Level up in Utah
A trip to Utah is on another level. With its otherworldly hoodoos, epic road trips and exceptional deep-powder skiing, this landlocked state attracts outdoor enthusiasts from around the globe. Those striking red desert landscapes, Instagram-worthy glamping tents and starry nights filled with the Milky Way are what bucket list vacations are made of. From hiking and whitewater rafting to experiencing Indigenous culture, Utah’s diverse range of activities, tours and scenic roads will level up any trip.
Park life
The five national parks found in Utah, known as the Mighty 5®, are bastions of outdoor adventure in the state. Arches National Park is one of the top parks in the United States, which isn’t surprising considering it epitomizes the reason to visit Utah in the first place. Just outside of Moab, it’s a rocky playground filled with sandstone towers, hoodoos and arches. Zion National Park’s main draw is the trail at Angel’s Landing–aptly named by a Methodist minister who once exclaimed that only an angel could land here. This world-famous (and steep) hike along a 453-metre-tall rock formation has expansive views of the Zion Canyon from its summit.
At Bryce Canyon National Park, unique hoodoos abound, plus it's a designated International Dark Sky Park, which means stargazing is exceptional. Canyonlands National Park is famous for mountain biking and whitewater rafting; the swift currents of the Green and Colorado Rivers' are the remanence of their ancient tributaries. And, Capitol Reef National Park is even more otherworldly than the rest, with expansive stretches of rocky vistas. Travellers who love seclusion head here.
Life’s a (road)trip
There are at least a dozen clichés about road trips–“enjoy the ride,” “it’s not the destination, it’s the journey” and “the journey is the reward,” all come to mind–but in Utah, they ring true. One thing is for sure: when you are roadtripping in Utah, no one in the car is saying, “Are we there yet?” The roads of Utah wind through the Mighty Five, along rivers, under rocky arches and into seven national forests. There are numerous popular itineraries to play out in Utah offering different landscapes, both culturally and geographically. Or, choose your own journey through high mountains, crystal clear lakes and those famous hoodoos. Many roadtrippers start their epic adventure in Salt Lake City before hitting the open road. Luckily, the national parks are within a few hours' drive of each other.
Utah has 28 scenic byways, filled with breathtaking overlooks, trailheads, local restaurants and a plethora of exciting pit stops. Check out the Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway National Scenic Byway, an 800-km route with stops by the Dinosaur National Monument and the CEU Prehistoric Museum in Price, or the Trail of the Ancients National Scenic Byway, which showcases Ancestral Puebloan history, Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park and the ruins of the Hovenweep National Monument.
The glamping capital
If ever there was an aspirational glamping moment on social media, there’s a strong chance it was captured in Utah. Combining luxury and the great outdoors, glamping in Utah offers upscale tents with luxe en-suites or pioneer-style Conestoga wagons. The state is known as the glamping capital of America and while Zion is the most popular spot, there are a myriad of fancy camping options in Utah.
Under Canvas just outside Moab makes all the best-of lists when it comes to their luxe tented accommodations. They were ranked as one of the “Top 15 Resort Hotels in the West” by Travel + Leisure for good reason. Situated on 16 hectares of rocky beauty, Under Canvas’ safari-style tents have king beds with luxe linens, full en-suites with organic bath products and wood-burning stoves. It's a great home base for exploring Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park.
Living traditions
More than 50 Tribal Nations are represented in the state of Utah, all with their own culture and traditions. Indigenous experiences abound across the state, meaning you can attend annual Pow Wows with the Ute people on their ancestral lands east of Great Salt Lake into Colorado, or tour the Native American Village, which showcases the heritage of the Navajo before and after the arrival of settlers.
At Nine Mile Canyon Road near Price, see the displays of the Fremont people’s petroglyphs. Check out the Native Voices exhibit at the Natural Museum of Utah that explores Indigenous art and culture or visit the Urban Indian Center of Salt Lake.
Skies and shine
Utah also happens to be one of the best places in the world to stargaze. The state has the highest concentration of International Dark-Sky Association-certified areas on earth, consisting of communities, parks and protected areas. Experiencing natural wonders in the sky after dark is attainable pretty much anywhere in the state. Even beginners can marvel at the Milky Way (80 per cent of Americans can’t see this from home).
Astrotourism options abound here. The family-friendly Clark Planetarium in Salt Lake City offers a crash course in sky science with exhibits showcasing everything from meteorites to ATK's NASA Space Launch System. At the University of Utah, the South Physics Observatory is open to the public one night a week. Stargazing opportunities are everywhere across the parks and national monuments–check out this beginner’s guide to start planning your adventure.
Greatest snow on earth®
Utah is known to have “The Greatest Snow on Earth” with some of the best ski resorts in the world–it’s actually scientifically proven. The atmospheric scientists over at the University of Utah say that the climate conditions over Utah’s mountains are just perfect for deep-powder skiing and snowboarding. With reliable snowfalls, epic powder and fantastic infrastructure (from luxury resorts to family-run classics), skiing and snowboarding fans have more than a dozen options in the state, and ten are within an hour’s drive of Salt Lake City International Airport.
Snowbird, which is known for its snow totals and majestic views, is a favourite among professional and advanced skiers and boarders, while the Alta Ski area is for skiers only. Families will love the amenities at Snowbasin Resort (think day lodges and high-end dining) while family-run Powder Mountain (known as Pow Mow) has the most skiable acreage in America. Plus, there’s great cross-country skiing and night runs.
Forever Mighty
The state of Utah knows what a treasure their natural wonders are and have thoughtfully invested in ways to help you travel in a way that minimizes impact. They promote a shared travel ethos they call “Forever Mighty.” More than the basic hiker code of conduct (like leave no trace principles), it celebrates the diversity of the people and land in Utah.
Responsible travel has become more important than ever and small but mighty actions make a big impact when travelling to Utah. Buy local, dine local, plan to avoid crowded locations when you can and think about whether there are ways to positively affect the basecamp communities you visit. These vibrant towns surround Utah’s most beautiful adventure destinations and they’re well-worth preserving for future generations (and your own future trips!).