From the rugged terrains of Utah, dotted with mesas, plateaus, and river-eroded canyons, to the deserted lands of Arizona full of saguaros, the American Southwest is a must-see destination.
You can draw many comparisons between the different national parks in the Southwest, but this guide focuses on the two that partially owe their existence to the mighty Colorado River.
Both the Grand Canyon and Canyonlands were carved out by the Colorado River, with the Green River also playing a major role in creating the Canyonlands.
Both national parks experience extremely hot temperatures, especially in summer. Canyonlands temperature averages about 92°F, while the Grand Canyon reaches about 93°F.