Al Braden Photographer

One of America's most amazing parks to hike and explore, Arches is the home of over 2,000 natural arch formations in red sandstone. Originally a National Monument, Arches became a National Park in 1971 as it's popularity soared. With annual visitation in the 2 million range, the park has had to resort to a timed entry system. The 53 campsites in Devil's Garden Campground are terrific - and highly prized. Planning long ahead is the best way to have time in Arches to see it's wonders.

Canyonlands National Park was established by President Lyndon Johnson in 1964 to preserve the amazing lands at the confluence of the Colorado and Green Rivers. These form the precious water supply of the American Southwest - and their deep canyons divide the park into three vastly different and separate zones - Island in the Sky, Needles and The Maze - that require separate plans to visit. There is no easy way to appreciate Canyonlands in one trip. A forth unit, Horseshoe Canyon, displays the most iconic Barrier Canyon style rock art found anywhere.

Southern Utah is bisected by the Waterpocket Fold, a nearly 100 mile reef of uplifted mesas crossed with canyons and landscapes of rugged quality. This land is set aside as Capitol Reef, named for one white rock dome formation along the Fremont River that early settlers thought looked like the Capitol Dome. The Fremont River cuts through the reef, creating a fertile valley that was colonized by early Mormon settlers - with evidence of ancient petroglyphs long before they arrived. The orchards at Fruita remain from the Mormon settlements and provide delicious peaches, pears and apples for visitors in their respective seasons. The campground is beautiful, and secluded. It's a terrific base to explore the park's vistas and canyons.

Horseshoe Canyon houses the most remarkable collection of 'Barrier Canyon' style artwork. It is administered as a forth part of Canyonlands National Park and is west of the better know districts. It is a canyon 50 miles down a dirt road from Green River, Utah. Though seeming remote, the canyon feeds directly into the Green River - a natural highway of antiquity. There are four major galleries along the four mile hike down into the canyon. Each is unique in artistic style, subject matter and scale. I've produce a video that shows them all in order of appearance, north to south. https://bit.ly/Horseshoe2023