There's No Better Place To Spend Your Summer Than These 9 Hidden Utah Spots
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Catherine Armstrong
Author
The Beehive State is chock-full of beautiful outdoor recreation spots, and the whole world seems to know about them. With more than 4.5 million visitors, Zion National Park is no longer a place to escape for quiet and solitude, that’s for sure! Luckily, Utah is a large state with tons of places to enjoy a summer day – you just have to get away from the more popular spots. Here are nine of our favorite hidden spots, where you’ll find fewer people:
If you're willing to drive far off the beaten path, you'll be richly rewarded with a quiet little wildlife refuge. Fish Springs National Wildlife Refuge is out in Tooele County, near Dugway. Take the 11-mile-long, self-guided loop tour to see many species of birds. It's free to visit and is open year-round from sunup to sundown.
There's no shortage of stunning rock formations in Utah, but Kodachrome Basin State Park is a lot less crowded that its larger national park cousins. The soaring cliffs and monolith stone spires were 180 million years in the making, and they're stunning. You'll find this park in Kane County, south of Cannonville.
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It's just not summer until you've hiked the Wind Cave Trail in Logan Canyon! This is probably the busiest spot on our list, and certainly a popular place on weekends. The trail is four miles, out and back, and easy enough for families with kids to tackle. Try it on a weekday morning for best results.
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Utah's Hogle Zoo is always hopping on a summer day, but you'll typically find much smaller crowds right down the road at Tracy Aviary. Located in Liberty Park, the aviary offers bird shows and plenty of up-close-and-personal bird encounters. It's open every day of the year except Thanksgiving and Christmas.
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Take a drive along the Alpine Loop before it becomes crowded with leaf peepers this fall, and stop in at Cascade Springs for a stroll amongst the pools and small waterfalls. In summer months, you'll find pretty flowers just about everywhere you look.
It took millions of years, but the San Juan River eventually carved itself a winding path through the desert, undeterred by the uplift of the Colorado Plateau. Peer over the side of the plateau to see it 1,000 feet below, and marvel at the miles and miles of scenic views. Stay the night to see a sky full of stars!
Looking for a unique, quirky spot to visit this summer? Head to Gilglal Sculpture Garden. It's hidden away in a Salt Lake City neighborhood, and it's truly a marvel. The 12 sculptures here were built by Thomas Battersby Child, a masonry contractor with an artistic flair. It's free to visit, and open seven days a week.
When the temperature soars, it's time to find a swimming pool and dive right in. The tiny town of Veyo, northwest of St. George, is hiding a beautiful pool and resort. Veyo Pool & Crawdad Canyon will keep you occupied all day long. Swim in the pool, then explore the canyon and catch some crawdads (release them after saying hello). You'll also want to grab a thick ice cream shake while you're there.
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There's nothing sadder than a day of fishing without a single nibble. You're certain to find fishing success at Cold Springs Trout Farm in Ogden, which offers several ponds stocked with trout. You can also practice fly fishing here, and take a self-guided tour through the pretty grounds. It's open six days a week (closed on Sunday).
Please remember to respect these hidden spots and clean up after yourself when you visit! Be kind and considerate to those around you and remember that we’re all here to enjoy this beautiful state.
Which of these places have you visited? We’d love to hear about your favorites!
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Featured Addresses
Fish Springs National Wildlife Refuge, 8454 Auto Tour Route, Dugway, UT 84022, USA
Kodachrome Basin State Park, Cannonville, UT 84718, USA
Wind Cave Trailhead, Wind Caves, Logan, UT 84341, USA
Tracy Aviary & Botanical Gardens, 589 E 1300 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84105, USA
Cascade Springs, Utah 84604, USA
Goosenecks State Park, UT-316, Mexican Hat, UT 84531, USA
Gilgal Sculpture Garden, 749 E 500 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84102, USA
Veyo Pool Resort & Climbing, 287 E Veyo Resort Rd, Veyo, UT 84782, USA
Cold Springs Trout Farm, 2284 Fruitland Dr, Ogden, UT 84414, USA