Kartchner Caverns State Park.

While Kartchner Caverns State Park undeniably offers a fascinating underground adventure and is worth the admission fee and journey it takes to see it, it falls to the bottom of my list compared to other cave systems I've visited. Having visited other epic sites like Carlsbad Caverns National Park. in New Mexico, and Marengo Cave …

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The Seven Sacred Pools & Soldier Pass Cave of Sedona.

Ahhh, Sedona – a magical place widely regarded as one of Arizona's most popular and beautiful spots. It’s a stunning area brimming with hiking trails and endless opportunities for exploration. Among the countless locations in Sedona, the Seven Sacred Pools and Soldier Pass Cave stand out as particularly well-known and sought-after. Their popularity has surged …

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City of Rocks State Park: An Otherworldly Landscape.

As implied, City of Rocks State Park earns its name from a striking landscape that mirrors a city sculpted from massive boulders. Despite its somewhat remote location in southern New Mexico, wandering through this natural wonder evokes the sensation of strolling through downtown Manhattan - albeit surrounded by 40-foot stones instead of skyscrapers. Numerous pathways …

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Ooh Aah Point of the Grand Canyon.

Arguably one of the most famous points at the Grand Canyon, hiking down to Ooh Aah Point should be a box ready to be checked on any hiker's checklist. Gaining its name from the obvious “Ooh, aah" sound you make upon reaching it, the point has been made uber-trendy by Instagram and TikTok “influencers”, and …

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The Petroglyphs of Trail 95.

When people think about petroglyphs, their minds often instinctively gravitate towards iconic sites like Petroglyph National Monument in New Mexico, Newspaper Rock in Utah (Newspaper Rock: One of the First Community Message Boards.), or the (conveniently) similarly named Newspaper Rock in The Petrified Forest National Park and Painted Desert.. Yet, the American Southwest is home …

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Mexican Hat Rock: A Desert Oddity. 👒

Typically a stop on any good Four Corners or Southwest-inspired road trip itinerary, Mexican Hat Rock is geological oddity named for its obvious sombrero shape. Believed to be around 250 million years old, it’s located just outside of beautiful Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park., approximately 10 minutes past famous “Forest Gump Point” on Highway 163. …

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Newspaper Rock: One of the First Community Message Boards.

A fascinating archeological wonder, Newspaper Rock State Historical Site is a history or travel nerd’s fever dream. Located just 30 minutes outside the small town of Monticello, Utah, on the same road that leads directly to the entrance gate of Canyonlands National Park (Needles District), it’s a simple and quick 15-to-20-minute stop. While it’s highly …

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Goosenecks State Park: Tiny but Mighty.

Located approximately 40 to 45 minutes Northeast of the famed Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park., Goosenecks State Park is a beautiful and relaxing place. Luckily, it’s not difficult to find or hard to get to, located only a mere 3 miles off Highway 163, which is the same highway you’ll find the famed “Forrest Gump …

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Badwater Basin Salt Flat: The Lowest Place in North America.

Hands down my favorite part of Death Valley National Park, the Badwater Basin Salt Flat is a must-see for anyone visiting the park. Officially the lowest point in North America, at 282 feet (86 m) below sea level, it was once considered to be the lowest elevation in the entire Western Hemisphere. It is now …

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Carlsbad Caverns National Park.

"Whales Mouth". Truthfully, Carlsbad Caverns National Park should be on any good traveler’s or road tripper’s “must see” list. A massive and epic dark hole in the ground, it’s ranked as the 15th-largest cave system within the United States, and is home to the largest chamber in North America, known as the Big Room. An …

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