When it comes to the great outdoors, few other places in the United States boast as much to do and so many beautiful places to explore as Utah does. The state is packed with natural wonders, state and national parks, and some of the best ski resorts in the country. If you’re making a road trip through the state, you’ll find all sorts of sites and scenic drives.
Those who want to spend time outdoors will find options to go camping, hiking, mountain biking, and off-site in the state. We want to share some of the coolest places to visit if you happen to be in this impressive state.
If you’re going to Utah and you can only visit one attraction, Zion National Park if where you want to go. It’s only a few hours from Las Vegas and offers scenery including vistas, waterfalls, and gorgeous red rock cliffs.
Those who have limited time will find most of the best sights at Zion Canyon on the Zion Canyon Scenic drive along the floor of the valley. If you’re around during spring, summer, or fall, there is even a bus you can ride that stops at all the major sites. The route can be driven on your own in the winter.
For the hikers out there, you can head off of Zion-Mount Carmel Highway to find the right trail to trek. There are tons of options in terms of length and level of difficulty so you’re sure to find something that fits your needs. There are also many RV parks and campgrounds in the area.
The second national park that you should visit if you have time in Utah is Arches. This location has more than 2,000 natural stone arches to check out. However, the most famous is Delicate Arch, so you’ll want to get a selfie there.
There are many different hikes and walking trails that go to the top arches as well as other rock formations in the area. If you’re just driving through, don’t worry. Many of the best spots can be seen from the scenic drive and parking areas. Some of the top spots to visit include Devil’s Garden, Park Avenue, the Windows, Fiery Furnace, and Sandstone Arch.
This national park is outside of Moab, which is a well-known spot for adventurers. The park is reached through a winding road which goes far higher than the city. There are many other parks in the area and quite a few campgrounds.
The next spot we want to talk about is Monument Valley. If you’ve ever wanted to hang out somewhere that looks like it would be at home in an older western film, this is the spot to do just that. Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park is in southeastern Utah near Arizona.
The reason this location might seem familiar is because it’s been used in dozens of films and commercials. The stone pinnacles and red mesas are beautiful even from a distance. Inside the park, you can go on the 17-mile Valley Drive which gives you a close-up view of all the buttes and other landscape sights.
Those who want to delve into the park more will need a guide which can be found at the on-site visitor center. The drive can take a bit of time since it has tons of stops and curves, but you can also take in the view from the visitor center if you don’t have time to go down miles of dirt road before heading back on the byway.
If you’re in the mood to see the sights of the Grand Canyon but without all the crowds, this is a great spot to visit as an alternative. The park has a few different sections but the most popular is the Island in the Sky. You can look at snow-capped mountains over carved canyons and majestic vistas.
Those who prefer a more remote location can visit the Needles District or the Maze, both of which are fun to visit and tend to have fewer people milling around. If you end up at the Island in the Sky, make sure you take time to visit the Mesa Arch. It’s particularly stunning in the late afternoon or early morning.
You can reach Island in the Sky easily from Moab by heading north past Arches National Park on Highway 191. The Needles District is found in the other direction and takes a bit longer to get to.
While we’ve focused on natural wonders so far, Salt Lake City can also be a lot of fun to visit when you’re going through Utah. In winter, you can experience tons of skiing and other winter activities right near the city.
Even if it’s during the other months, the city offers attractions and plenty of things to do. If you head to Temple Square, you can take a look at the impressive Mormon Temple which was built toward the end of the 19th century. While only Mormons can step inside, visitors can walk by to check it out. Other places to visit if you end up in Salt Lake City include the state capitol and the Mormon Tabernacle.
Park City is a mountain town that can be reached in under an hour's drive from Salt Lake City. It boasts not one, but two, impressive ski resorts. Once you come into town, Park City Mountain Resort is right there to enjoy. Your other option is Deer Valley Resort which is a luxury ski resort. Both have options for skiers of all skill levels.
Utah Olympic Park, home of the 2002 Winter Olympics, is also close by. Visitors can enjoy hiking and zip lining in the summer or bobsledding when the snow starts to come down. During January, Park City is also known for hosting the annual Sundance Film Festival.
If you need a spot to stay while you explore the best of Utah, Moab is a reasonable option. It’s close to Canyonlands National Park, Arches National Park, and Dead Horse Point State Park so the outdoors is truly at your fingertips. The scenery is beautiful and you can get involved with biking, off-roading, hiking, rafting, and more.
In the spring and fall, the city is filled with mountain bikers who want to take on the challenging Slickrock Trail. However, there are trails in the area for bikers of all experience and skill levels. As far as hiking goes, the parks offer plenty of areas to check out.
If you’re a movie buff, you’re probably familiar with the film Thelma & Louise and the final scene of the movie. It turns out that pivotal scene was filmed right here in Dead Horse Point. You can take a walk along the trail on the rim to check out the sights.
This park is just outside of Moab and has some of the best lookout locations of any park in the state. You can look down on thousand-foot cliff walls and plateaus dotting the landscape.
Utah is full of exciting things to see and do but these are the eight best you can seek out. Bring your best friend, or even your pet dog, and explore what this state is all about. You’re sure to find an experience here you never expected that you can carry around you with long after you have left. Now get started on this next adventure and make sure you’re ready to explore by getting your cheap car insurance in Utah here.