I discovered that about 40 miles north of Zion’s main entrance is the sleeper sister of Zion National Park – a spectacular set of finger canyons and trails called Kolob Canyons.
The five-mile stretch of Kolob Canyon Road begins at the park entrance and crosses the major fault line which gives rise to the great plateau that houses some of the oldest and youngest rocks in all of Zion.
Bryce is known for its hoodoos (columns of soft, weathered rocks topped by harder, less easily eroded stone) and the vastness and beauty of the hoodoo amphitheaters is nothing short of breathtaking.
Don’t miss the Bryce Point Overlook, yet another expansive and breathtaking view of the Silent City, an assemblage of hoodoos resembling figures frozen in rock.
Known as “Little Hollywood” for having provided the backdrop for many famous Western movies and TV commercials, Kanab, Utah lives up to true wild west kitsch and more.
By simply typing “Grand Canyon no crowds”, I found out about entering the park on Desert View Drive, via the East Entrance. However, depending on where you’re coming from it may be out of the way, but it is well worth it.