Outdoors
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How to see the northern lights, recently sighted in Utah skies
Brooke Williams, KSL-TV | Posted March 25 - 10:29 p.m. | Save Story
People have reported seeing the northern lights, or aurora borealis, in Utah in recent days.
Creek clearing is underway in Salt Lake to minimize threat of flooding
Jed Boal, KSL-TV | Posted March 24 - 4:31 p.m. | Save Story
Many Utah communities are working proactively to minimize flooding that may happen when the snowmelt runoff really gets going in the next couple of months.
Utah's statewide snowpack breaks record set 40 years ago
Carter Williams, KSL.com | Updated March 24 - 3:52 p.m. | Save Story
This year's snow season is officially alone at the top of Utah's snowpack record books.
Utah man charged with killing a trophy deer, letting it waste on another man's property
Kalama Hines, EastIdahoNews.com | Posted March 23 - 10:27 p.m. | Save Story
A man who is accused of killing two deer — one a trophy mule deer — on another man's property faces felony charges.
Rockfalls damages roads, limit some access at Zion National Park
Carter Williams, KSL.com | Posted March 23 - 3:04 p.m. | Save Story
This year's barrage of storms is beginning to impact the roads at Utah's most visited national park.
Club Med hotel deal fizzles; Snowbasin Resort to 'reassess' growth plans
Carter Williams, KSL.com | Posted March 22 - 5:04 p.m. | Save Story
Club Med won't build a five-star resort hotel at Snowbasin after all.
What's next for Salt Lake's 'Hobbitville'? Allen Park upgrades already underway
Carter Williams, KSL.com | Posted March 21 - 9:22 p.m. | Save Story
Initial steps are underway to preserve the unique Allen Park, which Salt Lake City acquired in 2020. Planning for the future of the park is expected next.
Public Safety helicopter on pace to conduct more search and rescue missions than last year
Logan Stefanich, KSL.com | Posted March 21 - 8:03 a.m. | Save Story
The Utah Department of Public Safety has already conducted 200 search and rescue missions this year — well on pace to eclipse last year's total.
Meet Utah's new state mushroom and its new state crustacean
Carter Williams, KSL.com | Posted March 21 - 6:16 a.m. | Save Story
Utah's two newest symbols recognize the vital roles each play in the state's ecosystem.
A banner year, literally: Utah resort reaches 700 inches of snow
Carter Williams, KSL.com | Posted March 20 - 7:01 p.m. | Save Story
Utah and Salt Lake County tourism officials say they will unfurl a banner that celebrates this year's remarkable snow season, which reached another big milestone on Monday.
'It just keeps coming': Warnings issued in Utah with wintry week ahead
Carter Williams, KSL.com | Updated March 19 - 2:54 p.m. | Save Story
Utah is in for a very wet start to spring after a busy winter, as a few more feet of snow may fall in the mountains this week.
'It went exceptionally well': I-80 reopens as wintering elk return to Parleys Canyon
Carter Williams, KSL.com | Updated March 19 - 2:34 p.m. | Save Story
The large elk herd that found refuge in a Salt Lake City golf course this winter is back home in Parleys Canyon.
Communities team up to offer rain barrels as a way to save water
Amy Joi O'Donoghue, Deseret News | Posted March 19 - 2:02 p.m. | Save Story
Every drop of water counts in a state like Utah that has been plagued by extreme drought for years. A rain barrel program is helping Utahns reduce water use.
How this little see-through fish gets its rainbow shimmer
Maddie Burakoff, Associated Press | Posted March 19 - 12:57 p.m. | Save Story
Scientists have figured out what makes a small see-through fish sometimes shimmer in the light. In a new study, they say the key is in the muscles of the fish from Thailand, called a ghost catfish.
Search and rescue teams warn Utahns about dangers of playing in floodwater
Shelby Lofton, KSL-TV | Posted March 18 - 10:28 p.m. | Save Story
With this year's runoff expected to be higher than Utahns have seen in the last few years, search and rescue teams are getting ready for water rescues.
Snowbasin Resort extends ski closing day marking longest season in 80 years
Cassidy Wixom, KSL.com | Posted March 17 - 10:02 p.m. | Save Story
Snowbasin Resort announced the ski season will end April 23, marking the longest season in 80 years for the resort.
Yosemite National Park to partially reopen after 3-week closure
Cheri Mossburg, CNN | Posted March 17 - 4:36 p.m. | Save Story
Yosemite National Park will begin to reopen Saturday with limited access and hours, the U.S. National Park Service has announced. The park remains closed today.
Utah got its 'A+' snowpack. Does that mean major flooding next?
Carter Williams, KSL.com | Posted March 16 - 9:04 p.m. | Save Story
Utah's snowpack will land among the top five all-time since 1980 no matter what happens later this spring. But what does that mean for flooding and reservoir levels?
Why Zion's popular Narrows hike could be closed for months
Carter Williams, KSL.com | Posted March 16 - 11:29 a.m. | Save Story
The Narrows at Zion National Park is currently closed to hiking and canyoneering. It could be a long closure because of the high runoff expected this spring.
Utah's snowpack officially breaks mid-March record; rain causes new flooding
Carter Williams, KSL.com and Karah Brackin, KSL-TV | Updated March 15 - 6:35 p.m. | Save Story
Utah's snowpack is officially the highest it has ever been by the middle of March in more than 40 years, and the latest storm is causing flooding in the southern part of the state.
Church of Jesus Christ donates 5,700 water shares to the Great Salt Lake
Carter Williams, KSL.com | Updated March 15 - 12:32 p.m. | Save Story
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has agreed to donate 5,700 water shares that will send more than 20,000 acre-feet of water to the struggling Great Salt Lake.
Ski wax containing PFAS banned on Park City, Utah slopes
Amy Joi O'Donoghue, Deseret News | Posted March 15 - 8:01 a.m. | Save Story
Park City officials enacted a drinking water regulation that prohibits using or selling a certain kind of ski wax they believe is causing contamination of groundwater wells and an aquifer.
Utah to start planning statewide trail network after initial $90M investment
Carter Williams, KSL.com | Posted March 14 - 9:02 p.m. | Save Story
SB185 wasn't the flashiest bill the Utah Legislature passed this year but it sets up the framework and initial funding needed to link Utah's paved trail systems together.
'We love having them here': Deer find life at Salt Lake City Cemetery
Carter Williams, KSL.com | Posted March 14 - 5:06 p.m. | Save Story
This winter has offered new challenges for deer but they have found a perfect sanctuary at Salt Lake City's oldest and largest cemetery.
Utah's mountains near mid-March record ahead of arriving atmospheric river event
Carter Williams, KSL.com | Updated March 14 - 8:36 a.m. | Save Story
Some of Utah's mountain ranges could receive 2 feet or more of snow this week, which would likely put this year's snowpack into a league of its own for mid-March.
Safety signage added to popular southern Utah park with waterfalls expected to return
Carter Williams, KSL.com | Posted March 13 - 9:35 p.m. | Save Story
While the waterfalls aren't flowing yet, Gunlock State Park managers say that they expect the popular man-made feature will return this spring.
Beyond eating bullfrogs: Utah asks anglers to remove these 3 burdensome species
Carter Williams, KSL.com | Posted March 12 - 12:16 p.m. | Save Story
Utah's post about catching and eating invasive bullfrogs caught national attention but the wildlife officials have problems with certain fish species in three bodies of water too.
Harsh winter pushes wildlife to Utah roads with over 1,000 killed this year
Alex Cabrero, KSL-TV | Posted March 11 - 8:55 p.m. | Save Story
Utah drivers are seeing a lot of big game animals right now. So far this year, the number of reported roadkill in the state is at 1,056, according to state wildlife statistics.
Are pygmy rabbits endangered? Groups seek protections
Amy Joi O'Donoghue, Deseret News | Posted March 11 - 12:31 p.m. | Save Story
A coalition of conservation groups are seeking federal protections for the pygmy rabbit, aptly named because as the smallest rabbit in the world, you can hold it in the palm of your hand.
Utah avalanche forecasters warn of roof avalanches
Matt Rascon, KSL-TV | Posted March 10 - 1:06 p.m. | Save Story
Avalanche forecasters warned about an increased risk of roof avalanches Thursday, ahead of a storm that was expected to bring warmer temperatures, strong winds and rain to Utah.
Vital aqueducts in Utah get a $50M boost from lawmakers
Amy Joi O'Donoghue, Deseret News | Posted March 10 - 8:05 a.m. | Save Story
The Great Salt Lake dominated the 2023 legislative session, but lawmakers also spent money on vital water projects in Utah, including dollars to help fix aging aqueducts.
Another big storm set to bring rain, snow in Utah; flooding possible in some areas
Carter Williams, KSL.com | Posted March 9 - 5:04 p.m. | Save Story
The National Weather Service issued a warning for Utah's next winter storm, but valleys may end up with more rain — which is bringing some flooding concerns.
Curtis introduces bill to preserve rock climbing access on federal land
Carter Williams, KSL.com | Posted March 9 - 6:16 a.m. | Save Story
Utah Rep. John Curtis co-introduced a federal bill Tuesday aimed at preserving rock climbing access on federal land, as agencies look at cracking down on it.
17 elk killed in Idaho following semitruck collision
Rett Nelson, EastIdahoNews.com | Posted March 8 - 4:02 p.m. | Save Story
Seventeen elk were killed in Idaho Monday night after a semitruck hit the animals on Idaho Highway 33.
Utah's meteorological winter lands among the 10 wettest on record
Carter Williams, KSL.com | Posted March 8 - 3:01 p.m. | Save Story
If this winter felt colder and wetter than normal, it was. But it also helped reduce Utah's drought severity.
A 'fundamental' shift in Utah water law for the Great Salt Salt Lake
Amy Joi O'Donoghue, Deseret News | Posted March 7 - 10:31 p.m. | Save Story
Critics panned the Utah Legislature for failing to set a target elevation for the Great Salt Lake via a non-binding resolution.
Feds suspend measures that were meant to boost water levels at drought-stricken Lake Powell
Ella Nilsen, CNN | Posted March 7 - 7:34 p.m. | Save Story
Starting Tuesday, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation will suspend extra water releases from Utah's Flaming Gorge reservoir — emergency measures that had served to help stabilize the plummeting water levels downstream at Lake Powell, the nation's second largest reservoir.
Salt Lake City nears final plan for new Glendale Regional Park
Carter Williams, KSL.com | Posted March 7 - 7:05 p.m. | Save Story
Salt Lake City is close to finalizing plans for the new Glendale Regional Park, which is set to open by April 2024.
US focuses bison restoration on expanding tribal herds
Matthew Brown, Associated Press | Posted March 7 - 10:14 a.m. | Save Story
U.S. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland says her agency will work to restore more large bison herds to Native American lands. Haaland issued an order March 3 for government workers to tap into Indigenous knowledge in their efforts to conserve bison.
Snowbird ski crews work around the clock to keep up with above-average snowfall
Shelby Lofton, KSL-TV | Posted March 7 - 7:39 a.m. | Save Story
While Snowbird crews are excited about all the new snow covering their slopes, it also takes a lot of work to keep ahead of the storms.
Group calls for Cox to veto Utah bill that opens door for year-round cougar hunting
Carter Williams, KSL.com | Posted March 6 - 9:31 p.m. | Save Story
A wildlife protection nonprofit is calling for Utah Gov. Spencer Cox to veto a bill that opens the door for year-round cougar hunting in the state.
Park City Mountain extends operations, plans to have longest season in 30 years
Carter Williams, KSL.com | Posted March 6 - 8:07 p.m. | Save Story
The country's largest ski resort is set to have its longest season in three decades as a result of record snow totals.
Utah's mountain snowpack reaches milestone. How close is it to the record?
Carter Williams, KSL.com | Posted March 6 - 3:01 p.m. | Save Story
This winter marks the 14th year that Utah's snowpack has reached 20 inches or more since 1980. It may even crack the top 10 all-time list this week.
Crews respond to two small avalanches following weekend storm
Bridger Beal-Cvetko, KSL.com | Posted March 6 - 11:50 a.m. | Save Story
An avalanche was reported up Big Cottonwood Canyon near Donut Falls and the Spruces Campground on Monday.
Video: Bighorn ram sneers at Grand Canyon hiker
Mike Godfrey for KSL.com | Posted March 5 - 9:48 p.m. | Save Story
What does it take to tick off a bighorn ram? Learn how to share the trail with wildlife.
What were Utah's 10 most-visited and 10 least-visited state parks in 2022?
Carter Williams, KSL.com | Posted March 5 - 12:15 p.m. | Save Story
Visitation to Utah's state parks dropped a little in 2022 but that doesn't mean the parks weren't busy.
Caught on camera: Moose charges snowmobilers in eastern Idaho
Mary Boyle, EastIdahoNews.com | Posted March 4 - 8:26 p.m. | Save Story
Jeremiah Bigelow had a scary moose encounter while snowmobiling with a group of friends near Palisades, in eastern Idaho, on Thursday.
Provo River diverted as restoration project reaches 'major milestone'
Carter Williams, KSL.com | Posted March 4 - 12:22 p.m. | Save Story
State and federal wildlife officials celebrated a change to Provo River that's considered a "major milestone" in the efforts to preserve the threatened June sucker endemic in the region.
Do not 'push a slower friend down' if you encounter a bear, National Park Service warns
Zoe Sottile, CNN | Posted March 4 - 9:03 a.m. | Save Story
The National Park Service has some bear-y important tips for what not to do if you and a friend encounter a bear in the wild.
Trapped fox 'severely' injures dog in Draper, prompts warning from city
Carter Williams, KSL.com | Posted March 3 - 7:34 p.m. | Save Story
Residents in Draper are being reminded that animal traps are illegal after city officials said an off-leash dog was "severely injured" by a fox caught in a steel-jaw animal trap at a park.
With elk in the area, Salt Lake City calls on owners to leash dogs at popular park
Carter Williams, KSL.com | Posted March 3 - 4:51 p.m. | Save Story
Salt Lake City's mayor has issued a temporary order that requires dogs to be on leashes at Parleys Historic Nature Park for the time being because of elk in the area.
Spencer Eccles Olympic Mountain Center opens at Utah Olympic Park
Alex Cabrero, KSL-TV | Posted March 2 - 7:34 p.m. | Save Story
A new ski training facility may be small compared to most ski hills, but it has the kind of steep terrain advanced alpine and freestyle skiers need in an Olympic-caliber hill.
Elephants in US zoos? Without breeding, future is uncertain
Amy Taxin, Associated Press | Posted March 2 - 8:36 a.m. | Save Story
A community in the heart of California's farm belt has been drawn into a growing global debate over whether elephants should be in zoos.
Meteorological winter brought Utah heavy snowfall. What's in store for spring?
Carter Williams, KSL.com | Posted March 1 - 7:02 p.m. | Save Story
It was a very snowy meteorological winter. Long-range outlooks indicate that it could continue to remain cold and snowy, at least for a few more weeks.
Have You Seen This? Northern lights provide a trippy show over Alaska's Glacier Bay
Carter Williams, KSL.com | Posted March 1 - 3:34 p.m. | Save Story
Sunday's aurora borealis proved how groovy the night sky can really be.
Despite all the snow, official says bison on Antelope Island are doing fine
Alex Cabrero, KSL-TV | Posted March 1 - 2:08 p.m. | Save Story
This winter has been challenging for many of us, and it's been hard for our wildlife to find food, but wildlife officials say the bison at Antelope Island are doing fine.
Salt Lake releases water from Parleys Canyon reservoirs over possible flood risks
Carter Williams, KSL.com | Updated March 1 - 1:23 p.m. | Save Story
Salt Lake city and county officials began a controlled release of water from two reservoirs in Parleys Canyon on Tuesday, citing flood risks from "significant" snowpack levels in the area.
Pickleball injuries surge in St. George alongside growing popularity
Becky Stein, St. George News | Posted Feb. 28 - 10:31 p.m. | Save Story
Pickleball, the fast-paced, paddle-wielding sport is taking the world, St. George — and most of its tennis courts — by storm. With all that backhanding and dinking, it's no surprise that pickleball injuries are on the rise.
