UTAH
Stories to Inspire Your Adventure
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7 Trails Near Zion National Park to Expand Your Hiking Experience
Written By Monique Beeley
7 minute read
While Zion Canyon is the centerpiece of Utah’s most-visited national park, there are a number of options for well-prepared hikers looking to deepen their familiarity with the landscape of southwestern Utah and to seek solitude among the red rock. Start exploring with these seven trails and destinations.
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Nourished by the Land: A Shoshone Perspective
Written By James Goldberg
5 minute read
Darren Parry learned from his grandmother about the plants, places and worldview that sustained their Shoshone ancestors.
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At Lagoon, a Utah-grown Amusement Park where the Fun Never Ends
Written By Heather May
8 minute read
As the Farmington park marks the 100th-anniversary of its wooden roller coaster, Lagoon continues to attract crowds with its nostalgic rides and novel thrills.
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Where to Eat and Drink in St. George
Written By Elainna Ciaramella
6 minute read
As you explore St. George and Greater Zion seeking excellent food, coffee and drinks, you’ll want to add these top restaurants to your list.
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Caching in on the Arts in Northern Utah
Written By Catherine Reese Newton
4 minute read
Visitors will find a concert, exhibit or festival around nearly every corner when Cache Valley shakes off winter and early spring snow.
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Hike + Dine: Logan
Written By Arianna Rees
4 minute read
A college town nestled at the mouth of one of Utah’s stunning canyons, Logan is a feast of beautiful mountain landscapes with a side of surprising eats.
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How to Poop in the Outdoors
Written By Melissa Fields
4 minute read
Before heading off on that multi-day backpack, river or rock climbing trip, set aside your squeamishness and think about a responsible plan for when nature inevitably calls.
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State Park Stargazing: Interacting With the Galaxy in Real Time
Written By Whitney Childers
4 minute read
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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Why You Should Ditch I-15 on Your Way to Zion
Written By Melissa McGibbon
6 minute read
If you’re not in a rush to get to Zion National Park from Northern Utah, consider taking a long, meandering route that features historic sites, adventure breaks and out-of-this-world scenery. Hop off I-15 and take Highway 89 and four nearby scenic byways to see and do as much as you possibly can on your way to Zion.
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Off the Eaten Path: Dining Between the Mighty Five
Written By Paula Colman
6 minute read
Whether you’re visiting a single Utah national park or all five, take time to explore and enjoy the local food on the spectacular routes between the parks.
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Basecamp Beaver: A Comprehensive Guide to Off-Roading Utah’s Paiute Trail
Written By Matcha
5 minute read
One of Utah’s top off-roading destinations, the Paiute Trail offers stellar views, towering mountains, alpine forests and spectacular routes for any kind of ATV enthusiast. There are many ways to hit the trail and from Beaver off I-15 you’ll find one of the best.
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Saddle Up for a Utah Cowboycation
Written By Betsy Stein Medinger
5 minute read
Explore the cowboy way of life on a cattle drive adventure with the Ranch at Wild Rose in Southern Utah.
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Adaptive Cycling in Colorful Cache Valley
Written By Bob Wassom
Bob Wassom revisits his roots using adaptive cycling on an e-trike, through Cache Valley, Utah; a ride full of color, variety, scenery and history.
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How to Visit Rock Imagery Sites Like an Archaeologist
Written By Elizabeth Hora
There are untold thousands of rock imagery sites across Utah, and hundreds of thousands of archaeological sites of every stripe. Learn how to explore these sites with the respect and deference they deserve.
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A Guided Adventure for Everyone in Utah's National Parks
Written By Melissa Fields
5 minute read
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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Luxury and Legacy on Utah's Railways
Written By Taylor Hartman
6 minute read
In modern Utah, luxury and scenic rail journeys like the Rocky Mountaineer's “Rockies to Red Rocks” route and Amtrak's California Zephyr are redefining travel.
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Explore Utah Through the Lens of "Horizon: An American Saga"
Written By Taylor Hartman
2 minute read
It's no surprise that Hollywood has turned to Utah's stunning and untouched terrain time and again.
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Family Adventure in Bryce Canyon Country
Written By India Tate
6 minute read
A family-friendly itinerary from Bryce Canyon National Park to Kanab, with hikes for kids, local eats and unbeatable sunset locations.
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Day-to-Night Adventures in Utah’s Mountain Towns
Written By Kristen Pope
5 minute read
Easy access between Northern Utah’s mountains and towns presents visitors and locals with the best of both worlds: outdoor adventure by day and city culture at night.
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Red Acres Is the Place for Me
Written By Austen Diamond
3 minute read
Summer activities at Cedar City's Red Acre Farm offer a flavor of what this sustainable farm is all about — a weekly al fresco lunch, a monthly breakfast and gourmet farm-to-fork fundraising feasts in the fields.
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The 7 Best Trails in the Carbon Corridor Trail System
Written By Matcha
5 minute read
Take in the amazing scenery at locations only accessible with four-wheel drive.
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Accessibility in Utah’s Mighty 5 National Parks
Written By Ashley Lyn Olson
6 minute read
Utah's Mighty 5 national parks boast breathtaking landscapes and unparalleled natural beauty. And thanks to ongoing improvements throughout each of the parks, hiking trails, scenic roads and facilities are increasingly accessible for visitors of all ability levels.
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Roping and Riding: Summit County Rodeo
Written By Teri Orr
2 minute read
In Park City, sure you can buy boots with a “Yellowstone” vibe — but with a drive into the countryside, you can truly appreciate the area’s rural lifestyle.
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Following the Stars
An award-winning photographer turns his lens on Utah's spectacular dark skies.
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Swiss Traditions Meet Mountain Adventure in Utah's Heber Valley
Written By Melissa Fields
5 minute read
In the Heber Valley, visitors can find a mountain playground steeped in authenticity, heritage, and come-as-you-are hospitality.
![Utah2024-Travel-Guide_Portrait](/azure/cmsroot/visitutah/media/site-assets/site-assets-2/utah2024-travel-guide_portrait.jpg?w=300&h=400&mode=crop&quality=65)
Get a Free Utah Travel Guide
With maps, itineraries and trip planning tips
The official Utah Travel Guide will help you thoughtfully navigate from Utah's northern mountains and lakes to its southern red rock country.
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3 Days
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.
Food and Drink, Urban Experiences
Highlights
- Capitol Reef National Park
- Scenic Byway 12
- Stargazing
- Hunt & Gather Restaurant
- Sulphur Creek Trail
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6 Days
Thelma & Louise: A Tribute Road Trip Through the Classic Film’s Utah Settings
Perfect for fans of the beloved film “Thelma & Louise,” tour the exact places where the movie was shot, and make some memories of your own exploring the beauty of this exquisite desert.
Arts, Film Tourism, Food and Drink, Ghost Towns, Glamping, Hiking, Scenic Drives/Road Trips, Women's Travel
Highlights
- Moab
- Arches National Park
- Dead Horse Point Overlook
- Cisco and Thompson Springs Ghost Towns
- La Sal Mountains
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03
3 Days
Base Camp Green River
It’s time to leave the city and the suburbs behind and drive through the mountains and canyons into the Utah desert. True, Green River is barely an hour away from Arches and Canyonlands national parks, so those are options to extend your 3-day trip. But for this itinerary, we’re focusing on the local secrets: the hidden labyrinth of slot canyons and whimsical hoodoos of the San Rafael Swell and the dining and heritage that are part of the unique fabric of Green River.
Adventure, Hiking, History and Heritage, Scenic Drives/Road Trips, Solitude, Wellness
Highlights
- Western Mining and Railroad Museum
- San Rafael Swell
- Goblin Valley State Park
- Swasey's Beach
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6 Days
Sandstone Spires & Swimming Holes
Walk the paths of dinosaurs and descend through 200 million years of geologic history in this six-day road trip from Vernal to Kodachrome Basin. It’s a kid-friendly desert drive in search of dino tracks, slot canyons and swimming,
Dinosaurs, Hiking, History and Heritage, Kid-Friendly, Scenic Drives/Road Trips
Highlights
- Dinosaur Tracks in Vernal
- Crystal Geyser in Green River
- Hoodoos & Slots of Goblin Valley
- The Red Cliffs of Capitol Reef
- The White Cliffs of Grand Staircase
- Sandstone Spires in Kodachrome Basin
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10 Days
The Mighty 5: Ultimate Journey
Grab a national parks annual pass for best access to The Mighty 5®.
Hiking, Scenic Drives/Road Trips
Highlights
- Arches National Park
- Bryce Canyon National Park
- Canyonlands National Park
- Capitol Reef National Park
- Zion National Park
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7 Days
Yellowstone Loop
Everyone must go to Yellowstone once in his or her lifetime, and using Northern Utah as your gateway makes it that much greater.
Dinosaurs, Hiking, History and Heritage, Kid-Friendly, Scenic Drives/Road Trips, Wildlife
Highlights
- Antelope Island State Park
- Bear Lake State Park
- Grand Teton and Yellowstone
- Park City
"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"
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.
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Stories
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Field Guides: Voices From the Forever Mighty Landscape
Meet the people whose lives have been shaped by nature — and are helping others find their way.
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Good Roots: The Faces of Utah’s Food Culture
Written By Austen Diamond
5 minute read
Meet some of the agricultural entrepreneurs that are elevating the tastes of Utahns and visitors through heritage and best practices, new and old.
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How to Visit Utah's National Parks
Written By Ryan Coons
3 minute read
Get the most out of a visit to Utah’s parks and monuments, while also ensuring they stay Forever Mighty, by following these tips.
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Why Your Kids Need a Utah Trip
Written By Kim Heys
3 minute read
Discover where adventure and learning converge across iconic rivers and ancient canyons.
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