Road Trip Adventures // National Parks
At the end of 2019, Andrew and I had started planning a road trip for early summer where we would drive to and explore multiple national parks. It was part graduation celebration trip, part just for fun adventure. We had settled on one park in California, Redwood National Park, and two in Utah, Zion National Park and Arches National Park. We had picked our dates, booked our campsites, and started brainstorming activities and hikes. What we, and the world, didn’t expect to happen this year was coronavirus. That obviously through our plans for a loop.
When the pandemic started hitting hard in March, we held out hope that we would still be able to follow through with our June trip. We figured that in a few months, the worst of it would be wrapping up. Instead, the country got worse and that resulted in parks and campsites completely closing down. Our camping reservations were cancelled and we weren’t sure if or when national parks would open back up.
Thankfully we were able to reschedule for late August/early September and reserved campsites at the same grounds we had originally booked. We felt comfortable pursuing this trip during pandemic conditions because we would be excessively distancing from people while camping and driving to each location, and had no problem at all wearing a mask when social distancing wasn’t possible. We planned to hike earlier in the morning, to avoid crowds and the projected heat. We planned out meals ahead of time so we wouldn’t have to do additional grocery shopping at any point along the way. I’d say we were pretty prepared.
The first day of our trip consisted of only driving to Twin Falls, Idaho. We booked a hotel there, as it was roughly the halfway point between Seattle and Zion. That was one of two hotels we had previously booked, with the second one in Reno, Nevada, which would be our only stop from Arches to the Redwoods.
The lead up to our trip was incredibly exciting, as we were going to be visiting parks neither one of us had been to before and it was nice to look forward to something new when every day feels like the same. Below is a detailed account of our road trip that I hope may inspire others to enjoy the beauty of national parks!
Big Blue, who carried us through our whole adventure!
Zion National Park
The Narrows
When researching Zion National Park early on, The Narrows kept coming up in books and online when it came to top activities in the park. I had seen pictures of people hiking through the water and in the shadows of the canyon walls. A once-in-a-lifetime activity.
The first thing we needed was gear. We rented neoprene socks and canyon shoes through Zion Adventure Company because we wanted to have the proper attire to be trekking through water. We also borrowed a dry bag to store our valuables - camera, phones, keys - that easily fit in one of our backpacks. We packed multiple water bottles and plenty of food for lunch. Andrew was also able to book us a shuttle through Zion Adventure Company, so we had a ride to and from the popular tourist destination.
Our plan was to hike bottom-up and we arrived at the Temple of Sinawava around 9am. With walking sticks in hand, we started up The Narrows, navigating through the rocks and different levels of water. We were met with amazing views around every turn and we made sure to take moments to pause and appreciate the scenery around us. We spent between five to six hours going through the canyon, and I only managed to fall once!
Angels Landing
One of the most strenuous hikes Andrew and I did was the Angels Landing Trail. The popular hike features steep inclines and a section of 27 switchbacks. We definitely took our time with this hike because the elevation and steepness were no joke. The chain portion to reach the top of Angels Landing was closed because of COVID-19, but we were still able to hike up to Scout Lookout, which is just below. We were able to enjoy lunch there, with stunning views of Zion Canyon.
Camping
Our campsite at Zion National Park was stunning. We stayed at the Watchman Campground and all around us were views of surrounding mountains and deer freely roaming. It felt like we were in the middle of a painting. The weather at Zion was scorching, so it took a little adjustment at night to comfortably get to sleep.
Arches National Park
Sand Dune Arch and Broken Arch
The drive from Zion to Arches was one of our shortest drives, so we were able to explore a little bit the evening we arrived at the park. We were able to see the Sand Dune Arch and make the short walk from there to Broken Arch. That was a special moment because the sun was about to set and we were the only people at the arch, which made for great pictures and a nice moment of quiet and solitude.
Balanced Rock
After seeing Sand Dune and Broken Arch, we quickly drove to Balanced Rock. It’s right by the road so it’s easy to spot, but we still got out and walked around the still-standing structure. The formation is quite astonishing, as the pedestal of the top rock is slowly deteriorating which gives the appearance that it’s balanced on top. One day this rock will collapse and I was happy we were able to see it in all its glory.
Devils Garden Trail
The Devils Garden Trail contains multiple arches and structures and Andrew really wanted to see one of them, Double O Arch. We packed up multiple water bottles and food, knowing it was going to be a lengthy hike on a sweltering day. The first big arch we came across was Landscape Arch, the longest arch in North America. Past that, the trail became a little more difficult and adventurous, as we scaled rocks and walked on ledges at precarious heights. The view of Double O was worth it in my opinion, and was the perfect place for us to pause and enjoy our lunch. We continued on for a short distance to see Dark Angel, a dark spire that we had all to ourselves.
Delicate Arch
The rock formation I really, really wanted to see while we were at Arches National Park was Delicate Arch. The iconic arch is featured on Utah license plates. The hike to see it includes steep slick rock and walking across narrow ledges, that definitely had my heart beating quickly. The trail concluded at a scenic overlook of the arch, which sits atop the mountain’s edge, which makes the pictures people take beneath it a little nerve-racking. Andrew and I briefly took a break to eat at a slanted viewpoint, then enjoyed a downhill walk back.
I was amazed by the structure of Delicate Arch and the fact that it’s still standing. How can a formation of this size and shape still be here? It was another moment of reflection for me and a chance to appreciate the beauty of nature around us.
The Windows Section and Double Arch
Andrew and I wanted to take full advantage of our time at Arches, so we were able to pack in even more arch viewings. Double Arch and The Windows Section are right next to each other, so we were able to easily move from one to the other. Double Arch was grand and incredible, two arches of similar size situated next to each other and directly connected.
The Windows Section was pretty spectacular. The short walk up to the north and south window is easy and allows visitors grand, up-close views of both.
Camping
Camping at Arches National Park was quite the experience. On our first night at Devils Garden Campground, we battled extreme wind when setting up our tent, which was extremely frustrating. That night only got worse as the wind picked up and violently shook our tent while we were trying to sleep. Sand was also blowing into our tent, and eventually we hit our breaking point. We were genuinely nervous that our tent would become damaged and we both knew that if sand kept being blown in, neither one of us would be able to sleep. We caved and packed up our gear, taking refuge at a Super 8 Motel for the night. The following night was a complete 180. The wind was calm and our campsite was peaceful. We enjoyed a nice dinner as a deer grazed near us, and we had a restful night in our tent.
Redwood National Park
Prairie Creek State Park
Our time at Redwood National Park was a more relaxing experience. We were not filling each day with strenuous hikes, but we still wanted to enjoy what the area had to offer. So we explored a few trails in the Prairie Creek State Park within the National Park, including the Revelation Trail, Circle Trail, and the Big Tree, that’s estimated to be 1,500 years old. It was peaceful walking through towering trees and it reminded us of home in the Pacific Northwest. It was truly the perfect way to wind down our whole trip. We also enjoyed the Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway, that features many pullouts to other trails and stunning views of nature.
Camping
We camped at Gold Bluffs Campground and were treated to the beautiful views and sounds of the Pacific Ocean. The drive to and from the campground was a bit gravelly and dusty, so thank goodness I got new tires before our trip. This was the first time we were able to have a campfire, since Utah was under a burn ban. It was nice to do a quintessential camping activity and enjoy some s’mores as an evening dessert.
Our road trip to three national parks was everything and more. It came at the right time, when I needed so badly to disconnect from social media and the frustrations of the world. I needed a break from toxicity that was draining me, and having the opportunity to connect with nature, Andrew, and myself was perfect.
I was so happy to take a vacation while still adhering to social distancing and safety regulations. I hope that other people do the same if a vacation is in their near future. I also highly recommend exploring the national parks this country has to offer. National parks need to be protected and funded, and support through visitation and education greatly helps.
I took a lot of pictures and videos during our trip, so of course I put together a travel vlog of our time on the road. You can watch the video here!