Canyonlands National Park

About five minutes from Moab, along Potash Road (Hwy 279—also known as the Potash-Lower Colorado River Scenic Byway), you can find sheer cliffs beloved by rock climbers. We watched a number of people climb for awhile, but I felt myself getting overly anxious for their safety so we moved on to view the petroglyphs in the part of the rocks walls off-limits to climbers because of the carvings.

© June Scroggin, All Rights Reserved

According to the historical marker, these petroglyphs are purportedly created between 600 A.D. and 1300 A.D. by Indians of the Southern San Rafael Fremont culture. Dinosaur footprints are also nearby; we skipped visiting those as we headed back to the hotel to rest before visiting Canyonlands National Park which is also near Moab.

© June Scroggin, All Rights Reserved

This photograph was taken at Grandview Point in Canyonlands National Park.

© June Scroggin, All Rights Reserved

Canyonlands National Park has two rivers: Colorado and Green River. In this picture, we are standing at Green River Overlook. The beauty and immensity of the landscape are amazing.

© June Scroggin, All Rights Reserved

The park’s Visitor Center is located at Island in the Sky. After getting the park’s stamp for my National Park Passport, I used their microscope to examine various plants, rocks, and bugs. I’m nosey like that.

© June Scroggin, All Rights Reserved

Because I’m somewhat weird, I decided to earn my Junior Ranger Badge (generally reserved for children). After getting permission from the rangers, I was issued a book of activities to pursue in the park. If you are over the age of11, you only have to complete 6 requirements. Forget that! I completed every single activity in the book. Ranger Mike Townsend signed my Junior Ranger Certificate and presented me with my badge.