Denver to the Happy Factory via Five National Parks

Best Bits

• In Great Sand Dunes: Sand boarding
• In Capitol Reef: Apple orchards!
• In Mesa Verde: Seeing Cliff dwellings
• In Zion: Beautiful views
• In Bryce: Inspiration Point and Wall Street

Worst Bits

• In Great Sand Dunes: Limited Camping
• In Capitol Reef: Not having a 4wd
• In Mesa Verde: Having to pay to visit cliff dwellings
• In Zion: Waiting for a camping spot
• In Bryce: Terrible visibility!

Trip Dates and Comments On Timing

September — Great time to go because it wasn’t too hot in the middle of the day and the crowds weren’t too bad, but you still need to plan ahead for crowds and weather because even in September there are a lot of people camping and the weather can be pretty cold.

Our Experience

When we heard back from The Happy Factory we had just began a new leg of the trip. We had just left Denver and were like kids on Christmas Day! We were so excited to be making toys like little elves and delivering them along our route to those in need of some cheer. We still had so much land to cover and parks to see but our minds were looking forward to The Happy Factory. Read all about it here!

The next five days we went to five National Parks:

Great Sand Dunes
A short trip hiking to the top of the main dune is worthwhile. Its a small park comparatively and only limited camping inside the park. Extreme weather with really hot during day and really cold at night.

September was a great time to go because it wasn’t too hot in the middle of the day and the crowds weren’t too bad.

Best bits: Sand boarding is an option at this park

Worst bits: limited camping

General overview of itinerary: We only had a few hours so made the best use of our time with a short hike.

Food and drink highlights: Well shaded picnic area

Essential Packing: Hat for some shade during hiking, and lots of water!

Overall rating: 6/10

Value for money: We have an annual National Park pass so we have the luxury of just visiting for a few hours and it still being worthwhile.

Mesa Verde
Disappointed by the layout of only one entrance and exit. The park was really cool and unique in offerings, but you had to pay for exploration. We use the Nat Geo National Park book as our go to when we are visiting each park. It is extremely useful especially when you only visit for a few hours and want to make the most of your trip.

Best bits: Being able to see the cliff dwellings.

Worst bits: Having to pay to go into the cliffs.

Arrival Logistics: There is only one entrance and exit so you have to drive south and do a loop to see the park and then exit.

Main activities: We were discouraged by the additional costs so we didn’t partake in any of the guided visits.

Overall rating: 7/10 (for uniqueness)

Capitol Reef National Park
It is kind of in the middle of nowhere Utah! We arrived and went for a short hike on the Hickman Bridge Trail to The Great Arch then got back in the car and stopped to pick apples at one of the orchards.

We continued to do a driving tour throughout the rest of the park ending with a view at Observation Point. We didn’t have too much time so we decided to do more of a driving tour to take in the beautiful sights.

Best bits: There are apple orchards where you pick and eat fresh produce right in the middle of the park. Worst bits: If you do not have four wheel drive you can’t access all roads of the park and trails.

Food and drink highlights: Apples! Essential packing for this trip: Camera — the sights are unbelievable.

Trip Rating: 8/10
Activities Rating: 7/10
Rate ease of logistics: 8/10
Value for money: 8/10

Bryce National Park
It is a breathtaking but small park. Same entrance and exit. You view this park from above. We camping the North Campground. The scenic drive allows you to hop out and take a view of the park from different spots.

Plan ahead for crowds and weather because even in September there are a lot of people camping and the weather can be pretty cold.

Best bits: Wall Street part of the Navajo Trail. As well as Inspiration Point. Worst bits: Check whether as we got up for a sunrise hike and couldn’t see five feet in front of us!

Main activities: Hiking and biking.

Food and drink highlights: Soup and wine to keep us warm at night!

Essential packing: Layers for the extremes of warm and cold.

Where did you stay: North Campground

Rate your trip: 9/10
Rate the activities: 10/10
Rate the ease of logistics: 6/10
Rate the value: 10/10

Zion National Park
Stayed at the South Campground for one night Enjoyed the views right below the peaks of the canyons. We took the shuttle for all of hikes. 21 switchbacks up to Angels Landing was totally worth it. We had to check the weather for this hike as well as our hike in the Narrows the following day. Emerald pools hike was a good end of day hike to avoid crowds.

September weather was beautiful. We made all of our food but there are plenty of different types of food right outside of the park.

Best bits: Beautiful views as soon as you wake up there. Clear skies at night you can see shooting stars. The shuttle allows for little traffic.

Worst bits: Campgrounds were full the first night so we had to stay outside of the park at the Quality Inn Campground for $50 a night. The following morning we had to wait on line for two hours for a first come first serve camp site. Make sure you reserve a site ahead of time!

Essential packing: The Narrows hike you get wet so I would recommend a dry sack as well as a change of shoes and socks. A GoPro was a great way to take pictures without bringing your phone.

Where did you stay: Quality Inn Campground and South Campground

Rate your trip: 11/10
Rate the activities: 9/10
Rate the ease of logistics: 8/10
Rate the value of money: 10/10