Q&A: Road Trips Through The American Southwest

If you are planning a road trip, or just dreaming about adventure, you should read the tidbits from this online question and answer session, hosted by www.guardian.co.uk.

The questions are good and the answers insightful. They talk about our national parks, state parks and major play areas, but also give info on how to get off the tourist path find lessor-known treasures.

Here are just a couple excerpts. It really is worth reading the entire article.

Colorado, Utah and Nevada: travel expert Q&A

Top tip from @Dief
Zion, Bryce, Arches - check, check, check... A little less visited? Try an overnight at Natural Bridges National Monument near Canyonlands. The bridges themselves are nothing compared to what you'll see at Arches and can be done in a few hours but it has some of the darkest skies in the US.

Don't forget the state parks!
Expert Mike Matson says:
Everybody has heard about the National Parks, Zion, Bryce Canyon, Arches and Canyonlands. But lots of travelers don't realize that Utah has some amazing state parks too! Places like Kodachrome Basin state park, Coral Pink Sand Dunes state park , and Snow Canyon state park are all examples of state parks that can be added to any southwest loop road trip.

More biking tips from @Brettprettyman: For a totally unique experience consider riding the White Rim Trail in Canyonlands National Park. It is a 100-mile loop starting from the Island in The Sky Visitor Center. Most people take two or three days to ride it, camping along the way with a support vehicle. Permits are required. Here's a story and short video we did after riding it this spring.
http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/news/56439032-78/bucketlist-utahbucketlist-trail-mountain.html.csp