Southern Utah

September 2024

Zion was the original goal, but Southern Utah had a way of pulling us in every direction — and the best moments came from the places in between.

We started early whenever possible. Long morning walks with the dogs set the tone before heading anywhere, especially for bigger objectives. Angels Landing was one of them. The reservation system kept crowds manageable, and starting before most people arrived made the climb feel focused instead of rushed.

Outside the park, we found quieter, dog-friendly spots that ended up being just as memorable. Red Reef Trail offered easy miles and space to explore, while Pink Coral Sand Dunes felt completely unreal. We spent the afternoon sandboarding massive dunes while the dogs ran and dug themselves into exhaustion.

One of the biggest surprises was Sand Hollow Reservoir. What started as a quick stop turned into paddleboarding, swimming, and a full afternoon on the water. No agenda — just moving, floating, and letting the day stretch out.

Southern Utah never feels real. Every drive looks like a different planet, and every stop reminds you to slow down and take it in. With the dogs setting the rhythm, the trip stayed balanced — effort when it mattered, rest when it didn’t.