Southwest
Destinations
The Southwest is dominated by the Colorado Plateau. Here, tectonic
activity has pushed a huge section of of the southwestern up thousands
of feet above sea level. Eons of erosion from water, wind and ice,
along with continued uplife and an arid climate have resulted in
geologic formations that are both beautiful and fascinating. More
recent human history -- both Native and European-American -- adds
a layer of cultural interest to the plateau. The national and tribal
parks of the Grand Circle allow visitors to immerse themselves into
these stunning landscapes and experience the culture of the people
who live (and have lived) here.
Below the plateau, the region is dominated by desert, which offers
a beauty of its own. Stately Saguaro cactus stand sentinel in southern
Arizona. The volcanic Valley of Fire stuns visitors in southern
Nevada. And rising up out of the desolation, Las Vegas is a modern
playground that exists in defiance of seemingly uninhabitable landscape
that surrounds it.
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NATIONAL PARKS AND MONUMENTS |
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Superlatives fall flat against one of Earth's
most dramatic backdrops. The Grand Canyon can
be appreciated from above over the course of a
day trip or overnight, or thoroughly explored
by horseback, raft or on-foot.
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The red and coral sandstone cliffs of Zion rise
out of the Virgin River Canyon like the walls of
a cathedral. They surround what is a unique oasis
in the arid region, fed not only by the Virgin River,
but also by purified water seeping from the sandstone...
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A natural museum of sandstone erosion, the park
features more than 2000 naturally formed arches,
along with a variety of other impressive formations,
including sandstone fins, spires, balanced rocks,
and imposing monoliths... more
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...Spend some time among the thousands of hoodoos
that are the iconic features of Bryce Canyon National
Park, and you'll likely form your own more personal,
and perhaps spiritual definition of "hoodoo."
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...The resulting erosion has created a dramatic,
sprawling landscape of buttes, mesas and canyons
that stretches over more than 500 square miles...
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Lesser known than other national parks in the
region, Capitol Reef features swirling sandstone
canyons, prominent domes and imposing cliffs. more |
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The striking geology of this Navajo homeland is
a backdrop to thousands of years of cultural history |
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NAVAJO TRIBAL PARKS |
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Monument Valley is a place that holds a certain
allure to people worldwide. A sacred place to the
Navajo, who still inhabit the valley today, the
valley offers a certain peacefulness; a quiet power
that most people can't, or don't wish to put into
words. more |
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...Once you enter Antelope Canyon, you find yourself
immersed in a swirling geometry of sandstone and
light, sculpted by millenia of flooding, and continually
altered by the shifting sunlight... more |
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RESORT DESTINATIONS |
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The last 20 years have been transformative for
Las Vegas. Once the site of smokey card rooms and
seedy lounges, Las Vegas has become a family-focused
destination resort with something for everyone. |
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Sedona is one of those places that has a certain
something you can't quite touch, but can feel deeply.
more |
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