Utah, one of the most demanding travel destinations, offers beautiful parks, scenic roads, thrilling adventures, and many outdoor activities to tourists.
Utah is an amazing land of rocks, mountains, and sneaky roads for outdoor lovers. Located on the western side of the United States, the city attracts millions of visitors each year. Due to its rugged natural beauty, aesthetics, parks, wildlife, and other tourist attractions, the city has become a popular travel destination for tourists all over the world. Today we will learn about the top 5 places to visit in Utah, share accommodation details and costs, travel hacks, and everything you need to know as a first-time traveler.
Top 5 Utah attractions:
1. Salt Lake City
Salt Lake City
Salt Lake City (SLC) is the capital city of Utah. It is probably one of the most laidback cities in the US. The city attracts millions of people each year through its natural beauty and plenty of magnificent attractions. Everyone will have something to remain busy with, from outdoor thrill seekers to indoor activity enjoyers. At the bare minimum, what you will be experiencing in the city are:
- Stunning Mountain Views and places like Ensign Peak, Bonneville Shoreline Trail & Big Cottonwood Canyon for driving, hiking, and picnic spots
- Skiing & snowboarding opportunities at Park City Mountain and Alta & Snowbird. Boating and paddleboarding at Jordanelle or Deer Creek Reservoir and biking through Antelope Island.
- Make sure to visit the largest saltwater lake in SLC to enjoy sunsets, and roam around Temple Square to see Salt Lake Temple, Tabernacle Choir, and museums.
- If you are with family, some must-visit places would be Utah’s Hogle Zoo, Clark Planetarium (for interactive activities), and Loveland Living Planet Aquarium. If you visit in January, also visit Park City (only 30 min from SLC) to see the Sundance Film Festival.
- If you have time, try to visit Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, and Capitol Reef National Park. Those places are around 3 hrs drive from SLC. Know more about SLC from here.
2. Antelope Island State Park
Antelope Island State Park
- Entry fee: $42
Antelope Island State Park is only around a 30-minute drive from the SLC. The hidden gem will make you realize and appreciate its beauty as soon as you set foot in that place. The island is a treasure for Utha. Those who love adventure and the outdoors will say it is no less than heaven. As a tourist, what you will experience is beyond imaginable. It offers:
- Views of the Bison herbs and other wild animals such as antelope, mule deer, coyotes, and birds.
- You can experience activities like hiking trails (Frary Peak Trail or Buffalo Point Trail), floating in the Salt Lake (due to high salt content), mountain biking (on White Rock Loop Trail & Split Rock Loop Trail), and horseback riding.
- Enjoy the magnificent views of the colorful sky and sunsets. It is also famous for stargazing (Milky Way, shooting stars, and constellations), astronomy events, and telescope nights.
- You can learn about the culture and history of pioneer life and ranching of the natives.
3. Arches National Park
Arches national park
- Entry fee: $15 (without any vehicle)
Home to colorful rocks, over 2000 arches, and beautiful hiking trails, canyons, and stargazing opportunities, all of these will be enough to make the journey to the Arches National Park more memorable. Arches are basically curved natural stones. To the park community, it is the most prominent natural stone arch in the world. Located near Moab, the park is about 3 hours drive from the previous spot. The park covers about 120 square miles, making it one of the biggest in the world. If you are thinking about why you should travel so far to visit a park, the answer is:
- To enjoy the most famous arches in the world. Visit places like North & South Windows, Delicate Arch, Turret Arch, etc. Also, visit the landscape arch to hike and Devil’s Garden for a maze experience.
- Experience the Fiery Furnace, which is a maze of Sandstone Canyons. To explore Climbing, you need to book in advance.
- Some of the arches are ideal for enjoying sunrises (the windows, the Courthouse Towers) and sunsets (the delicate arch, balanced rock formation). These spots are also perfect for stargazing.
- With friends and family, especially with kids, you should visit Park Avenue Viewpoint, Sand Dune Arch, Devil’s Garden, and the Junior Ranger Program.
For some trails and hikes, you will be offered guides. You can also drive through the park with your vehicle. Visit the park’s website to learn more about the place.
4. Canyonlands National Park
Canyonlands National Park
- Entry fee: $15
Utah’s largest national park, Canyonlands, provides unparalleled natural beauty. Compared to other nearby attractions, the park is less crowded, peaceful but strong, scenic, and inspiring. Over 500 square miles, the park is divided into 3 main areas: Island in the Sky, The Needles, and The Maze. Whether you are an adventure lover, or photographer, or admire nature’s raw beauty, the park has many things to deliver. Just a 40-minute drive from your previous destination, the park will offer:
- Rafting & boating opportunities as it is divided by the Colorado and Green Rivers.
- Places like fiery red rock will be an ideal place for photography. Also, along the way you might meet animals like bighorn sheep, coyotes, and eagles.
- It is popular for huge canyons, gigantic mountains, incredible rock formations, and stargazing opportunities. You can enjoy trails, hikes, and a maze for better adventure experiences.
5. Bryce Canyon National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park
Bryce Canyon Park is well known for its Hoodoos. It is basically a spire-shaped, long but thin rock formation. The red rocks with sometimes pink and orange hues during sunrise or sunset look like a scene from a fantasy movie. The unreal landscape of the rocks, along with its rugged beauty, will make you fall in love with the place. The scenic spot has some extraordinary viewpoints for its tourists:
- The tall and colorful Hoodoo Formations look different at different times and seasons of the year, making it one of the best-looking parks in Utah.
- Apart from trails at Navajo Loop & Queens Garden Trail and hikes, you can also enjoy horseback riding.
- Enjoying stargazing, sunrises, and sunsets in specific places will make the tour even more refreshing and memorable to you. Along the way, you might see wild animals such as mule deer, prairie dogs, and golden eagles. In winter, the colorful rocks mixed with snow create surreal scenery, which is hard to explain.
Places to stay in Utah?:
| City | Hotel Name | Location | Cost per night (appx) |
| Salt Lake City | Metropolitan Inn | Downtown Salt Lake | $90 |
| Antelope Island | Hyatt Place SLC | Near Salt Lake Airport | $105 |
| Moab (Arches NP) | Adventure Inn Moab | Near Arches NP | $98 |
| Moab (Canyonlands NP) | Big Horn Lodge Moab | Near Canyonlands NP | $120 |
| Bryce Canyon NP | Bryce View Lodge | Near Bryce Canyon Entrance | $95 |
Hotels are selected based on popularity and ratings. Note that, the priest may vary depending on the tie and season.
Best time to visit Utah:
- Spring-(March-May): Most suitable for calm weather and fewer tourists.
- Fall-(September–November): perfect for outdoor events, photography, and hiking.
- Winter-(December–February): Good for winter activities like skiing and snowboarding.
Necessary Travel Tips for Utah:
- Plan ahead of the journey and download offline Google Maps because, in remote areas, the network or call service is limited.
- Book a 4-wheel-drive vehicle if you want to explore off-roads.
- During hiking or offroading, apps like AllTrails, Gaia GPS, or Maps.me can help.
- Gas stations are rare in some areas. So fuel up when you have the chance.
- Take more water and start hiking early in the day.
- Look for lodges and cabins in nearby areas and take the necessary packing instruments.
Hopefully, you already have the answer to why Utha should be your next travel destination. Filled with colorful rocks, towering cliffs, mountains, wildfires, and adventurous roads, the city is ideal for adventure seekers. If you have not visited the city yet, get ready with your backpacks and start booking things in advance.
FAQ’s:
Q1: What is the best time to visit Utah?
Ans: It depends on where you want to visit, but usually choosing fall or spring can be a good idea if you want fewer crowds.
Q2: How many days do I need to explore Utah?
Ans: Usually 5-7 days would be enough to explore Utah.
Q3: Do I need to rent a car to travel to Utah?
Ans: Yes, you do. In Utah, public transport is very limited. Taking a private vehicle would be necessary.
Q4: What are the best road trip routes in Utah?
Ans: You can follow this road map: Salt Lake City → Moab → Bryce Canyon → Back to SLC.
Q11: Is Utah an expensive travel destination?
Ans: Utah is budget-friendly and convenient to explore for anyone.
