Why Utah is One of the Best States for Outdoor Adventure
With its snow-capped mountains and extraordinary red rock formations, Utah’s diverse landscape beckons the explorer within all of us. Utah has unique, rugged beauty that invites endless adventures.
Epic Outdoor Adventures
Utah’s wide spaces and rugged backcountry offers nearly limitless opportunities for outdoor recreation. If you’re up for the challenge, try tackling a Goblin’s Lair Canyoneering Adventure. This half-day tour will have you hiking and rappelling amongst the spectacular hoodoos (AKA the goblins) and exploring an orange-tinged slot canyon.
Conquer your fear of heights on a Via Ferrara Tour. After scaling up a canyon wall to witness phenomenal views, you’ll rappel down to base camp for an unforgettable day. Or hop on a UTV for an afternoon of Rappelling and Canyoneering. Longer tours bring you to the extraordinary slot canyons the area is known for. Either way, be prepared for the adventure of a lifetime.
To play in some of the world’s best snow, head to aptly named Powder Mountain. With 8,464 acres of terrain, you’ll always find a bit of fresh powder just for you. Since the hill is open until 9 p.m., you can sleep in, enjoy après mid-day and continue riding well into the night.
Bucket List Highlights
Utah is well-known for The Mighty Five ® National Parks: Arches, Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef and Zion National Park. These striking natural landscapes create unique destinations like nowhere else on Earth—it truly feels like entering a different world.
Step off the trails and step onto a Hollywood set—here, you can discover a robust film history, perfect for movie buffs. Along the Utah Film Trail, you’ll traverse the same sweeping vistas showcased in classic westerns including Thelma and Louise and Butch Cassidy & the Sundance Kid. If you prefer musicals, walk the halls where High School Musical was born.
When day turns to night, the fun doesn’t end. With the highest concentration of International Dark Sky Association-certified locations, Utah boasts some of the world’s most incredible stargazing in its Dark Sky Parks. Make your stay unforgettable with a glamping experience in a teepee, wagon, dome or yurt.
Where to Stay
When touring through a state as unique as Utah, your accommodations should be just as special. Think tiny homes, vintage Airstream campers and deluxe cabins. You’ll find all three at Ofland Escalante.
If you’d rather glamp where nature meets modern luxury, book your stay at Conestoga Ranch. This award-winning glamping resort offers complimentary cruiser bikes and campfire valet services when you stay in one of their wagons or traditional tents.
Where to Eat
After a day of exploring, recharge your mind, body, and soul with a meal at Sego. Surrounded by Kanab’s stunning landscape, this award-winning restaurant prides itself on serving dishes that reflect the country’s diversity. Their exquisite New American cuisine highlights what makes the USA unique. Indulge in their social plates dining concept to prepare you for another adventure-filled day.
Six Utah Destinations
Over the next few weeks, Explore will explore six of Utah’s most iconic destinations. We’ll hike and bike in Salt Lake City, then take a step back in time to visit Logan, a city with a historic 1950s-style vibe and an outdoor living history museum.
Arts lovers will be intrigued by Cedar City’s Tony Award-winning Utah Shakespeare Festival. Kanab has camping, glamping and hotel options, making it an ideal basecamp for visitors to national parks and hidden gems like the Wave or Buckskin Gulch slot canyon.
We’ll dive deep into one of the lesser known but just as incredible parks, Capitol Reef, and discover Carbon County, a must-see county. Within the county is a corridor of small towns and cities where visitors will unearth Utah’s prehistoric past and rich mining history.
Bookmark explore-mag.com now to join us in learning more about Utah’s untamed, adventurous beauty.
This article was sponsored by Visit Utah
Utah is made up of vibrant and historic cities and towns, all surrounded by natural beauty. These natural landscapes are designated as national parks, national monuments, national forests, state parks and millions of additional acres of open spaces with no official designation save for “Utah.”
