Southern Utah Road Trip in May - what to see?

[Gatopescado]

Panguitch.

[Washoe]

Don’t neglect to take the five-mile detour into the Kolob region of Zion just south of Cedar City on I-15. The view from the end of the road is one of the most unusual sights on Earth.

Also, don’t forget that it is customary for spectators in Utah’s parks to push over a hoodoo to commemorate their visit. Wiggle it—just a little bit.

[amarinth]

@pohjonen

You all are being very helpful! I’m starting to think that rather than make reservations and have a cast-in-stone itinerary, it would be better to live dangerously and play it by ear so we can stay as long as we want and see as much as we want in any given area. Is lodging difficult to come by in early May without reservations?

I was in the area this past May. I made reservations because I was on a tight schedule, couldn’t just play it by ear, and didn’t want to worry about trying to find a place.

I needn’t have bothered. There was lodging.

It’s a beautiful region - I was completely blown away by Bryce Canyon and Canyonlands (If you’re not a walker, try the horseback riding in Bryce Canyon, it’s a nice morning or afternoon. And make sure to go to Needles as well as Islands in the Sky. It’s out of the way, but worth it). Capitol Reef was the least impressive in May (that’s just not its season).

[What_the]

I’ll second the North Rim of the GC if you’ve never been It’s much dif than the more popular south rim.

If you are in Kanab there is a nice little museum there … and if you are a western movie fan they had a nice 2-3 page listing of all the locations in the area where movies were shot. I can’t comment on any of the specific locations though … we got there in the late afternoon, had dinner at a really nice restaurant (beware of the Chiplotle Meatloaf if you are going to be cooped up in the car the next day) and left early the next morning for the GC.

[blondebear]

A couple of other spots near Kanab that might be of interest: Moqui Cave and Coral Pink Sand Dunes. Moqui Cave isn’t a typical “show cave” with formations, but it does have some neat cultural and natural history on display. Coral Pink Sand Dunes are worth a side trip, especially if you visit in the early morning or late afternoon.

Another “cave” worth visiting for road-trippers is the “world famous” Hole N" The Rock south of Moab.

A good online resource for trip ideas is Max Bertola’s Southern Utah Tour

[pohjonen]

@Washoe

Don’t neglect to take the five-mile detour into the Kolob region of Zion just south of Cedar City on I-15. The view from the end of the road is one of the most unusual sights on Earth.

Also, don’t forget that it is customary for spectators in Utah’s parks to push over a hoodoo to commemorate their visit. Wiggle it—just a little bit.

Ha. As to the detour, are you talking about that little dead end off the 15 into Kolob Canyon? ETA - duh, obviously you are. Yes, I CAN READ!

[harmonicamoon]

Hola-
Just saw this article. You may want to have a meal there.

Hell's Backbone Grill: Restaurant of the Year