Ways to Enjoy Nature and Wildlife
There isn’t just one way to enjoy nature and wildlife. Lace up your hiking boots, grab your fishing pole, pack your binoculars and get ready to enjoy a plethora of outdoor and wildlife-focused adventures.
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Birding
Find the best places to see wild animals in Utah with this guide to top birding sites and viewing areas throughout the state. There’s a lot to see here!
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Fall Foliage
See a kaleidoscope of fall colors throughout Utah.
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Fishing
Utah has more than 1,000 fishable lakes and numerous fishing streams.
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Hiking
From quick jaunts to stunning formations to rugged, multi-day backpacking, there are thousands of miles of great hiking trails throughout Utah.
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Horseback Riding
With horseback riding trails throughout Utah, the true splendor and variety of riding opportunities makes Utah an excellent equine enthusiast destination.
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Hunting
What’s game in Utah? Hunting wildlife is allowed on most public lands—for game birds, freshwater fish, mule deer, elk, antelope, more. A Utah hunting license is required.
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Photography
Pack your favorite lenses and center yourself for a journey to remember.
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Utah Wildflowers
Stop and smell the roses, so the saying goes. That may work in the English countryside, but here in the Beehive State, it’s Utah wildflowers that deserve notice.
"Any time you’re outdoors, you may have the opportunity to see some of the state’s over 600 wildlife species, so keep your eyes peeled."
Arches National Park
Zion National Park
Capitol Reef National Park
Where to See Wildlife and Nature
In the northern reaches of the state, national forests and wildlife refuges offer incredible opportunities to spot wildlife. In the southern part of the state, check out some of Utah’s world-famous national parks for prime viewing opportunities. In the Southern Utah desert, broiling hot summer temperatures mean many animals are most active at dawn, dusk or nighttime.
A bison grazes along the road to White Rock Bay at Antelope Island State Park. Antelope Island, the largest island in the Great Salt Lake, is home to a herd of 500 to 700 free-roaming bison.
Photo: Steve Greenwood
National Parks and Forests
In Arches National Park, keep an eye out for lizards, snakes, birds and squirrels during the day, while nighttime offers chances to see kangaroo rats, skunks, ringtails, mountain lions, bobcats, owls and other animals.
Zion National Park is home to a wide array of wildlife with 68 mammal species living there. Keep your eyes peeled for bighorn sheep, mule deer, foxes, rock squirrels, bats and other animals. To see the full array of wildlife, keep an eye out after dark. Due to the hot summer days, many of Zion National Park’s animal inhabitants are nocturnal and best seen at night. Mountain lions, bobcats, coyotes and ringtail cats are just some of the park’s nocturnal residents. During the day, you may even be able to see signs of their nighttime outings, such as tracks and scat.
Utah is also home to several national forests that make for good wildlife viewing, including the very popular Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest.
State Parks
Utah’s state parks are the perfect place to see a wild variety of wildlife species.
Check out Antelope Island State Park for a chance to see bison, pronghorn antelope, mule deer, bighorn sheep and countless bird species all along the Great Salt Lake. (Read: Great Salt Lake Needs Your Visit)
Willard Bay State Park is a good spot to spy nesting eagles during the winter.
Wildlife Refuges
Utah is home to three incredible wildlife refuges.
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Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge hosts millions of birds a year, with more than 200 different avian species stopping by.
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Fish Springs National Wildlife Refuge in Utah’s West Desert, off the Pony Express National Historical Trail, features 10,000 acres of wetlands and incredible viewing opportunities.
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Ouray National Wildlife Refuge is an oasis in the desert, and it entices birds from all around.
Read the Stories
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‘We Are All Great Salt Lake’: A Biologist Explains the Lake’s Mysteries
A career studying one of the most unique ecosystems in the world might be smelly, but Jaimi Butler wouldn’t trade her time on Great Salt Lake for anything.
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5 Best Ways to View Wild Horses in Utah
There are plenty of opportunities for viewing wild horses in Utah. Here are five things you need to do and plan on to increase the likelihood you will spot these majestic creatures and get the most of your adventure.
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Alpine Fishing Above the Red Rock Landscapes of Southern Utah
Sitting just outside of Capitol Reef National Park, this 11,000-foot peak offers views of the surrounding red canyons and desert-like region. In contrast, Boulder Mountain is heavily forested and home to more than 80 lakes, ponds, and reservoirs. With an average rainfall multiple inches more than the lower regions, the area makes for some surprisingly good fishing.
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An Old Favorite Fishing Hole at the Flaming Gorge Reservoir
Visit Utah columnist Dan Potts takes us to his "secret" fishing hole on Utah's Flaming Gorge Reservoir, one of the world's most diverse fisheries set among the brilliant red rock walls of Red Canyon in the easternmost corner of the state. Along the way, Dan takes us through some of his favorite landscapes on the drive to and from Salt Lake City.
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Antelope Island's Bison Roundup
The annual roundup is just one reason to visit this state park in the Great Salt Lake.
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Fishing Northern Utah's Logan River
Why do serious fly fishers flock to Northern Utah’s Logan River? Fishing spots with rainbow and brown trout in our freestone dream streams. Plan your adventure!
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Fly Fishing the Uinta Mountains
The Uinta Mountains are one of Utah’s top fly fishing destinations. Learn where to go and how to land that trophy trout, then plan your own fly fishing getaway.
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How a Window View Led to a Career as a Raptor Biologist
Hawkwatch’s Steve Slater rappels or climbs into bird nests — whatever it takes — as he studies the West Desert’s golden eagle population.
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How to Visit Utah’s Most-Visited Forest
The Wasatch Front mountain range offers endless amounts of recreational activity. Learning how to visit responsibly will enhance your overall experience.
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Protecting Our Forests — One Branch at a Time
When it comes to preserving forests, University of Utah ecologist Nalini Nadkarni believes in the cumulative power of small acts of goodness.
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Q&A With the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge Biologist
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Songbirds, Shorebirds and Migrating Birds, Oh My!
The Eccles Wildlife Education Center, sandwiched between Utah's Wasatch Mountains and the Great Salt Lake’s Antelope Island State Park, opened in 2018 and has become a bucket-list destination to see, study and photograph the state's diverse animals.
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The Herds of the West Desert
Searching for wild mustangs amongst Utah’s rolling hills.
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The Hunt for Tavaputs Ranch
Spectacular skies, off-road adventures and abundant wildlife in remote central Utah at Tavaputs Ranch.
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Use These Apps to Enhance Your Utah Travel
Apps can help you identify wildlife, learn about the night sky, plan your trip, and more. Use these apps to help take your Utah trip to the next level.
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Winging It
There’s no better place to go birding in Utah than the Bear River Migratory Refuge. Learn more and start planning the ultimate nature getaway!
