Do you feel like you get out and explore Utah often enough? If not, make it a priority this year to fully appreciate all the Beehive State has to offer. Here’s a list of 15 of our favorite Utah attractions. We’ve already written feature articles about each of them; you can find more details and photos by clicking on the link in each description.
- Drive Hell’s Backbone Road.
Georgia/flickr This 38-mile-long road takes you through some spectacular scenery between Escalante and Boulder. White knuckle your way across Hell’s Backbone Bridge, then stop in at Hell’s Backbone Cafe for a bite to eat. Read our full article here.
- Speed down Park City’s Mountain Coaster.
Theme Park Review/YouTube Open year-round, the Mountain Coaster is an experience you don’t want to miss. Reach speeds of up to 30 mph while cruising through some of the prettiest terrain at the resort. Read our full article here.
- Check out the shops, cafes and restaurants on Ogden’s Historic 25th Street.
Historic 25th Street/Facebook You can’t help but be enchanted by Ogden’s historic 25th Street. You’ll find everything from a comedy club to a brewery, and you’ll be supporting local businesses when you shop, dine and play here. Read our full article here.
- Hike the East Rim Trail to Overlook Point at Zion National Park.
Dane Rude/Alltrails One of the most beautiful trails in the entire park, this hike tends to be a little less crowded than others, and it offers spectacular views of the canyon. Read our full article here.
- Dig for trilobite fossils at U-Dig Fossils in the West Desert.
Smiles2Go/Tripadvisor This site has the most concentrated collection of trilobites in the world, and you can dig to your heart’s content here. Keep as many trilobites as you find (and you’ll find a bunch). Read our full article here.
- Visit Moab for a weekend full of fun.
Moab City/Facebook Moab is a small town with big scenery. It’s surrounded by Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park, Dead Horse Point State Park, and you’ll find tons of hiking, biking and four-wheeling opportunities here. Read our full article here.
- Soak in the warm pools at Crystal Hot Springs Resort.
Crystal Hot Springs/Facebook Crystal Hot Springs is fun all year long, but during the cold winter months, that 120-134 degree water is especially fabulous. Soak your cares away in one of the three hot tubs, the Olympic-sized pool or the soaker pool. Read our full article here.
- See the sunrise at Bryce Canyon National Park.
Al King/flickr There are plenty of spots throughout the Beehive State that offer fantastic sunrises, but there’s nothing like witnessing the sun cresting over Bryce Canyon. Several viewpoints in the park offer stunning photo opportunities. Read our full article here.
- Take a stroll along the dunes at Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park.
Quinn Dombrowski/flickr You’ll think you’re in the Sahara at this pretty state park, but it’s really accessible. Take a stroll, ride your ATV on the dunes, and even slide down them. Read our full article here.
- Hike Mount Timpanogos.
Ahmed Alshakargi/Alltrails This epic Utah hike takes you up 4,668 feet to the summit of Mount Timpanogos. While you can complete this hike in one crazy, strenuous day, many people choose to make it a one-night backpacking trip. The effort is well worth the view. Read our full article here.
- Get a good look at the Goblins at Goblin Valley State Park.
mg44Berlin/Tripadvisor This place has been compared to the surface of Mars, and you’ll see why when you visit. For a unique experience, take the Goblin’s Lair Trail past the goblins, up a steep slope to a hidden slot canyon. Read our full article here.
- Get a bird’s eye view of all the migrating birds at The Great Salt Lake Shorelands Preserve.
The Great Salt Lake Shorelands Preserve/Facebook The Great Salt Lake Shorelands Preserve is located in Layton, and it’s open year-round. This gorgeous preserve is home to over 250 bird species throughout the year. Bring your binoculars and camera and take a look! Read our full article here.
- Spend the day splashing at Cherry Hill Water Park.
Cherry Hill/Facebook Cherry Hill Water Park has two swimming pools, a waterslide and a host of other activities to keep you busy all day long. You can even camp overnight here to extend the fun to a second day. Read our full article here.
- Spend a summer day at Sundance Mountain Resort.
Sundance Mountain Resort/Facebook Of course, Sundance offers great skiing during the winter, but this pretty resort is amazing in the summer. Try some fly fishing on the Provo River, ride the chairlift up and bike back down, or take a hike. Read our full article here.
- Explore Little Wild Horse Canyon.
LA_Dweller/Tripadvisor Many of Utah’s slot canyons are remote and require technical skills. Little Wild Horse Canyon is near Goblin Valley State Park, and it’s easy enough for just about anyone. Read our full article here.
What Utah places are on your 2018 bucket list? Share them with our readers in the comments!
Georgia/flickr
This 38-mile-long road takes you through some spectacular scenery between Escalante and Boulder. White knuckle your way across Hell’s Backbone Bridge, then stop in at Hell’s Backbone Cafe for a bite to eat. Read our full article here.
Theme Park Review/YouTube
Open year-round, the Mountain Coaster is an experience you don’t want to miss. Reach speeds of up to 30 mph while cruising through some of the prettiest terrain at the resort. Read our full article here.
Historic 25th Street/Facebook
You can’t help but be enchanted by Ogden’s historic 25th Street. You’ll find everything from a comedy club to a brewery, and you’ll be supporting local businesses when you shop, dine and play here. Read our full article here.
Dane Rude/Alltrails
One of the most beautiful trails in the entire park, this hike tends to be a little less crowded than others, and it offers spectacular views of the canyon. Read our full article here.
Smiles2Go/Tripadvisor
This site has the most concentrated collection of trilobites in the world, and you can dig to your heart’s content here. Keep as many trilobites as you find (and you’ll find a bunch). Read our full article here.
Moab City/Facebook
Moab is a small town with big scenery. It’s surrounded by Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park, Dead Horse Point State Park, and you’ll find tons of hiking, biking and four-wheeling opportunities here. Read our full article here.
Crystal Hot Springs/Facebook
Crystal Hot Springs is fun all year long, but during the cold winter months, that 120-134 degree water is especially fabulous. Soak your cares away in one of the three hot tubs, the Olympic-sized pool or the soaker pool. Read our full article here.
Al King/flickr
There are plenty of spots throughout the Beehive State that offer fantastic sunrises, but there’s nothing like witnessing the sun cresting over Bryce Canyon. Several viewpoints in the park offer stunning photo opportunities. Read our full article here.
Quinn Dombrowski/flickr
You’ll think you’re in the Sahara at this pretty state park, but it’s really accessible. Take a stroll, ride your ATV on the dunes, and even slide down them. Read our full article here.
Ahmed Alshakargi/Alltrails
This epic Utah hike takes you up 4,668 feet to the summit of Mount Timpanogos. While you can complete this hike in one crazy, strenuous day, many people choose to make it a one-night backpacking trip. The effort is well worth the view. Read our full article here.
mg44Berlin/Tripadvisor
This place has been compared to the surface of Mars, and you’ll see why when you visit. For a unique experience, take the Goblin’s Lair Trail past the goblins, up a steep slope to a hidden slot canyon. Read our full article here.
The Great Salt Lake Shorelands Preserve/Facebook
The Great Salt Lake Shorelands Preserve is located in Layton, and it’s open year-round. This gorgeous preserve is home to over 250 bird species throughout the year. Bring your binoculars and camera and take a look! Read our full article here.
Cherry Hill/Facebook
Cherry Hill Water Park has two swimming pools, a waterslide and a host of other activities to keep you busy all day long. You can even camp overnight here to extend the fun to a second day. Read our full article here.
Sundance Mountain Resort/Facebook
Of course, Sundance offers great skiing during the winter, but this pretty resort is amazing in the summer. Try some fly fishing on the Provo River, ride the chairlift up and bike back down, or take a hike. Read our full article here.
LA_Dweller/Tripadvisor
Many of Utah’s slot canyons are remote and require technical skills. Little Wild Horse Canyon is near Goblin Valley State Park, and it’s easy enough for just about anyone. Read our full article here.
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