Utah offers travellers some of the most dramatic and varied landscapes in the U.S., making it ideal for exploration during road trips and a truly outstanding destination for outdoor activities.
The Wasatch Mountain Range provides a dramatic backdrop to the Beehive State’s capital, Salt Lake City, and is also home to the Mighty Five® national parks.
Where is Utah?
Bordered by Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada and Wyoming, Utah is in the west of the USA.
Approximately 300 miles (or a four-hour drive) separate Salt Lake City in the north of the state and St George in its southwest.
Salt Lake City International Airport is a 10-hour and 20-minute direct flight from London Heathrow. with Delta
Air Lines.
Who does Utah appeal to?
Dotted with charming small towns, state parks and the Mighty Five® national parks, Utah is an outstanding destination to explore during a classic American road trip.
The Utah Film Trail guides aficionados to movie locations, while rock carvings known as petroglyphs are a legacy of Native American heritage.
The state appeals to active travellers because of the breadth of outdoor activities, including white-water rafting, rappelling and climbing. Off-road rides, guided canyoneering and hiking trails facilitate exploring the wide range of scenic locations.
Year-round activities
The state is a year-round destination, with high-quality winter sports resorts whose season runs between November and May. The ‘Greatest Snow on Earth®’ is a joy to carve through on skis or a snowboard.
Park City Mountain is the country’s largest ski resort and offers runs for winter sports enthusiasts of all ability levels, including groomed pistes for families and steep slopes for thrill seekers. In summer, hikers and cyclists head to the mountains, and Moab is a famed base for outdoor adventures.
Slickrock and Porcupine Rim are high on the list of trails favoured by keen mountain bikers. Guided canyoning is also a memorable way of exploring the narrow canyons sculpted over centuries by wind and water erosion.
Notable for its sandy beaches and water sports, the western hemisphere’s largest inland body of saltwater – Great Salt Lake – provides habitat for a wealth of birdlife. Antelope Island State Park is popular with birdwatchers and for its horse riding.
Bonneville Salt Flats International Raceway is a famed motorsports venue but more sedate exploration rewards drivers on Utah’s nine national and 20 state scenic byways.
Viewing the Ancestral Puebloan remnants at Anasazi State Park Museum is one of many reasons to pause on Scenic Byway 12, which connects national parks.
Beautiful national parks
Dramatic geological formations are just part of the appeal of the Mighty Five®, the national parks of Arches, Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef and Zion in the south of Utah. The red rock formations, such as natural bridges, arches, monolith rocks and hoodoos, are what make Utah stand out from other states. They also offer insights into Native American heritage and the pioneers who settled there.
Numerous Westerns were filmed around Kanab and Moab, and there are many more film locations in the state likely to appeal.
Swathes of sparsely populated territory and optimal weather are factors in Utah also being a highly-rated stargazing destination.
With numerous International Dark Sky Places, the state offers much for stargazers. Astrotourism is a reason to extend the day after viewing remarkable landscapes at the likes of Dead Horse Point and Goblin Valley state parks, hiking through the alpine scenery of Cedar Breaks National Monument, or viewing fossils and ancient petroglyphs at Dinosaur National Monument.
The national parks in the south of the state are, quite rightly, a key reason to visit Utah. Their appeal includes remarkable scenery, cultural sites and hiking trails.
Many travellers are surprised to discover that state parks have equally outstanding landscapes and geological features. Offering a variety of activities and with insightful visitor centres, they are well worth including on itineraries.
Learn more about Utah
Become a certified Utah expert by completing the online Utah Specialist Academy training programme, working at your own pace.
Major locations are highlighted, as are lesser-known areas and unique offerings, including activities and places to stay. The Forever Mighty tips highlight how to visit Utah responsibly and support locals.
Complete the training by June 15 to be in with a chance to win one of three great prizes.
visitutahspecialistacademy.com
