zion national park with mount carmel highway near checkerboard mesa, southwest desert, utah

america american blue carmel checkerboard cliff contrasts cottonwood desert destination dramatic dry dunes eastern environment foliage green highway hike hiking landscape mesa mount mountains national natural nature navajo north oasis outdoor outdoors park pavement petrified pines river riverbed road sand sandstone sheer south southern southwest southwestern spring stark states sun sunny travel tree trees united usa utah verdant vibrant wash west western wild wilderness winding zion