Outdoors
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Most of Utah's snowpack has melted. What do Utah's reservoirs look like now?
Carter Williams, KSL.com | Posted May 24 - 12:47 p.m. | Save Story
Utah's reservoirs are looking healthy at the unofficial start of summer, but state water managers say they're tracking trends that could impact future levels.

Salt Lake City named one of the best travel destinations for this summer. Here's why
Caitlin Keith, Deseret News | Posted May 24 - 7:13 a.m. | Save Story
WalletHub has released its report of 2025's Best Summer Travel Destinations to "help travelers plan the perfect summer getaway" — and Utah's own Salt Lake City ranked seventh on the list.

Illegal parking fines tripled at Pineview, Causey Reservoirs ahead of Memorial Day weekend
Mike Anderson, KSL-TV | Posted May 23 - 10:33 p.m. | Save Story
Drivers who park in forbidden areas around Pineview and Causey Reservoirs could be ticketed for up to $600, thanks to a recent change in a Weber County ordinance.

Intermountain Health trauma experts promote summer safety
Brynn Carnesecca, KSL.com | Posted May 23 - 9:02 p.m. | Save Story
Intermountain Healthcare officials on Friday encouraged families to stay safe and use precaution during summer activities and adventures.

Utah's national parks bracing for Memorial Day visits
Amy Joi O'Donoghue, Deseret News | Posted May 23 - 5:12 p.m. | Save Story
National park rangers in Utah are readying for Memorial Day weekend visits by people who want to get out and enjoy what nature has to offer.

Trailer carrying high-end sports cars catches fire on I-80 in Tooele County
Andrew Adams, KSL-TV | Posted May 23 - 2:01 p.m. | Save Story
Fire crews said Thursday they were able to quickly stop a fire on I-80 that threatened multiple high-end sports cars inside a trailer, as they cautioned Memorial Day travelers to ensure their vehicles were properly maintained before heading out on the roads.

Ogden leaders unveil new Marshall White Center in the city's older, more diverse core
Tim Vandenack, KSL.com | Posted May 22 - 10:32 p.m. | Save Story
Ogden leaders unveiled the new Marshall White Center, a community center and recreational facility serving one of the city's most diverse neighborhoods.

UDOT warns of traffic delays of up to 30-55 minutes this Memorial Day weekend
Carter Williams, KSL.com | Posted May 22 - 5:02 p.m. | Save Story
Memorial Day weekend could be especially busy across the country, including in Utah, according to transportation experts.

Salt Lake's popular farmers market could soon go year-round. Can it turn Pioneer Park around?
Carter Williams, KSL.com | Updated May 22 - 2:08 p.m. | Save Story
The Salt Lake City Downtown Farmers Market could soon become a year-round event at Pioneer Park, as the city looks to improve the park's reputation.

How social media reacted to 'Outdoor Boys' pulling the plug on YouTube
Dennis Romboy, Deseret News | Posted May 21 - 6:37 p.m. | Save Story
Fans of the "Outdoor Boys" expressed disappointment about creator Luke Nichols pulling the plug on his wildly popular YouTube channel but respected his decision to remove his family from the spotlight.

The ultimate Utah bucket list: 10 experiences you can't miss
Kathleen Clove, KSL.com | Posted May 21 - 10:28 a.m. | Save Story
Exploring Utah is one of the best parts of living in the Beehive State. Check out KSL.com's Top-10 Utah bucket list of adventures. Have you done them all?

Why Utah's fire season this year could be 'busier' despite snowpack, forecast
Carter Williams, KSL.com | Posted May 21 - 6:18 a.m. | Save Story
Experts say all of Utah could be in for an active fire season this summer despite different weather trends this winter, which is why Utahns should be vigilant over the next few months.

Special Olympics Torch Run unites athletes, law enforcement across Utah
Brian Carlson, KSL-TV | Posted May 20 - 10:33 p.m. | Save Story
The Special Olympics torch is making its way through Utah right now, ahead of the upcoming Special Olympics Utah Summer Games in Cedar City.

Utah could be in for another hot summer, but will it also be wet or dry?
Carter Williams, KSL.com | Posted May 20 - 5:02 p.m. | Save Story
Utah could be in for another scorching summer, but long-range outlooks offer hope for a productive monsoon season.

Popular YouTube show 'Outdoor Boys' says goodbye
Dennis Romboy, Deseret News | Posted May 19 - 8:35 p.m. | Save Story
Luke Nichols has entertained millions of people with his extreme camping, fishing and hunting exploits in the Alaska wilderness for a decade. He says he's shutting down the channel.

How big was the 2024-25 ski season?
Dennis Romboy, Deseret News | Posted May 18 - 10:25 p.m. | Save Story
Ski resorts in the Rocky Mountain states accounted for nearly 43% of all skier days nationwide during the 2024-25 season, which turned out to be nearly the biggest year ever.

Cash Drop Utah engages community with daily treasure hunts
Brynn Carnesecca, KSL.com | Posted May 18 - 7:02 p.m. | Save Story
Taylor and Bailey Carlson have dropped thousands of dollars all across Utah. Now, they are gearing up to do another drop in St. George.

How to protect yourself from cougars in Utah this summer (we're not talking about you, Cosmo)
Eva Terry, Deseret News | Posted May 18 - 12:15 p.m. | Save Story
The state's Division of Wildlife Resources shares some suggestions on how to stay safe outside this summer, especially from confrontations with cougars.
British climber makes 19th ascent of Everest, most by a non-Sherpa
Gopal Sharma, Reuters | Posted May 18 - 7:28 a.m. | Save Story
A British climber beat his own record on Sunday for the most climbs of Mount Everest by a non-Sherpa, making his 19th ascent of the world's highest mountain, a hiking official said.

'Cruisin' With the Cougs' sails into BYU history
Brynn Carnesecca, KSL.com | Posted May 18 - 7:17 a.m. | Save Story
Nearly 3,000 Cougar fans jumped aboard the maiden voyage to celebrate BYU at sea.

National parks set record for visitation in 2024; operational challenges looming
Alec Sills-trausch, Associated Press | Posted May 17 - 9:02 p.m. | Save Story
The year 2024 was record-breaking for the National Park Service, with about 331.9 million recreational visits, a nearly 2% increase from the previous year and surpassing the previous all-time high in 2016.

Advisory issued as late-season wintry storm arrives in Utah ahead of summer-like warmup
Carter Williams, KSL.com | Updated May 17 - 9:36 a.m. | Save Story
Federal forecasters say Utah is on tap for a "whirlwind" next few days with a "winter-like" storm this weekend before a more summer-like warmup next week.

'I felt great': Utah man, 86, reportedly the oldest person ever to hike Peru's Inca Trail
Tim Vandenack, KSL.com | Posted May 17 - 7:15 a.m. | Save Story
Utahn Gary Bybee, 86, hiked Peru's Inca Trail earlier this month, reportedly becoming the oldest person ever to complete the mountainous trek to Machu Picchu.

Missing hiker found safe after surviving weeks in snowy California mountains
Christopher Weber, Associated Press | Posted May 16 - 1:59 p.m. | Save Story
When the Vermilion Valley Resort in California's eastern Sierra shut down for the winter, the staff left cabin doors unlocked just in case a wayward hiker needed shelter during the frequent mountain snowstorms. That decision may have saved the life of Tiffany Slaton, who was missing for nearly three weeks.

Mormon crickets take over Holden and Fillmore area
Alex Cabrero, KSL-TV | Posted May 15 - 6:16 a.m. | Save Story
In the small town of Holden, in Millard County, spring has officially arrived — and so have the Mormon crickets.

Bear struck, killed by vehicle near Bear Lake
Carter Williams, KSL.com | Posted May 14 - 6:37 p.m. | Save Story
Bear Lake State Park officials are asking drivers to slow down and pay attention after a black bear was recently struck and killed by a vehicle near a popular beach.

Out fishin': Thousands of Utah kids, young adults with special needs take to the pond
Gabriela Fletcher, KSL.com | Posted May 13 - 9:43 p.m. | Save Story
Several local and state agencies joined together to provide an outdoor experience for kids and adults with special needs at the annual Kids Fishing Day on Tuesday.

UDOT announces reopening dates for some of Utah's biggest mountain routes
Carter Williams, KSL.com | Posted May 13 - 4:36 p.m. | Save Story
Utah's remaining picturesque seasonal routes are slated to reopen just in time for the Memorial Day weekend.

Going full throttle: Utah family builds 'crazy' off-road beasts
Kathleen Clove, KSL.com | Posted May 13 - 9:01 a.m. | Save Story
Building the lightest and most capable off-road vehicles on the face of the earth? That's Utah-based Adrenalin Industries' specialty.

90-year-old Provo man surprised on his favorite trail after more than 4,000 hikes
Alex Cabrero, KSL-TV | Posted May 11 - 5:02 p.m. | Save Story
Henry Miles of Provo received a surprise from the community on his favorite hiking trail for his 90th birthday.

Adaptive mountain bike skills course opens in West Valley City
Gabriela Fletcher, KSL.com | Posted May 11 - 9:55 a.m. | Save Story
A new bike trail created to allow mountain bikers of any skill level or age to gain skills opened Friday in West Valley City.

Provo waterpark owners face pushback from neighbors over expansion plans
Daniel Woodruff, KSL-TV | Posted May 10 - 7:15 a.m. | Save Story
The owners of longtime Provo waterpark Splash Summit are touting a plan for expansion as neighbors push back against it.

Why off-roading access matters to these Utah senators
Amy Joi O'Donoghue, Deseret News | Posted May 9 - 10:30 p.m. | Save Story
The U.S. Senate passed a resolution introduced by Utah Sens. John Curtis and Mike Lee to overturn a Biden administration rule restricting the use of off-road vehicles in the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area.

Pictures of the future: How a photographer is joining the movement to save the Great Salt Lake
Peter Rosen, KSL-TV | Posted May 9 - 9:32 p.m. | Save Story
It is a possibility that's easy to ignore: the Great Salt Lake could dry up. But photographer Nick Pedersen is trying to put it right in front of Utahns — on a couple of billboards.

Male cub of Grizzly 399 killed in vehicle collision
Rett Nelson, EastIdahoNews.com | Posted May 8 - 10:14 p.m. | Save Story
Grizzly 1058, a 5-year-old male cub of famed Grizzly 399, was hit by a vehicle and has died, Grand Teton National Park announced this week.

'Sanctuary for our community': Sandy opens revitalized wetland park
Gabriela Fletcher, KSL.com | Posted May 8 - 7:10 p.m. | Save Story
Sandy dedicated a new wetland park area on Thursday, relocating the habitat away from the city's urban core to preserve waterfowl and other wildlife.

Feds adjust Utah's water outlook after warm, dry April affects spring snowmelt
Carter Williams, KSL.com | Posted May 8 - 5:38 p.m. | Save Story
April didn't provide Utah with many favors after an already complicated snowpack collection season.

The Division of Outdoor Recreation has a dream goal, starts with life jacket safety
Jodi Reynosa, KSL-TV | Posted May 8 - 11:21 a.m. | Save Story
As weather warms up and Memorial Day approaches, state officials have issued this reminder: "Wear a life jacket."

'It became this really cool thing': Utah's long history with mammoths
Carter Williams, KSL.com | Posted May 7 - 4:04 p.m. | Save Story
Utah's new NHL team name puts the state's mammoth history back into the spotlight.

77-year-old man dies after fall at Arches National Park
Tim Vandenack, KSL.com | Posted May 7 - 1:53 p.m. | Save Story
A 77-year-old man from Germany apparently fell and died while hiking along the Windows Loop trail at Arches National Park.

Utah fire conditions could be a mixed bag this summer. Here's how you can prepare
Carter Williams, KSL.com | Posted May 6 - 5:06 p.m. | Save Story
Fire experts say Utah's conditions will likely get worse in the coming weeks before potentially improving by the end of summer, adding that now is the best time to prepare.

Officials seek feedback on proposed campground projects near Zion National Park
Mori Kessler, St. George News | Posted May 5 - 8:31 p.m. | Save Story
The Bureau of Land Management is seeking public input on camping along the state Route 9 corridor west of Zion National Park.

He injected himself with snake venom hundreds of times. His blood could 'revolutionize' treatment
Katie Hunt, CNN | Posted May 5 - 8:04 p.m. | Save Story
Immunologist Jacob Glanville came across media of a man who had injected himself hundreds of times with the venom of some of the world's deadliest snakes. It sparked new treatment research.

Have grizzly bears returned to Utah?
Mike Godfrey for KSL.com | Posted May 4 - 10:23 p.m. | Save Story
A Wyoming sheriff's deputy spotted a grizzly bear near Lake Viva Naughton, about 15 miles from the Utah border, in April of 2024, and that bear was not relocated.

Community pushes back against Ogden trail closure
Debbie Worthen, KSL-TV | Posted May 4 - 9:41 p.m. | Save Story
Ogden residents voiced their frustration after the city fenced off a portion of Gib's Loop nature trail this past week, citing safety concerns.

Warm spring, early summer and looming fire risk in the West
Sydney Jezik, Deseret News | Posted May 4 - 9:02 p.m. | Save Story
The Climate Prediction Center recently released its June, July and August forecast, indicating that temperatures will likely soar above seasonal averages throughout the United States, especially affecting the West.

Have You Seen This? Just a couple of pals out for a late-night stroll
Grant Olsen for KSL.com | Posted May 4 - 3:30 p.m. | Save Story
It's always interesting to see unlikely friendships in the animal kingdom, like this deer and fox.

Best places to see wildflowers in Utah
Dennis Romboy, Deseret News | Posted May 4 - 9:26 a.m. | Save Story
As winter sheds it white coat, Utah's canyons will be awash in a vibrant array of spring and summer colors.

Driving to Disneyland and mowing your lawn can have the same impact on air quality
Mike Godfrey for KSL.com | Posted May 3 - 7:47 p.m. | Save Story
Environmental experts agree that small engines are a big problem for a Great Basin state like Utah, which is defined by successive valleys surrounded by soaring mountain ranges.

Winter's last stand? Advisory issued for parts of Utah ahead of late-season storm
Carter Williams, KSL.com | Posted May 3 - 7:04 p.m. | Save Story
Winter may have at least one last trick up its sleeve, as an incoming system brings valley rain and mountain snow — especially in southern Utah.

Dinosaur fossil site in St. George gets last-minute lifeline from city leaders
Alex Cabrero, KSL-TV | Posted May 3 - 2:47 p.m. | Save Story
In March, scientists and volunteers rushed to excavate a fossil-rich quarry at the Dinosaur Discovery Site in St. George before it was scheduled to be turned into a power substation.

You'll soon need a license to enter these Utah wildlife management areas
Carter Williams, KSL.com | Posted May 3 - 8:11 a.m. | Save Story
State wildlife officials are looking to clarify a new law going into effect next week, which requires visitors to have a hunting or fishing license to access more than two dozen wildlife management areas along the Wasatch Front.

Sandy elementary school becomes steward of NASA moon tree
Gabriela Fletcher, KSL.com | Posted May 3 - 7:14 a.m. | Save Story
Sprucewood Elementary students planted a "moon tree" Tuesday, grown from seeds that flew on a spacecraft that circumnavigated the moon and was granted to them by NASA.

Have You Seen This? Wolf and grizzlies compete over carcass in Yellowstone National Park
Logan Stefanich, KSL.com | Posted May 2 - 3:26 p.m. | Save Story
A video taken in Yellowstone National Park shows a lone female wolf competing with two grizzly bears for the rights to a bison carcass.

12-year-old cat survives 380-foot fall at Bryce Canyon National Park
Logan Stefanich, KSL.com | Posted May 1 - 12:41 p.m. | Save Story
A cat survived a fall that killed its two owners at Bryce National Park.

Deputies identify 2 found dead in apparent fall at Bryce Canyon National Park
Cassidy Wixom, KSL.com | Updated April 30 - 4:21 p.m. | Save Story
A man and a woman found dead in Bryce Canyon National Park after an apparent fall have been identified by sheriff's deputies.

Why groups remain 'deeply concerned' about Great Salt Lake
Carter Williams, KSL.com | Posted April 30 - 10:04 a.m. | Save Story
An environmental group says a dust event near Saltair over the weekend highlights how dust is still flying off the Great Salt Lake despite the lake's recent gains.

State law enforcement officers talk safety, quagga mussels ahead of 'prime' boating season
Andrew Adams, KSL-TV | Posted April 28 - 10:44 p.m. | Save Story
State law enforcement officers on Monday were urging boaters to arrive at lakes and reservoirs prepared, as prime boating season is fast approaching.
