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As you may know, Goal Zero is headquartered in Utah where we have access to some of the most beautiful outdoor destinations in the world. Today we're sharing some of our favorite nearby spots for folks making Utah spring break plans.
The Big Five
One of Utah’s biggest claims to fame is its five stunning national parks: Arches, Canyonlands, Zion, Bryce Canyon, and Capitol Reef. Spring is a great time to visit these parks without worrying about the extreme summer heat. If you plan ahead, you may even be able to camp inside the park. If you can’t find camping inside the park, check out BLM areas nearby.
Arches National Park
The tail end of March is a great time to check out Arches National Park. Get in before the crowds show up and temperatures rise. In addition to the world-famous Delicate Arch, visitors love checking out Balanced Rock, hiking the Devil’s Garden area, and walking around the Windows area. If you visit the park between April and October, you’ll need a timed-entry reservation. This is required in addition to your entrance fee. Many reservations are made months in advance but there are sometimes a limited number of timed-entry tickets available one day before entry.
Canyonlands National Park
If you’re near Arches National Park, consider checking out Canyonlands while you’re in the area. There are two sections within about an hour's drive of Moab, UT: the Needles District and the Island in the Sky district. While still popular, Canyonlands doesn’t require timed-entry reservations and is usually less busy than some of Utah’s more famous national parks—watch the sun rise at Mesa Arch, drive around and visit the viewpoints, try out some hikes, or camp for a few days. Canyonlands is also a popular destination for mountain bikers and off-road vehicle enthusiasts.
Zion National Park
Zion National Park is beautiful in the spring. It has more greenery and noticeable animal life than the parks near Moab thanks to the Virgin River which flows through the park. Zion is best-known for the Angel’s Landing hike with its amazing views and spooky drop offs. But if you want to test your bravery, you’ll need to try your luck on the hike permit lottery.
Bryce Canyon National Park
If you visit Bryce in the early spring, you may be lucky enough to see the gorgeous red rock formations capped in bright white snow. That said, if you’ll be there while there’s snow on the ground, we'd suggest packing some spikes with your hiking gear to help you explore the park and its many steep inclines.
Capitol Reef National Park
Capitol Reef isn’t as well known as the other Utah parks and it doesn’t have as many dramatic views or features, but it’s a lovely place to visit, hike, camp, and wander. There are also lots of orchards throughout the park and spring is a great time to catch the orchards in bloom.
Less-Busy Alternatives
Utah’s national parks are world-renowned for a reason, but there are lots of other fantastic Spring Break destinations nearby if you want to try slightly less popular areas. A few favorite areas outside the national parks include:
- Dead Horse Point
- Goblin Valley
- Grand Staircase National Monument
- Antelope Island
- Snow Canyon
What to Pack on a Spring Break Camping Trip
Once you’ve picked a destination, it’s time to pack! We’ve listed a few of our favorite Goal Zero camping products below.
- The Skylight area light: This light has 6,000 lumens, adjustable petals, and multiple brightness settings. It can also be raised up to 12 feet.
- An Alta portable fridge/freezer: Keep all your food and drinks cold with this convenient fridge/freezer. Just plug it into your power station for days of cold snacks whenever you need them.
- The compact Yeti 500 or Yeti 700: These lightweight portable power stations can run lights and fridges while charging your devices. And they come with integrated handles for easy carrying.
- The Nomad 50 solar panel: Recharge your power station off the grid with a lightweight, foldable solar panel.
We hope you have a safe and fun Spring Break, wherever you’re headed!