Utah is famous for its arches and rock formations. After all, we feature the iconic Delicate Arch on our license plates! There are literally thousands of arches in the Beehive State, and many require strenuous hikes to see in person. Here's one lesser-known arch that requires only minimal effort to reach. Check it out!
To reach the arch, take state route 12 south from Cannonville to Cottonwood Canyon Road.
Drive along Cottonwood Canyon Road another 10 miles to the Grosvenor Arch parking lot. Grovsenor Arch is located in the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument.
You either love the winter in Utah or you hate it. But no matter which one it is, you do all you can to survive a Utah winter. While we know that winter in the Beehive State is typically quite cold and very stormy, it’s always fun to see what the Farmers’ Almanac predicts. This year, the Farmers' Almanac 2024 winter in Utah predictions tell us to prepare for a mild, yet stormy season. How does that sound?
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The Farmers’ Almanac has been predicting winter weather in the United States for more than 200 years. Due to their impressive 80 percent accuracy rate, the Farmers' Almanac has become a source many people look to as they plan their winter travels.
While winter officially starts on December 21, you can expect winter weather to arrive before then in the Beehive State. The winter weather predictions in Utah say that one of the snowiest times of the season will actually come as early as the middle of November. Shortly following, in late November, we can also expect one of the coldest times of the year. This means that preparations for winter snow gear and snow shovels must come early this season.
For Utah, and most of the Intermountain West, precipitation is expected to be about average or just above average this year. While mid-November is expected to see lots of snow, more is expected in early and late January and even into mid-March. It sounds like this will be an excellent year to pull out the skis and snowboards and perfect your skills …
So, when will winter end in Utah? Well, expect the snow for quite some time. The Farmers’ Almanac predicts that cold and snowy weather will continue clear into March. Fortunately, this isn't expected to be a year of frigid temperatures as they are predicted to be above normal for most of the season.
With lots of snow and above-average temperatures, this is looking to be an excellent season for those hoping to spend their winter months on the slopes. And, if you are like me, I'm already looking forward to cozy sweaters, firewood, and hot chocolate! Oh, and the gorgeous frozen landscape that winter brings in Utah.
If you want to learn more about the Farmers' Almanac 2024 winter in Utah predictions, check out the official Farmers’ Almanac Winter Weather Forecast 2024-2025. And, if you are like us and love taking a look at the Farmers' Almanac winter forecast for Utah each year, let us know. We'd love to hear your thoughts and experiences.
13 Staggeringly Beautiful Places in Utah That Will Always Be Waiting for You
Discover the breathtaking beauty of Utah with our guide to 13 must-visit natural wonders, including national parks, scenic byways, and unique landscapes.
Utah's diverse beauty never fails to amaze and delight us. From its stunning red rock cliffs in the south to its alpine forests and lakes in the north, there are plenty of places where we can surround ourselves with nature's majesty. We can't visit as often as we'd like, but these 13 staggeringly beautiful places in Utah will always be waiting for us. What do you consider the prettiest place in Utah?
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1. Arches National Park
Perfect photo of Delicate Arch, Arches National Park with sun shining in the sky.
Arches National Park is home to our iconic Delicate Arch, but it's just one of more than 2,000 arches there. Don't miss the massive Landscape Arch — one of the most beautiful landmarks in Utah — and take a hike to see Corona, Double, and Double O Arches. Balanced Rock is a must, too!
The Caribbean of the Rockies gets its gorgeous azure color from limestone deposits in the water and it's truly a gem. Splash and play in the lake, bask on the beach, or drop a line in to catch a trout, and don't forget to grab a famous raspberry shake before heading home.
Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons provide ready recreation just minutes from Salt Lake City. Hike to Brighton Lakes in Big Cottonwood Canyon and visit Snowbird Resort in Little Cottonwood for some excellent mountain biking in the summer. Little Cottonwood Canyon, for example, is one of the best places in Utah to watch the seasons change.
World speed records have been broken at the Bonneville Salt Flats, but you don't need a speedster to visit. This salty landscape covers 30,000 acres and as you stroll across the barren landscape, you'll feel as though you're on another planet.
The hoodoos that populate the amphitheater at Bryce Canyon National Park are otherworldly. These magnificent, reddish-orange towers eroded over millions of years and you won't find a higher concentration of them anywhere else in the world. This is one of my favorite pretty places in Utah.
Buckskin Gulch is 13 miles long and is the longest and deepest slot canyon in the country. You'll need a permit to hike it but with a little patience and luck, you'll soon be navigating this unique wonder. Just make sure to check the weather before heading out — flash floods are deadly here.
Photographers wake up early to capture stunning photos at Mesa Arch and it's just a small sampling of the natural wonders at Canyonlands National Park. There are four districts to visit — Island in the Sky, The Needles, The Maze, and The Rivers.
Whether you feel like taking a scenic drive or hiking to one of its many natural wonders, Capitol Reef National Park will give you a taste of Utah's wild beauty, along with a good dose of history. Visit the orchards in the Fruita Historic District, wonder at the Waterpocket Fold, and hike to one of several natural bridges and arches, such as Hickman Bridge, shown here.
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9. Great Salt Lake
USA, Utah, Great Salt Lake
The Great Salt Lake is the largest salt lake in the Western Hemisphere. It covers 1,700 square miles but it's only an average of 16 feet deep. Yes, you'll float easily in it, due to its high salt content, but that's not its only draw. Check out the Spiral Jetty, an outdoor work of art created by artist Robert Smithson in 1970. You'll find it on the lake's northern shore.
Around two million people visit Lake Powell every year and you just might fall in love when you see it for the first time. The lake was created when the Glen Canyon Dam was built in 1963 and it offers 1,900 miles of shoreline with its many coves and side canyons. To get maximum enjoyment of the lake's recreation opportunities, rent a houseboat and explore to your heart's content.
11. Mirror Lake Scenic Byway
Mirror Lake is a lake in the high Uinta Mountains in Utah. It is a popular fishing and recreation spot.
The Mirror Lake Scenic Byway starts in Kamas, then winds its way through Utah's High Uinta Wilderness, and up and over Bald Mountain Pass. Make a stop at Provo River Falls, drop a line at Trial Lake to see if you can catch a rainbow trout, and camp overnight at iconic Mirror Lake.
Bring out your inner mountain goat by hiking Mount Timpanogos. It's a grueling hike that takes most adventurers around five hours but you'll witness wonderful wildflowers, see a real mountain goat or two, and reach the second-highest summit in the Wasatch Mountains at the top — 11,749 feet.
Utah's most popular national park, Zion welcomes around 4.3 million visitors every year. Don't let the crowds chase you away; you'll want to explore this 146,597-acre park by hiking many of its trails. Take the popular River Walk Trail, where you can splash up the Narrows in the Virgin River, or brave the climb to Angel's Landing for an eagle-eye view of the canyon.
What places are you looking forward to visiting soon? What do you consider to be the most beautiful places in Utah? Let us know, and if you have any photos, we'd love to see those as well! And if you are looking for the best travel bag for when you visit each of the prettiest places in Utah, check out one of our favorites. We love to take it everywhere we go!
