My Dream Honeymoon: The Ultimate Loop Road Trip

You can do anything for your honeymoon. The idea that it has to be in a tropical place with a pina colada in hand, is no longer the only option to celebrate after you’ve said “I do.” More and more of the couples I work with are deciding to plan trips & experiences that are more aligned with their interests & fun bucket list items.  My husband and I decided to do The Ultimate Loop Road trip for ours.

When it comes down to it– you should do whatever feels most fun to you as a couple: Because you deserve something to look forward to after your wedding day is over.

Designing Our Kickass Honeymoon 

I’m fully embracing my lizard girlie era, where I just want to lay on a rock in hot, hot heat. So of course it won’t shock you to hear that I wanted a National Park roadtrip in Utah for my honeymoon.

Plus, I’m a true crime junkie and recently got into National Park After Dark– which you’ll soon learn became the soundtrack of our Honeymoon.

I got married on October 13, 2023 and my husband Dewey and I took off on our honeymoon right after.

Living in Colorado means we are close to some of the country’s most incredible (read: fucking stunning) national parks. And yet, we’ve gotten sucked into our daily routines and have never fully taken advantage. 

Until this trip.

Dewey is a middle school teacher, so we committed to fitting our honeymoon into just the week.

Plus, I had a wedding of my own to photograph the very next weekend (#greattimemanagement), so we committed to the 7 days of exploring.

We completed what is known as The Ultimate Loop Road Trip. (You can get lost in a tiktok rabbit hole looking at footage of all the parks. Can’t say I didn’t warn you.)

First stop: Bryce Canyon National Park

We kicked off our honeymoon by taking a scenic drive to Bryce Canyon. We went at sunset when the lighting was pure magic. It’s a smaller park, so we were able to experience a lot within an hour or so.

We brought our dog Barley. Most people would think it’s weird to bring your child on your honeymoon, but he’s the most special bean.

My favorite thing in the world is to drive somewhere beautiful with him and roll the windows down so he can take it all in. It makes me so damn happy.

Plus, so many national parks have become more dog- friendly within the past few years– With trails, rest stops, & even a BarkRanger program for well-behaved doggos.

After a magical evening at Bryce, we headed to town for dinner. We were shocked to find that nearly everything in Panguitch closed at 5pm. But after frantic google mapping, we found a spot.

And we were so happy to discover that tacos from a random truck in Utah = insanely delicious

The next morning we did some hiking, just Dewey and I, leaving Barley relaxing in the AC. We explored the hoodoos of Bryce. I will never forget seeing the switchbacks from the top of the canyon. Everyone should experience it.

As we drove to our next stop, we listened to the National Park After Dark episode about Bryce. I always make sure to listen to the episodes after I leave. As I’m sure you can imagine, some are creeeepy.

Next up: Zion National Park

Ah, Zion. My absolute DREAM PARK.

If there was an award for number of Zion-related TikToks viewed, I would take the gold.

Of course, we saw a couple there at sunset with a photographer and I instantly became green with envy– aka please hire me if you’re eloping here.

When we first entered the park, we went through the North end. The views you’ll see after the tunnel will bring tears to your eyes. 

We picked trails that were scenic, had tons of buzz online, & didn’t have our buttholes clenching too much. Haha.

We ended up doing a handful: Weeping Rock, The Dutchman, a dog-friendly hike, and Canyon Overlook Trail. 

Y’all: Canyon Overlook TOOK MY GODDAMN BREATH AWAY.  It was exactly the reason I came to Zion. The view is unimaginable. Beyond fucking words. 

It should be required that every human goes at least once.

We finished off our time here with beers at Edge of The World Brewing. We struggled to find night time food spots here too and ended up going to a Locavore-style grocery store to make a charcuterie board (which of course we ate in bed after all that hiking.)

Third stop: Grand Canyon National Park

While we were here, we stayed at a 70’s space-theme hotel called Americana Motor Hotel. It was totally MY VIBE– with a disco ball in each room. It was on route 66 so it was a little gimmicky, but you know I was all in. Overall I’d give our stay here a 10/10. It was so fucking cute and the staff we’re awesome.

Everyone talks about this one as being the doozy. And while it was pretty, it’s definitely a stop by, enjoy it, and leave kinda place. We showed up. We Oohed and Ahhed. (And then that TikTok song that goes “Okkkayyy let’s go!” started playing intrusively in my head.)

While we were leaving we stopped at the giftshop, where I fell in love with a Smokey The Bear lego figurine– because it reminded me of The Smokey Bear episode of National Park After Dark.

I am a cancer (aka a sentimental bitch) who now cherishes that stupid little lego as a symbol of our relationship & honeymoon. 

After completing The Ultimate Loop Road Trip we headed to our final destination.

Final stop: Ojo Caliente in New Mexico

We ended our honeymoon at a luxury hot spring spa called Ojo Caliente. (iI mean, it’s our honeymoon, we had to be a little bougie.) My family has been going there since it was just a small soaking pool. This place is the definition of relaxation & I wish I could move in and receive their treatments every.damn.day. The spring is surrounded by gorgeous rock formations– the perfect place to unwind after a week of adventuring.

STALK PICS FROM OUR TRIP:

Remarks on the Week

I’m so happy we went with our gut and planned a getaway that felt really true to us. Barley loved every minute of getting to explore outside, and my husband and I left with camera rolls full of memories. If you’re thinking of ditching the traditional honeymoon and going on an adventure instead: this is your sign to GO. FOR. IT.

If you’re planning on eloping anywhere in the country (especially Zion, *cough, cough*) & are looking for a photographer to document your story… Reach out via my inquiry form.