In a Nutshell...
Come for the Mormons. Stay for the nature. Prance with the antelope. Float in Salt Lake. Run around the salt flats. Search for hidden art in the desert. Soak in the natural pools. Discover an abandoned metal refinery turned graffiti paradise. Ever seen a ghost town half-buried under water? Go tubing 50 mph down a former Olympic ski slope. See naturally-formed rocks that look like gargoyles. Drive down the world's longest outdoor art gallery. Climb a steep hill to catch the sunset across the desert, through the lens of an arch. Take a jeep through the canyons, an ATV up some insane switchbacks. Cross a river in the desert to find a hidden temple. Squeeze your way through some creepy sounding (creepy looking too) slot canyons. Have a picnic in an actual oasis. Walk among giants who turned to stone. Fly among angels high above Zion. March among the people in knee-deep water, between canyon-walls a hundred feet high, in mass exodus to the promised land.
Top Places to Go
Suggested Itinerary - Based on Length of stay
3 Days: Part 3. 6 Days: Parts 3 and 6. 9 Days: Parts 3-4 and 6. 12 Days: Parts 1, 3-4, and 6. 15 Days: Parts: 1-4 and 6.
Planning Ahead
Airports: Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) or McCarran International Airport* (LAS) (*for departure only)
Highlights: Temple Square, Bonneville Salt Flats, Nine Mile Canyon, Arches National Park, Zion National Park
Also known for: Hiking, land-art, ghost towns, scenic vistas, scenic drives, swimming, and slot canyons
When to go: Late spring (longer days/longer hikes) or fall (cooler weather/easier hikes)
Safety: Very safe. Ranked #9 out of 50 US states (according to Wallethub.com)
Transportation: Some of Part 1 accessible via day tours. Part 2 and beyond by car only.
More Things to Know
Driving Around: You won't be able to do much in Utah if you don't have a car. Most stops are quite far from one another and some are so remote you wouldn't be able to access them without driving. Whether you bring your own car or rent, be sure it's an SUV or you'll find yourself calling for roadside assistance. If you're concerned for your safety driving, there's nothing to worry about. Utah's small population, relative to other states, means less drivers on the road, especially outside of the major cities, where you'll find most of the outdoor highlights. Just be sure to plan ahead: mark all your stops, including gas stations and food, on your map before you leave everyday.
Catching the Stars: You won't find it on an itinerary but one thing to truly appreciate about Utah is the clarity with which you'll be able to see the stars at night, due to the lack of major cities and accompanying light pollution. Some of the best places to see the stars are at the national parks, specifically at Arches National Park if you're there beyond dusk. Another good spot is on the perimeter of Salt Lake, near Spiral Jetty, if you trek out that far. It's also a nice, private spot for a small campfire and s'mores.
More from the U.V. Blog
