We invite you on an adventure through Utah’s Mighty 5 National Parks: Arches, Bryce Canyon, Canyonland, Capitol Reef, and Zion. This Ultimate Utah National Parks Itinerary is the result of our experiences. We visited each of Utah’s national parks several times, and we have prepared an optimal travel plan. This is an intense 7 day...
Oregon’s Covered Bridges are a wooden architectural gem and a heritage of the past. Oregon is famous for its bridges. That is why we have added some of the most interesting to our Itinerary around this state. When choosing, we were guided by the attractiveness of covered bridges as photographic objects. So, below, in our...
What to do in 3 days in Portland, Oregon? We have prepared ready to go Portland Itinerary. We have been few times in this fabulous city. So, we suggest you the best places worth visiting in Portland. Furthermore, we also tell you what Portland is known for? What is the best area to stay? Where...
I have heard so many wonderful things about Portland and have always wanted to visit. As a vegan, I’ve been told about the health food community and abundance of vegan options, and always appreciate a place that caters to different diets like that. This guide will surely come in handy whenever I get the chance to make it over. Thanks for sharing!ReplyCancel
Wow, thanks for this complete guide to Portland. I’ve only heard great things about the city but honestly didn’t know much about it. After reading your article, I’m convinced that this is a must-visit place in the US. What I want to discover the most are the craft beers, wineries, and the general food scene in Portland. It’s also a bonus that it’s so near to Mount Rainier National Park.ReplyCancel
I’ve heard so many of my European friends talk about wanting to visit Portland – I didn’t understand it. Loved what you wrote about and feel that my opinion is changed, I’d be up for a trip now! If only for the craft beer, and Powell’s City of Books, but love the itinerary for a “long weekend” in the city (or a mid-week break!).ReplyCancel
Loved your Portland itinerary and never knew about sales tax thing here. Now this place is for me as I love shopping and here we don’t need to pay extra taxes. Also not inside the city but there are worth doing day tours too. I would love to take Columbia Gorge and Multnomah falls trip as it is full of natural beauty.ReplyCancel
It was fun reading those Portland facts that you have shared. Coffee in Portland – hmmm! And then it being the first city for the food truck culture. That I honestly, did not even know. Nice to know that it can be explored with a cycle. And to see it cater to so many different types of visitors with its parks and museums. ReplyCancel
Are you dreaming about hiking the Wave? Or maybe you are a lucky one, already have the Wave permit, and look for information preparing for this challenging hike? In our Ultimate Guide to The Wave – Coyote Buttes North, you will find the Wave Lottery odds tips for the walk-in lottery in Kanab and online...
Wait, this place looks too crazy to be real… Adding to that is the factors, there exists a lottery to visit here? Wow! Just 20 people are issued lottery per day? Whoa! Definitely difficult to visit. I can imagine the odds are better in walk-in system, but I’m amazed that you didn’t get through 14 times! Good to know you struck your luck and won the lottery. Yeah, it does look like a difficult hike, so thanks much for the tips. ReplyCancel
A visit to the Wave definitely looks like it is worth the effort it takes to win a permit. The natural beauty here is amazing and it would be a great spot for getting some stunning photos, and definitely something to brag about! I seem to have no luck when it comes to anything, so I would be surprised if I am ever able to visit this great location. Thank you for the tips on increasing the chances of winning the lottery, I will definitely use them in the future if I ever try to be the lucky winner. ReplyCancel
I’ve always wanted to hike the Wave, Havasu Falls, and some of those other popular hikes out west, but honestly the process is so intimidating! I love that you break it down simply. Its definitely competitive, but since we live in Virginia it looks like the online lottery is the way to go. We are planning to have our first kiddo in March, but maybe we can enter the lottery for next December-March when it is low season like you said.ReplyCancel
This is such a wonderfully useful post. You’ve done an excellent job in offering a detailed plan of how to apply for a pass using the lottery system. In particular, it’s interesting to now the off peak months when there is more chance of being successful. It’s such a beautiful natural wonder.ReplyCancel
This is such a great guide for the Wave. We have tried the lottery now every month since September with no luck. I think we might pause it for a while since I am not keen on hiking during the hottest months. I would love to try showing up for in person lottery too someday. The time we were in Kanab we had a baby with us so figured it was not a good idea to hike Wave with a baby in a carrier. But I agree that there are so many things to see there. We really enjoyed the toadstools, and we ended up driving to Page and doing the Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend. Amazing trip!ReplyCancel
Oh my God, the Wave looks absolutely stunning and I would love to hike there someday. However, I did not know that it is one of the most difficult hikes to get permits and that too a lottery. Thanks for this post I now understand that I need to plan well if I have to go here and keep trying till I get the chance. ReplyCancel
The first photo of Wave by you have won me over for this place. I never knew that without permit we can enter Wave. Good you warned us that we need a permit and also there are heavy penalties and fines if someone breaks the law. I also support that these things should be well-preserved and taken care off. You are lucky that you got this win in online lottery. Also the flora and fauna on these rocks is very beautiful and interesting. Good you shared how to take part in this lottery system. ReplyCancel
It’s always been our dream to see the Wave. The colors and intricate details look absolutely out of this world. I didn’t know it was extremely competitive to be able to stay there and you needed to go through a lottery to get a permit, but thanks to your post, we can set our expectations better and plan better for when the time comes we can go.ReplyCancel
You guys….I really wasn’t interested in another trip to the US anymore. But your posts are changing that – grrr. However, one of the big difficulties I will face is the fact that I’m not driving. So I wonder how I’ll get to these amazing places – greyhound won’t take me there, I’m afraid. I have to figure this out; and then I go – I absolutely have to see these waves!ReplyCancel
I had no idea the permits for the wave were so limited! It was my dream to take my boyfriend here for his first visit to the US. Now it seems that we might not be so lucky. I also didn’t realize the hike was so strenuous these are good tips to consider if we do every get a permit. I am a pretty seasoned hiker but man I hate the heat..ReplyCancel
Are there hot springs in Alaska? Yes, there are. And one of the best hot springs in Alaska is for sure Chena Hot Springs near Fairbanks. So, if you plan an Alaska Road Trip, especially the northern part, it’s worth to add Chena Hot Springs Resort to your Alaska Itinerary. Furthermore, it’s a perfect place...
I havent been that far north in North America but to do the Northern Lights there must be amazing (I done it in Norway and Finland during the winter and wowza…what an experience). But what I also love doing is going into outdoor springs and pools which are heated and having snow fall on your face. I so want to get to Alaska now..dam this Covid….soon, soon, I promise. Alaska awaits (its been on my bucket list for a long time). ReplyCancel
It’s nice to know that there hot springs in Alaska. I had the initial impression that it’s just all snow and ice there. It’s good that some resorts are open all year round because it would be nice to take a dip and enjoy beautiful nature from time to time.
We would love to visit in the future and yes, it would be a treat to see the northern lights. ReplyCancel
I do love the idea of enjoying hot springs on a visit to Alaska. I would want to visit Chena Hot Springs for the water ritual but would definitely stay to see the Northern Lights. Good to know we could travel around Alaska from hot spring to hot spring. Especially if people respect the serenity!ReplyCancel
It would be lovely to visit best hot springs in Alaska. Chena Hot Springs near Fairbanks really looks perfect for me as I love nature. The views while taking a dip are stunning. Also seeing Northern Lights is on my wishlist and good to know I can fullfill this wish here. Amazing place with lots of nature.ReplyCancel
Certainly a perfect activity/trip for winter time! I was just about to ask the temperature of the hot springs as it says it’s over 150 degrees? Is there a cold water (pool or anything) that you can go to after dipping in the hot springs? I heard extremely hot to cold temperature is really good for the body! Thank you so much for sharing!ReplyCancel
A visit to Chena Hot Springs sounds like an amazing getaway. I would love to just sit and relax in the Hot Springs for a day, or combine it with a Northern Lights tour. That is one of my dreams and I hope to experience them one day. The Chena Hot Springs Resort looks lovely and I will keep it in mind if I am ever able to visit the area. ReplyCancel
ABOUT US
Hi, we are Agnes & Chris! Welcome to The Van Escape! We are travelers, photographers, and bloggers. Our goal is to share travel & photo experience and inspire you to outdoor adventures through America. We love wildlife, off the beaten path places, soaking in hot springs, and van life. We also like cities by night and tasting local food & wine. We give you ready itineraries, hints, and essential tools to prepare you for your unforgettable lifetime journey. We only describe the places we have been, which we know and recommend without hesitation. All photos are also ours. We are so glad you’re here!
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Ok, I think I learnt more about the national parks of Utah in this post than anywhere else. I am still yet to get to Utah but its on the cards and I know some of the places mentioned on here but this post is really really detailed and probably made my planning for the trip (when I get round to it) a lot easier. So I have bookmarked this page. A lot of people have said you need a 1-2 week plan just to get to see the top places, but as I do a lot of hiking, hopefully I might be here longer than that. 😀
Utah is such a stunning state for a road trip, I’ve been a couple of times but really want to revisit and see more. I agree with you that LV is a great place to start the itinerary, we did the same last time, and the other time we started in LA, which meant a long drive through fairly dull suburbs of LA to get out to the beautiful landscapes. Loving your photos, beautiful light and colour, really shows off the beauty of Utah. We hit the same places you recommend and agree with all of them, I particularly loved the folding landscapes at Zion!
I have been working on an itinerary
through this area for the upcoming spring. I hadn’t thought about the water
levels being high and might switch things around and go in the fall now that
you mentioned it. I wish it was easier to explore Capitol Reef National Park without a 4×4, I
see such gorgeous images of the park.
I just got back from a Utah road trip and I have to say it was one of my favorite places in the US. I agree with your itinerary in terms of being able to explore Arches and Canyonlands each in one day, but we spent 2 days in Zion and I wish we had one more! There are so many different hikes that show so many different landscapes that I think they are all a must-see. Hope you loved it as much as I did!