top of page
Home
About
Contact
Blog
More
Use tab to navigate through the menu items.
Switching Gears RV Diary
SUBSCRIBE
Where We've Been
Where
We've
Been
Where
We've
Been
Where
We've
Been
Our Latest Videos
Switching Gears RV Diary
Play Video
Play Video
13:32
🌄 Arches National Park | Scenic Drive, Easy Hikes & Travel Tips from Moab, Utah
Arches National Park is one of Utah’s most iconic destinations, and in this video we explore the park early in the morning to experience its beauty before the crowds arrive. Located just 5 miles from Moab, Utah, Arches is home to more than 2,000 natural sandstone arches, dramatic rock fins, balanced rocks, and sweeping desert views. 👋 We’re Mark and Paula, and this visit to Arches National Park focuses on: The 18-mile scenic drive through the park Famous landmarks like Balanced Rock and Delicate Arch Short, easy hikes that fit perfectly into a half-day visit The Devils Garden area, including Sand Dune Arch and Skyline Arch What to expect with parking, crowds, and timed entry 🌅 Starting at sunrise allows us to enjoy cooler temperatures, changing light on the red rock, and quieter viewpoints. We share practical insights for visitors who want to see the highlights of Arches National Park without tackling long or strenuous hikes. 🪨 You’ll also learn a bit about the geology of Arches National Park, shaped by ancient salt beds, erosion, and freeze-thaw cycles that created some of the most recognizable rock formations in the world. 🕙 By mid-morning, parking areas begin to fill—making timing an important part of planning a visit. Whether you’re visiting Arches National Park for the first time or looking for an easy, relaxed way to explore, this video offers a realistic look at what you can see in just a few hours. 👍 If you enjoy national parks, scenic drives, easy hiking, and slow travel, consider liking and subscribing. We’d love to hear your Arches National Park tips or questions in the comments. 🔔 New adventures every week—don’t forget to hit the bell so you don’t miss what’s next. #ArchesNationalPark #MoabUtah #UtahNationalParks #ArchesNationalParkHikes #ScenicDrive #NationalParksUSA #ArchesNP 📍 Find Us Here! 👉 Facebook: facebook.com/switchinggearsrvdiary 📸 Instagram: instagram.com/switchinggearsrvdiary 🌐 Website/Blog: switchinggearsrvdiary.com
Play Video
Play Video
00:31
The Steps” — Arizona State Trust Land Near Parker, AZ
Join us for a look at The Steps, a popular Arizona State Trust Land camping area just outside Parker. Known for its terraced desert hillsides, wide-open views, and easy access for RVs and off-roaders, The Steps is a favorite winter spot for boondocking. This short showcases the rugged terrain, nearby riding trails, and the peaceful desert vibe that make this area perfect for weekend getaways. (Reminder: a State Trust Land recreation permit is required for camping.) #TheStepsAZ #ParkerAZ #ArizonaStateTrustLand #BoondockingArizona #FreeCampingAZ #DesertCamping #RVLife #OffRoadArizona #ArizonaOutdoors #ExploreAZ #DesertVibes #Overlanding #SouthwestTravel #CampingShorts 📍 Find Us Here! 👉 Facebook: facebook.com/switchinggearsrvdiary 📸 Instagram: instagram.com/switchinggearsrvdiary 🌐 Website/Blog: switchinggearsrvdiary.com #RV Travel #Boondocking #Travel Vlog #Scenic Travel
Play Video
Play Video
00:59
Camping on Vulture Road — Peaceful Desert Nights in Wickenburg, AZ
Experience quiet desert camping on State Trust Land off Vulture Road in Wickenburg, Arizona. This short highlights the wide-open landscapes, saguaro-filled views, and peaceful atmosphere that make this area a favorite for boondockers and dispersed campers. Just minutes from Vulture Peak and historic Wickenburg, it’s the perfect spot for stargazing, hiking, and enjoying the rugged beauty of the Sonoran Desert. (Reminder: a State Trust Land recreation permit is required for camping.) #WickenburgAZ #VultureRoad #StateTrustLand #ArizonaCamping #BoondockingAZ #DesertCamping #DispersedCamping #SonoranDesert #ArizonaOutdoors #CampingLife #ExploreArizona #VulturePeak #AZBoondocking #TravelShorts 📍 Find Us Here! 👉 Facebook: facebook.com/switchinggearsrvdiary 📸 Instagram: instagram.com/switchinggearsrvdiary 🌐 Website/Blog: switchinggearsrvdiary.com #RV Travel #Boondocking #Travel Vlog #Scenic Travel
Play Video
Play Video
10:27
One Road, Two Parks: Dead Horse Point & Canyonlands Island in the Sky
🚗 Some roads don’t just take you somewhere — they are the adventure. Join us as we travel Highway 313, one of the most scenic drives near Moab, Utah, with unforgettable stops at Dead Horse Point State Park and Canyonlands National Park – Island in the Sky. This journey blends breathtaking overlooks, fascinating geology, and rich human history, all packed into an easy half-day drive that’s perfect for travelers who love scenic routes and iconic landscapes. 🏜️ What You’ll See Along the Way 🔹 The historic origins of Highway 313, built during Utah’s uranium boom 🔹 Monitor and Merrimac Buttes — ship-shaped sandstone towers rising from the desert 🔹 Sweeping views of the Colorado River far below 🔹 The colorful potash ponds contrasting against red rock canyons 🔹 The distant La Sal Mountains, formed by ancient underground magma 🌄 Dead Horse Point State Park 📸 One of Utah’s most photographed viewpoints 🪟 Visitor center with exhibits, ranger tips, and canyon views ♿ Accessible overlooks with paved paths and railings 🚶 Optional hiking and biking trails 🏕️ Campground with electric hookups and water Website: https://stateparks.utah.gov/parks/dead-horse/ Learn the legend behind the park’s name, its preservation story, and why it’s considered one of the most dramatic viewpoints on the Colorado Plateau. 🏞️ Canyonlands National Park – Island in the Sky 🧭 The most accessible district of Canyonlands 🚘 34-mile scenic drive with jaw-dropping overlooks 📚 Stories of early surveyors who couldn’t map the land 🤫 A place known for studying true natural silence Website: https://www.nps.gov/cany/index.htm Whether you have a few hours or a full day, Island in the Sky delivers big views without big hikes, making it ideal for travelers who want epic scenery at a relaxed pace. 📅 Travel Tips 🌸 Best seasons: Spring & Fall 🔥 Summers can be dangerously hot 💧 Services are limited — come prepared 🎟️ Entrance fees required for both parks ✨ If you love scenic drives, state parks, national parks, history, and quiet places that stay with you long after you leave, this drive deserves a spot on your list. 👍 If you enjoyed the video, please like, subscribe, and share 💬 We’d love to hear your thoughts or tips in the comments 📌 Next week: we explore the other national park that flanks Moab… 📍 Find Us Here! 👉 Facebook: facebook.com/switchinggearsrvdiary 📸 Instagram: instagram.com/switchinggearsrvdiary 0:00 Introduction 0:33 Hwy 313 2:30 Deadhorse Point 5:41 Canyonlands-Island in the Sky 🌐 Website/Blog: switchinggearsrvdiary.com #MoabUtah #ScenicDrives #DeadHorsePoint #CanyonlandsNationalPark #IslandInTheSky #UtahStateParks #NationalParksRoadTrip #Highway313
Play Video
Play Video
00:46
Exploring Vulture Ghost Town — Arizona’s Lost Gold Mine History
Step back in time at Vulture City, the restored ghost town just outside Wickenburg, Arizona. Once home to one of the richest gold mines in the Southwest, this historic site is now filled with preserved buildings, mining relics, and tales of frontier life. This short gives a glimpse of the rugged desert scenery, old structures, and legendary stories that make Vulture Ghost Town a must-see destination for history lovers and adventure seekers exploring Arizona’s past. #VultureCity #VultureGhostTown #WickenburgAZ #ArizonaHistory #GhostTowns #AbandonedPlaces #OldWest #HistoricArizona #GoldMiningHistory #TravelArizona #SouthwestHistory #ExploreArizona #DesertGhostTown #ArizonaTravelShorts 📍 Find Us Here! 👉 Facebook: facebook.com/switchinggearsrvdiary 📸 Instagram: instagram.com/switchinggearsrvdiary 🌐 Website/Blog: switchinggearsrvdiary.com #RV Travel #Boondocking #Travel Vlog #Scenic Travel
Play Video
Play Video
00:21
The Bunker Bar — Arizona’s Famous Off-Road Desert Hangout
Ride along to the Bunker Bar, one of Arizona’s most unique off-road desert bars, known for its open-air setup, live music, and epic off-roading atmosphere. Tucked away in the rugged desert near Lake Havasu City, the Bunker Bar is a favorite stop for UTV riders, Jeep crews, and anyone looking for cold drinks and good vibes in the middle of nowhere. This short captures the energy, scenery, and one-of-a-kind charm that make the Bunker Bar a must-visit desert destination. #BunkerBarAZ #ArizonaDesert #OffRoadLife #LakeHavasuCity #UTVAdventure #JeepLife #DesertBar #ArizonaTravel #OffRoadArizona #SouthwestVibes #AdventureTravel #ExploreArizona #DesertDestinations #TravelShorts 📍 Find Us Here! 👉 Facebook: facebook.com/switchinggearsrvdiary 📸 Instagram: instagram.com/switchinggearsrvdiary 🌐 Website/Blog: switchinggearsrvdiary.com #RV Travel #Boondocking #Travel Vlog #Scenic Travel
Play Video
Play Video
17:26
📍🚙 Kane Springs Road to Chicken Corners | Easy–Moderate Off-Road Trail in Moab, Utah
If you’re searching for easy to moderate off-road trails in Moab, this is one of the most iconic and rewarding routes in the area. In this video, we explore the classic Kane Springs Road → Hurrah Pass → Chicken Corners route—an unforgettable drive featuring red rock canyons, Colorado River views, and narrow shelf roads. 👋 We’re Mark and Paula, and after exploring many of Moab’s scenic OHV trails, this one kept catching our eye from above. Today, we finally take it on—and it lives up to the anticipation. This route is well suited for: Stock 4x4 vehicles Side-by-sides (SxS) Relaxed OHV and overland travel Drivers looking for scenery over technical obstacles 🗺️ Trail Overview – Kane Springs, Hurrah Pass & Chicken Corners Start: Kane Creek Blvd (west of McDonald’s in Moab) Trail Sections: ✔️ Kane Springs Road ✔️ Hurrah Pass ✔️ Chicken Corners Distance: ~40 miles out and back Difficulty: Easy to Moderate Vehicle Used: Side-by-Side (SxS) Once the pavement ends, the pace slows—and the canyon walls close in. This trail quickly pulls you out of “town mode” and into quiet desert travel. 🏕️ Primitive Camping on Kane Springs Road Along Kane Springs Road you’ll find numerous BLM primitive campgrounds, making this a popular area for boondocking near Moab. First-come, first-served Vault toilets and trash service No hookups Over 100 individual sites Group sites available by reservation Just 8 miles from Moab, this is an ideal basecamp in spring and fall. ⛰️ Hurrah Pass – Easy Climb with Big Views As Kane Springs transitions into Hurrah Pass, the trail becomes rockier but remains manageable. ~3 miles long ~500 feet of elevation gain Multiple pull-offs for photos Expansive views of the surrounding mesas From the top, you can turn around—or continue toward Chicken Corners. 🐔 Chicken Corners Trail – Narrow, Scenic & Unforgettable The Chicken Corners trail is an out-and-back route known for: Narrow shelf roads Steep canyon drop-offs The famous corner that gives the trail its name Some visitors choose to walk sections of this trail, and it’s easy to see why. There’s no passing room here—patience, awareness, and steady driving are essential. 🏞️ History, Views & Unexpected Details Along the way you’ll encounter: A memorial to Joseph Hills Johnson, a local Moab figure from nearly 100 years ago Trail signage layered with decades of stickers A cliffside footpath overlooking a dramatic Colorado River gooseneck Long-distance views toward Canyonlands and Dead Horse Point This landscape has a way of resetting your perspective. 🌄 Final Thoughts This trail perfectly captures why we love slow, scenic off-road travel. As the road narrows, you become more present—reading the terrain, trusting your line, and appreciating just how small you are in this vast landscape. It was another unforgettable day in Moab. 👉 Next week, we head toward Dead Horse Point and Canyonlands for another scenic drive. 👍 Thanks for liking, subscribing, and sharing your thoughts in the comments—we truly appreciate the support. 0:00 Introduction 1:16 Kane Springs 3:50 Hurrah Pass 6:06 Chicken Corners 16:11 Final thoughts 📍 Find Us Here! 👉 Facebook: facebook.com/switchinggearsrvdiary 📸 Instagram: instagram.com/switchinggearsrvdiary 🌐 Website/Blog: switchinggearsrvdiary.com
Play Video
Play Video
00:39
Camping at Craggy Wash — Lake Havasu City
Take a quick tour through Craggy Wash, a popular free camping and boondocking area just outside Lake Havasu City, Arizona. Surrounded by rugged cliffs, wide-open desert views, and peaceful quiet, Craggy Wash is a favorite spot for RVers, off-roaders, and anyone looking to experience the raw beauty of the Arizona desert. This short highlights the scenery, terrain, and vibe of one of the area’s most accessible public-land hideaways. We give you our opinion on it is your best option in the area. #CraggyWash #LakeHavasuCity #ArizonaDesert #BoondockingLife #FreeCamping #PublicLands #RVLife #ArizonaCamping #DesertAdventure #ExploreArizona #Havasu #TravelShorts #OffGridLiving #SouthwestTravel 📍 Find Us Here! 👉 Facebook: facebook.com/switchinggearsrvdiary 📸 Instagram: instagram.com/switchinggearsrvdiary 🌐 Website/Blog: switchinggearsrvdiary.com #RV Travel #Boondocking #Travel Vlog #Scenic Travel
bottom of page