Utah is one of the country's great outdoor states, with fantastic ski resorts, wonderful national and state parks, and natural beauties found nowhere else on the planet. A road trip through Utah is one of the greatest ways to see the views, and picturesque highways can be found all across the state.
Salt Lake City is a great place to visit for cultural attractions or nearby skiing. If you're seeking outdoor adventures, including hiking, mountain biking, and camping, as well as ATV motorcycle riding and off-road sports, Moab and St. George are great places to visit.
Keep in mind that the elevation of Utah varies greatly, and while it may be bright and sunny in some spots, it may be snowing in others. Some parks have limited access in the winter, and some cities nearly close down during this time of year, but the majority of the great locations to visit are accessible all year.
1. Salt Lake City
There's more to Salt Lake City than just bar hopping. You can explore the highlands and climb and camp till your toes fall off. But, if you're looking for a vacation that allows you to really get to know Salt Lake, you should know that they don't do anything half-heartedly. You may learn about history, experience the great outdoors, live like a king or queen and even participate in some really “Only in Utah” events.
Go for a swim in one of the waterparks or visit the animals at the zoo. Take a scenic bike ride next to the Great Salt Lake before experiencing a challenging escape room. From Olympic venues to historical sites to excellent shopping, Salt Lake City has it all.
2. Zion National Park
Zion National Park, which is less than a three-hour drive from Las Vegas, has some of Utah's most spectacular landscape. Some of the main attractions include red sandstone cliffs, waterfalls, and breathtaking landscapes.
Many of the park's most spectacular sights can be found in Zion Canyon, along the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive that follows the valley bottom. From spring to fall, a touring bus follows this route through the park, stopping at all of the important sites and trailheads. This makes touring the park a breeze.
The Zion-Mount Carmel Highway, which travels east-west through the park, is well worth a visit. This self-guided walk takes you well above the valley and provides breathtaking views from the lookouts.
Zion National Park, also known as a vertical park due to its sheer vertical walls, is a hiker's delight. The most popular Zion hikes are accessible via the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive and the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway. From modest hikes along the valley floor to cliff-side paths like the famous Angel's Landing route, which is not for anyone afraid of heights, you'll find it all here.
3. Arches National Park
This is one of Utah's most gorgeous parks, with stunning stone arches and undulating petrified dunes framed by the often snow-capped peaks of the La Sal Mountains. More than 2,000 natural stone arches can be seen at Arches National Park. The most famous and photographed of these is Delicate Arch, which stands like a horseshoe protruding out of the ground and frames the distant mountains.
A variety of hiking and walking trails lead to the most popular arches and other noteworthy rock formations. However, many of the primary sights are visible from the beautiful drives through the park and are easily accessible from the parking sites.
The top places to visit in the park are Devil's Garden, Delicate Arch, Fiery Furnace, Double Arch, Park Avenue, Balanced Rock, the Windows, Broken Arch, and Sandstone Arch.
Arches National Park is located just west of Moab, a popular destination for mountain bikers and outdoor enthusiasts. The park is located significantly higher than the town and is accessible by a winding road with breathtaking views. There are several other scenic parks nearby, as well as a number of decent camps.