Our Utah road trip kicked off with a mission: to visit all five of the state’s incredible national parks, affectionately known as the Mighty Five. It was a week of physical exertion, family connection, and extraordinary adventure.
Our first stop: Arches National Park.
As we drove into the park, it felt like stepping onto another planet. The vibrant red rock formations rose up around us, unlike anything we’d ever seen before. The Courthouse Towers loomed over the road like a grand king’s court, regal and ancient. In the distance, the La Sal Mountains stood in stark contrast—snow-capped and serene, like silent guardians watching from afar.
We began with a short loop around Balanced Rock, a towering boulder perched so precariously it seemed to defy gravity. The boys stared up in disbelief and wondered aloud if it might fall right on us at any moment. The desert landscape might have looked dry and barren at first glance, but I loved the details of the twisted and resilient plants all thriving in this seemingly inhospitable terrain. Nearby in the Garden of Eden, the boys scrambled over rock formations like it was nature’s own jungle gym.
We then made our way to Elephant Butte, which, with just the right squint, really did look like a slow-moving elephant parade. From there, we explored the Windows Section, a 2-mile trail where we saw our first real arches: North Window, South Window, Turret Arch, and the spectacular Double Arch. It was the perfect place to catch the golden light of sunset as the formations lit up in warm, glowing hues.
That evening, we wandered around Moab, the eclectic and energetic town just outside the park. It’s a haven for adventurers from all over the world, and we loved the mix of tourist shops, cozy cafés, and friendly locals.
The next morning we prepared for a day full of hiking. Our big challenge of the day: the 3-mile trek to Delicate Arch. Along the way, we paused to admire ancient petroglyphs, giving us a quiet glimpse into the lives of people who had walked these same paths centuries ago. The climb itself was tough… 500 feet of elevation gain with some steep slickrock stretches, but the boys powered through. Ethan like a champ. Everett took some coaxing. We will make a hiking lover out of him yet. And the view at the top? Absolutely worth it. Delicate Arch rose in front of us, massive and majestic, just like the Utah license plate promised. A true bucket list moment.
Afterward, we rewarded ourselves with something a little more playful, Sand Dune Arch, a short one-mile trail through narrow passageways that led to a hidden cove filled with fine orange sand. The boys loved running and falling in the sand. We added an extra mile to see Broken Arch, hiking carefully on the fragile landscape as the rangers had taught us: “Don’t bust the crust!”
All day long, the boys worked on their Junior Ranger books, learning about geology, wildlife, and the importance of conservation. By evening, they proudly took the Junior Ranger Pledge and were awarded their very first badges.
That night, while the boys snoozed in the backseat, Jason and I headed back out to see the stars. We stood near Balanced Rock in total darkness, the sky ablaze. It was quiet, peaceful, and completely awe-inspiring.
One of our favorite parts of the trip wasn’t just the views, but the boys’ imaginations. They made up an ongoing game where each trail had a “boss” they had to battle: a dragon, a ghost king, a wizard, even the grim reaper. Every rock became part of a story. Every bird was a sidekick or a spy. Everett was especially enchanted with the ravens, and he picked out a stuffed one from the gift shop to remember his new feathered friend. We left Arches proud, dusty, and full of wonder… ready for the next stop on our Mighty Five journey: Canyonlands National Park.
Until Next time,
