To the east, the mountains give way to the vast San Luis Valley home to several hot springs including Joyful Journey and Valley View, and the Great Sand Dunes National Park. The white sands of Swaseys Beach along the Green River signal the end of a river trip as you meander through crumbling canyon walls. Top Things To Do in Vancouver. The school is also one of the most affordable universities in the Southwest, with a per credit hour tuition of less than $300 for both undergraduate and graduate students. There are fascinating topics available in the twenty-six undergraduate, six graduate, and six professional studies programs, such as the Anti-Human Trafficking Certificate. FLC sponsors the championship cycling program wherein students take part in local races and a strong cycling community. Hoodoos sprung from the ground like skyscrapers, but the tall, thin rock formations were a little older than the Empire State Building the hoodoos first appeared around 50 million years ago. Of those students who learn on campus, plenty say that there are excellent opportunities to find a supportive group or niche and that the atmosphere is both supportive and very friendly. Despite their learning format of choice, all students receive the same high-quality instruction in competency-based programs. The curricula at Harvey Mudd are strongly geared toward science, mathematics, and engineering disciplines. By clicking Sign up, you agree to receive marketing emails from Insider According to the school website, LeTourneau University is nondenominational yet unapologetically Christian. Students can be sure that their education is firmly rooted in devout biblical principles. Henderson is Nevadas second-largest city, and, given its incredible proximity (15 miles) to Las Vegas, the Neon Capital of the World, it supplies a lively atmosphere for students of Nevada State College. Students who are attending classes on campus in Flagstaff complete significant portions of their coursework online, as well, while also participating in a fun, friendly, welcoming, and student-driven environment. Online Pharmacy School And then, of course, you have the namesake of the town Green River. There is also a strong concentration on sustainability and environmentalism. Here's a guide to some of the region's hidden gems, all within an easy driving distance of each other. By tinaNtravel. Speciality Museums. Focus areas include Arts, Communication, and Humanities; Business and Entrepreneurship; Computer Science, Information Technology, and Cyber Security; Education, Social Services, and Public Safety; Energy, Manufacturing, and Transportation; Health Science; or Science, Math, and Engineering. Drive in before dusk, head up to Rainbow Point for the view, and find a vacant pull-off along the way. All programs t this fine school utilize a holistic and integrated approach that cultivates curiosity and nurture broad critical thinking skills. Single rooms are available for an additional fee (see the Pricing section below). I hiked 130 miles through the American Southwest. 1. Adventure Pro Magazine aims to inspire, inform and educate our community of readers across the Southwest on subjects related to adventure and the outdoors with a focus on the five Pros: After a quick dinner, we'll head out to our sunset spot. We are using authorized Navajo and Hopi guides for many of the areas we visit. Offering an array of Native American-made items from the Four Corners region, the collection at this shop includes Hopi and Navajo kachinas, Navajo rugs, and even Mata Ortiz pottery from Casas Grandes in Northern Mexico. All departments at this excellent university are equipped with state-of-the-art equipment, and student nurses, for example, are trained in recently upgraded and super-advanced Nursing Simulation labs. Top editors give you the stories you want delivered right to your inbox each weekday. The robust Student Life Department provides fun and exciting opportunities to engage with the community, each other, and the Church during parties, volunteerism, and more! However, each major includes significant coursework in liberal arts subjects in order to create the most well-rounded degrees possible. When we typed the sand caves into Google Maps, the directions led us to the interstate right in front of the caves, but the hike actually started in a poorly marked parking lot about 1/2 a mile back. About the Author. By Nlt219. There are more than seventy undergraduate degree options and sixteen graduate programs. Settle in and relax in the peace and quiet of the ranch for your overnight stay. Many people dont stop at White Sands because its not officially a national park but its easily one of the most unique properties within the National Park Service system. Take a horseback tour, a backpacking trip or a shorter day hike to see this amazing place. There are numerous academic opportunities offered at very few other higher education institutions, such as the immensely popular Speech-Language Pathology degree. Have a 10% acceptance rate or higher. Each curriculum can be completed in under two years, aside from the Bachelor of Science in Nursing full program, which is a 32-month degree. Follow the steep path down through the trees. We get some great light and the full moon was icing on the cake. The American Southwest seems to always render a nostalgic feeling to the citizens of the country and anybody remotely familiar with Arizona's 'Cowboy' history of the 1950s. 2. All sites are first-come-first-served. Provide: To provide inspiration, tips and lessons through the content we share. It has been acknowledged as one of the most excellent Christian colleges byForbesand has been educating students for nearly 120 years. Many of the country's national parks are filled to the brim with visitors for good reason, but don't let the crowds deter you from experiencing these natural wonders. Carrington College is a scholastic system that operates massively popular campuses throughout the Southwestern and Northwestern regions of the United States, including this fabulous location in Reno, Nevada. If you just want to stop at the visitors center and take a few photos, you can be in and out of the park in an hour but its easy to spend an entire day. and spear tips and arrowheads hewn from this rock have been found across the Great Plains and Southwest. The hiking trails around Angel Fire provide a little something for all ability levels. Chincoteague, VA. Today the town has over 80 galleries and three . Broken down into nine sections, the courses are available to watch at your leisure. Translated to "Red Lagoon," this shallow salt lake, with its strange coloration and its incredible surroundings, does not disappoint. Everyone on this trip should be in reasonably good physical condition. The Civic Engagement & Service Learning Program, for example, keeps many students involved in highly rewarding experiences. As the name implies, Cal Lutheran has a strong affiliation with the Church and keeps up traditions that are over 500 years old. Crowley Museum and Nature Center. Wide angle lens in the 16-35mm range. Even better, we'll capture the full moon if skies are clear! Please don't overpack, as we'll only have enough room in the vehicle for one suitcase and one camera bag. However, its sheer amount of programs set it far apart from many other schools and hidden gems in the Southwestern region. Here are brief descriptions of a few of the hidden gems Southern Utah offers. Paria Canyon: The Watercolor Mountains Hiding In Utah That Will Leave You Breathless. Bring your kayak for some adventures sailing through the gorgeous Gulf Coast, or pack a swimsuit and towel for a calming afternoon in the . Its founder, Dr. Charles Franklin Parker, had the ambition to create the Harvard of the West and drew upon the history of Americas oldest institutions. Here, students will find highly attentive professors who put a huge amount of effort into each class. Bluff is a mix of Navajos, Mormon settler families, archaeologists, and eccentric artists. The Grand Canyon, of course, is full of adventures and activities. There are twenty-eight undergraduate degrees, including the highly applicable Bachelor in Ski Area & Resort Management, and two Masters of Fine Arts programs in Creative Writing and Interdisciplinary Arts. Westminster College provides a holistic approach to higher education that seeks to improve all aspects of the individual. Southwest Virginia is home to several beautiful routes along the Appalachian Trail, but it's hard to beat Grayson Highlands State Park with its 5,000-foot peaks and stunning waterfalls. Students are exposed to deeply meaningful and massively rewarding educational experiences that have real-world impacts. We have special access to seldom photographed locations across the Southwest. Graduates are guaranteed to find a position of employment in their area of expertise after earning a degree from Yavapai College. Today, ECU is a highly diverse academic environment with students from twenty-five states and thirty countries. The ranger said that if we were lucky, we might see a few Brazilian free-tailed bats come out to feed. We have special access to seldom photographed locations across the Southwest. The drive is long and rough, but the solitude we have at such an amazing view more than makes up for it. Then, look up and enjoy the stars. Those who are enrolled at PTC easily get all of their preferred courses and undertake a very manageable workload. Hidden Gems of the Southwest. This small community college in Arizona provides some of the best health care degrees in the Southwest. In addition to a diverse collection of commercial, general, and military aviation items, the museum has an entire "Southwest wing" full of memorabilia, including our original Spirit of Kitty Hawk Boeing 737 aircraft. Students have outstanding opportunities to discover new passions and find their calling at this excellent school, all of which are firmly rooted in LDS faith and practices. Each afternoon, we headed to Zion Brewery, ordered a tasty beer, and sat outside on the shaded patio to enjoy the joint's misting fans, live music, and cornhole. Our hike to High Dune, a very popular sand dune in southern Colorado's Great Sand Dunes National Park, was epic, but it was also brutal. When you complete the checkout process, you will be given the option to either pay the full amount or put down a 50% deposit. With less than four hours' drive time to hit all three spots, it's perfect for time-strapped tourists. This catalog was built according to the stringent criteria established by the researcher/writers at OnlineSchoolsCenter.com, who utilize only the most well-respected resources and high-quality research tools. All Popular Articles, Best Online Certificate Programs Angel Fire, New Mexico (elevation: 8,406; population: 1,089). We break for dinner and then head out after dark to photograph the Milky Way deep in Monument Valley. East Central is also a big believer in worldly life experiences and an international education and therefore supplies one of the most exciting, cross-cultural study abroad programs at any school in the Southwest. Get off the beaten path on this 6-day adventure and explore some of the most geologically diverse lands on the planet! There are fifty undergraduate majors dispersed throughout five schools at Westminster. . ENMU is one of the only schools on this list of Hidden Southwestern Gems to supply such high-quality distance education programs in such quantity. We wanted to highlight some of the lesser-known Southwest colleges that deserve attention. Acceptance Rate: 60% Retention Rate: 61% Graduation Rate: 36% Job Placement Rate: 84% (2 years after graduation). However, both the Coconino and Kaibab national forests around Williams offer hiking, mountain biking, camping and fishing. Workshop fee includes the Navajo & Hopi guides, fees, permits, and ground transportation. Dry Tortugas National Park. Sunday 11:00am- 4:30pm. California Lutheran University supports a relatively small student body of around 2,804 undergraduates and 1,223 graduates in forty-one majors and forty-one minors. Here then are 5 true hidden gems of Portugal that are absolutely worth visiting now, before everyone else gets in on the secret too! We will provide food during the Hunt's Mesa Overnight Camping portion. With 2,000-plus vertical feet and 60-plus miles of terrain accessible via chairlift, the Angel Fire Bike Park offers trails for mountain bikers of all skill levels, from riders working on their downhill game to professional downhill racers. It was renamed the Snow Academy and became a teachers college in the early 1900s, and then reached its current status as an institution of higher education in 1931. Proactive: To stay aware and proactive in an ever-changing world. When you think about Southwest summer getaways, where does your mind go? There are fabulous undergraduate and graduate degrees and certificates, many of which can be completed entirely online through Prescotts innovative distance learning platform. Yet not many newcomers know about this secluded waterfall, which makes it one of the biggest hidden gems in Arizona. Why it's Great: While this story is chock full of Ozarks hidden gems, The Narrows in Arkansas is perhaps the most hidden on the list. The most popular major, the Veterinary Technician and Assistant program, is rarely offered at other schools and attracts students from throughout the entire region and beyond! Southwest now serves 100 destinations across the U.S. and 10 additional countries, so if you're looking to get away, there are always places to go and experiences to be had! We had to scramble up boulders to reach the caves, which were about 100 feet tall. Produce: To produce content that is curated to educate, motivate and enlighten our readers. To qualify as a Hidden Gem, a school must meet the following requirements: Receive fewer than 5,000 applications per year. Green River, Utah (elevation: 4,078; population: 940). The Honors Program is of particular note and prepares students for a smooth and easy transition into graduate school and medical programs at universities like Dartmouth, Stanford, and Johns Hopkins. 4 nights of double occupancy hotel lodging. The historic campus is located in the well-known city of Georgetown, Texas, which is proximal to Austin, has legendary live music, and is surrounded by scenic natural surroundings where exciting outdoor recreational adventures await! Students attending St. Johns University, who are known fondly around campus as Johnnies, can rest assured that they are receiving a top-quality education that utilizes a comprehensive academic approach. 24 Hidden Gems of the Southwest: 2021 College Edition. There is no shortage of things to do and discover at this . There are also incredible options for performing arts students, and the schools facilities for this discipline and its many subdisciplines are top-notch. For this hidden gems list, we're including the following states as part of the Southwest: Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas. Let's explore some of the hidden gems in Arizona and see what the state has in store for us. Hours Monday-Saturday 10:30am-5:30pm. No one area is better than the other at this school. Head up to the summit of Wolf Creek Pass, where the Continental Divide Trail (CDT) intersects and makes its way into the rugged Weminuche Wilderness. Hailed as the "Grand Canyon of the South", Breaks Canyon is the deepest gorge east of the Mississippi and is, without a doubt, the highlight of Breaks Interstate Park in southwest Virginia. Today, FLC provides a wide variety of superb undergraduate and graduate degrees in disciplines such as Business, Gender & Sexuality Studies, and Chemistry. The annual enrollment is so high because the school attracts so many online students! Past and present students develop strong relationships with professors who get to know them as individuals, rather than just students, and who are immensely helpful outside of school as well as inside the classroom. Box Canyon is home to America's 11th largest spring, with 118,000 . Have a 10% acceptance rate or higher. Interested readers need only view CCUs high-quality accolades for more confidence that it is, indeed, the right choice. Each course at Colorado Christian University includes a strong foundation in Biblical principles, and many students choose to complete their studies entirely online. By. That afternoon we drive to Tuba City, check into our hotel, and spend the evening exploring a remote canyon with intricate geology and astonishing rock formations. Bryce Canyon National Park was impossible to miss during the daytime. This excellent school is the Rocky Mountain Regions flagship Christian university. Known for its exceptional hunting and fishing areas around the Ouachita Mountains, the region draws adventurers and sightseers to its many resorts, golf courses, boating opportunities, water sports and scuba diving experiences. Nickolas's portfolio can be found at Nickolas Warner Photography. However, it can get very hot and wind storms are always a possibility. Gunnison Butte towers over the Green River below. However, we thought the hike through rock formations, like stalactites and stalagmites, was worth the workout. 1 Laguna Colorada, Bolivia. Many of the artwork depicted the Native Americans and their daily activities, and local scenes and landscapes. Southern Living Editors. Late afternoon we regroup for a foray into the Monument Valley backcoutry through sunset. The one must-do thing: This one's easy. Acceptance Rate: 81% Retention Rate: 70% Graduation Rate: 22% Job Placement Rate: 87% (2 years after graduation). Acceptance Rate: 83% Retention Rate: 76% Graduation Rate: 53% Job Placement Rate: 94% (6 months after graduation). Whether youre looking for buffed-out berms, smooth singletrack, rocky drops or jump lines, this is the place to improve and perfect your trail flow. The store front is rather small and signage not too flashy, so keep an eye out. 1. Circular polarizer filters are useful. Book your free consultation with our Caribbean travel expert today Ed.d Programs Located 70 miles from the South Rim, the Grand Canyon can be reached by car via State Route 64, or by train on the Grand Canyon Railway for a scenic and interesting trip . Buy or rent a plastic sled at the visitor center and start looking for a steep slope for some adventurous fun. Travelers have the option to take an elevator 755 feet down to New Mexico's Carlsbad Caverns, which has over 120 caves. They can expect to gain tremendous experience both inside and outside their programs as Pickens is heavily connected to its surrounding communities. Shortly after explaining that he'd only spotted 11 bats the night before, thousands of the animals spilled out of the cavern to hunt for moths, their favorite treat. Of Utah's "Mighty Five National Parks" Arches, Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, and Zion Capitol Reef is one of the least visited, and that's a shame. It offers a considerable amount of associates degrees in a vast number of disciplines. Packed full of hidden gems to discover, from beaches to mountains to deserts, taking the time to explore this area makes for a truly great adventure. In total, we hiked 130 miles. Popular sites on our itinerary, like Antelope Canyon and. 11. The park is an International Dark Sky location, meaning it has some of the darkest skies in the country. St. Johns curriculum alone makes it a hidden gem among schools across the entire nation, not just the Southwest. The degrees are highly flexible and allow students to design personalized educational avenues in twenty-one key areas, including Climate Change, Helping People, and Sustainability/Regenerativity. About 30 minutes east of I-75, it is a birder's paradise but also has a super rare ghost orchid. Our hike to High Dune, a very popular sand dune in southern Colorado's Great Sand Dunes National Park, was epic, but it was also brutal. Deep among the crystal lakes, dark leafy hollows and mountain towns of Southwest Arkansas, explorers can find hidden histories and tranquil getaways. Plan to devote two or three hours wandering the sand dunes. There are multiple campuses that support the schools numerous physical and virtual degree programs, all of which are available through strong partnerships at NAU. Students, professors, and Henderson residents often interact throughout each year in efforts to address cultural and ethnic diversity issues throughout the country. Nickolas spent the past decade guiding in Alaska, where he provided instruction on photographing the aurora borealis, and shared his knowledge of the far norths rugged terrain and resilient wildlife. El Tiradito Wishing Shrine El Tiradito (Credit: @kristina_kitchen_stylist and . Erosion AND preservation at its finest examples, Arches National Park is an essential stop on any epic American southwest road trip. The last tour starts at 4pm. History buffs find the Port Boca Grande Lighthouse . This stunning canyon was formed over millions of years, and every layer tells a geological story. Its high-quality programs are respected by all other colleges and universities throughout the state, and students can easily continue their academic careers at the university of their choice. While vigorously promoting an atmosphere of focused determination, the campus also has a lively vibe where students find a great deal of inspiration and comfort in their social lives. YC is an incredibly affordable institution with a tuition rate of about $95 per credit hour for most programs, which is an offer that can be found at very few other schools of this caliber throughout the region. With over 2,000 natural arches in the park, the adventure possibilities are endless in Arches NP. OKCU is extremely monetarily supportive of its students, of whom 90% receive financial aid. As triathlon swimmers stroked through the waters off the island, a pod of five orcas surfaced a few . The real magic happened at night during the ranger-led Bat Flight Program at the mouth of the cavern. Who loves the outdoors? To reach Lumahai Beach on Kauai's wild and wet North Shore, stop on a bend in the road just up from Hanalei Bay. Single occupancy adds. Desert National Wildlife Refuge: Hidden Forest Cabin. In 1961, the school pivoted to become a co-ed, four-year institution of higher education with degrees in engineering and technology, as well as liberal arts, business, education, science, and more. The campus buildings are beautiful and modern and set against an incredibly gorgeous red and golden landscape replete with outdoor adventures. We provide all transportation during the workshop to the shooting locations. San Juan College began its journey as a branch of New Mexico State University when it had approximately twenty-five students. Hikes here include a 9-mile trek to Guadalupe Peak, the highest spot in Texas. The Outdoor Adventure program has a full calendar throughout every academic year that provides experiences that range from cushy resorts, such as Diamond Peak down the street from campus, to backcountry huts in the woods! Itinerary. 1. Mid-range zoom lens in the range of 24-100mm. We were also impressed by less-crowded spots along the way, such as Kanab Sand Caves and Sky Pond. Even so, swarms of people still got into the background of our photos at Delicate Arch, a famous 52-foot rock formation. Tour the White Sands Missile Range Museum. When you crave some hidden places in Southwest Florida, check out these. When we were there, there was little light pollution blocking the stars. Discover Escanaba: A Pure Michigan Itinerary. Box Canyon - Wendell, ID. Day 1 (June 2): Meet at 2PM in Page, AZ for a mandatory orientation session. Northern Arizona University is a larger school than most included on these Hidden Gem catalogs, but it is still off the beaten path for most college applicants. The Cathedral Wash Trail is indeed one of the most stunning hidden gems in Arizona. Many of the campers bring a telescope or camera gear. All Navajo and Hopi guides, park fees, and Navajo permits. It maintains a small campus of about 2,000 students yet educates more than 15,000 individuals annually. If youre heading west on Interstate 70, Green River is the first stop on your way to several stunning areas including Capitol Reef National Park, Goblin Valley State Park and the San Rafael Swell. Aside from the high-quality health-focused degrees that span an incredibly comprehensive array of options, there are fabulous programs for students in veterinary science, criminal justice, and various trades, such as training as an HVAC Technician. The Gasparilla Island Light, built in 1888 in Delaware, reconstructed in 1927 on Gasparilla and recently restored, can now be climbed. From there, we check out and drive up to Monument Valley. Nickolas is a photographer and tour guide with a particular interest in extreme and unusual locations. After checking into the hotel, we meet our Navajo guides and photograph some of the backcountry areas through sunset. Over the last 106 years, the school has earned numerous achievements in both education and mission work. Visit Website. Originally set aside to save the largest virgin bald cypress habitat in the world (700 acres), Corkscrew now contains 13,000 glorious wetland acres in the western Everglades. Dpt Programs While heavily involved in outdoor experiences throughout the gorgeous surrounding region, Sierra Nevada University also maintains a fabulous College of Entrepreneurial Leadership that transforms students from novice learners into expert professionals. Please arrive in Page, AZ prior to 2PM Arizona Time on June 2nd for the orientation session. We really like the 100-400mm zoom lens. These hotels offer unique and enriching experiences in the most unexpected places. The latter is reserved for students of particular distinction who are prepared for a more demanding course load. Visit Us. Tuition Free Online Universities 1."The Grand Canyon of the South": Breaks Interstate Park, Breaks. On top of making a day trip to Victoria, there are tons of hidden gems in Vancouver that are worth a stop on your West Coast road trip! Nobody knows a city and its hidden gems better than the Employees who live and work there. However, even with its Christian connections, the school is culturally, ethnically, and religiously diverse to an incredible level. The programs are arranged in a way that gives students complete control over their coursework and the ability to create their own personalized approach. Construction Management After a long day of hiking in the sun, I was ecstatic to find a local brewery just outside the park. A perfect roadtrip to the hidden gems of the US Southwest. Impressive works of architecture can be found across campus, such as the Niko Njotorahardjo Hall, which is an up-scale, apartment-style residence hall built only one year ago in 2019! Arches National Park implemented a timed entry system to keep crowds at bay. Pro tip: If youre floating the Green River Daily, snag a campsite alongside Swaseys Beach and leave your mountain bike behind to use as a fun alternative to a vehicle shuttle. Coming in as the smallest town on our list, South Fork is nestled up against the Rio Grande National Forest at the base of Wolf Creek Pass. It was roughly a mile out and back and led to a 25-foot waterfall inside of a cave. The owner's daughter told us that afamily-run restaurant called Odyssey serves her favorite Italian food in the city.