Park State i Star power i urban myth i outdoor enthusiasm
BACK TO THE TOP
BACK TO THE TOP
In collaboration with
Park State
Utah has more than its share of road trip itineraries, especially considering most of the national parks are within a few hours' drive of each other. This state is world-renowned for its national parks (and their natural wonders), known by experienced ramblers as The Mighty 5®—Arches, Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands, Capital Reef and Zion.
The mighty sights will transport you: Plant yourself atop the summit of Angels Landing in Zion. Wind your way through Wall Street at Bryce Canyon. Marvel at the Temple of the Sun in Capitol Reef. Watch the sunrise peak through Mesa Arch in Canyonlands. Take your picture with Balanced Rock in Arches National Park.
Witty, warmand welcoming
Uplifting Utah
BACK TO THE TOP
BACK TO THE TOP
Driving along the highways of Utah, dusted red from the slickrock ranges and hoodoo spires, it’s hard not to feel like you’re on another planet.
From the desert landscapes of The Mighty 5® to Olympic-quality alpine adventures, the state is an outdoor adventurist's dream with myriad national and state parks to explore, not to mention dark sky preserves for extreme celestial stargazing.
But there’s more to Utah than sightseeing and hiking—with a burgeoning craft brewery scene there are plenty of places to enjoy après-ski and weekly star parties make for a fantastic cosmic experience. Plus, it’s easier than ever to get there: Air Canada offers three-times-a-week operations from Toronto (reinstated last year following a five-year hiatus), flying into Salt Lake City’s fancy new airport.
Plan your trip
Navigating Utah by car is the stuff bucket lists are made of. Viewpoints and scenery abound—you can’t steer a car (or RV) in any direction without coming upon a sign for a fantasy canyon, a lava cave or a roadside vista. And thankfully, many of these sights can be viewed from the road.
Take one of the 28 scenic byways throughout the state for majestic panoramas, like Scenic Byway 12, also known as the All-American Road, which includes views of Bryce Canyon and Capitol Reef national parks.
Roadtripping rules
Star Power
All-star party
The Salt Lake Astronomical Society throws weekly star parties where you can look at planets, stars and nebulae through some of the world’s strongest telescopes.
Bryce Canyon hosts frequent astronomy programs (many with telescope stargazing), and during their annual astronomy festival each June, visitors can celebrate the universe's marvels in daytime and nighttime activities suitable for all ages.
Whether you’re looking around in a park or looking up at the starry skies, Utah feels otherworldly. The state has 24 certified International Dark Sky Parks, conservation areas with exceptional night views of the Milky Way and programming for would-be stargazers.
In addition to International Dark Sky Parks, Utah is dotted with the highest concentration of International Dark-Sky Association-certified locations and communities in the world. This means starry nights are almost always within reach wherever you are in the state—heaven for astrophotographers.
Urban Myth
Any history buff will want to explore Temple Square in the centre of Salt Lake City.
It used to refer to the direct area around the global headquarters of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, but now includes the Museum of Church History and Art and the Family History Library, where you can search for distant relatives among their mammoth genealogical research efforts. The state capitol building and the Utah Museum of Contemporary Arts are also a short walk away.
Cultural capitol
Utah’s major cities have a vibrant nightlife scene with myriad bars and restaurants to suit every social scene. The Sundance Film Festival is the largest independent film festival in the United States, and one of the best parties around, too. For gourmet dining, head to the Sugar House neighbourhood, one of the oldest in Salt Lake City that retains its artisan flair, or Central City’s restaurants—an area in the midst of a cultural food renaissance.
Utah has moved away from its teetotaling history and there are many great breweries and distilleries to experience in the state. Sample a hazy IPA in the taproom at Bewilder Brewing Co. in Salt Lake City or a porter at Wasatch Brewpub in Park City—the first brewpub in the state opened in the late 1980s. You’ll even find locally made whiskey in Park City and the world’s only ski-in distillery at High West Distillery.
Photograph by Marc Piscotty
Photograph by Marc Piscotty
Lorem ipsum
A majestic rocky-red playground
The top national parks in Utah may get most of the spotlight, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t include the state parks in your road trip itinerary.
Utah’s 46 state parks offer equally astonishing landscapes and experiences. Kodachrome Basin State Park is aptly named—Kodachrome is the name Kodak gave to its game-changing colour film in the 1930s—views of its breathtaking monolithic stone spires, also called sedimentary pipes, are some of the most photographed geologies in the world. A few hours east, Snow Canyon State Park’s Navajo sandstone cliffs and lava caves are worth a photo-op stop.
Stately exploration
Photograph by Marc Piscotty
Photograph by Marc Piscotty
Lorem ipsum
In partnership with Fill Your Heart with Ireland
Photograph by Ken Cheung
Public spaces to inspire
The dark side
City living is about entertainment
Outdoor Enthusiasm
Having long proclaimed to have The Greatest Snow on Earth®, Utah is a ski destination in its own right, with more than 15 ski resorts, and 10 are within an hour's drive of Salt Lake City, making the capital city also the epicentre for downhill fun.
Park City Mountain has a whopping 330 trails to enjoy, Deer Valley’s ski school is one of the best in the US (plus great mountain biking in the summer), while Alta Ski Area is enjoyed by ski purists—no snowboarders allowed. And to venture to places where ski lifts can't reach, jump onto a 15-person snowcat and try cat-skiing at Powder Mountain.
Downhill from here
Photograph by Scott Dressell Martin
Lorem ipsum
Lorem ipsum
Photograph by Scott Dressell Martin
The desert terrains and rugged panoramas of Utah go hand and hand with restoring mind and body, making it an ideal location for wellness spas and retreats.
The world-famous Amangiri retreat is a luxurious escape near Lake Powell with a spa and fitness centre. At Red Mountain Resort in St. George, you can take customized adventures in nearby parks or focus on whole-body wellness at the resort. In Park City, find your centre while doing yoga on a stand-up paddleboard in a cave with Park City Yoga Adventures. In Monroe, you can soak in one of the clawfoot bathtubs cradled in the earth while looking out at the desert and bathe in the rejuvenating waters of Mystic Hot Springs.
Saved by the well(ness)
The chance to hike the plethora of trails in the national and state parks brings connoisseur climbers from all over the world to Utah, but there are tons of outdoor recreation and activities to be found in the red-rock state, from skiing to spa-ing.
Get your thrills rafting down the San Juan River in the southeast, catch dinner while trout fishing in the Uinta Mountains and get dirty mountain biking at Moab.
Where the fun never goes down
Ignore, going to combine copy in this section from 3 portions to 2
Broll request
BACK TO THE TOP
