Utah
From its expanses of iconic desert playgrounds to its towering Wasatch Range, Utah is home to every type of outdoor adventure you can imagine. Locals and visitors alike are spoiled with convenient access to world-class winter and summer time activities and lodging.
Top Spots in and near Utah
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Salt Lake City, Utah
Photograph Wildlife at Willow Lake
2.2 mi / 629 ft gainWillow Lake has become my favorite spot in all of Utah. It feels so distant from civilization in the mountains, but is only a 25 minute drive from Salt Lake City. I have hiked to Willow Lake close to 10 times this year during different seasons, and have never seen more than 5 people on the trail...Read more -
Salt Lake City, Utah
Backcountry Ski Short Swing, Mill D North
4 mi / 1900 ft gainDrive up Big Cottonwood Canyon until you reach the Spruces Campground on the right. You will park here and prep your gear for the day. Walk back out to the canyon road and cross the street to the trail head. As you hike up the trial, you'll pass some cabins, once you've passed all the cabins, you...Read more -
Lake Powell, Utah
Boat Through Forbidding Canyon
Since Forbidding Canyon is at mile marker 50, it is about halfway between Wahweep and Bullfrog Marina, and is a good trip from either marina. It can get busy, so I recommend going early. Navigate your way to mile marker 50, and then look for the canyon. If you are coming from Bullfrog, it will b...Read more -
Springville, Utah
Maple Mountain (aka Spanish Fork Peak)
10.56 mi / 4524 ft gainThe trail starts out very easy, but keep an eye out for the fork in the trail at the creek. It's easy to miss. It's right at the metal bench that will be on the left. Cross the creek and continue another quarter mile or so when you'll notice another branch to your left. Keep going straight here a...Read more -
Provo, Utah
The Y Trail
3.52.29 mi / 1063 ft gainHiking the Y is a classic hike in Provo, Utah—but don't expect it to be easy! There's no shade and not much greenery, so it's a hot, dusty trek to the top. Once you reach the Y, though, the view of the Provo and Utah Lake is amazing. There are also benches at the top. When you reach the Y, you w...Read more -
Hurricane, Utah
Zion Canyon Scenic Dr
5.012.7 miZion Canyon Scenic Drive is the main road through Zion NP. There is a fee to drive through the park, and it can only be seen via shuttle during the high tourist season. If doing the entire scenic drive, on Hwy 9 from I-15 to Mt. Carmel Junction, you will pass through the surrounding cities of H...Read more -
Escalante, Utah
Zebra Slot Canyon
5.05.18 mi / 315 ft gainZebra slot canyon is located in the heart of Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument in southern Utah. The trail takes you through sandy washes to one of the areas most popular slot canyons to photograph and explore. The hike starts from the parking lot along Hole-In-The-Rock road. Hole-In-T...Read more -
Park City, Utah
Bike or Hike Park City's Mid Mountain Trail
5.022.8 mi / 4457 ft gainThe Mid-Mountain Trail is unique to Park City. It's an epic trail that connects Deer Valley, to Park City Mountain Resort, and Canyons Village. Traversing at approximately 8,300 feet elevation, the trail is comprised of 13 sections and is a 22.8 mile point-to-point ride from Deer Valley to Canyon...Read more -
Brian Head, Utah
Canyoneering Benson Creek
2 mi / 200 ft gainDisclaimer: Canyoneering is a dangerous and technical activity. Don’t enter any canyon without the skills to match it, or the knowledge to navigate it. Benson Creek is a pleasant little spot for families to hike a waterfall (Hidden Haven Falls), or a fantastic spot for canyoneers to rappel some w...Read more -
Utah County, Utah
Fifth Water Hot Springs from Rays Valley Trailhead
5.04.98 mi / 787 ft gainFifth Water Hot Springs from Rays Valley Trailhead is an out-and-back trail that takes you to a hot springs located near Spanish Fork, Utah. Dogs are permitted on this trail on-leash. If heading to the hot springs with your pup, please be respectful of others visiting the hot springs. Along this ...Read more -
Salt Lake City, Utah
Backcountry Ski Days Fork
3.2 miDays Fork is on the south side of Big Cottonwood Canyon behind the Spruces parking lot. The trail head begins on the south west corner of the parking lot. The approach to Days Fork is long, but gradual. Continue south along the skin track until you reach the end of the Days Fork Basin. Here you c...Read more -
Kanab, Utah
Explore Pahreah Ghost Town
5.0Pahreah was a townsite established along the Escalante River in 1870's. The town grew to include a general store, church, and enough homes to house 47 families at its peak. Due to the close proximity to the Escalante River, the town was flooded every year from 1883 to 1888, washing away crops and...Read more -
Moab, Utah
Climb Mount Peale
5.05 mi / 2721 ft gainFrom the parking area at La Sal Creek, just east of Medicine Lake examine the mountain and identify the prominent gully which feeds into La Sal Creek. Follow the old road bed north until its end and then travel cross country. Ascend the gully the the summit ridge between the northwest peak and th...Read more -
St. George, Utah
Run the Santa Clara River Trail to Tonaquint Park and Cottonwood Cove Park
6 mi / 10 ft gainThis is a relatively flat and fast city trail with negligible elevation gain or loss over the 6 mile round trip. Beginning at the Crosby Family Confluence Park located just off I-15 near the St. George convention center, immediately pass under the freeway and begin your run up the Santa Clara Tra...Read more -
Sevier, Utah
Cave of 100 Hands Trail
0.5 mi / 50 ft gainThe Cave of 100 Hands is a fascinating archeological/historical site that is easy all-ages and strollers. Over a thousand years ago, the valleys along what is now Interstate 70 near Sevier, Utah were home to the largest community of Fremont Indians ever discovered, and the Cave of 100 Hands has s...Read more -
Duck Creek Village, Utah
Hike the Cascades Trail in Dixie National Forest
1.2 mi / 137 ft gainHiked the cascades trail from the parking lot through a forest of spruce trees and many interesting wildflowers. The trail has good views of the National Forest and Zion National Park in the distance. The trail has some elevation gain but not too bad. The waterfall is rather small but a refreshi...Read more