During Spring Break in 2021 after a long year in 2020, my family and I were eager to hit the road for a proper family road trip. Our first stop after arriving in Moab, Utah was to check out Arches National Park. Pets are not allowed on the trails at the national parks so we were limited to driving through the park and pulling over at the various overlooks. The views here exceeded my expectations.

A storm had just cleared, making the reds and oranges of the landscape pop even more. Magnificent rock formations and canyons stretched for miles. While I did not get a chance to explore much on foot, I did manage to photograph these two scenes.

*Sony a7RII + FE 16-35 GM, 18mm, f11, 1/400 sec, ISO400*

*Sony a7RII + FE 16-35 GM, 16mm, f11, 1/400 sec, ISO400*

Next up was Canyonlands. On a whim, I drove to this overlook which I had never heard of before. Imagine my surprise when I first saw this the winding river in this massive canyon. It was an incredible sight to see for the first time. The clouds and light were not ideal for a typical wide angle shot so I used my long lens to focus in on this composition. Hard to believe how time and some water can transform a landscape in such a dramatic way.

*Sony a7RII + FE 100-400 GM, 100mm, f11, 1/250 sec, ISO400*

I must say how fortunate I was with great light during our drive through Canyonlands. Again, we traveled through the national park after a rain storm. I knew from experience that there was a good chance of good light after the storm cleared. I was not disappointed.

I had no time to setup a tripod so these are all quick handheld images. I know why they call this place the land of canyons because the deep canyons and bluffs were unbelievable.

*Sony a7RII + FE 55 ZA, 55mm, f11, 1/250 sec, ISO200*

*Sony a7RII + FE 100-400 GM, 297mm, f11, 1/800 sec, ISO400*

*Sony a7RII + FE 55 ZA, 55mm, f10, 1/800 sec, ISO400*

*Sony a7RII + FE 100-400 GM, 132mm, f11, 1/250 sec, ISO400*

This state park near Canyon Lands was equally impressive and less busy. I was able to secure a camp site for the night. I have some wonderful memories of camping here. Pets are allowed on the trails so we were finally able to explore more on foot. One of the highlights of the trip was hiking with my son. I let him borrow my Sony APSC camera while I had used my main Sony one. He loved shooting the canyon views during our hike. Below is the composition he photographed showcasing the evaporation ponds surrounded by mountains and rock formations.

*Sony a6000 + FE 55 ZA, 55mm, f8, 1/400 sec, ISO100*

Since I did not have much time to setup my shots, I had to pick out my compositions quickly. This beautiful view shows how deep the canyons are. Photos do not do this place justice with respect to showing the grandness. I included the tourists on the upper right for scale.

*Sony a7RII + FE 16-35 GM, 17mm, f11, 1/320 sec, ISO100*

After visiting Arches, Canyonlands, and the Dead Horse state park for a few days, it was time to get back on the road. Our next destination for this stretch of the trip was Capitol Reef. I knew little about this national park but the drive there was scenic as is most of Utah. I did not take a single image from Capitol Reef during our brief drive through the small park. The park was lovely but I believe to see the true beauty of this place you would have to explore the canyons on foot. There was so much potential there but not from the road side unlike Canyonlands.

In planning the trip to our next stop, Bryce Canyon, I decided to travel the famous Scenic Byway 12. Let me tell you that the journey along that highway was stunning! We passed through expansive meadows, pine and aspen forests, alpine national forest, the mountain pass, canyons, red rock cliffs and along Grand Escalante national monument. I would highly recommend that road to anyone traveling between the national parks. Below are some images from a rest stop at the peak of the mountain.

This is a sunset scene from our drive along the Scenic Byway 12 near Escalante. Well worth it if you get the opportunity to visit Utah. I’d love to return to explore these canyons.

*Sony a7RII + FE 16-35 GM, 17mm, f9, 1/50 sec, ISO800*

We finally made it to Bryce after a day of traveling. I had seen images of this national park online but seeing it in person was so different. What stood out to me was the grand scale of the place and those iconic hoodoos. Photographing the red sandstone formations with snow was extra special.

*Sony a7RII + FE 16-35 GM, 16mm, f11, 1/640 sec, ISO200*

*Sony a7RII + FE 16-35 GM, 16mm, f11, 1/250 sec, ISO100*

*Sony a7RII + FE 100-400 GM, 100mm, f11, 1/500 sec, ISO200*

After exploring Bryce Canyon, we hit the road and arrived in Zion the next day. I wanted to save Zion last because it one of the parks I most wanted to see in person. We traveled through the East Entrance and followed the road along the canyon. In Bryce, you are often looking down on the grand landscape. In Zion, you are looking up as massive canyon walls tower over you. The place is simply beautiful to drive through especially going through the Zion Carmel Tunnel which is high up and only allows one way traffic. Definitely an experience.

*Sony a7RII + FE 16-35 GM, 16mm, f11, 1/400 sec, ISO200*

*Sony a7RII + FE 16-35 GM, 21mm, f11, 1/320 sec, ISO200*

*Sony a7RII + FE 16-35 GM, 25mm, f11, 1/160 sec, ISO100*

Whew! We get to the end of the trip. I know I packed a lot in during our week long journey through Utah. It was a blast spending time with my wife, son, and puppies in the camper van. Those were wonderful memories I will greatly treasure. I would definitely do it again.

Here is one final image on one of our rest stops on way back home to Colorado. The open road is so good us. With all that is going on in the world, I hope you can get away a bit and find yourself a nice long stretch of open road. Safe journey!

Family Road Trip to Utah

A Primer On Creating Multiple Exposure Images

A Primer on ICM Photography