01
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.
Highlights
- Hell's Backbone Grill
- Bryce Canyon Lodge
- Ranger-led Star Programs
- Road Trip Southwest Utah
02
Ski Southern Utah: High Alpine Trails + Red Rock Wonder
Southern Utah is home to two high-elevation ski areas with generous helpings of what we call (with authority) The Greatest Snow on Earth®. Things can be a little quieter down here this time of year. Give yourself at least five days to combine the thrills of Southern Utah skiing and boarding with exploring the wintertime wonders to be found in Utah’s red rock country.
Highlights
- Brian Head Resort
- Eagle Point Resort
- Cedar Breaks National Monument
- Southern Utah Ski Vacation
- Winter Hiking in Southern Utah
03
Base Camp Kanab
From the vermilion, white and pink cliffs and wide expanses of Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monument, to the twisting sandstone bottlenecks of Buckskin Gulch, even the vertigo-inducing views of Zion National Park if you've never been, this six-day itinerary will show you why Kanab is the perfect base camp for adventure.
Highlights
- Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monument
- Lake Powell
- North Rim Grand Canyon
- Zion National Park
04
Bears Ears Area Starter Kit
A pair of distinctive, towering buttes stand against beautiful scenery. We call them "Bears Ears." With the help of local expertise, respectfully explore ancestral cliff dwellings and massive natural bridges in a fascinating desert ecosystem.
Highlights
- Edge of the Cedars State Park
- Ancestral Puebloan Dwellings
- Hovenweep National Monument
- Natural Bridges National Monument
05
Powder Dreams
A three-day ski vacation itinerary with quick access to some of Utah's best ski resorts for fresh powder.
Highlights
- Cottonwood Canyons Skiing
- Snowbird's Cliff Spa
- Ogden Valley
- Dream Ski Vacation
Things To Do on Your Road Trip
“Slow down and smell the flowers. It’s not the destination, it’s the journey.” Whichever cliché resonates, they often hold true — it can be tough not rushing from point A to point B. There are a lot of incredible places to discover. To make the most of your time traveling through Utah, follow these tips:
- Experience the Dark Skies - Utah is home to the highest concentration of International Dark Sky Parks and Communities anywhere in the world. It pays to get up early and watch a sunrise, especially over a red rock horizon in Southern Utah. Once you reach your next stop, stay up late and spend some time gazing into the star-filled skies.
- Support Local - Many of Utah’s most famous adventure destinations are surrounded by soulful basecamp communities. Skip the drive thru and stop into a local diner for a meal you’ll never forget. It’s these local boutiques, outfitters, restaurants and museums that will show you the heart and soul of a region.
- Fall Into An Audiobook - A few hours between stops is the perfect opportunity to glean insights about Utah’s fascinating heritage, geology and ecology. Prepare for your journey by downloading a few of these favorite books from Utahn authors.
- Download These Apps Beforehand - Similarly, there are apps available to enhance your experience in Utah’s open spaces. Identify that desert wildflower, learn what left that track in the sand or discover a new constellation with these must-have travel apps.
- Stay Flexible - There’s a sense of freedom and independence that accompanies the southwest road trip. Utah’s destinations are best suited to the flexible — take a detour, pop into that intriguing store, and add a day to your trip if you find somewhere that captivates you.
- Take Pit Stops - You’re doing it wrong if you think road trip pit stops are boring layovers on your way to more exciting destinations. You need to refuel, eat, answer the call of nature, and stretch your legs anyway, so why not make them into mini-adventures?
Wheeling It: An RV Primer for Utah Family Trips
With 28-feet of vehicle space, one traveling family discovers the RV community.
Planning Resources
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How to Support Local On Your Utah Road Trip
Many small businesses in Utah rely on tourism for survival. These expert tips help road trippers make a real difference in communities by supporting local.
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Road Conditions and Safety
Find Utah resources for the road conditions, weather, maps, public safety and more from the Utah Office of Tourism.
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Utah Driving Laws
Find out about Utah Driving Laws including driver license requirements, speed limits, seat belt laws, helmet use and more from the Utah Office of Tourism.
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Utah's Scenic Backways
Utah’s scenic backways combine paved, winding explorations into narrow canyons or remote landscapes with more adventurous turns down paths known for rough surfaces and extreme grades, all in the pursuit of hidden beauty.
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Utah's Scenic Byways
In total, Utah’s distinct topography provides the surface for 28 scenic byways, which add up to hundreds of miles of vivid travel experiences wherein the road trip is as memorable as the destination.
Boulder Mountain
A mountainous, snow-capped backdrop sets downtown Salt Lake City apart.
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The Complete Arches Trip
Discover a new side of Arches National Park with this four day itinerary. Start exploring the hidden gems in the Arches region today.
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The Complete Bryce Canyon Trip
Planning a trip to Bryce Canyon National Park? Explore these local-favorite destinations in the Bryce Canyon region to make the most of your trip!
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The Complete Canyonlands Trip
The Canyonlands Region of Utah combines the best of the Moab area's easy proximity to Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park's most accessible district with some of the United State's most remote and culturally significant landscapes.
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The Complete Capitol Reef Trip
Planning a trip to Capitol Reef National Park? Explore these local-favorite destinations in the Capitol Reef region to make the most of your trip!
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The Complete Zion Trip
Tucked into the southwest corner of Utah, Zion National Park is the centerpiece for a 6-day red-rock vacation that includes a little bit of everything that makes the state such a marvel to experience.
Read the Stories
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11 Utah Scenic Byways for Leaf Peeping
Explore 11 Scenic Drives in Utah for some serious leaf peeping. Utah is one of the best places to see fall foliage, visit great attractions, events and festivals.
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A Van Lifer’s Guide to Responsible Travel in Southern Utah
When Utah’s dirt roads are calling you, it’s time to plan your van life road trip. Here’s what you need to know to travel safely, support Utah’s rural communities, and help preserve the delicate desert landscapes.
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A Visitor's Guide to Zion's Kolob Canyons
In the Kolob Canyons section of Zion National Park, you’ll find a scenic wonderland with an adventure for everyone. Learn more about this unforgettable attraction and plan a visit.
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An Adventure Guide to Harts Draw Road
Winding up into the Abajo Mountains of southeastern Utah and down into sprawling red rock canyons, the 18-mile Harts Draw Road offers the perfect mixture of snow and sand, scenery and solitude.
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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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Ancient Pictographs, Petroglyphs and Timeless Mysteries
Exploring Horseshoe Canyon isn’t for everyone. First of all, the effort to get there is an adventure in itself, but those efforts make the reward — namely, the chance to see up close some of the most significant pictograph panels in North America — even more noteworthy.
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Arrive by Train
Follow author Tim Sullivan and his eight-year-old daughter as they travel by train, bus and bike on a "pilgrimage" to Golden Spike National Historic Site.
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Be Prepared for the Southern Utah Backcountry
Prepare for a trip out into Utah's rugged red rock backcountry by learning as much as possible about the area before heading out. Stop by a ranger station to educate yourself and pick up necessary permits. Always practice good backcountry ethics and proper safety techniques for a safe and enjoyable adventure.
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Chasing John Wesley Powell: Six Places to Explore Utah's Green and Colorado Rivers
One hundred and fifty years ago a one-armed Civil War veteran set off with nine mountain men on a scientific expedition to map one of the last blank spaces left on the U.S. map: The Green and Colorado rivers. Much of the river remains wild today. Follow Powell's journey here.
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Explore Antelope Island's Fielding Garr Ranch
Volunteers Beth and Dennis Simonsen show visitors around the historic Fielding Garr Ranch complex on Antelope Island State Park in Northern Utah.
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Hole N'' the Rock
Your road trip in Moab might call for a stopover at the famous Hole N” The Rock.
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Kiva Koffeehouse
Kiva Koffeehouse is a welcome stop for fresh food and espresso tucked on a hillside down a dirt driveway near milepost 73 on the scenic byway.
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Mesa Farm Market
Best local shops and healthy eats near Moab and Capitol Reef. Try the goat cheese!
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Moonscapes, Marscapes and More
If you want to know what Mars looks like — then the dramatic terrain of Capitol Reef National Park and the surrounding lands are a good place to start.
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Movies Filmed in Utah: Plotting a Cinematic Drive-Through
Follow a Germany-based film enthusiast on an extended road trip to discover the rich history of Utah cinematography.
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See the Fall Leaves Near Utah's National Parks
Sure, any of Utah’s Mighty 5 national parks are spectacular year round — covered in snow, peppered with spring wildflowers, and baked in sunshine. But find them exponentially special when the changing fall leaves are in juxtaposition to the immaculate red rock cliffs.
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Serenity Found in Torrey and Capitol Reef’s Cathedral Valley District
Taking Southern Utah’s remote, less-traveled path in Capitol Reef's Cathedral Valley District to nurture your body, mind and spirit.
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The All-American Road: Scenic Byway 12
This is 122.863 miles (to be exact) of pure driving bliss. Welcome to Utah’s Scenic Byway 12, a designated All-American Road.
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The Spiral Jetty, Utah’s Most Iconic Land Art Sculpture, Keeps Drawing a Crowd
In April 1970, it took six days, 625 man-hours, 292 truck-hours, $9,000, and 6,500 tons of basalt, limestone and mud for Robert Smithson to construct the Spiral Jetty. His work still stands today. Visit and be inspired by this iconic piece of Utah's land art.
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Tooele? Tuilla? The Fascinating History of this Utah Town
While the town of Tooele has a fascinating story to its name, the best part about one of Utah’s original counties is its history.
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Touring the Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway
Discover dinosaurs in Utah. The Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway is one of the best places to see dinosaurs in Utah.
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Utah’s Unexpected Pit Stops
You’re doing it wrong if you think road trip pit stops are boring layovers on your way to more exciting destinations. How many of these hidden gems have you been to? Here are 11 mini-adventures to check off your list next time you’re road-tripping through Utah.
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Why You Should Ditch I-15 on Your Way to Zion
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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Winter Road Trip: Where to Stay, Hike and Eat When Traveling from Capitol Reef to Bryce Canyon
Need winter break ideas? Take a road trip from Capitol Reef to Bryce Canyon and enjoy the best of Utah landscapes during its quiet season.
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Year-round Vibrance on the Nebo Loop Byway
A National Scenic Byway that Enchants at High Elevations, by Road or Trail
