Cool finds in a rock outcropping during a hike up the mountain following deer trails. Everything found was left in place respectfully for others to enjoy discovering

Hey everyone,

My wife, our 4-year-old daughter, and I are planning a massive bucket-list road trip through Utah and the Four Corners region this late summer. We also want to keep the pace manageable, fun, and toddler-friendly so my daughter doesn't lose her mind.

We’re flying out of EWR into SLC on August 22, renting 4WD Jeep Wrangler, and flying back home on September 5.

Quick note: We’ve already done the Zion and Bryce on a previous trip last year, so we’re intentionally skipping them this time around.

Here is the rough itinerary we’ve put together. I’d love some brutal honesty on the pacing, driving times, and if we're missing any incredible spots along this route.

The Game Plan

• Aug 22 (Day 1): EWR → SLC → Moab
  • Land at SLC around 10:30 am, grab the rental car, and head straight out to Moab (stop at Costco and Walmart to grab groceries and other essentials. Stop in Green River for a quick lunch.
  • Evening: Catch sunset at Dead Horse Point State Park.
• Aug 23 (Day 2): Arches National Park (The Staples)
  • Morning: Park Avenue, Balanced Rock, and the Windows Section.
  • Afternoon: Double Arch and Sand Dune Arch
  • Evening: Sunset hike up to Delicate Arch.
• Aug 24 (Day 3): Arches Deep Dive
  • Sunrise: Devils Garden to see Landscape, Navajo, and Partition arches.
  • Evening: Unwind and grab dinner at Moab Brewery.
• Aug 25 (Day 4): Potash Road & Corona Arch
  • Morning: Take the scenic drive down Potash Road to look at the petroglyphs and dinosaur tracks. Hike out to Corona Arch.
  • Evening: Hang around the Colorado River scenic pullouts for sunset.
• Aug 26 (Day 5): Canyonlands (Island in the Sky)
  • Sunrise: Mesa Arch. 
  • Daytime: Grand View Point, Buck Canyon, and White Rim Overlook.
  • Evening: Sunset at Green River Overlook.
• Aug 27 (Day 6): Canyonlands (Needles District)
  • Day trip down to the Needles side (about 1.5 hours each way from our base in Moab).
  • Hit Newspaper Rock, Needles Overlook, and walk the Cave Spring Trail.
• Aug 28 (Day 7): Moab Adventure Day
  • Rest day or Drive to Black Canyon National park, it will be 3 hrs drive each way
• Aug 29 (Day 8): Moab to Monument Valley
  • Pack up and drive south down Highway 163.
  • Stops at Goosenecks State Park and the Mexican Hat photo op.
  • Evening: Check into The View Hotel just in time for sunset.
• Aug 30 (Day 9): Monument Valley to Mesa Verde
  • Sunrise: Roll out of bed and watch sunrise right from the hotel balcony. Do the scenic loop there
  • Drive toward Mesa Verde, breaking it up with a stop at Hovenweep National Monument (super excited for these ruins) and a quick photo at Four Corners.
  • Stay: Far View Lodge.
• Aug 31 (Day 10): Mesa Verde National Park
  • Spend the whole day doing the cultural side of things. Planning on the Cliff Palace tour, Balcony House (if it's not too tight for a 4yo), and walking Petroglyph Point Trail.
• Sep 1 (Day 11): Mesa Verde → Black Canyon of the Gunnison → Torrey, UT
  • The Monster Driving Day. Driving all the way up to Black Canyon (South Rim) to spend a few hours hitting Gunnison Point, Painted Wall, and Pulpit Rock. Then we push through the afternoon to get out to Torrey.
• Sep 2 (Day 12): Capitol Reef & Torrey Hidden Gems
  • I am leaning towards getting a jeep tour of Temple of Sun & Moon and Bentonite hills. Any recommendations for the tour operators ?
  • Morning: Hickman Bridge Trail
  • Afternoon: Heading out to scout/photograph Bentonite Hills and Factory Butte.
  • Night: Setting up for some heavy astrophotography in Capitol Reef's dark sky zones.
• Sep 3 (Day 13): Torrey back to Salt Lake City
  • Catch one last morning look at Cathedral Valley or Sunset Point, then make the ~3.5 hour drive back up to SLC. Check into the hotel and just relax.
• Sep 4 (Day 14): Salt Lake City
  • Rest day, no plans
• Sep 5 (Day 15): SLC → EWR
  • Checkout by 8 am for the flight back to EWR

Thanks a ton for any advice, food recommendations, or photo tips you can throw our way!

Drove the forest road up to Heber Mountain (10,200ft) to try and spot some of the firefighting operations in Buck Basin from afar. Fire or smoke column wasn’t visible but the single helicopter with water bucket at work was. Pretty neat.

Though not as neat as this…Eagle? Hawk? It was big and later 5 min later I saw it flying alongside another of its kind.

Hi, my boyfriend and I are traveling through southern Utah this weekend with our 2 dogs. We would really like to visit Cascade Falls, but I see that the road can sometimes get kind of rough.

We have a RAV4 AWD, but it is stock height. Would anyone happen to know if the road is manageable right now? Would we make it in?

Been to the Salt Flats a few times, but recently went and the textured ground was so clear. Just thought I'd share!

Some shots from the adventuring over the past month. Shots include Whitney Reservoir in the Uinta’s. Shots from up top Heber Mountain. Duchense Ridge as well as Mill Canyon area. I love Utah, I’ll be sad to move out of here in October.

Escaped the 109 degree heat in the valley for a wildflower hike at Alta.

Thinking my husband could paddle while I hold her in my lap. Does anyone have experience with this and how did it go? I realize it’s a commitment as the river ride is probably a 2 hour trip.

I have a life jacket for her but she’s not worn it much before. Thank you for your tips and advice!

Hi! Looking for fun pretty places to go to within a few hours from slc or specific rentals people have stayed in! Would love to be by some type of water ! Thanks :)

Hello! I’m backpacking Lone Peak this weekend and wanted to verify a few things before I left/see if anyone has any useful advice. This is will be a very relaxed trip, since the group I’m going with is planning on three days/two nights.

1. Jacob’s Ladder or Cherry Canyon Logging? As far as I’m aware, Cherry is the only one with a reliable water source. Spending as much time as we are on the mountain, we’ll need to filter, so I’m leaning towards Cherry Canyon. This one also has Outlaw Cabin, which could serve as a good base camp. If anyone has any insight as to the water situation presently (with it being especially hot and dry as of late) this would be IMMENSELY helpful.
2. Is overnight parking available anywhere near the Orson Smith Park trailhead? I know it’s not allowed in the actual park, but I’m curious if there is anywhere nearby that is a workaround or if I need to figure out a drop-off/pick-up situation.

Thank you so much for any advice!! I really appreciate it.
EDIT: To clarify (as you’ll see in the comments below), this is not a trip that I planned and I was invited by another group to go. Most of what I’m asking here is to verify my concerns so I can amend/change the plan entirely. I’m open to whatever advice people have to offer, it only helps my argument when I take this to the rest of the group. I really appreciate the honesty—it will hopefully keep both myself and everyone else safe!!! Thank you all, this sub is an absolutely godsend 🙏

A friend and I are doing an annual fishing trip and chose the Uintas this year (August 25-29th). Looking to get off trail and explore some waters for Big Brookies / Tiger Trout with minimal pressure. Not looking to burn any spots but hoping I could get some info on a specific drainage to target (And cross-reference with info I've read). Preferabely on the Eastern side away from Salt Lake traffic. Which one of these drainages would you recommend (Whiterocks river / Sheepcreek-carter / Beaver Creek) - or a different drainage entirely? Never been to the Uintas before but getting stoked!

Finally spending more time outside again. Parks, hiking trails, camping, backyard BBQs… there are so many ways to enjoy summer. What’s your favorite outdoor activity during this season?

In utah

I know this is a stretch but if you list some hiking poles on the way to kings peak on Friday and can identify them id like to get them back to their owner. Hit me up.

Thinking about joining the family for a little fishing trip in Huntington Canyon. Does anyone thats been to or know if Big Rock group campground gets a cell service particularly verizon. Have a cell phone booster but it needs some form of signal.

Hi all! First Reddit post- kinda nervous

My team and I are looking into coming out to Utah to shoot at the Bonneville Salt Flats in December.

I’ve seen a lot of info about varying conditions, I’ve never been to Utah so I’m a little unfamiliar. I’d love any advice on weather conditions, tips and tricks, parking and even nearby lodging or other locations for shoots while we are there to maximize our time.

Thanks ✨✨✨