Utah - Our First Visit

There’s a moment when you’re flying into Salt Lake City and you catch your first glimpse of those jagged, snow-dusted peaks, and you think to yourself, "Wow, this is going to be something else." That’s exactly how our adventure started—me leaning over my wife, because she always needs the window, trying to plaster my face to the plane window, and my wife reminding me for the third time to stop smudging the glass.

We touched down, with our always ready travel partners, grabbed our rental car (a surprisingly shiny Suburban that would not stay shiny for long), and hit the road. Of course, we had to make a pit stop at the KUHL warehouse to pick up some hiking pants someone forgot to pack.

Destination: Moab. It was a three-day stay that would forever change the way we thought about road trips—and hiking pants.

Goblin Valley and Beyond

If you’ve never heard of Goblin State Park, imagine a valley filled with rock formations that look like… well, goblins. Or mushrooms. Or something straight out of a Dr. Seuss book. We spent the afternoon climbing around like kids, laughing at how ridiculous we probably looked. Honestly, it was one of the highlights of the trip.

Moab: Where the Adventure Begins

Moab is like the Disneyland for outdoor enthusiasts. Everywhere you look, there’s someone with a backpack, a mountain bike, or a 4 x 4 that likely was more expensive than the vehicle we were driving. We checked into our cute Airbnb, and immediately set out to explore the town.

First up: Canyonlands National Park. And let me tell you, Canyonlands was so unbelievable. We started at the Island in the Sky district, and the view of Mesa Arch. Visited Grand View and Green River Overlook. Canyonlands made me feel both tiny and invincible at the same time. The light hit the rocks in a way that’s impossible to describe without sounding cheesy, so I’ll just say this: go see it for yourself. And don’t forget to bring snacks and oh yeah, water. You can never have enough H20.

We also stopped by Dead Horse Point State Park—which, despite its grim name, was stunning. The views of the Colorado River winding through the canyons were enough to make me forget how terrified I am of heights. I can’t say anyone was too keen on heading to the edge for the infamous selfie. I watched several Instagram or TikTok crazies walk the edge just to get the perfect photo. No chance: I stood back at least ten feet while my shoes filled up with water from nervous perspiration.

The next day we tackled Arches. If you’ve never been to Arches, let me set the scene. Picture an alien planet, all red rocks and impossible formations, like nature’s ultimate flex. Walked to the Delicate Arch lookout, frankly because we were gassed from wandering the Windows Section of the park. I found myself doing the classic "admire the view" move (translation: wheezing and pretending to take photos so my wife wouldn’t notice how out of shape I am). Quick note, you can see so much from the road if you are a little winded.

Monument Valley: Postcard Perfect

From Moab, we headed to Monument Valley and checked into The View Hotel. They weren’t kidding about the name. Our room overlooked the famous buttes, and we spent the evening watching the sunset paint the rocks in shades of red and orange that I didn’t even know existed. Don’t forget Forest Gump Point. Pretty cool to watch the social media crowd dodge the cars and campers to get that perfect shot. Fun fact: Forrest Gump Point is located on Highway 163 Scenic Drive. You can simply type Forrest Gump Point (or Forrest Gump Hill) in Google Maps (US-163 Scenic, Mexican Hat, UT 84531) and you will easily find it.  

Page, AZ: Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon

Next up was Page, Arizona, home to Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon. Horseshoe Bend is one of those places that looks fake, like someone photoshopped a river into a giant horseshoe shape just for Instagram. We hiked out to the overlook, and watched my wife hang over the rail and "stand as close to the edge as possible" thing while I stayed firmly in the designated safe zone. (It’s a miracle we take these trips together.)

Antelope Canyon, on the other hand, felt like walking through a piece of art. The narrow slots, the way the light beams dance off the sandstone… it’s the kind of place that makes you realize just how creative Mother Nature can be. Our guide was hilarious, too, pointing out rock shapes that looked like everything from eagles to Abe Lincoln and bear faces.

Kanab and the Grand Canyon’s Quiet Side

From Page, we drove to Kanab, which is a charming little town that feels like a gateway to a hundred different adventures. We used it as a base to visit the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, which is the quieter, less-crowded sibling of the South Rim. Standing there, staring out at the canyon, it hit me just how small we are in the grand scheme of things. It’s humbling and awe-inspiring all at once. Hint(s): go get a beer at the Roughrider Saloon. However, you will need to wait until 2025 for it to reopen.

Hoover Dam and a Vegas Finale

Our final stop was Hoover Dam, which is as impressive as everyone says it is. The scale of it—the sheer engineering genius—left us all speechless. And then, as if to balance out all that grandeur, we headed to Old Town Las Vegas for dinner. Neon lights, street performers, and the best steak I’ve had in years made for a perfect last night.

As we wrapped up our trip, we couldn’t stop talking about how Utah surprised us. Sure, we’d seen pictures, but being there, in the middle of it all? It’s something else entirely. The scale of these landscapes makes you feel small in the best possible way. And there’s something about that red rock against the blue sky that stays with you, like a postcard you carry in your mind long after you’ve left.

So, would I recommend a Utah road trip? Absolutely. Just make sure you bring plenty of water, a sense of adventure, and maybe a pair of hiking pants with fewer pockets. Trust me, it’ll save you a lot of time digging for your car keys.