Utah is a unique state with some of the most dramatic and majestic landscapes in the US. It is where you will find iconic natural features like Arches National Park with its thousands of sandstone arches, the Colorado River, and the Goblin Valley State Park with its bizarre-looking hoodoos, among others. Naturally, these numerous natural attractions inspire curiosity in the minds of people, leading to endless adventures and exploration. From hiking and scenic drives to biking, rafting, ATV tours, and cliff jumping, Utah is a haven for exciting outdoor activities. Discover some of the 12 most epic of all the adventures the Beehive State has to offer.
ATV Tour and Sandboarding on Coral Pink Sand Dunes, Kanab
Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park takes a detour from the canyon-like landscapes and immerses visitors into the sheer beauty of its nearly 4,000 acres of pink dunes. Visitors can explore these dunes with ATVs or by sandboarding, and there are many tours to choose from, including the Sand Dune Paradise Tour, which traverses the dunes into backcountry trails.
Tours feature sandboarding and sand sledding activities, which makes the adventure more intense and sensational. With the perfect gear of sand goggles, boots, moisture-wicking clothing, helmets, and gloves, sliding on these sands is fun, adventurous, and memorable.
The Flaming Gorge Scenic Drives
The Flaming Gorge Scenic Drives comprises highways 191 & 44 and the Sheep Creek/Spirit Lake Scenic Backway in northern Utah and southern Wyoming. Tourists can take all three on a day trip to enjoy the marveling views of the Flaming Gorge Reservoir, majestic cliffs, lakes, mountains, and wildlife. Highlights of Highway 191 include dinosaur fossils, and Steinaker & Red Fleet Reservoirs in their state parks as the route ascends the forested Uinta mountains before the intersection with Highway 44.
Travelers can continue right on Highway 191 to Flaming Gorge Reservoir or take a left on Highway 44, which climbs ridges above the Flaming Gorge to an overlook and down to Sheep Creek. The Sheep Creek Trail succeeds Highway 44 from Manila Town and follows its namesake Creek to a series of elegant cliffs, monolith towers, and rock formations.
A Scenic Drive on The Mirror Lake Highway
Scenic drives are always exciting, especially in a place like Utah with its spellbinding natural scenery and the Mirror Lake Highway is one of the state’s incredible routes worth exploring. This highway, for the most part, runs along the Provo River from Kamas into the Uinta Mountains via the Wasatch-Cache National Forest. Along the 42-mile stretch, travelers will be spoiled with dramatic and charming natural sights of lakes, mountains, rivers, and scenic viewpoints.
The scenic byway even ascends to an elevation of 10,715 feet at Bald Mountain Pass before it descends to run parallel to Mirror Lake. Popular stops along the route include Provo River Falls and the historic Bear River Ranger Station.
Swimming and Cliff Jumping in Mill Creek Waterfall, Moab
In summer, the heat in Utah can be unbearable, making swimming not just adventurous but relieving. Mill Creek Waterfall is one of the top spots to enjoy refreshing dips when the heat is extreme in Utah, and for the daredevil tourist, jumping off a cliff into the water is worth a try. However, the water is pretty shallow, and the area deep enough for cliff jumping is very narrow, so be very cautious.
Accessing the waterfall and its swimming pool is via an easy hike of about 2.2 miles from downtown Moab. The trail follows Mill Creek for its entire length and includes shallow river crossings before rewarding hikers with the inviting beauty of the Mill Creek Canyon and the waterfall.
Rafting on The Colorado and Green Rivers
The Colorado and Green Rivers are the two most popular and scenic rivers in Utah that slice through some of its canyon-like landscapes. Exploring these rivers by rafting and kayaking in summer is one of the most sensational adventures to experience in Utah. Thankfully, there are many local outfitters in Moab (such as Red River Adventures) and other towns where both rivers course through. Patronize them and gear up to challenge the restless waters of Utah, paddling through its class II, III, and IV rapids as they snake through Desolution, Cataract, and Westwater Canyon near Moab.
Enjoy the thrilling sensation of frolicking with raging waters alongside other paddlers as the adventure combines stunning views of canyons to leave lasting memories.
Hiking to The Wave, Kanab
The Wave in Utah is one of the most photogenic and photographed outdoor spots in the West. The dramatic red sandstones look like ocean waves with stripes encircling them, hence the naming. It is located in Coyotes Butte North, near Kanab, Utah, and requires a permit, which may come after several applications since this is one of the most desired hikes in the world. Only 64 visitors are permitted per day to explore these rock formations via a six-mile round-trip hike with no trails but a GPS or map.
On the way, hikers will be met with stunning sights of dunes and buttes, as well as natural highlights such as Second Wave, Sand Cove, The Alcove, and Melody Arch. Visitors are advised to bring plenty of water and electrolytes, as well as snacks, because the hike is in a desert landscape.
Water Sports in Lake Powell, Glen Canyon
Lake Powell in Glen Canyon National Recreational Area is a reservoir of the Colorado River and the second-largest artificial reservoir in the US at 161,000 acres. This lake is a melting pot of water sports like boating, fishing, and kayaking. These activities are made even more exciting by the sights of the imposing canyon walls surrounding the lake.
Meanwhile, there are several outfitters on the lake across Kane, San Juan, Garfield, and Wayne counties where you can gear up for an unforgettable adventure on this massive waterbody.
The Monument Valley Tour
Monument Valley Navajo Nation Tribal Park (which crosses into Arizona) highlights the wondrous essence of a quintessential Utah outdoor landscape. From giant canyons and mesas to sandstone buttes and magnificent cliffs, the area is packed with jaw-dropping geological sights. Thankfully, there are many ways to tour this valley, and visitors can start by hiking the 4-mile Wildcat Trail to get up close to the area’s iconic rock buttes. Next, hit the 17-mile Tribal Valley Loop with a car or motorbike for a more laid-back experience.
This road also winds through the valley’s buttes, including famous ones like Elephant Butte and Camel Butte.
Biking the Slickrock Trail
For seasoned bikers, the Slickrock Bike Trail promises 11 miles of adrenaline-pumping adventure across rugged mountainous terrain. The trail’s terrain is dubbed difficult, making it the perfect challenge. True to its definition, bikers on this trail are in for mind-blowing experiences as they ascend steep and challenging climbs and descend at top speed.
Along the 11 miles, bikers will enjoy views of petrified sand dunes, small lakes, and craggy terrains. In addition, there are many scenic stops and spur trails that offer sweeping views of the surrounding mountain. This is one of the world’s most famous biking trails for extreme adventures, and protective gear is a must.
Hike Through Arches National Park, Moab
The landscape of Arches National Park is scenic, wild, and wondrous, and exploring it is an adventure that sends thrills down the spine of tourists. This park is famed for its over 2,000 sandstone arches, with the distant La Sal Mountains amplifying its striking scenery. Tourists can hike on the park’s numerous trails to see some of its notable arches like Delicate Arch, Double Arch, and several Balanced Rocks. A 3-mile round trip is the best way to visit the park’s most prominent and largest free-standing arch, Delicate Arch, which is 46 feet high and 32 feet wide.
The trail is not shaded and is considered difficult. Hence, hikers are advised to wear good shoes and breathable clothing and bring a lot of water. Alternatively, take a scenic drive on the 18-mile Arches Scenic Drive to enjoy the views in comfort, with highlights such as the Balanced Rocks and the Windows on display.
Hike the Trails in Zion National Park, Moab
Zion National Park is Utah’s first and most visited national park, remarkable for its picturesque and imposing canyons that stretch for 15 miles and reach depths of 3,000 feet. The park is the perfect destination for adventure seekers looking for enthralling, once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Hikes are the most popular activities within the park, and Angel’s Landing Trail is one of the best. The 5.4-mile round trip trail begins from Grotto Trailhead, winds its way through narrow spaces of the towering canyons, and reaches an elevation of almost 1,500 feet.
Hiking this trail is not for the lily-livered folks and those with a phobia for heights, as the canyon cliffs and the elevation can be intimidating. Gear for the trip includes layered clothing, a flashlight with new batteries, food, and water, while a permit is required. The Narrows are also popular, featuring the narrowest sections of the canyons as hikers meander in between canyon walls as high as the eyes can see.
Scenic Airplane Tour of National Parks
Utah is home to five national parks that encompass a considerable expanse of its territory. Exploring these parks and other dramatic landscapes, especially in the Moab area, can take months and time and might be an expensive luxury. Hence, a scenic airplane tour can be a thrilling way to enjoy the sights and feel on top of the world in a short time.
Patronize one of the flight agencies like Redtail Air Adventures in Moab to fly over enchanting arches in Arches National Park, hoodoos in Bryce Canyon National Park, and magnificent canyons in Zion National Park. Other truly spectacular natural wonders from above include the scenic Colorado and Green Rivers. The tour can take between two to four hours but is comprehensive and gripping.
Utah is an outdoor playground packed with stunning canyons, mountains, charming lakes, breathtaking cliffs, scenic winding rivers, and vast wilderness areas. These landscapes are some of the wildest in the West, making Utah a top adventure destination in the US. For adventure buffs or those looking to experience the great outdoors and get out of the mundane, Utah beckons with the right background for it. From thrilling hikes and exhilarating rafting on charming rivers to scenic overlooks where views of canyons, red sandstone cliffs, and dramatic stone arches are spellbinding, Utah is the first port of call when adventure is on the traveling itinerary.
