15 BEST Utah Outdoor Adventures You Can't Miss
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When looking for a place of unforgettable experiences, thrills that make you feel like you’re living your life to the fullest, incredible new sights you never dreamed of seeing, and memories you have always hoped to make, there’s one location that stands above the rest. Utah. The Utah outdoor adventures take you on quests along the dangerous peaks of Angel’s Landing, or through the cooling waterfalls of Kanarra Falls, even to areas you never thought could exist on this planet.
Of course, Utah outdoor adventures are full of thrill seeking activities, but they’re so much more than just that. They’re trips of discovery. They’re the opportunity to fully explore one of the best places on the planet. Most importantly, they’re about finding experiences you never imagined stumbling upon.
Keep scrolling for the absolute BEST UTAH OUTDOOR ADVENTURES YOU CAN’T MISS!
1.) Hikes, hikes, and more Utah hikes
Hiking is one of the best ways to explore the true and beautiful nature of an area, and the Utah hikes are a perfect example. Adventurous and explorative, dangerous and exciting, peaceful and enlightening, the hikes of Utah come in all shapes and sizes with one of a kind experiences no matter what you’re looking for. No Utah trail is ever similar, but one thing they have in common is the way they highlight the inspirational wonder found in the great state of Utah.
Pro tip- Utah has thousands of fantastic hikes, Click Here to see all of the absolute best Utah hikes!
2.) Explore the Utah National Parks and Utah State Parks
No trip to Utah would be complete without exploring the Utah National and State Parks. The expansive valley of Zion National Park seems to push the beautiful boundaries that this planet is capable of. To the reflective waters of Antelope Island State Park that look as if miles of still glass lay under the shadows of nearby mountains. The Utah National Parks and Utah State Parks hold the best of what Utah has to offer, and they’re just waiting for you to explore them.
Pro tip- You can’t go wrong with any of the Utah Parks, but make sure to see 2 of the best ones, Zion and the Canyonlands.
3.) Stand At Staggering New Heights
Exploring Utah outdoor adventures bring you to all corners and all different types of biomes found throughout the state. While each has its own exciting beauty, perhaps none are as gorgeously adrenaline filled as the fantastic cliffside overlooks scattered throughout Utah. Hiking to the peaks of mountaintops or being precariously perched on the precipice of a thousand foot fall can make you feel alive in ways that nothing else can. Plus, the reward of unobstructed Utah vistas makes it all the more better.
Pro tip- Moon Overlook, Green River Overlook, and Angel’s Landing are all top (unavoidable pun) peaks to explore.
4.) Incredible Utah Landscape Views
Utah has arguably the best landscape views in the entire United States and the entire world. Odd and confusing creations to majestic works of art that appear far too perfect to be real life. Spots of utter astonishment that take your breath away while leaving you gasping for more. Mountains that stretch to the sky and horizons that last forever, the Utah landscapes are more than just incredible picture spots. They’re memories there for you to capture.
Pro tip- See all of the best, can’t miss Utah landscapes right HERE!
5.) Zion National Park
When searching for the peak of what Utah is, there’s one place that stands above the rest. Zion National Park. One of the most grandiose places in the world, Zion shows the astounding natural power found within this state. Soaring cliffsides like Angel’s Landing that invigorate as well as astound. Smooth and frigid waters winding through massive canyons like The Narrows. Even peaceful waterfalls and sunset overlooks. Whether you’re looking for Utah outdoor adventures or to simply take in the picturesque sights, Zion National Park is sure to amaze.
Pro tip- Zion National Park can get quite crowded, so be sure to apply for hike permits the second they become available.
6.) Expansive Utah Outdoor Adventure At The Canyonlands
Few places in Utah can demonstrate the sheer scale and extensive landscapes that the Canyonlands National Park does. Thousand foot tall cliffsides standing at the end of incredible hikes, miles upon miles of open canyon floors, and vistas that look as if they reach to the other side of the world. The Canyonlands is a special place unlike any other and a place you can’t fully comprehend until you witness it in person.
Pro tip- Don’t miss the Green River Overlook and White Rim Overlook for some of the best views in the park.
7.) Explore Otherworldly Terrain
Utah is home to landscapes that not only take you out of your comfort zone but make you feel as if you’re in a new alien world. They’re places of bleak beauty and oblong designs that transform the planet you thought you knew. Picturesque places that confuse and delight while making you feel as though you left Earth altogether. These environmental “mutations” are the wonderful spots that give Utah outdoor adventures flair and uniqueness you can’t find anywhere else.
Pro tip- Sunrise and sunset at these peculiar spots really highlight the strangeness found throughout.
8.) Bonneville Salt Flats
Speaking of otherworldly terrain, perhaps none embody that quite as well as the Bonneville Salt Flats. A barren wasteland of pure white salt that looks like the rest of the world skipped over these few square miles. Common sense would say that with a place so empty, there’s nothing to see, but with the Bonneville Salt Flats, that’s what makes it so incredible. Miles of perfectly flat nothingness let you see a new perspective to the great variety found on this globe, while also showing how full everywhere else really is.
Pro tip- Come during the dry season to see the stark white landscape or during the rainy season for miles of smooth glassy water.
9.) Go Off The Beaten Path
Sometimes unexplored places can be the best. Not only are there much fewer people, but you also get a sense of discovery, as though you found a new and exciting spot that nobody has ever thought the check before. Quiet and scenic places off the map that reward you for following that hopeful curiosity that most people don’t. Sure, it’s the mainstream locations that draw people in, and for good reason, but it’s these collections of hidden gems that make Utah such a spectacular state.
Pro tip- There are many amazing, under the radar spots found around the town of Hanksville.
10.) Soak In The Sun At The Coral Pink Sand Dunes
Shadowed by the surrounding mighty Utah Parks, the Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park is where you can let your quest for Utah outdoor adventures take on a more child like experience. Set your shoes aside and climb up steep sandy slopes only to sandboard straight back down. Rent an ATV or dune buggy and kick up new sand dunes of your own. You can even find a quiet stretch of sand and simply soak in some sun. Here, you can forget your troubles and just enjoy the outdoors any way you want.
Pro tip- Try to stay for sunset when the park is nearly empty and the sights are at their most spectacular.
11.) Wade Through Peaceful Waters
Utah outdoor adventures don’t always have to be adrenaline filled endeavors. They can also be peaceful, watery journeys that give you a different kind of adventure… an adventure of calm exploration. In Utah, the best waterways aren’t normal rivers; they’re winding canyons of wonder. It’s places like Kanarra Falls and The Narrows with their smooth walls towering above and gentle currents, that make you feel a certain sense of adventure and discovery. It’s as if you’re inside your own personal movie, and you’re watching it for the very first time.
Pro tip- The waters can be frigid, so be sure to bring a good pair of waterproof shoes.
12.) Take In Unforgettable Sunsets And Sunrises
Sunsets and sunrises are the best times in a given day, and in Utah, it’s clear to see why. It’s feeling the pink sand dance across the dunes in the soft sunlight at the Coral Pink Sand Dunes. It’s watching the hoodoo shadows stretch as the sun fades behind the mountains at Bryce Canyon. Even witnessing the landscape begin to awaken as you stand at the edge of the Moon Overlook. Utah is already a gorgeous place, but at sunrise or sunset it becomes incomparable.
Pro tip- Usually sunrises in Utah are best so you can still enjoy the sights without the crowds.
13.) Walk Under Natural Arches
Utah is full of glorious views and landscapes that stretch into the horizon, and just as beautiful are the thousands of perfect natural arches. Twisted, smooth strands of stone defy typical rock formations as millennia of wind and water slowly carve away these curving towers. Seeing the long shadows cast from stationary spirals like those at Arches National Park, to looking up at the massive natural bridge of the Corona Arch in the Canyonlands, are yet more examples of the differently spectacular environment that awaits in Utah.
Pro tip- If you’re after arches in as many shapes and sizes as you can find, then the Arches National Park is the place to go.
14.) See The Vibrant Colors Of Utah
People don’t often think of Utah as a vibrant environment full of color, but that’s only because they haven’t really seen Utah. This state is so much more than the faded earthy browns and beiges of millions of years old stone. It’s full of various colors bursting with beautiful shades of expression. There are bright tie-die purple rocks of Bentonite Hills. Rolling pink waves of Stansbury Point. The stunning assortment of colors at the Potash Ponds, even the ghostly white salt flats in Bonneville. See, Utah is a state far more colorful than most; you just have to know where to look.
Pro tip- Check out all of the amazing colors and sights of Utah HERE!
15.) Check Out Moab And The Surrounding Parks
While taking on all of the best Utah outdoor adventures, you will need a place to rest up, eat some food, and get ready for your next activity, and MOAB is just the spot. Surrounded by great parks and hikes like the Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park, Dead Horse Point, and more, this fun, small town is the perfect place to stay while you get ready for your next adventure. Plus, all of the fun activities and good food help.
Pro tip- Stop by the Spitfire Smokehouse for some good times and fantastic BBQ.
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