Quiet adventures, spaces to lose your worries and reconnect with nature, and adventures that are best accomplished "unplugged" are vacations we're a fan of.
The wide-open spaces around us are a welcome break from the day-to-day. While we love all the spaces around us, some seem to be made for a quiet and slow adventure through nature. Breathing deep between the walls of a slot canyon, taking in starry night skies among rolling hills, and standing among traces of the past are experiences you won't soon forget. And a moment you might not know you need until you're there.
3 destinations our team loves for a quiet getaway and some deep breaths of fresh air include:
- Spring Creek, Kanarraville
- Three Peaks Recreation Area, Cedar City
- Dixie National Forest, Brian Head
Hiking the Spring Creek Trail in Kanarraville
The trail is quiet, the sound of your footsteps and the gentle crunch of dirt as you move echo back to you. A wilderness area, the gentle chirp of birds, and the occasional rustle of the nearby plants are part of the reason you chose this hike. They're a much-needed soundtrack to your quiet afternoon adventure. With 5.3 miles of trail stretching ahead of you, there's plenty of time for your mind to wander and beautiful scenery to take in along the way. The trail follows a creek through the valley (much like the nearby Kanarra Falls Trail) and takes hikers through a range of landscapes.
Large stone walls of pale peach frame the first valley you walk through, lots of trees, and even some wildflowers, depending on the season. Next, you follow the creek, a lot closer this time, and even crossing here and there. A stretch of tall grass guides you toward the tall rock formations of vibrant orange. Then, and it still somehow seems like a sudden shift even as you see the canyon coming, you're in a beautiful, hidden canyon. Tucked between walls of vibrant orange and red sandstone, you follow the creek past trees that reach upward to the sun, with echoes of the wind, the stream, and your footsteps coming back to you. It's a beautiful space and a much-needed quiet moment among nature.
Stargazing at Three Peaks Recreation Area
A short drive out of town, it's surprising how different the landscapes feel at Three Peaks. It's odd how far away you feel from the city, even though you're not far at all. The rolling hills of long-cooled lava rock stretch ahead of you, creating little side paths and interesting nooks to explore among the juniper and sage. If it's warm, lizards scramble across the stone. The gentle clink of discs in the disc golf baskets of the two courses near you carries across the valley because it is so quiet out here, it's almost weird. An occasional roar of a side-by-side on the trails breaks up the silence, but as the sun sets and you settle in on the perfect rock outcropping, it's quiet again.
The stars are surprisingly bright out here, considering how close you really are to town. It's quiet, it's dark, and it's peaceful beneath a star-studded sky as you take another moment to breathe and slow down.
Snowmobile Tour Through Dixie National Forest (Brian Head)
Few things can change a landscape in the same way snow can. The roar of the snowmobile becomes a pleasant background noise after a bit, and the forest around you is quieted by snow in a way you didn't think possible. In summer, these trails buzz with ATV activity, hikers, scenic drivers, and more. In winter, they're alive with a different kind of bustle. Gliding past the lifts at Navajo Mountain, you can see skiers making their way to their favorite run. Some wave, most continue along their way, enjoying a relaxing adventure of their own. You follow your guide past some cool scenery, through a tunnel of towering snow-covered pines that feel straight out of a Christmas movie, and enjoy the adventure on your way to High Mountain Overlook.
The guides are knowledgeable, the adventure is easy enough, and even though it's your first time on a snowmobile, you move at a pace that keeps you relaxed and feeling confident. Out at High Mountain Overlook, the view is spectacular. Looking across the wintry landscape, you can see cliff formations of bright orange and red peaking through the snow. They look even brighter beneath the snow, standing out in a way that makes you think of fire and ice. It's beautiful, it's quiet, and it's more than worth the journey.
Happy exploring
and don't forget to share your adventure at the Frontier Homestead with us @visitcedarcity!