Several years ago my wife and I attempted to enter the Grand Staircase Monument. Unfortunately, due to flooding, they only allowed four-wheeled drive vehicles in which left us out. We were in a van. Last October we passed through Capitol Reef but didn’t have time to explore as much as we’d like. We are marking that down for a future complete visit. Practically the whole state of Utah is a national park. Our favorite is Canyonlands. Arches is a close second.
For an added dimension to travel in the Four Corners country, read the Tony Hillerman books and follow the adventures of Lt Joe Leaphorn and Sargent Jim Chee as they solve crimes all over the area.
I especially recommend the “Thief of Time’ and a visit to Chaco canyon then follow Lt Leaphorn up Bluff Utah and stay in his motel the Rendavu MOtel. Then follow him further and take the trip down the san Jaun river and see all the petroglyphs. The trip follows his adventure on the river and the wash coming up out of Chaco.
Also, be sure to buy a copy of the Indian Country Map he uses to solve crimes. It can be ordered fron the SW National Parks store on line. It just makes travel out there more fun
We hope to go back maybe later this year. We can’t get enough of it