8 Best Attractions To Visit In Utah
The opportunities in Utah are endless, making the state the ultimate American outdoor playground. With a long and diverse list of attractions, visitors can explore five spectacular national parks known as the ‘Mighty Five,’ as well as over 40 state parks spread across the state. Each attraction holds its own uniqueness, connected by a spectacular collection of landmarks in between.
From an iconic zoo and world-class skiing to scenic islands, a world-renowned natural history museum, and unforgettable parks, Utah offers something for everyone. The landscape of Utah ranges from red-rock canyons, natural arches, and the stunning Great Salt Lake to snow-capped peaks, providing the perfect backdrop to some of the most amazing attractions in the country.
Zion National Park
Arguably one of the most popular and well-known attractions in southwest Utah is Zion National Park, with visitors from all over the world coming to experience the beauty of Utah’s first national park. Zion National Park has three main front-country campgrounds — South, Watchman, and Lava Point — plus backcountry camping options for those seeking a more remote experience. South and Watchman campgrounds are located near the Virgin River, while Lava Point sits in a more isolated area; most sites provide fire rings and picnic tables.
The main section of the park is Zion Canyon, created by the Virgin River’s North Fork, this area offers a number of trails ranging in level of difficulty. Hike the Narrows, a famous walking trail in the Virgin River, where you traverse through narrow chasms. For a more strenuous hike, Angel’s Landing, by permit only, takes visitors along chained paths up steep rock cliffs, where you can experience untamed adventure and capture stunning views.
There are a variety of activities available at Zion National Park, such as stargazing, horseback riding, and e-biking the Pa’rus Trail. Explore Kolob Canyons, a unique area of the park with cascading falls, canyon streams, and massive Navajo sandstone. With over 20 miles of trails for hiking, there is plenty of stunning scenery.
Capitol Reef National Park
A less crowded national park in the heart of the red rock country is Capitol Reef National Park. Filled with bridges, cliffs, domes, and canyons, this park is unique due to its placement in the "Waterpocket Fold," a large geological wrinkle extending nearly 100 miles. Hike along the Hickman Bridge Trail, a 1.8-mile route that takes approximately one hour to 1.5 hours to complete. While on the trail, hikers reach the Hickman Bridge, a large natural arch spanning roughly 133 feet above the canyon floor near the Fremont River.
For a slightly easier hike, the Grand Wash Trail, often called the Narrows of Capital Reef, provides a great slot canyon experience with beautiful geological rock formations. Visitors can go on historic explorations in Fruita, an area featuring the old schoolhouse. There are also orchards where you can enjoy fresh fruit and a campground to spend the night. If you are looking to cool down, the Gifford Homestead is another historic building that offers ice cream and pie.
With the numerous trails and areas to explore, a great way to see the best that Capitol Reef National Park has to offer is by booking a guided trip. Different options are available, such as camping, hiking, horseback riding, mountaineering, and climbing tours.
Antelope Island State Park
The largest of 10 islands in Utah’s Great Salt Lake, with an area of 42 square miles, equaling just over 28,000 acres, is Antelope Island State Park. Outstanding views await on this beautiful island, which lies in the Great Salt Lake, with the Wasatch Mountains rising to the east. Take a horseback ride, hike, or bike along a network of trails, such as the Lakeside Loop Trail and Buffalo Point Trail. Visitors can walk along white sandy beaches and view free-roaming wildlife such as bighorn sheep, bison, and antelope that call the island home.
Go swimming in the Great Salt Lake, which due to its salt content allows you to float effortlessly in the water. Sailing and boating are popular activities, where visitors can launch from the north side of the island and enjoy beautiful vistas. If you are feeling hungry, visit the Island Buffalo Grill, a casual eatery featuring classic American meals and an outdoor seating area with lakeside views.
With some of the darkest skies in North America, camp overnight at one of the three campgrounds located on the island and experience the wonders above. Take a tour of the historic Fielding Garr Ranch, the oldest Anglo building in Utah that still stands on its original foundation.
Hogle Zoo
Located in Salt Lake City is the modern, 42-acre Hogle Zoo, home to hundreds of amazing animals. Being one of the largest zoos in the Intermountain West, the facility has many buildings to explore and tropical gardens to admire. When visiting, guests can attend one of the free daily programs, shows, and animal viewings, such as the Canine Champions Dog Show or Trivia Tuesdays. There are many exhibits to explore, with each section having different types of animals and buildings based on themes.
At the Rocky Shores, visitors can see grizzly bears, harbor seals, bald eagles, otters, and sea lions. This extensive exhibit also features Tidewater Cove, an indoor area that offers guests a chance to see aquatic animals under the water. Watch a training session of seals and sea lions at Rocky Shores Theatre and cool off at the Lighthouse Point Splash Pad.
The Asian Highlands feature a snow leopard, Chinese red panda, and Amur tigers. The area features the Janet Quinney Lawson Red Panda Exhibit and the Cat Wok Café, an eatery with a variety of cold beverages and treats. Other popular exhibits include Primate Forest, which houses several primates, and African Savanna with mountain zebras, lions, and giraffes.
Natural History Museum of Utah
In Salt Lake City, there is a wide variety of attractions. However, one that stands out above the rest is the Natural History Museum of Utah, home to a world-renowned collection. With around 2 million objects covering billions of years of history, and 163,000 square feet of space, there are numerous exhibits to explore. Learn about the fascinating world of insects at Bug World, where you can see large-scale replicas of insect habitats and learn about the superpowers of these tiny creatures.
In Past Worlds, visitors can find out about long lost ecosystems with a varied assortment of skeletal reconstruction displays. The museum hosts a number of events throughout the year for kids, such as Teen Game Night, Dinofest: Prehistoric Skies, book readings, STEAM Explorations, and Thinking with LEGO. Adults can also find events that spark their interests, with lectures covering a wide range of topics, with past talks covering topics such as Planet Water, Frontlines of Archeology, Trailblazing Women in Science, Pushing the Boundaries of Life, and more. Some of the most popular items in the museum include "Hope," a towering skeleton of a blue whale, an amazing collection of dinosaur fossils, gemstones, and Indigenous art.
Bryce Canyon National Park
In southwestern Utah sits Bryce Canyon National Park, famous for its stunning hoodoos, spire-shaped rock formations in crimson, orange, and white hues. Key features of the park include giant horseshoe-shaped basins known as amphitheaters that are filled with unique, eroded pillars of rock, known as hoodoos. With the world's largest collection of hoodoos, Bryce Canyon National Park offers stunning views that are particularly beautiful after snowfall.
Walking and hiking trails range in difficulty, from the mostly paved Rim Trail, which connects several Bryce Canyon viewpoints including Sunset and Sunrise, to higher-elevation trails near Rainbow Point, such as the Bristlecone Loop. The Mossy Cave Trail, an easy 0.8-mile hike near the park entrance, leads to a moss-covered grotto and a small waterfall fed by water from the nearby Tropic Ditch. The most popular hike is the Queen’s Garden/Navajo Loop, where visitors walk amid hoodoos that are accessed via tunnels and unique formations such as Queen Victoria and Thor’s Hammer.
For those seeking stunning views without the strenuous hikes, they can access a free shuttle ride to popular spots from April until October. The park is also one of the International Dark Sky areas, perfect for viewing stars and gaining insights into astronomy.
Kanarra Falls
A popular Utah slot canyon hike and natural attraction near the town of Kanarraville, featuring dramatic scenery, is Kanarra Falls. The area is known for its water crossings, multiple waterfalls, and beautiful red rock scenery. Take a scenic hiking trail that guides you through an enchanting sandstone slot canyon, where, along the way, visitors are given the chance to see many cascades. With a round trip of approximately four miles and an elevation gain of 700 feet, the hike involves scrambling and creek walking.
The main activity is hiking the slot canyon, where you walk in the Kanarra Creek through the narrow canyon. Visitors can also climb the waterfalls by using rock scrambles and sturdy ladders to reach higher and more secluded locations. Make sure you bring your camera to capture the stunning lighting of the canyon and the red rock contrasting with the water. Those who want to venture farther can continue past the main falls to find smaller pools and cascades that seem untouched. With a slot canyon ecosystem that contrasts with the surrounding desert, the area also has an abundance of wildlife such as canyon wrens or dippers, deer, and cayotes.
Snowbasin Resort
The site of the 2002 Winter Olympics, Snowbasin Resort, is recognized as one of the top ski resorts in America. Located in the Wasatch Range of northern Utah, this all-season resort offers approximately 3,000 acres of skiable terrain, 13 lifts, and 114 trails. Regardless of your skill level, there are three progressive terrain parks for beginner and intermediate riders that include Little Cat, Orson’s, and the Blue Grouse.
In the warmer months, visitors have access to 26 miles of trails, such as the Ogden Canyon Overlook Trail, where you can hike or bike along various terrains. Play a round of mini-golf on a beautiful 18-hole course at Wildflower Mini Golf, located against the mountains of the Snowbasin Resort. Attend Snowbasin Resort’s Blues and Brews, an outdoor summer concert series featuring local and national artists. Taking place at Earl’s Lodge Patio and lawn, the concerts are held every Saturday and Sunday from June to August.
While at the resort, guests can appreciate panoramic views and mountain top gourmet buffets at John Paul Lodge. At the restaurant, which sits on top of the John Paul Express, you can sit by the warm fireplace and enjoy delicious Bavarian-style food.
Outstanding Attractions Await
Shaped by three major geographic regions: the Basin and Range, the Colorado Plateau, and the Rocky Mountains, Utah offers some of the best attractions that highlight the state’s natural beauty. Whether you want to go skiing on legendary mountain slopes, discover hidden beauty between towering cliffs, walk through fascinating museum exhibits, or explore the iconic hoodoos of Bryce Canyon, Utah’s attractions offer unique experiences. The mixture of world-class activities, stunning geography, and numerous parks makes the state a destination that exceeds your wildest dreams. Regardless of when and how you choose to explore it, visitors are sure to find excitement at America’s outdoor playground.
