Utah Vacation Planner

2024 Utah Visitors Guide

World-renowned for its diverse range of landscapes, the state of Utah entices year-round visitors wishing to enjoy this recreational paradise. Whether seeking alpine excitement at one of the ski resorts found around Salt Lake City, or in search of the breathtaking red rock scenery of Bryce Canyon and Zion National Parks in Southwest Utah, visitors are able to satiate their desires. Salt Lake City is filled with historic attractions and makes an excellent home base when partaking in the area’s many Rocky Mountain adventures.

North Utah

Beyond Salt Lake City, the northern part of Utah is brimming with ski hills, national forests, monuments, historic sites, and cities with small-town charm. The Great Salt Lake is the largest saltwater lake in the Western Hemisphere. Surrounded by mountains, ski resorts, and state parks, it is one of Utah’s top attractions, popular for its white-sand beaches and fun recreation. Ogden, located 40 miles (64 km) north of Salt Lake City, is the region’s hub of culture, entertainment, and arts.

It is home to Union Station, the railroad capital of Utah that houses four museums, an art gallery, and the visitor information center. Dinosaurland and Dinosaur National Monument, surrounding Vernal in the state’s northeast, houses a substantial collection of Jurassic dinosaur bones and highlights the region’s unique rock formations and exposed petroglyphs. Another renowned example of the great outdoors in North Utah is the Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area. This huge reservoir surrounded by beautiful red rock mountains offers boating, fishing, skiing, jet skiing, houseboating, and other water sports, with many campgrounds and hiking trails circling its perimeter.

Southeast Utah

Southeast Utah draws visitors to its natural stone arches and canyons, many of which boast a bright red color. The city of Moab is Utah’s recreational center, offering close proximity to both Arches and Canyonlands National Parks, where hiking, rock climbing, and viewing the spectacular panoramas are extremely popular pastimes. North Utah is home to Ogden, a railroad center that features a number of museums located in the city’s original Union Station.

For a guided adventure in Utah, check out our Utah Guides and Outfitters Directory

Natural rock arches, deep red canyons, and stratified hoodoos are just a few of the scenic highlights in Southeast Utah that will give travelers’ cameras a workout. The southeastern portion of the state bursts with spectacular scenery, which visitors can explore in the area’s bounty of national and state parks. The city of Moab is a recreational hot spot, particularly for adventure lovers, with its colorful rocky landscape, close proximity to two national parks, and profusion of thrilling activities ranging from rock climbing to skydiving. Visitors to Moab can explore the nearby Canyonlands National Park and Arches National Park in the day and in the evening put their tired feet up in comfortable accommodations. South of Moab, Utah’s captivating scenery continues into the city of Blanding, which is close to such photogenic attractions as the Natural Bridges National Monument. Just south of Blanding, the town of Bluff has a small population but a lot of activities, such as the colorful Bluff Balloon Festival.

Dinosaur National Monument

While the main reason visitors visit Dinosaur National Park is to see dinosaur bones at Dinosaur Quarry, other activities include biking, birdwatching, camping, fishing, kayaking, whitewater rafting, climbing, and cross-country skiing. Address: 4545 E. Highway 40 | Dinosaur, CO | 81610

Moab Visitors Guide

Surrounded by magnificent canyons and red-rock formations, Moab is Utah’s premier adventure destination. Boasting two national parks – Canyonlands National Park and Arches National Park as well as Dead Horse Point State Park, the city entices extreme mountain bikers, rock climbers, and canyoners with its numerous off-road trails and amazing landscape. Human history in the area dates back thousands of years, a fact that is evident in the local rock art and petroglyphs from ancient cultures. A truly unique home, Hole ‘N the Rock, is carved into a mountainside near Moab and offers guided tours of its interesting inside. When visiting Moab, be prepared for adventure, as there are plenty of interesting and exciting ways to pass the time. The list of area activities is extensive, appealing to all ages, interests, and risk levels, including scenic airplane rides, river raft trips, all-terrain tours, guided hikes, and hot air balloon rides.

Ogden Visitors Guide

Often referred to as Junction City, Ogden is a bustling rail center that has acted as the hub of western freight operations since 1869. The importance of the railroad is shown at the Utah State Railroad Museum, where railroad equipment, historic artifacts, and a model railroad are on display. The museum is located in the city’s original Union Station, which is also home to three other museums and two art galleries. Those interested in the military appreciate the Hill Aerospace Museum, which houses a collection of United States Air Force artifacts and over 80 military aircraft. After visiting Ogden’s museums, visitors enjoy exploring Fort Buenaventuraan 1846 reconstructed fort and park that offer a glimpse of the pioneer lifestyle. Camping, fishing and picnicking are popular activities in this park. Ogden is also within 25 minutes of three ski resorts, making the city an excellent base when seeking outdoor adventure.

Provo Visitors Guide

Home to Brigham Young University, Provo is known as a hotbed for technology and research companies and is one of the best places to live in Utah. Located 43 miles south of Salt Lake City and called “the most conservative city in the United States.” Pick a path, any path because, in Provo, Utah unexpected beauty lies around every corner.

Salt Lake City Visitors Guide

Salt Lake City is named for a salty inland lake that lies just northwest of the city. Founded by members of the Mormon faith, Salt Lake City still promotes many of its founders’ beliefs, offering many family-oriented activities, such as hiking, rafting, and horseback riding. Located at the foot of the Rocky Mountains, Salt Lake City is a good destination choice for visitors who wish to explore the splendor of the mountains and all the activities available there. Skiing is one of the area’s more popular activities, with more than half a dozen ski hills nearby that cater to all skill levels. A number of annual multicultural events take place in the city as well, including the Greek Festival, the Japanese Obon Festival, and Oktoberfest, ensuring that there is something to do year-round in Salt Lake City.

St. George Visitors Guide

Summers are warm and winters are mild in St. George, Utah, a city established by Mormons during the Civil War. In the last quarter of the 20th century, St. George flourished as a retirement hotspot and transportation gateway for travelers eager to explore Utah’s Color Country, the state’s southwestern region and a milieu characterized by mighty cliffs, waterfalls and the grandeur of the Grand Canyon’s North Rim. With its warm year-round climate and unique geological features—red bluffs to the north, the Mojave Desert to the south, Zion National Park to the east, and several mountains visible in the distance—St. George is a magnet for golfers who crave challenging terrain and exceptional scenery. Arts enthusiasts appreciate the $23-million Tuacahn Center for the Arts, which houses a variety of musical dramas and concerts throughout the year.