#southern-utah

#southern-utah

"At his peak, Dean Potter was a figure similar to Alex Honnold-the leading free-soloist in the game. But he was also a much more enigmatic and eccentric character than Honnold. It is also true that Potter remains one of the all-time great culture heroes of American rock-climbing."

Branded residences have become the luxury hotel industry's favorite revenue strategy, characterized by recognizable names and a 30% premium for the brand badge, often resulting in real estate that borrows a brand's reputation without its design philosophy.

The average elevation across the United States varies significantly, creating a divide between the high-altitude West and the lower-lying East and South, which impacts skiing conditions.

Goblin Valley State Park is often overlooked and relatively undiscovered, making it a perfect alternative for those seeking solitude away from crowded tourist spots like Bryce Canyon.

Gunlock Falls has only shown up four times in the past 15 years and is reliant on the capacity of the reservoir above it: When the reservoir surpasses its maximum capacity, the water flows over the spillway and down over the bright red rock below, creating Gunlock Falls.

When Salt Lake City landed the 2002 Olympics, organizers promised to sustain the vast infrastructure built for the occasion, using it for years to come. Not only is much of it going to come into play again for 2034, but we will see nearly 40% more events than in 2002, including (freestyle ski and snowboard) Slopestyle, Big Air, Women's Ski Jumping, Ski Cross, Mixed Team Snowboard Cross and a much higher-profile Paralympics.

Channeling the look and feel of authentic national park lodges was an important part of this renovation project. We took great care to preserve its independent spirit and also invite guests to truly immerse themselves in the destination, from the captivating views from the lodge to the quiet serenity offered by the Colorado River that winds itself around the property.

Established in 1911, Starved Rock is Illinois' second state park and a popular destination among those who love the outdoors, history, and photography. Its name comes from a Native American legend that recounts a 1760s battle in which members of the Illinois Confederation fled to the top of the park's now eponymous 125-sandstone bluff for refuge.

Now, in a recent study published in Geology, retired University of New Mexico geologist Karl Karlstrom and his colleagues conclude that the asteroid's impact shook Marble Canyon hard enough to dislodge great chunks of stone and send a landslide tumbling into the river. The debris formed a natural dam that backed up the Colorado for over 50 miles to near present-day Lees Ferry.

Bisbee is surrounded by the Mule Mountains, offering plenty of opportunities for hiking, rock climbing, and camping. The nearby Sabino Canyon Recreation Area has scenic hiking trails and stunning views. But beyond the art and beauty lies a long, fascinating history as a copper mining town.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park was the most popular park in the country last year, drawing more than 11.5 million visitors, according to data from the National Park Service. In fact, the park, which straddles North Carolina and Tennessee, accounted for 12.3 percent of all national park visits.

For 2025, there was good news and bad news: overall, these areas were visited 323 million times over the course of the year. That's the good news; the bad news is that this figure was down ever so slightly - specifically, 2.7% - from a record-setting 2024.

Tens of millions of tourists visit Las Vegas each year, spending billions of dollars in the city's casinos, entertainment venues, and attractions. Yet my move brought me to Reno, a seven-hour drive from the desert of Las Vegas. Although Reno still has its fair share of casinos, the city feels like a world apart.

Digital creator Richard Oldham bought 400 acres in the mountains of Utah and built an off-grid cabin to enjoy with family and friends. As an avid snowboarder, Oldham enjoys touring his property and discovering new features on his land. Last winter he was out for tour when he came upon rock outcropping that would have been perfect for jumps but it was overgrown with trees and inaccessible in its current state.

As a SoCal resident, I visit Anza-Borrego at least once a year to explore the sandstone Slot canyon and surrounding desert, keeping an eye out for animals like chuckwalla lizards and bighorn sheep. Despite its incredibly dry environment (the park averages just four to eight inches of rain a year, and summertime temps routinely hit the hundreds), Anza-Borrego teems with life and opportunities to explore one of the nation's most unique ecosystems.

Many glamping places are right off the highway. With Backland, we wanted an immersive nature experience-total comfort, with unobstructed views. The camp sits on an immense and grassy meadow ringed by an unnamed forest. Ten nature suites looked more like futuristic Quonset huts than white tents.

Mt. Baker is the PNW's snow vacuum. It's close enough to the Pacific to get storm after storm, and the North Cascades do what they do best: force moist air straight up, wring it out, and bury everything in sight. Maritime storms roll in wet and heavy, then pile up fast when they hit terrain.

Longer days, blooming flowers, and increasing temperatures make spring the perfect time for an escape to one of the 63 major US national parks. After traveling solo to all of them, there are a few I think are especially worth seeing between the months of March and June.

Deer Valley's expansion may be the largest ski area expansion in history. Prior to the expansion, Deer Valley was the 15th largest resort in the United States, boasting over 2,000 acres. The expansion, aptly named "Expanded Excellence," more than doubled Deer Valley's size, bringing the total to 5,700 skiable acres.

Some travelers love vacations that involve doing absolutely nothing-trips where lounging by the beach or pool, napping, reading, or going for a light swim are the most rigorous activities on the agenda. Other travelers, however, crave trips that are a bit more ... active, whether that means hiking, biking, or parasailing. If you fall into the latter category, you should consider heading to Wyoming for your next trip, according to Wander.

"One time is enough." That's what I'd heard countless times about visiting Las Vegas before making the trip myself. I'd always wanted to go, if only to have that once-in-a-lifetime experience. Turns out, one time wasn't enough. I've been five times now, and I have no doubt there will be a sixth. The nightlife and gambling aren't what keep me coming back, though. These days, I skip the casinos and explore nature instead - and one of my favorite places is about 45 minutes outside the city: Valley of Fire State Park. There was no turning back once I found a side of Vegas I didn't know I was missing