45+ Amazing Desert Spots in the American Southwest

Fisher Towers, Utah

Only 16 miles from Moab, there are several epic and classic rock climbing routes. Even if you don’t climb though, hiking in the area is an asbolute must. Here’s a vid of me climbing it.

Lower Calf Creek Falls, Utah

Yes, there are waterfalls in the desert!

Gold Strike Hot Spring Trail, Nevada

8 fixed ropes aid hikers on this trail through Gold Strike Canyon to down to the Colorado River.

 Colorado RiverBoulder City, United StatesColorado river at the end of Gold Strike trail. Definitely worth going all the way down the canyon with a few hot springs, rope climbs, and bouldering action. You can even see the hoover dam bridge from here. I just love the colors and the clouds are rare out in this area. 2 hours down. I went October of 2016 as the Gold Strike trail is closed May-September due to heat advisory. Please bring plenty of water and pick up your trash 🙂 #hiking

Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah

Have warm clothes handy; the high elevation of the rim (up to 9000 feet) means it can be cold at unexpected times.

Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado

The park is home to around 600 preserved Puebloan cliff dwellings.

Grand Canyon, Arizona

Oh, there’s only about two billion years of history exposed here. TWO BILLION YEARS!

Zion National Park, Utah

Humans first started living in the area around 8000 years ago. Imagine navigating this landscape back then!

 Angels LandingHurricane, United StatesAngel’s Landing at Zion Nat’l Park, took 3 hours round trip on a Saturday late morning till afteroon, October 2016. Quite a ton of switchbacks 😥 then a one lane chain trek up which makes it a lil time consuming waiting until people come up/down. Spectacular views!
#hiking

Big Cottonwood Canyon, Utah

It’s only 12 miles from Salt Lake City and has rock-climbing, biking, hiking, camping, and fishing there.