Welcome to Utah

The Beehive State is buzzing with adventures beyond your wildest dreams. Teeming with flame-colored cliffs, salt-crusted expanses and snow-blanketed peaks, Utah’s diverse landscapes provide the perfect backdrop for every hike, bike ride and ski vacation. Delve deeper to find ancient ruins, dinosaur graveyards and cities with impressive culinary chops.

State Bird: California Gull. Gabe Raggio from Pixabay

Down-to-Earth Cities

Food comes first in Salt Lake City. Dig into seasonal, locally sourced plates at Pago’s and feast on a mean Mole Coloradito at the Red Iguana. Authentic Tuscan fare is served at Valter’s Osteria, while craft beer flows endlessly at Avenues Proper, Epic Brewing Company and Red Rock Brewery. Walk off your delicious meals by shopping at over 90 stores at City Creek Shopping Center and exploring fascinating exhibitions at the Natural History Museum.

Park It at Park City

You’ll want to go to Park City if you’re physically active. Located just 35 minutes from Salt Lake City International Airport, this historic silver mining town spoils skiers with Park City Mountain, a world-class resort that’s home to over 300 trails, 41 lifts and eight terrain parks. During winter, stop by the Utah Olympic Park for a heart-pumping bobsled ride.

Exhilarating Landscapes

Step inside Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park on Utah’s southern border and you’ll feel like you’ve entered the set of a Western flick. Follow the 17-mile scenic drive to get closer to the dramatic buttes and towering pinnacles, and join a tour to access sacred lands and private backroads.

Fantastic Flats

For a complete change of scenery, venture into the Bonneville Salt Flats. This white salt-coated surface sprawls for 30,000 acres and hosts land speed racing events every summer. Wildlife such as bison and antelope can be viewed in Antelope Island State Park, and the densest concentration of Jurassicera dinosaur bones await at the Cleveland Lloyd Dinosaur Quarry in the heart of the state.

Endless Water Recreation

In eastern Utah, Moab is a whitewater rafting hot spot, thanks to its proximity to the Colorado River. Thrill seekers can take on the raging waters in Westwater and Cataract Canyons, while families can enjoy a leisurely float in Fisher Towers. Calmer sections of the Colorado can also be explored by canoe, kayak or paddleboard.

Mormon Heritage

The first Mormon settlers reached the Salt Lake Valley in 1847. Today, 60 percent of the state’s population are members of the Latter-day Saints Church. Mormon heritage is on full display at Salt Lake City’s Temple Square. Featuring the Salt Lake Temple, Tabernacle, Family History Library and a dozen other attractions, this 35-acre area in the downtown core weaves history with stunning architecture and art.

Original Utah Dwellers

Utah was inhabited long before the Mormons arrived. Gain insight into the state’s first occupants at Fremont Indian State Park in central Utah near Interstate 70. Home to the largest Fremont Native American village ever discovered, this park lets you view the remains of ancient pit houses and ponder petroglyphs adorning rock walls.

Enriching Local Events

Immerse yourself in Utah’s artistic spirit and cultural diversity at its many memorable celebrations. Park City’s Sundance Film Festival showcases renowned independent films, while the Utah Shakespeare Festival in Cedar City puts on several performances from June to October. In Salt Lake City, view works by local and international artists at the Utah Arts Festival, and learn how to enhance your artistic skills at the Craft Lake City DIY Festival. Racing fans will want to swing by St. George in March for the Skywest Airlines Mini Indy.

Beehive State Hunting

Outside of Utah’s parks and monuments, hunters can take advantage of thriving populations of mule deer, elk, antelope, pheasant, duck and more.

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The Mighty Five

The Mighty Five are Utah’s most prized national parks. They’re overflowing with astounding landscapes, making them the perfect backdrop for epic adventures. Trek through a wonderland of sandstone towers and over 2,000 arches in Arches National Park. Watch the sun’s rays dance on sharp, brilliantly colored hoodoos at Bryce Canyon National Park. Capture stunning photos of Zion National Park’s famous rock formations, such as Angel’s Landing, the Great White Throne and the Three Patriarchs. In Canyonlands National Park, bike down challenging dirt roads and be rewarded with panoramic vistas that rival the Grand Canyon. If you want to beat the crowds, head to Capitol Reef National Park to get deep canyons and vibrant cliffs all to yourself.