Southwestern Rocks and Canyons

Capitol Reef is not a very popular park, but it does offer some stunning rock formations and historical sites.

In Zion National Park.

A slot canyon in Zion National Park

Our dream hike of the summer! We'd been planning this for a long time, and it was just as beautiful as we'd imagined.

Also in the Zion Narrows.

Zion National Park in the rainy season of August. This storm caused the Virgin River to flood outside the park.

Bryce Canyon. Paria Canyon is often seen from a popular lookout at the top, but only backpackers can see it from below.

Bryce Canyon National Park. Being here made me crave orange sherbet.

On a rare moment of clear skies between mid-summer thunderstorms.

Tall spires that stand alone are called "hoodoos." As this area erodes further, it will display shorter and shorter hoodoos.

In Bryce Canyon, sandstone underneath erodes more quickly than the limestone on top, creating precariously perched "hats."

Canyonlands National Park. Potholes catch rainwater seasonally, then dry out. Small species of shrimp, as well as a few other bugs and frogs can sometimes be found in them.

From a little-known swimming hole, shown to us by our friends in Page, AZ.

The Grand Canyon from the North Rim on a stormy day.