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Summer Road Trippin’ in Southeastern Utah By Monique Beeley Leaving the Wasatch Front in the rearview and heading south feels like taking a step away from the fast-paced action of the epicenter of our state and stepping into the soothing sights, the quieter sounds, and the surreal landscapes of the central and southern part of our state. One of the many things I love about Utah is the diversity of our landscapes and the recreational opportunities that each provide throughout the seasons. Fall is the time to heed the call to the red rock country that is primed and ready for adventure.

Arches… out of the PARK (Arches National Park that is…) Utah is blessed with some of the best and most iconic landscapes in the United States, if not the whole world. Every year, millions of people travel from around the globe to capture a glimpse and just a few insta worthy images of these iconic natural wonders. Last year the visitation to Arches National Park hit an all-time high with 1.7 million visitors flocking to experience first-hand, the extraordinary and massive natural arches that are abundant within the boundaries of this bucket list destination. This park has the largest concentration of natural arches in the world at over 2,000.

A Red Rock New Year’s Eve Celebration Moab in the winter is nothing short of spectacular. The blanket of white snow covering the red rock landscapes is an epic sight that every Utahan needs to witness at least a few times. The weather in red rock country this time of year can be temperamental, like your two-year-old, so be sure to pack your sense of adventure along with a few extra layers of clothing for the family. Depending on the year, the winter temps in Moab can range from below zero at night to the 40-50s during the day and can change at the drop of a hat, so be sure to plan and pack accordingly.

Unplug, recharge and reconnect with your loved ones on any of Utah's awesome rivers, here we round up our favorite family trips!

My first trip to Moab happened in the late 1980's when my boyfriend asked if I would go on vacation with him to Moab. My reply was "Where is Moab and why do we want to go there?" and my imagination immediately traveled to an exotic sunny beach somewhere far away.

This year, thanks to Outdoor Utah and REI, my summer vacation was a blast! The Jensen family, mom, dad, my brother Zach and I spent a three-day vacation in Moab at the end of May. We stayed at Red Cliffs Lodge while we were there, and it was amazing!!

"Hurry Up and Get Ready," I shouted to Forrest. "Make sure you bring hiking, paddling and climbing stuff – do you have everything?" Another trip, but not our normal set of gear. Forrest Shearer is a professional snowboarder and I am a professional skier. We travel the world for the best powder and terrain– from Alaska to New Zealand. We thought we'd seen it all…until it came time to explore a destination close to home, Moab, Utah.