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SALT LAKE CITY — Utah is well-known to lovers of the outdoors. If you live here, there are countless ways to enjoy its natural beauty, even if you’re just looking to get away for the weekend.
Zion National Park in Springdale
Zion National Park is one of the most popular national parks in the country for its hiking, backpacking, rock-climbing and camping. There are also gentler activity options, since Zion is a great destination for birding, star-gazing, river-rafting or horseback riding.
The crowds must be a consideration for anyone planning a visit. Tourism has exploded over the last decade — even winter visitation has increased. One can avoid crowds by getting there early or staying until after the park closes. While everyone else is crowding onto shuttles and hiking through crowds in the middle of the day, you can enjoy Springdale’s art galleries and impressive dining.
Snow Canyon in Santa Clara
A southern Utah option with fewer crowds can be found in Santa Clara, a charming city surrounded by the beautiful red rock of Snow Canyon. Snow Canyon offers biking trails, hikes for the advanced and beginners and stunning views wherever you look. There are even sand dunes with soft, brightly colored sand. Bring some sandbox tools and water and your children will play there for hours. Don’t miss the opportunity to hike around the state park’s petrified sand dunes and enjoy the truly remarkable rock formations.
Midway and Heber
In addition to the beauty and pastoral views, the Midway/Heber area is situated between two reservoirs, Jordanelle and Deer Creek. Both areas offer excellent boating and fishing, and there are ample hiking trails on the Wasatch back. A highlight that shouldn’t be missed is Midway’s Homestead Crater, a geothermal hot spring hidden under a beehive shaped limestone formation, available for swimming, snorkeling and scuba diving.
Its world-class skiing is well known, but Park City is just as enjoyable during the three other seasons. It is full of beautiful hiking trails at mountain resorts like Deer Valley, and in the summer there are wildflowers everywhere.
There are over 450 miles of biking trails in Park City, so the area is a mountain biker’s dream. Cyclists can take the chairlifts up the mountain at the ski resorts and enjoy the ride down. If you’re looking for a more relaxing way to enjoy the outdoors, a scenic drive on the Guardsman Pass Scenic Backway will not disappoint — particularly when the fall colors are at their peak.
Moab offers hiking trails, beautiful rock formations, and excellent biking trails at Arches and Canyonlands national parks. A guided tour from a 4x4 vehicle or ATV is an exhilerating way to enjoy the parks. Moab is also renowned for its fantastic whitewater rafting on the Colorado river, whether you’re looking to float peacefully or plunge down a waterfall. Pick your experience, but definitely don’t do it without a guide!
What are your favorite weekend getaways in Utah? Comment them below. Debra Stillman is a former lawyer and current mother to four small kids. Contact her at debrastillman@hotmail.com or read more of her writing at http://debrasays.blogspot.com/.
