This is a really fun and quick landmark to visit, on your journey through southern Utah. Just north of Kanab, on the way to Zion, are the Sand Caves. These are naturally cut caves, in the side of the sandstone mountains. You will be able to see these to the upper rightof the highway 89, just miles north of Kanab.
You’re able to park on the side of the road, and take a short hike up the mountain, and then into the caves. You’ll notice that many people have carved names into the rocks, or had an occasional campfire inside. The natural light coming in thru the holes in the rocks make for some great photos. The deepest part of the cave is about 200 feet from the entrance and is very dark.
opening to the sand caves
travelers in the sand cave
lots of natural light
Be careful not to fall from the openings of the mouths of these caverns. The side of the mountain can be climbed with regular shoes or hiking boots, but is steep and 45 degree angle in parts. Total time to visit the Sand Caves is about 20-30 minutes. This is a fun place to stop on the way to Zion or the Best Friends Animal Shelter.
Rip Rap is located inside Catstair Canyon, not far from the Paria River. We had no idea this amazing relic existed until just recently. It’s a little known ruin of several classic cars, which were used decades ago to fill in a gap of the highway 89. You can find this in Catstair Canyon, just south of House Rock Valley Road. The hike is medium difficulty, but only about a half mile. Be careful around the abandoned vehicles, they may have sharp edges. It’s truly a sight to behold. On the other side of this canyon, you can find some petroglyphs. You won’t need an off-road vehicle to get here, but it will require some hiking in the canyon. There is no charge, or restrictions, to visit this site. There is no restroom or running water. (And please don’t litter.)
Horseshoe Bend is at the beginning of the Grand Canyon, where the Colorado River flows out from the Glen Canyon dam. This is just south of the Arizona-Utah border. Many travelers like to visit Horseshoe Bend at sunrise and sunset to capture the best photos and video.
A healthy person will need about 10-15 minutes to walk from the parking area to the end of the 700 foot cliff. You’ll have to go uphill and then downhill, so make sure to bring some water with you and good shoes, although some people do hike in sturdy sandals.
The azure and purple skies around the rocks are so unique, you won’t be disappointed. The majestic feeling you’ll get from standing at the edge is unsurpassed. Some “daredevil rocks” jut out over the canyon, and some brave souls are now hash-tagging #DaredevilRock on social media while standing or doing yoga on them (reference photos on this blog).
Horseshoe Bend has been a free site to visit, but may begin charging a fee to travelers going in 2019. On some days, the parking lot is completely full, so you may have to be patient, and come back later. In the meantime, you might try going to the Hanging Gardens hike, or swimming by the northside of the Glen Canyon dam.
WARNING: be careful when you’re taking pictures or have children with you. On average, one person falls into this part of the canyon every year. There has only been one, single survivor from the accidental, long plummet to the bottom.
If you think helicopter tours are expensive, think again. We took a ride with Sundance Helicopter Tours, from the Page Arizona airport, and got an amazing view of Horseshoe Bend, Lake Powell, and the Glen Canyon Dam. Our pilot, Nathan, was very professional. The seats were comfortable, and the quality of the experience was unsurpassed. The pilot gave us commentary on some of the landmarks, and thanks to the design of the windows, we could see above, below, and practically all around us. We got some cool footage as well, on our new hand-held gimbal.
One of our absolutely favorite canyons to visit is the magnificent Zion. Its massive and naturally air-conditioned environment with unique terrain is unlike any other. Various forms of wildlife exist inside, including turkeys, deer, moose, chipmunks, mountain goats, and many birds. Occasionally, you may look on the canyon walls, and see professional mountain climbers scaling up and down.
This canyon is unlike many others in the area, as it features a lodge with hotel rooms, usually upwards of $200 per night, for two people. Because we’re just over a one-hour drive away, JennMarie and I like to go for day trips at Zion on a regular basis, and many of our guests do, as well.
The Narrows hiking trail is actually a wet and wild experience. You’ll be trekking through the Virgin River, as it flows through Zion. Highly recommended, for healthy and agile explorers.
When visiting, you may park at nearly any shoulder off the main road, which zig-zags through the canyon, or you might also park at the visitor’s center. Hop aboard the free shuttle to travel to many of the hiking trails. Popular trails include: Angel’s Landing, Emerald Pools, the Narrows, Observation Point, and Weeping Rock. Check out these great photos, here on our blog, as well as the video link of Weeping Rock, below. The sun light coming through the clouds, as drip water seeped in front of us like a veener, led to some beautiful video.
In early September 2018, Utah experienced a couple days of massive, monsoon rain, which caused flash flooding and rock falls in Zion National Park in southwestern Utah. Such rainfall is rare, but will render some trails unsafe. The park received nearly 3 inches of rain in three hours on a Wednesday night. Now, many of the hiking trails have re-opened.
[envira-gallery id=”689″]
REMEMBER: Hike on days when flash flood warnings are not in effect, to keep your risk to a minimum. Keep your balance when going up in elevation. Pack snacks and water. Get food, drinks, and beer at the cafeteria in the lodge. Take your trash with you as you hike in the trails, and don’t feed wildlife.
