Fly to the national parks: South-central and southwestern Utah

Glen Canyon National Recreation Area: Encompassing over 1.25 million acres, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area is one of America’s great play areas, yet it’s still largely unknown to many people. Glen Canyon is on the Colorado River, just upstream from the Grand Canyon. In 1963, the gates were shut to the massive Glen Canyon Dam and water began to back up, filling Glen Canyon for 186 miles and creating the reservoir known as Lake Powell, America’s second-largest reservoir after Lake Mead (just downstream from the Grand Canyon). The inundation of the spectacular, yet rarely visited, Glen Canyon was undoubtedly a tragedy and would not be repeated today. However, Lake Powell now provides one of the world’s most dramatic settings for a houseboat vacation. In summer you can water ski or Jet Ski all day under the blazing sun, azure sky, and towering sandstone walls. Here’s the secret: In fall, winter, and spring, Glen Canyon is still a hiker’s paradise—93 side canyons, each unique, provide perfect day hikes. Some are narrow slot canyons. Others have arches. All provide peace and such a profound quiet that if you sit still on a warm boulder, you’d almost think you could hear a cloud pass overhead. Fly to Page and boat out of Wahweap or Antelope Canyon to see Rainbow Bridge, the world’s largest natural bridge. Or, fly to Bullfrog, as this author has done over a dozen times and call for pickup after landing. From Bullfrog you can boat up or down lake.

Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument: Land at Page to explore this little-visited gem, as well as Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend. Then follow Highway 89 toward Kanab. Between mile markers 20 and 19, you’ll see a parking lot and trailhead; after less than a mile you’ll see an enormous rock toadstool. Then just wander east and west around the plateau to see many more, all shapes and sizes—it’s unforgettable. I had the strangest sensation of being on another planet. There wasn’t a sound or another person around. Other highlights include driving up Cottonwood Canyon (between mile markers 17 and 18 and only when it’s dry), hiking Hackberry Canyon, and continuing to Grosvenor Arch.

Bryce Canyon National Park: Fly to Bryce Canyon and marvel at the amphitheater of pink hoodoos, formed by erosion of the Claron Limestone, soft sediments from a long-gone freshwater lake. Sunrise here is particularly spectacular, any time of year. View the hoodoos from overlooks, hike down into the canyon, or find ancient bristlecone pines along limestone knolls. The lodge has suites, rooms, cabins, and dining.

Cedar Breaks National Monument: Fly to Cedar City to visit Cedar Breaks National Monument, which is perched on the opposite, or west, side of the Markagunt Plateau from Bryce Canyon and contains the same type of limestone. Cedar Breaks is thus best viewed near sunset, via easy-access overlooks and walks. Cedar Breaks sees far fewer visitors than Bryce Canyon, but you’ll be camping if you stay overnight. The 10,000-foot elevation also brings welcome respite from summer heat. Be aware that many roads and facilities close mid-October through late May because of deep snow, although the monument is open year-round.

Zion National Park: One of Utah’s “Big 5” national parks, Zion can be crowded in summer. From Cedar City, drive south on I-15 and then turn east toward Springdale. In summer and through October, you’ll use a shuttle to travel inside the park. To the Mormon faithful the name Zion is synonymous with paradise and it’s easy to visualize this valley as a giant natural cathedral, with towering stone monoliths like the “Great White Throne” that draw your gaze skyward. Quintessential Zion experiences include the dizzying climb to the summit of Angel’s Landing, exploring the Narrows of the Virgin River, and the short but steep Weeping Rock Trail that ends at a dripping spring. Listen for the canyon wren’s sweetly cascading song, better than a choir in this heavenly place.