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Places Welcoming You

Drive 180.6 miles • 4 hours, 23 minutes

Some of North America’s most surreal and spectacular landscapes can be found in southeast Utah. Pack your bags for adventure and take a tour of the Beehive State’s famous rocks. Begin your trip with a stay at Halls Crossing, on the shore of the stunning Lake Powell. Finish your adventures in Moab, on the doorstep of Arches National Park.

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1. Halls Crossing

Starting Point • Nature, Outdoor Recreation

Halls Crossing is a quiet spot on Lake Powell with blue skies, clear waters and red rocks. Take the ferry to Bullfrog Marina, where you can rent powerboats, personal watercraft and water toys. Bring your fishing gear and toss in a line. The Lake Powell area offers ample opportunities for high-speed recreation or lakeside relaxation.

 

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2. Natural Bridges National Monument

65.4 miles, 1 hour, 49 minutes • History, Nature, Outdoor Recreation  

Natural Bridges National Monument, Utah’s first National Park Service area, is a sight to behold. Sweeping red rock bridges cut across bold blue skies. The natural bridges found here were formed when water once raced across this now-dry landscape, eroding the stone. Take an eight-mile hike to tour all four bridges, or walk shorter trails to individual bridges. Pueblo cliff dwellings may be spotted from the Horsecollar Ruin Overlook Trail.

 

3. Monticello

61 miles, 1 hour, 29 minutes • Food, History, Nature, Outdoor Recreation, Shopping

Set up camp in Monticello and then make your way to Canyonlands National Park. This is an outdoor enthusiast’s dream, offering mountain biking, rock climbing, hiking and boating in a rugged landscape carved by the Colorado River. Take an easy drive to the park’s many scenic overlooks or head out for a four-wheel adventure. Slow your pace by attending a ranger program at the visitor center. After a day of exploring, put your feet up and relax in Monticello, which has ample restaurants and shops.

 

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4. Moab

54.2 miles, 1 hour, 5 minutes • Entertainment, Food, History, Nature, Outdoor Recreation, Quirky, Shopping, Sports

Prepare to be amazed as you make your way north to Moab and into Arches National Park. You’ll find a stunning landscape with over 2,000 red sandstone arches and unique rock formations. The iconic Delicate Arch appears on Utah’s license plate and can be seen in person. Hiking, biking, rock climbing and canyoneering abound, making this a playground for the adventurous. For a special experience, watch the sun set over the park; as colors fill the sky, the arches appear to glow.