I believe there's a little bit of adrenaline junkie in each of us. I have a two-year-old granddaughter who loves to play hide and seek with me. Each time she finds me, I jump out and scare her. She'll let out a death defying scream and then immediately start chanting “do it again, do it again!”

There are so many factors that come into play for one to reach an adrenaline high. Speed, danger/risk and competition are things that will usually make one's heart rate go up. Many of us have hobbies such as running, cycling, hiking, rock climbing, motorized water sports, ATV/UTV riding, even auto racing. All of these activities can elevate our heart rate and cause the release of endorphins that bring us to the adrenaline high we crave, that beautiful feeling of truly being alive!

My friend Todd loves getting that high on the race car track. Feeling the G-Force kick in as he accelerates to pass another driver while cornering. That might be a bit much for most of us looking for our next adrenaline rush. Below you'll find several outdoor adventure activities that have provided me and my family multiple adrenaline highs over the last couple of decades.

Each of us is at different levels of fear tolerance, so as you continue reading, choose activities that will at least stretch you out of your comfort zone. Experience some amazing new adventures while reveling in your NEXT ADRENALINE RUSH.

Canyoneering/Slot Canyons

Canyoneering and slot canyons are very similar. Generally, you don't need extra gear for slot canyons. With canyoneering, ropes are often used for rappelling and rafts to get through sections of water are sometimes needed. For the most part, there is little to no rock climbing with ropes in canyoneering. The range of difficulty varies from canyon to canyon. Below you'll find info on canyons that would be great for first-timers, as well as ones that would provide an adrenaline rush for the most seasoned outdoor enthusiasts.

I wish I would have gotten turned on to canyoneering earlier in life. I believe I was in my late 40s before my first experience. It was in the Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument on the Hole in the Rock Road just outside the town of Escalante, Utah. We went through both Spooky and Peek-a-Boo slot canyons on the same day.

Peek-a-boo slot canyon - photo credit: P.R.Patten

Both canyons are less than a mile long and are open on both ends; almost eliminating the risk of flash floods. These canyons are great to introduce your family to the excitement of slot canyons. A the BLM office on the west end of town you can get maps and detailed driving instructions for all of the canyons in the area. The summer sun can be brutal! Make sure you have a hat and plenty of water. An early morning start is a good idea in June, July, and August.

Near the Goblin Valley State Park, there's another easy slot canyon; Little Wild Horse. No ropes are needed and its level of difficulty is even easier than Spooky and Peek-a-Boo canyons.

Little Wild Horse Canyon - photo credit: Randy Clement

It's about a 20-minute drive from the entrance to the State Park. This hike is most commonly done as an out and back. You can make it into a loop and come out through Bell Canyon (get info at the State Park Ranger Station). I have done it both ways and prefer the out and back. The Little Wild Horse Canyon is more fun and interesting to me than Bell Canyon is.

About six years back, a friend wanted to know if I was interested In rappelling into Goblins Lair at Goblin Valley State Park. I was puzzled because I had been to Goblin Valley more than a dozen times and was unaware of any place you could rappel in the park. When you've done an Outdoor Adventure Magazine for as long as I have, your excitement level takes a big jump up each time you get to take on a new adventure. The fun of sliding 90 feet down a rope into Goblins Lair exceeded my expectations.

Goblin's Lair - photo credit: P.R. Patten

I would consider it a must-see and do on your next trip into Goblin Valley. For those of who don't own the gear and/or have the knowledge needed to rappel, the guide company "Get in the Wild" is a great option. They have the expertise to create a safe adventure that you'll never forget.

Heading South out of Hanksville, Utah on State Road 95, you'll see the Henry Mountains on the west. This section of Utah is packed with canyons to explore. One of the many things I love about this area is the lack of crowds. Two canyons I've done in the area are Leprechaun and Hogwarts.

Lets start with Leprechaun. There are three canyons; right, left, and center forks. We did the left fork (when standing on top looking down the canyon. I have heard some refer to it as the right fork because they are looking from the bottom up). It's a bit of a hike to get to the top of the canyon. The trail is quite vague in some spots. Having someone along that has done it before was helpful.

In Leprechaun Canyon you definitely need rope and a harness as you'll encounter five or six spots that require short rappels. It's the narrow twists and turns that make it fun; with plenty of opportunities to practice your spiderman skills as you navigate your way out. The center fork is much tougher but passible. The right fork (when looking down the canyon), I'm told, is tight making it impossible to get through.

Hogwarts is less of a hike to get to and has more and longer rappels than Leprechaun Canyon does. From the top, it's a series of short scramble hiking between each rappel. This is a larger and more open canyon. The parking lots to both canyons are right off of Hwy 95 and are just a few miles apart.

Hogwarts Canyon - photo credit: Trevor Patten

We did both canyons on the same day. They are both spectacular canyons and yet totally different. Here again, you may want to use a guide service to ensure your safety or if you don't own your own gear. I personally liked Hogwarts better. Our group that day was split about 50/50 on which one they enjoyed most. If you are doing this on your own for the first time you'll need 120 foot rope for Leprechaun and 200 feet for Hogwarts.

Morning Glory Arch - Moab, Utah - This part of Utah is known around the world for its outdoor activities. Canyoneering tops that list for climbing enthusiasts. Morning Glory Arch is under a mile walk from the Sand Flats Recreation Area parking lot.

About to freefall rappel from Morning Glory Arch, Moab, Utah - photo credit: P.R. Patten

When you reach the top of the arch, you are looking down 110 feet to the floor of Grandstaff Canyon. From the bottom, you have an almost two-mile hike along the canyon's stream bed to the parking lot of Grandstaff Canyon on Hwy. 128. This adventure includes a shorter but beautiful rappel on the way to the arch rappel.

Shorter rappel on the way to Morning Glory Arch - photo credit: P.R.Patten

You have probably already figured out that this trip needs two vehicles or the use of one of the shuttle companies in Moab. It would be a long walk back to your car at Sand Flats Recreation Area.

Pine Creek in Zion National Park, Utah - This is my favorite canyon that I have been through. In the space of 1/4 mile, you have seven or eight rappels (on one drop some choose to climb down it and not use ropes).

Pine Creek - Zion National Park - photo credit: P.R.Patten

The rappels vary in length from 15 feet to the last one being a 100 footer through the corkscrew section of Pine Creek. Some refer to it as the Cathedral. The fun doesn't end there; now you have about a mile of boulder hopping. These are large rocks 10 to 15 feet high and there's not just one way to get back to the road. It's fun to find your own way and see if it's better/ faster than the others in your group. On a hot summer day, you'll find a great way to cool off in the pond at the end of the trail.

Things you need to know about Pine Creek

1. You need a permit to do the canyon. About 1/2 of the days' permits are sold online. The other 1/2 are on a first-come basis. A line starts to form early each morning. ( you may want to check and see if COIVD 19 has changed the process)

2. The rope anchors for each rappel are all in place, you do need your own rope.

3. This is NOT an out and back! So you need to plan a way to retrieve your vehicle. Each time we've done it, one of us has hitch-hiked back to the parking lot at the top. You do drive right past the exit point on your way up, and there's room to leave a car.

4. On some of the rappels, you land in the water. The depth of water can vary greatly from year to year and even month to month. The is true about the pond at the end of the trail. I recommend that you check how deep it is before deciding if you're okay to do a little cliff jumping.

Whitewater Rafting

Providing explorers adrenaline rushes long before they knew what to call it, it wasn't too many years back that whitewater rafting was considered to be an extreme sport, today not so much. There are rivers that are tame enough for the whole family to enjoy (ages 4 to 100) or wild enough to cause even the hardcore adrenaline junkie hearts to pound.

The Arkansas River in Colorado has more rafters than any other river in the U.S. There are a number of sections on this river to choose from, The only one I've done is the Royal Gorge. It's about a 12-mile section of the Arkansas River with close to ten miles of class IV & V rapids. Some of the rapids are right on top of each other. Our guide had us enter one set of rapids with the back of our boat because it made us do a 180 and dropped us into the next rapid that was bigger than the first one.

Arkansas River - Royal Gorge - photo credit: P.R. Patten

This is a gorgeous canyon that takes you under the famous Royal Gorge bridge and past many historical sites so, in the moments that you're not navigating a rapid, make sure to soak it in.

The Sevier River in Utah is one of the family-friendly rivers. Some of the rapids are not big enough to rate. Others are classified as I & II, making it a perfect place for grandparents to introduce their grandkids to the excitement that comes on the river.

Sevier River - photo credit: P.R.Patten

The Sevier has some unique characteristics and history that your river guide will tell you about on your trip. Big Rock Candy Mountain is where you launch your tour. This also a great body of water to try out paddle boarding.

The Snake River out of Jackson Hole, Wyoming. This iconic section of the Snake River provides incredible views of the Grand Teton Mountain Range. You can choose whether you want a flatwater photography float trip or one packed with class III & IV white-knuckled heart-pounding rapids; or maybe both!

Snake River, Wyoming - photo credit: Teton Whitewater Rafting

There are a number of river rafting services in the area. That being said, you need to book your trip early as the summer fills up fast, especially with the best guide companies.

Cataract Canyon - Deep in the heart of Canyonlands National Park, the Green and Colorado Rivers meet to form one mighty river. Once believed to be the center of the world by ancient peoples, the confluence is one of the most remote places in the country and marks the beginning of Cataract Canyon. The payoffs on this trip are plentiful, from the scenic overlook of the Loop hike and awe-inspiring Dollhouse, to the long sandy beaches and magnificent geology within the tall canyon walls.

Cataract Canyon - photo credit: Patrick Cone

The trip begins with around 50 miles of flat water before any rapids, making for a relaxing start to the journey with plenty of time for kayaking or stand-up paddle boarding in between hikes to view points and numerous Native American sites. Below the confluence, the current hastens and the canyon transforms from quiet and subdued to loud and thunderous, with more than 30 rapids that come in quick succession. The trip ends on Lake Powell, where the canyon is at its deepest and a millennia of history looms around you.

Holiday is the last company to abstain from the use of motors and chooses to row the upper flat-water stretch leading down Cataract. Our guests are able to marvel at the canyon’s majesty, get lost in its magic, and enjoy the peacefulness without the smell of gas or noise of an outboard.

Desolation/Gray Canyons - Despite their names, the canyons of Desolation and Gray are full of life, color, and history. Your trip begins unlike any other; with a breathtaking flight from town over the very river and canyons you are set to float through. After landing on a desert mesa and hiking down to the boats, your real journey begins… 86 river miles of ever-changing scenery, tall Cottonwood trees, and wildlife abound, with whitewater of increasing size that never becomes too intimidating (Class I-III).

Desolation Canyon - photo credit: Sam Watson

Serving as host to more than 500 archaeological and historical ranching sites throughout the canyon, the hiking options here are limitless. While staying at a few of the most incredible campsites available on any river trip and enjoying some of the darkest skies in the country, you’ll wonder how this place isn’t a world-renowned National Park. This remote stretch of river has the power to provide transformative experiences through the peace, solitude, and natural majesty one feels floating down its corridor.

Ruby/Horsethief and Westwater Canyons - This trip offers an excellent balance of relaxation and excitement. You begin by floating the calm water that makes up Ruby and Horsethief Canyons, the red and orange sandstone cliff walls engulfing you as the Colorado River begins its descent from the Rocky Mountains into canyon country. The land is teeming with wildlife, such as desert bighorn sheep, river otter, cliff swallows, and eagles of all varieties. Make sure to hike to one of the many river overlooks and marvel at the engineering needed to build the railroad that runs through the canyons, in some places right next to the river.

Westwater Canyon - photo credit: Troy Boman

As you float into Westwater Canyon and the 1.7 billion year old black schist begins to form steep canyon walls, you’ll feel as if you’ve been transported to a different world. After stopping at historical sites such as an old gold miner’s cabin and a cave used as a hideout by outlaws in the early 1900’s, you’ll begin to hear the thunderous noises of some of Utah’s best whitewater. This is where the excitement begins! When the river reaches the deepest, most narrow part of the canyon yet, large waves rise over the sides of the boat during seven miles of fun, exhilarating Class III-IV whitewater. Make sure to hold on as the guides navigate rapids with names such as Funnel Falls, Sock-It-To-Me, and Skull Hole!

Gates of Lodore - Beginning in remote northwest Colorado, a trip through the Gates of Lodore is breath-taking at every turn with its crystal clear water, abundant wildlife, and magnificent canyon walls. With swift current and fun (Class III-IV) whitewater every day, the time on the water can be short, allowing plenty of opportunity to hike to one of the hidden waterfalls, rock art panels, or amazing overlooks that Lodore has to offer.

Lodore Canyon - photo credit: Noah Wetzel

The ever-changing geology spans over a billion years and the many exposed faults make for awe-inspiring views from the river. Campsites on this stretch are as big and beautiful as one can hope for, with gorgeous sandy beaches and rich vegetation. Jones Hole Creek is a small tributary of the Green that is known to be a blue-ribbon fly-fishing location as well as a stunning hike through a desert oasis.

Yampa River - The last major undammed tributary of the Colorado, the Yampa River, is solely reliant on snowmelt for water, so the rafting season lasts mid-May through the end of June. This trip offers a sublime 46-mile experience through the winding and ever-changing canyon, filled with enormous sandstone amphitheaters, Ponderosa pine trees, and herds of wildlife, such as mule deer and desert bighorn sheep.

Yampa River - photo credit: Chris Whitaker

The current is swift and there are fun, splashy Class III rapids throughout every day of the trip. After making it past the infamous Warm Springs Rapid and enjoying a peaceful couple miles of flat water, the Yampa meets up with the Green River, and the remainder of your journey meanders through the lower half of Dinosaur National Monument, with stops at Jones Hole Creek and more beautiful campsites along the way.

San Juan River - If you’re looking for a multi-day, family-friendly adventure in a warm desert climate with rich history and plenty of hiking, look no further than the San Juan River in Southern Utah. The river is swift and winding with mellow whitewater (Class I-II), and offers a remarkable and colorful glimpse into the geologic history of the desert environment.

San Juan River - photo credit: Chris Noble

The river’s upper and lower canyons are filled with unique Native American archaeological sites spanning multiple cultures and time periods, from the Ancestral Puebloan “River House” to the countless Navajo rock art panels. Other hikes include destinations to swimming holes, awe-inspiring overlooks, and historical mining sites from the 1800’s gold rush. The best time to enjoy this trip is in the spring and early summer months, while the water is still high from the snowmelt but the temperatures are lower than the mid-summer extremes.

Holiday offers three different options for a San Juan trip: 3 days exploring the 24-mile upper stretch (Bluff, UT to Mexican Hat, UT), 4 days winding your way through the 59-mile lower stretch (Mexican Hat to Clay Hills, UT), or do both stretches for an 83-mile trip over 5-6 days.

Off-Roading

Bear Lake is best known for its Caribbean Bluewater, however, this valley can generate adrenaline rushes on and off the water. If you own your own off-road toys, bring them along; especially if you have never experienced the miles and miles of dirt roads and trails in both Bear Lake Valley and Logan Canyon.

Our family has spent days exploring the high mountain routes of Aspen and Pine tree forests. If you are like us and don't own off-road machines, that's not a problem. You'll find multiple companies that rent just what you need for your next heart-pounding adventure on and off the water.

The Paiute is the largest and most popular trail in "Utah's Trail Country". This is 275-miles of sheer joy! No matter your driving skills, you can find a trail that will awaken your senses. You can feel the changing terrain under your off-road vehicle as you climb a mountain pass or drive through a small creek or navigate down a steep rocky section. Let smells of the fresh mountain, wildflowers and pine trees seep deep into your lungs. It's truly invigorating. Regardless of the season, it's a treat for your eyes. We have been there in the late spring, mid-summer and fall. The fall is my favorite. As the quaking aspen turn bright yellow and orange mixed in with the evergreen pine trees, it's stunning. Spring is a close second because of the look and smell of the variety of wildflowers.

I've lost count of how many times we have ridden on the Paiute Trail. We've used Lizzie and Charlie's RV Park as a base camp on all but one of our trips to the area. The owners and employees know and ride the trails all season. (The one time we didn't use them, we ran into some soft deep snow and spent a fair amount of time lifting and pushing our stuck, rented UTV.) My wife and talked about how that wouldn't have happened if we had rented from Lizzies and Charlie's. On your next adventure on the Paiute Trail, I recommend you trust the experience and expertise of Lizzie And Charlies.

Garfield County is home to Bryce Canyon National Park; one of America's most unique and beautiful national parks. I believe Garfield County should also be known for its exhilarating network of trails. The Paunsaugunt trail is a great way to explore the area. You can choose a loop from 20 miles to 75 miles. This ride starts at Tropic Reservoir, winds its way south on part of the Great Western OHV Trail. The views are incredible. You'll see Pink Cliffs, Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument and on a clear day, you can see Kaibab Plateau in Northern Arizona.

This loop is one of many trails in the area. Check out the Garfield County website for additional information. 

What if you don't own ATVs? Ruby's Inn at the entrance to Bryce Canyon National Park offers a fun, educational, and challenging ATV guided tour. This tour provides a new perspective about the area, its history, the wildlife, and the early settlers; as well as some time to enjoy the thrills of maneuvering your machine up and down hills and around corners. 

Slickrock is king in Moab! The Sandflats Recreation Area is now world famous for its challenging climbs, tight corners and endless views. However, this section of Utah holds a lot more Slickrock waiting for you to explore and conquer. North of town you'll find mile after mile of open red rock to test your off-road driving skills.

Moab is packed with concierges that rent all types of off-road vehicles, ATV, UTV, and 4X4. These professionals all have the ability to create a safe off-roading experience for your group. 

Some may feel more comfortable leaving the driving to someone else. That's not a problem as most off-road businesses offer tours. If you are new to the area, this is a way to familiarize yourself with the area and equipment needed for a safe adventure.