All in all, we had a fantastic visit. Both of us agree you should skip the crowded Grand Canyon and make Canyonlands your next destination. It’s a hidden gem that promises adventure, stunning views, and a good dose of humor along the way.

A quick review on my iPhone app the night before showed sunrise at 6:20 a.m. Perfect, I thought, just enough time to catch the dawn without feeling like I’d need to set an alarm that sounds like a foghorn. We planned a 15-minute drive into the park to snag parking near Sunset Point, Thors Hammer, and Inspiration Point. Parking is limited, which means it’s basically a race against the sunrise or at least a race against the early risers a.k.a. professional photographers.

After a short, sleep-deprived night, because who requires more than four hours of shut-eye when there's adventure to be had? Now signal for the dreaded 5:00 a.m. alarm which rudely jolts us awake. The early wake-up call is met with a brisk Arizona morning, temperatures sitting comfortably in the low 30s.

In the next few months, I’ll be exploring Utah’s legendary Five National Parks—Zion, Bryce Canyon, Arches, Canyonlands, and Capitol Reef—alongside the grand, awe-inspiring Grand Canyon.