Utah’s National Parks get a lot of recognition, and they’re incredibly popular with both residents and tourists. But did you know that Utah also has 45 state parks? These protected areas provide Utahns (and visitors) with tons of fishing, camping, ATV riding, skiing, golfing and so much more. They also preserve much of Utah’s history.Take a look:

1. Camp Floyd State Park
stateparks.utah.gov
Camp Floyd State Park, 69 W Main St, Fairfield, UT 84013, USA
stateparks.utah.gov
This little gem is an important part of Utah's history. The Federal Government was worried about a rebellion, so this fort was built by the U.S. Army in 1858 to keep an eye on the Mormons. It served not only as an Army fort, but also as a stagecoach stop and Pony Express station. Visit the museum here and see docents dressed in period costume and learn more about this interesting period in Utah's early history. It's located in Fairfield, about 22 miles from Lehi. Here you can find a map and directions to the park.
2. Gunlock State Park
Carl Berger Sr./flickr
Gunlock State Park, Gunlock Rd, Gunlock, UT 84733, USA
Carl Berger Sr./flickr
Gunlock Reservoir is a paradise for fishing, boating and playing in the water. It's located near St. George, so the weather here is generally mild. If you're a fan of waterfalls, you'll be a fan of this amazing park.
3. Anasazi State Park
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Anasazi State Park Museum, 460 UT-12, Boulder, UT 84716, USA
Utah State Parks and Recreation/Facebook
This park protects one of the largest Ancestral Puebloan villages west of the Colorado River. Occupied from AD 1050 to 1200, this village was once home to around 200 of Utah's earliest residents. The Anasazi museum houses artifacts and offers a six-room replica dwelling, as well as an underground dwelling. You'll find Anasazi State Park in Boulder.
4. Escalante Petrified Forest State Park
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Escalante Petrified Forest State Park, 710 Reservoir Rd, Escalante, UT 84726, USA
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Play on Wide Hollow Reservoir via canoe, kayak or paddle board. Camp overnight, and hike through this petrified "forest" with its large chunks of petrified logs. Don't be tempted to take one home with you, though - not only is it illegal to remove the petrified wood from the park, but it's said that you'll suffer a terrible curse! Visit Utah State Parks for a map and directions to the park.
5. Wasatch Mountain State Park
Utah State Parks and Recreation/Facebook

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Wasatch Mountain State Park, 1281 Warm Springs Rd, Midway, UT 84049, USA
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Wasatch Mountain State Park is located in Midway, about 50 miles from Salt Lake City. In the summer, you can golf, camp, hike, bike and ride your ATV. In the winter, enjoy snowmobiling, skiing, snowshoeing. Check out the Utah State Parks official website for a map and directions.
6. Goosenecks State Park
Goosenecks State Park, UT-316, Mexican Hat, UT 84531, USA
Adam873/TripAdvisor
The folks who know about this state park tend to visit only briefly - it's very hot in the summer and there's no shade. What the park does have is incredible views - you can see for miles here. The San Juan River winds it way though deep canyons more than 1,000 feet down. It's located way down in the southeast corner of the state, near Mexican Hat.
7. Frontier Homestead State Park
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Frontier Homestead State Park Museum, 635 N Main St, Cedar City, UT 84721, USA
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Learn what life was like for Utah's pioneers and early settlers at this fun-filled little state park. The park offers tons of hands-on activities, exhibits and lots of holiday celebrations, too. This place is a winter wonderland at Christmastime! Visit Frontier Homestead State Park near Cedar City.
8. Red Fleet State Park
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Red Fleet State Park, 8750 N Hwy 191, Vernal, UT 84078, USA
Utah State Parks and Recreation/Facebook
This picturesque state park is hiding out near Dinosaurland. You'll find it about 13 miles north of Vernal. You can hike along dinosaur tracks that are 200 million years old in this park, or boat and fish on Red Fleet Reservoir.
9. Palisade State Park
Utah State Parks and Recreation/Facebook
Palisade State Park, 2200 E Palisade Rd, Sterling, UT 84665, USA
Utah State Parks and Recreation/Facebook
There's so much to do at this state park! Golf on the 18-hole course, paddle around in the reservoir, go camping, hiking or ride your ATV in nearby Six-Mile Canyon. You'll find Palisade State Park in Sterling.
10. Snow Canyon State Park
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Snow Canyon State Park, 1002 Snow Canyon Dr, Ivins, UT 84738, USA
Utah State Parks and Recreation/Facebook
38 miles of hiking trails and 15 miles of equestrian trails take you past ancient lava flows. The red Navajo sandstone is gorgeous year-round, and this park hosts guided hikes and events every month.

What’s your favorite Utah state park? Tell us in the comments! Did you know that This Is The Place Heritage Park is also a Utah state park? It’s a magical place to visit during the holidays!

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More to Explore

State Parks to Visit in Utah

Tori Jane | February 16, 2022

What are the best state parks in Utah?  

Utah is home to 43 state parks, each seemingly more amazing than the last, and then just when you think you’ve reached the pinnacle of Utah awesomeness, you find another that blows your mind even more. For example, Antelope Island State Park is famous with photographers thanks to its incredibly photogenic nature. It’s got an incredible beach (yes, we have those here!) and is wonderful for those who enjoy watching wildlife. Dead Horse Point State Park might sound like a scary place, but it’s far from it; it’s host to incredible canyon views 2000 feet above the valley floor, and the views of the Colorado River from up there are second to none. Lovers of oddball natural wonders will love the hoodoos at Goblin Valley State Park, where the “goblins” in question are the aforementioned geological oddities all over the place. Finally – though this list is nowhere near all-encompassing – there's Gunlock State Park in southwestern Utah, which has waterfalls and can be found just 15 miles northwest of St. George. Take a look at these lesser-known state parks in Utah for some more inspiration for your next outing.  

What are the best hiking trails in Utah?  

With more than 3,000 awesome hiking trails in this beautiful state to choose from, it can be pretty difficult to know (or choose) where to begin. Let us help you! Among our favorites are the amazing Angels Landing Trail, which is tough but well worth the 4.4-mile trek through narrow segments and steep drop-offs for the incredible panoramic views of Zion National Park. Within Arches National Park is the famous Delicate Arch Trail, which is 3.2 miles of moderately challenging, but highly rewarding, terrain. It leads to Utah’s most recognizable rock arch formation, so make sure the camera is ready for that one. The Queen’s Garden Trail, at Bryce Canyon National Park, is 2.9 miles of awesome views and hoodoo formations, and then Lake Blanche Trail, in the Twin Peaks Wilderness, is a hard-but-awesome 6.8-mile trek to a remote mountaintop lake with plentiful wildlife.  

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