1 DAy ROAD TRIP Includes Stops At

Observation Point / Sand Caves / BUCKSkin Gultch / White Pockets / Water CAnyon Winery

1 Day BuckSKin Gultch

This stunning road trip winds through Zion National Park, Kanab’s hidden caves, the Vermilion Cliffs, Buckskin Gulch, and White Pocket, with stops for great food and wine along the way. You’ll experience some of the most remote and otherworldly landscapes in the Southwest, where sandstone cliffs, slot canyons, and swirling rock formations tell a story millions of years in the making.

Route Overview:

Total Distance: ~400 miles round-trip
Best Time to Go: Spring & Fall (cool temps, fewer crowds)
Best For: Hikers, photographers, and geology lovers

Stop 1: Observation Point (Zion National Park, UT)

Hike: East Mesa Trail to Observation Point (6.7 miles, moderate)

• Why Go? Offers one of the best panoramic views of Zion Canyon, sitting 700 feet higher than Angel’s Landing!

• Geological Feature: The viewpoint rests atop Navajo Sandstone, which was once a massive desert covered in ancient dunes.

• Pro Tip: This trail avoids the crowds of other Zion hikes and offers breathtaking views.

Stop 2: Sand Caves (Kanab, UT)

Hike: Short but steep scramble (0.5 miles, moderate)

• Why Go? These man-made caves glow with an orange and red hue when the sunlight hits.

• Geological Feature: Carved into Entrada Sandstone, the same rock that forms Arches National Park.

• Pro Tip: The rock can be slick—wear good hiking shoes.

Stop 3: Escobar’s Mexican Restaurant (Kanab, UT)

• Why Go? Locally loved for authentic Mexican food—try the smothered burritos!

• Best For: A delicious break before heading into the wilderness.

Stop 4: Buckskin Gulch – The Longest Slot Canyon in the World

Hike: Wire Pass to Buckskin Gulch (4–6 miles, moderate)

• Why Go? At over 20 miles long, Buckskin Gulch is the deepest and longest slot canyon on Earth.

• Geological Feature: Carved by flash floods, the walls tower nearly 500 feet above you.

• Pro Tip: Always check the weather—this canyon is notorious for dangerous flash floods.

Stop 5: White Pocket (Vermilion Cliffs, AZ)

Hike: White Pocket Loop (1–2 miles, easy)

• Why Go? This remote rock wonderland looks like a swirled marble cake!

• Geological Feature: The strange formations were shaped by ancient dunes twisting under extreme geologic pressure.

• Pro Tip: Requires a high-clearance 4x4 vehicle or a guided tour.

Stop 6: Jacob Lake, AZ (Gateway to the Grand Canyon North Rim)

Must-Try: Jacob Lake Inn’s Famous Cookies

• Why Go? A cozy mountain lodge famous for its homemade cookies and milkshakes.

• Bonus Detour: If time allows, visit the Grand Canyon’s North Rim, which is cooler, less crowded, and equally stunning.

Stop 7: Water Canyon Winery (Hildale, UT)

• Why Go? A hidden gem in the Utah desert, offering handcrafted wines with incredible mountain views.

• Best For: Unwinding after a long day of hiking.

Final Stop: Virgin, UT (Return Home)

Bonus Detour: Grafton Ghost Town (Near Virgin, UT)

• Why Go? This Old West ghost town was featured in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.

Final Thoughts

This road trip is a dream for hikers and adventure seekers, taking you from the towering cliffs of Zion to the hidden gems of the Vermilion Cliffs. The landscapes here have been sculpted by millions of years of wind, water, and time, creating some of the most surreal scenery on Earth.

1 DAy ROAD TRIP Includes Stops At

Bryce Canyon / Duck Creek Village / BRian head / Cedar Breaks monument / KOLOB CANYON/

1 Day Bryce Canyon

This incredible road trip not only takes you through some of Southern Utah’s most iconic landscapes but also offers an opportunity to explore unique geological formations shaped over millions of years. From the wind-carved hoodoos of Bryce Canyon to the lava flows in Duck Creek, each stop on this route showcases the fascinating geological history of the region. Here's a breakdown of the geological features you'll encounter:

Route Overview:

Total Distance: ~250 miles round-trip
Best Time to Go: Late spring to early fall (summer offers wildflowers & cooler mountain air)
Best For: Hikers, nature lovers, geology enthusiasts, and anyone who wants to see the diversity of Southern Utah's landscapes.

Stop 1: Bryce Canyon National Park – Sunrise Point

Hike: Queen’s Garden & Navajo Loop Trail (2.9 miles, moderate)

• Geological Feature: Bryce Canyon is known for its hoodoos, tall, thin spires of rock that were formed by the freeze-thaw cycle. Water seeps into cracks in the rock, and when it freezes, it expands, breaking the rock apart. Over thousands of years, this process carved out intricate formations in the soft, layered sedimentary rock that makes up the canyon. The red, orange, and pink hues come from iron oxides in the rock, which oxidize when exposed to oxygen.

• Pro Tip: Sunrise is the best time to witness the canyon's vibrant colors as the first light hits the hoodoos, casting long shadows and accentuating the rock layers.

Stop 2: Duck Creek Village, UT

EAT at a Local Restuarant

• Geological Feature: Duck Creek Village lies on the Markagunt Plateau, which was formed by volcanic activity. The surrounding land is littered with lava tubes and pahoehoe lava flows. The area is home to Mammoth Cave, a lava tube cave formed when lava once flowed through it, leaving behind empty spaces. You can explore some of these ancient lava formations as you drive or hike the region.

• Pro Tip: Check out the Lava Flow Overlook for a great view of the ancient volcanic fields.

Stop 3: Brian Head Resort (Utah’s Highest Ski Town)

Altitude: 9,800 feet

• Geological Feature: Brian Head lies on the Markagunt Plateau, a result of volcanic activity from around 10-12 million years ago. The plateau is made up of volcanic rocks such as basalt, which gives the area its rugged appearance. The region’s highest peak, Brian Head, is made of tuff, a soft, porous volcanic rock that forms from the ash and debris of explosive volcanic eruptions.

• Pro Tip: Take the Giant Steps Express Lift to the top for views of the basalt rock formations that shaped the plateau.

Stop 4: Cedar Breaks National Monument (Mini Bryce Canyon at 10,000 ft!)

Hike: Alpine Pond Loop (2 miles, easy)

• Geological Feature: Cedar Breaks is often referred to as a "mini-Bryce" because of its similar hoodoos and canyon-like features. However, Cedar Breaks is located at a much higher elevation. The hoodoos in Cedar Breaks are carved from limestone and dolomite, which are more resistant to erosion than the sandstone in Bryce Canyon. The area also features ancient bristlecone pine forests that grow in rocky, calcareous soil. The geological formation of the plateau here is the result of tectonic uplift and erosion over millions of years.

• Pro Tip: The contrast between the bright red cliffs and the green alpine meadows is stunning, especially during the wildflower season in July.

Stop 5: Kolob Canyons Viewpoint (Zion National Park’s Overlooked Side)

Hike: Timber Creek Overlook (1 mile, easy)

• Geological Feature: Kolob Canyons is part of the Zion National Park complex, and its towering cliffs are made of Navajo Sandstone. This sandstone was deposited by ancient sand dunes over 190 million years ago during the Jurassic Period. The sedimentary layers were compacted and hardened into rock, and over time, erosion sculpted the cliffs and canyons. The red and orange hues are a result of iron oxide in the sandstone.

• Pro Tip: Kolob Canyons is less visited than the main part of Zion, making it an excellent spot for a peaceful hike or sunset.

Final Stop: Virgin, UT (Return Home)

Bonus Detour: Kolob Terrace Road (Near Virgin, UT)

• Geological Feature: The Kolob Terrace area sits on a tectonically uplifted plateau that offers incredible views of the red rock cliffs of Zion. The region has a combination of sedimentary rock layers and igneous intrusions (from ancient volcanic activity). You can spot Paleozoic fossils in some of the exposed rock layers.

• Pro Tip: Kolob Terrace Road offers some of the best views of Zion’s mountain peaks, especially at sunrise and sunset.

Final Thoughts

This road trip is an excellent way to explore the rich geological history of Southern Utah, from the hoodoos of Bryce Canyon to the volcanic rocks of Brian Head. The land tells the story of ancient deserts, volcanic eruptions, and tectonic movements that shaped the landscape into the stunning natural beauty we see today. Whether you're hiking through layers of rock or simply soaking in the views, you’ll gain a deeper appreciation for the complexity of the Earth’s geology.

1 DAy ROAD TRIP Includes Stops At

Snow Canyon / Veyo Pies / Gunlock Waterfall /

Sand Hollow State PArk /

1 Day Snow CAnyon

This road trip is packed with natural beauty and geological history, from the volcanic cinder cones of Snow Canyon to dinosaur fossils in St. George. Each stop offers a chance to explore the geological forces that shaped this stunning region over millions of years. Get ready to dive deep into Southern Utah's rocky past with these geological highlights:

Route Overview:

Total Distance: ~120 miles round-trip
Best Time to Go: Spring to Fall (ideal for outdoor activities & warmer weather)
Best For: History buffs, families, hikers, and anyone fascinated by dinosaur fossils, lava flows, and desert landscapes.

Stop 1: Virgin, UT (Starting Point)

• Geological Feature: Virgin sits in the Virgin River Gorge, surrounded by dramatic sedimentary rock formations. The area has been shaped by millions of years of erosion and river-carved canyons that expose layers of ancient rock. The Virgin River, cutting through the gorge, reveals many fossils and paleontological layers from millions of years ago.

Stop 2: El Patron Mexican Food (Local Favorite)

Stop 3: Snow Canyon eBike Rentals

Activity: Rent an eBike and explore the lava rock trails in Snow Canyon State Park.

• Geological Feature: Snow Canyon is an excellent example of volcanic activity in the area. The park’s black lava rock flows are remnants of ancient volcanic eruptions that occurred roughly 5 to 7 million years ago. The area is known for cinder cones, which were formed when lava ejected from the earth’s surface, solidified, and piled up around the vent. The contrast between the red sandstone cliffs and the black volcanic rock creates a stunning landscape.

Stop 4: Snow Canyon State Park

Hike: Lava Flow Trail (1.3 miles, easy)

• Geological Feature: Snow Canyon is a volcanic landscape, formed by lava flows that erupted from Mount Tuacahn. The park’s terrain features deep canyons, lava rock, and sandstone cliffs, a result of both volcanic and sedimentary processes. Over the centuries, the lava flows hardened, creating cinder cones and the dark basalt rock seen throughout the park. The contrasting sandstone formations highlight the power of erosion.

Stop 5: Veyo Pies (Historic Stop for a Slice of Pie)

• Geological Feature: Veyo is nestled in the red rock desert, where sedimentary layers of rock are visible. The local geology includes layers of sandstone and shale deposited by ancient seas that once covered the region. Over time, tectonic forces uplifted the land, and erosion carved out the mesas and buttes seen today.

Stop 6: Gunlock State Park

Activity: Explore the reservoir surrounded by red cliffs and hike the Gunlock Falls Trail.

• Geological Feature: Gunlock Reservoir is located in an area surrounded by desert landscape and lava rock formations. The park is in the Colorado Plateau, which contains sedimentary layers of sandstone that formed millions of years ago. Gunlock also showcases the erosional processes that have created its unique canyon walls.

Stop 7: Iceberg Drive Inn (A Sweet Treat)

• Geological Feature: The lava flows and volcanic formations in this area are visible as you enjoy your treat. The landscape is part of the Red Hills Desert Reserve, where igneous rock (lava) and sedimentary layers converge. The unique rock formations come from ancient volcanic activity that once shaped this part of the world, leaving behind basalt flows and lava tubes.

Stop 8: St. George Dinosaur Discovery Site at Johnson Farm

Activity: Walk through an interactive dinosaur museum and explore fossils of ancient life.

• Geological Feature: This site is a paleontologist's dream, with well-preserved dinosaur tracks and fossils from the Jurassic Period (150 million years ago). The sandstone layers in this area preserved dinosaur tracks that were left in ancient mudflats. The region was once a lush, tropical environment with rivers and wetlands, which later hardened into the sedimentary rocks we see today.

Stop 9: Sand Hollow State Park

Activity: Enjoy water sports or hike the surrounding sand dunes.

• Geological Feature: Sand Hollow is a desert oasis, surrounded by massive sand dunes and red rock formations. The sand dunes are composed of quartz-rich sand, carried by wind erosion from surrounding mountains. The park's red sandstone cliffs were formed from ancient river deposits that have since solidified into layers of sedimentary rock. The surrounding hills contain igneous rocks, revealing the region's volcanic past.

Final Stop: Virgin, UT (Return Home)

• Geological Feature: Returning to Virgin, the Virgin River Gorge offers a final look at the geological processes that have shaped this area. The dramatic rock formations tell the story of ancient seas, volcanic eruptions, and the ongoing forces of erosion that continue to carve and reshape the land.

Final Thoughts:

This road trip takes you through some of Southern Utah’s most stunning geological features. From the volcanic lava flows of Snow Canyon to the dinosaur fossils of St. George, you'll experience a unique cross-section of geological history, with rocks that date back hundreds of millions of years. Whether you're exploring ancient volcanoes, relaxing by desert lakes, or marveling at dinosaur tracks, you'll be immersed in the geological wonders of this incredible region.