What should i see in utah

The main tourist attractions are three natural bridges ; Kachina, Owachomo, and Sipapu, all of which are accessible by short hikes. If you are only going to visit one, make it Sipapu , the largest and most impressive of the three.

The walk in is a moderately strenuous, 1. Kachina Bridge is reached by a 1. Owachomo Bridge is the easiest to reach, requiring less than a half-mile round-trip walk. It is the smallest of the three but still worth seeing. Also of interest in the park are the Horsecollar Ruins , revealing the remains of ancient Native American buildings inhabited more than years ago. Dinosaur National Monument. Dinosaur National Monument is known not only for the large number of Jurassic period fossils that have been discovered here but also for the surrounding terrain.

The main highlight is the collection of more than 1, dinosaur fossils, which can be seen embedded in the cliff wall of Carnegie Quarry. The new Quarry Hall has been built right over top of a section of the rock, allowing for close up access and comfortable conditions for visitors.

Hiking, rafting, and camping are also popular activities at Dinosaur National Monument. Great Salt Lake. The Great Salt Lake, a half-hour drive northwest of Salt Lake City, is the largest inland lake west of the Mississippi, measuring 72 miles long, 34 miles wide, and up to 50 feet deep.

It is a remnant of a much larger freshwater lake, Lake Bonneville. Following a fall in the water table, this lake was left with no outlet and shrank as a result of evaporation, leaving the Great Salt Lake Desert. The combination of evaporation with the inflow of surface waters rich in minerals led the salt content of the lake to rise steadily, and at one stage it reached 27 percent eight times as high as the world's oceans. At the south end of the lake are bathing beaches and a recreation park.

About 90 minutes west of Salt Lake City along I, near Wendover, is an unassuming area of flat land, extending off into the distance as far as the eye can see. But during certain times of the year, this area becomes the world's fastest race course.

This natural salt flat is perfectly flat, devoid of all vegetation, and most of the time has a hard surface, making it perfect for high speeds. These races have produced world land-speed record runs. Most of the time it's completely empty, and you can try it out for yourself.

If you venture out here when no event is taking place, you'll find little more than a sign on the side of the road and endless miles of salt flats. Take exit 4 off I , turn right, and drive past the truck stop. There is nothing else out here.

Eventually, you'll come to a sign and an area where you can drive onto the flats at your own risk. In winter, some areas of the salt flats are covered in a thin layer of water and are not drivable. The coral pink color of the sands at this park make for an interesting twist when it comes to sand dunes.

Sculpted by the wind, the shifting dunes and rolling hills are also a fun place to play. Popular things to do here, beyond simply climbing the soft sand mountains, are sandboarding, ATVing, and of course, photographing the scene. While the park is mainly used for day-use visits, a pleasant campground is located on the edge of the dunes, with sites sheltered by small trees. Utah Travel Guide. Written by Lana Law Jun 8, We may earn a commission from affiliate links Utah is one of the nation's great outdoor states, with fabulous ski resorts, incredible national and state parks , and natural wonders like you won't find anywhere else in the world.

Arches National Park Arches National Park Stunning stone arches and rolling petrified dunes, backed by the often snow-capped peaks of the La Sal Mountains, make this one of the most scenic parks in Utah. Monument Valley Monument Valley Photo Copyright: Lana Law Like a scene from an old western film, red rock buttes rise up from the orange desert floor, and occasionally a horse and rider even wanders by. Salt Lake City and the Mormon Temple Salt Lake City and the Mormon Temple Salt Lake City is often associated with skiing and winter activities, and certainly many of the best ski resorts in the state can be reached within an hour's drive of here.

George St. Dinosaur National Monument Dinosaur National Monument Dinosaur National Monument is known not only for the large number of Jurassic period fossils that have been discovered here but also for the surrounding terrain. Discover destinations, find outdoor adventures, follow the journeys of our travel writers around the world, and be inspired.

More on Utah Utah Travel Guide. All rights reserved. You can also view reptile, bird, mammal, and amphibian specimens in the vertebrate zoology section. Angels Landing is one of the places to visit in Utah. You will come upon narrow sections and sharp drop-offs along the trail, which may test your limits the more. Nevertheless, if you are up for it, you could walk out of this place with plenty of experience and after lots of fun.

If the hike does not go well for you, the Scout Lookout could be a suitable turnaround; you are not limited on the best ways to spend your day! Try the Valley of the Gods. You may enjoy the drive and the many sights along the way; above are massive mushroom rocks and huge sandstone towers. One of the best things to do in Utah is to learn from the Air Force and its preservation of American history.

If you would be interested in attending aerospace and defense speeches, the Plane Talk lecture series could be an exciting stop. If your weekend schedule is flexible, a hike through The Narrows could be an exciting thing to do in Utah. A lake can offer plenty of opportunities for exciting activities; you can enjoy some time out on the Mirror Lake, one of the Utah attractions, and indulge in various exciting stuff.

The lake stretches over 22 acres at the bottom of the Bald Mountain, which stands at 12, feet. The lovely surroundings of Mirror Lake result in more possibilities of fun through any of the various hiking trails. Nearby is the stunning Toquerville Falls—here, sandstone ledges surround beautiful waterfalls, flowing into a pool. You may love to visit the Creek during summer since it provides a suitable environment for a chill or cool-off.

Utah is the home of adventure; you should not leave the state before discovering the awesomeness of Meadow Hot Springs. If you hope to have more than an adventure in Utah, the Four Corners Monument could offer something unique for your trip. You can stop at many points along the way to enjoy Utah attractions, such as views of Mount Timpanogos, famous for its glaciers, among other incredibly-looking mountains.

You can detour to the Timpanogos Cave National Monument, which you will come upon along your drive. Enjoy the beauty of nature, watching the native trout swim around the more extensive and clearer pools of water. It is okay to take some time off all the adventure and enjoy your surroundings; the Alpine Loop does not disappoint. If Moab town and the Arches National Park have made it to your destination considerations, you can add Corona Arch to your list of things to see. Since the distance to the arch is relatively short, most if not all visitors manage the hiking trail.

The trail picks up north of the Colorado River, off Highway , and stretches through three miles. Under Canvas is an ideal stop in Utah for lodging and camping on excellent grounds. Under Canvas sits on an estimated acres and is situated near Zion National Park, about 20 miles apart.

You may love the destination for a quiet and solo retreat or an overnight exploration of what the American Southwest has for you. During winter, you may find the woodstove within the tents to be quite handy for heat generation.

History presents more lessons at Bluff Fort Historic Site. You can tour Bluff City and learn about its communal purposes, including a church, school, and public meeting venue.

The Utah Symphony promotes the arts in Utah through tours and educational programs. Depending on how flexible your budget is, a VIP package could suit you for one of the Utah Symphony concerts. As many brilliant birds and bighorn sheep also reside on the island, it is a great place to go wildlife watching. In addition to this, it also has wonderful white sandy beaches for visitors to enjoy which have fine views out over the lake. An incredible place, Canyonlands National Park covers a humongous area and has four stupendous sections for you to explore.

Formed over the aeons by the wind and rain, its magnificent mesas and arresting array of arches are a must-see sight. Horseshoe Canyon is one of its most famous tourist attractions. While both the Needles and Mazes parts of the park have lots of dramatic landscapes for you to hike and mountain bike through, Island in the Sky boasts some breathtaking views over the captivating canyons. Straddling the border between Utah and Colorado is the Hovenweep National Monument which is home to the remarkable ruins of six astounding Ancestral Puebloan villages.

Built in the thirteenth century, their beautiful old abandoned buildings make for a simply stunning sight amidst the arid and desolate confines of the Colorado Plateau. While they take some getting to, the prehistoric villages are well worth visiting for their crumbling castles and tottering towers.

The scenery itself is just as alluring and attractive, as deep canyons run through its rugged and remote reaches with massive mesas also dotted here and there. Stretching seemingly endlessly into the distance are the bleak and barren, yet beautiful, Bonneville Salt Flats. Nestled away in the northwest of Utah, its delightful desert landscapes make for some fabulous photos due to the shimmering salt surface of its shallow waters which so magically reflect the brilliantly blue skies above.

Due to their sheer size, scale and splendor, lots of films have been shot at the salt flats while their never-ending nothingness makes them perfect for exhilarating land speed events. The largest such landscape in the state, visiting the remains of what once a prehistoric lake certainly makes for a unique and unforgettable experience.

Since it was started in , thousands upon thousands of daring drivers descend upon Moab every Easter for the Jeep Safari. Over nine days, hardy adventurers and adrenaline-seekers explore the area by navigating lots of tantalizing tough trails and terrain in jeeps or 4X4s. One of the most popular and picturesque places in Utah, the beautiful Bryce Canyon National Park can be found tucked away in the southwest of the state. Home to some of the most spectacular scenery imaginable, it boasts lots of epic eroded amphitheaters with countless crumbling canyons and sensational sandstone spires also on show.

Founded back in to protect and preserve the phenomenal peaks and pinnacles that line the precipitous Paunsaugunt Plateau, its lovely landscapes are a treat to explore. While the shapes and shades of its hoodoos are certainly its standout sight, the park is also home to lots of wildlife with elk and black bears to be spotted. Straddling the border between Utah and Arizona is the massive man-made reservoir and major holiday destination that is Lake Powell. Sun yourself on the beaches, shade yourself in a cove and cut some serious lake glass on your waterskis — all in one place.

The landscape looks like Mars and the place names sound like purgatory. But who knows? Maybe you prefer firm, flat ground with gray buildings obstructing your view of brown skies. To each their own! Even the godless will get some religion looking out on this national park, a promised land of rose-colored cliffs, dancing waterfalls, and caution!