The summer is coming to a close – have you done everything you’d planned back during the dark, cold winter days? Here’s a bucket list of 16 of our favorite summer activities – take a look and see what else you should add to your bucket list before the weather cools off.
- Backpack in the High Uintas.
Brandon Rasmussen/flickr If you really want to get away from it all, now’s the time to head for the hills. Take a backpack trip in the High Uintas, and surround yourself with fragrant pines and fresh air.
- Stargaze at Antelope Island State Park
Antelope Island State Park/Facebook Antelope Island State Park is an International Dark Sky Park, which means that the light pollution is low and the star count is high.
- Catch a free concert at the Blues, Brews & BBQ Festival at Snowbasin.
Snowbasin/Facebook Head up to Snowbasin in the Ogden Valley to enjoy an afternoon of free music every Sunday through September 30th. The music is free; the delicious BBQ and cold beer are available for reasonable prices.
- Go glamping in Garden City.
management/Tripadvisor Do you want to go camping, but also appreciate sleeping in a real bed? Spend the night glamping at Conestoga Ranch in Garden City, where you’ll enjoy a luxurious surroundings right by Bear Lake.
- Have brunch at Ruth’s Diner.
Ruth’s Diner/Facebook Summer brunch at Ruth’s Diner means mimosas, mile-high biscuits and crispy bacon under the shady trees. There’s no better outdoor patio in the Beehive State!
- Watch a play at the Utah Shakespeare Festival in Cedar City.
Utah Shakespeare Festival/Facebook The play’s the thing, or so they say. You can catch a Shakespeare play, or see a more modern musical at this long-standing festival on the campus of Southern Utah University.
- Do some fly fishing in Utah’s rivers.
makelessnoise/flickr Whether you choose the Strawberry River (pictured here), or one of Utah’s many other excellent spots, you definitely need to get out there while the fishing’s good.
- Take the tram to the summit at Snowbird.
Snowbird Resort/Facebook Snowbird is absolutely beautiful in the summer. Take the tram up to Hidden Peak get an eagle’s eye view at 11,000 feet. Grab some lunch at The Summit restaurant, then take a hike down the mountain.
- Go boating at Jordanelle Reservoir.
Jordanelle State Park/Facebook Whether you’re tubing, waterskiing, fishing, or just taking a ride out on the lake, you can’t beat a day spent on a boat in the middle of Jordanelle Reservoir.
- Hike the Brighton Lakes Trail in Big Cottonwood Canyon.
Tyler Hodgman/Alltrails One of Utah’s most beautiful hikes is the Brighton Lakes Trail, where you’ll visit five alpine lakes tucked into the pines in the Wasatch Mountains. The hike is steep and strenuous, but the payoff is well worth it.
- Shop for fresh produce at one of Utah’s farmers markets.
Downtown SLC Farmers Market/Facebook You’ll find farmers markets all over the Beehive State during summer months. From the SLC Downtown Farmers Market to the Park City Silly Sunday Market, you’re certain to find fresh, delicious produce and locally-produced food.
- Take a tour of Timpanogos Cave.
Wayne Hsieh/flickr Make the grueling climb up the switchbacks at Timpanogos Cave National Monument, then cool off in the cave, which maintains an average temperature of 46 degrees.
- Catch a baseball game.
Salt Lake Bees/Facebook Whether you’re a Salt Lake Bees fan, or you cheer for the Orem Owlz or Ogden Raptors, there’s no better way to spend a summer evening than at the ball field.
- Ride the coasters at Lagoon.
Lagoon Amusement Park/Facebook If you want to make everyone in the family happy, spend the day at Lagoon. From the tiniest toddlers to the most daring thrill seekers, there’s a ride for everyone here.
- Splash and play at Cherry Hill.
Carol L/Tripadvisor Cherry Hill is the perfect place on a hot, summer day. The little ones will love to splash and play with the water cannons and sprinklers at Pirate’s Cove, the older ones will like the waterslides, and everyone will want to cool off in the Pirate’s Cove Pool.
- Get soaked in Cataract Canyon.
Western River Expeditions/Google Take a whitewater rafting trip on the Colorado River near Moab, and navigate through Class III, IV, and V rapids. There’s nothing like racing down a river in an inflatable raft to get your heart pumping.
You might notice that there are very few Southern Utah attractions on this bucket list. There are two reasons for the omission. First, it’s hot down there this time of year, and you’ll be able to visit the national parks and the golf courses all winter long. Second, the tourists love to hit the parks, and they’re super crowded all summer. In fact, the reality of hiking Utah’s two most popular trails might surprise you – and not in a good way. Don’t worry – there’s plenty of time for some Southern Utah love this fall!
Brandon Rasmussen/flickr
If you really want to get away from it all, now’s the time to head for the hills. Take a backpack trip in the High Uintas, and surround yourself with fragrant pines and fresh air.
Antelope Island State Park/Facebook
Antelope Island State Park is an International Dark Sky Park, which means that the light pollution is low and the star count is high.
Snowbasin/Facebook
Head up to Snowbasin in the Ogden Valley to enjoy an afternoon of free music every Sunday through September 30th. The music is free; the delicious BBQ and cold beer are available for reasonable prices.
management/Tripadvisor
Do you want to go camping, but also appreciate sleeping in a real bed? Spend the night glamping at Conestoga Ranch in Garden City, where you’ll enjoy a luxurious surroundings right by Bear Lake.
Ruth’s Diner/Facebook
Summer brunch at Ruth’s Diner means mimosas, mile-high biscuits and crispy bacon under the shady trees. There’s no better outdoor patio in the Beehive State!
Utah Shakespeare Festival/Facebook
The play’s the thing, or so they say. You can catch a Shakespeare play, or see a more modern musical at this long-standing festival on the campus of Southern Utah University.
makelessnoise/flickr
Whether you choose the Strawberry River (pictured here), or one of Utah’s many other excellent spots, you definitely need to get out there while the fishing’s good.
Snowbird Resort/Facebook
Snowbird is absolutely beautiful in the summer. Take the tram up to Hidden Peak get an eagle’s eye view at 11,000 feet. Grab some lunch at The Summit restaurant, then take a hike down the mountain.
Jordanelle State Park/Facebook
Whether you’re tubing, waterskiing, fishing, or just taking a ride out on the lake, you can’t beat a day spent on a boat in the middle of Jordanelle Reservoir.
Tyler Hodgman/Alltrails
One of Utah’s most beautiful hikes is the Brighton Lakes Trail, where you’ll visit five alpine lakes tucked into the pines in the Wasatch Mountains. The hike is steep and strenuous, but the payoff is well worth it.
Downtown SLC Farmers Market/Facebook
You’ll find farmers markets all over the Beehive State during summer months. From the SLC Downtown Farmers Market to the Park City Silly Sunday Market, you’re certain to find fresh, delicious produce and locally-produced food.
Wayne Hsieh/flickr
Make the grueling climb up the switchbacks at Timpanogos Cave National Monument, then cool off in the cave, which maintains an average temperature of 46 degrees.
Salt Lake Bees/Facebook
Whether you’re a Salt Lake Bees fan, or you cheer for the Orem Owlz or Ogden Raptors, there’s no better way to spend a summer evening than at the ball field.
Lagoon Amusement Park/Facebook
If you want to make everyone in the family happy, spend the day at Lagoon. From the tiniest toddlers to the most daring thrill seekers, there’s a ride for everyone here.
Carol L/Tripadvisor
Cherry Hill is the perfect place on a hot, summer day. The little ones will love to splash and play with the water cannons and sprinklers at Pirate’s Cove, the older ones will like the waterslides, and everyone will want to cool off in the Pirate’s Cove Pool.
Western River Expeditions/Google
Take a whitewater rafting trip on the Colorado River near Moab, and navigate through Class III, IV, and V rapids. There’s nothing like racing down a river in an inflatable raft to get your heart pumping.
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