Water Canyon Hildale is the ultimate base camp for exploring some of the incredible destinations that Southern Utah has to offer. Spend your days enjoying day trips to national parks, state parks, recreation areas, and more, and your nights enjoying the peaceful landscapes that surround Water Canyon Resort.
We’ve already covered a few of the national parks you could visit during your time in one of the best places to stay in Southern Utah. Now, let’s take a look at four more day trips to enjoy during your visit.
Horseshoe Bend
In the age of social media, Horseshoe Bend has rapidly become one of the most photographed spots in the Southwest. Located in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, this distinctive bend in the Colorado River, where it wraps around a red sandstone cliff, is an incredible sight to experience in person. At this point, the Colorado River is around 1,000 feet below the edge of the cliff.
To view Horseshoe Bend, you’ll need to hike a 1.5-mile roundtrip trail. The trail is not paved but is over hard rock. It is uneven in places, with some short climbs. There is little shade along this path, so you’ll want to pack plenty of water and bring sun protection for your hike.
Horseshoe Bend is around two hours from Water Canyon Hildale. While this would be a long drive to only view this point, several of the other destinations on this list are located along the way, so you could easily combine them into a single-day trip. You could also make a loop, and visit Horseshoe Bend on your way to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon.
Lake Powell
Another day trip destination you could combine with Horseshoe Bend during your stay in Utah cabin resorts is Lake Powell. Lake Powell is also located in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. This man-made lake was formed by the creation of the Glen Canyon Dam. It’s the second-largest reservoir in the U.S., following Lake Mead.
This massive lake is 186 miles long, and has more than 1,960 miles of shoreline. It’s a popular destination for boating, paddling, and fishing. Sightseeing by boat is a great way to take in the lake’s famous curved stone walls, which rise sharply from the water and offer views that have earned the lake the name of “America’s Lost National Park.”
Lake Powell is also around two hours from our luxury modern cabins. At the lake, there are a variety of marinas, outfitters, and tour companies where you can rent boats or join a guided tour.
Valley of Fire State Park
In the opposite direction of Lake Powell and Horseshoe Bend is the next day trip destination on our list; Valley of Fire State Park. This state park is home to 40,000 acres of bright red Aztec sandstone. The sandstone’s distinctive curving shapes are what have made this park a destination for photographers and outdoor enthusiasts. You can view millions of layers of rock as it creates colorful lines in the smooth stone formations.
The park is home to a variety of hiking trails perfect for getting a closer look at the stunning landscapes. Stop by the Visitor Center to get a map and chat with a park ranger about which trails might be a good choice for your group. You can also take a drive through the park and stop at overlooks to see many of Valley of Fire’s most famous landmarks.
Valley of Fire State Park is located about 2 hours and 15 minutes from Water Canyon Hildale, in Northern Nevada. The park charges an entrance fee of $10 per vehicle for Nevada residents or $15 per vehicle for non-residents. As this is a state park, your national park annual pass won’t work here.
Vermillion Cliffs National Monument
If this next destination charged an entrance fee, your national park annual pass would work. But because of the remote location of Vermillion Cliffs National Monument, guests don’t need to pay a fee to enter.
This national monument covers 280,000 acres in Northern Arizona. It borders Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. There are no paved trails in this national monument. Instead, you’ll need a 4WD or off-road vehicle to explore. But if you’re up for the challenge, you’ll get to experience stunning red rock cliffs and wide-open expanses of desert.
One unique feature of this national monument is that it’s home to a growing number of California Condors, a species that was once almost extinct, but has been brought back with help from an extensive breeding program.
Planning Day Trips From Water Canyon Hildale
While Zion National Park is a popular day trip from Water Canyon Hildale, it’s far from the only one. From the destinations on this list to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon and beautiful Bryce Canyon National Park, there’s no shortage of destinations to explore during your stay at Water Canyon Resort.
Ready to start planning your next stay at our luxury modern cabins? Now is a great time to book your next stay! Right now, when you book a stay of three or more nights, you’ll get a 25 percent discount on your stay. Book today to take advantage of this deal!