The Most Scenic Spots in the Southwest

If you’re preparing for a trip and haven’t been to the US Southwest yet, now is the time to think about it.

Do you choose one place or do you want long distance motorcycle ride or road trip, the southwestern part of the country has amazing scenery unlike anything else in the world.

Below are some scenic spots in the southwest that you could add to your itinerary.

Antelope Canyon

Antelope Canyon is located in Arizona. You can walk along the sandstone walls of the canyon, which were formed mainly as a result of erosion from flash floods.

Slot Canyon includes five sections that are located on the territory of the Navajo reservation. These include Upper Antelope Canyon, Rattlesnake Canyon, Owl Canyon, Lower Antelope Canyon and Mountain Sheep Canyon.

Antelope Canyon is one of the most popular spots in the country for photographers thanks to its stunning orange and red tones. There are unlimited lighting and angle changes, so you can get images that no one has ever done before.

Since Antelope Canyon is located inside the sacred land of the Native Americans, the only way to see it is on a guided tour.

Grand Canyon

It’s impossible to talk about the scenery of the southwest without mentioning the Grand Canyon. The Grand Canyon attracts visitors from all over the world. This The miracle of nature consists of ribbons of multi-colored stones, and it shows one of the oldest geological histories on Earth. In addition, the sunrises and sunsets here are amazing.

Most people visit the South Rim, or you can go to the West Entrance to try out the Skywalk. The Skywalk is a glass walkway that sits 2,000 feet above the canyon floor.

The park has hotel and campsite accommodation options that offer edge views and easy access, though they fill up quickly so book early.

horseshoe bend

Horseshoe Bend is located outside of Page, Arizona. There is a river there that bends sharply and ends 800 feet above the canyon floor.

Visitors can reach the bend by taking a short walk along the sandy trail that leads to the edge of the canyon.

Zion National Park

Many people say that Zion National Park is their favorite of all national parks and the most scenic spot in the southwest, if not the entire country. There are plenty of options for hiking and colorful rock formations.

Narrows lets you walk along a meandering river through narrow canyon walls.

You can also head to Angel’s Landing to see all of Zion.

Sedona

Lots of scenic spots in southwestern part of the country quite remote, but Sedona uniquely gives you access to shops and restaurants, as well as unique scenery. Situated in the middle of the Arizona desert, Sedona is known for its resorts and spas, as well as its red rock formations.

Some of the places most popular with visitors include Oak Creek Canyon, Cathedral Rock, and Bell Rock. No less popular are Red Rock Scenic Byway and Broken Arrow Trail.

The Devil’s Bridge Trail is the largest natural sandstone archway in Sedona and you can walk it if you dare.

Places of spiritual whirlwind and stargazing opportunities are another reason why people often visit Sedona.

Bryce Canyon National Park

Bryce Canyon has the most pointed rock formations in the world. They are called hoodoos and you can walk in and around the canyon to see them all.

Bryce Canyon is one of the most visited national parks in the country, and it’s actually not just one canyon. This is a set of natural bowls filled with hoodoo. Hoodoos are, in fact, tall stone columns.

You have a long drive to Bryce Canyon. It’s about four hours from Las Vegas and Salt Lake City.

Havasu waterfall

Finally, Havasu Falls is located in the Havasupai Reservation. The water that flows from the falls into the canyon below has a stunning shade of blue due to the presence of minerals and the Havasu stream that washes away the silt. The contrast of pale blue water with the orange canyon is incredible.

The only option to visit the falls is to get a three-day permit. You cannot do a day hike or anything shorter or longer. Permits tend to sell out as soon as they become available online.

The hike to the falls from the start of the trail is 10 miles and is easy to navigate. It is mostly flat, but it is quite difficult to walk on it.

Note: The photos in this article are courtesy of wikipedia.org and are licensed under a Creative Commons license. Each photo was linked to its main page on wikipedia.org.