Epic Utah Adventure: Hidden Caves and Scenic Wonders Await! | Roadtrip With Us!

Join us on an unforgettable road trip from Kanab's charming Parry Lodge to Escalante Petrified Forest State Park, exploring the magical Sand Caves and the mysterious Belly of the Dragon, with a few surprises along the way!
Our road trip between Kanab and Escalante Petrified Forest State Park began at the historic Parry Lodge, a charming and nostalgic hotel that has hosted numerous Hollywood stars. Setting out from this iconic location, we drove northeast along US-89, eager to explore the natural wonders of southern Utah. Our first stop was the Sand Caves, a series of striking man-made caves carved into the soft, orange sandstone. The short hike to the caves was well worth it, as we were rewarded with stunning, wave-like formations and sweeping views of the surrounding landscape.
Continuing our journey, we soon arrived at the Belly of the Dragon, an intriguing man-made drainage tunnel further formed by water erosion. The cool, narrow passage offered a unique and somewhat eerie experience, contrasting sharply with the sun-drenched desert above. As we made our way further, we planned a visit to Mossy Cave near Tropic. Unfortunately, upon arrival, we found the area crowded with visitors, leading us to skip this stop. While it was a bit disappointing, it didn't dampen our spirits for the rest of the trip. We continued on Scenic Byway 12, soaking in the breathtaking scenery, until we reached Escalante Petrified Forest State Park. Here, we marveled set up camp right next to the water and immersed ourselves in the afternoon light. This road trip, filled with diverse landscapes and fascinating stops, was a memorable adventure through one of Utah's most beautiful regions.
VIDEO FILMED: 05/19/2024
▬▬ R E L A T E D V I D E O S ▬▬
⚪ • SOUTH CAMPGROUND at ZI...
⚪ • A Completionist's Guid...
▬▬ T I M E S T A M P S ▬▬
00:00 The Historic Parry Lodge
08:50 Sand Caves
16:17 Belly of the Dragon
22:41 Scenic Storytime
30:25 Bryce Canyon County
38:14 Onward to Escalante!
▬▬ L I N K S ▬▬
⚪ Gear we use - www.amazon.com/shop/thecactus...
⚪ onX Offroad App - alnk.to/gKQ0FLG
⚪ See where we've been - www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mi...
⚪ Music from Epidemic Sound - www.epidemicsound.com/referra...
(As an Amazon Associate and onX Affiliate we earn from qualifying purchases.)
_____________________________________________________________
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Welcome to the Cactus Atlas! We are Glenn and Amy and invite you to join us as we visit all sorts of locations across the American West. We tour both natural and man-made attractions.
Our base of operations is in the Phoenix, AZ area. We do a lot of hiking, day trips, and campground reviews and hope that we will be a great resource if you are planning a trip to the American West. We also hope to delight you with our exciting adventures!

Пікірлер: 72

  • @kennethbrinkerhoff9245
    @kennethbrinkerhoff924517 күн бұрын

    I have the great pleasure of living in Kanab

  • @CactusAtlas

    @CactusAtlas

    16 күн бұрын

    That's some luck. Gorgeous landscape! 👍

  • @summermazzettia2955
    @summermazzettia295514 күн бұрын

    That's where I grew up. Love it there❤.

  • @CactusAtlas

    @CactusAtlas

    14 күн бұрын

    Beautiful area to grow up! How lucky! 😊

  • @SwiftyTravels
    @SwiftyTravels17 күн бұрын

    Beautiful country up there in that part of Utah! I’m looking forward to this series! 👍😀

  • @CactusAtlas

    @CactusAtlas

    16 күн бұрын

    More to come! Some REALLY epic views! 😄

  • @susanasalinas4273
    @susanasalinas427313 күн бұрын

    Wow. Such wild beauty. Love the adventures. Hi Amy . Take care everyone n on to the next adventure.

  • @CactusAtlas

    @CactusAtlas

    13 күн бұрын

    Thank you! Will do! 😊

  • @japponica
    @japponica18 күн бұрын

    Excellent, thank you ❤ from London UK

  • @CactusAtlas

    @CactusAtlas

    18 күн бұрын

    You're very welcome! 😊

  • @krishavice2655
    @krishavice265515 күн бұрын

    My son-in-law grew up in Kanab. He participated in many of the Westerns filmed there. What fun!

  • @CactusAtlas

    @CactusAtlas

    14 күн бұрын

    Oh, how cool! SUCH a rich movie history there. How fun for him to be part of it! 😄

  • @MissAstorDancer
    @MissAstorDancer17 күн бұрын

    Just stunning, as usual!!! The editing is so good, as usual! And while I always enjoy the music you pick, this episode is really UP THERE in terms of music choices.....ESPECIALLY the beautiful music you used for the Sand Caves! What a fun and beautiful way to spend an hour of my evening!!! (I re-watched several sections!!) Thank you both so much!!❣

  • @CactusAtlas

    @CactusAtlas

    17 күн бұрын

    Oh my goodness... that means so much. Thank you! 🥲

  • @janlillis3676
    @janlillis36768 күн бұрын

    Thanks for taking me along. I really enjoy your videos. When you do the fast-forward. I feel like I’m a superhero and can run that fast. I have a very good imagination. Love the music and the scenery.

  • @CactusAtlas

    @CactusAtlas

    8 күн бұрын

    Love that! We kind of do/think the exact same thing. Arms out like Superman and flyyyyy! 😂

  • @kathietee291
    @kathietee29117 күн бұрын

    Thanks, Glenn and Amy, for this very interesting road trip video. Loved the Parry Lodge and its history! And what a beautiful place to end the video at the Escalante Petried Forest state park. Thanks for letting us come along!

  • @CactusAtlas

    @CactusAtlas

    15 күн бұрын

    Anytime! We love having you all coming along with us. 😄

  • @joywyse6996
    @joywyse699616 күн бұрын

    Glenn just beautiful. This is on my bucket list thanks to you. Utah is so beautiful. Nothing like it anywhere. Thanks for all the surprises. Amy and Glenn, I look forward to your videos.

  • @CactusAtlas

    @CactusAtlas

    15 күн бұрын

    Our pleasure! And thank you. Hurray for bucket list additions! 😄

  • @joywyse6996

    @joywyse6996

    13 күн бұрын

    @@CactusAtlas I have you and Amy to thank for the long bucket list. It's never been this long. Thanks

  • @user-hs6kv2il2q
    @user-hs6kv2il2q16 күн бұрын

    This is an awesome trip. Love that you are stopping along the way. I think of the trips I have taken and what I missed by not stopping.

  • @CactusAtlas

    @CactusAtlas

    16 күн бұрын

    That's how a LOT of our trips have been because we're always on a tight filming schedule. This trip was kind of the opposite. 😅

  • @marshmallows5641
    @marshmallows564116 күн бұрын

    Beautiful landscape as always! Loving seeing all the nature it's so calming. Thanks for the adventure.

  • @CactusAtlas

    @CactusAtlas

    15 күн бұрын

    Our pleasure! As always, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts for watching. ☺️

  • @charleshicks3492
    @charleshicks34929 күн бұрын

    Well done, thanks and be careful out there🤩😎⭐️

  • @CactusAtlas

    @CactusAtlas

    9 күн бұрын

    Thank you, we will! 😊

  • @votrolacres8526
    @votrolacres852618 күн бұрын

    Another great adventure! Those sand caves were amazing and so beautiful. Thanks for taking us along. Looking forward as always to the next video!

  • @CactusAtlas

    @CactusAtlas

    17 күн бұрын

    Glad you like them! We appreciate it. 🙌😄

  • @shannanichols2642
    @shannanichols264217 күн бұрын

    Really enjoyed the video, it was peaceful, beautiful and entertaining. ❤😊

  • @CactusAtlas

    @CactusAtlas

    16 күн бұрын

    Thank you so much! We're happy you enjoyed it. 😊

  • @shirleyrichards2514
    @shirleyrichards251418 күн бұрын

    Love that southern Utah ❤ thanks for sharing 👍

  • @CactusAtlas

    @CactusAtlas

    17 күн бұрын

    Us too! Soooo much to do there. 👍

  • @RangelandRebel15
    @RangelandRebel1516 күн бұрын

    Prime grade Cactus Altas right here! You could spend a very long time in that area of the country and still not see it all. Thanks for the ride along yall!!

  • @CactusAtlas

    @CactusAtlas

    15 күн бұрын

    You're not kidding. I don't think we'd ever run out of places to see there. 😂

  • @jameshouse1268
    @jameshouse126816 күн бұрын

    I really enjoyed this latest episode. We love the Kanab area and then Zion, Bryce, and Red Canyon. It was so fun seeing your take on the Sand Caves and Belly of the Dragon. We enjoyed the Mossy Cave hike. It was very pleasant early in the morning (only 2 other people were there)! Hopefully, you’ll fit it in while Bryce. I’ll be looking forward to your future episodes of your summer adventures. Southern Utah can’t be beat! Our “travel styles “ are the same! Take care always. 😊

  • @CactusAtlas

    @CactusAtlas

    15 күн бұрын

    Thank you! We're going to have to make it to Mossy Cave one of these days, especially given how many people are recommending it! 😅

  • @quinlama
    @quinlama18 күн бұрын

    Awesome video! Met you briefly in the Escalante Petrified Forest State Park. Thanks again for your videos! My family and I stayed at Fort Churchill State Park in Nevada after watching your video there. Cheers and keep up the good work!

  • @CactusAtlas

    @CactusAtlas

    17 күн бұрын

    Oh, how fun! I just edited the footage where Glenn mentioned meeting a viewer at that park! Hi! 👋 We hope that you had an enjoyable visit to Fort Churchill! 😄

  • @user-naturegirl
    @user-naturegirl17 күн бұрын

    Thank you, Cactus Atlas, for doing road trips that are "doable." We have been following your channel for a little while and really appreciate your giving suggestions for road trips that one can manage and still enjoy the beauty of nature without tearing one's vehicle up. (smile)😊

  • @CactusAtlas

    @CactusAtlas

    17 күн бұрын

    Our pleasure! Offroading is still fun for us but can be tiring. Sometimes, we like the easier things as well. Lots more of that kinda stuff coming soon! ☺️

  • @bobdurna3588
    @bobdurna358818 күн бұрын

    Wonderful video of one of my favorite routes anywhere. According to a Kanab local I spoke with the sand caves are man made. He said they were mined briefly and that the quality of the sand was conducive to making bullet proof glass…his story anyway. Mossy Cave along with some of the Valley of Fire hikes ranks as one of the best short hikes in the southwest. The cave is actually kind of meh, but the hoodoos, waterfall, and river make for a lot of bang for the short distance hiked. Thanks again for taking us along to this beautiful part of the country.

  • @CactusAtlas

    @CactusAtlas

    17 күн бұрын

    I believe you heard right. After I was editing, I checked info and found it was man-made for glass making starting in the 70s. 👍

  • @lauraslanesvanlifetravels
    @lauraslanesvanlifetravels11 күн бұрын

    Thank you for showing and sharing the sand caves! I'm planning a big trip that includes stopping in Kanab and now I know those are there too...my photos are going to be awesome from there! I just looked up Mossy Cave...it's more the waterfall that makes it amazing...another cool place tho...too bad you weren't able to go check it out! This was another great one...but it IS Utah...really cannot go wrong w/Utah!

  • @CactusAtlas

    @CactusAtlas

    10 күн бұрын

    So very true. And there's always a million reasons to return because of that. 😅

  • @DeborahFlorian-gy6lw
    @DeborahFlorian-gy6lw18 күн бұрын

    The sandstone caves look like a palace. Imagine torches on the walls, oriental rugs on the ground.....of course you'd have to get rid of all that sand. first! Thanks Amy and Glenn for this road trip! ⚡️🏜⚡️

  • @CactusAtlas

    @CactusAtlas

    17 күн бұрын

    That would be cool! I can absolutely see it in my mind! ☺️

  • @baronessbooks9909
    @baronessbooks990918 күн бұрын

    Yeah Bryce is high

  • @ThomasTremmel
    @ThomasTremmel18 күн бұрын

    Much thanks for this trip! I grew up in CA and we really enjoed travelling the states in the 80s in rented rvs or privat car. I still have a big chunk of petrvied wood on my chiney "stolen" from AZ, Shame on me. Greetings from Bavaria

  • @CactusAtlas

    @CactusAtlas

    18 күн бұрын

    😬 One of these days when we can afford it, we want to get a piece of petrified wood as well. And Bavaria! Long way from CA! 😊

  • @WillySmith-sd4em
    @WillySmith-sd4em17 күн бұрын

    Utah is a beautiful state. In the late 70's i lived in Vernal, Utah in the northeast part of the state. Very close to SKINWAKER RANCH! :)

  • @CactusAtlas

    @CactusAtlas

    17 күн бұрын

    Absolutely agree. Utah is one of our favorite places. 😄

  • @WillySmith-sd4em

    @WillySmith-sd4em

    17 күн бұрын

    @CactusAtlas much different than it was in the old days. I remember when Moab was a boarded up ghost town basically. Now there's brew pubs!

  • @jane112wedge
    @jane112wedge18 күн бұрын

    Great video! Been to Belly of the Dragon....there is a short dead end trail after you go through the cave...just fyi. Also, the Mossy Cave trail is fabulous and worth the stop.....and take note for next time, there is an overflow parking lot about 1/4 mile down the road. I'll be in the Zion National Park area for three weeks mid July to end of July....maybe I'll see you and Slim! Make sure you go to the Pizza and Noodle in town for dinner one evening ...best pizza! Stay safe!

  • @CactusAtlas

    @CactusAtlas

    17 күн бұрын

    Thank you! Just might bump into one another, indeed! One of these days will hit up Mossy Cave. 😂

  • @tommyphillips6584
    @tommyphillips658417 күн бұрын

    We stopped at the sand caves in December and had a few tricky spots to get to. Had to some crab walking and some sliding on way back down.

  • @CactusAtlas

    @CactusAtlas

    17 күн бұрын

    I hear you. It's not a super simple little climb to get up there. 😅

  • @steveh.5055
    @steveh.505514 күн бұрын

    Thanks for sharing your videos. I really enjoy the Utah scenery! FYI, the Red Canyon campground has beautiful views, but the traffic noise from Highway 12 can be annoying.

  • @CactusAtlas

    @CactusAtlas

    13 күн бұрын

    Oh, well that is very good information. Thanks for sharing! 👍

  • @richardbeee
    @richardbeee18 күн бұрын

    Way up yonder in them sandstone cliffs you can see pick marks on the walls. The way i understand it was that cave is actually an old mine. That sand could only be found in that location. I don't remember for what purpose. Maybe a dam? I'll browse through my old stuff and see what i find. It even has pillars in it. I think i know and since i don't like to advertise other peoples videos on the one I'm watching I'll get with you later. When you see pick marks and pillars, it's usually been mined. Running across the grass brings out the primitive man. Like swinging on a vine.😂 Sounds like Slim will get a work out. Tell him i said Howdy!

  • @CactusAtlas

    @CactusAtlas

    17 күн бұрын

    From what I found, they were mining that area for silica to use in glass making. I forget why they stopped, though. 🤔 It's hard to tell what's pick marks and what's aged grafitti honestly. Probably why it went unnoticed. 😅

  • @janinemaurice6199
    @janinemaurice619917 күн бұрын

    Make time for Mossy cave trail next time

  • @CactusAtlas

    @CactusAtlas

    16 күн бұрын

    I know. We keep missing out. But I guess we finally made time for the other two that we kept passing up so one of these day!

  • @ao8352
    @ao835216 күн бұрын

    They should rename that colon cave as it resembles the image from a colonoscopy!

  • @CactusAtlas

    @CactusAtlas

    16 күн бұрын

    😂😂🤣 Glenn actually DID mention the latter part in a clip I didn't use while editing. 😅

  • @bartcutler5195
    @bartcutler519515 күн бұрын

    Mining

  • @baronessbooks9909
    @baronessbooks990918 күн бұрын

    Petroglyph on ceiling

  • @CactusAtlas

    @CactusAtlas

    17 күн бұрын

    Hmmm. Both caves are more modern age but I wonder if someone made an attempt to create one?

  • @hightidelowtide4300
    @hightidelowtide43009 күн бұрын

    Another great video from the Cactus Atlas... I'm excited for you're Capital Reef in July trip video.. Its definitely our #1 area of Utah and that's saying something... The views of Capital Reef from Boulder Mt, Burr Trail, Notom road, Scenic drive in CR, cathedral valley drive... hwy 24 (underrated).. the incredible byway 12... AWSOME TRAILS.. INCREDIBLE PIES AT THE GIFFORD HOUSE ect.... ITS EPIC!... JMO but you saved the best of Utah for last..

  • @CactusAtlas

    @CactusAtlas

    8 күн бұрын

    We're definitely looking forward to it. That park has been a missed opportunity for too long. 😊