be named on it. Maybe someone chickened out? There is a high no- show rate, so anything is possible!

So you won a permit spot- now what?

The Half Dome hike is 14.2 miles to 16.5 miles depending on which trail you take. The Mist Trail is shorter but steeper and has long sections of climbing with man made stairs that can be slippery from the spray of Vernal and Nevada Falls. The Muir Trail is more gradual but longer and drier. We opted to take the Mist Trail up above Nevada Falls and then jumped on the Muir Trail all the way to Half Dome. On the way back we took the John Muir Trail to have a more gradual descent (tired legs) and to be safer in case we returned in the dark.

The Mist trail is a must for incredible views of the waterfalls and crazy valley views from the top. It is also less crowded....for a reason! It is not for the faint of heart! Plan for at least a 12 hour day. Be sure to pack plenty of food and water for the long day. There are only a few water sources and some treatable streams on the route. The last main option for water is at Little Yosemite Valley campground - the last backpacker campground on the way up to Half Dome. No camping is allowed from this point on to Half Dome. Camping here could be a good place to stop and camp if you plan on 2 days for the Half Dome hike instead of doing the whole hike in one day.

Where the Mist Trail is rocky steep and technical, the upper Muir trail takes you through pine forests and incredible trail sections above timberline. This is where the beauty of Yosemite and the scenery really rewards the hiker!

The trail stops at the base of Half Dome sub dome where only those with a permit can go from this point. Sub Dome will lead you to the saddle of Half Dome and the start of the cable ascent. Hiking up Sub Dome is a strange experience, which starts off as stairs but then it turns to a unmarked scramble to a false peak. It is as deceiving as it is steep but totally walkable-and the traction is very good. It is a little shot in the arm for your nerves before the cables. This section can also get very crowded - especially on the first sections of stairs. By the time you get to the top of Sub Dome, you begin to see hikers just coming off Half Dome. (pictured above) Be warned: I asked two guys "how was it!?" Not expecting anything but total elation. One guy said "It was amazing!" But the second guy, looking far more pale and scared, said "It was the most terrifying experience of my life".

Greaaaaaaaaat.......

So it may not be a good idea, for your own psyche, to ask about another hikers experience unless they have a smile on their face!

Needless to say, the ascent up Half Dome is pretty terrifying. I am not going to lie- I started to cry. Out of fear. Out of the reality of the task at hand. (I always cry in daunting situations though- stress relief maybe?) We arrived about 11am at the base of the mountain and it was packed with people. That was one issue. The second problem was when you actually SEE the cables, and how steep the ascent is, you kind of start to panic. However, breathe, relax, and don't look down. Look OUT. Enjoy the view! I opted for counting the wood two-by-fours you rest on (65, by the way) to occupy my mind with something other than the scariness of the ascent.

Here is some gear I would recommend, as a pretty experienced hiker: Good boots with a rubber, vibram sole. You hike up a vertical slab of flat granite, so this is a must. Gloves- with a rubber grip, as necessary to grip the cables. We got ours for $2 bucks at Home Depot. Third, a gut made of steel- but if I can do ot, you can too!!! Lastly, dont forget your camera!

Anyway, after talking myself through the first 15 slats, 2 of our group decided to turn around and go back down. Listen, if you are not feeling it, just don't do it. It IS scary, but doable. However, the last thing you need is to have a panic attack in the middle of the ascent. Trust your gut, and live with your decision. I chose to suck it up and continue up the cables, and I am so glad I did.

As I mentioned, I counted slats, looked out and not down, and focused on my breath. The yoga teacher in me came out as I tried to find my drishti! I am sure I sounded like a crazy person as I mumbled to myself and remained laser focused on the vertical climb. (In my head I said “What the f*#^ am I doing! No joke)

The cables get very crowded with hikers coming down, as well as those you are hiking up with. It IS intimidating. Talk to each other! COMMUNICATE! It is safer for everyone that way.

Honestly, it was tremendously emotional for to reach the summit. I cried like a little schoolgirl on her first day of class!

This was a ledge at the top of Half Dome. It was a little scary…

Its Instagram heaven up there! After chilling for a bit, having some lunch and taking loads of cool pics, we started the descent.

We got stuck in a queue on the way- it was what I imagine it to be like on Everest! Someone below us had a panic attack. Breathe, be calm, and descend backwards. It was MUCH easier to go down facing the rock. I just slid down on the cables- similar to rappelling. We got to the bottom in no time at all (after the initial stall from the panicked hiker.)

Be warned....the hardest part of the hike is still to come....after the initial excitement is over, it is a LONG walk back. I got really tired and cranky despite some of the beautiful sites along the John Muir Trail. We made it back before dark- by 6:30, and grabbed food.

Day 3:

We were completely spent so we drove to Tuolumne Meadows and lazily hiked around. This could be Yosemite Valley's best kept secret! It is not heavily populated with tourists- its where the locals head to escape the crowds. There are tons of hikes to choose from- so check out the website highlighted above.

Tuolumne Meadows was a great way to chill out and wind down from the excitement of Half Dome. We soaked our legs in the lake water, took some pics of Half Dome from the “other side” and made our way out of town.

We decided to head to an Airstream for our last night. It took about an hour to get there, sitting right outside a small town. Why not chill in a kookie accommodation instead of staying at a hotel one more night? Besides, it was closer to the airport!

It was a fun idea with all the comforts of home- just in a compact trailer sort-of-a-way.

4 days in Zion and Bryce National Parks

Getting around Zion

Could it be easier? There is a free shuttle that makes stops along the main road in Springdale/Zion Park - up to and back from the park entrance. Parking can be a headache, so this is your best option if you are staying just outside the park. The shuttle makes all of the stops to the trail heads and points of interest in the park - I think there are nine stops total?  Depending on the time of year you visit, the shuttle starts as early and 6:00 am in the summer (7:00am in the Spring) You can’t beat it for convenience!

So where should you hike?

Well, if you are going to make the effort and get off the couch, you might as well get a good work out, right? So we opted for the more “challenging” hikes since I needed to burn off a few calories from Labor Day. I ate one too many cheeseburgers, I think!

Day 1- Observation Point:  This hike calls for a pony-tail! (Hair-down hikes are when you barely break a sweat…) It is an 8 mile strenuous hike up  to one of the best viewpoints in the Canyon - including Angels Landing.  Oh yeah…you hike ABOVE Angels Landing- so settle down braggers…The hike climbs 2300 vertical feet.  Set that alarm and start early- it can get super hot and exposed in the afternoon. The Trailhead starts at Weeping Rock shuttle stop # 7.   (See how easy that is?)

As of this writing, the trail is closed due to a rock slide. So check the park website for the latest updates.  Be sure to bring a fancy camera, as you can get great canyon views as you climb. You may even run into a goat or two!  This hike is not as crowded (the harder ones never are) and thins out once you get to the middle third of the hike - the elevation gain is constant.  Its pretty much all uphill, so trekking poles, good hiking boots and water are a must! Pack a lunch so you can hang out at the top, ponder all of life’s misgivings, and enjoy the view of Angels Landing, suckers!

Day 2- The Narrows: The trail starts at the Temple of Sinawava- shuttle stop #9. The trail has amazing views of the canyon from water level.  Just look up!

The Narrows is, ironically, the narrowest section of Zion Canyon! It is a super cool gorge, with walls a thousand feet tall and the river twenty to thirty feet wide. It is not technically challenging from a hiking perspective, but it is crowded as hell so get there early. We arrived there from the first shuttle at 6:00am, and I am so glad we did. We only had a few hikers wading through the river with us as we left, so we got our Insta shots early. The way back, however, was a totally different story. It is one of the most popular areas in Zion National Park, so as we were leaving the Narrows, a few thousand of our closest friends were just rolling out of bed and getting there. Enjoy that fiasco! Anyway, you can see the beginning of it by walking along the paved, wheelchair accessible Riverside Walk for one mile from the Temple of Sinawava without even getting wet. Otherwise, come prepared to get soaked from the legs down (at least).

A hike through The Narrows requires wading in the Virgin River. There is no dirt trail. Most people start the hike from the Temple of Sinawava via the Riverside Walk and then head out knee-deep upstream before turning around. There are no permits required to do the hike in this direction. If you go all the way to Big Spring, its 10 miles round-trip. Since you are walking through a river, you may want to rent the “water-resistant” boots from one of the Canyon operators, or just wear water shoes with a good rubber sole. Its not the smartest idea to hike barefoot. You are walking on the bottom of a river! Its rocky, slippery and slimy. God knows what you might be stepping on. Gross.
You can also hike top down for sixteen miles downstream over one or two days, entering the park soon after starting the hike and then exiting at the Temple of Sinawava. If you want to do this option must get a permit and arrange transportation for the one and a half hour ride to start the hike outside the park at Chamberlain's Ranch.

Day 3- Subway: This hike is not for the faint of heart! It is a 9 mile strenuous up and back country canyon hike with no trail markings.  However, it IS offered as a guided tour from the top down for the adventurous types- which includes canyoneering and rappelling in certain sections.  It also requires a backcountry permit that you can obtain via lottery, 3 months in advance. It was just $15 for the two of us. We scheduled our whole trip around this permit! Once you are notified that you got one, pick it up at the visitors center. Its not hard to get- most people do not want to attempt this hike.

We opted to hike from the bottom up and did not hike the last mile (climbing sections from the top down). The trailhead for this hike is the left Fork Trailhead, off of Kolob Terrace Road (just outside the park and 10 miles from Springdale). Plan on an all day hike, and come prepared in case you get lost. Bring a flashlight, extra food, water, and an extra layer! The top of the trail is steep scrambling which requires some navigation to get down into the canyon. Believe me, this was the easy part. You can just “slide” down on the skree. Make sure to pay attention once you are at the bottom for some land markings to locate the trailhead for the way out. We had some difficulty with this and it. was. scary. (Picture yourself curled up in a ball, covered in dirt, shivering as the Park Ranger finds two lost hikers the next morning.)  

Tip: Take a picture of the trailhead sign, landmarks, vegetation, or anything that can guide you out. Don't forget the level of the sun changes the appearance of the landscape. and makes everything look different. People have died on this hike and the scree hill...it is no joke. Climbing OUT of the skree was FAR worse than sliding down. Forget the selfies, just focus on the task at hand!

Despite the tricky skree hill and lack of navigable trail, the Subway is an amazing hike and an incredible experience. After the hill you walk along the river, and sometimes IN the river (pictured above) until you reach waterfalls and the amazing Subway rock formations. It was by far my favorite hike at Zion…but, my Pepper and I were both happy to be back at the parking lot at the end of the day. Not gonna lie…we lost our way for a bit and couldn’t find the trail out….eek!

Note: Do NOT do this hike if there is a threat of rain. Flash flooding is a real issue here. If you are doing the Narrows too, you can wear the same water resistant boots that you would use hiking there. You will most certainly have to scramble rocks and wade through the river for The Subway hike. It is just quite a bit more intense and more technical than the Narrows.

Gear you might need for Subway/Narrows:  River boots/socks and walking stick, water, food, waterproof bag. Details on gear rental can be found here: https://www.zionadventures.com/gear-rentals.html

Angels Landing - If one of the other Trails is closed or you have 4 days in Zion. This is a 5 mile out and back hike that gains 1600 feet in elevation. The trail starts at The Grotto shuttle stop #6.  (See? Easy.) The hike culminates with Walters Wiggles (21 steep exposed switchbacks), and the last half mile from Scout Lookout to Angels Landing.

Spend day at Bryce-that is all you will need!

Driving from Bryce from Zion takes about an hour and a half . You can go for a day trip or hike the park and stay overnight - we stayed in Bryce but in hindsight we should have just gone for a day and stayed in Zion. The town of Bryce has limited amenities-Zion is so much cooler.

Where should you park?

Park at the Bryce Canyon Lodge or Sunset Point parking lot to access the Rim trail and Queens Garden/Navajo Loop trails.

Bryce Canyon is pretty cool to see- but it all looks the same after awhile. You can see the most popular attractions on the main hike, Queens/Navajo Loop- a 2.9 mile hike which descends into the Canyon. Take note of the huge difference between Bryce compared to Zion: pink cliffs, red rocks and Hoo Doos!  It is SO much different than Zion in terms of scale and scenery. You also hike into the canyon from the top whereas in Zion you hike up from the canyon floor so you get a much different perspective.  It is not as crowded here as at Zion, but there is also not as much to see.  My Pepper and I hiked part of the Rim Trail, the Queens Garden trail (2 miles), and the Navajo Loop trail to see the best of the park: Gulliver's Castle, Queen's Castle, Wall Street, Twin Bridges, and Thor's Hammer. 

Tip: Be sure to stay for the sunset over the canyon (Sunset Point)!!! It is pretty cool-and the hoodoos look different than they did during the day hike.

2 Days Hiking in Moab, Utah

Arches National Park:

The closest Park to Moab is Arches National Park. It is approximately 5 miles northwest of town via Highway 191. A park pass is $30 per car, valid for 7 days with multiple entries allowed. We purchased ours online so we could zip right into the park without delay.

TIP: There are public bathrooms at every trail parking lot. BUT, there are no water fountains or vending machines to buy beverages. So pack enough to eat and drink-especially in the warmer months!

Day 1

Devil’s Garden: This is a super popular hike so again, get there early! It starts out as a sandy trail and then morphs into a rocky path that leads you to Tunnel Arch, Landscape Arch, Wall Arch, Double O Arch.

The 4.5 mile loop to Double O Arch is a wonderful hike in itself-but extend your trek another 3 miles by walking behind Double O Arch on a primitive hike that leads to Dark Angel and Navajo Arch.

The 4.5 mile loop to Double O Arch is a wonderful hike in itself-but extend your trek another 3 miles by walking behind Double O Arch on a primitive hike that leads to Dark Angel and Navajo Arch.

Delicate Arch:

Drive to the trailhead for Delicate Arch- and I cannot stress this enough, GET THERE EARLY! Strangely, this 3.2 mile roundtrip hike is very crowded despite the “difficult” rating on the park website. It starts out as an uphill trek without shade. You will reach a small arch that people mill around and take pictures of- but hike past that along a narrow ledge (why are there so many kids running around on this ledge?) and there it is! It is worth the challenging hike to see the view.

Fiery Furnace:
Its time to get salty! This difficult hike requires a back country permit to hike on your own due to the narrow ledges and drop offs, gaps to jump over, and narrow places to squeeze through. If you would feel safer-Park Rangers can lead the hike for $10-$16 depending on how far you want to hike. Check out the National Park Service page for information.

Day 2

Canyonlands National Park (Islands In The Sky District)

Canyonlands is a bit farther from town- approximately 30 miles from Moab via Highway 191 NW, then take Highway 313 W (a left turn at The Giant Dinosaur Park). It costs $30 per car for the Park Pass that you can use for 7 days-much like the one you bought for Moab.

TIP: Purchase a Southeast Utah Park Pass for $55 and this gets you into, Arches and Canyonlands.

Canyonlands is a HUGE park, with over 300,000 acres filled with canyons, dirt roads, hiking trails, overlooks and camping. There are 3 Districts in the park:

-Islands In The Sky: Lots of tourists and lots of hiking trails to suit every outdoor enthusiast. We spent our time here since it was so close to Moab. One day should be plenty to get your fix of the vastness of the park.

-The Needles: Not as crowded, less frequently visited because it is 74 miles from Moab

-The Maze: Remote, and only accessible by 4x4

1 Day Itinerary at Islands In The Sky:

Head to the Visitors Center and make a pit stop for the first vast overrlook. Just walk across the street from the Center and feast your eyes on the jaw-dropping canyon in front of you.

Shafer Canyon Viewpoint:

A quick drive just past the Visitors Center is the Shafer Canyon Overlook. It is a similar view as the Visitors Center, with a view of Shafer Trail. Its so close, why not check it out? Just look for the turn off for Shafer Canyon Overlook.

Grand View Point:

Possibly the best view in Islands In The Sky, Grand View Point is an awe-inspiring overlook with an optional 2 mile out and back hike along the rim. The lot is super congested, but most people linger at the overlook. Head out for the flat, easy hike to experience a “grand” view.

Upheaval Dome:

Follow the main road in the park to Upheaval Dome Road. There are bathrooms in the parking lot for a quick pit stop before you head out on this interesting hike. It is approximately 1.7 miles roundtrip with 2 viewpoints to check out. The uphill, slickrock trail is well marked with cairns, (stacked stones) so don’t worry about losing your way!

This is a pretty cool place to explore since it looks so much different than the other overlooks. Notice the salty dome smack dab in the middle of it all.

Mesa Arch: Ten minutes from the Visitors Center, look for the parking lot off Grand View Point Road. The lot is small, and always filled. The .8 mile roundtrip easy hike is super crowded- and one of the most photographed spots in the Canyonlands.

Head to Mesa Arch during sunrise for an amazing view!

A Must See Arch OUTSIDE of the two National Parks- Corona Arch: (And our favorite hike of the weekend!)

On the way back to Moab on Highway 191, detour onto Potash Road and head to Bootlegger Canyon. There are two parking lots here so parking should not be an issue.

The Corona Arch hike is 3 easy miles round trip, with one section with a rope ladder and one section with a ladder. Notice the Bowtie Arch right next to the Corona Arch, and have a little fun with your Insta Shots! There were very few people hiking when we were there, so we had both Arches all to ourselves for awhile- Serenity now!