On a hot summer day, there is no place I’d rather be than the water park. While there are a handful of water parks in Utah, one of the best is Cowabunga Bay in Draper. Located on State Street and near I-15, this water park is home to 11 slides and multiple water attractions including the Cowabunga River, a 1960s-themed lazy river in Utah where you’ll find us all summer long.
Cowabunga Bay WaterPark is the ultimate destination to beat the summer heat. This Draper, Utah water park has activities for every member of the family from Cowabunga Kid’s Cove to the Mondo, an 800-foot water slide with all types of twists and turns in complete darkness.
Check out the 1967 Volkswagen surf bug that will cool you off as you float by as well as the spraying surfboards. Also, watch out for the squirting tikis …
And if you want to spend the rest of your day outside of the water, consider renting one of the cabanas next to the Cowabunga River. Enjoy shade, chairs, a table, and even a server who will take orders and hand deliver your food and drinks. There are several cabana options available throughout the park.
When visiting Cowabunga Bay, admission is broken into two sessions each day: 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. You will enjoy free parking, free inner tubes, and free life jackets during each session.
It doesn't matter if you are searching for a heart-racing adventure or a lazy float, you’ll find it at Cowabunga Bay WaterPark. This summer destination is certainly far out.
For more information on this Utah waterpark visit the Cowabunga Bay website and Cowabunga Bay Facebook page.
Have you spent time at Cowabunga Bay in Draper? What are your favorite attractions? Let us know in the comments along with your favorite lazy river in Utah.
If you are searching for even more exciting things to do in summer in Utah, check out our list featuring several of our favorites. Just make sure that before any warm-weather activity, you have the right gear!
August is typically HOT in Utah, with temperatures in the Salt Lake Valley often in the 90s, and temperatures in other parts of the state well above 100 degrees. Don’t just hide in your house, pushing your electric bill ever higher. Get out there and have some fun with some hot weather activities! Just find a way to do it and cool off at the same time, as there are tons of things to do on a hot summer day in Utah. Here are 11 ideas of what to do on a hot day in Utah.
I recently discovered that many Utah towns have installed splash pads at their local city parks. If your city has one, grab a couple of towels, some sunscreen, and a picnic lunch and spend an afternoon chilling out with your neighbors.
The library isn’t just for book nerds (who might be the coolest people in Utah, anyway!). If you have little kids, check your local library for storytime and other free activities. The public library system is a great source for all kinds of entertainment, from books to DVDs and music.
A blockbuster movie on a hot summer day is a special treat, but you can expand your horizons by trying something a little different. Catch the latest independent movie or foreign film at The Broadway or The Tower in Salt Lake City, or Art House Cinema in Ogden. If you love the idea of sipping a beer while watching a flick (and you’re at least 21 years old), try Brewvies Cinema Pub in Salt Lake.
Which one, you say? Any of Utah’s 647 lakes will suffice! If you’ve got a bunch of spare cash lying around, rent yourself and your closest 15 friends a houseboat on Lake Powell. If your budget is a little tighter, just grab some sunscreen, a towel, and a snack and head for the lake closest to you. It doesn’t matter where you live in Utah -- you’re probably within an hour of a decent-sized body of water. If you REALLY want to cool off fast, head for some higher elevation lakes -- one splash in Bear Lake and you’ll be chilled right out.
There’s nothing like a sheet of ice to cool you down. Grab a jacket (you’ll need one!) and head to your local ice rink. In the Salt Lake Area: Acord (WVC), SLC Sports Complex (Guardsman Way), County Ice Center (Murray), Olympic Oval (West Jordan). In Ogden: The Ice Sheet (Harrison Blvd). In Bountiful: South Davis Rec. Center. In Provo: Peaks Ice Arena. In Park City: Ice Arena (Gillmore Way). If you’re not a very good skater, no worries. Every time you fall on your butt you’ll get even colder!
It’s hot while you stand in line at Lagoon Amusement Park, but once you hop on Wicked, Colossus, or the new Cannibal Mega Coaster, the wind through your hair cools you off -- plus you’ll be so excited/terrified/happy that you’ll completely forget about being hot. Of course, you can always get soaked on Rattlesnake Rapids or the Log Flume, and spend some time at Lagoon-A-Beach for a real drenching.
Pick a camping spot with some elevation and you’ll find much cooler air. Utah’s High Uintas is downright chilly at night -- even in August. While it’s much cooler up there, don’t forget your sunscreen - you can still get sunburned.
Summer is for fun...but you might as well learn something at the same time! Utah has more than a hundred museums, all across the state. Take the family, make it a date, or go all by yourself...most museums have excellent air-conditioning.
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9. Strap on Your Life Vest and Go Whitewater Rafting
Wanna see some beautiful scenery, get soaked, and raise your pulse a few notches? You can go whitewater rafting on Utah’s Green and Colorado Rivers. Guided rafting trips fit most budgets -- from a short trip to an overnight excursion. If the thought of barreling down a river on a rubber raft terrifies you, choose a slower-paced river like the Provo River and hop on a float for a lazy afternoon.
We Utahns LOVE our ice cream. If you seriously don’t know where to go to get some, check out our list of 11 Ice Cream Shops around the state or make your own. Don’t forget to indulge in at least a few shaved ice treats, too!
Just because you can’t ski/board in August is no reason to avoid Utah’s ski resorts. The temperature is cooler and there’s plenty of great mountain biking and hiking at all of them. You’ll also find alpine slides, zip lines, outdoor concerts, and more.
What's your favorite way to stay cool in Utah when the temperature soars? Share your idea of what to do on a hot day in Utah in the comments. One of the best things to do on a hot summer day in Utah is to go hiking! Here are some of the best hiking trails in Utah:
Here in Utah, we have destinations that make for calm, relaxing days spent in nature. From easy hikes to remote campgrounds, there are beautiful and relaxing places to spend time outdoors. However, if you love a heart-racing adventure, there are also plenty of options including overnight and multi-day rafting trips from Moab Adventure Center. You can have an experience you will never forget.
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If adventure is what you are after, you will certainly find it in Moab. This area is known for its thrilling heart-racing activities from jeeps and jet boat rides to mountain bikes and hikes, this is a red rock paradise.
One unique way to explore this area is an overnight or multi-day rafting trip offered by Moab Adventure Center. This company has offered unique tours and extreme adventures since 1961.
Half-day and full-day rafting adventures are available for individuals as young as five years old. But, if you want something a little more extraordinary and extreme, consider one of the multi-day rafting trips.
The Cataract Canyon 4-day adventure is one of the most popular options but it’s not for those who have a fear of the water. You will raft down the Colorado River through Cataract Canyon. The first two days will be silent and calm but the last two days are described as a “deafening roar.” You will camp along the way and in total, travel up to 96 river miles.
If you want to explore someplace a little different, how about a five-day, multi-day adventure through Desolation Canyon? This rafting trip is not for the faint of heart as you’ll encounter more than 60 class II-III rapids. But you’ll also enjoy water that is a pleasant temperature, sandy beaches, and breathtaking starry skies.
Do you want a simple overnight adventure? If a two-day adventure is more your speed, explore Canyonlands National Park in Cataract Canyon. This time, however, you will ride on a high-speed raft. You’ll travel nearly 100 river miles and on your way, learn stories and facts about the Native Americans who once called this area home. The minimum age for this adventure is 12 years old.
No matter which rafting adventure you choose to take, you are certain to experience this area of this state in a whole new way. It’s an adventure you’ll want to put right at the top of your bucket list.
For more information on multi-day rafting tours in Moab, visit the Moab Adventure Center website.
Have you ever been rafting near Moab, Utah? What are some of your favorite things to do near Moab? Let us know in the comments. And if you need any gear for your outdoor adventure, I recommend checking REI or Backcountry for ideas.
