My already high expectations were surpassed and then some during a profound and transformative visit to the rugged and beautiful state of Utah.
I had seen the incredible pictures and the fabulous Instagram posts. But witnessing the real thing was like walking onto a movie set. While in Utah, I was captivated by the ever-changing colours of the red rock formations, the jagged cliffs, hoodoos standing like ancient sentinels, and sweeping vistas that stretched out before me like a masterpiece.
From the moment I arrived, I knew this would be a trip unlike any other. Making the experience even more special were my travelling companions: my husband and another couple—friends of over 25 years. This crew and the jam-packed, adventure-filled itinerary made for plenty of laughs, adrenaline rushes and some profound life reflection.
After deciding on the destination, one member of our group insisted he be in the dark about the details. He longed for that child-like joy of surprise, something so rare as we get older. We took him up on the challenge and he awoke each morning without a clue what we would be doing that day.
Road tripping through the red rocks of Utah
Our ride of choice was a 25-foot RV from Cruise America and although we didn’t plan to camp every night, there were some areas we definitely wanted to get closer to. We had done our homework, mapping out routes that included some of Utah’s most impressive scenic byways. Smithsonian Butte National Back Country Byway was the perfect choice heading south towards Zion National Park.
As we made our way through Utah’s mesmerizing landscape, we were like kids in a candy store, unable to resist stopping often to take it all in. Our introduction to Utah’s towering red rocks and the unique buttes left us oohing and awing in amazement, eager to capture the magic through our camera lenses.
Zion White Bison Glamping & RV Resort was the basecamp for our first few adventures and ideally located just a few miles from the entrance to Zion National Park. Although they offer a great RV park, we couldn’t resist upgrading to their unique glamping accommodations. You can choose to stay in a Covered Wagon, Luxury Teepee, or a Cliff Dwelling style accommodation. My husband and I opted for a Cliff Dwelling while our friends chose a Teepee. Both were perfect options for feeling closer to the history that has shaped these lands and allowed us to enjoy the surroundings.
Majestic white bison
Once settled, we decided to explore the resort and river with e-bikes which was an excellent way to get our bearings. We checked out the rare white bison that call this resort home. White bison, also known as “spirit bison” or “ghost bison,” are a rare and highly revered animal among many Native American tribes. According to traditional stories and beliefs, the appearance of a white bison is a sign of great spiritual significance and good luck. A portion of the proceeds of your resort stay go directly to supporting and caring for these beautiful creatures.
Starstruck
After our ride, we set out for our evening adventure. As darkness fell, it quickly became apparent we were in for an unforgettable night. Our guide greeted us and led us along a path illuminated by small model planets, hinting at the wonders of Utah’s renowned Dark Skies that awaited us on this stargazing tour.
Under the expert guidance of Zoie, we found ourselves marvelling at distant galaxies, star clusters and the mesmerizing Milky Way. We were given binoculars for viewing but soon realized it was much more enchanting to recline in our beanbag loungers while sipping hot chocolate and taking it all in with the naked eye. What made the night even more memorable was peering through highpowered telescopes that brought Saturn, the Moon and other celestial wonders into focus.
It was both magical and humbling to grasp just how small and insignificant our world is in the grand scheme of the universe. Check out stargazingzion.com for more.
Up and away!
The road led us to the Million Air building of the St. George airport where it was revealed that the morning adventure was a sunrise hot air balloon flight. A few in our group felt some initial nerves due to a fear of heights, but our pilot Dave and his crew quickly put us at ease with a thorough safety briefing and an explanation of how the hot air balloon experience works. Our excitement grew as the team worked at inflating the massive, colourful envelope with blasts of hot air, as the basket stood ready for us to board.
On our ascent, we were greeted by the rising sun as we floated gently above Southern Utah’s awe-inspiring landscape, the vibrant reds and oranges of the desert glowing beneath. With remarkable skill, Dave navigated us gracefully over the river, allowing our basket to dip into the rushing water, which was exhilarating.
We capped off our balloon flight with a sparkling cider toast. Check out zionballoons.com for more.
Conquering Zion National Park
This iconic national park comes highly praised, and it certainly lived up to the expectations. I highly recommend renting e-bikes from znprentals.com, which lets you bypass the crowded shuttles between trailheads. We zipped along at speeds of up to 35km/h as we tackled the 12-kilometre climb to our highest point.
We made a stop to explore the Virgin River Trail, a relatively easy hike that led us to the famous Narrows hike. I’d rate this hike as easy for the first three kilometres as you approach the Narrows, but once you step into the chilly water, the difficulty level quickly increases due to the rocky riverbed. If we had done more advance research, we would have rented water boots and walking sticks like many others we encountered, but we managed without them.
The Narrows, Zion National Park
Thankfully, the water only reached just above our waists briefly as we neared the Narrows, but despite the discomfort, it added to the experience. Be safe and check the water levels with park rangers before you hike.
Camping under Utah’s desert sky
We were excited for our first night of camping in the RV. Coral Pink Sands RV Park was a picturesque oasis and provided easy access to all the area activities. Surrounded by richly-hued red and pink sand dunes, the RV proved to be a comfortable and convenient place to lay our heads.
Just when we thought this trip couldn’t get more fun, Coral Pink ATV Tours checked another adrenaline box. And our friend who had requested a week full of surprises was thrilled to be behind the wheel as we traversed the dunes in an ATV at up to 40mph around tight corners and over steep hills. Our guides, husband and wife team Mindie and Gordon, shared their infectious passion for the area.
Although the temperature had dropped a few degrees since our visit to Zion, we couldn’t resist dipping our bare toes into the soft pink sands. Once we acclimated, we put our skills to the test with sand sledding and sandboarding down the dunes—definitely more challenging than it appears, but absolutely worth the effort!
Our epic dune adventure sadly came to a close but not before Gordon suggested Archie’s food truck near Orderville, promising “food to die for.” We indulged in some mouthwatering bites and while there, received another gem of a recommendation: a relatively unknown slot canyon just 1.5 miles outside of town. Intrigued, we embarked on the short hike along Red Hollow Canyon Trail, the narrow canyon walls towered above us, curving and twisting in shades of red and orange. Free of other hikers, we felt like we had discovered a hidden treasure.
the Coral Pink sand dunes go on for miles
Embrace your inner cowboy and saddle up
Zion Mountain Ranch was our next stop where we were warmly welcomed to what would be our home for the next two nights. Our two-bedroom Preserve Cabin was inviting and cozy, featuring rustic-chic décor, luxurious king-sized beds, vintage claw tubs with jets and private patios with expansive views of the ranch and its surroundings.
As we settled in with coffee and refreshments, we were treated to a delightful sight—a family of deer casually strolling through our backyard. It felt like just another beautiful moment in the pristine wilderness that surrounded us.
That evening added yet another memorable animal encounter as horses, BlackJack, Zippee, Spritz, and Delta led our sunset ride across the ranch. Our guide, Kyle, provided patient assistance as we mounted and taught us how to communicate with the horses. We rode through the ranch passing bison grazing against a striking backdrop of mountains and canyons.
Drum circle
After satisfying our post-ride appetites at the on-site Cordwood restaurant featuring farm-totable cuisine sourced from the ranch’s organic gardens, we wandered over to the communal fire pit. There, a Native American gentleman was leading a drum circle and we were instantly enthralled. He spoke passionately about his people’s deep respect for the land, the bison’s crucial role in their survival and the belief that all people are equal. His words prompted us to pause and reflect, grounding us in the moment and reminding us of the insignificance of material possessions.
Oh what a night! and an unforgettable trip to Utah
We spent our last night in Utah camping at an RV park in Snow Canyon and did some hiking in the area, enjoying the mix of bold red and white Navajo sandstone cliffs and black lava rock formations. The last of our trip reveals would come that evening and I couldn’t wait for the special night we had planned.
As we arrived at Tuacahn Amphitheater, nestled within the red rock cliffs of Ivins, Utah, we handed our friends tickets to a production of Jersey Boys. Their surprise quickly turned to awe as we stepped into the spectacular outdoor venue. Known for hosting a range of performances—from Broadway-style musicals to concerts and special events—we were in for a treat that night as we enjoyed the tale of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons. With the canyon walls aglow in brilliant hues, we were completely captivated by the musical talent of this outstanding cast.
As we sat in the RV toasting the week’s adventures and surprises, a warmth washed over me I hadn’t felt from any travel experience in quite some time. Was it the epic itinerary? The otherworldly beauty of Utah? Or enjoying adventures with life-long friends? No need to overthink it. Oh, what a remarkable trip and one that will be forever etched in our hearts and minds.
A few more tips before you visit Utah
You could spend a lot of time in Zion National Park, with its wide array of diverse trails, so I suggest planning your hikes in advance. Check out updated trail information here. Another great pre-trip resource offering insights, stories and inspiration can be found at youtube.com/@ZionMade
Bryce Canyon is worth making some time for. Descending from the rim into the heart of the hoodoos is surreal. Popular trails like the Queen’s Garden and Navajo Loop are a great place to start and allow you to get you up close to these geological wonders.
Hiking the Hoodoos of Bryce Canyon
Looking for more stargazing inspiration? Check out 4 Unique Hotels Around the World Where Stargazing Takes Centre Stage.
Tammy Cecco
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