Although it's a major hiking destination, Zion Canyon can also be explored from the comfort of your car. Flanked by famous steep red cliffs, Zion Canyon Scenic Drive cuts through the main section of the park, leading to lush forest trails along the Virgin River for those in the mood to pull on their hiking boots.

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Emerald Pools -

An oasis in the desert landscape of Zion National Park, the Emerald Pools are three striking bodies of water, reached by following a stream through dense deciduous forest. There are plenty of visitor amenities, and a 2.5-mile (4-km) hike takes in all three pools.

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Arches National Park -

They don't call Utah's national parks the Mighty Five for nothing. North of Moab, Arches National Park is another incredible example of Mother Nature as an artist. Here there are more than 2,000 natural sandstone arches, the most famous of which is the enormous, rust-red Delicate Arch.

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Devil's Garden -

The eerie-sounding Devil's Garden in Arches National Park is one of the longest, and best-liked, hikes in the area. Over 7.8 miles (12.5 km) of challenging-but-fun terrain, hikers will clamber over narrow sandstone fins and underneath eye-popping arches. And there's camping nearby for those who fancy a night under the desert stars.

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Bryce Canyon National Park -

In southwestern Utah, Bryce Canyon National Park is best known for its immense natural rock amphitheaters, but is also a wonderful destination for wildlife lovers. Antelope, mule deer, prairie dogs, chipmunks, and even mountain lions are among the 59 mammal species who call the park home.

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Navajo Loop Trail -

One of the most popular hiking routes in Bryce Canyon National Park, the Navajo Loop Trail stretches for 1.4 miles (2.2 km), with an elevation change of 515 ft (157 m). The iconic trail begins at the popular Sunset Point viewpoint, and is stunning at any time of year (although watch out for ice underfoot in freezing temperatures). As you hike between narrow walls of multi-hued limestone, you'll see towering Douglas-fir trees and the park's famous Thor's Hammer hoodoo.

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Capitol Reef National Park -

In Utah's south-central desert, Capitol Reef National Park is another of the Mighty Five outdoor attractions that draws hikers from all over the world. Notable for its golden sandstone, deep canyons, and mind-boggling rock formations, its key sights include Chimney Rock pillar, the Hickman Bridge arch, and the white sandstone domes of Capitol Reef.

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Canyonlands National Park -

Another member of the Mighty Five, Canyonlands, in southeastern Utah, is best known for the dramatic canyons and gorges formed by the Colorado River winding its way through the desert landscape. Of particular note, Island in the Sky is a huge, flat-topped mesa with panoramic overlooks.

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Horseshoe Canyon -

In a remote stretch of Canyonlands National Park, west of Utah's Green River and north of the park's Maze District, Horseshoe Canyon is a supremely photogenic spot, and its steep slopes are home to some of the most significant works of ancient Barrier Canyon Style rock art in the country.

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Salt Lake City -

The capital of Utah, Salt Lake City is the destination of choice for urban adventurers in the Beehive State. With a population of under 200,000 as of 2020, it's small for a capital.

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Temple Square -

An eye-catching sight in downtown Salt Lake City, Temple Square is a 10-acre complex owned by the Mormon Church, and a designated National Historic Landmark District since 1964. The magnificent late 18th-century Salt Lake Temple more than merits a visit in itself.

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Pioneer Memorial Museum -

Salt Lake City was founded by Mormon leader Brigham Young in 1847, and over half the city's inhabitants are Mormons. The history of the city is intertwined with the evolution of the religion, and both can be explored at Salt Lake City's Pioneer Memorial Museum, which holds a vast collection of artifacts relating to the pioneer people and their early lives in Utah.

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Hogle Zoo -

Open since 1931 at the mouth of Emigration Canyon in Salt Lake City, Utah's Hogle Zoo attracts animal lovers of all ages. Modernized habitats for the animals include an 'African Savannah' with giraffes and lions, and a 'Rocky Shores' habitat featuring animals such as bears, sea lions, and otters.

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Loveland Living Planet Aquarium -

A few minutes' drive from downtown Salt Lake City, this world-class aquarium is home to more than 4,000 animals. For intrepid explorers, the highlight of any visit is sure to be the enormous glass-sided tunnel offering an up-close view of sharks, rays, sea turtles, and other creatures of the deep.

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Alta skiing - Utah's semi-arid climate and mountainous landscape make for searingly hot summers and icy cold winters. Skiers make a beeline for the town of Alta, close to Salt Lake City in the Wasatch Mountains, where ski resorts are renowned for their powdery snow and excellent conditions.

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Snowbird Ski Resort - One of the most celebrated ski resorts in the region, Snowbird sits six miles (9.6 km) high in the Wasatch Mountains at Little Cottonwood Canyon. It famously has the longest ski season in Utah, along with world-class terrain and enticing non-ski attractions like pools and hot tubs. Outside of ski season, the trails are a riot of colorful wildflowers.

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Park City - East of Salt Lake City and framed by the peaks of the Wasatch Mountains, Park City is an urban hub beloved of skiers keen to explore the slope of nearby Deer Valley Resort and the huge Park City Mountain Resort.

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Park City downtown -

In summer, it's a scenic base for hikes and mountain biking, and the colorful 19th-century buildings of Main Street, where its bars, restaurants, and shops are appealing at any time of year.

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Monument Valley -

Spanning state lines between Utah and neighboring Arizona, Monument Valley is one of the most photographed places on the planet. An incredible natural landscape hewn by nature over hundreds of millions of years, it's famous for its magnificent red-hued buttes.

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Lagoon Amusement Park -

In scenic Davis County, northern Utah, Lagoon Amusement Park has been providing family-friendly thrills and spills since 1886. A short drive from Salt Lake City, its many coasters and rides will set the heart racing, while a Pioneer Village provides a glimpse into Utah's past.

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Bear Lake -

Referred to by locals as the "Caribbean of the Rockies" due to its intense blue color, Bear Lake stretches for an incredible 109 miles (175.4 km). On the border with Idaho in Bear Lake State park, it's a popular summer destination for camping and water sports.

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Logan Canyon -

In northeastern Utah, Logan Canyon is a stunning canyon cutting its way through the Bear River Mountains. Particularly beautiful when draped in fall colors, it's popular for skiing and snowboarding during the winter.

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Utah Lake -

A shallow, freshwater lake in west of Provo, Utah Lake is a popular destination for boating, wake boarding, and other water sports. With a magnificent mountain backdrop, it's popular with day-tripping city folk in summer.

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Provo City -

With easy access to outdoors attractions like Utah Lake and the mountain parks and canyons of Southern Utah, Provo has an up-and-coming city buzz in its own right, with a cultural calendar notable for live music events.

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Kanab -

With towering Navajo sandstone cliffs and incredible scenery, the small southwestern town of Kanab has attracted movie makers for close to 80 years. Abandoned Western movie sets near town now attract tourists, and it's ideally placed for adventures in Bryce Canyon and Zion National Parks.

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Green River boating -

The Utah section of the famed Green River attracts water sports enthusiasts of all abilities. With Green River State Park as a base, visitors can find stretches suitable for canoeing, paddling, white water rafting, and everything in between.

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Slickrock mountain biking -

At only 12-miles (19.3-km) long, you might expect Slickrock mountain biking trail in Grand County to be easy. But you'd be very wrong! The most popular mountain bike trail in the world, it takes around four hours to complete the loop, thanks to its incredible ascents.

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Mount Timpanogos hiking -

Affectionately-known locally as "Timp," Mount Timpanogos is one of Utah's most recognizable peaks, and it's perhaps the most popular mountain hiking route in the state. On the northeast side of Utah Valley, it has trails of varying length and difficulty, and the glorious wildflowers make for a spectacular sight in spring and summer.

Sources: (Visit Utah) (Britannica)

Exploring the beauty of Utah

Amaze yourself with stunning national parks and year-round outdoor attractions

13/11/24 | StarsInsider

TRAVEL Usa

Known for its incredible natural landscapes and almost limitless opportunity for outdoor adventures, the Mountain West state of Utah is famously home to the "Mighty Five" national parks: Arches, Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, and Zion. Filled with jaw-dropping rock formations, these parks are prime examples of the artistic power of nature, and call for lengthy visits to soak up the splendor. The semi-arid climate makes for spectacular seasonal changes, from the wild flowers of spring to the baking summers, glorious fall colors, and ski-friendly winters. With lively urban bases such as Salt Lake City and Provo, Utah really does offer something for almost every type of visitor.

Thinking of planning a visit? Then check out this gallery to find out more about Utah.