There’s a reason that nearly 24 million tourists visit Utah every year. We have tons of great tourist destinations that astonish and delight guests and residents alike. Sometimes, these spots can get a little overwhelming with all the out-of-towners. No worries...just skip some of the more touristy places in favor of these less-visited gems.
Hint: Don’t skip the "touristy" spots all together...just wait until tourist season is over, then check them out without the long lines and hordes of camera hounds.
Zion is Utah’s most-visited National Park, and can get really crowded during tourist season. Visit Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument instead. You’ll enjoy a similar landscape of red-rock cliffs, slot canyons and stunning vistas.
The sweeping landscape is one of the best things about Bryce Canyon National Park. Visit Dead Horse Point instead. You’ll experience that same overwhelming feeling of being very, very small compared to the landscape, and photo opportunities abound.
The LDS Temple in Salt Lake City is a very popular tourist destination, especially during the holiday season. This year, come in from the cold and visit the Cathedral of the Madeleine instead. The architecture of this cathedral is astonishing, with its stained-glass and soaring vaulted ceilings. The best part? You get to go inside, no matter what your religious affiliation! The Cathedral hosts a number of free concerts if you’re looking for that cozy Christmas feeling this year.
People come from all over the world to ski at Park City, and as a result the lift lines can be long. Instead, head for Brighton. Situated at the very top of Big Cottonwood Canyon, the views from the top of the lifts are breathtaking. Alternatively, try Alta, Snowbird or Solitude.
Yes, Sundance is super cool. If you can get in, that is. It’s expensive, crowded and full of spoiled celebrities. Instead, check out Slamdance. It’s an alternative film festival that still truly has that indie feel. It happens in January every year.
Every time friends come to town, they ask you about the Great Salt Lake. Yes, it’s very large. But it’s also kind of stinky and hard to access. Head up to Bear Lake, instead. You can see tons of birds and wildlife at the Bear Lake Migratory Bird Refuge, go boating, fishing or swimming and get a look at that deep blue color that the lake is famous for.
Where is your favorite spot to take guests when they come to Utah?
At the beginning of every summer, my husband sits down with my three children and asks them to create their own summer bucket list. They can list any place they want to visit from hiking trails and fishing spots to water parks and campgrounds. And, I even create one myself. The following are 11 things that you’ll find at the top of my summer bucket list in Utah and I recommend placing on yours as well.
I love searching for summer wildflowers and one of my favorite places to go is Tony Grove Lake in Cache County. Located up Logan Canyon, this area is typically in full bloom from mid-July to mid-August. There are several ways you can view the wildflowers including at the Tony Grove Day Use Area, on one of the several hiking trails, or even at the Tony Grove Lake Campground. It’s mesmerizing here and absolutely beautiful – don’t forget your camera!
2. Watch The Greenshow at the Utah Shakespeare Festival
Attending the Utah Shakespeare Festival in Cedar City deserves a spot on every summer bucket list. While you can always watch a full play, my favorite activity is The Greenshow. For 30 minutes, the entire family can enjoy outdoor entertainment with singing, dancing, and storytelling. Plus, The Greenshow is free. Throughout the 2024 season, there are three different versions of The Greenshow, and if you have time, we recommend viewing each one.
As a child, my summers were spent at Cherry Hill and I still become giddy each time I take my children. This destination is home to a campground, a delicious bakery, and a water park with attractions for the entire family. However, I particularly love the 18-hole miniature golf course. Each hole boasts its own theme from windmills to ski mountains. Do you have a favorite hole here? I do.
4. Dive into some ice cream at The Creamery in Beaver
If you find yourself near Beaver, you must stop at The Creamery. This is not only a fabulous road trip stop, but it's also where you can purchase delicious cheese and ice cream. While I love the ice cream year-round, there's something special about the hand-dipped ice cream in the summer months that will excite your sweet tooth.
Did you know that Utah is home to the highest concentration of dark sky parks in the world? While there are places all over the state that are perfect for summer stargazing, I recommend planning a camping trip at East Canyon State Park in Morgan. Just a short drive from SLC, this is a certified dark sky park, home to much history, a popular location for boating and swimming, and offers a variety of accommodations ranging from covered wagons to yurts. Plus, it is home to one of the only hammock campsites in Utah.
There are bucket-list-worthy farmers’ markets in Utah, particularly in the Salt Lake area. These markets are where you can purchase fresh, locally grown produce, handmade products, delicious food, crafts, and so much more. While there are markets all around the state to visit, there are more than half a dozen markets in SLC alone with one of our favorites being the Downtown Salt Lake City Farmers Market at Pioneer Park.
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7. Explore the slot canyon at Pioneer Park in St. George
Pioneer Park is a 52-acre park in St. George with all types of activities including multiple hiking trails and rock climbing. However, one of our favorite areas is the St. George Narrows. This is a slot canyon that is perfect for those who want a little adventure. At first, the canyon is quite wide but it narrows as you walk along. In fact, it becomes so narrow that many adults can not fully slide through yet most children are able.
Capitol Reef National Park is one of the most underrated national parks in Utah and is one of the best parks for escaping the crowds. It is also home to Fruita, a historic small town that is known for its incredible fruit orchards. During the summer months, you can come and pick fresh fruit in the orchard, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Just make sure you give yourself time to visit Gifford Homestead, where you can find unique goods, fruit jellies, and delicious fruit pies. All money collected from the you-pick fruit is used to preserve these Utah orchards.
There are dozens of waterfall hikes you could add to your Utah summer bucket list but I love Stewart Falls. To reach these falls, you must tackle a 3.4-mile out-and-back trail that is considered moderately challenging. However, the large falls at the end will certainly leave you impressed. Spring is when these falls really roar but we love the entire journey during the summer months.
This summer, you’ll likely find me lazily floating along the Cowabunga River at Cowabunga Bay WaterPark in Draper. This unique lazy river features a 1960s theme complete with a 1967 Volkswagen surf bug, spraying surfboards, and tiki torches. It’s a destination the entire family will love and the perfect place to cool off on a hot summer day.
When you want to spend some time outdoors, yet escape Utah's dry summer heat, Tibble Fork Reservoir is the place to go. This reservoir is located in American Fork Canyon and is surrounded by mountains and forests. This is a great place to fish or even splash in the water. Just beware…this water is cold!
What items are on your summer bucket list? What do you love most about the summer in Utah? Let us know in the comments.
Interstate 15 is the most popular way to travel through Utah. From St. George to the Idaho state line, this road truly takes you from one end of the state to the other. But, there is another road that practically runs through all of the Beehive State and is much more scenic. Highway 89 takes you through small towns, past historic buildings, and to incredible geological sites. If you want to see what Utah truly has to offer, this scenic highway is it.
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Highway 89 is also known as the Utah Heritage Highway. This road lets you experience some of Utah’s history, culture, and heritage all in a scenic drive.
While this highway practically runs throughout the entire state, for this particular scenic drive, we will only travel north until the highway merges with Highway 6 near Spanish Fork.
If you are traveling north, you’ll begin your drive right along the Utah and Arizona state line and in the small town of Kanab.
If you have never spent time in Kanab, make sure you stop and stay for a while. The downtown area is one of the most charming in the entire state and this town is home to the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, the largest no-kill animal sanctuary in the entire country.
As you continue north, you’ll travel through small towns like Panguitch, an excellent destination for a small town getaway.
Panguitch is another small town where you can stay for a while. Take the short drive to Panguitch Lake or travel Scenic Byway 12, one of the most popular scenic drives in Utah. You can also explore the Arches Trail, a family-friendly hike in the nearby Red Canyon.
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Highway 89 will also take you to Big Rock Candy Mountain, just outside of Marysvale. This is one of the most recognized geological sites in Central Utah. Here, you can visit the resort, go on a hike, or just stop and admire the unique scenery.
As you continue north on Highway 89, you’ll come to some of the most charming small towns with peak pioneer vibes. Manti, Ephraim, Moroni, and even Fairview all deserve your time for exploring.
Spring City is a small town with approximately 1,000 residents and another must-visit stop on this drive. This small town is home to dozens of historic buildings and is considered one of the best-preserved examples of a nineteenth-century pioneer village.
You can drive around Spring City or just walk the streets to admire its unique architecture and historic buildings. This entire town is on the National Register of Historic Places and it’s charming in every way.
So, the next time you wish to head north or south in the Beehive State, why not take Highway 89? It’s a scenic drive that’s certainly worth exploring!
Have you ever driven Hwy 89 in its entirety in Utah? What are some of your favorite stops along this route? Let us know in the comments! And, if you are searching for even more scenic drives to take in the Beehive State, check out these 13 scenic drives that are incredibly beautiful!
Of course, if you are planning a road trip or a long drive on one of the best scenic drives in Utah, you must be prepared. Check out our ultimate road trip packing list before you go!
