April is Dark Sky Month in Utah!
Did you know that Utah is home to the highest concentration of certified Dark Sky Places in the world? Thanks to our remote geography, high elevation and dedicated preservation efforts, Utah offers unparalleled stargazing opportunities.
Win a 2-Night Stay at Under Canvas in Utah!
Experience dark skies firsthand! Now through April 30, enter to win a stay at one of Under Canvas' premier Utah locations: Moab, Zion, Bryce Canyon or Lake Powell-Grand Staircase.
Stories to Inspire Your Adventure
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State Park Stargazing: Interacting With the Galaxy in Real Time
Northern Utah's Camp Floyd State Park offers more than history to those who stick around after dark. With intense dark skies blanketing the atmosphere, stargazers of all ages gather to interact with the galaxy above.
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Tips for Astrophotography
Need tips on how to take pictures of stars? Utah is the perfect location to put tips from an award-winning photographer into action.
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A Family Adventure to Utah’s Highest Point
Matt and Agnes Hage share their unforgettable family backpacking adventure through the High Uintas Wilderness, summiting Kings Peak with their 8-year-old son.
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E-Biking Utah’s National Parks
A Mighty 5 e-bike guide to rides in Zion and beyond.
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Rafting the San Juan: A River Adventure through Goosenecks and Geologic Time
Goosenecks State Park offers a spectacular view of the San Juan River's entrenched meanders, showcasing millions of years of geological history and a legacy of whitewater exploration in Southern Utah.
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The World's First Dark Sky Park
On March 6, 2007, Natural Bridges National Monument became the first International Dark Sky Park certified by the International Dark-Sky Association. More than 100,000 people visit Natural Bridges each year to check out the stunning bridges and hike in cool canyons, but only a handful of them stay through the night to see the area’s most amazing and unique feature: dark skies and glistening, bright stars.
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A Guided Adventure for Everyone in Utah's National Parks
Thinking of hiring a guide? Leaving the planning to someone else and learning more about backpacking are just a few of the perks of going with a guide.
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Hot Air Ballooning Over Utah
Experience the thrill of taking flight over Utah's breathtaking landscapes, from Bluff's red rock mesas to Eden's lush mountain meadows.
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Adventure Awaits at These Utah Resorts
These lodges, hotels and resorts provide luxury experiences and easy access to some of Utah's top adventure outings.
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Discover Utah’s Top Stargazing Spots
A Q&A with astrophotographer Bettymaya Foott on the wonder of the night sky and the best places to spot the stars in Utah.
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What Happens When Wandering and Stargazing Leads To a Life-Long Journey
National Parks Service Superintendent Kate Cannon patrolled and managed the country’s wilderness for more than 40 years, finding a special connection with the unique Utah terrain along the way.
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The Hidden Trails of Richfield: A Mountain Biker's Paradise
Mountain biking is quickly emerging as Richfield's big draw, with trails like Spinal Tap and Juniper Drop along the Pahvant trail system.
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Explore Aviation History at the Hill Aerospace Museum
The Hill Aerospace Museum honors the enduring legacy of 85 years of American air power.
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Bicentennial Highway 95: A Historic Utah Road Trip
One of the state’s most remote stretches of highway is State Route 95 (SR-95), which runs for 126 miles between Hanksville and Blanding.
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Reclaiming the Stars: Utah’s Dark Sky Initiative
Utah's Dark Sky Initiative helps state park visitors experience the cosmos by protecting night skies, encouraging astrotourism and promoting stargazing.
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Discover Dinosaur Astronomy
Dinosaur National Monument's celebrated dark skies can offer some of the most inspirational looks into our universe given the monument's unique context: see the stars on an unblemished canvas like our human — or dinosaur — predecessors did.
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Exploring Dinosaur National Monument and Flaming Gorge
Embark on an unforgettable journey to Dinosaur National Monument, where you'll marvel at ancient fossils and enjoy thrilling river adventures. Then, discover the beauty of Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area, offering endless opportunities for boating, fishing and hiking amidst stunning red rock canyons.
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Utah's Best Kid-Friendly Stays with Cool Pools
Map out your family's next poolside escape at Utah's most splash-tastic destinations.
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Utahraptor State Park: Utah's New Dinosaur Capital
Pack up the family for a new kind of adventure and explore the trails once walked by the mighty Utahraptor.
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A Party of Astronomic Proportions
Every Saturday from May through Labor Day weekend, weather dependent, crowds ranging from 100 to 500 people gather at Cedar Break’s main overlook, Point Supreme, to gaze up at the region’s amazing dark skies and explore the stars and the planets that make up the solar system.
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Above the Red Rock: A Scenic Flight Over Moab
Guided aerial tours with Redtail Air allow visitors to widen the lens, capturing the raw beauty and quiet grandeur of Southern Utah's backcountry.
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A Seaplane Journey Through Desert and Sky
Experience Southern Utah's incredible canyons from above with photographer Ryan Salm in a Searey Elite seaplane.
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A Madman’s Dream: The First Ascent of Fisher Towers
Explore the geological wonders of Fisher Towers and relive the "madman's dream" that led to the historic first ascent of its iconic Titan.
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Taking the Plunge with Rope Swing Moab
Drop 400 feet into the iconic red-rock canyons of Moab for a desert rush you won't forget.
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Where Desert Meets Vine: Exploring Southern Utah’s Wineries
Discover six wineries that are defining the Utah Wine Trail on the outskirts of Zion National Park.
Get a Free Utah Travel Guide
The official Utah Travel Guide will help you thoughtfully navigate from Utah's northern mountains and lakes to its southern red rock country.
Utah Itineraries
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Red Rock & Dark Skies: Stargazing the National Parks
This road trip through southwest Utah takes you to four of Utah’s best places to see the Milky Way — Capitol Reef National Park, Kodachrome Basin State Park, Bryce Canyon National Park and Cedar Breaks National Monument.
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Hoodoos and Stars
Hoodoos and Stars takes advantage of the proximity of Zion, Bryce and Capitol Reef national parks to slow down and also experience some of the must-see southwestern Utah landscapes and experiences along the way.
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Stars by the City
Fill your days with adventure and your nights with stargazing by following this six-day itinerary from Salt Lake City through the International Dark Sky Places in Northern Utah.
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Discover Torrey: Your Capitol Reef Basecamp
Travelers headed to Capitol Reef National Park often don’t know that they’re missing a hidden gem of a town — Torrey, Utah. This small town boasts way more than meets the eye and is your perfect basecamp for a Capitol Reef adventure.
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Play The Hits: Exploring Salt Lake City's Iconic Sights
Utah’s capital city boasts a unique history. It is rich in frontier history for sure but its story doesn't end (or begin) there. Experience the many layers of history, prehistory and contemporary culture.
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The Mighty 5: Ultimate Journey
Grab a national parks annual pass for best access to The Mighty 5®.
"Nobody can discover the world for somebody else. Only when we discover it for ourselves does it become common ground and a common bond and we cease to be alone."
– Wendell Berry, "A Place on Earth"
Places to Go
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Cities & Towns
Utah’s cities and towns mirror the state’s remarkable geographical diversity. No matter where you go, it’s easy to experience a wide range of dining, lodging, entertainment and activities – all with warm, local hospitality.
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Ski Resorts
The quality and quantity of Utah's snow, ski resorts and winter experiences means you truly can have the ski or snowboard vacation of your dreams.
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Utah's National Parks
Known as the Mighty 5, each national park can be an entire vacation all in itself. The best visits include a mix of activities inside and outside of the park, and guided experiences to bring the stories of these remarkable landscapes to the forefront.
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Utah's State Parks
There are more than 40 state parks that stretch across Utah, from the rich blue waters at Bear Lake to the hot, orange and pink sands of Coral Pink Sand Dunes.
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Winter in Southern Utah
For anyone with an adventurous spirit, winter in Southern Utah is an explorer's dream. Winter is enchanted, a season less-traveled with snow-capped peaks and endless canyons. Check conditions and layer up: though it can be chilly, this may become your new favorite season in Utah.
Other Helpful Tools
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Accessible Utah
Utah is known for its recreation opportunities, but did you know all of these attractions and activities are accessible to people of all ability levels?
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Itineraries
Utah adventures range from satisfying solitude to amazing high adventure. Follow a recommended itinerary to make your Utah trip planning that much easier.
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Responsible Travel Hub
Each person who visits Utah leaves an impact, review these resources to ensure you're ready to visit thoughtfully.
