Utah is a paradise for people who enjoy spending time outdoors. It is famous for its breathtaking landscapes and stunning views. Apart from the well-known ‘Mighty Five’ national parks, there are many other natural wonders to explore throughout the state.
Located in the Southwest of the United States, Utah boasts diverse terrains including deserts, sand dunes, mesas, canyons, and plateaus. Everywhere you look, you can find remarkable rock formations, beautiful arches, and flowing rivers with sparkling waterfalls.
This unique and varied scenery makes Utah a fascinating and thrilling destination to discover. Surprisingly, nearly fifty incredible national parks, monuments, and state parks have been established in Utah.
Among them, Arches, Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, and Zion are the most popular national parks for good reason; they offer awe-inspiring scenery and unforgettable outdoor activities.
10. Dinosaur National Monument
Dinosaur National Monument is a popular place known for its many paleontological sites, petroglyphs, and pictographs. It is located on the border of Utah and Colorado in the northeast corner of Utah. The area became a national monument in 1915 to protect the dinosaur fossils that were found there.
Over time, it expanded to include the large Green and Yampa river canyons, which offer great opportunities for hiking, camping, and rafting. In addition, there are ancient petroglyphs and pictographs left by the Fremont Indians on the slopes of the canyons.
The Quarry Exhibit Hall is a major attraction where visitors can see over 1,500 dinosaur bones from different species. There are interactive exhibits that provide information about the region’s history, geology, dinosaur discoveries, and the variety of nature found in the national monument.
9. Cedar Breaks National Monument
Cedar Breaks is a small park in Utah, but it has a lot to offer. It has a beautiful natural amphitheater and steep cliffs that overlook many hoodoos and spires. Franklin D. Roosevelt made it a national monument in 1933 because of its breathtaking scenery.
People have been enjoying the amazing views from the rim, which is about 2,000 feet above the formations below. Outdoor enthusiasts can even hike among the hoodoos and take close-up photos of their unique shapes and colors. There’s also great camping available at the park, which is located near Cedar City.
8. Natural Bridges National Monument
One of the must-visit parks in Canyon Country is the breathtaking Natural Bridges National Monument. It is named after three incredible stone bridges found within its boundaries. Visitors can enjoy numerous hiking trails, campsites, and viewpoints in the park.
Unlike other outdoor areas in Utah, these remarkable landmarks are easily accessible through a scenic nine-mile loop road. The largest bridge, called Sipapu, is truly impressive, spanning 255 feet in length and towering 220 feet above the White Canyon below.
You can take stunning photos of the bridges against the bright blue sky and also hike underneath them or camp overnight. The park also has a visitor center with exhibits and a small but well-preserved Ancestral Puebloan ruin.
7. Bryce Canyon National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park is located in the southwest of Utah and offers beautiful scenery and views. It is a popular destination with stunning features such as huge eroded amphitheaters and enormous canyons. The park was established in 1928 to protect the unique peaks and pinnacles found on the Paunsaugunt Plateau.
The sandstone spires in various shapes are captivating to look at, especially from the rugged rim where you can enjoy panoramic views. Wildlife enthusiasts can spot black bears, elk, and even mountain lions in the park’s more secluded areas.
Staying overnight and camping in the park is highly recommended as it offers excellent opportunities for stargazing. There are also scenic drives and nature trails that take you to various viewpoints overlooking the impressive amphitheaters.
6. Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument
The Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument is a large area in southern Utah that offers beautiful landscapes to explore and take pictures of. It has been protected as a park since 1996 and got its name from the layers of rocks that look like steps.
Apart from the Pink, Vermilion, and Chocolate Cliffs, there are also huge canyons and impressive rock formations to discover. Many people just drive by on their way to other places, but it’s worth stopping and experiencing the scenery up close.
Hiking and mountain biking through the narrow canyons is especially enjoyable, with breathtaking views in every direction.
5. Hovenweep National Monument
While many national parks preserve untouched wilderness, there are a few that also have historic sights and fossil beds. One of these parks is Hovenweep National Monument, which is located in the southeast and spreads over into neighboring Colorado.
It is known for the fascinating ruins of six Ancestral Puebloan villages that were built in the thirteenth century. These villages, with their crumbling towers, castles, and houses, provide a great opportunity for incredible photographs as they sit atop canyon rims.
The park’s landscapes, consisting of mesas and canyons, are equally beautiful and draw visitors along with the prehistoric villages. The visitor center at Hovenweep offers informative exhibits and ranger talks that share the history of the Ancestral Puebloans.
4. Arches National Park
Arches National Park is even closer to Moab than the previous two parks. It is considered one of the most beautiful places not only in Utah but in the entire United States. The park is known for having the highest concentration of natural arches worldwide, boasting more than two thousand of them that you can admire and capture with your camera.
These arches were formed over a long period of time due to erosion, creating stunning views as they gracefully arch over the worn-out land surrounding them. Some arches are small and thin, while others are much larger, such as the Landscape Arch, which stretches an enormous 290 feet.
One of the park’s most well-known and photographed landmarks is the delicate Delicate Arch, which is even featured on the state’s license plates. For photography enthusiasts, the best time to admire the elegant arches is at sunrise or sunset, when the warm sunlight bathes them in a multitude of colors and illuminates the distant mountains.
Additionally, visitors can also enjoy activities like hiking, mountain biking, and rock climbing in the park’s breathtaking landscapes.
3. Zion National Park
One of the most spectacular parks in Utah is Zion National Park, often considered the jewel of the Mighty Five. This unique place boasts towering sandstone cliffs, narrow slot canyons, and stunning waterfalls that must be seen to be truly appreciated.
What sets Zion apart from other parks in the area is that visitors are able to walk along the bottom of the canyon and gaze up at the impressive walls that rise up to 2,640 feet above them.
There are various trails to explore, including those that lead through the expansive Zion and Kolob canyons, as well as paths that take you past rivers, rock formations, and breathtaking viewpoints. For those looking for more adventurous activities, canyoneering, rock climbing, and camping are also available within the park.
Popular sights within Zion include the awe-inspiring Great White Throne and Grand Staircase, but the park as a whole offers a truly unforgettable experience with its vast meadows, mesas, and intricate maze of canyons.
2. Capitol Reef National Park
Canyon Country is home to Capitol Reef National Park, which was established in 1971. This park protects a variety of canyons, cliffs, buttes, and monoliths and offers many exciting outdoor activities. The park is centered around the Waterpocket Fold, which is a 100-mile-long wrinkle in the Earth’s crust.
Nature lovers can explore the park’s impressive rock formations, including towering cliffs, natural bridges, colorful domes, and narrow slot canyons. Along with driving through the park, visitors can also hike, ride horses, and camp in its beautiful landscapes.
There are also interesting sites to visit, such as Cohab Canyon, Hickman Bridge, and a historic old Mormon settlement with petroglyphs. The visitor center provides information about the park’s history, nature, and geology, as well as guided tours of its canyons.
1. Canyonlands National Park
Canyonlands National Park is an amazing place in Utah. It is the largest and wildest park. It is located southwest of Moab and has four different sections for visitors to explore. These sections have impressive arches, mesas, buttes, and spires. The park was created in 1964 and its canyons stretch endlessly, offering stunning views everywhere.
Island in the Sky provides the best panoramas, while the Maze and Needles districts offer great hiking and biking opportunities. The trails in the park go through beautiful gorges, narrow canyons, and by unique arches and spires.
Horseshoe Canyon is known for its incredible viewpoint, but it also has a significant collection of ancient drawings and carvings. Canyonlands has so much to offer that it should not be missed when traveling in Utah.
