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The American Southwest is a geographic area made up of distinctive pure wonders, with canyon after canyon, and cacti after cacti. It’s a area that beckons explorers to marvel at its magnificence and enjoyment of its distinctive and various tradition.
What states are within the American Southwest you ask? There may be some lack of readability across the definitive borders, however sometimes the area is comprised of Nevada, Utah, Arizona and New Mexico. Some folks will argue components of Colorado (Canyon De Chelly, Mesa Verde), Texas and California be included. I’ve even heard Oklahoma thrown in.
It’s stuffed with huge open areas and desert magnificence, range of landscapes and Southwest tradition.
We spent a number of months exploring Southwest USA on a highway journey, and had many adventures and unforgettable experiences.
On this information, we’ve shared some loopy enjoyable American Southwest adventures that may have you ever screaming, whooping, and speaking about for years to come back.
These are the stuff recollections are manufactured from, and these are the the reason why we journey, particularly with our youngsters.
The Most Epic American Southwest Adventures
Whereas there are such a lot of wonderful points of interest within the Southwest, the next issues to do and locations to see are all about journey.
It’s about getting on the highway much less travelled, doing one thing daring, getting out into the desert, climbing by way of slot canyons that make your legs shake, and doing issues that get your coronary heart racing.
Sound good? Learn on…
1. Take a Pink Jeep Tour, Arizona
I don’t assume our youngsters will ever overlook crawling down a steep path known as Satan’s Staircase in a vibrant pink jeep!
A pink jeep tour is without doubt one of the greatest issues to do in Sedona with youngsters, however us adults liked it too! The Damaged Arrow tour is the preferred tour and provides you with probably the most thrills because it goes up and down rock faces alongside the 4WD path.
You’ll expertise gorgeous surroundings alongside the best way and get the possibility to leap out to be taught extra in regards to the space you’re exploring and benefit from the really feel of rock strong floor beneath your toes.
Watch our Pink Jeep video:
2. Hike the Brilliant Angel Path, Grand Canyon, Arizona
You’ll be able to’t go to the long-lasting Grand Canyon and never go down into her stomach! It saddens me that the typical customer to the Grand Canyon solely stays for quarter-hour. Nooooooooo!!
There may be a lot extra to discover within the Grand Canyon Nationwide Park, each within the north and south rim areas.
One of the crucial epic adventures within the Grand Canyon can be climbing rim to rim, or all the way down to Phantom Ranch and again once more. However, I do know for many of you that’s not going to occur, so the subsequent greatest journey can be to hike the Brilliant Angel Path, which takes you deep into the canyon.
You’ll be able to select how far you wish to go down, taking into account the toughest half to the path can be strolling again out.
Craig and I hiked the 6 miles all the way down to Plateau Level in 2006. With the women we hiked simply over a mile down the path earlier than turning round.
We hiked this path within the Grand Canyon in winter, and had a snowy and icy path which stopped us from going any additional. Security is precedence.
Watch our Grand Canyon within the winter video:
3. Experience the Verde Canyon Railroad, Arizona
Likelihood is you haven’t heard of the Verde Canyon Railroad. We hadn’t both, and have been stunned that nobody talked about it to us as once we visited Sedona!
The Verde Canyon Railroad is a 40-mile return journey by way of 100 years of historical past, tradition, and dramatic desert southwest surroundings.
It follows the Verde River and the riparian ecosystem because it carves alongside the best way with cottonwoods and excessive sandstone cliffs flanking its sides.
This can be a area that’s solely accessible by prepare – until you wish to strap on the boots and do a little bit of climbing.
You’ll be able to trip within the open air carriages for a greater take a look at the surroundings and hearken to a information who will level out notable options and share cultural, geological and historic insights.
We advocate paying further for a firstclass seat – it comes with cozy chairs, a money bar, buffet meals, and a champagne toast on arrival.
When you is perhaps considering this isn’t as coronary heart pumping as different actions on this listing, make certain to take a look down because the prepare passes alongside the mountain edges – and then you definitely’ll know why it’s on this listing!
Watch our Verde Canyon video:
4. Go on ATV Adventures in Sand Hole State Park, Utah
How does zipping round magnificent crimson sand dunes in an ATV or quad bike sound? Not solely is it an epic exercise, it’s in a number of the most gorgeous surroundings I’ve ever seen.
Sand Hole State Park is famend for its 6,000 acres of ATV and OHV off-road trails that take you to three,500ft in elevation.
The sand areas are divided by unbelievable rock formations within the higher areas and bounded by the blue man-made lake on the decrease edges.
That is an journey that may get the youngsters squealing and laughing. End it off with a powerful sundown over the sand dunes.
I’ll always remember Kalyra yelling at me from the again of the ATV, “Present them what you’re manufactured from Mum!” as I pressed my foot down on the accelerator and roared up the sand dune!!
The cheered as we got here flying again down the opposite facet!! A household who adventures collectively, stays collectively.
Watch our ATV adventures in St George video:
5. Do the Angels Touchdown Hike, Zion Nationwide Park, Utah
Oh boy!! Undecided you’ll wish to do that hike within the American Southwest with youngsters, younger ones at the least.
I nonetheless really feel sick fascinated with taking the women up there. We solely made it to Scout’s Touchdown, which was greater than sufficient thrill in search of journey for me.
Craig and I’ve hiked to Scout’s Touchdown earlier than and I liked it, nevertheless it’s a distinct story if you’re holding onto a sequence beside your daughters praying they don’t slip and fall 1,000 toes to their demise.
Angels Touchdown is without doubt one of the most legendary hikes in Southwestern USA, and one of many greatest issues to do in Zion Nationwide Park. One other nice hike to do when you have the abdomen is The Narrows.
You hike as much as the highest of a peak, the final part utilizing a hand chain to information you alongside a slender path with a steep drop off all the way down to your demise.
Regardless of how far you rise up this path, you’ll always remember this climbing journey in Southwest USA.
Since 2024, 18 folks have died climbing Angels Touchdown, nevertheless it’s in a nationwide park visited by 4 million folks a 12 months – so the percentages of survival are actually good.
So long as you’re wise, sluggish, and may navigate across the crowds, you’ll be nice.
And the views are simply as epic because the journey.
Even if you happen to solely make it to the start of the scary half, it’s price doing. The Angels Touchdown Path has loopy switchbacks going up which provides you with sufficient of an journey and exquisite views of the Zion Valley beneath.
Remember to cease on the lodge for a nicely deserved native Springdale IPA if you’ve completed.
Watch our Zion Nationwide Park video right here:
6. Go horseback driving in Bryce Canyon, Utah
Horseback driving in Bryce Canyon Nationwide Park was certainly one of our favourite experiences in Southern Utah. Craig and I visited Bryce Canyon NP and went horse driving again in 2006 and we nonetheless rave about it at this time.
We had a cowboy information us, full with stirrups and unhealthy whiskey jokes. Our trip took us up and down trails previous orange, white and pink hoodoos of all sizes and shapes. It’s like nothing you’ve ever seen earlier than.
Bryce Canyon is on the high of my listing of favourite USA nationwide parks, stuffed with fairyland surprise greatest seen on the again of a horse.
Whereas in Bryce Canyon, you’ll want to hike just a few trails and catch dawn and sundown. The views are magnificent.
7. Squeeze into Decrease Antelope Canyon, Arizona
We solely did the Decrease Antelope Canyon hike, however I feel the Higher Antelope Canyon can be simply as fantastic of an American Southwest journey!
Antelope Canyon is a magical slot canyon created by water that has break up and polished rock crevasses over time.
The shapes, colours and textures of the carved canyon partitions and the way it modified within the mild was spellbinding.
Nature has so many surprises in stall for us hidden by only a tiny crack within the floor. Deep beneath is a world that may seize the guts of any who’re courageous sufficient to dig a bit deeper and discover wider.
I used to be frightened that it will be overcrowded and underrated. This was not the case in any respect and I used to be thrilled and delighted by the expertise.
Our Navajo information was educated in regards to the rock formations and identified numerous shapes and creature and was wonderful in taking photographs for us and exhibiting us the best way to seize the distinctive colours and options.
I additionally liked how he demonstrated how the canyon was fashioned on the finish with a pile of sand and a bottle of water. This actually helped the youngsters to hook up with this expertise.
If you are right here, you would possibly as nicely cease by Horseshoe Bend. It’s very shut by and one of the spectacular locations in Arizona you don’t wish to miss.
8. Hike round Monument Valley, Utah/Arizona
Monument Valley is certainly one of our favourite Southwest landmarks. It has a mesmerizing religious vitality and magnetism that’s uncommon to expertise. You’ll be able to’t assist take a look at these buttes and never see a better energy at work.
Name it no matter you want, nevertheless it’s an exquisite strategy to expertise your self as a part of one thing so excellent but unexplainable.
A go to to Monument Valley will convey again the surprise and pleasure in your life.
You are able to do a self-guided tour of the valley to see probably the most well-known websites such because the Mittens and the view from John Ford Level.
We advocate going deeper on a guided tour with a Navajo information.
These excursions have permission to go off the overwhelmed path in Monument Valley and also you get to expertise different wonders like visiting a Hogan, and rock formations with names like Solar’s Eye and Wind’s Ear. It’s a very completely different perspective to Monument Valley.
Probably the most enriching half to the expertise is in fact to be taught extra about Native American tradition together with your skilled Native American information.
Ours was wonderful and he knew all the very best locations to take valuable household photograph recollections of us.
Watch our Monument Valley video right here:
9. Go climbing in Valley of Fireplace State Park, Nevada
The Valley of Fireplace State Park is just not an journey of the bodily type, however it’s an journey for the eyes! There are many climbing trails you’re taking off the primary Scenic Drive that may give your physique a great work out.
These are quick trails, however will take you to petroglyphs, slender canyons, hearth waves, and a number of the most extraordinary colours and landscapes you possibly can hope to see.
Our tip is to drive there by the use of the North Highway in Lake Mead Leisure Space to blow up the senses much more.
Simply look beneath at what you’ll see.
Valley of Fireplace State Park is without doubt one of the greatest day journeys from Las Vegas as it’s only an hour away from The Strip.
Watch our Valley of Fireplace video:
10. Go climbing at Crimson Rock Canyon, Nevada
Just like the Valley of Fireplace, Crimson Rock Canyon is a feast for the eyes! I couldn’t recover from how putting this space was with its colourful rocks rising out of the desert flooring like an enormous rippling wave.
You’ll be able to benefit from the 13 mile scenic drive and cease for just a few hikes alongside the best way.
We totally loved the quick and simple Misplaced Creek Kids’s Discovery Path hike, which introduced us with a riparian setting that felt like we have been in a spot like Yosemite Nationwide Park relatively than the desert.
Our 90-minute horse driving expertise simply exterior the park by way of a slender gorge with views of the crimson rock canyons in entrance of us was an American Southwest journey our women will always remember.
We didn’t do any mountain climbing at Crimson Rock Canyon in Nevada, nevertheless it is called one of the common mountain climbing locations within the USA.
Excellent news is that this spectacular Nationwide Conservation Space is barely 30-minutes from the Las Vegas Strip, so you may simply do it as a day journeys from Las Vegas.
Watch our Crimson Rock Canyon video:
11. Marvel at Peek-a-Boo and Spooky Slot Canyons, Utah
This was by far the best journey we had within the Southwest area of the US.
It was completely surprising and all of us felt a bit beat up after it – however in a great way. Peek-a-Boo and Spooky Slot Canyons lie ready for you within the Grand Staircase-Escalante Nationwide Monument in Utah.
That is an space off-the-beaten-path however nicely well worth the dusty gravel highway to get there. The 2 slot canyons current a distinct expertise and are each on a loop path.
We visited in a bunch of 6 adults and 6 youngsters and every of us had a blast and mentioned it was the very best enjoyable but.
This loop stroll will take you thru the 2 vastly completely different canyons. The primary will contain lots of climbing, weaving and ducking up into the canyon and thru holes, throughout swimming pools of water, and into slender slots.
It then opens up by way of a wash with lovely desert surroundings earlier than happening into the very slender Spooky Slot Canyon. Breathe deep and suck in these bellies!
Watch our adventures in Peek-a-Boo and Spooky slot Canyons:
12. Go Jeep Rock Crawling in Moab, Utah
We didn’t notice we’d be rock crawling once we joined this guided jeep tour of the encircling rock nation in Moab.
Rock crawling in a Jeep was EPIC enjoyable! There was a great deal of laughter, just a few tears, and loads of screams.
That is an train in belief. Jeeps are probably the most versatile and reliable automobiles. There’s in all probability not a rock they’ll’t unfold their wheels over in all completely different instructions to climb up and over with extra ability than a crab.
However letting go to belief that jeep if you’re laying again in your seat at a 90 diploma angle hoping you’ve given sufficient fuel to rise up, or to leaning proper all the way down to virtually kiss the bottom hoping that the Jeep will stick after which proper itself up is troublesome.
Wow!!
We rented a jeep and joined the Fulltime Households organized tour of the encircling Moab crimson rock nation.
Really make that crimson, orange, pink white, and yellow rock. There have been 13 households with volunteer spotters serving to all us novices learn to rock crawl.
Including to the fun of the journey have been the gorgeous views that surrounded us of Moab Utah.
What an exquisite strategy to discover the backcountry and an EPIC Southwest USA journey for certain!
Off roading Jeep rock crawling in Moab video:
13. Discover the Carlsbad Caverns Nationwide Park, New Mexico
Carlsbad Caverns Nationwide Park is a good place to go to in New Mexico. Carlsbad Cavern consists of a big cave chamber, the Huge Room, which is a pure limestone chamber virtually 4,000 toes (1,220 m) lengthy, 625 toes (191 m) huge, and 255 toes (78 m) excessive on the highest level.
It’s the third largest chamber in North America and the seventh largest on this planet.
There are two methods to benefit from the cavern by yourself both by elevator, climbing, or each. You’ll be able to enter through the cavern’s Pure Entrance, climbing a steep one and 1 / 4 mile paved path into the spectacular one and 1 / 4 mile Huge Room Path across the cave.
Or you may take an elevator trip from the customer heart 750 toes down on to the Huge Room Path.
Carlsbad Caverns Nationwide Park is positioned within the Guadalupe Mountains. There are many floor hikes throughout the Nationwide Park to benefit from the spectacular landscapes of the Guadalupe Mountains and Chihuahuan Desert.
Carlsbad Caverns Nationwide Park presents quite a few ranger-guided cave excursions into areas different of the nationwide park and yearly between Could-October is when 1000’s of Brazilian free tailed bats fly out of the pure entrance.
14. Go sandboaring in White Sands Nationwide Monument, New Mexico
Each time I see a photograph on Instagram of White Sands Nationwide Monument, I weep a bit! As lovers of sandboarding dunes, we all know that is an epic Southwest USA journey that we missed out on as a result of pandemic.
This area of glistening white dunes is the world’s largest gypsum dune-field and is positioned within the northern finish of the Chihuahuan Desert in South-Central New Mexico.
You’ll be able to white sand surf right here, picnic, take scenic drives, bike or stroll by way of a part of the 275 square-mile nationwide monument. In addition they supply actions corresponding to a sundown stroll nature stroll, and full moon evening packages.
Remaining Ideas
So there you could have it, these are the very best adventures available within the Southwest. As you may see, there’s no scarcity of desert panorama, images spots, distinctive experiences, and even tranquility available right here.
As you’re taking your journey by way of Southwestern United States, you’ll want to take note of how the Colorado River modifications because it carves its means down from its origin within the Rocky Mountains to the Gulf of Mexico.
The entire area is a hikers paradise. What do you assume? What journey speaks to you?
Extra Suggestions for Southwest USA
Want extra inspiration for the American Southwest? Listed below are another useful guides…
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What can be your favourite journey to do within the Southwest states? What’s now in your bucket listing? Share within the feedback!