Utah

✨ Things to Do

Outdoor enthusiasts: look no further for your new favorite US state. Utah has suitable terrain for most adventurous activities like hiking, mountain biking, canyoneering, rock climbing, cycling, and more!

• Hike in Zion National Park – The most popular Utah national park boasts some of the most beautiful geologic formations in the state.
• Discover Arches in Arches National Park – Go on a scavenger hunt to find some of the 2,000 arches in this Moab desert park. 
• Ski in the Wasatch Mountains – Shred down some gnarly runs in northern Utah or ski mountaineer in the backcountry.
• Explore Hot Springs – Choose from over 100 natural hot springs to soak in after a long day of hiking.
• Raft the Colorado River – Hang on tight as you crest roaring rapids on the Colorado River – the same river that resides in the Grand Canyon basin.

✨ See the full list of things to do in Utah.

🗺️ Where to Stay

Most Utah accommodations are surrounded by nature or are within close driving distance of fun recreational activities. Stay near a Utah national park or monument for the best experience.

• St. George – The perfect location for exploring both Zion and Bryce Canyon national parks that has a small-town feel.
• Moab – This inclusive funky community offers hotels, lodges, and an affordable hostel for travelers of all types.
• Escalante – The ideal location to stay for exploring both Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante national monuments.
• Salt Lake City – There’s no shortage of accommodation options in Utah’s capital city.
• Bryce – The best outdoorsy place to stay for exploring Bryce Canyon National Park away from hectic Zion crowds.

🗺️ Read the full guide to where to stay in Utah.

🛎️ Best Hotels

Take your pick between luxury resorts, extravagant cabins, glamping tents, and national park lodges next time you’re in this beautiful Southwestern state.

• Zion National Park Lodge – Perhaps the most popular accommodation in Utah, this lodge rests in the heart of Zion National Park.
• Amangiri – A 5-star resort that blends in perfectly with its natural rock surroundings and has room views of nearby mesas.
• Sundance Resort – A Provo city ski lodge that provides winter sports athletes close access to ski runs.
• Stein Eriksen Lodge Deer Valley – One of the most popular ski resorts, this luxury lodge is in a prime Utah ski terrain location. 
• Under Canvas Moab – Sleep the night under the stars in an aesthetically-pleasing yurt by Arches and Canyonlands national parks.

🚗 Best Road Trips

Utah is the best road trip destination. Explore an unlimited number of touristy, local, or hidden spots at your own pace with your own vehicle.

• St. George/Zion – After exploring one of the top national parks in Utah, head out to the surrounding areas to discover hidden hiking gems. 
• Bears Ears and Grand Staircase Escalante – The two most popular national monuments in Utah neighbor each other in southern Utah.
• Monroe to Moab – Relax in beautiful Monroe Hot Springs before you head to Utah’s “hippie town.”
• Monument Valley – A quintessential desert postcard location, Monument Valley is 3 hours from Moab.
• Salt Lake City to Logan – Explore Utah’s capital city before heading north to experience the state’s best ski resorts.

⛰️ Best Hikes

Lace up your boots because hiking is the top Utah activity! Hike through thick forests, to the base of desert arches, or through waist-high water in the outdoorsy state.

• The Narrows – This Zion National Park water hike is the most popular in Utah, be sure to get there early.
• Angels Landing – With a permit, you too can summit one of the highest and most narrow summits in Zion NP.
• White Rim Trail – This Canyonlands National Park hike takes you to a surreal lookout of a meadow of canyon gorges.
• The Wave – Experience ocean waves in the desert at this incredibly popular photography spot.
• Lower Calf Creek Falls – Hike to an ancient-use waterfall in the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument.

⛰️ Read the full list of best hikes in Utah.

⛷️ Best Ski Resorts

Winter welcomes below-freezing temperatures and prime snow conditions for skiing. If backcountry skiing isn’t your cup of tea, Utah ski resorts offer plenty of opportunities for powdery fun.

• Deer Valley – Just outside of Salt Lake City, this resort offers over 2,000 acres of award-winning terrain.
• Snowbird – Welcome to the Wasatch Range of the Rocky Mountains. Backcountry ski, shred down resort slopes, or ski mountaineer.
• Park City Mountain Resort – One of the most popular ski resorts in Utah, explore over 330 trails in the heart of ski country Utah.
• Alta – One of the only ski-only resorts in Utah is located deep in the Wasatch Mountains and is revered for its powder skiing. 
• Powder Mountain – This is the largest ski resort in the U.S. in terms of skiable acreage with an endless supply of powder.

♨️ Best Hot Springs

Few things beat relaxing in a natural hot spring after a long day behind the wheel or a grueling day hike. Utah hot springs welcome the ultimate chill experience.

• Mystic Hot Springs – Easily the top hot springs experience in Utah, this natural oasis boasts several bubbling pools.
• Meadow Hot Springs – Choose from three different springs, all ranging in temperature and size.
• Diamond Fork Hot Springs – The milky blue pools of these spilling consecutive springs require only a 2.5-mile hike.
• Saratoga Hot Springs – Soak in a natural hot tub located right on the edge of Utah Lake. 
• Homestead Crater – Springs that are hidden inside a beehive dome, naturally formed 10,000 years ago.

♨️ Read the full list of best hot springs in Utah.

🧗‍♀️ Best Canyoneering

Slots provide adrenaline fiends with just what they’re looking for. Squeeze your way through slots found all over Utah.

• Spooky/Peekaboo Canyons – Infamous southern Utah slots inside the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument.
• Antelope Canyon – The most photographed slot canyon in northern Utah is located on Navajo Nation land and requires a guide to visit.
• Buckskin Gulch – A 20-mile hike with multiple slots that straddles the Arizona/Utah border.
• Zebra Slot Canyon – Take your time enjoying the short, striped canyon in Grand Staircase Escalante.
• Red Hollow Slot Canyon – A picturesque red and white slot just outside of Zion National Park.

🏜️ National Parks

No trip to Utah is complete without hitting at least one of the “Big Five” national parks. Experience peak Utah scenery at these protected natural areas.

• Zion National Park – Utah’s top national park has incredible vistas, fun hiking trails, and camping under the stars.
• Bryce Canyon National Park – Explore the unique rock formations known as hoodoos at this surreal-looking abyss.
• Arches National Park – One of the coolest national parks in Moab boasts over 2,000 naturally-forming arches.
• Canyonlands National Park – A dramatic desert landscape carved by the Colorado River with panoramic overlooks. 
• Capitol Reef National Park – A southern Utah park that’s an outdoor oasis for hiking, biking, horseback riding, and camping.

👉 Read the full guide to all the national parks in Utah.

👉 Tips & Things to Know

• 🏨 – Save money on accommodation – Glamping in a yurt or staying at a hostel in Utah won’t break the bank like luxury hotels.
• 🥾 – Don’t forget your hiking boots – Hiking is one of the best activities to do in Utah. Be sure to pack your comfy pair of hiking boots.
• 🧥 – Dress for the season – Layering is your best bet in Utah during any season; always be prepared with a rain jacket. 
• 🚗 – Rent a car – Renting a car is the best way to explore Utah’s best national parks and monuments. Look for deals online before your trip.
• 🧗‍♀️ – Get out of your comfort zone – Try an outdoor activity you’ve never done before while in Utah. This includes river rafting, rock climbing, and canyoneering.

🧳 What to Pack

• ☔ – Rain jacket – Rain can be expected in all seasons in Utah. Be prepared with a rain jacket in the spring and even during the summer months for a comfortable trip.
• 🌲 – Hiking sandals – Hiking sandals come in handy when hiking in sandy or watery areas like the Zion Narrows.
• 🩱 – Bathing suit – Be prepared for the best Utah hot springs and summer waterholes and bring your bathing suit!
• 👒 – Sun hat – The blistering desert sun is no joke. Bring a sun hat to prevent nasty sunburn on your face, neck, and shoulders.
• 🧴 – Sunscreen – Paired with a sun hat, sunscreen is one of the best ways to prevent heat stroke during a desert summer.

🧳 See the full Utah packing checklist.

🤓 Facts & Info

• Population – 3.338 million
• Capital – Salt Lake City
• Largest Metro Areas – Salt Lake City, Park City, Provo, Ogden
• Time Zone – Mountain Standard Time (GMT-7)
• Airports – Salt Lake City International (SLC), Provo Municipal Airport (PVU), St. George Municipal Airport (SGU)
• Colleges & Universities – The University of Utah, Brigham Young University, Utah State University, Southern Utah University
• Nickname – Beehive State
• Demonynm – Utahn, Utahian
• USPS Abbreviation – UT
• Governor – Spencer Cox (Republican)
• Country – United States of America

💵 Costs & Budgeting

• MERIC Cost of Living State Rank – 30th most affordable U.S. state
• 3 Star Hotel Room – $80-100+/night
• 1 Bedroom Apartment Rental – $60-250+/night
• Rental Car – $65-100/day
• Public Transit Ticket – ~$3-5
• Take Out Meal for Two – $20-30
• Sit Down Dinner for Two – $40-50
• Draft Beer – $7-10