Exploring Utah: Best 10 Things To Do In Utah

Things To Do In Utah

Best 10 things to do in Utah

 

Utah is a beautiful place to visit, with some of the most amazing natural beauty I’ve ever seen. With its diverse landscape and a wide variety of activities, there’s something for everyone in Utah.

What are some of the best things to do in Utah? Let’s find out! We’ll start west and work our way down through all six regions of this incredible state: This is our list of best 10 things to do in Utah!

1. Arches

Arches National Park is a United States National Park located in eastern Utah. The park protects over 2,000 natural sandstone arches, including the world-famous Delicate Arch, in addition to a variety of unique geological resources and formations.

Now a little information for our history buff readers, Arches was established as a national park on April 12, 1971, when U.S. President Richard Nixon signed a proclamation declaring it such; however, it was under the protection of the federal government long before that: Arches was established as a national monument by President Woodrow Wilson on October 31st, 1917 and then converted into a national park on March 18th, 1929 after being transferred from Department of Agriculture to the Department of Interior.

2. Bryce Canyon

Bryce Canyon is a natural wonder in southern Utah, which is known for its unusual rock formations. The park’s name was given by a man named Ebenezer Bryce (as in “Bryce Canyon”) who led a group of Mormon settlers into the area in 1874 and then returned to settle there permanently with his family. It’s one of the most visited national parks in the U.S., with an estimated 3 million people visiting each year—more than Yellowstone National Park! (That is crazy!)

The park’s most popular feature is its “hoodoos,” tall spires of rock that have been carved into shapes by wind and water. There are more than 2,000 hoodoos at Bryce Canyon National Park, many of which tower up to 150 feet high; a true sight to see.

But there’s are more than just hoodoos in this park: You can also see a variety of beautiful wildflowers in the springtime and enjoy some spectacular views from high above the canyon floor on one of the many hiking trails in the breathtaking Bryce Canyon.

3. Zion National Park

Zion is one of the most visited national parks in the U.S., and it’s easy to see why. Zion National Park offers breathtaking views of cliffs, canyons, and rivers that are hard to find anywhere else on Earth, making this a must see destination if heading to Utah.

The park is accessible by car or foot; however, you can expect traffic delays during peak season (May through September).Here is a little pro tip- when planning your trip, it’s best to arrive early in the morning or later in the afternoon if you don’t want to deal with crowds.

If you’d rather take your time getting there, consider hiking into the park via Kolob Canyon Trailhead—it’s a 6-mile roundtrip hike that ends at Kolob Arch (believed by many to be one of nature’s great architectural wonders).

In addition to its natural beauty, Zion is also known for its slot canyons—narrow gorges carved by water over thousands of years—which make up some of the most beautiful hiking trails in all of Utah! Overall, Zion National Park is a must-see for outdoor adventures!

4. Canyonlands National Park

Canyonlands National Park is one of the most remote national parks in the U.S. (it’s about a 9-hour drive from Salt Lake City). It covers over 1.2 million acres, making it much larger than Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks combined.

Canyonlands is also known as “the Island in the Sky” for their high plateaus above canyons, or “the Needles” for their spire-like rock formations that stick out of flat plains like giant needles on a tabletop. The canyons are big enough to see from space! They have names like Upheaval Dome and the Maze District; they were formed by water erosion over thousands of years by rivers cutting through layers of sandstone, limestone, and shale rock.

Several hiking trails throughout Canyonlands explore these areas—some can take up to three days to complete! So if you are up for the challenge pack your bags!

5. Capitol Reef National Park

Capitol Reef National Park is a Utah national park that preserves a colorful landscape of sandstone cliffs, canyons, and bridges. The park is named for the Water pocket Fold (or “Capitol Reef”), a 100-mile-long monocline that is a wrinkle on the Earth’s crust.

Capitol Reef also contains several historical landmarks in Fruita that date back to the 1870s when Mormon pioneers arrived to homestead in this remote part of southern Utah. The most famous landmark is Gifford Homestead which was built in 1872 by John Lorenzo Gifford who taught school near Fruita until he became ill in 1900 and died shortly afterward.

After his death, an auction sale was held at which time his house was sold along with other property including two log cabins where other family members lived before moving into their new home built in 1880 next door.

6. Salt Lake City Temple Square

Temple Square is the most popular attraction in Salt Lake City. It’s also the home of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS), which owns and maintains several historic sites on Temple Square. These include:

  • Salt Lake Tabernacle, a large auditorium where Mormon church services were held until 1867
  • Assembly Hall, a multipurpose building used for special events and concerts
  • Church History Library, a research library containing historical documents related to Mormonism

Tourists come from around the world to see these historic sites as well as visit other attractions such as Brigham Young Winter Home & Office or FamilySearch Centers. The Temple Square Visitors Center is also located on these grounds, making it easier to navigate between all these historic sites.

7. Great Salt Lake

a unique and fascinating destination that offers a wide range of outdoor activities and natural attractions. This vast, shallow lake is the largest saltwater lake in the Western Hemisphere, and it is known for its high salt content, which makes it one of the most buoyant bodies of water in the world.

  • It’s also one of the most unique because it’s a terminal lake—which means that its water level has remained stable for thousands of years. It’s so big that it has its own weather patterns and ecosystems, including migrating birds and bacteria that make their home there year-round.

Visitors can enjoy swimming, boating, and kayaking in the lake, as well as exploring its many islands and shorelines. Additionally, the amazing Great Salt Lake is surrounded by beautiful landscapes and scenic drives, making it a great place to explore on a road trip or day trip. I took one of these scenic drives and it was breathtaking.

8. Ski Resorts

Ski Resorts: Ski resorts are one of the most popular winter activities in Utah. The state has several resorts with a wide range of amenities and skiing challenges, from beginner to expert.  We have some recommendations for you if you are looking to go skiing.

  • You will want to check out Park City Mountain Resort, the largest ski resort in the US it has a wide variety of terrain to explore. The resort is located in Park City, Utah, and has over 7300 acres of skiable area with more than 100 lifts and runs. The terrain varies from beginner to expert (black diamond), including tree runs, steeps, and bumps for those who are ready for them! There are also many lodging options available so you can stay directly at Park City Mountain Resort if you’d like; this is a great choice if you’re planning on spending multiple days skiing or snowboarding at Park City Mountain Resort.
  • Another area is going to be the Alta Ski Area is one of the oldest ski areas in North America and features both downhill skiing and snowboarding on its slopes.
  • While another option is Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort offers scenic views from its tramway that provides access to 1,500 acres of terrain; it also has covered chairlifts for those who want some shade while they ride up the mountain!
  • Last on the recommendation but not least is, Solitude Mountain Resort currently operates 4 lifts with a capacity for 6100 skiers per hour—and you can take advantage of them all year long!

9. Camping

Now for our travelers who love to camp. If you’re looking for a truly authentic outdoor experience, Utah is the place to be. Not only does it boast some of the most spectacular scenery in the country—but it’s also home to thousands of acres of national forest and wilderness. You can camp with your family on any one of these public lands.

Camping is a great way to get back to nature and enjoy some time away from technology with your loved ones. It’s also an economical way to save money while traveling!

Plus, if you’re looking not just for a place where there are trees but also some animals and waterfalls then this might be right up your alley! Get your tent ready because Utah is calling your name and waiting for you to experience the amazing outdoor adventures it has to offer.

10. Utah is great for outdoor adventure

If you’re looking for some adventure, Utah is a great place to start. offering a wide range of activities such as hiking, biking, camping, skiing, fishing, boating, and rafting. With its five national parks, 43 state parks, and numerous protected areas, visitors can explore a diverse range of trails, from easy nature walks to challenging backcountry treks. Skiing is also popular in the state due to its dry powdery snow and ample sunshine, while Fishing and boating are one of the more popular activities on the Great Salt Lake.

We could never forget, rafting down one of Utah’s rivers is an amazing way to experience the adrenaline rush of a lifetime (You know for the travelers who like to live on the edge). 

There are plenty of options for hiking and biking, as well as camping and skiing. If that’s not enough, try fishing or boating on the lake. You can even raft down one of Utah’s rivers if you want an adrenaline rush!

Best 10 things to do in Utah Wrap-Up

Utah is a wonderful place to visit, with so many things to do and see. It’s also a great place to live, with beautiful scenery and friendly people. If you’re thinking about taking a trip to the great state of Utah, what are you waiting on? It is one of the most beautiful states in the USA. We here at Traveling Kangaroo hope that our list of the best thing to do in Utah inspired you to take the trip of a lifetime.

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