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Nature|National & State Parks

Take A Short Stroll To The Green River Overlook In Utah, Where You’ll See A Vast, Awe-Inspiring Landscape

Island in the Sky in Canyonlands National Park offers accessible, stunning viewpoints, including the Green River Overlook.

Published Nov 13, 2020

Written by 

Catherine Armstrong

Canyonlands National Park is carved into four districts: Island in the Sky, The Maze, The Needles, and The Rivers. Much of this vast park is difficult to access with a four-wheel-drive vehicle, but Island in the Sky is accessible to just about everyone. One of this district's most stunning viewpoints is the Green River Overlook, and it's a short, easy stroll to see it.

Island In the Sky has many beautiful overlooks and viewpoints, and most are easily accessible along the paved scenic road that meanders through this district.

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To find the Green River Overlook, drive past the Willows Campground until you reach the end of the road. You'll find a parking lot there. Those with large RVs should note that, while the parking lot has plenty of spaces, it might be difficult to turn a long rig around.

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The paved trail is easy for every visitor to navigate - even those in wheelchairs. It's just a short, .2-mile out-and-back path, so it really is a quick, easy journey.

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You might be anxious to get to the overlook, but do stop for a moment to take a look around. The scenery all around this area is just incredible, and you don't want to miss any of it!

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Within moments, you'll be treated to this stunning view. The overlook sits just over 1,000 feet above the valley floor below, which was carved and sculpted over time by the Green River.

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The soaring cliffs of the Colorado Plateau rise up from the valley in an impressive display. Don't forget that you're standing on one of these cliffs - stay on the safe side of the railing!

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You don't need to climb over it to get a spectacular view, and you'll certainly want to bring your camera and tripod to capture this scenery.

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In fact, if you can time it right, the view just keeps getting better. Sunset at this overlook is gorgeous. Sunrise is also a beauty to behold - if you don't mind waking up early!

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The Island in the Sky can certainly make you feel tiny in comparison to its vast landscape.

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photo75/iStock via Getty Images

Visit the Canyonlands National Park website to learn more about this beautiful place, and consider following the park's Facebook page to see even more beautiful photos.

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Nature|Hiking

Hike Snow Canyon State Park’s Scout Cave Trail in Utah for an Unforgettable Adventure

In my opinion, one of the best hikes in Utah is the Scout Cave Trail at Snow Canyon State Park. It's open all year, not super challenging, and showcases views that are almost too breathtaking to be real.

Published Nov 5, 2024

Written by 

Katie Lawrence

Utah is a nature lover's dream, and we're blessed with some of the best hiking trails in the country. It just doesn't get much better than our vast canyons and stunning rock formations. I could spend the rest of my life hiking in the Beehive State and still get excited about hitting the trail each day! In my opinion, one of the best hikes in Utah is the Scout Cave Trail at Snow Canyon State Park. It's open all year, not super challenging, and showcases views that are almost too breathtaking to be real. Plus, it's kid and pet-friendly!

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AllTrails Zach Schuster

Scout Cave Trail is a 3.4-mile out-and-back hike that passes over lava flow fields, Navajo Sandstone rocks, and stream beds. Although it's rated as intermediate on AllTrails, most hikers describe it as being easy, so you definitely don't need to be super skilled. The elevation gain is about 350 feet, and just a few moderate climbing sections make up the bulk of it. You're unlikely to get lost because the trail is very well-marked, and the variation in terrain makes for an interesting adventure from start to finish.

By far the coolest part of the trail (and the main reason anyone hikes it in the first place) is Scout Cave. It's located right before the turnaround point and showcases unbelievable panoramic views of the surrounding landscape and the city below. You can actually go inside the cave, which makes this trail a favorite among kiddos.

Shade is minimal, so if you're visiting in the summer, you'll definitely want to wear a hat and load up on sunscreen. Getting started early in the morning also helps with the temperature issue - although the views at sunset are equally as mesmerizing. You should also bring plenty of water and a snack or two, and make sure you have durable footwear for the rock scrambling sections of the trail (however brief they may be).

Visit AllTrails to learn more about the Scout Cave Trail, including the parking fee for Snow Canyon State Park. I also recommend signing up for AllTrails+ if you do a lot of hiking. The app offers exclusive perks like offline and 3D maps, ensuring you never miss a turn.

Have you ever hiked this trail? If so, do you think it's one of the best hikes in Utah? Tell us your thoughts in the comments! Check out our previous article for some of the best things to do in the nearby town of St. George. It's perfect for a family getaway!

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Nature|Hiking

The Iconic Trail in Utah Everyone Should Hike Once in Their Lifetime

One of Zion's most popular trails is the Scout Lookout via West Rim Trail, and for good reason. It's not easy by any stretch of the imagination, but it's one of those bucket list-worthy adventures everyone should experience at least once.

Published Oct 28, 2024

Written by 

Katie Lawrence

When it comes to iconic hikes in Utah, Zion National Park is the first place I think of (along with Arches and Bryce Canyon, of course). After all, it's home to some of the most stunning views our state has to offer, and millions of people travel from all over the world each year to revel in its magic. One of Zion's most popular trails is the Scout Lookout via West Rim Trail, and for good reason. It's not easy by any stretch of the imagination, but it's one of those bucket list-worthy adventures everyone should experience at least once.

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AllTrails Kristin Kozelsky

At 3.6 miles long, the Scout Lookout via West Rim Trail is by no means the longest hike in the park, but it is one of the most challenging. The out-and-back trail is rated as hard on AllTrails due to its steep ascent. You'll climb over 1,100 feet in a relatively short distance, navigating tight switchbacks before arriving at the final viewpoint known as Scout Lookout.

While the view at the top is definitely the pièce de résistance, you'll enjoy breathtaking scenery along the entire trail. At the beginning, the path crosses the Virgin River on a bridge before paralleling the river for a short time. From there, the ascent begins, and as the scene unfolds before your eyes, it only gets more picturesque with every step you take. With the ancient, majestic canyon walls rising up all around, you'll swear you're looking at a painting or a postcard. That's just part of living in Utah - what a blessing to call such a state home where the scenery is almost too beautiful to be real.

If you're feeling adventurous, you can continue past Scout Lookout to Angel's Landing, but only experienced hikers should attempt this. Additionally, the trail does not offer much shade, so consider starting either in the early morning or late afternoon to beat the heat if you're visiting in the warmer months.

Visit AllTrails for more information about the Scout Lookout via West Rim Trail. I also recommend signing up for AllTrails+ if you're an avid hiker. The app is an incredible resource with features like 3D flyovers, wrong-turn alerts, and offline map access. Your first week is free, so there's no risk involved in trying it out.

Have you ever embarked on this once-in-a-lifetime adventure? What are your favorite iconic hikes in Utah? Tell us in the comments!

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