Petrified Forest and Painted Desert Holbrook

Holbrook

Holbrook itself is a very interesting town and it main street was the original Route 66, so along this street, you will find all kinds of unique hotels. Many of these hotels are in the process of being rejuvenated and brought back to life.

The Globetrotter Lodge Route 66, Holbrook

Plainsman Motel Route 66, Holbrook

Desert Rain outside of Holbrook

Petrified Forest National Park

Petrified Forest National Park is in my opinion misnamed, as it contains some of the most beautiful painted deserts over vast landscapes. I am not sure how many painted deserts there are in this park but it does seem like there are a vast number of all different colours.

Tiponi Point

Chinle Formations Chinde Point II

Cairns on Blue Mesa

Zion

Day Zion, 3,000 feet

Snow Canyon State Park is located just West of Zion above St. Georges, it has lava flows and ared sandstone moonscape. Just East of Zion in Rockville if you take the Bridge road turn off there is a road to a ghost town named Grafton, where Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid was filmed. (On the road between Bryce Canyon and Zion at Long Valley Junction a short trip up highway 14 will take you to Strawberry Point. It is a stunning view but it is a gravel road that leads into a very developed summer home subdivision.)

Zion

Zion after Tunnel Toward Mt. Carmel

Easy Hikes in Zion

Zion has lots short and easy hikes. (l .4 miles or .5 hr., Lower Emerald Pool Trail 1.2miles or 1 hr., The Grotto Trail 1 mile or .5hr, Weeping Rock Trail 1 mile or .5 hr. and Riverside Walk 2.2 miles or 1.5 miles.)

Kolob Canyon

Further up Highway 15 to the North East of Zion is Kolob Canyon Road leading into Kolob Canyon.

Kolob Canyon

Snow Canyon State Park

Snow Canyon State Park, East of Zion and North of St. Georges has sand dunes, and orange and creamy white sandstone cliffs with lava-capped ridges.

Snow Canyon State Park