I split our journey to the southwest into two categories: historic ruins and the extravagant red rock natural wonders. It’s true, the National Parks of the Great American Southwest are bursting with historical and natural finds that could not possibly be fit onto one post. Find more on historical ruins here. Now onto the red rocks and rainbows of the earth.
The South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona
Next, we stepped into tourist wonderland at the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. What a fantastic way to teach geology to kids. Our kids will not forget what that magical red rock layer is called at the Grand Canyon: Redwall Limestone. Thanks to Grand Canyon’s Junior Ranger booklet activities, science was covered for the day. Here, you walk away with the sense that nature doesn’t just reserve its rainbows for the sky.
Our future goal is to come back, and accomplish a Grand Canyon Explorer patch and North Rim badge, too. So three Junior Ranger activities in just one park, which makes sense for the expansiveness and grandeur of the park. Talk about just taking in awe-inspiring deep cut rock and big sky.
Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona
I think there is a pattern here, rainbows on the rock, rainbows sealed into the ancient wood. We were excited to visit Petrified Forest National Park, and found both other-worldly landscapes and sparkling rainbow colored quartz crystal petrified wood. There is so much more than magical wood here. The petroglyphs, like at Newspaper Rock, and the Puerco Pueblo, were a big part of our educational adventure from this special place.
We knew we’d see precious wood, but had no idea we’d see badlands. Who knew there were many more badlands out there than at Badlands National Park in South Dakota? Shows we have a lot more to explore.
The Petrified Forest Junior Ranger book not only had activities about geology, but the ecosystem of animals that have managed to adapt and thrive in this harsh environment. Here the girls learned to take extra care of the soil, as it is actually a colony of organisms that blossoms when it rains.
Arches National Park in Utah
Quickly ranking itself in our book as one of our all-time favorite red rock National Parks, Arches is an epic grand finale of the Garden of the Gods in Colorado. If you didn’t believe in rock spirits before, you will after taking a sunset walk in Arches National Park.
We could never tire of the iron-rich color spectacular spirit world landscape of Arches National Park, even if its located right next to a cold-war era uranium mill. The Junior Ranger booklet even had rock formation yoga in it, the balanced rock, double arch, reach for the skyline, and then a fun make-your-own rock pose at the end. Imagination comes to life around every turn at Arches.
We hit the trails in the evening while all the other happy campers were eating dinner, I presume. It was the perfect opportunity to be in the expanse with very few souls around, and relish in the desert sunset glow rocks that absolutely rival the alpenglow of alpine peaks.
Canyonlands National Park in Utah
Last but not least, we explored more red rock at Canyonlands National Park. Our kid’s most memorable take away was the 3-mile wide meteorite impact creating Upheaval Dome. Now Canyonlands is forever known as the cool meteorite National Park.
We are already planning a future trip to check out Horseshoe Canyon, we wish we had more time as across the Southwest another kid’s favorite was rock art. A friendly Ranger told us the rock art at Horseshoe Canon is some of the most magnificent in North America, life-size figures looming 20 feet up the canyon walls.
Red Rock Wonders in Moab, Utah
It was cool to end the adventure in Moab, it is in itself an experience to remember. To me, Moab is a crazy mix of Bend, Oregon and the red rocks of Sedona, Arizona. You get Bend’s high desert extreme sports ethos with Sedona’s red rock spiritual wonderland. So if you want a little outdoor adventure or a spiritual majesty retreat, and don’t know what to choose, just go to Moab, Utah. Plus the Moab KOA is awesome for kids, great pool, live music, breathtaking views.
The whole Great American Southwest’s historic ruins van adventure is pet and kid approved. Freedom life is always possible, even between busy emergency room shifts to pay the bills. Now, usually our family van trips can lead to some pretty eventful stories, but this trip was smooth sailing.
Find our previous National Park roadtrips in different regions like the Southern Oregon and the Pacific Northwest, with more to come.
