weekender.
Weekend trips from Southern Utah University
Hidden spots near Cedar City, day trips and weekend road trips from Southern Utah University in November, scored 1–10 on price, timing and what's happening, with gas, park fees, a campsite or room and food included.
Plan your own trip from Southern Utah University →Local finds near campus
Cedar Breaks
A smaller, higher, emptier Bryce at 10,000 feet, with ancient bristlecone pines.
Day trips
Snow Canyon
Red and white sandstone, lava tubes and petrified dunes just outside St. George.
Zion
Wade up the Narrows slot canyon and hike Angels Landing (permit lottery).
Coral Pink Sand Dunes
Pink sand dunes near Kanab for sandboarding, between Zion and the Grand Canyon.
Bryce Canyon
An amphitheater of orange hoodoo spires, and some of the darkest night skies anywhere.
Horseshoe Bend & Antelope Canyon
The Colorado River's famous horseshoe from the rim, and light beams in a slot canyon.
Capitol Reef
Pioneer orchards where you can pick the fruit, under cliffs of red rock. Pie at the Gifford House.
Weekend trips
Valley of Fire
Swirling red and pink sandstone, petroglyphs and the Fire Wave, an hour past Las Vegas.
Las Vegas
The Strip's free shows, the Neon Museum's sign boneyard and cheap Sunday-night rooms.
Grand Canyon South Rim
The Rim Trail at sunset and a few switchbacks into the canyon (going down is optional, up is not).
Coral Pink Sand Dunes
Pink sand dunes near Kanab for sandboarding, between Zion and the Grand Canyon.
Bryce Canyon
An amphitheater of orange hoodoo spires, and some of the darkest night skies anywhere.
Capitol Reef
Pioneer orchards where you can pick the fruit, under cliffs of red rock. Pie at the Gifford House.
Long weekends
Valley of Fire
Swirling red and pink sandstone, petroglyphs and the Fire Wave, an hour past Las Vegas.
Death Valley
Salt flats below sea level, rainbow-colored hills and the darkest night sky in California.
Grand Canyon South Rim
The Rim Trail at sunset and a few switchbacks into the canyon (going down is optional, up is not).
Las Vegas
The Strip's free shows, the Neon Museum's sign boneyard and cheap Sunday-night rooms.
Lake Havasu
The original London Bridge, rebuilt in the desert, and warm-water coves for boats and paddleboards.
Joshua Tree
Twisted trees, boulder scrambles and some of the darkest skies near LA.
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Set your budget, how many friends are coming, your car (or no car: train and bus), and what you're into (hiking, beaches, camping, stargazing, food and more), and Weekender re-ranks every trip for you, with a day-by-day plan, directions and campsites.
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