Utah is surely an outdoor lover’s dream. If you love traveling and going out to all sorts of adventures or if you are simply looking for one of the best spots for stargazing then you have come to the right place! This incredible sight-filled state of Utah holds five national parks of America which are Zion National Park, Arches National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, Canyonlands National Park and Capitol Reef National Park. They are also known as the ‘Mighty 5’ and have millions of acres of wilderness for you to explore. Utah is one of the nation’s great outdoor states has incredible national state parks, fabulous ski resorts and natural wonders that you won’t witness anywhere else in the world. Utah is one of the most popular states and you should know things to do in Utah county and best things to do in Logan Utah while planning a visit to this amazing state.

When visiting Utah you will find several spectacular monuments, national parks, mountains and natural areas to explore. Utah’s towns and cities have drive-in theatres, museums and arts, wedding venues, universities, amazing events, and home cooking and culinary surprises. Along with all this state has been ranked as one of the top 10 places for stargazing in the world. Going on a road trip through Utah is one the best ways to see the views and sights and scenic drives are found everywhere throughout this state. You can do all sorts of activities in this state like skiing, bike riding, hiking, camping and many more such activities.

If you are wondering about all the amazing things you can do in this state of Utah along with all the best places you can visit here then we have got you covered. Here are the best places to visit and top things you can do in Utah:

• Tour of Zion National Park

Zion National Park which is less than a three-hour drive from Las Vegas features some of Utah’s most outstanding scenery. Waterfalls, Red rock cliffs, and stunning vistas are some of the main attractions. It is the oldest, the most popular and also the most visited park in the state. Zion which is sometimes referred to as a vertical park because of its sheer vertical walls is a hiker’s paradise. The most popular hikes in Zion are accessed off the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway and the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive. Here, you’ll find everything starting from simple walks along the valley to cliff-side trails, like the very well-known Angel’s Landing trail, which is not for the faint-hearted or anyone with a fear of heights. Biking is also a nice way to explore the landscape around.

• Explore Park City and nearby Ski Resorts

About 45 minutes southeast side of Salt Lake City is a fun mountain town called Park City which is home to some of the best ski resorts located in Utah. Along with that just down the road, there is one of Utah’s luxurious ski resorts, the Deer Valley Resort. Utah Olympic Park which is located in this same vicinity offers you year-round activities for both adult and kids, from hiking and zip lining in summers to bob-sledding in winters. This park was used as a venue in the Winter Olympics of 2002 and make sure you don’t miss out on the annual Sundance Film Festival which is held in late January because it is one of Park City’s most famous events. If you are looking for cool things to do in Utah Salt Lake City then this must be your priority.

• Go To Utah Shakespeare Festival

Utah is among the top 5 states in the world to have the best Shakespeare Festival. This season features nine plays along with multiple events. People who love to visit such festivals can discuss performances in play seminars, which are always conducted in the morning. While on days like Mondays and Fridays, ‘Repertory Magic’ happens wherein the participants can watch and ask several questions about the scene changing process. If you have never been to a Shakespeare Festival before, here is your chance to visit one!

• Don’t miss Bonneville Salt Flats

About ninety minutes west of Salt Lake City, near Wendover, is a distinct area of flat land called the Bonneville Salt Flats which extends off into a distance as far as your eye can see, but during specific times of the year, this particular area becomes the world’s fastest race-coarse. This natural salt flat which is free from all vegetation is perfectly flat and it mostly has a hard surface which makes it perfect for high speeds. It is Utah’s most natural tourist attraction as these flats are composed of 30,000 acres of white, hard salt. ‘World of Speed’ is held here each year in September along with ‘Speed Week’ which is held in August. These races have produced world land-speed record runs. You can also try it out for yourself because most of the time it’s completely empty.

• National Bridges National Monument

Natural Bridges National Monument which is in the south of Canyonlands National Park is one of the best places. This place has also been certified as a Dark Sky Park in the year 2007. This park’s specialty is that it has six times darker sky than in any other location.  The sky here is filled with thousands of stars and the Milky Way looks like a rainbow stretching along from one horizon to the other. Apart from this if you never had an opportunity to visit a natural bridge before then this park is just for you. The main tourist bridges are Sipapu, Kachina and Owachomo. All of these are easily accessible by short hikes.

• Relish at Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park

This park consists of sands of coral pink color which makes for a captivating twist when it comes to sand dunes. Formed by the wind, the rolling hills and shifting dunes are also a fun place to play. Apart from just simply climbing the soft sand mountains, popular things to do here are sandboarding and of course photographing the scene. A fun fact about this place is that this is the only place in the world where you can witness and find the Coral Pink Tiger Beetle. You can also go hiking here or just play around anywhere you want. In this place, about ninety percent of the dunes are open for ATV riders because of which this park has become even popular. If you are searching for some of the fun things to do in Utah with kids then must add this park to your itinerary.

• Salt Lake City and the Salt Lake Temple

Salt Lake is like the Dead Sea of the western hemisphere. Salt Lake City is usually associated with winter and skiing activities and surely any of the best ski resorts in the state can be reached within an hour’s long drive from here. This city is definitely worth visiting because it offers numerous attractions and activities no matter the time or season you are visiting it. On the other hand, Temple Square is especially beautiful in spring when the gardens surrounding it bloom with brightly colored tulips. It is a ten-acre ground and The Salt Lake Temple is its centerpiece because this temple is an icon of the Jesus Christ Church of Latter-Day Saints. Visitors are always welcome to admire the place but unfortunately are not permitted to enter.

• Experience Extreme thrill at Moab

It’s hard to beat the town of Moab for outdoor adventures on the southwest side of Utah. As the closest community to Dead Horse Point State Park, Arches National Park and Canyon-lands, this area offers you endless opportunities for biking, hiking, rafting, off-road adventures and many more. The surrounding mountains and rolling petrified dunes provide breathtaking views and also offer a playground for a number of outdoor pools. Mountain bikers come here for an outstanding biking experience during the spring and fall seasons. Whether you are searching for top things to do in northern and southern Utah, Moab must be in your itinerary.

• Emerald Pools is must visit

Gorgeous rocks and cliffs along with powerful flourishing waterfalls will mark your way to the Emerald Pools. Although Zion National Park in Utah is a great hiking spot, a number of trails will lead you to the waterfalls and beautiful Emerald Pools. Spring and Autumn are the best seasons for hiking to the Emerald Pools. Plush green flora makes the area surrounding the pools very beautiful but swimming is strictly prohibited here because the pool is very well protected. You just need to watch around and enjoy the beauty of nature.

What’s next waiting for you?

Whether you are looking for top things to do in St George Utah, cool things to do in Ogden Utah or the best things to do in Kanab Utah, the above travel guide covers everything. Once you know exactly what to do in Utah, you can plan your journey within your budget and timeframe. If you are planning to explore the best places to visit near Utah then don’t forget to check our top things to do in Las Vegas.

About Author: Hashita is a professional writer and editor who puts her thoughts in regular blogs and article.