13 Staggeringly Beautiful Places In Utah That Will Always Be Waiting For You
By Catherine Armstrong|Updated on May 25, 2023(Originally published May 19, 2023)
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Catherine Armstrong
Author
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.
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.
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, 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.
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.
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.
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's-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 in the comments and if you have any photos, we’d love to see those as well!
One of the most beautiful places in Utah is Arches National Park. Check out this Only In Your State video that shares 12 things you should know about this incredible national park in Utah.
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Where can I find some of the best Utah scenery?
We may be a little biased but we believe that Utah is one of the most beautiful places in America. This state will impress anyone who takes the time to explore it as you can view a wide variety of landscapes from red rocks and arches to forests and lakes. While the entire state is stunning, there are a few places where you will find the best views and scenery that Utah has to offer. The following are articles that highlight different areas of the Beehive State that are absolutely beautiful.
It is impossible to list must-visit attractions in the Beehive State. There truly are some incredible places to visit. But, for those who are new to the state or those who simply want to explore it even more, make sure the following destinations in Utah are marked off your bucket list.
What are some outdoor hidden gems in Utah that I should check out?
When it comes to hidden gems that are just waiting to be discovered in Utah, the list is long. But, we love hidden gems, (particularly outdoor hidden gems) because these are often the destinations with the most stunning views and where you can get away from the crowds. Some of our favorite outdoor hidden gems in Utah include:
