Utah is full of some incredible natural attractions, and people come from all over the world to see the Big Five national parks. Those spots can get pretty crowded, so we’ve compiled this list of lesser-known places around the Beehive State that you definitely need to visit asap.
- Snow Canyon State Park
penjelly/flickr Snow Canyon State Park is near Ivins, and it’s another hidden little gem that tourists often miss completely. This is Utah’s red-rock desert at its finest, and we won’t tell the tourists if you don’t.
- Dead Horse Point State Park
Bruno Monginoux/flickr You’ll find this gorgeous state park in between Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park. It’s situated high on a plateau - 2,000 feet above the Colorado River below. It’s easily one of the most scenic overlooks in the state.
- Bonneville Salt Flats
Tom Kelly/flickr Every tourist who visits Utah wants to see the Great Salt Lake so they can float in it, but they’re missing the real natural gem. The salt flats are hauntingly beautiful, and when the weather’s mild, they’re a great place to play.
- Devil’s Kitchen, Uinta National Forest
Ricketyus/flickr If you love Bryce Canyon National Park, but you hate the crowds, you might try exploring Devil’s Kitchen instead. You’ll find it along the Mount Nebo National Scenic Byway, about 25 miles from Payson.
- Moki Dugway And Muley Point
farmboyted/flickr The Moki Dugway is one of Utah’s scariest roads. It takes you up three miles of steep (11% grade), narrow switchbacks, and it’s a real nail-biter, but once you get to the top and look out over the valley from Muley Point, you’ll agree that the nerve-wracking drive was worth it.
- Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park
Murray Foubister/flickr Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park is a favorite amongst ATV enthusiasts, but it’s also a really beautiful place for a simple stroll. The sands shift with the wind, and can actually move as much as 50 feet every year.
- Logan Canyon
Jingles the Pirate/flickr The canyons along Utah’s Wasatch front get plenty of love, but travel north for a couple hours, and you’ll be absolutely stunned at the beauty in Logan Canyon. The fall foliage in this canyon is jaw-dropping, and you’ll want to hike the Wind Cave Trail for some great canyon views.
- Paria River Canyon
Len Hardy/flickr The vast wilderness of the Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness Area covers 112,500 acres of Utah, and it’s absolutely stunning. Take a trip through Paria River Canyon, where you’ll find soaring rock walls, sandstone arches, and more. Bring your camera, but watch for dangerous flash floods here.
- Natural Bridges National Monument
Wayne Hsieh/flickr Everyone’s dying to see Delicate Arch in Arches National Park, but Natural Bridges National Monument is almost as cool, and often overlooked. There are three bridges here: Kachina, Owachomo, and Sipapu, and you’re going to want to check out all of them.
Do you have other spots around Utah where you can go to avoid the tourists? Tell us your favorites!
penjelly/flickr
Snow Canyon State Park is near Ivins, and it’s another hidden little gem that tourists often miss completely. This is Utah’s red-rock desert at its finest, and we won’t tell the tourists if you don’t.
Bruno Monginoux/flickr
You’ll find this gorgeous state park in between Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park. It’s situated high on a plateau - 2,000 feet above the Colorado River below. It’s easily one of the most scenic overlooks in the state.
Tom Kelly/flickr
Every tourist who visits Utah wants to see the Great Salt Lake so they can float in it, but they’re missing the real natural gem. The salt flats are hauntingly beautiful, and when the weather’s mild, they’re a great place to play.
Ricketyus/flickr
If you love Bryce Canyon National Park, but you hate the crowds, you might try exploring Devil’s Kitchen instead. You’ll find it along the Mount Nebo National Scenic Byway, about 25 miles from Payson.
farmboyted/flickr
The Moki Dugway is one of Utah’s scariest roads. It takes you up three miles of steep (11% grade), narrow switchbacks, and it’s a real nail-biter, but once you get to the top and look out over the valley from Muley Point, you’ll agree that the nerve-wracking drive was worth it.
Murray Foubister/flickr
Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park is a favorite amongst ATV enthusiasts, but it’s also a really beautiful place for a simple stroll. The sands shift with the wind, and can actually move as much as 50 feet every year.
Jingles the Pirate/flickr
The canyons along Utah’s Wasatch front get plenty of love, but travel north for a couple hours, and you’ll be absolutely stunned at the beauty in Logan Canyon. The fall foliage in this canyon is jaw-dropping, and you’ll want to hike the Wind Cave Trail for some great canyon views.
Len Hardy/flickr
The vast wilderness of the Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness Area covers 112,500 acres of Utah, and it’s absolutely stunning. Take a trip through Paria River Canyon, where you’ll find soaring rock walls, sandstone arches, and more. Bring your camera, but watch for dangerous flash floods here.
Wayne Hsieh/flickr
Everyone’s dying to see Delicate Arch in Arches National Park, but Natural Bridges National Monument is almost as cool, and often overlooked. There are three bridges here: Kachina, Owachomo, and Sipapu, and you’re going to want to check out all of them.
If you’re willing to do a little work, this hike takes you to one of Utah’s most beautiful places.
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Address: Snow Canyon State Park, 1002 Snow Canyon Dr, Ivins, UT 84738, USAAddress: Dead Horse Point State Park, UT-313, Moab, UT 84532, USAAddress: Bonneville Salt Flats, Utah 84083, USAAddress: Devils Kitchen, Utah, USAAddress: Moki Dugway, Utah, USAAddress: Coral Pink Sand Dunes Road, Coral Pink Sand Dunes Rd, Utah 84741, USAAddress: Logan Canyon, Logan, UT 84321, USAAddress: Paria Canyon, Utah 84741, USAAddress: Natural Bridges National Monument, Lake Powell, UT 84533, USA
