The 50 Best Adventures in Utah

Are you a rugged modern-day Thoreau seeking solitude (and/or tax evasion?) in the backcountry? Are you a Conventional Utah Family seeking weekend adventures in the frontcountry — or outings, rather than adventures, really, and preferably ones that pose little-to-no risk to your 2.3 kids?

No?! What else could you possibly be?

Actually, it doesn’t matter. Utah’s diverse landscape has experiences for everyone. Day hikes to gorgeous alpine lakes, steep and deep backcountry skiing, camping in one of Utah’s beautiful national parks, squeezing your way through slot canyons... the list goes on and on.

Below, that is. The list goes on and on below. Fifty Utah adventures. Zero excuses not to find one that suits you. By next weekend at the latest. Read through, let your mind wander and then make plans to make your daydreams come true.

1. Hike to Diamond Fork Fifth Water Hot Springs

Photo: Jacob Moon

2. Camp at Willow Lake

Photo: Lindsay Daniels

3. Backpack and Camp at Ibantik Lake

Photo: Colton Marsala

4. Hike the Subway - Top-Down

Photo: Scott Kranz

5. Hike to White Pine Lake

Photo: Eric Bennett

6. Rock Climbing in Indian Creek

Photo: Lindsay Daniels

7. Backpack to Silver Lake

Photo: Michael Johnston

8. Hike Bryce Canyon’s Riggs Spring Loop

Photo: Jason Shepherd

9. Hike Angels Landing at Night

Photo: Derrick Lytle

10. Backpack to Lake Catherine and Bag Sunset Peak

Photo: Lindsay Daniels

11. Fly Fish the Green River below Flaming Gorge

Photo: Dan Ransom

12. Camp in Capitol Reef National Park

Photo: Mike Fennell

13. Relax in the Saratoga Hot Springs

Photo: Eric Bennett

14. Backpack to Red Pine Lake

Photo: Sam Watson

15. Hike Many Pools

Photo: Spencer Rudy

16. Ski Little Cottonwood Canyon

Photo: Sam Watson

17. Backpack Coyote Gulch

Photo: Colton Marsala

18. Camp by the Spiral Jetty

Photo: Prajit Ravindran

19. Hike and Shoot Delicate Arch

Photo: Andy Best

20. Hike Lakes Mary, Martha, and Catherine (Brighton Lakes)

Photo: Rebecca Jones

21. Backpack Mount Timpanogos

Photo: Lindsay Daniels

22. Backpack Reflection Canyon

Photo: Kathleen Buenviaje

23. Short Hike to Double Arch

Photo: Scott Kranz

24. Hike Kanarraville Slot Canyon

Photo: Karyna Wilkerson

25. Summit the Pfeifferhorn

Photo: Conor Barry

26. Hike Observation Point

Photo: Idle Theory Bus

27. Backpack to Red Castle and Red Castle Lakes

Photo: Sam Watson

28. Explore the Zion Narrows

Photo: Stephen Marshall

29. Wildflower Hike in Albion Basin

Photo: Lindsay Daniels

30. Backpack Amethyst Basin

Photo: Conor Barry

31. Canyoneering Keyhole Canyon

Photo: Kathie Green

32. Camp under Zion’s Watchman

Photo: Tiffany Nguyen

33. Cliff Jumping at Power Dam

Photo: Tyler McFall

34. Climbing in the Lone Peak Cirque

Photo: Andy Earl

35. Beach Camping on Lake Powell

Photo: Dustin Landon

36. Hike to False Kiva

Photo: Eric Schuette

37. Hike to Mt. Olympus

Photo: Eric Harris

38. Explore Arches’ Fiery Furnace

Photo: Devin K

39. Camp at Goblin Valley

Photo: Andy Earl

40. Backpack Kings Peak

Photo: Jacob Moon

41. Hike Buckskin Gulch Vermillion Cliffs Wilderness

Photo: Tobin Akehurst

42. Backpack into the Needles District

Photo: Casey Berner

43. Hike Peek-a-Boo and Spooky Canyons

Photo: Rebecca Jones

44. Scale the Cliffs at Ruth Lake

Photo: Colton Marsala

45. Night Photography at Calf Creek Falls

Photo: Kiki Lamm

46. Canyoneering the San Rafael Swell

Photo: George Bruce Wilson

47. Backpack Bryce Canyon’s Under the Rim Trail

Photo: Emily Goodman

48. Photograph the Bonneville Salt Flats

Photo: Sam Watson

49. Bike Holy Guacamole outside of Zion NP

Photo: Jake Young

50. Camping at Granstaff Campground

Photo: Joel Bear

Cover photo: Andy Earl