National Parks – The Mighty 5

Arches National Park

Moab

This desert landscape, accentuated by 2,000 natural stone arches, stands silent against the alpine backdrop of the La Sal Mountains.

Recommended Hike: Landscape Arch. A relatively flat surface leads to a spectacular ribbon of rock, whose span is more than a football field in length. (1.6 miles – Easy)

Bryce Canyon National Park

Bryce

Not really a canyon, the Bryce Amphitheater is characterized by its thousands of pillars, columns, windows and hoodoos, all delicately carved by millions of years of erosion by wind and sand.

Recommended Hike: Navajo Trail. Begins at Sunset Point and goes down into Bryce Amphitheater through a “slot” canyon where large Douglas-fir trees are stretching to reach sunlight. (1.3 miles – Moderate)

Canyonlands National Park

Moab

View thousands of feet down to the Colorado and Green Rivers or thousands of feet up to the redrock pinnacles, cliffs and spires in Utah's largest and most diverse national park.

Recommended Hike: Grand View Point Trail. An easy walk out to the very end of the Island in the Sky mesa. Panoramic views. (2 miles – Easy)

Capitol Reef National Park

Torrey

Capitol Reef comprises 378 square miles of colorful canyons, ridges, buttes and monoliths. About 75 miles of the long up-thrust called the Waterpocket Fold, extending like a rugged spine from Thousand Lake Plateau southward to Lake Powell, is preserved within the park boundary.

Recommended Hike: Cohab Canyon. A hidden canyon with spur trails and overlooks. Strenuous climb of 320 feet from west to east up ¼ mile switchbacks, then moderate. More gradual climb of 440 feet from east to west. (1.75 miles – Moderate)

Zion National Park

Springdale

Named by early Mormon pioneers, “Zion” means the “promised land,” which is the perfect way to describe Zion's peaceful yet dramatic landscape of sculptured canyons and soaring cliffs.

Recommended Hike: Lower Emerald Pool Trail. Minor drop-offs. Paved trail leads to the lower Emerald Pool and waterfalls. (1.2 miles – Easy)

National Forests

Ashley National Forest

Vernal

Elevations range from 6,000 feet to more than 13,500 feet. Famous for trophy trout fishing, the 91-mile reservoir created by Flaming Gorge Dam provides vivid blue contrast to the surrounding red rock cliffs dotted with green pines and aspen. Comfortable accommodations, 23 campgrounds and guide services make this a vacation paradise

Dixie National Forest

Cedar City

This forest stretches for 170-miles across southern Utah. Red Canyon, one of the most spectacular colored cliff canyons in southern Utah is located in the heart of the Dixie Forest. Visitors can experience its brilliant red spires and cliffs by car or by hiking one of the nature trails in the canyon.

Manti-La Sal National Forest

Price

The Manti-La Sal National Forest consists of three blocks located in central, eastern and southeastern Utah. The Manti Division, in central Utah, features narrow canyons and broad rolling ridges covered with aspen and spruce. In southeastern Utah, the La Sal and Abajo mountain ranges provide excellent opportunities for cross-country skiing, hiking and mountain climbing.

Fishlake National Forest

Richfield

This is a paradise known for its beautiful aspen forests, sundry scenic drives, trails, elk hunting, and mackinaw and rainbow trout fishing. Recreational opportunities include mountain biking, snowmobiling, hiking, camping and off-highway vehicle use.  The Fish-lake-Johnson Valley area boasts spectacular mountain lake fishing in 3,000 acres of lakes and reservoirs.

Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest

Garden City

This forest encompasses Utah's Wasatch Mountains adjacent to the state's northern metropolitan area, and the north slope of the High Uintas Wilderness. Containing nearly 2.1 million acres of geologically and ecologically diverse landscapes (including seven wilderness areas), this collection of forest areas is one of the most frequently visited in the nation.

Designated Wilderness Area

Mount Naomi

Northern Utah

44,350 Acres

Wellsville Mountains

Northern Utah

23,850 Acres

High Uintas

Northeastern Utah

456,705 Acres

Mount Olympus

Wasatch Front

16,000 Acres

Twin Peaks

Wasatch Front

11,463 Acres

Lone Peak

Wasatch Front

30,088 Acres

Timpanogos

Wasatch Front

10,750 Acres

Desert Peak

Northeastern Utah

25,500 Acres

Mount Nebo

Central Utah

28,000 Acres

Ashdown Gorge

Southwestern Utah

7,000 Acres

Pine Valley Mountains

Southwestern Utah

50,000 Acres

Box-Death Hollow

Southern Utah

25,814 Acres

Dark Canyon

Southeastern Utah

45,000 Acres

BLM Wilderness Areas

Paria Canyon

Southwestern Utah

20,000 Acres

Cedar Mountain

Northeastern Utah

100,000 Acres

Beaver Dam Mountains

Southwestern Utah

2,600 Acres

Black Ridge Canyon

Southeastern Utah

5,000 Acres

Utah State Parks

Anasazi State Park Museum 

Boulder

Explore an Ancestral Puebloan (Anasazi) village that was likely occupied from A.D. 1050 to 1200, and one of the largest communities west of the Colorado River.

Antelope Island State Park

Syracuse

This serene island on the Great Salt Lake is home to one of the largest free-roaming herds of bison in the country and other wildlife, including pronghorn antelope, and deer.

Bear Lake State Park

Garden City

Minerals suspended in the waters of Bear Lake create its spectacular aqua-blue color. Brilliant waters and beaches lure visitors to fish, boat and camp.

Camp Floyd/Stagecoach Inn State Park

Fairfield

Relive history at this nationally significant historic site. Witness a Pony Express exchange outside Stagecoach Inn (part of the original route) and walk through a Civil War encampment.

Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park

Kanab

Venture onto a shifting sea of red sand. Changed by winds, these mountains and hills of sand can move up to 50 feet per year.

Dead Horse Point State Park

Moab

From 2,000 feet above it all, this desert mesa overlooks pinnacles and buttes carved by the Colorado River.

Deer Creek State Park

Midway

Windsurf, boat and fish on the cool waters of Deer Creek Reservoir.

East Canyon State Park

Morgan

A popular destination for boating, fishing and camping. Explore the nearby Mormon Pioneer Trail, the route taken by Mormons traveling more than 1,300 miles from Illinois to Utah.

Edge of the Cedars State Park Museum

Blanding

View the largest collection of Ancestral Puebloan (Anasazi) pottery on display in the Four Corners Region and explore an authentic Puebloan village behind the museum.

Escalante Petrified Forest State Park

Escalante

Camp along the shores of Wide Hollow Reservoir, or rent a canoe and paddle on its clear waters.

Flight Park State Recreation Area

Lehi

An excellent site for teaching flyers of all levels. One of the best training sites worldwide for paragliding and hang gliding.

Fremont Indian State Park and Museum

Sevier

Discover artifacts, petroglyphs and pictographs left behind by the Fremont Indians.

Frontier Homestead State Park Museum 

Cedar City

Revealed within the museum is the story of development in Iron County, when in the 1850s, Mormon leader Brigham Young sent Mormon missionaries there to mine iron.

Goblin Valley State Park

Green River

The landscape, covered with sandstone goblins and formations, is often compared to Mars.

Goosenecks State Park

Blanding

Gaze at the results of 300 million years of time, where the San Juan River carves its way through the desert 1,000 feet below.

Green River State Park

Green River

Rest under a canopy of cottonwood trees or accept the challenge of a nine hole golf course on the banks of the Green River.

Great Salt Lake State Marina

Salt Lake City

This state marina provides boat slips, public viewpoints of the Great Salt Lake, sail and motorboat access and a search and rescue operations center.

Gunlock State Park

Hurricane

Boat, fish and swim on the tranquil waters at Gunlock Reservoir or enjoy an afternoon picnic on the beach.

Historic Union Pacific Rail Trail

Park City

Weaving its way from Park City to Echo Reservoir, this 28-mile trail provides a close-up view of area wildlife and wildflowers.

Huntington State Park

Huntington

Cinnamon-colored buttes provide a backdrop for this quiet desert oasis. Popular with locals, this warm-water reservoir is ideal for waterskiing, fishing, and crawdad catching.

Hyrum State Park

Hyrum

Willow, box elder and maple trees surround Hyrum Reservoir providing shade as well as habitat for waterfowl and wildlife.

Jordan River Off-Highway Vehicle Park and Modelport

Salt Lake City

Four separate tracks, all with tabletops and banked turns, are open from April to November. Riders will enjoy two motorcross tracks, one for off-highway motorcycles and another for ATVs.

Jordanelle State Park

Heber City

Above the beautiful Heber Valley and along the shores of Jordanelle Reservoir are two distinct recreation areas, Hailstone and Rock Cliff, which offer a variety of recreation opportunities.

Kodachrome Basin State Park

Cannonville

In 1949, members of a National Geographic expedition named Kodachrome Basin for its spectacular colors.

Millsite State Park

Huntington

Camp in the quiet campground, and boat and fish on the blue waters of Millsite Reservoir.

Otter Creek State Park

Antimony

This quiet getaway is a great destination for ATV riders, boaters and birders. Access three ATV trails directly from the park.

Palisade State Park

Sterling

Play 18 holes of golf, paddle or troll on Palisade Reservoir, then set up the perfect campsite.

Piute State Park

Antimony

Resting on cliffs of the Sevier Plateau, Piute Reservoir attracts anglers who enjoy trophy fishing for rainbow, cutthroat and brown trout.

Quail Creek State Park

 St. George

Boasting some of the warmest waters in the state and a mild winter climate, Quail Creek Reservoir lures boaters and anglers year-round.

Red Fleet State Park 

Vernal

Hike to 200-million-year-old dinosaur tracks, boat and fish on Red Fleet Reservoir, and camp overlooking a sandstone and desert landscape.

Rockport State Park

 Peoa

During summer, fish, boat and waterski on Rockport Reservoir. Tent or RV camp in one of five developed or primitive campgrounds. During winter, ice fish and access nearby snowmobile trails.

Sand Hallow State Park

Hurricane

Boat and fish on Sand Hollow Reservoir, explore and ride the dunes of Sand Mountain on an off-highway vehicle, then camp in the new campground.

Scofield State Park

Huntington

Camp, boat and fish at this summer and winter recreation destination situated high in the Manti-La Sal Mountains.

Snow Canyon State Park

Ivins

Explore the trails and dunes of Snow Canyon on foot, bike and horseback. Camp surrounded by ancient lava flows and red Navajo sandstone.

Starvation State Park

Duchesne

The sprawling waters of Starvation Reservoir offer great fishing and boating.

Steinaker State Park

Vernal

Fish for rainbow trout and largemouth bass, and enjoy sandy beaches, swim, boat and waterski at Steinaker Reservoir.

Territorial Statehouse State Park Museum

Fillmore

Explore Utah's early history in its oldest existing governmental building.

This Is The Place Heritage Park

Salt Lake City

A collection of more than 40 historic homes and buildings brought to life by historical interpreters.

Utah Field House of Natural Historic State Park Museum

Vernal

Discover the prehistoric world, dig for fossils and explore the dinosaur garden.

Utah Lake State Park

Provo

Utah's largest freshwater lake provides fishing access for channel catfish, walleye, white bass, black bass and several species of panfish.

Wasatch Mountain State Park

Midway

Year-round adventure awaits — golf, hike, bike, camp, horseback ride, snowmobile, cross-country ski and snowshoe at Wasatch Mountain.

Willard Bay State Park

Willard

Boat, swim, waterski and fish on the warm waters of Willard Bay. Camp under tall cottonwood trees that frame the night sky.

Yuba State Park

Levan

Boat-in camping, sandy beaches and warm waters lure visitors to Yuba Reservoir.