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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Salt Lake City, Utah
Bike Emigration Canyon
4.714.4 mi / 1300 ft gainIf you're looking for a fun climb on your road bike that won't kill you, or you are trying to find a place to train for some bigger climbing, Emigration is the perfect place to ride. The elevation gain is gradual, allowing you to grind it out for a great training ride, or spin steadily to the top...Read more -
Sandy, Utah
Hike and Climb the S. Ridge of Mt. Superior
4.54.5 mi / 1800 ft gainApproach: Start by parking on the side of the road just above the Snowbird Cliff Lodge. Then there will be some bushwhacking as you work your way up the southern slopes of Mount Superior following the path of least resistance until reaching the winter avalanche path under the south face and to th...Read more -
Kamas, Utah
Ibantik Lake via Crystal Lake Trailhead
5.03.96 mi / 646 ft gainFrom the Crystal Lake trailhead, follow the trail 1.1 miles north to Wall Lake. Here, you'll come to a junction with the trail from Trail Lake; take the left trail heading north to Notch Mountain, and Ibantik Lake is a mere .6 miles northeast, nestled next to Notch Peak. At Ibantik Lake, you'll ...Read more -
Bryce, Utah
Peek-a-Boo Loop in Bryce Canyon
4.54.98 mi / 1388 ft gainThis 5 mile hike begins at an elevation of 8000' at the Navajo Loop trailhead at Sunset Point. The view from the lookout of Sunset Point is only just a small taste of the sweeping vistas you will see on the hike. From Sunset Point follow the sign for the Navajo Trail and begin descending into a s...Read more -
Wasatch County, Utah
Little Deer Creek to Cataract Gorge
4.06.36 mi / 1148 ft gainLittle Deer Creek Canyon can be accessed from the Emerald Lake Highway (150) in the Uinta National Forest east of Kamas, Utah. Turn right onto Murdoch Basin Road (Forest Service Road 137) until it splits off to the road to Cataract Gorge (Forest Service Road 027). It is recommended you park her...Read more -
Alta, Utah
Milky Way Astrophotography At Alta
4.0Early spring is a unique time to photograph the Milky Way due to its low angle and the distinctive perspective of its galactic core. The low angle position of the Milky Way arc during the early morning hours, prior to dawn, allows for some striking panoramas, with the still snow-covered Wasatch M...Read more -
Boulder, Utah
Backpack Death Hollow in Grand Staircase-Escalante
22 mi / 1600 ft gainThe most popular route into Death Hollow is from the Boulder airstrip near the town of Boulder, Utah. The trailhead for the Boulder Mail Trail begins, or ends here depending on which way you are hiking. Leave a car at the Highway 12 bridge over the Escalante River for the thru hike, or get luck...Read more -
Sandy, Utah
Photograph Little Cottonwood Creek at Snowbird
2.0Little Cottonwood Creek flows right through Snowbird Ski Resort and there are a few beautiful locations to go shoot the river at. The best place to start hiking down the river is right by where the tram takes off. That is just below the Cliff Lodge and right by the Peruvian Lift. There's a res...Read more -
Salt Lake City, Utah
Kessler Peak in Utah's Big Cottonwood Canyon
4.74.66 mi / 2733 ft gainKessler Peak is a 10,403-foot peak located in Big Cottonwood Canyon. From the top, you can see all the way to the Uintas to the East, The tram at Snowbird to the south, and the Salt Lake Valley to the west. To the north is Mount Raymond and Gobblers Knob. Kessler Peak is the terminus and highes...Read more -
Salt Lake City, Utah
Ensign Peak
4.10.97 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 -
Oakley, Utah
Scale the Cliffs at Ruth Lake
4.8Getting There From Evanston, take the Mirror Lake Highway 150 about 42 miles to the Ruth Lake trailhead and follow the easy hike up from the highway; just look for the signs directing you to Ruth Lake. The Trail/The Climbs Once on the trail, keep an eye out to your left and soon you'll see the cl...Read more -
Moab, Utah
Backpack the Lathrop Canyon Trail in Canyonlands
18 mi / 2130 ft gainAccess to this trailhead is a few miles south of the Islands in the Sky Visitor Center in Canyonlands National Park. An easy drive from Moab or Interstate 70. Remember to get permits and check in with the rangers if camping. If just doing a day hike then no permits are needed. REMINDER: There is ...Read more -
Provo, Utah
Timpanogos Basin via Timpooneke Trail
5.09.78 mi / 3015 ft gainThe wildflowers are normally at their peak from mid to end of July or the beginning of August. Depending on the amount of snow that year and how wet of a spring we had it could vary a little bit. But anytime during the mid summer you will encounter amazing Indian Paintbrush, Lupine, and other co...Read more -
Tropic, Utah
Hike Mossy Cave in Bryce Canyon
3.21 miThis short hike cannot be reached from the main area of Bryce Canyon, but with a 15 minute drive from the main entrance you can access this less crowded portion of the park. Check out a park map for the directions. This is very family-friendly, and is actually more of a "walk" than a "hike."It is...Read more -
Kanab, Utah
Desert Camp at White House Campground
4.0White House Trailhead & Campground sits just north of the Vermillion Cliffs National Monument. There are only 5 walk-in sites ($5 per night), very clean bathrooms, and grilled firepit/picnic tables in each site. The camping area is surrounded by beautifully sculpted and colored sandstone clif...Read more -
Salt Lake City, Utah
Winter Backpack to Dog Lake and Backcountry Ski Reynolds Peak
4.55 mi / 1500 ft gainThe hike is considered moderate, but the 1500ft. elevation gain (2100ft. to Reynolds Peak) will definitely get your heart rate up. Snowshoes/skins are recommended but the trail is often packed enough to do without them.After crossing the street from the Spruces parking lot, follow the trail past...Read more