Exploring the Great Outdoors: Our National Park Anniversary Vacation Trip

In September, Matt and I celebrated our fifth wedding anniversary. It’s crazy to think it’s already been five years. Ten years together, five years married, two homes in two states, two dogs, and one adorable, patience-testing toddler, I wouldn’t change it for a thing. We’ve been through so much together, and yet, it’s still only just the beginning.

Anyway, we decided to celebrate our anniversary by taking a road trip vacation to visit national and state parks. We headed west from Colorado to Moab, Utah, then drove a little way south to New Mexico, and then swung back into Colorado to head east to make our way home. In those six days, we visited Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park, Dead Horse Point State Park, Four Corners Monument, Mesa Verde National Park, and Great Sand Dunes National Park.

Writing this blog makes me almost want to cry because I wish that we were still on our trip. This trip was an eye-opener for sure. The remarkable areas of natural beauty left me jaw-dropped and learning about the history of different places fascinated me. Experiences like these remind me that life is short and the world is wide. I encourage everyone to take the time to travel and see what the world has to offer, whether near or far. Matt and I love to travel and are up to visiting any destination. Our 2013 vacation in San Diego and our honeymoon in Jamaica in 2016 were perhaps my two favorite trips. Now that we are parents, our travel budget and time are a little limited. But that’s alright since visiting all 50 states is on our bucket list and this trip helped us cross off two states! While our son is young and won’t remember this trip or others that we take until he’s older, I hope he looks back on these memories and it encourages him to travel, too.

Our Trip Day-by-Day

Tip: Some national parks do charge an entrance fee, which can range anywhere from $20-$55 per vehicle. Because many of the parks we planned to visit charge, we purchased a National Park Pass (good for a year), making it cheaper than paying at each national park. With the pass, we could also come back to parks to visit a second time.

Day 1: Moab, Utah

We left on September 23 and returned on September 28. Since the first day included a six-hour-long car ride from Colorado to Moab, UT, we took the first day easy and focused on getting settled in the hotel, and checking out the local area. Moab is a little town jam-packed with personality and adventure. You’ll find endless outdoor activities such as hiking, biking, and four-wheeling, beautiful scenery including endless red rock landscapes, and a plethora of dining options and unique shopping opportunities.

We took a quick trip to Arches to drive through some of it to get an idea of what to expect.

Day 2: Arches National Park

Arches National Park is a 119 square mile park that is home to more than 2,000 natural sandstone arches. These wondrous formations have been created over millions of years, revealing fascinating geologic events. The park offers a multitude of trails to fit every level.

We hiked Devil’s Garden Trail which offers incredible views of unique arches, including Landscape Arch. Along the way, we saw arches, spires, and a large concentration of narrow rock walls called “fins.” This 1.6-mile-long trail is relatively flat, making it ideal for beginners. Timewise, it can take anywhere from 30-60 minutes to tour this trail.

So amazed by the natural beauty and wanting to turn it up a notch, we hiked Tower Arch next. Located off the beaten path in a secluded area, the 2.4-mile-long moderate level trail contains some rocky hillsides that will test your legs, some parts are rigged with rocky cliffs, and there is a sandy hill that will challenge you. The route is marked with cairns (small stacks of rocks) so you know where to go. You will be pleased with the views as you hike this wonderful desert area surrounded by spectacular sandstone spires, red rock walls, thin fins, and distant views of the Salt Valley. This hike takes about 2 to 3 hours.

Tips:

• $30/vehicle to enter
• Go early and on a weekday to avoid crowds (The park will temporarily close if it reaches capacity. Mid-mornings are when most tourists arrive)
• Many tourists visit the arches closest to the entrance
• Ensure you have a full tank of gas
• Bring water, snacks, sunscreen, and sunglasses
• If hiking, research the level of difficulty in advance

Dinner: To celebrate our anniversary, we enjoyed a delicious dinner at Pasta Jay’s, a low-key Italian restaurant that offers pizzas and pasta. A friend recommended this restaurant and spoke highly of it. We were not disappointed. Extraordinary food in a more laid-back environment, which is right up my alley.

Day 3: Canyonlands National Park

Just 30 minutes from Arches is Canyonlands National Park. The largest national park in Utah, it offers 527 square miles of colorful landscape embellished with countless canyons, sheer sandstone cliffs, mesas (flat-topped mountains), arches, and beautiful views. We made our way to Grand View Point, located in the southern-most point along the Island in the Sky plateau, to hike the one-mile trail. It is an easy trail, great for beginners, and offers spectacular views.

Tips:

• $30/vehicle to enter
• Ensure you have a full tank of gas
• Bring water, snacks, sunscreen, and sunglasses
• If hiking, research the level of difficulty in advance

Day 4: Dead Horse Point State Park and More Exploring at Arches

A coworker of mine encouraged us to visit Dead Horse Point State Park since we were in the area. From Canyonlands, this is a 16-minute drive, and I also encourage you to visit if you’re in the area. I was eager to learn about the meaning behind the name. It’s a dark name, and I now understand why the name was chosen. In the late 19th century, cowboys used the land as a natural corral, where horses often died of exposure. Despite the depressing history of the name, this state park provides a breathtaking panorama of a desert landscape filled with canyons, desert woodland, and miles of trails. The park sits 2,0000 feet above the Colorado River, offering a dramatic overlook of the river.

Because of how massive Arches National Park is, and it was our last day in Utah before we made our way to see the Four Corners Monument, we decided to go back and see some other arches: Delicate Arch, Sand Dunes Arch, and Double Arch.

Delicate Arch is one of the main attractions, so expect a high volume of people. We viewed the 52-foot-tall freestanding natural arch from a distance to avoid crowds. Double Arch is also a favorite and because of its size (it’s composed of two grand arches joined at a common pillar at a 90-degree angle), many people come here and hang out. Sand Dunes Arch is a cool little arch that you can’t see from the road. It is a small walk from the parking lot to the arch. You navigate the short slot canyon, walk on sand (imagine a big sandbox), and then make your way to the arch. Bonus: The arch is in a well-shaded area providing relief from the heat. Our son certainly enjoyed this arch since there is sand that he loved playing in.

Since it was our last night in Moab, we went out to eat at Zax Restaurant, which I recommend if you’re looking for a casual restaurant-bar with good food and drinks.

We packed our items that night and the next morning headed towards New Mexico to visit the Four Corners Monument.

Tips:

• $20/vehicle at Dead Horse Point State Park

Day 5: Four Corners Monument and Mesa Verde National Park

I really should have researched the Four Corners Monument in advance. After visiting the parks, I expected this place to be similar and offer beautiful views of nature and land. It’s in the middle of nowhere with nothing around, no stores, shops, or restaurants. The area looks deserted.

However, I can now say I have been in four places at once!

The Four Corners Monument marks where four states meet: Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, and Utah. It’s a unique landmark and is located on the Navajo Indian Reservation. The Navajo is the largest Native American tribe in the nation. We were met with rain but we were happy to visit.

We then made our way back to Colorado to visit Mesa Verde National Park. The largest archeological preserve in the nation, the park contains 5,000 archeological sites and 600 cliff-dwellings. Here we got a glimpse inside the lives of the Ancestral Puebloan people who inhabited the area for over 700 years and we saw many of the well-preserved cliff-dwellings, or homes and villages, where they lived.

Tips:

• $5/person; ages 6 & younger are free at Four Corners Monument
• $30/vehicle at Mesa Verde National Park

Some pictures during our drive from Mesa Verde, Colorado to Durango, Colorado

Day 6: Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve

We made our way to Durango, Colorado, to stay there for the night. We had dinner and drinks at Steamworks Brewing Company which is fantastic so do go there if you need a place to eat or grab a drink. It’s a restaurant bar with a good selection of beer and is ideal if you want to watch a game or enjoy dinner.

The next morning we made our way to Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve to see the huge sand dunes, which reach up to 750 feet! The entire dune field encompasses 30 square miles. It felt like we were in a huge sandbox. I had heard of sand sledding but never saw it until I visited. If we were able to, we would have tried sand sledding. It’s also a great place to visit just to sit and relax and enjoy the view. In addition to the sand dunes, you have spectacular views of the mountains.

Tips:

• $25/vehicle to enter
• Waer sandals or go barefoot
• Go early as the park will close if it reaches capacity

Hiking Gear and Travel Items

If you’re looking for hiking gear for your trip or want to know what items to bring with you, here is a list of what we brought with us.

• Osprey Hiking Backpacks
• Water Bladder
• Osprey Child Carrier
• Trekking Poles
• Hiking Shoes
• Sunblock
• Sunglasses
• Head Coverings
• Plenty of Water
• Snacks
• Camera: If you’re hiking, I recommed using your phone so you have fewer items to carry.

While it was a short vacation, we made sure to do as much as we could in those six days. This trip helped me realize that traveling can provide a feeling of accomplishment. It also helps you feel alive, it’s a life-changing experience. We plan on revisiting many of these parks to see what we couldn’t this first time.

I hope that this blog helps you if you are interested in or considering visiting any of these parks or states. If you have questions or want to learn more, don’t hesitate to reach out as I’d love to provide you with as much useful information as I can.

For more information about park pricing, please visit The National Park Service website.

If you’d like to view more images of nature, visit my photography website, JD Designs Photography, where you will find an assortment of landscape photos, macro photography, wildlife, and more.