Things to see and do in Utah

Attractions in Utah

Alpine Loop Scenic Byway

Drive the Alpine Loop Scenic Byway for one of Utah's most popular summer drive destinations.

American West Heritage Center

Tour the American West Heritage Center (www.americanwestcenter.org), at the foot of the Wellsville Mountains, which includes the Man and His Bread Museum and the Ronald V Jensen Living Historical Farm, an authentic Mormon pioneer farm. Daily activities here are performed exactly as they would have been in 1917. The centre is currently a massive 65 hectares (160 acres) and intends to add another 71 hectares (175 acres).

Dinosaur National Monument

Discover the Dinosaur National Monument sprawled across eastern Utah and into Colorado. Pittsburgh palaeontologist Earl Douglass began scouring the area for bones in 1908 and the quarry he excavated lies at the west end of the park.

Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area

The Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area stretches from Ashley National Forest to the south Wyoming desert, and boasts great fishing, boating and hiking.

Glen Canyon National Recreation Area

Some of the many outdoor activities available here are boating, fishing, swimming, backcountry hiking and 4-wheel drive trips.

Great Salt Lake

The Great Salt Lake is the largest lake west of the Mississippi River, and the second saltiest body of water in the world, after the Dead Sea. It stretches 148km (92 miles) north to south and is about 77km (48 miles) wide.

Jardine Juniper

Visit the 1,500-year-old Jardine Juniper, the oldest juniper in the Rocky Mountains, 19km (12 miles) from Logan in Logan Canyon, and a short hike from Wood Camp Campground.

Little Sahara Recreation Area

See the Little Sahara Recreation Area. It has more than 8,000 hectares (20,000 acres) of free-moving sand dunes.

Moab

Moab is a great base for exploring Utah's southeast. The town boasts the Hole 'n the Rock, a 14-room house carved out of a sandstone cliff; the Dan O'Laurie Museum; and Pale Creek Ranch, which offers trail rides into the La Sal Mountains.

Museum of Church History and Art

Tour the Museum of Church History and Art in Salt Lake City, and find Mormon historical memorabilia, fine art sculptures and paintings.

Ride the Snowbird Tram

Ride the year-round Snowbird Tram (www.snowbird.com) that rises 870m (2,854ft) to the top of the 3,300m (10,827ft) Hidden Peak with its 360-degree view of Utah's mountain ranges and valleys.

Salt Lake City

Explore Salt Lake City (www.visitsaltlake.com). The city is a thriving modern city whose proximity to the mountains and lakes makes it a popular base for outdoor enthusiasts. The city is also the spiritual centre of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and home to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.

Salt Lake Temple

See Salt Lake Temple (www.ldschurchtemples.com). The temple occupies a full city block in Salt Lake City. It houses the Mormon Tabernacle, Assembly Hall, various statues, monuments and two visitor centres.

Skiing

Utah has a good selection of ski resorts, seven of which are less than an hour's drive from Salt Lake City. These include Alta Ski Resort (www.alta.com), Beaver Mountain (www.skithebeav.com), Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort (www.snowbird.com), Park City Mountain Resort (www.parkcitymountain.com), The Canyons (www.thecanyons.com), and Deer Valley Resort (www.deervalley.com). Seven snowmobile complexes are located across the state, linking hundreds of miles of trail systems.

Timpanogos Cave National Monument

Explore the Timpanogos Cave National Monument on the north slope of Mount Timpanogos. The monument's cave systems consist of three spectacularly decorated caves.

Visit Utah's parks

Experience the natural scenic wonders of the Wasatch-Cache National Forest , the East Canyon State Park the Willard Bay State Park, the Lost Creek State Park and the Antelope Island State Park. Take the family through Bryce Canyon National Park; the park shows thousands of delicately carved spires rising in brilliant colours from amphitheatres. Explore the Canyonland National Park, which is divided, into three sections by the Green and Colorado rivers.

Zion National Park

Visit one of the nation's oldest national parks. The park has over 593 sq km (229 sq miles) of canyons and soaring cliffs.

Tourist offices

Utah Office of Tourism