Rip 200 miles of wash trails, overnight at a wild hot spring under Borrego's dark sky.
200 miles of wash trails, overnight at a primitive hot spring under Borrego's dark-sky stars, Cessna charter to Catalina for the Airport in the Sky buffalo burger.
Vintage Airstream convoy + Pappy & Harriet's honky-tonk + private astronomer at the Integratron. Silent, star-drenched, weird in the best way.
Stratosphere SkyJump or iFly Indoor, UTV out to Red Rock Canyon day two, private poker room at the Bellagio night three. Chaos with structure.
Three days tearing through red-rock washes and slot canyons in rented UTVs with Fire Canyon Tours, stopping to photograph Fire Wave and Fire Canyon petroglyphs mid-ride. Nights at the Moapa Paiute Travel Plaza with views of the Virgin River valley. Dinner at Inside Scoop in Overton for burgers and milkshakes, breakfast at Mesquite's Pepper Pot Cafe before the final morning push through Fire Canyon.
Four days threading UTVs through volcanic ridgelines and desert washes east of Study Butte, then paddling Santa Elena Canyon at sunrise with Big Bend River Tours. Soak in the natural hot springs at La Posada Milagro—a restored adobe compound with starlight baths overlooking the Rio Grande. Sunday brunch at the Terlingua Ghost Town Cafe, then mezcal and carne asada at Starlight Theatre's kitchen before the drive back.
Sunrise breakfast at Mt. Whitney Restaurant, then full day ripping UTVs through Alabama Hills—the same boulder-strewn desert where they shot Django Unchained and a hundred Westerns. Navigate Movie Road and Tuttle Creek, stop for lunch in Lone Pine at Seasons Restaurant. Night one at a BLM free-camp site among the granite boulders with a camp stove and stars. Day two: Whitney Portal Road scenic drive and a moderate hike to Lone Pine Lake with views of the 14,505-ft peak. Dinner at Matlock House, a historic 1927 inn with a full bar. Final morning coffee at Looney Bin Antique Mall before heading out.
Day one: UTVs through Antelope Canyon's slot-canyon trails with Antelope Canyon Tours, then sunset at Horseshoe Bend overlook. Night at Lake Powell Resort & Marina or Courtyard by Marriott Page-Lake Powell. Day two: full-day Glen Canyon National Recreation Area raft run with Wilderness River Outfitters, lunch on the water, return for dinner at Ken's Old West Restaurant. Day three: Lone Rock dunes and beach camp morning, then hot springs soak before heading out.
Rent sand sleds at White Sands National Park and spend the morning carving dunes at 6,000 feet elevation. Afternoon UTV tour through the Sacramento Mountains with Alamogordo-based High Desert Adventures, hitting natural hot springs and ridge overlooks. Night one in Cloudcroft at The Lodge Resort & Spa, dinner at Rebecca's at the Lodge. Night two in Mesilla: green chile at La Posta de Mesilla, mezcal at Hacienda San Miguel. Return to White Sands for sunrise before heading home.
Full-day Needles District UTV expedition with Moab Rim Cyclery guiding tight slot canyons and red-rock spine ridges, lunch at a backcountry camp. Night one at The Gonzo Inn, dinner at Sunset Grill with views over the Colorado River. Day two: guided hike into Chesler Park, evening soak at nearby hot springs. Final night: steakhouse dinner at Sorrel Restaurant, bourbon flight at Moab Brewery, cigar lounge at The Gonzo's courtyard.