If you live near Brigham City, you know all about the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge. Otherwise, you may have never heard about it. The refuge is a hidden gem in Utah that is home to millions of migratory birds every year. Visit it to see Canada geese, great blue herons, gulls, bald eagles, northern shovelers, tundra swans, many species of ducks and more.
The Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge is the perfect place for bird watching, fishing and hiking. It offers great opportunities for photography, too. Check out this oasis in Utah!
The refuge is located at the mouth of the Bear River, where it flows into the Great Salt Lake. It encompasses 80,000 acres of marshes, open water and upland terrain.
More than 250 bird species pass through the Bear River Migratory bird refuge during migration. Millions of birds will call this beautiful place home during the year - at least for a few months.
Visit the James V. Hansen Wildlife Education Center Tuesday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.. The center has exhibits, a diorama and 2 miles of trails.
To see much of the refuge, take the auto tour, a drive that takes you on a twelve-mile journey where you’ll see many birds up-close. The auto tour is open every day from sunrise to sunset.
Summer is breeding time, and a great opportunity to see baby birds. During the months of June and July, you’ll see tons of ducklings and baby American avocets and black-necked stilts. Baby western grebes ride on their mother’s backs.
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.
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!
I love chasing waterfalls. In fact, my favorite hike is easily the Calf Creek Falls Trail in southern Utah. Although, tucked away near Provo is another waterfall hike that you’ll want to check out — Mistress Falls. This trail is short — approximately one mile long — but it’s filled with adventure. You’ll want to prepare for some rock scrambling, steep inclines, and possibly a little bushwacking. It’s not a hike for beginners but if you have the experience, it’s one that’s full of excitement.
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Mistress Falls is a lesser-known waterfall in Provo Canyon. To witness this beautiful waterfall in person, you’ll want to grab your hiking gear and head to Upper Falls Park. You’ll take the Upper Falls Trail for a portion of this hike. This trail is well-maintained and popular and takes you to the lovely Upper Falls.
Once you reach the base of Upper Falls, you’ll notice a very narrow trail. This is the trail to Mistress Falls. It will take you west and you’ll follow along the ridge of a mountain.
This portion of the trail is not like what you will find on your way to Upper Falls. Here, you'll come across very loose rocks and overgrown areas. You'll also want to prepare for some steep climbs. It is strongly recommended to bring hiking poles for this part of the journey to keep your footing — it’s quite difficult. You may feel like you are climbing straight up a mountain.
Safety is of utmost importance. You will want closed-toed footwear to protect your feet from the rocks and roots. Also, because this leg of your hike is less traveled, it can be easy to lose your way. We recommend using resources like AllTrails+, which allows you to download a trail map.
However, despite the challenge, the views of Mistress Falls are mesmerizing. The water is magical as it falls down the steep cliff walls. You’ll likely have the area all to yourself as the majority of hikers will stop at Upper Falls and not make the climb to Mistress Falls.
At the top, you’ll also find a large rock where you can sit and enjoy the view. It’s pretty spectacular.
Mistress Falls is the type of adventure you must be prepared to take and it may challenge you more than you expect. However, the views are quite extraordinary. Take a few breaks and enjoy the experience.
For more information about the Mistress Falls Trail near Provo, Utah, visit AllTrails.
Have you ever hiked to Mistress Falls? What was your experience like? What is your favorite waterfall hike in Utah? Let me know! I’d love to hear from you.
