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 a thing! We’ve been through so much together, and yet, it feels like it’s just the beginning.

To mark the occasion, we decided to take a road trip vacation to visit some amazing national and state parks. Our journey took us west from Colorado to Moab, Utah, then south to New Mexico, and back into Colorado, heading east to make our way home. Over the course of six days, we explored Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park, Dead Horse Point State Park, Four Corners Monument, Mesa Verde National Park, and Great Sand Dunes National Park.

As I write this blog, I almost want to cry because I wish we were still on that trip! It was truly an eye-opener. The breathtaking natural beauty of the parks left us in awe, and learning about the history of the places we visited was so fascinating. Experiences like these remind me that life is short, and the world is wide. I encourage everyone to take the time to travel and explore—whether near or far. Matt and I love to travel and are always ready for a new adventure. Our 2013 vacation in San Diego and our 2016 honeymoon in Jamaica are two of my favorite trips.

Now that we’re parents, our travel budget and time are a bit more limited, but that’s okay! Visiting all 50 states is on our bucket list, and this trip helped us cross off two of them. Even though our son is too young to remember this trip, I hope he looks back on these memories and it encourages him to travel too!

Our Trip Day-by-Day

Tip: Some national parks charge an entrance fee, ranging from $20 to $55 per vehicle. Since many of the parks we planned to visit had entrance fees, we purchased a National Park Pass (good for a year). It was cheaper than paying at each park individually, and it also allowed us to visit multiple parks without worrying about the fees.

Day 1: Moab, Utah

We left on September 23 and returned on September 28. Since the first day involved a six-hour car ride from Colorado to Moab, UT, we took it easy, getting settled in our hotel and exploring the local area. Moab is a small town bursting with personality and adventure. There are endless outdoor activities like hiking, biking, and four-wheeling, not to mention beautiful scenery with red rock landscapes and a variety of dining and shopping options.

We took a quick trip through Arches National Park to get a preview of what we would be exploring in the coming days.

Day 2: Arches National Park

Arches National Park spans 119 square miles and is home to over 2,000 natural sandstone arches, created over millions of years. The park offers trails for every level of hiker.

We started our day with the Devil’s Garden Trail, which features stunning views of arches like Landscape Arch. This relatively flat, 1.6-mile trail was perfect for beginners, taking us about 30-60 minutes to complete.

Next, we decided to take it up a notch with a hike to Tower Arch. This 2.4-mile trail is a moderate challenge, with some rocky hills and sandy hills to tackle, but the views are more than worth it. Surrounded by incredible sandstone spires and distant views of Salt Valley, it was an unforgettable experience. This hike took us about 2-3 hours.

Tips:

• $30/vehicle entrance fee
• Go early and on a weekday to avoid the crowds (the park may temporarily close if it reaches capacity)
• Many tourists stick to the arches closest to the entrance
• Be sure to have a full tank of gas
• Bring water, snacks, sunscreen, and sunglasses
• If you plan on hiking, research trail difficulty in advance

Dinner: We celebrated our anniversary at Pasta Jay’s, a charming Italian restaurant known for its delicious pizzas and pasta. A friend recommended it, and we were not disappointed. The laid-back atmosphere and exceptional food made for a perfect anniversary dinner.

Day 3: Canyonlands National Park

Just 30 minutes from Arches National Park is Canyonlands National Park, Utah’s largest national park, covering 527 square miles of colorful canyons, mesas, and cliffs. We headed straight to Grand View Point in the southernmost part of the Island in the Sky plateau to hike a 1-mile trail. The hike was easy and perfect for beginners, with spectacular views at every turn.

Tips:

• $30/vehicle entrance fee
• Bring water, snacks, sunscreen, and sunglasses
• Always check the difficulty level of trails before heading out

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

A coworker recommended we visit Dead Horse Point State Park, just a 16-minute drive from Canyonlands. The park’s name has a dark backstory—during the late 19th century, cowboys used the land as a natural corral, and horses would often die of exposure. Despite the somber history, the park offers breathtaking views of the Colorado River and surrounding canyons, plus plenty of trails to explore.

As we passed through the region, we also drove along the Great Divide, the natural divide that separates the watersheds of the Colorado River, Rio Grande, and Arkansas River. It’s humbling to be in the very place where these iconic rivers begin their long journeys across the land.

Afterwards, we revisited Arches National Park to see a few more iconic arches: Delicate Arch, Sand Dunes Arch, and Double Arch. Delicate Arch is one of the most famous, so it’s typically crowded. We opted to view it from a distance. Double Arch is a unique formation with two large arches that intersect at a 90-degree angle, and Sand Dunes Arch is a hidden gem that’s a short walk from the road.

Dinner: For our last night in Moab, we enjoyed dinner at Zax Restaurant, a casual spot with great food and drinks.

Day 5: Four Corners Monument & Mesa Verde National Park

The Four Corners Monument is where four states meet: Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, and Utah. It’s a unique landmark, though I didn’t expect it to be so desolate—there’s nothing around, not even a store or restaurant. But, hey, at least I can now say I stood in four places at once!

Next, we headed to Mesa Verde National Park, home to the largest archaeological preserve in the U.S. It contains over 5,000 sites and 600 cliff dwellings. We explored the well-preserved cliff dwellings of the Ancestral Puebloans, who lived there for over 700 years.

Tips:

• $5/person entrance fee at Four Corners Monument (free for ages 6 and younger)
• $30/vehicle entrance fee at Mesa Verde National Park

Day 6: Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve

After staying the night in Durango, Colorado, we made our way to Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve. The towering dunes reach up to 750 feet, and the entire field spans 30 square miles. It felt like we were in a giant sandbox! We didn’t try sand sledding, but if you visit, I highly recommend it. The views of the dunes with the mountains in the background are simply stunning.

Tips:

• $25/vehicle entrance fee
• Wear sandals or go barefoot in the sand
• Go early—this park can close once it reaches capacity

Hiking Gear & Travel Essentials

Here’s a list of what we brought with us to make our trip more enjoyable:

• Osprey Hiking Backpacks
• Water Bladder
• Osprey Child Carrier
• Trekking Poles
• Hiking Shoes
• Sunblock
• Sunglasses
• Head Coverings
• Plenty of Water
• Snacks
• Camera (I recommend using your phone to keep your load light)

Although our vacation was short, we made the most of our six days. This trip helped me realize that travel can be so much more than just a getaway—it’s an opportunity for growth, adventure, and creating memories. We plan to revisit many of these parks to explore even more!

If you’ve been to any of these parks or have plans to visit them, I’d love to hear about your experiences! Have you seen the famous Delicate Arch or hiked the stunning trails of Canyonlands? Leave a comment below and let’s swap stories!

During this trip, I captured so many beautiful moments through my lens, and I can’t wait to share them with you. Be sure to take a look at more of the stunning images from our adventure!