Roadtrippin’ USA
Why Utah’s red rocks will steal your heart
Reading time: 4 min
Roadtrippin’ USA
Why Utah’s red rocks will steal your heart
Reading time: 4 min
Roadtrippin’ USA
Why Utah’s red rocks will steal your heart
Reading time: 4 min
Roadtrippin’ USA: Why Utah’s red rocks will steal your heart
A break from the classic city trips. In September, the Connections team swapped Belgian rain for sun, red dust, and endless horizons in Utah. What followed was a journey along the Mighty Five, past neon lights and deep canyons, dirty sodas, and landscapes so unreal they make you forget you are still on Earth.
Looking for a trip that lingers long after you are home, one you will still be talking about years later? Buckle up, this was our route.
From neon to nature
Las Vegas was our starting point. The Strip by night, admired from above during a helicopter flight, getting lost among the lights and noise, and then heading straight into silence.
The next morning, we hit the road, left the city behind, and suddenly everything changed. No more skyscrapers, just massive red rock walls closing in. Zion welcomes you without many words, but with a grand gesture.
We did not just sleep in a basic tent. At Zion Wildflower Resort, we combined outdoor living with comfort. Canvas tents with real beds, air conditioning, and that unbeatable feeling of waking up surrounded by nature. Glamping at its best.
Zion on two wheels and under the stars
Zion invites you to move, and with summer temperatures, an e-bike is pure bliss. We followed the Parus Trail as the cliffs rushed past us. Wind in your face, red rock walls all around, and that humbling feeling of being small inside something immense.
In the evening, movement gave way to wonder. During a stargazing tour, we settled into comfy lounge chairs and peered through telescopes at the endless night sky. Southern Utah is a certified dark sky region and that is an understatement. The Milky Way cuts sharply across the darkness. Silence. Awe. (Pro tip: do not schedule your stargazing tour too soon after arrival, there is a good chance you will drift off blissfully in your chair.)
Bryce Canyon and the magic of the hoodoos
As if Zion was not impressive enough, Bryce Canyon was waiting for us. At sunrise, the hoodoos, thousands of jagged rock spires, glow in shades of orange and pink. It feels almost unreal.
We descended via the Navajo Loop. Going down is easy, going back up is another story, but every step is worth it. Here, you feel like you are on Mars and instantly understand why this landscape sparks so much imagination.
Scenic Byway 12: driving as an experience
The road from Bryce to Capitol Reef is not just a transfer, it is an experience. Scenic Byway 12 winds through open landscapes and dramatic vistas. We stopped at Singing Canyon, a small slot canyon right along the road where sound echoes off the narrow walls. Step out, pause, silence, magic.
Moab, where everything feels bigger
Moab is epic in every sense. Here, nature and adventure take center stage. In Arches National Park, we hiked to Delicate Arch. The climb is challenging and the trail is shared, but when you reach the top, turn that final corner, and suddenly there it is, Delicate Arch in all its glory, everything goes quiet. This is Utah in a single image.
Dead Horse Point surprised us even more. The Colorado River winds far below, and the view is simply spectacular. Secretly more impressive than the Grand Canyon, do not tell them.
Kanab and pure adventurous freedom
Our journey ended in Kanab, also known as Little Hollywood. Here, we switched to full adventure mode. In a 4x4, we drove through deep sand toward Peekaboo Slot Canyon. Antelope Canyon may be world famous, but Peekaboo is more intimate, quieter, and just as beautiful. No crowds, no lines, just you and sunlight playing on warm orange rock walls.
What you really should not miss (must-dos)
Rent an e-bike in Zion: total freedom and a completely different way to experience the park compared to the shuttle bus.
Sunrise among the hoodoos: yes, it means an early start in Bryce Canyon, but the light show is unforgettable.
Slot canyons around Kanab: these locations perfectly showcase how light and shadow shape Utah’s landscapes.
Our tips, learned on the road
Hydrate: water is not optional in the desert, it is essential. Always carry more than you think you will need.
Try Swig: an experience. Dirty sodas, soft drinks with coconut cream and lime, sound strange, but taste surprisingly good after a hot hike.
Do not underestimate distances: what looks close on the map can take time on mountain roads. A good playlist makes every drive better.
Conclusion: Utah is not a destination you simply visit. It is a feeling, a rhythm, a landscape that slowly pulls you in.
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