Have you visited Utah’s seven national monuments? Some are probably more familiar to you than others, but all are wonderful places to visit. See Utah’s natural beauty, learn about some of state’s first residents (both human and dinosaur) and engage in some serious recreation.

1. Cedar Breaks National Monument

Visit Cedar Breaks National Monument for a view that rivals the Grand Canyon. The monument stands at 10,000 feet, towering a half mile over the valley below. Check out the hoodoos, the subalpine forest and the wildlife.

2. Dinosaur National Monument

Dinosaurs were Utah’s first residents...millions of years ago. Today’s Utahns can visit the remains of some of those dinosaurs at Dinosaur National Monument. Visit the Carnegie Quarry Exhibit Hall, where you can see over 1,500 dinosaur bones up close - you can even touch some!

In addition to dinosaurs, the monument also offers tons of recreation. Visit the Harpers Corner Area to hike, picnic, look for fossils or play in the Green River.

See petroglyphs left by some of Utah’s earliest human residents at McKee springs.

3. Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument

The Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument is a vast and remote place - it was the last spot in the lower 48 states to be mapped. The monument is divided into three regions. Check out Buckskin Gulch in the Grand Staircase region.

Cool off in Calf Creek Falls in the Canyons of the Escalante region.

The Kaiparowits Plateau is the most remote part of the monument. Visit Devil’s Garden to see hoodoos and arches.

4. Hovenweep National Monument

Between AD 1200 and 1300, more than 2,500 people lived, worked and played in the area that is now designated as Hovenweep National Monument.

The monument features numerous dwellings, defense towers and storage granaries.

5. Natural Bridges National Monument

The three natural bridges of the Natural Bridges National Monument were named to honor the native Hopi people who lived here thousands of years ago. This is Kachina Bridge.

Here is Owachomo...

...and Sipapu.

If you’re looking for some amazing star gazing, Natural Bridges National Monument is the spot! It received the first certification by the International Dark-Sky Association as an International Dark Sky Park in 2007. Because the area is so remote, visitors can see millions of stars here.

6. Rainbow Bridge National Monument

Rainbow Bridge is one of the largest natural bridges in the world. Though native people have considered the bridge a sacred spot for more than 10,000 years, the bridge wasn’t "discovered" until 1909, when Cummings-Douglass Expedition published the finding. The explorers, trappers and prospectors who were already well aware of the bridge were probably amused (or irritated) by the expedition’s claim of discovery.

7. Timpanogos Cave National Monument

If you’ve lived in Utah very long, you’ve certainly visited Timpanogos Cave. The hike to the cave is steep, with many switchbacks, but the view is definitely worth it.

The cave is nice and cool (about 45 degrees). You’ll take a tour with a park ranger where you’ll see stalactites, stalagmites and the Heart of Timpanogos.

Which is your favorite Utah national monument?