Thanks a Million
It’s the time of year for extra gratitude and reflection. I have really enjoyed trying my hand at blogging and sharing our love and passion for spending time outdoors and exploring. I love this creative outlet and am grateful for those that read my posts and those that reach out for ideas when they travel to Utah.
I am not the first to blog about adventuring and information related to it, and I would love to share my favorite resources and spread the love. I am especially grateful to those that have taken the time before me to share their expertise. We are so thankful for the authors, and the role they have had in our trips being successful and inspiring us to keep finding new, exciting options for our excursions.
Utah’s Adventure Family
My hat is off to Natalie and her Utah’s Adventure Family website, Utahsadventurefamily.com. She single handedly curated and inspired many of our initial outdoor, and indoor, adventures when we relocated to the West. They have a family of five, like us, and she accurately describes and provides insights on activities that involve the whole family. This website promotes taking your whole family outdoors and that kids can be involved in exploring this great state. We have never been steered wrong with the information we gathered from her posts. I love that she also has recommendations for indoor activities or other happenings in Utah, it really helped us to fully immerse into all the fun and unique options when we moved. Their family also explores other National and State Parks, so you will find so many ideas here that you may not need to go anywhere else. Sign up for Natalie’s newsletters for periodic updates as well. I am forever grateful to her for sharing her knowledge and lighting a fire in me to see everything single thing possible in Utah. Thank you to Utah’s Adventure Family for inspiring and empowering us to be another adventure family!
Road Trip Ryan
One of the websites I have used most often since we moved to Utah is RoadTripRyan.com.
If you are ready to start getting off the beaten path, or even stay on the beaten path, this website is a phenomenal resource. The website describes its purpose as information for canyoneering, hiking, and exploring the Colorado Plateau and beyond. Sections include: canyoneering, hiking, roadside, climbing, floating, and caving. I cannot attest to the accuracy of more advanced technique descriptions and safety with the write ups on the canyoneering and things like that. However, the hiking articles are great, including photos, maps, descriptions, GPS and topographic information.
Girl on a Hike
If you found Road Trip Ryan’s website to be helpful, you will also like the outdoor blog Girlonahike.com. I really enjoy her tips, the information she shares, and you will find good intel on whether a trail is dog-friendly or not.
Bird and Hike
Birdandhike.com is a recently discovered gem of a website focused on ‘birding, hiking, and naturalizing around Las Vegas’. I discovered this treasure trove of information when researching for our Gold Butte National Monument hike. The website is authored by someone with a background in ecology, research, and Ranger work, and a lifetime worth of experiences in the outdoors. Photos, maps, descriptions included for trails, areas of interest, information about flora and fauna. The zones covered are primarily around the Las Vegas region, Lake Mead, though also extend northward to Zion National Park and Gold Butte National Monument. This website was a huge asset for us, and I was so glad to come up on it.
Atlas Obscura
I also found Atlasobscura.com when preparing for our Gold Butte trip. The information is very well presented, with succinct trail descriptions, GPS coordinates, good photography. I have only scratched the surface with this one, it is has information for world-wide destinations. This is a commercially produced website, with thousands of collaborators.
Other Research Insights
Check out my previous post highlighting the magnificent resources of AllTrails Pro and the National Geographic Trail Maps.
Finally, don’t forget about good ole fashioned Google Maps. Some trailheads are marked when you take a high level view of where you will be and any points of interest. I have found things to do that did not come up on AllTrails. It’s also very helpful to use Satellite view to get a sense of the terrain, especially if you are searching for backcountry camp options.
Wishing you all a cozy holiday season with some adventure sprinkled in! And again, thanks a million!