Are you dreaming of seeing the American Southwest? If so, then, by all means, read on1 We’ve gathered a number of tips and insights to help you better explore the natural beauty and wide-open spaces of places such as Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, and Utah. Here are the 14 epic adventures in the American Southwest.

You never forget crawling slowly down a very steep trail known as the Devil’s Staircase in a jeep. The vehicles are made for crawling over the rocks. Some say it’s one of the best things to do in Sedona and it’s even family-friendly.

The most popular tour is the Broken Arrow tour. You’ll get a thrill as you go up and down the rock faces on the 4WD trail. Take in all the stunning scenery along the trail. Hop out every so often to experience the actual feel of the rugged, solid ground under your feet.

You really cannot go to the Grand Canyon and not go into the canyon itself. Sadly, experts report that the typical tourist visits the Grand Canyon for a stay of only 15 minutes. The most memorable and nigh epic would be hiking the entire Grand Canyon rim to rim.

Unfortunately, while your roving writer (and his father) have managed it, not everyone is up to that. Another option would be to hike down to the famed Phantom Ranch and back up again. For most, the best bet is to hike the popular Bright Angel Trail where you can choose how far you go into the canyon.

One of Sedona’s great but lesser-known attractions, the Verde Canyon Railroad, is actually an excellent 40-mile journey through a century of culture, history, and dramatic desert scenery. Accessible only by train or on foot, the route runs along the Verde River and the entire riparian ecosystem complete with cottonwoods and high parenthetical sandstone cliffs. Ride in the open-air carriages for a better look of the scenery as a guide notes historical, geological and cultural insights. Veterans suggest purchasing a first-class ticket which includes comfortable seats, buffet food, a cash bar, and a nice champagne toast upon arrival.

Picture yourself tearing over crimson sand dunes on a quad or ATV. It is a truly epic activity complete with stunning scenery. Sand Hollow State Park is well known for its sprawling 6,000 acres of OHV and ATV off-road trails that will take you up to 3,500 feet above sea level.

The various areas there are divided by stunning rock formations in the northern sections and includes a man-made lake at the southern edges. Additionally, you get to end the exciting, family-friendly day with an incredible sunset over the scarlet sand dunes.

10.Angels Landing Hike, Utah

Take the nigh legendary Angels Landing Hike through Zion National Park. It is undoubtedly the most adventurous activity available there. Beware though you may want to stop at Scout’s Landing if you have young children with you.

Hiking the entire trail is another question. After all, part of this hike requires you to hold on to a strong chain next to you so you don’t slip and fall a good 1,000 feet to your certain death. In order to reach the top of the peak, the final section has a chain to guide you along a significantly narrow trail to keep you safe from becoming a negative statistic.

For some visitors, horseback riding in the beautiful Bryce Canyon National Park is a highlight of their travels to the national parks in Utah. The activity includes a cowboy guide that comes complete with bad whiskey jokes and stirrups. You will ride down dusty trails past white, orange, and pink tent rocks of various sizes and shapes. Indeed these so-called fairy chimneys give the place a unique quality and if you head out at the right times you will catch some magnificent sunrises and sunsets too.

8.Lower Antelope Canyon, Arizona

While this list focuses on the Lower Antelope Canyon tour, there’s also an Upper Antelope Canyon tour. Indeed, Antelope Canyon is overall a noteworthy slot canyon of polished rock crevasses born of years of rushing water. Pay attention to how they change in the light seems to alter the colors, textures and even the shapes of the famous carved canyon walls.

Your Navajo guide can educate you on the rock formations and even demonstrate how the place was formed using a bottle of water and a pile of sand. It’s a family-friendly experience. Be sure to visit nearby Horseshoe Bend as well. It’s spectacular.

Monument Valley has a reportedly mesmerizing magnetism and spiritual energy. While self-guided tours are an option, if you want to see more than the view from John Ford Point or Mittens, you can see more with a Navajo guide.

A guide can show you things you would not otherwise see. They have permission to show you a Hogan as well as rock formations such as Wind’s Ear and Sun’s Eye. It provides you with a totally different perspective and you get to learn a bit about Native American culture to boot.

Veteran visitors say that the well-known Valley of Fire State Park is “an adventure for the eyes.” There are many hiking trails right off Scenic Drive. They lead to places where you’ll see fire waves, narrow canyons, petroglyphs, and landscapes that are highlighted by some of the most stunning colors anywhere.

It’s suggested that you take the North Road in the Lake Mead Recreational Area to get there as the drive is quite scenic. Overall, those former visitors conclude that this place is one of the very best Las Vegas day trips because it’s but an hour’s drive from the famous Las Vegas Strip.

Red Rock Canyon is a striking area was with colorful rocks rising from the dusty desert floor like a huge rippling wave. Go for a scenic drive and enjoy a few hiking trails too. If you have kids with you, try the easy, short, family-friendly Lost Creek Children’s Discovery Trail hike. Take a 90-minute horseback ride on the outskirts of the park and see the neighboring narrow gorge as well as the red rock canyons. Red Rock Canyon is famous for rock climbing and is barely half an hour away from the Las Vegas Strip.

The Peek-a-Boo and Spooky Slot Canyons are situated in the well-known Grand Escalante National Monument, Utah. You need to drive down a dusty gravel road to get to this off-the-beaten-path place. This pair of slot canyons can both be reached via a loop trail.

The first canyon will require a lot of climbing over pools of water, through various holes and into some slim slots until it opens into a wide wash. Take in the desert scenery prior to climbing down into narrow Spooky Slot Canyon. So take a deep breath, and suck in your belly!

Sign on for a Jeep tour and go rock crawling in colorful Moab. Volunteer spotters are available to help newbies negotiate through this red, yellow, pink, and orange rock country. Rock Crawling in a Jeep is fun but involves some trust.

Jeeps are very versatile. They can climb rocks in different directions with the skill of a crab. Still, trust is tested when your vehicle has you practically leaning out almost low enough to kiss the dirt or laying back at an almost 90-degree angle. Along with the excitement are the stunning views you will witness while on your vehicular adventure.

Situated in the Guadalupe Mountains, the Carlsbad Caverns is a “must-do” stop. Here you can explore the limestone chamber a.k.a. The Big Room and see a spectacular bat flight if you visit between May and October. The entrance to the Big Room is 750 feet beneath the ground where you will hike along a 1 1/4 mile loop.

(An elevator’s available for those unable to handle hiking down to the loop.) The bat flight involves 1000s of live Brazilian free-tailed bats flying right out of the natural entrance to the caverns. Guided tours are also available for exploring beyond the Big Room.

This aptly named place is a large area that is nothing but white sand dunes. They look as if they go on forever. If you’re feeling adventurous–and isn’t that why you’re here?–then stop at the visitor center and rent sleds (or bring your own) and you will soon be sledding down these white sand mountains. Mind you, there is little if any shade and it does get quite hot there so be prepared prior to hitting those alabaster sand dunes!