Utah Bucket List
The incredible wonder-filled state of Utah holds five of America’s national parks (often referred to as the ‘mighty five’) and has millions of acres of wilderness just waiting for you to explore!
It is one of the most popular states to visit with American and international travelers and once you’ve been here you will understand why.
We have put together the ultimate Utah bucket list covering the top 25 most beautiful places you must visit in the state. Let’s get started!
32 Places You Must See In Utah!
1. Take A Road Trip To Zion National Park
Zion National Park is the most popular destination to visit in Utah and it’s not hard to see why. This national park is arguably the most beautiful in America’s national park system so naturally this is a place that should be at the top of your Utah bucket list!
What you’ll find here is an enchanting landscape full of towering sandstone cliffs in red, pink, orange and cream hues, as well as twisting slot canyons to get lost in.
You’ll need at least two to three days here since there are so many areas of the park to explore. There are some incredible hotels within a mile of the park entrance you can stay at like Cable Mountain Lodge and Desert Pool Inn which both offer stunning mountain views!
You can easily reach Zion National Park from Las Vegas since the drive is only two hours. Spend a few days in Sin City and then pick up a rental car and take a road trip you’ll never forget!
2. Dare To Hike Angels Landing At Zion National Park
Angels Landing hiking trail at Zion National Park, Utah.
Angels Landing is one of the most famous hikes in the United States! Hikers from around the country and even the world make the pilgrimage to Zion National Park just to tick this trail off their hiking bucket list!
The trail to the top of Angels Landing is only 2.5 miles but there is an elevation gain of 1,500 feet. This hike isn’t for the faint-hearted since the trail involves climbing over numerous narrow sections that have steep drop-offs on both sides.
However the effort will pay off for those who are brave enough because there are magnificent sweeping views of Zion National Park’s valley floor from the summit.
Hikers who are unwilling to take on the final stretch to the trail summit can choose to turn around at Scout Lookout before the hike becomes too scary which is still quite an accomplishment.
3. See The View From Observation Point
View from Observation Point in Zion National Park.
Observation Point is another bucket list hike in Zion National Park that leads to one of the most incredible views of the park. Quite possibly even better views than from Angels Landing since the summit here is much higher!
Ascending nearly 2,000 feet in elevation to the top of Mt Baldy’s 6,521 foot peak, this hike makes the Angels Landing trail seem like a breeze.
The hike to Observation Point is a strenuous eight miles roundtrip along a trail that is chiseled into the side of a cliff. At the top of this hiking trail are incredible views of Zion National Park where you can even look down on the much lower Angels Landing.
4. Go For A Paddle On Lake Powell
Lake Powell in Utah.
Did you know that Lake Powell isn’t a lake at all? Nope, not a lake! It is just a really big reservoir!
But this does not stop tourists from partaking in typical lake activities on it. You can swim, wakeboard, kayak and go boating on Lake Powell’s placid blue waters whenever you want.
With 2,000 miles of shoreline and endless sunshine, Lake Powell is the ultimate outdoor playground and a fantastic vacation destination in Utah!
Although there are plenty of really cool hiking trails around the lake, the best way to enjoy the natural beauty of this corner of southwestern Utah is from the water!
There are several rental companies in the area that can help you out with watercraft rentals if you want to kayak or paddleboard on Lake Powell, or for an even more memorable adventure you could organize to stay on a houseboat!
5. Hike The Narrows
The Narrows in Utah.
The Narrows is one of the most amazing places to visit in Utah! Aptly named, The Narrows is the narrowest section of Zion Canyon with some parts of this gorge measuring only 20-feet wide.
A visit to this world-famous slot canyon can be life changing experience for many hikers so it’s no surprise that it is high on the bucket list for adventure-minded folk.
If you would like to experience what it’s like to hike inside this particular slot canyon, keep in mind that the Virgin River does run through it so expect to get cold and wet!
Be sure to wear a good pair of hiking shoes to wade through the water instead of flip flops because the river has large boulders that can be very slippery and painful to walk on.
6. Find Corona Arch
Corona Arch in southwest Utah.
Corona Arch is a natural sandstone arch you can find somewhere between the town of Moab and Arches National Park. It is one of the largest and most impressive arches in the entire state of Utah! And Utah has many rock arches so that’s saying something!!
Seeing Corona Arch is awesome but getting to it is the fun part! It involves hiking along an unmarked trail that requires you to scramble over rocks, climb metal cables, and descent up and down several ladders.
This hike is quite the adventure but it is not too difficult or strenuous so almost anyone can do it.
You can find Corona Arch Trailhead off Highway-191 on the north side of the Colorado River.
7. See The Antelope On Antelope Island
Antelope Island near Salt Lake City.
Antelope Island is the largest of the ten islands within the Great Salt Lake. The island which is located near Salt Lake City is home to free-ranging bison, mule deer, bighorn sheep, and antelope.
This refuge provides wildlife enthusiasts the opportunity to encounter animals in their natural habitat. It’s a magnificent place to witness wildlife in Utah since the dramatic mountain scenery in the background enhances the experience, not to mention makes a great backdrop for photography.
8. Visit Park City In Winter
Park City, Utah.
Park City is one of the most popular winter destinations in the USA most notable for its several world-class ski resorts. All within thirty minutes drive of each other!
Besides skiing and snowboarding, other top winter activities here include cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, toboggan rides, and even magical sleigh rides across the snow!
This mountain town has a cute downtown area filled with historic buildings not to mention vibrant nightlife. Especially during the winter! Although winter is the best time of year to visit Park City, it’s a fun place to visit in Utah year-round.
Whether you’re looking for outdoor adventures, a place to relax and unwind, or treat yourself to a luxurious weekend escape, Park City has you covered! See all of the top-rated hotels in Park City to plan your vacation.
9. See Hoodoos In Bryce Canyon National Park
Colorful hoodoos in Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah.
A hoodoo is a tall, thin spire of rock that protrudes from the bottom of an arid drainage basin or badland. Hoodoos typically consist of relatively soft rock topped by harder, less easily eroded stone that protects each column from the elements.
They are commonly found in dry hot areas like the desert but nowhere in the world are they as abundant as in the northern section of Bryce Canyon National Park!
No trip to Utah is complete until you have seen the astounding amount of hoodoos in Bryce Canyon’s amphitheater. You can see this incredible natural display from various overlooks inside the park, but the best way to see them is up close from a hiking trail that winds through the valley floor of the park.
From the valley floor you’ll be able to look up and see them from a different perspective than most othr visitors to Bryce Canyon.
Another unique way to see and experience the hoodoos at Bryce Canyon National Park is to explore these strange formations on a guided horseback tour which can be organized through several outfitters in the area.
10. Go Glamping At Under Canvas
Under Canvas glamping experience in Utah.
Under Canvas Zion offers guests an extraordinary lodging experience in Utah! At Under Canvas guests can glamp in luxury tents surrounded by spectacular sandstone cliffs.
These luxury tents feature comfortable king-sized beds, shower, sink, flushing toilet and private deck! A wood stove inside the tents keep the space warm at night for guests visiting during the winter.
The Under Canvas Zion location is situated on almost 200-acres and is a haven of solitude in the American southwest.
There are other locations in Utah that you can experience glamping in luxurious settings including Moab and Kanab.
See availability and rates at Under Canvas in Zion, Under Canvas in Moab, and Under Canvas Kanab.
11. Visit Salt Lake Temple
Salt Lake Temple in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Salt Lake Temple is the centerpiece of Temple Square, a ten-acre grounds located in downtown Salt Lake City.
The temple is an icon of the Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter Day Saints, which is better known as the Mormon Church.
The impressive granite six-spire building was constructed in neo-gothic style over the course of 40 years between 1853 and 1893.
Pioneers began the difficult process of building the temple using ox to haul mammoth-sized blocks of granite for 15-miles down a nearby canyon to the current building site.
Visitors are welcome to admire the grounds but unfortunately not permitted to enter the temple.
The best time of year to visit Temple Square is springtime when the surrounding gardens bloom with brightly colored tulips. See top-rated hotels in Salt Lake City here.
12. Listen To An Organ Recital At The Tabernacle
If you have a trip planned to Salt Lake City do not leave without listening to an organ recital at the Tabernacle. Organ recitals are given daily here by world class organists and you can expect the organists to always be at the top of their game.
The thirty minute recitals are held every day of the week at noon and are free to attend. The Tabernacle organ is considered to be one of the best in the world and compromises 11,623 pipes and the console has five keyboards.
You can find the Tabernacle in Temple Square right across from the iconic Salt Lake Temple.
13. Step Back In Time At The Pioneer Memorial Museum
Step back in time at the Pioneer Memorial Museum where you can explore exhibits that display the belongings of pioneer people who traveled 2,000 miles west across the plains from Illinois to seek religious freedom and settle in the Salt Lake Valley.
This museum is notable for having the world’s largest collection of artifacts on one specific subject. Some of the items on display here include pioneer portraits, quilts, guns, furniture, clothing, jewelry, and a stagecoach. Many of these items were luxury items that reminded them of home or loved ones they were leaving behind.
You can visit the Pioneer Memorial Museum and explore the collection of memorabilia for free in Salt Lake City, Utah.
14. Take A Road Trip To Monument Valley
Any road trip to the American Southwest needs to include a visit to Monument Valley. This iconic symbol of the American West is one of the most majestic destinations in the USA and also one of the most photographed places in the world.
The towering sandstone buttes can be viewed from the Visitors Center or you can take a closer look via a narrated jeep cruise through the valley floor operated by local Navajo tour companies.
See Monument Valley on this spectacular road trip itinerary that includes the Grand Canyon and Utah’s national parks.
The closest place to stay near Monument Valley with affordable accommodation is in Bluff.
Recommended Monument Valley Tours
15. Photograph Delicate Arch
Arches National Park contains over two thousand stone arches however this particular arch, Delicate Arch, has become the most famous.
This free-standing arch is not only widely recognized as the symbol of Utah, but is one of the most famous geologic features in the world.
There are two ways you can see Delicate Arch. You can see it from the Lower Delicate Arch Viewpoint where the arch is still one mile away and is not as impressive, or you can hike all the way out to it along a three mile round trip hike.
16. Attend The Sundance Film Festival
The Sundance Film Festival is an annual film festival held every January in Park City, Utah. The film festival is the largest independent film festival in the USA organized by the Sundance Institute.
Sundance, which began in 1978, was created by Robert Redford’s company Wildwood to showcase American films and increase film-making in Utah. The two week event is a great time to visit Park City due to the nightly screenings and lively, fun atmosphere.
17. Visit Goblin Valley State Park
Goblin Valley State Park features thousands of hoodoos just like the ones at Bryce Canyon National Park, only much smaller. Here they are referred to as goblins, hence the name of the park.
The Valley Of Goblins is the most popular attraction in the park. It spans nearly three square miles and is free to explore off trail. Beyond this area are several hiking trails that allow you to explore further into the park where you will find taller ‘goblins’.
You can visit these distinct mushroom-shaped rock formations near Hanksville just off SR-24. The park is open year-round and costs $15 per vehicle to enter.
18. Take A Dip In Homestead Crater
One of the most unique experiences you can have in Utah is to take a dip in the Homestead Crater. What is the Homestead Crater you may ask?
The Homestead Crater is a geothermal spring that is hidden inside a 55-foot tall limestone rock which was formed over 10,000 years ago when melting snow on the Wasatch Mountains seeped deep within the earth. This water was then heated by the earth’s interior and percolated upwards to form the volcano-shaped limestone deposit.
You can visit the Homestead Crater in Midway, Utah where it is located on the property of the Homestead Resort. You do not need to be a guest of the hotel to enjoy this hot spring. The resort allows self-guided tours however you do need a reservation.
You also do not need to get wet in order to visit or even rappel down as there is a tunnel built into the cave. Once inside the cave you can go swimming, scuba diving, snorkeling, enjoy a therapeutic soak, or take a paddle board yoga class.
19. Make A Pit Stop At Carl’s Critter Garden
Along Highway 24 in Hanksville is a curious road side stop called Carl’s Critter Garden. Inside is a collection of dinosaur themed sculptures made from old car parts and other recycled materials.
If you’re headed out to Capitol Reef National Park you will be driving past this interesting outdoor museum so feel free to stop by and look around at some of the abstract artwork. Entry is free but donations are accepted.
20. Visit Capitol Reef National Park
Capitol Reef National Park is a hidden treasure filled with colorful cliffs, canyons, domes and bridges. It is part of Utah’s mighty five national park system however it differs in that it does not offer a park shuttle bus service. Also, due to it’s more remote location, this park is much less visited than Utah’s other national parks.
Capitol Reef can be divided into two areas to explore; The Fruita District and The Waterpocket Fold. The Fruita section of the park is the most accessible featuring a paved scenic drive and campgrounds. The Waterpocket Fold is a more remote section of the park which requires a sturdy vehicle.
If you only have half a day to devote to seeing this park, we recommend visiting the Fruita section where you can cover many of the highlights in less than a day.
21. Drive To Canyonlands
Canyonlands National Park is yet another national treasure in Utah offering dramatic desert landscapes that have been carved out by the Colorado River.
The Island in the Sky is the parks main section and sits atop a massive 1,500 foot mesa, hence the name. This island provides panoramic views whichever way you look and there is a scenic drive you can do that leads to many turnouts with one stunning view after the other.
Other areas of the park not to miss include the Needles and the more remote canyons of the Maze and Horseshoe Canyon.
Of course the best way to explore canyon country is on foot so if you have time be sure to discover some of the wonderful hiking trails here or organize an overnight trip.
22. Marvel At The Arches in Coyote Gulch
Coyote Gulch exhibits many of the geologic features found in the Canyons of the Escalante, including high vertical canyon walls, narrow slot canyons, domes, arches, and natural bridges.
The upper sections of Coyote Gulch are located within the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument while its lower sections are located in the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area.
The main canyon of Coyote Gulch can be accessed by one of several trailheads located along the Hole-in-the-Rock Road, an unpaved road that heads southeast into the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument off Utah Scenic Byway 12 .
23. See The Great Salt Lake
The Great Salt Lake is a remnant of ancient Lake Bonneville, a massive ice age lake that was around 20,000 square miles and covered Utah, Nevada, and Idaho. At 75 miles long, the Great Salt Lake is still the largest lake west of the Mississippi River and the largest saltwater lake in the Western Hemisphere.
The lake’s water is much saltier than the ocean with the water so buoyant that swimmers can easily float on the surface. Because of its high salinity, the Great Salt Lake does not support any fish however it is an important habitat for millions of migratory birds.
The best place to see and experience the Great Salt Lake is from Antelope Island where you can spend time on its white sandy beaches, swim in turquoise waters, and enjoy the outstanding surrounding scenery.
24. Get Up Close With Bison
If you want to get dangerously close to bison, the place you can do so is Antelope Island. Antelope Island is home to wildlife such as antelopes, bighorn sheep, and mule deer, but it’s most popular residents are the American Bison.
The bison here were introduced in 1893 and now number around 600 animals. The free-ranging herd can be seen by driving around the island or hiking along the trails. Do be careful though and keep a safe distance as they are unpredictable and can cause serious injury.
25. Meadow Hot Springs
If you love hunting for hot springs you will love Meadow Hot Springs. This stunning pool has some of the clearest water and a stunning backdrop to boot!
Meadow Hot Springs is located four miles from Fillmore and is actually inside private property but fortunately the landowner has continued to allow public access.
There are several posted rules at the main gate so please respect the owners rules to ensure this lovely hot spring remains open to the public.
26. Mystic Hot Springs
The Mystic Hot Springs is a popular hot spring destination in Utah that has become very well-known since the rise of social media. While the hot spring is natural, the pools were created by an artist who stumbled upon the area during a road trip from Las Vegas to Denver back in 1995.
The soaking area consists of two concrete pools and six vintage cast-iron bathtubs that will have you feeling refreshed and relaxed. The mineral rich water here has no sulfur therefore it does not smell and does not require washing off after soaking.
You can find the Mystic Hot Springs in Monroe. A reservation is required and you can purchase soaking passes online which cost $15 from their website.
27. Stay At The Amangiri
The Amangiri is a luxury hotel located in southern Utah that will steal your heart. The resort is situated on 600-acres in a protected valley and features incredible views towards the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument.
The luxurious oasis is built around a central swimming pool and offers spa services, a fitness center, and yoga pavilion.
Their seasonal menu is inspired by the culinary heritage of the Navajo and the American Southwest. The property is located less than thirty minutes from Page, a beautiful small town near Lake Powell.
28. Visit Hole N’ The Rock
Hole N’ The Rock in Utah.
Hole N’ The Rock is a unique 5,000 square foot home carved into a huge rock which you can visit on U.S. Highway 91 on your way out to Moab and Arches National Park.
The historic home features a gift store and exotic zoo that includes zebras, bison and camels. This place is open year round and you can take a guided tour for a small admission fee.
It is a fun road side stop that the kids will most certainly love.
29. Step Inside Moqui Caves
Moqui Cave is a sandstone erosion cave and a southern Utah landmark. Inside the cave is a natural history museum filled with Native American artifacts along with unique fluorescent rocks and minerals from around the world.
Other things you’ll find here include centuries-old ceremonial pots, jugs, bowls and working tools which provide a glimpse into the lives of the early Anasazi and Navajo Indians.
You can find the Moqui Cave five miles north of Kanab along U.S. Route 89.
30. Walk Across Bonneville Salt Flats
Bonneville Salt Flats.
The Bonneville Salt Flats are vast stretching over 30,000 acres near the Utah-Nevada border. These endless miles of salt flats are a result of an ancient lake that dried up leaving nothing behind but salt deposits.
This ancient lake once filled almost all of the Great Basin. Although the lake has dried up, it is still an impressive must see destination in Utah.
Now, Bonneville Salt Flats are famous for being a speed track where races held here produce world records on fastest land speeds ever reached. The Bonneville Raceway comes alive in August for “Speed Week” and again in September for “World of Speed”.
Do you want to visit the salt flats? Then head towards Wendover by taking Interstate-80 west from Salt Lake City.
31. Stand In Four States At The Same Time
Four Corners Monument in Utah.
The Four Corners Monument marks the point where New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, and Utah all meet. It’s a rare geographical occurrence and the only one of its kind in the USA.
The monument consists of a granite disk embedded with a smaller bronze disk around the point, surrounded by smaller, appropriately located state seals and flags representing both the states and tribal nations of the area.
Circling the point starting from Colorado, the disk reads with two words in each state "Here meet in freedom under God four states"
This quadripoint has become a popular tourist destination with many flocking to see it despite its remote and isolated location. Because the monument has become so highly commercialized, there is now an entrance fee of $5 per person due at the gate.
32. Toquerville Falls
Toquerville Falls is an off-the-beaten path destination that mostly only locals know about, but if you are up for some adventure then by all means make your way out to see this gorgeous waterfall too!
Be aware though that the road out to the falls is very rough and should only be attempted in a high clearance vehicle.
The other alternative to reaching this secret spot is on foot. If you choose the latter, the hike in is 12 miles so be prepared for a long haul. However, it is most definitely rewarding when you finally reach the hidden oasis in the desert.
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