The Grand Circle Part I - Introducing Southern Utah
- David Maiwald
- Feb 9
- 5 min read
Updated: Feb 26
Part I of the Grand Circle Series - Southern Utah
In this article:
Introducing the Grand Circle
The colorful and dramatic regions of the Grand Circle in the U.S. Southwest - a spectacular collection of some of America’s most diverse and dramatic landscapes, protected by world-famous national parks as well as several state and tribal parks. This rugged and mostly sparsely populated area is characterized by several isolated mountain ranges that rise from the vast high desert plains of the Colorado Plateau. This is primeval country - bare rock in all shades of red and yellow as far as the eyes can see. Interrupted by otherworldly buttes and mesas, by scattered dune fields, and by an endless network of formidable canyons. A stretch of land so rough and unnavigable that large parts remain mostly undeveloped to this day.
In the middle of it all lie some of the most remote and isolated areas of the lower 48. A harsh and wild yet strangely beautiful stretch of land that has been the epitome of the Wild West for centuries thanks to its dramatic sceneries and rich cultural history - ranging from precolonial civilizations to the iconic era of Route 66. This has created a dense concentration of world-renowned natural as well as historic landmarks and extremely popular tourist destinations that are scattered throughout this area. However, there also is a long list of destinations in this region that are well off the beaten track. The perfect place for all kinds of outdoor adventures, navigating the region’s countless scenic roads and breathtaking backcountry trails by either car, bike, boat, or on foot.
All of this offers exceptional chances to explore and experience some of America’s wildest and most dramatic desert landscapes. In the following sections of Part I of the Grand Circle Series I will take you along on a journey exploring southern Utah’s five national parks as well as a collection of state parks, and some true hidden gems which I have visited several times in between the spring of 2022 and the fall of 2024. During these visits I have experienced all four seasons in the area, spent several weeks in the remote backcountry hiking and camping, and covered hundreds of miles on the region’s most scenic drives. Based on this I will highlight my personal top destinations including the best times to visit, and will further describe my favorite scenic travel routes to explore the area.
Introducing southern Utah
Southern Utah contains one of America’s most dramatically diverse landscapes. From the steep cliffs of the Zion Canyon & Cedar Breaks area over the colorful high plateau of the Bryce Canyon & Escalante area as well as the remote Circle Cliffs & Capitol Reef National Park all the way to the rugged high desert around Canyonlands National Park. This is where some of the most remote regions within the lower 48 of the U.S. offer exceptional chances for some unparalleled outdoor adventures as well as that undisturbed peace and quiet of a pristine wilderness set in the middle of an incredibly picturesque scenery.
While some parts of the region’s national and state parks are well developed and easily accessible via paved roads, much of the area in between the few highways and state routes in this part of the Grand Circle comprises a remote and largely inaccessible backcountry. Exploring those areas off the beaten track can be an incredibly rewarding once in a lifetime experience which requires thorough planning and lots of time to spare. On the other hand, the more easily accessible parts of this region consist of incredibly spectacular national and state parks as well as some iconic natural landmarks that can be reached via graded dirt roads - some of which have become my personal all-time favorites where I had to return over and over again throughout the past years.
I have explored this area on multiple occasions in between the spring of 2022 and the fall of 2024, allowing me to experience all four seasons in this rugged land full of extremes. The range of activities and lasting memories from these visits feel like I have only scratched the surface of what this region has to offer, which is the reason why I keep on coming back time and time again. From hiking and biking along the backcountry trails around Moab and Hanksville to four-wheel driving along some of the roughest roads I have ever been on. From stargazing under the dark skies of Capitol Reef National Park to watching distant thunderstorms over the endless high desert of Canyonlands. From close encounters with the local wildlife of the Escalante area to the eerie silence of the Valley of the Gods. This is wild country - a place that has the potential to captivate you and never let go.
The best travel routes
The Grand Circle is centered around the four corners region and covers large parts of Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, and Colorado, further encompassing the entire area of the Navajo Nation Reservation - America’s largest Indian reservation. There are three major travel routes serving much of the area. The most popular travel route in the region is Route 66 which has been replaced largely by I40 and runs through northern New Mexico as well as northern Arizona. This route cuts through the southern portion of the Grand Circle area, connecting Albuquerque in New Mexico with Kingman in Arizona. The Route 66 theme is well preserved in most of the towns and villages along the way, with Holbrook, Flagstaff, and Seligman serving as major local hubs that offer countless photo opportunities, themed restaurants, and gift shops. Right along I40 further lies Petrified Forest National Park that protects a colorful desert landscape and an impressive display of petrified wood.
Highways 191 and 89 are the two main routes running in a north south direction, serving much of the Navajo Nation Reservation as well as northern Arizona and southern Utah. Along these routes lie many of the region’s world-renowned natural highlights with Grand Canyon National Park, Antelope Canyon, and Zion National Park along Highway 89, and Monument Valley, Canyonlands National Park, and Arches National Park along Highway 191 being the most popular destinations.
Besides those main routes, Highway 160 as well as Utah State Routes 12 and 24 lead deeper into some of the less-traveled regions of the Grand Circle. While Mesa Verde National Park, Capitol Reef National Park, and Bryce Canyon National Park are not located directly along one of the three major traffic arteries, a detour along Highway 160 or Utah State Routes 12 and 24 to one of those parks is well worth the drive, as this leads into some of the more pristine desert areas that are off the beaten track. And this is also where some of the region’s true hidden gems are situated, with several state parks that are considerably less crowded than the likes of Arches or Grand Canyon, but offer no less dramatic sceneries!
For a visual guide check out my video below. For more detailed information feel free to continue reading through the next parts of this series at the bottom of this page.
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