Utah
From its expanses of iconic desert playgrounds to its towering Wasatch Range, Utah is home to every type of outdoor adventure you can imagine. Locals and visitors alike are spoiled with convenient access to world-class winter and summer time activities and lodging.
Top Spots in and near Utah
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Millard County, Utah
Take a Dip in the Meadow Hot Springs
3.8These hot springs are located on private property but the owner allows anyone to come and take a dip. You can camp overnight and also have fires in the several pits near the pools. He just asks all the visitors to keep it cleaner than they found it and Leave No Trace of course. There are 3 differ...Read more -
Hurricane, Utah
Camp Under Zion's Watchman
4.3Watchman Campground is one of the most popular campgrounds at Zion National Park. With a prime location only a ¼ mile away from the South entrance and gorgeous scenery right outside of your tent, including the tall sandstone cliffs that surround it, it’s easy to see why this campground is everyon...Read more -
Moab, Utah
Power Dam
3.32.19 mi / 505 ft gainThis is a great little swimming hole spot in Moab. A lot of locals will call it The Power Dam. It's just a short easy 1.5-mile hike up the canyon to a natural swimming pool where you can swim and hang out. This is a perfect little spot to check out in Moab while visiting the great national parks....Read more -
Salt Lake City, Utah
Ensign Peak
4.20.97 mi / 354 ft gainThis hike is a piece of cake with a sizable reward. It starts just up the hill behind the Capitol Building and ascends 350 feet over about 0.5 miles to the top on a very well marked trail. It's great for a family with young ones or maybe a quick post-dinner evening date. Parking is all along a re...Read more -
Springdale, Utah
Canyoneering Keyhole Canyon
4.0Keyhole Canyon is an experience for the adventurous, thrill seeking explorer. Hidden between the jagged mountains of Zion National Park, this canyon sits roadside, just two miles from the east entrance. Before we continue, please note that Canyoneering is a dangerous sport. This canyon is not for...Read more -
Salt Lake County, Utah
Hidden Falls
4.20.16 mi / 138 ft gainHidden Falls is a beautiful little waterfall with minimal crowds. When I say minimal, I mean I've only seen another person there 1 of the 5 or 6 times that I have been. Take it in. Stay a while. Scramble around the small canyon for different perspectives of the falls or the creek. If you don't ha...Read more -
Hurricane, Utah
Watchman Trail
4.83.2 mi / 863 ft gainThe Watchman is one of the last parts of Zion to be illuminated in sunlight at the end of the day. If you're finishing up your adventure filled day with a sunset hike or if you're looking for a warm-up hike which also happens to be a Zion classic, then The Watchman Trail is perfect. With only abo...Read more -
Alta, Utah
Cecret Lake
4.41.78 mi / 509 ft gainCecret Lake is reached by driving up Little Cottonwood Canyon to Albion Basin above Alta Ski Resort. The hike is just under 1 mile to the lake and should take about 30 minutes. The hike goes through fields full of wildflowers and wildlife is abundant. Moose, deer, and various wildlife can be s...Read more -
Provo, Utah
Hike to Buckley's Abandoned Mine
4.63 mi / 200 ft gainOnce you reach the mine it's gated but you can slide in. Follow the main tunnel a hundred or so feet back and climb the 75 foot ladder up to the second level. You can then make your way back out to the cliff face where there is another gate to the outside. That gate is a little trickier to squeez...Read more -
Evanston, Utah
Amethyst Basin via Christmas Meadows
4.512.57 mi / 2303 ft gainDirections: The trail leaves from the Christmas Meadows Trailhead. From Mirror Lake Scenic Byway (US 150) turn on Christmas Meadows Rd. The campground and trailhead are around 3.5 miles down the road dirt road. The road is suitable for low clearance vehicles. Trip Length: 6 miles each way + opt...Read more -
Provo, Utah
Sunrise over Mt. Timpanogos via Pine Hollow
4.8Pull into the Pine Hollow parking lot, just before the winter closure gate and watch the show. If you get there early enough you can watch Timpanogos go from the tones of soft alpenglow to the harsh vibrance of sunrise. In the winter make sure you remember enough blankets.Read more -
Evanston, Utah
Red Castle and Red Castle Lakes
4.623.13 mi / 2149 ft gainThe Red Castle is a stunning formation of crumbling red rock that rises around several small lakes, high in the Uinta Mountains. The trail begins at the China Meadows Trailhead. From there, it heads south for about 8 miles, winding through lodgepole pine forests and skirting vast alpine meadows, ...Read more -
Boulder, Utah
Lower Calf Creek Falls
4.65.74 mi / 515 ft gainThe trailhead for lower calf creek falls begins at the Calf Creek Campground. There is a small fee to park in the campground and a larger fee if you plan on camping in the campground. There is potable water and outhouses at the trailhead but parking can be difficult to find during the spring and ...Read more -
Alta, Utah
Cecret Lake from Albion Basin
4.94.48 mi / 1214 ft gainThe out-and-back trail from Albion Basin to Cecret Lake climbs a gentle slope and along the way there are interpretive signs with information about the basin, its plants, animals and geology. From the lake you can return the same way you came, or explore the area more. If you head there during t...Read more -
Holladay, Utah
Mt. Olympus Trail
4.76.46 mi / 4124 ft gainThe trail begins right on Wasatch Blvd. and after the first 0.5 miles you're into the Superior Wilderness. This is a very strenuous hike and you will be gaining elevation the whole way from the parking lot (4830 ft) to the summit (9026 ft). About .2 mile from the summit you will reach a saddle....Read more -
Kanab, Utah
Hike Buckskin Gulch, Vermillion Cliffs Wilderness
4.615 miBuckskin Gulch is a natural wonder. At 15 miles long it is the longest slot canyon in the world. It sometimes is as narrow as 2ft. Because of the nature of this canyon and Utah topography this canyon is subject to deadly flash flood if it rains anywhere along the headwaters. Be sure to check in w...Read more