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Best Day Trips from Phoenix: Scenic Drives, Hikes & Small Towns

Best Day Trips from Phoenix: Scenic Drives, Hikes & Small Towns

by daniellenfairbanks | Apr 23, 2026 | Arizona, Arizona Destinations, Arizona Hikes & Outdoor Adventures, Phoenix

Best Day Trips from Phoenix: Scenic Drives, Hikes & Small Towns If you’re looking for the best day trips from Phoenix, you’re in one of the best home bases in the country. Within just a couple of hours, you can go from desert landscapes to pine forests, red rock...
Salt River Tubing: Use the Company or Go on Your Own?

Salt River Tubing: Use the Company or Go on Your Own?

by daniellenfairbanks | Mar 30, 2026 | Arizona, Arizona Hikes & Outdoor Adventures, Arizona Seasons, Phoenix

Salt River Tubing: Use the Company or Go on Your Own? Planning to go Salt River tubing this summer? You’re not alone—floating down the Salt River is one of the most popular ways to cool off in Arizona. But before you go, there’s one big decision to make: 👉 Should you...
Best Lakes Near Phoenix, Arizona

Best Lakes Near Phoenix, Arizona

by daniellenfairbanks | Mar 27, 2026 | Arizona, Arizona Hikes & Outdoor Adventures, Arizona Seasons, Phoenix

Best Lakes Near Phoenix, Arizona If you’re looking to escape the heat, a lake day at one of the beautiful lakes near Phoenix is a great choice. Luckily, there are several options within a short drive of the city—ranging from easy-access spots with beaches and...
Where to Find Wildflowers Near Phoenix, Arizona

Where to Find Wildflowers Near Phoenix, Arizona

by daniellenfairbanks | Feb 9, 2026 | Arizona, Arizona Hikes & Outdoor Adventures, Arizona Seasons, Phoenix, Superstition Mountains

Where to Find Wildflowers Near Phoenix, Arizona Every spring, the Sonoran Desert transforms in a way that honestly feels hard to believe until you see it for yourself. What looks like dry, rugged desert most of the year suddenly bursts into color — hillsides covered...
Wildflowers in Arizona: The Most Common Desert Blooms

Wildflowers in Arizona: The Most Common Desert Blooms

by daniellenfairbanks | Feb 1, 2026 | Arizona, Arizona Seasons, Phoenix, Superstition Mountains

Wildflowers in Arizona: The Most Common Desert Blooms Arizona’s wildflowers transform the desert each year, turning rocky trails, open washes, and cactus-filled landscapes into bursts of color. The timing and variety change every year based on rainfall and elevation....
Caves in the Superstition Mountains

Caves in the Superstition Mountains

by daniellenfairbanks | Jan 24, 2026 | Arizona, Arizona Hikes & Outdoor Adventures, Phoenix, Superstition Mountains

Caves in the Superstition Mountains The Superstition Mountains are one of the most unique places near Phoenix to hike to caves—ranging from iconic formations like Wave Cave to lesser-known caverns tucked deep into desert canyons. Unlike walk-in tourist caves, these...
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they literally built the world’s hot springs in ut they literally built the world’s hot springs in utah 🌍🫧

worldsprings at zion has 50+ pools inspired by the most iconic thermal destinations on earth — and you can experience all of them in one day 👇

🇮🇸 blue lagoon, iceland
🇯🇴 dead sea
🇳🇿 rotara-tuapo, new zealand
🇫🇷 vichy, france
🇬🇧 bath, england
🇯🇵 hokkaido, japan
🇰🇷 osaek, south korea
🇮🇩 bali, indonesia
🇲🇽 grutas tolantongo, mexico
🇬🇹 fuentes georginas, guatemala
🇦🇺 yarrangobilly, australia
🇹🇷 kereshehir, turkey
🇮🇹 chiancianco therme, italy
🇺🇸 iron mountain hot springs, co
…and that’s not even all of them 😭

right outside zion national park in la verkin, utah — this place is so underrated it actually hurts

save this for your utah bucket list 🔖
everything you need to know about fossil creek in everything you need to know about fossil creek in arizona 💦

fossil creek is a great water hike & swimming hole to cool off in summer ☀️ fossil creek is the smaller/ shorter waterfall accessed via an easier hike from camp verde while fossil springs is accessed via bob bear trail in strawberry. both are beautiful!

🎟️: $6 per vehicle purchased online either 1 month or 48 hrs in advance! the dixon lewis lot is closest fyi! you should print & bring your permit with- you will be checked by rangers! parking opens at 8, you have to be in by 4

🚘: 14 mile washboard dirt road, rocky at the end. high clearance is best! 

🥾: 2.1 mile total, 136 ft gain

🐶: allowed!

🚽: at parking lots, but trash is pack out

💦: people die or are injured yearly here. don’t swim under the waterfalls! water sandals to change into make a huge difference for walking through the water! 

☀️: it’s hot as crap ok! we hiked at 830am, out by 11 and it was 80 and felt like 100.

⏰: 3 hr drive to trailhead from phoenix, 3+ hours hike & swim, so that’s a 9 hour minimum day!

gear:
🧢 @cotopaxi bucket hat
🎒 @gregorypacks 
☀️ @mountainhardwear sunshirt
🩳 @aerie shorts & sports bra
🥾 @teva water sandals & @dannerboots 

leave any other questions below 🏜️✨
there’s something about driving through zion that there’s something about driving through zion that never gets old 🏜️✨

from the winding canyon roads to the iconic tunnel views, every part of this highway feels unreal. honestly, being the passenger princess here might be one of my favorite jobs 🤭

if you’re visiting zion national park, don’t rush this drive — pull over at the overlooks, roll the windows down, and soak it all in because the journey is part of the experience here 🤍

save this for your next utah road trip 🚗
have you been to kolob canyons? most zion visitors have you been to kolob canyons? most zion visitors have no idea this exists 👇 🏜️✨

located in the northwest section of the park near cedar city, this quieter side of zion has massive red cliffs, scenic overlooks, fewer crowds, and some of the prettiest drives in southern utah 🚗✨

things to do in kolob canyons ⤵️ 

🥾 hike the taylor creek trail to the double arch alcove 
🌅 stop at the timber creek overlook for sunset views 
📸 drive the 5 mile scenic road with pull offs along the way 
🌲 enjoy a more peaceful side of zion away from the main canyon crowds 
🐦 keep an eye out for wildlife + desert scenery along the route

if you’re visiting zion from st. george, hurricane, or cedar city, this area is such an easy add-on to your trip 🙌

save this for your next utah road trip 🚘

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