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Santa Fe / Canyonlands

Terry Hayden

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I will be road tripping through the great southwest next month.

The adventure will start in Santa Fe and wend westward in
a circuitous fashion.

I have a week to get back to lovely central California.

I already have the major parks lined out as must stop areas. Arches,
Bryce, Zion, etc.

Any suggestions on lesser known points?

I hope to hit the Bisti Badlands in New Mexico and
Goblin Valley in Utah as well.

Any comments on what to see/do, or not see/do at either location?

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.
 
Hi Terry,

Yikes, all this in a week???? :confused: If that is all the time you have try to set your sites on one or at most two locations. You do your self a disservice to do too much in too little time.

Rich
 
Terry,
there is much to see in a week, especially when travel must be included. Since you are starting in Albuquerque/Santa Fe, head up 84 to Abiquiu to see Ghost Ranch and then head over to Ship Rock. That will put you at Four Corners and then it is an easy ride over to Arches and Canyonland.

Good luck and let me know if you have any questions.
 
Red Rock state park right by me, and 25 miles from Zion is awesome this time of year and no tourists. Also going up the old road from Virgin after leaving Zion that takes you to Kolob, you will hit the fall colors and look down on the park. If you had the time, I could really show you around. I spent years working for Color Country Tours taking people around Southern Utah. I know a lot of good spots not far off the road that many just drive by. Contact me, and I can meet you at any of the Utah parks.
 
better to see alot of a little than a little of alot! really! we just did that run (from vegas) and we spent 21 days! drove 3000 miles and still felt like we were rushing. our highlights were bryce canyon and canyonlands. i sure love the island in the sky. the grand was awesome too ( i met rob hall hanging over the edge with his 12x20) just a bit big and daunting for just a few days. next time i will walk rim to rim (and back)
i am still souping negs! man i shot alot!!!

eddie


 
Seems like us easterners think alike. I spent a week in May just at Arches, Canyonlands with a side trip to Monument Valley. I did do a lot more in Colorado, Texas and Mississippi but I was on the road for a month. A week in Arches and Cayonlands with a side trip to Goblin Valley is enought.

I could spend the rest of my life within 50 miles of Moab and not be bored.

That said, try Hovenweep.
 
Another option while in Moab

I think it's worth checking out Dead Horse Point State Park just a few miles north of Moab. You will get spectacular views from the rim overlooking Canyonlands
 
I was in Chaco Canyon last month, but I spent three days there to see most of it and I'd go back. You'd take 550 north out of Albuquerque and then take a dirt road to get back to the park. It is out of this world. A world heritage site. I got some really good shots there. If you can't make it this time, you have to go there one of these days.