40 Top Things to Do in Utah

Bryce Point

Bryce Canyon · On our Las Vegas & National Parks route + 1 more

Southern end of the amphitheater with the widest panorama of the hoodoos.

Inspiration Point

Bryce Canyon · On our Las Vegas & National Parks route + 1 more

Three-level viewpoint looking straight into the Silent City hoodoo maze.

Rainbow Point

Bryce Canyon · On our Las Vegas & National Parks route + 1 more

End of the 18-mile scenic drive at 9,100 ft, with the short Bristlecone Loop.

Tip: Drive to the end first, then stop at viewpoints on the way back (all on your right).

Sunrise Point

Bryce Canyon · On our Las Vegas & National Parks route + 1 more

Rim overlook facing east over the Bryce Amphitheater's densest hoodoos.

Tip: Arrive 30 min before sunrise; bring layers, it is cold year-round at dawn.

Bryce Canyon Astronomy Program

Bryce Canyon · On our Las Vegas & National Parks route

Ranger-led night sky talks and telescope viewing in one of the darkest parks in the US.

Tip: Check the park calendar; full-moon hikes need a lottery spot.

Navajo Loop and Queen's Garden Trail

Bryce Canyon · On our Las Vegas & National Parks route

3-mile combo descending through Wall Street's slot to Queen Victoria hoodoo.

Tip: Hike down Navajo, up Queen's Garden for an easier climb.

Navajo Loop Trail

Bryce Canyon · On our Utah Mighty Five route

Steep switchbacks through Wall Street's narrow slot between towering hoodoos.

Tip: Wall Street section may close in winter; check at the visitor center.

Arches Visitor Center

Arches · On our Utah Mighty Five route

Park entrance with exhibits and ranger trail updates.

Tip: Timed-entry reservations are required in peak season; check recreation.gov.

Balanced Rock

Arches · On our Utah Mighty Five route

A 128-ft rock pinnacle with a big boulder on top, with a short loop trail around it.

Tip: Quick stop between the entrance and Windows.

Delicate Arch Trail

Arches · On our Utah Mighty Five route

Three-mile round trip over slickrock to Utah's most famous arch.

Tip: Go for sunset; bring a headlamp for the walk down.

Devils Garden Trail

Arches · On our Utah Mighty Five route

Trail to Landscape Arch, with an optional primitive loop past several more arches.

Tip: Start early; parking fills fast.

Fiery Furnace

Arches · On our Utah Mighty Five route

Maze of sandstone fins explored on a ranger-led hike or with a self-guided permit.

Tip: Book ranger tours months ahead on recreation.gov.

Grand View Point Overlook

Canyonlands · On our Utah Mighty Five route

Southern tip of the mesa with a 100-mile view over canyons cut by the Green and Colorado rivers.

Tip: Walk the 2-mile rim trail out to the point.

Green River Overlook

Canyonlands · On our Utah Mighty Five route

Easy view over the winding Green River and the White Rim.

Tip: Good sunset spot with fewer people than Grand View.

Island in the Sky Visitor Center

Canyonlands · On our Utah Mighty Five route

Info, maps and ranger talks on the mesa-top district.

Tip: Fill water here; there is none further into the park.

Mesa Arch

Canyonlands · On our Utah Mighty Five route

Short walk to a cliff-edge arch that glows red at sunrise.

Tip: Arrive 45 min early for a spot; tripods crowd the arch.

NAVTEC Expeditions

Canyonlands · On our Utah Mighty Five route

Moab outfitter running rafting and jet-boat trips on the Colorado River and Cataract Canyon.

Tip: Book Cataract Canyon trips well ahead.

Capitol Reef Visitor Center

Capitol Reef · On our Utah Mighty Five route

Orientation, trail maps and info on the Waterpocket Fold geology.

Tip: Ask about Scenic Drive road conditions.

Cassidy Arch Trail

Capitol Reef · On our Utah Mighty Five route

Steep 3.4-mile round trip up to a large arch you can stand above.

Tip: Bring lots of water; trailhead is in Grand Wash.

Fremont Petroglyphs

Capitol Reef · On our Utah Mighty Five route

Boardwalk along Highway 24 with Fremont-culture rock art figures.

Tip: Bring binoculars; some panels are high up.

Fruita Orchards

Capitol Reef · On our Utah Mighty Five route

Historic orchards where you can pick cherries, apricots, peaches and apples in season.

Tip: Check the fruit hotline/visitor center for which orchards are open.

Deer Valley

Park City · On our Salt Lake City & Park City route

Skiers-only resort known for its corduroy groomers, limited lift tickets and lodge dining.

Tip: Have lunch at Silver Lake Lodge mid-mountain.

Main Street

Park City · On our Salt Lake City & Park City route

Park City's steep historic main street of 1890s mining-era buildings, now shops, galleries and bars lit up for winter.

Tip: Free city buses stop at the top and bottom of the street; ride up and walk down.

Park City Mountain

Park City · On our Salt Lake City & Park City route

One of the largest ski resorts in the US, reached from Old Town by the Town Lift and linked to Canyons Village by gondola.

Tip: Start on the Town Lift from Main Street and skip the base-area parking.

Utah Olympic Park

Park City · On our Salt Lake City & Park City route

The 2002 Winter Olympics sliding and ski-jumping venue, with public bobsled rides and a free museum.

Tip: Book the winter bobsled ride ahead; it runs on the Olympic track with a professional driver.

Angels Landing

Zion · On our Utah Mighty Five route

Chain-assisted ridge hike to a narrow summit 1,500 ft above the canyon.

Tip: Permit required via recreation.gov lottery; start early to avoid heat.

The Narrows

Zion · On our Utah Mighty Five route

Wade the Virgin River upstream through a slot canyon from the Riverside Walk.

Tip: Closed when flow is above 150 cfs; check flash-flood forecast.

Zion Canyon Visitor Center

Zion · On our Utah Mighty Five route

Hub for the free canyon shuttle and ranger trail conditions.

Tip: Shuttle lines build by 8am; park in Springdale and walk in.

Zion Outfitter

Zion · On our Utah Mighty Five route

Rents canyoneering shoes, neoprene socks and drysuits for the Narrows, next to the park entrance.

Tip: Rent the day before so you can start the Narrows early.

Brighton Resort

Big Cottonwood Canyon · On our Salt Lake City New Year's Eve route

Ski area at the top of the canyon, open since 1936, with night skiing on lit runs most evenings.

Tip: Buy lift tickets online; Jan 1 is one of the busiest days of the season.

The Gateway

Downtown Salt Lake City · On our Salt Lake City New Year's Eve route

Outdoor shopping district by the old Union Pacific depot, home of the free Last Hurrah and midnight fireworks in 2025.

Tip: Take TRAX and get off at Planetarium station to skip the parking lines.

Utah State Capitol

Downtown Salt Lake City · On our Salt Lake City New Year's Eve route

1916 domed capitol on the hill above downtown, with a marble rotunda and a view south over the valley.

Tip: Visit on Dec 30 and check holiday hours; the steps face the downtown lights at dusk.

Canyon Overlook Trail

Zion NP · On our Las Vegas & National Parks route

1-mile round trip on the east side to a view straight down Zion Canyon.

Tip: Small parking lot past the Zion-Mt. Carmel Tunnel fills fast.

Kolob Canyons Road

Zion NP · On our Las Vegas & National Parks route

5-mile drive in the park's quieter northwest section to finger canyon viewpoints.

Tip: Separate entrance off I-15 exit 40.

Zion Canyon Scenic Drive

Zion NP · On our Las Vegas & National Parks route

Main canyon road served by the free park shuttle, stopping at every major trailhead.

Tip: Private cars are barred most of the year; catch an early shuttle from the visitor center.

Ballet West's Nutcracker at the Capitol Theatre

Salt Lake City · On our Salt Lake City & Park City route

Ballet West dances Willam Christensen's Nutcracker, descended from the first full-length American staging, in a 1913 theater.

Tip: Book early for weekend matinees in the week before Christmas.