Travel | Van Life by Design
Stories and destination guide from our van life adventures across North America — from coastlines to canyons and everything in between.
Few slot canyon hikes in Utah are as instantly recognizable as Zebra Slot Canyon. Located in the Grand Staircase-Escalante region near Escalante, this short desert hike is known for its striped sandstone walls, narrow squeezes, and one of the most photogenic slot canyon corridors in the Southwest. If you’re wondering where Zebra Slot Canyon is,…
Rising out of the North Georgia forest in a long, white ribbon of falling water, Amicalola Falls State Park is one of the state’s most recognizable natural landmarks. At 729 feet tall, it’s the highest waterfall in Georgia and the focal point of a park that blends dramatic scenery with well-developed access. The sound of…
Delicate Arch is the most iconic landmark in Arches National Park, and for good reason. Standing alone against the Utah sky, this freestanding sandstone arch has become a symbol of the American Southwest. For most, it’s a bucket-list destination for hikers from around the world. Seeing it in photos is one thing; hiking the trail…
When we rolled into Escalante on our fall road trip, we were looking for a campground that was central to all the hikes and scenic backroads we planned to explore. Escalante Petrified Forest State Park turned out to be the perfect choice — quiet, beautiful, and close to everything on our list. Because we visited…
If you’re exploring Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monument, Devils Garden is one stop you shouldn’t miss. We first attempted this drive in our Sprinter van, Alice, but the endless washboarding and deep sand along Hole-in-the-Rock Road forced us to turn around after mile three. This year, armed with a rental Jeep, we made it easily and…
If you’re planning a trip to Arches National Park and want one of the most adventurous and awe-filled hikes in the entire park, the Devils Garden & Primitive Trail Loop is a must. For years, this was our #1 hike in Arches—until we discovered Fiery Furnace. Now, Devil’s Garden proudly holds second place for us,…
Caprock Canyon State Park is one of Texas’s most rugged and underrated outdoor destinations; a place where red rock walls glow in the sun, bison roam freely across the prairie, and deep canyons carve through the landscape like something straight out of the American Southwest. When Gail and I visited, we expected a quiet state…
Mount Yonah is one of North Georgia’s most rewarding summit hikes — a steep, rocky climb that opens up to sweeping views across the Blue Ridge Mountains. We hiked the Mount Yonah Trail in May, and the timing couldn’t have been better. Cool mornings, low humidity, and clear skies made the granite overlooks feel even…
Sometimes our best hiking recommendations come from local residents. In fact, that was exactly the case with our Colorado National Monument Loop Trail adventure. Wedding Canyon Trail to Monument Canyon Trail We hadn’t planned to stay in Grand Junction at all. But when a rock cracked our windshield on I-70, we found ourselves unexpectedly grounded…
When we visit a new area, we spend time researching the best hikes. Our research usually starts with the AllTrails app, then continues by chatting with locals about trails we shouldn’t miss. The Portland Trail and Chief Ouray Loop immediately stood out because of its variety—wooded forests, a waterfall, epic mountain views, and an old…
If you’ve spent any time in Sedona, you’ve seen Cathedral Rock, with its red spires rising from the desert like a natural cathedral. On a clear April morning with mid-70s temps and a light breeze, we decided to tackle this short but challenging trail. The climb was steeper than expected, but the views from the…
We thought Fay Canyon would be an easy, end-of-the-day hike — a quiet walk in the woods before heading back to the van. After a long morning on the trails, we were looking for something light and shaded. What we didn’t expect was that this short hike would deliver two of our favorite Sedona discoveries:…
Our first hike in Sedona was the Jordan to Soldier Pass Loop — and it couldn’t have been a better introduction. The moment we stepped out of Alice (our Sprinter van) and looked up at those red cliffs glowing in the morning light, we knew we were in for something special. We started from the…
