Lesser Known Destinations...

Over the past twelve months we've spent something like seven weeks in the Southwest, and we have really loved all the big name parks: Grand Canyon, Death Valley, Zion, Bryce, Capitol Reef, Arches, Canyonlands, Mesa Verde. And we've also really enjoyed some of the "B list" parks like Natural Bridges, Snow Canyon, Mojave Preserve, Chaco Canyon, Canyon de Chelly, Canyons of the Ancients, etc.. Some of those deserve to be in the first list.

But beyond those, we've also found a few other places that were way beyond our expectations--places that we would go back to visit again in a heartbeat because they were so wonderful. First on the list is Hovenweep National Monument, a sensational collection of ancient Puebloan ruins. And nearby is the Edge of the Cedars Museum in Blanding, Utah. An astonishing collection of artifacts.

In Nevada, we loved the Valley of Fire State Park, and the Lost City Museum in Overton. Who knew the ancient Puebloans lived that far West? And Navajo National Monument is wonderful, with a small but free campground. On the way, you could also stop and see Coal Mine Canyon in Arizona for free. A mini Bryce Canyon with almost nobody there.