Favorites
Our favorite U.S. National Parks include Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon, Zion, Bryce Canyon (Hoodoos), the Grand Tetons, Mesa Verde, Arches and Canyonlands just to name a few.
Mesa Arch, Canyonlands National Park, Utah - April, 2014
The Mesa Arch formed as water pooled on the flat, sandstone surface of the Island in the Sky mesa, gradually eroding through the rock layer until it created a hole, eventually carving out the arch shape over millions of years as it sits on the cliff edge, revealing breathtaking canyon views. It's a classic example of a "pothole arch," shaped by water seeping into cracks and carrying sediment away.
False Kiva, Canyonlands National Park, Utah - March 2010
False Kiva in Canyonlands National Park is a mysterious, unmarked archaeological site featuring a stone circle in a cliffside alcove, famous for its stunning views but now closed to visitation due to vandalism, including a fire lit within the structure. The National Park Service prohibits access to protect the fragile site, which is known for its rough, steep, unmarked trail near the Upheaval Dome area in the Island in the Sky district, making it a protected, though physically present, "gone" location for photographers and visitors.
Green Rover Overlook, Canyonlands National Park, Utah - October 2011
The Green River Overlook in Canyonlands National Park, located in the Island in the Sky district, offers breathtaking panoramic views of the Green River carving through vast canyons, highlighting the Turk's Head formation, the rugged White Rim Road, and the remote Maze district, making it a premier spot, especially for sunset, with easy access via a short, paved path from a parking area.
Thor’s Hammer Hoodoo - Bryce Canyon, Utah - October 2012
Bryce Canyon National Park in southern Utah is famous for its unique, colorful hoodoo rock spires, formed by erosion in natural amphitheaters, offering stunning views, hiking (like the Fairytale Loop Trail), stargazing, and ranger programs, with a single main road (Hwy 63) for scenic drives and year-round access, though cooler weather and high elevation are key factors for visitors.
Queen’s Garden Loop Trail - Bryce Canyon, Utah - October 2012
Bryce Canyon trails offer immersive hikes among stunning, otherworldly hoodoo formations in horseshoe-shaped amphitheaters, not just views from above, with options for all levels (easy rim walks to challenging loops like Peekaboo Loop), well-maintained paths, and incredible starry night skies, making it a unique geological wonderland.
Queen’s Garden Loop Trail - Bryce Canyon, Utah - August 2014
The Grand Canyon, October 2012
The Grand Tetons, Wyoming - September 2013