Go Camping! In Utah!
Living in Colorado, people ski/board, and they camp. Well, not everyone. Not me, at least. My friends cringe when they hear the extremely low number of times I make it up the hill each year.
Which is why, this summer, we vowed to get up there more. Bryan is the outdoorsy one. He can camp like a crazy. The full deal. Put up tents. Sleep on the ground. Make fires. Pee in the woods.
Me, not so much.
Which is why I was excited when Go Camping America contacted us about their June “Get Outside & Go Camping” promotion. They wanted me to go outside. And camp. But nicerly. Yes, I know that is not a word. But it *is* nicerly to sleep in a log cabin, rather than on the rock-hard ground.
We headed out to Green River, Utah, and didn’t have to pack much. Another plus. Just some sleeping bags, pillows and camping food. Plus, plus, plus.
I like the idea of pseudo-camping. It’s easier (especially with the kid), more convenient, quicker… but we still get out and see amazing things.
Utah has some amazing things.
We made it to both Goblin Valley and Arches National Park, the later being one of my favorite places on earth.
We used to go almost every year to Moab and Arches, but when Declan arrived, it died off. It’s just hard to camp and change diapers.
OK, maybe not hard. But certainly stinky.
Now the stinky one would be the dog. Isn’t it nice the campground had a dog park specifically for him?
Goblin Valley is about 40 minutes from Shady Acres Campground in Green River. Arches is about 40 minutes in the other direction. So we were in a nice “central” location, albeit a little remote. Which is good for when you are getting away from everything, right?
Goblin Valley is where they filmed parts of the movie Galaxy Quest. Have you seen it? If not, you should. It’s hilarious. In a dorky, nerdy, way. We watched it again the night we returned home from Utah. Because, yes. This is what it looked like:
And this.
And this.
I love that my kid will have memories like this from childhood:
And this.
And this.
And that was just in Goblin Valley.
Arches National Park can be done in one day, but really deserves two. We are able to do it in one because we know where we like to go best.
There is Park Avenue.
There is Double Arch.
And there is the Sand Dune Arch area.
And all the other fun parts of Arches.
All culminating in a lovely, relaxing, nicerly family weekend.
Blog disclosure: This weekend excursion was partially sponsored by Go Camping America. All words, photos and opinions are mine.
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So pretty!!!!!
Wow, Aimee. That looks so fun! Love the picture of Declan in the wind. – m
Wow – amazing pics! We’re headed to Park City next month, but rented a cabin. We’ll get back to camping after the little guy is at least 6 – 9 months old or so. I really love your comment about your kids having those memories – that’s exactly what I want for my boys as well. In fact, after seeing your pictures, I’m adding these destinations to my must do list!
We were in Moab last summer around this time. The colors were amazing. I cannot wait to get back to Utah, Colorado and California. Thanks for sharing the fabulous landscape everyone should see first hand! Love it…
I can’t get over that Goblin Valley place. Never even heard of it.
I was just writing today about how having kids cramps one’s adventure style, but how great it is that, growing up in Colorado, the kids will have these kinds of experiences to look back on.
Gorgeous, gorgeous pictures from your Utah adventure!
Damn you! I just spent two hours trying to finagle a way to turn my next Anaheim business trip into an RV excursion. It looks like we can pull it off and end up saving my company nearly 50% on my travel. Thanks for the tip!
Ha ha sorry Nancy! 🙂
What a cute little log cabin. And WOW. I never knew that Utah looks like that. I need to get there.
Ummm, I think I want to go back and visit colorado again. Grrr this looks so enjoyable.
Those are some fantastic photos! I don’t recall ever being to Goblin Valley, though I do remember driving through places in Utah with similar landscape. (Monument Valley comes to mind.)
Arches National Park was one of my favorite places to go as a kid. My grandmother, who lived in Colorado, would take us camping in her big RV (affectionately known as “the Monster”). Other favorite haunts in the Four Corners states were Mesa Verde and The Great Sand Dunes. Now I’m looking forward to exploring those haunts again with my kids. (Some day when they are both old enough to be able to remember the experiences…)
Wow! I’ve lived in Utah all my life but never been to Goblin Valley. Arches are a fav of mine though.
AMAZING pictures! And I told agree a cabin is nicerly 🙂
I AM going to book a spot there! G would love it!
That is how I like to camp too.
I might have to go back to Utah afterall.
awesome photos! Great to connect with you! How did I miss you at EVO?