These Are The 12 Most Beautiful State Parks In Utah… And You Need To Visit
Everyone in Utah (and really, the entire world), knows all about our gorgeous national parks and monuments. But let’s not forget Utah’s state parks! We have over 40 superlative and spectacular state parks, each with unique offerings. Because they’re often overshadowed by their larger national park cousins, they’re also often overlooked. Don’t make the mistake of skipping a visit to these 12 beautiful state parks in Utah. They offers tons of recreation and are much less crowded than some of the well-known spots!
Antelope island is popular with photographers, nature lovers, and Utahns looking for recreation. (The sunsets here are divine!) Swim, bask on the beach and have a picnic. There’s plenty of wildlife to view - antelope, bighorn sheep, mule deer, and of course... bison.
The azure waters of Bear Lake State Park are like a postcard. You can sit on the beach and gaze at the beauty, or you can get out on the lake for sailing, fishing, waterskiing. Go up for the day, or make it a weekend adventure by camping at one of several campgrounds.
Bear Lake State Park, 940 N Bear Lake Blvd, Garden City, UT 84028, USA
Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park is a pretty place for recreation, but you’ll never visit the same park twice - the sands shift constantly with the wind, moving up to 50 feet each year. This park is a paradise for ATV enthusiasts.
Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park, 12500 Sand Dune Rd, Kanab, UT 84741, USA
The vista at Dead Horse Point State Park rivals that of any of Utah’s national parks. It’s situated 2,000 feet above the valley floor, where the Colorado River winds through the landscape. You’ll find this little gem near the northeast corner of Canyonlands National Park.
Dead Horse Point State Park, UT-313, Moab, UT 84532, USA
The "goblins" at Goblin Valley State Park are interesting little hoodoos created by wind and water erosion. This park is almost surreal - it’s been compared to the surface of Mars, and you’ll certainly see why when you visit.
Test your skills on the nine-hole golf course, or start your trip down the Green River here. Whatever you do, don’t miss the Green River Watermelon Festival, held the third week in September! This Utah state park is well-worth a visit anytime, however!
Green River State Park, 550 Green River Blvd, Green River, UT 84525, USA
Gunlock State Park is located just 15 miles northwest of St. George, making it the perfect destination if you’re visiting southern Utah and want to get away from the crowds. The reservoir is a popular spot for boating and fishing.
Gunlock State Park, Gunlock Rd, Gunlock, UT 84733, USA
The water in the lake at Huntington State Park is warm and inviting. Swim, boat or just picnic on the banks. It’s also a popular fishing hole - you’ll find plenty of largemouth bass and bluegill.
Huntington State Park Campground Road, Huntington State Park Campground Rd, Utah 84528, USA
Kodachrome Basin State Park fits its name perfectly - its gorgeous colors beg to be photographed. Kodachrome is a great spot for horseback riding (take a tour!) and mountain biking. Take a leisurely hike, then spend the night in the campground.
Kodachrome Basin State Park, Cannonville, UT 84718, USA
Quail Creek State Park is the perfect place for a getaway, year-round. The waters of Quail Creek Reservoir are some of the warmest in Utah, and full of trophy fish.
Quail Creek State Park, 472 5300 W, Hurricane, UT 84737, USA
Wasatch Mountain State Park is a golfer’s dream park with four gorgeous and challenging 18-hole golf courses. You’ll also enjoy horseback riding, hiking, mountain biking, fishing, camping and more at this pretty park.
Wasatch Mountain State Park, 1281 Warm Springs Rd, Midway, UT 84049, USA
Which of the Utah state parks is your favorite to visit? What do you think the most beautiful Utah state park is? Sound off on all things Utah state parks in the comments below!
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The OIYS Visitor Center
state parks to visit in Utah
February 24, 2022
Sarah M.
What are some amazing national parks to visit in Utah?
While the Beehive State is known 'round the country for its amazing national parks, we hold a special place in our hearts for Bryce Canyon National Park. Bryce Canyon is a sea of red rocks, pink cliffs, and endless vistas. It’s a hiker’s paradise, a fantastic place to camp, and boasts incredible views and top-notch stargazing. It’s really no wonder that an estimated 2.7 million people visit each year! It's also home to one of the most iconic and bucket-list-worthy hikes in the country: the Rim Trail. At more than 10 miles round trip, it's not a short hike; however, there are smaller increments you may choose to complete if you don't want (or are unable) to complete the full hike. This trail follows the rim of Fairyland Canyon and Bryce Canyon, providing sweeping panoramas of *the* grand canyon and iconic hoodoos of the park. In fact, Bryce Canyon has the largest collection of hoodoos in the world -- and you can marvel at these natural wonders whilst hiking the Rim Trail.
What's the most beautiful state park in Utah?
We're going to plead the fifth on this one, as we truly believe that each and every one of Utah's 43 state parks is beautiful and well-worth a visit! So instead of us answering this highly contentious question, we'll defer to what the experts at Travel + Leisure said, when they rounded up the best state park in each state. The winning park in the Beehive State is the irreplaceable, incomparable Goblin Valley State Park. In addition to having what is perhaps the coolest name ever, this park is truly unlike any other place on the planet; in fact, it's often been compared to the landscape of the moon, and has been a filming site for many sci-fi movies. Its vast landscape features thousands of oddly-shaped rock formations called hoodoos. The park is nestled right in the middle of three national parks: Arches, Capitol Reef, and Canyonlands. It's located just 12 miles from the little town of Hanksville, and is well-worth visiting no matter where in Utah you're located!
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Writer, editor and researcher with a passion for exploring new places. Catherine loves local bookstores, independent films, and spending time with her family, including Gus the golden retriever, who is a very good boy.
