20 Incredible Places to Visit in Utah For Your Utah Road Trip

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Planning to go to Utah? Get excited, as a result of there are such a lot of unimaginable locations to go to in Utah that we prefer to name the state as BeaUTAHful.

From the enduring arches and vibrant pink rocks, to the expansive desert landscapes and sand dunes, the mountains, and the rivers, it has all the colours in God’s Artwork Studio which are simply beautiful to witness. Personally, we expect your entire state ought to simply be claimed as a nationwide park.

We spent 6 weeks in Utah as a part of our one-year USA street journey, a state we beforehand visited in 2006, and can proceed to return to.

We spent numerous time in Southern Utah, however this listing of the perfect locations to go to in Utah covers each a part of Utah, together with the North and the ski resorts.

Getting Round Utah

In the event you’re in search of a base to discover all of those high Utah sights and landmarks, then we advocate staying within the Nice Salt Lake Metropolis.

From right here you might be inside driving distance to lots of the high locations to see in Utah within the North, in addition to a number of the finest ski resorts within the state.

As lots of the locations on this information are nationwide parks and in rural areas, you actually do want a automobile when getting round Utah. You’ll be able to hire a automobile from RentalCars.com, which is the world’s main automobile rental reserving service that compares manufacturers like Hertz, Avis and Alamo.

Alternatively, you’ll be able to discover these sights on a street journey. If you wish to get monetary savings on lodging and take your trip ranges up a notch, then examine RVShare to hire a novel RV or campervan.

High Locations to Go to in Utah for Nature Lovers

The state of Utah is all about nature. You gained’t discover many huge cities with glitzy lights right here. It’s all about being close to to the outside and preserving the state’s pure magnificence.

In the event you love nature, these are the locations we recommend you go to.

1. Zion Nationwide Park

Zion Nationwide Park is without doubt one of the most stunning Nationwide Parks within the USA, and in addition probably the most well-liked.

Receiving over 4 million guests a 12 months, it’s the fourth most visited park, and you are feeling it at Zion as you’re in a slim canyon.

With its immense pink and white sandstone cliffs that attain out of the forested river mattress to the good blue of the sky, Zion Utah is a Southwest USA surprise. 

Its towering sandstone monoliths, slot canyons, rock formations, and hanging gardens makes it probably the most spectacular canyons in Utah and attracts out of doors adventures from everywhere in the globe.

So not solely will Zion’s magnificence seize your coronary heart, it’s epic adventures gives you recollections to share across the campfire!

In the event you’re planning to go to Zion Nationwide Park in Southwestern Utah, the excellent news is it’s the most effective locations to go to in Utah with children as nearly all of the hikes in Zion is family-friendly – besides the Angeles Touchdown hike!

Our children now say that visiting Zion Nationwide Park at the moment sits alongside the Grand Canyon as their favourite nationwide park within the USA.

Highlights:

• Riverside Stroll
• The Narrows Hike
• Angles Touchdown Hike
• Zion-Carmel Tunnel Scenic Drive
• Zion Canyon Scenic Drive
• Canyon Overlook Path

2. Capitol Reef Nationwide Park

What a shock Capitol Reef Nationwide Park was, and we now declare it as probably the most stunning nationwide parks within the USA we’ve got visited.

It’s most likely probably the most implausible US nationwide parks you could not have heard of, however after at the moment, it will likely be high of your bucket listing.

The colours of the large domes, towering cliffs, twisting canyons, arches, and bridges change with the sunshine, shifting from deep reds to pastel pinks, sunburnt orange, gentle yellows, and whites.

Capitol Reef NP is basically outlined by the Waterpocket Fold, an infinite wrinkle within the earth’s crust forming the 100-mile spine of the park.

Water has turn into the dominant erosive drive shaping the fantastic thing about the canyons, arches, cliffs, domes, and bridges of Capitol Reef Nationwide Park Utah.

We spent three days appreciating its magnificence on its many mountain climbing trails and scenic drives, and nonetheless missed out on many issues to do.

Highlights:

• Cassidy Arch Hike
• Hickman Bridge Path
• 8 Mile Scenic Drive
• Cathedral Valley
• Burr Path Drive

3. Snow Canyon State Park

Of all of the locations to go to in Utah, I feel Snow Canyon was the largest shock for us.

Situated close to St. George, this park is as stunning and distinctive as any Nationwide Park and we likened it to a mini model of Zion NP.

Excessive above the Navajo sandstone cliffs surrounded us in pinks, burnt orange, reds, yellows, and whites. And of, course up above an excellent blue sky rounded it off.

We have been blown away by the spectacular Snow Canyon hikes we did, significantly the Petrified Sand Dunes path, and our youngsters obtained an excellent visible and understanding of how they have been as soon as sand and the wind ripples have been quickly frozen into rock.

And exploring the lava tubes that have been created when a volcano erupted right here 27,000 years in the past was fascinating as effectively.

Snow Canyon Utah is a real nature lover’s dream, and I’ve to say it’s virtually as spectacular because the close by Zion Nationwide Park.

If you wish to see extra sand dunes in Utah, then the Coral Pink Sand Dunes are additionally value trying out in case you have additional time.

Highlights:

• Hidden Pinyon Path
• Petrified Dunes Path

4. Canyonlands Nationwide Park

Canyonlands Nationwide Park is without doubt one of the 4 Utah nationwide parks, with the closest city of Moab about 30 miles away.

We spent two days exploring this park together with a number of the finest hikes and scenic drives.

In case you don’t know, Canyonlands is exclusive in that it’s separated into three districts stretching throughout 527 sq. miles created by the Colorado and Inexperienced Rivers carving their approach via the canyon.

The Inexperienced and Colorado Rivers kind a Y via the nationwide park creating:

• Islands within the Sky within the north
• the Needles District within the Southeast
• and the Maze District within the Southwest.

Canyonlands NP is a rugged, untamed land with principally unpaved roads and primitive trails. In the event you search journey, you will discover it in abundance right here.

Highlights:

• Mesa Arch Path
• Grand View Level Overlook Path
• Shafer Path

5. Useless Horse Level State Park

Considered one of my favourite experiences within the USA is sundown at Useless Horse State Park, and we’ve got achieved it twice now.

Whereas it was busier throughout our latest go to in 2019 in comparison with when Caz and I visited in 2006, it’s a type of Utah vacationer sights that’s nonetheless fairly a hidden secret with just a few folks round.

It’s near the doorway of the Islands within the Sky district of Canyonlands and we integrated it into our go to there while staying in Moab. 

Pack a picnic, discover a comfortable spot on the rim, pour your self a glass of wine or two (non-drivers), and luxuriate in one in every of nature’s best items.

It’s an expertise to recollect!

6. Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park

There are some locations that stand above the others. They’ve this particular magnetic pull that pulls you into their magnificence.

Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park is a type of must-see in Utah locations!

if you’ve arrived even earlier than you see it as you’ll be able to really feel its power.

Monument Valley has comparable religious power to Uluru, one in every of our favourite locations in Australia. And while most of Monument Valley is in Arizona because it straddles the border with Utah, we extremely advocate you place it in your listing of finest locations to go to in Utah, if not the world!

You’ll be able to both self-drive the 17-mile loop street via Monument Valley or be part of a guided tour with a Navajo Information.

The guided tour takes you to restricted areas you’ll be able to solely entry with a Navajo information. It was an unimaginable expertise and one of many highlights of our USA street journey to date.

Our information, Charles was very candy and accommodating to our giant group of 8 children and 6 adults.

We rode round in an open jeep which made the expertise a great deal of enjoyable, particularly a number of the adventurous off-roading tracks we went on.

We visited a standard Navajo dwelling, a Hogan – and realized a number of the traditions of the Navajo folks.

7. Valley of the Gods

About an hour north of the above-mentioned Monument Valley is that this attractive space referred to as the Valley of the Gods.

With its remoted buttes, towering pinnacles, and large open areas it’s in a approach just like Monument Valley.

We discovered just a little nook off the facet of the street to free camp for a few nights, a shocking spot and moreover resting round camp we did the Valley of the Gods Scenic Drive.

There’s a 15-mile loop street via the Valley of the God which entails just a few hills, washes, and bumpy grime roads. It provides to the journey and fantastic thing about this drive.

There are a great deal of free tenting spots, however you might be higher off getting into from the east facet, because the west might be fairly powerful for some RVs to get via on that street.

The colours and rock formations are beautiful. And while there aren’t any actual mountain climbing trails right here, we loved simply driving for a change.

Contemplate placing this vacation spot in your Utah street journey itinerary!

8. Arches Nationwide Park

This is without doubt one of the hottest Nationwide Parks in Southern Utah and is appropriately named the most effective locations to go to in Utah to see arches because it has greater than 2,000 pure sandstone arches framing the park.

These pure arches have been created via over 100 million years of abrasion.

The orange and pink rock arches seem beside you as you drive alongside the scenic drive, and much into the gap, you get glimpses of the towering spires, pinnacles, and balanced rocks you’ll be able to discover.

They vary in measurement from only a three-foot opening to Panorama Arch – the longest at a span of 306 ft.

This panorama is continually altering and new arches are being fashioned and previous ones destroyed.

An 18-mile paved loop street will share with you a vibrant and colourful panorama full of fins and pinnacles and mountain climbing trails that wind below arches and home windows.

Arches Park Utah is without doubt one of the finest nationwide parks for youths as lots of the hikes are quick, straightforward, and enjoyable.

Highlights:

• Delicate Arch Path
• Panorama Arch
• The Home windows Arch
• Fiery Furnace path

9. Bryce Canyon Nationwide Park

We visited Bryce Canyon Nationwide Park approach again in 2006, sadly, we haven’t made it again once more (but), nevertheless it’s nonetheless one in every of our high 5 favourite USA nationwide parks we’ve got explored.

Bryce Canyon is without doubt one of the most well-known locations to go to in Utah and a fairy story kingdom of desires. A kingdom of vibrant orange and pink pastel spires and towers, archways, and paths main into enchanted forests to get misplaced in.

We spent a day mountain climbing and exploring the paths, nooks, and crannies, surrounded by a sea of orange.

However one in every of our most memorable journey experiences ever was horse driving into the canyon on the Fairy Path with our cowboy information Jake. Jake was an actual cowboy full with studs, leather-based pant protectors, a cowboy hat, and whiskey jokes spewing forth from a heavy cowboy western accent.

We trotted down into the canyon, out and in of ravines, and below naturally fashioned archways, in complete awe at what we have been seeing.

And it’s completely value getting up at dawn and heading to the canyon – it’s one of many prettiest issues to see in Utah.

10. Scenic Freeway 12, Grand Escalante

Scenic Freeway 12 is Utah’s solely street that’s acknowledged as An All American Street, which tells you ways stunning this scenic drive have to be as there are unimaginable drives everywhere in the state of Utah.

A spotlight for us was the part from Torrey close to Capitol Reef to Escalante.

We have now achieved sections of Freeway 12 twice now and proceed to be blown away by the lunar-like panorama combined in with each colour of the rainbow and magnificence of rock formation you’ll be able to consider.

You’ll most likely drive not less than a few of Hwy 12 throughout your Utah Nationwide Park street journey, and also you gained’t neglect it.

11. Decrease Creek Calf Falls, Escalante

What an exquisite shock Decrease Creek Calf Falls was. Are you able to imagine this stunning waterfall gushing down over the cliff in a tranquil, tropical feeling place?

This can be a 6-mile closely trafficked out and again path is without doubt one of the hottest trails for hikers. It’s situated 19 miles from the city of Escalante, Utah, and reminded us a lot of mountain climbing within the Kimberley area of Western Australia.

It was an enormous hike for us to do with the children to get there, with an elevation achieve of 500 ft. which wasn’t too dangerous.

And the views alongside the valley and rainbow-colored escarpment partitions your entire approach have been stunning. Most of it was a sandy observe which made it just a little tougher.

However so value it once we arrived.

Our children contemplated swimming within the swimming pools beneath the falls, till they felt the very chilly water!

12. Fisher Towers, Moab

A 25-mile scenic drive from Moab alongside the Colorado River brings you to Fishers Towers, which is a 4.4-mile return hike via rocky terrain, gullies, hoodoo spires, and towering cliffs.

Fisher Towers are a sequence of towers fabricated from Cutler sandstone capped with Moenkopi sandstone and caked with stucco of pink mud.

That is one in every of a number of Utah locations to go to that has featured in lots of films together with mission Not possible and Geronimo.

We didn’t hike the total 4.4 miles however what we noticed of the views over the valley was so rewarding.

On the best way again to Moab take into account stopping off at Fort Creek Vineyard for just a little wine tasting. Utah has actually strict ingesting legal guidelines, and there are solely three wineries in your entire state and this one was the primary.

13. Sand Hole State Park, St George

In search of enjoyable locations to go to in Utah with household? Need to go on an ATV and quad-biking journey? Look no additional than Sand Hallow State Park!

This 20,000-acre state park is effectively famend for its ATV and OHV off-road trails that take you to three,500ft in elevation.

These world-class off-roading trails are simply outdoors of St. George and it’s the proper leisure space for ATV adventures because it provides a number of the finest Utah ATV trails round.

It’s Utah’s latest State Park and already probably the most visited locations within the Utah State Park system, with recreation alternatives for practically each person from boaters to bikers, and OHV riders to equestrians.

The clear blue of the man-made lake surrounded by orange sand dunes, pink rock formations, and the snow peaked mountains within the background make this a feast for the eyes.

And there’s no higher solution to discover it than in a side-by-side ATV or on a quad bike!

14. Goblin Valley State Park

Okay. That is Hidden Secret time. This is without doubt one of the most unusual locations to go to in Utah.

That is a type of Utah locations most individuals haven’t heard of, together with us, till we obtained into the RV neighborhood.

Goblin Valley State Park is a magical land of hobbit hiding locations, goblins, and legendary creatures.

Our children undoubtedly loved it because the playground that exists of their minds got here to life with countless locations to crawl, climb, and conceal.

This can be a small valley, however giant sufficient so that you can go on just a few hikes and discover additional afield.

We selected to let the children run wild taking part in cover and search and tag, and joined in or watched perched on high of a Goblin and having fun with a much-needed relaxation.

15. Pure Bridges Nationwide Monument

We visited the Pure Bridges Nationwide Monument together with our go to to the Valley of the Gods, 45 miles away.

Simply getting there from the Valley of the Gods, the drive up the escarpment through a bunch of very tight switchbacks was unimaginable and a thrill we weren’t anticipating – one more reason to like Utah.

Pure Bridges Monument has three pure bridges, “Kachina,” “Owachomo” and “Sipapu charged by water.

You’ll be able to go to by means of a 9-mile scenic drive with viewpoints, or, you’ll be able to hike down to every one.

There’s a loop stroll (10 miles) you are able to do that connects every pure bridge – maybe that’s one we will come again and do when our youngsters are just a little older.

What we did do was hike down into the canyon to Sipapu bridge, which was a brief adventurous hike that concerned just a few ladders and loads of views alongside the best way.

Sipapu Bridge is without doubt one of the high Utah landmarks because it’s the second largest pure bridge on this planet, and in Hopi mythology Sipapu means the gateway entryway their ancestors got here into this world.

16. Moab

Most individuals go to Moab as one in every of their Utah trip spots to go off-roading (which we did), and to make use of Moab as a base two discover two of the preferred Utah parks, Arches NP and Canyonlands NP.

There’s an fascinating vibe right here with a good quantity of locations to eat, and if you happen to’re into RVing, there’s a ton of boondocking (free tenting) area.

We obtained an amazing group low cost on jeep rent and knew it could be a great deal of enjoyable exploring the backcountry roads of Moab – this space is known for it – I’m positive Moab would have the very best variety of jeeps on this planet.

Our jeep journey began pleasantly sufficient via the scenic La Sal Mountains, after which we hit the path and our first rock. For the subsequent 7 hours we realized easy methods to be execs at managing our fears, having fun with our screams, and crawling up and down rock faces.

Who knew jeeps have been so superior and durable and versatile – we all know now why it’s probably the most enjoyable issues to do in Utah!

The surroundings was spectacular and reminded us of Sedona. We ended our day within the sand dunes having enjoyable driving the jeeps up and over the hills.

One other favourite factor of ours in Moab was biking alongside the Colorado River, and we’d love to come back again and go kayaking, mountain biking or stand-up paddle boarding!

17. Escalante Slot Canyons

Wow. This was probably the most unimaginable mountain climbing adventures we’ve ever achieved!

Our children had a blast and didn’t need this 3.5-mile-long journey to finish as they climbed and scrambled over rock faces, small holes, and boulders, and wiggled our approach via the slots.

We began with the powerful and tremendous enjoyable climb via the Peek-a-Boo slot canyon, after which we entered Spooky Canyon, which is known as due to how deep and darkish and slim it will get – 11 inches large.

It was backpacks off our backs, and bums and boobs tucked in.

We slid our approach via the crack climbing down additional into the canyon as we went.

If you would like an Indiana Jones-type journey, put this in your listing of high issues to do in Utah.

Be mindful it will get highly regarded right here in the summertime and crowded, so get there early to keep away from the crowds, and produce loads of ingesting water!

18. Corona Arch, Moab

Who knew you didn’t have to enter Arches Nationwide Park to see unimaginable arches.

Only a quick drive from downtown Moab on Scenic Byway 279 brings you to the Corona Arch Trailhead, a 3-mile spherical journey hike to a powerful 140-foot by 105-foot opening arch.

Due to its shut proximity to Arches NP and Canyonlands NP,  Corona Arch usually will get neglected as the most effective locations to go to in Utah evidenced by the a lot smaller crowd we skilled right here.

This was a enjoyable hike for our youngsters, with the necessity to climb small ladders and use security cables. However don’t fear, children as younger as 5 have achieved this path with out issue.

Even the quick drive alongside the Colorado River from Moab to the trailhead was stunning. Put this in your listing of finest hikes in Utah.

19. Glen Canyon Nationwide Recreation Space

We camped in our RV at Lone Rock Seaside Campground in Glen Canyon Nationwide Recreation Space close to Lake Powell for five nights.

Principally simply to calm down in a beautiful lake setting and make amends for running a blog work.

It was the proper playground for youths AND us adults. We spent the mornings understanding adopted by an icy dip within the lake – like a 2-second dip.

Our children even did a half-day Survivor problem over on Lone Rock. The youngsters kayaked over there and spent 4 hours taking part in and attempting to remain there so long as attainable. The starvation pangs drove them again into our arms.

I’d like to return to this spot for extra tenting and to discover the Glen Canyon Recreation Space in-depth.

Though it’s one of many high locations to go to in Utah for leisure, we didn’t keep on the seaside your entire time and did the next issues in close by Web page, Arizona:

It’s value stopping off on the Glen Canyon Dam. The customer middle there’s free and there’s a small museum to study extra in regards to the development of the dam and the significance of water.

There are nice views of the dam and you may take a tour if you happen to like. We skipped the tour.

20. Crimson Cliffs Nationwide Recreation Space

St George in southeastern Utah is a type of locations in Utah that may be a nice jumping-off level for some excellent pure magnificence.

We didn’t even scratch the floor and wish to return one other time to go to many different locations in Southern Utah.

Our 7-year-old Savannah claimed the Crimson Cliffs Nature Path within the Crimson Cliffs Nationwide Recreation Space as probably the most FUN mountain climbing trails of our USA street journey.

This path begins from the Crimson Cliffs Campground and hikes as much as a slot canyon, the enjoyable half scrambling up rocks beside the river and navigating across the small cliff facet utilizing the small footholds and a rope to cease you from plunging into the icy water.

We quickly found how icy that was once we arrived on the slot canyon and needed to wade via it. We didn’t get too far!

As you hike additional the canyon narrows till it’s only a few ft large and a gorgeous little waterfall blocks the path.

All of the conservation space’s 130 miles of non-motorized trails in Southwest Utah embody two wilderness areas, the Crimson Cliffs Recreation Space, the Crimson Cliffs Campground, and over 100 miles of non-motorized trails.

21. Park Metropolis Mountain Resort

In the event you’re in search of locations to go to in Utah in winter, then you definitely don’t need to miss Park Metropolis Mountain Resort. This is without doubt one of the finest locations to ski and snowboard in Utah.

The resort is simply 32 miles east of Salt Lake Metropolis and is known for holding a number of coaching programs for the U.S. Ski Staff. It’s additionally dwelling to the largest lift-served ski resort within the U.S., so that you’ll by no means run out of runs to discover.

The runs listed here are nice for all ranges of skier, you’ll discover straightforward slopes and extra adventurous terrain. Probably the most thrilling run of all is the three.5-mile lengthy Dwelling Run, which is without doubt one of the longest inexperienced runs within the state, and is right for the extra adventurous skier.

The city has a really family-friendly environment, which makes it the perfect winter trip spot in Utah.

22. Cedar Breaks Nationwide Monument

In the event you’re not bored with vibrant pink rocks and jaw-dropping canyons but, then ensure to take a look at Cedar Breaks Nationwide Monument.

It’s situated simply outdoors Cedar Metropolis and is taken into account a pure amphitheater. The canyon is just like Bryce Canyon and Crimson Canyon, with its expansive gorges and pink and yellow rock face, however you’ll be able to see the rock is a bit more eroded than different parks in Utah.

In the event you’re in search of beautiful pure landscapes which are a bit additional away from the primary vacationer path, then undoubtedly add this to your listing.

Within the winter, this space turns into just a little extra distinctive. As a result of excessive elevation, it has identified to know right here. This may be treacherous so the park is closed from October till Might.

23. Dinosaur Nationwide Monument

Dinosaur Nationwide Monument is known for being dwelling to greater than 1,500 dinosaur fossils, which have been embedded into the cliffs of the Carnegie Quarry.

To permit guests a detailed up view of the fossils, a viewing station has been arrange, permitting for guests to have a detailed up view of the dinosaur bones and fossils.

The park can also be identified for its mountains, desert, and rivers that sluggish via the canyon, making it an amazing spot for mountain climbing and rafting.

Whether or not you’re into science or journey, that is one place in Utah to not be missed.

24. Antelope Island

Antelope Island is kind of the distinction to what we’ve already proven you on this listing to date. The island is understood for its huge salt flats, reflective waters, and roughly 600 free-ranging bison, in addition to many different desert animals.

The island lies within the Nice Basin, which implies is just about utterly flat, however is surrounded by snow-capped mountains.

It’s the most effective locations to see wildlife within the state, as hundreds of thousands of birds congregate right here, in addition to being dwelling to antelope, deer, bobcats, coyotes, and waterfowl. Antelope Island is without doubt one of the finest locations to go to in Utah in fall as a result of that is when the bison are most lively.

The park is filled with mountain climbing and biking trails, and guests usually see wild animals on these trails. It’s additionally an amazing place to go to the seaside (sure, you learn that proper). The water by Bridger Bay Seaside is ideal for swimming, and there are even showers and a restaurant there so you’ll be able to spend the entire day on the seaside if you wish to.

25. Bonneville Salt Flats

The Bonneville salt flats are so giant you’ll be able to virtually see the curvature of the Earth. Stretching over 30,000 acres, its thick and crusty soil appears to be like like a lake lined in snow. The land is so salty, that no vegetation grows within the space.

In the event you go to on a sizzling day, you will notice warmth waves rise from the soil and create mirages that make the desert appear like it’s lined in water.

Among the best locations to see the salt flats is from the I-80. Drive for 10 miles east of Wendover and also you’ll discover a relaxation cease. The remaining space is the place you’ll see completely flat land that appears just like the picture I’ve described for you above.

For photographers, that is one pure web site you can not miss.

Earlier than You Go

So there you may have it, the highest 25 locations to go to in Utah! As you’ll be able to see, there’s numerous nature to discover. Whether or not you’re on the hunt for canyons or mountains, or glistening rivers and lakes, you’ll discover all of it in Utah.

However earlier than you go, ensure you plan forward and ebook your lodging. Reserving.com has hundreds of motels in Utah to select from at each worth level. Plus, you get free cancellation on most rooms and the perfect worth assure.

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