You Haven't Heard of these Denver to Grand Canyon Road Trip Stops

I hope you enjoyed getting a few secret spots to stop along a Denver to Grand Canyon road trip.
These are a few of my favorite places I’ve visited in the American Southwest. And I’ve got a LOT of mileage here!
If you’re looking for even more stops - including famous hot spots such as national parks - then check out my mega Denver to Grand Canyon road trip guide: bit.ly/denver2grandcanyon
You’ll find a few must-see stops if you’re short on time and info on how to have the most incredible adventure on your Grand Canyon road trip.
✨Important Safety info and visiting responsibly
One BIG reminder! Don’t enter slot canyons if rain is in the forecast! Flash floods are SUPER dangerous.
For starters, I wrote a guide to beginner canyoneering for Backpacker Magazine. Check it out here: www.backpacker.com/skills/how...
You want to make sure you use a tool like weather.gov to check for rain in the forecast. Rain causes deadly flash floods - water in slot canyons can quickly reach 30-40 feet high, essentially drowning you before you have a chance to escape.
Therefore it’s essential to stay out of slot canyons if there is ANY rain in the forecast within a 30-mile radius of a slot canyon. Look up canyon at drainage systems too! It can be sunny where you are and raining up canyon where flooding can start.
Rule number 1 when visiting the desert is DON’T BUST THE CRUST! That weird, raised, bumpy soil you see is alive. It’s called cryptobiotic soil and it is an integral part of preventing erosion and allowing for plant life to thrive in the desert. It is fragile and stepping on it will ruin years of development.
Practice Leave No Trace: bit.ly/leaveitbetterthanufoundit
Hiking Safely in the desert: bit.ly/deserthikingtips
✨Follow me… ✨
Pinterest: / aforestfox
TikTok: / megintheforest
Instagram: / megintheforest
✨ Additional Resources ✨
How to Hike Buckskin Gulch Like a Pro: bit.ly/49kY77G
Your Guide to the MoonHouse: bit.ly/3wVOj7e
Off-trail Hiking to the Cosmic Ashtray: • Off-Trail Hiking to th...
Peakaboo and Spooky Slot Canyon: bit.ly/4cyJm3Y
Backpacking Reflection Canyon: • Discovering Secret Vie...
✨Packing Lists and Gear: ✨
Hand-picked, incredible outdoor gear that keeps you moving: bit.ly/outdoorgearthatrocks
Snag the Desert Packing List: bit.ly/desertpackinglist
✨About the Photos and Video: ✨
Transparency is important to me when it comes to photography. There is Instagram and there is reality. And you should be inspired by BOTH.
I intentionally use photos and videos that have been edited for color and lighting, and ones that haven’t.
All the photos and videos you see of Buckskin Gulch were taken by me. I rarely edit other people out of photos (and I would make a note here if I did!).
#nationalparks #nationalparkgeek #roadtrip #usaroadtrip #nationalpark #grandcanyon #grandcanyonnationalpark #coloradotravel #utah #arizona
✨Time stamps:
00:00 - Intro
00:16 - What route to drive from Denver to the Grand Canyon
00:39 - Unknown Ancestral Puebloan ruins
01:39 - Secret spots along House Valley Rock Road
01:52 - San Rafael Swell
02:19 - Most scenic drives
02:30 - Adventurous hikes and canyons near Escalante
02:54 - Outro

[@marukana_saha]

_This is fantastic! Such a thoughful exploration of these lesser-known stops between Denver and the Grand Canyon. It's inspiring to see you prioritize unique experiences and appreciate the beauty that lies beyond the typical tourist destinations. This video is wonderful reminder to our viewers to embrace discovery and craft their own extraordinary adventures. Keep exploring and sharing your insights!_

[@megintheforestoutdoors]

Thank you! I think it's really important to go beyond best-of lists and really understand a place - especially our often under-told histories here!

[@trailvoyant]

Super helpful show notes as always. Thanks for compiling all of that!

[@megintheforestoutdoors]

Of course. I feel like I've always got so much to say and so little time!