With all the many splendors that Utah offers, it’s easy to miss a few here and there. You don’t want to miss these 15 stunning places, however. Put them on your list now and start checking them off!
- The Narrows, Zion National Park
Robert Shea/flickr Tall, towering cliffs and the cool, clean Virgin River. You definitely need to explore this spot!
- Bryce Canyon National Park
Shawn Bagley/flickr The Bryce Amphitheater, with its splendid hoodoos and gorgeous orange color, is a thing of beauty.
- Antelope Island
Scott Law/flickr This might be one of the best spots in Utah to capture a sunset on film. Explore the entire island to see bison and other wildlife.
- Big Cottonwood Canyon
Owen Xu/flickr In addition to its ski resorts, you can explore this amazing spot by hiking one of several trails. Hike to Lake Blanche for a picnic.
- Flaming Gorge
Chris Dunphy/flickr Flaming Gorge covers 42,020 acres, providing plenty of space for exploration and water fun.
- Bear Lake
David Wilson/flickr The aquamarine waters of this lake are picturesque, the raspberries are delicious and there’s plenty to do here.
- Ogden Valley
kyddyl/flickr Play on Pineview Reservoir, explore Huntsville and Eden and visit the Shooting Star Saloon - Utah’s oldest bar.
- Arches National Park
Don Graham/flickr Home to the famous Delicate Arch, Arches National Park is full of many other natural arches (more than 2,000) to explore.
- Goblin Valley State Park
Dyana/flickr Explore this surreal park and feel like you’re on the surface of Mars!
- High Uintas
Todd Slagter/flickr The High Uintas Wilderness Area includes 456,705 acres to explore. Take the Mirror Lake Scenic Byway to explore alpine lakes and meadows.
- Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service/flickr Established in 1928, this 74,000-acre refuge is home to millions of birds every year. Bring your camera (and a long lens) to capture some gorgeous shots.
- Lake Powell
Wolfgang Staudt/flickr Fish, camp or rent a houseboat to have a whole lot of fun.
- Dinosaur National Monument
NPCA Photos/flickr There’s so much more at Dinosaur National Monument than dinosaurs! Of course, you’ll still explore the quarry, but the monument covers 210,844 acres - full of trails and recreation opportunities.
- Provo Canyon
MystifiedCat/flickr Take the Provo Canyon Scenic Byway and see Bridal Veil Falls, Deer Creek Reservoir State Park and the Heber Valley.
- Utah State Route 12
Bruno Monginoux Travel Utah’s SR-12 for some truly breathtaking scenery. From Red Canyon to the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument to Kodachrome State Park, you could spend weeks exploring this part of Utah.
What are your favorite Utah places to explore?
Robert Shea/flickr
Tall, towering cliffs and the cool, clean Virgin River. You definitely need to explore this spot!
Shawn Bagley/flickr
The Bryce Amphitheater, with its splendid hoodoos and gorgeous orange color, is a thing of beauty.
Scott Law/flickr
This might be one of the best spots in Utah to capture a sunset on film. Explore the entire island to see bison and other wildlife.
Owen Xu/flickr
In addition to its ski resorts, you can explore this amazing spot by hiking one of several trails. Hike to Lake Blanche for a picnic.
Chris Dunphy/flickr
Flaming Gorge covers 42,020 acres, providing plenty of space for exploration and water fun.
David Wilson/flickr
The aquamarine waters of this lake are picturesque, the raspberries are delicious and there’s plenty to do here.
kyddyl/flickr
Play on Pineview Reservoir, explore Huntsville and Eden and visit the Shooting Star Saloon - Utah’s oldest bar.
Don Graham/flickr
Home to the famous Delicate Arch, Arches National Park is full of many other natural arches (more than 2,000) to explore.
Dyana/flickr
Explore this surreal park and feel like you’re on the surface of Mars!
Todd Slagter/flickr
The High Uintas Wilderness Area includes 456,705 acres to explore. Take the Mirror Lake Scenic Byway to explore alpine lakes and meadows.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service/flickr
Established in 1928, this 74,000-acre refuge is home to millions of birds every year. Bring your camera (and a long lens) to capture some gorgeous shots.
Wolfgang Staudt/flickr
Fish, camp or rent a houseboat to have a whole lot of fun.
NPCA Photos/flickr
There’s so much more at Dinosaur National Monument than dinosaurs! Of course, you’ll still explore the quarry, but the monument covers 210,844 acres - full of trails and recreation opportunities.
MystifiedCat/flickr
Take the Provo Canyon Scenic Byway and see Bridal Veil Falls, Deer Creek Reservoir State Park and the Heber Valley.
Bruno Monginoux
Travel Utah’s SR-12 for some truly breathtaking scenery. From Red Canyon to the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument to Kodachrome State Park, you could spend weeks exploring this part of Utah.
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