Things to do / Travel Guide
Grafton Ghost Town
The ghost town of Grafton, Utah, has graced more than a few covers of ghost town-themed books. Originally founded in 1859 near the Virgin River about one mile from its present site, Grafton was made famous as the site of the film "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid." Today, the town is considered one of the best-preserved and most picturesque ghost towns in the country. After a big flood in 1861, the town was moved to its current location, not far from Zion National Park. During the Black Hawk War, hostilities with local Native American Paiutes increased, causing residents to flee the town again from 1866-1868. Floods and irrigation problems continued to challenge townsfolk, and population steadily declined well until the early 1900s until the town was completely deserted, giving Grafton its current ghost town status. To get to town, follow State Road 9 from Springdale southwest to Rockville and turn onto Bridge Road toward town.
Goblin Valley State Park
When you arrive at the remote location of Goblin Valley State Park, you may find yourself concerned you veered too far off the main road - and into another galaxy. The vast landscape of this State Park is speckled with goblin-shaped sandstone structures, intricately eroded rock creatures that jot up from the ground. The movie “Galaxy Quest” was actually filmed at the site due to the out-of-this-world scenery. It is a photographer's and hiker's dream, and its secluded and rather remote location, between the towns of Green River and Hanksville south of I-70, make it all the more eerie and fun.
Grand Canyon North Rim in the Arizona Strip
While the Grand Canyon itself is known throughout the world as a top-notch and highly-visited tourist destination, the Grand Canyon's North Rim offers a perspective on the canyon that considerably few experience. Only about one in 10 visitors to the Grand Canyon make it to the North Rim, where higher elevations and lower temperatures mean a dramatically different experience. Pristine forests, wildflowers, rolling meadows and striking panoramas distinguish the site, which is 1,000-1,500 feet higher than the popular South Rim. The North Rim still offers lodging and dinning options, although on a considerably smaller scale than on the South Rim. The area is only open from mid-May to late-October because of the harsher winter weather.
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