When your friends and relatives come to Utah, they probably want to go to all the most popular spots: the national parks, Park City, perhaps the Salt Lake Temple or other Mormon historical sites. All of those places are worthy of a visit, but if you just stick to the most popular spots, your guests won’t get a true picture of Utah’s diverse and beautiful offerings. These 16 places in Utah are often overlooked and shouldn’t be missed.
- Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service/flickr More than 250 bird species move through the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge every year. Depending on the season, your guests might see bald eagles, hawks, pelicans, swans and more. You can take the 12 mile auto tour and drive through the refuge, or get some exercise on the 1.5 miles of trails running through. Grab some lunch or dinner in Brigham City, too!
- Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park
Justin Brockle/flickr The dunes are really pretty…but they’re also a blast to play on!
- Utah Lake
Jim Mullhaupt/flickr Out-of-towners always want to see the Great Salt Lake, but you might consider adding Utah Lake to your list, too. It’s easy to reach if you live along the Wasatch Front, and you can take your guests sailing, fishing or boating.
- Goblin Valley State Park
Dyana/flickr If you really want to show your guests a unique spot in Utah, take them to Goblin Valley. It’s funny little hoodoos and formations make it seem like you’re standing on the surface of Mars.
- Dead Horse Point State Park
Jim Dollar/flickr The view from the overlook at Dead Horse Point State Park is simply stunning. I think it’s one of the best vistas in the state.
- Gilgal Sculpture Garden
Chris Sloan/flickr During your tour of Salt Lake City, take your out-of-towners to Gilgal Sculpture Garden. It’s free, it’s strange, and it will definitely give you all something to talk about over lunch!
- Salt Lake City Library Main Branch
Stephanie Rogers/flickr Sure, every city and town has a library…but I’m willing to bet that the Salt Lake City Main Branch is unlike anything your guests have ever seen. The building was designed by Moshe Safdie, a world-famous architect. While you’re there, you can browse through the shops, grab a quick bite to eat, check out readings or film viewings and of course, wander through the stacks.
- Dinosaur National Monument
Richard Bauer/flickr Did you know that Dinosaur National Monument has more than 1,500 fossils to see at the Carnegie Dinosaur Quarry? You and your guests can even touch several of the fossils, which are 149 million years old! While you’re there, take a hike or enjoy a river rafting trip on the Green River.
- Cedar City
Ken Lund/flickr If you’re visiting the national parks, you’re probably planning a stop in St. George, but don’t miss nearby Cedar City. This cute little college town has plenty to offer, including the famous Utah Shakespeare Festival in the summer and fall.
- Fishlake National Forest
Robert Shea/flickr This beautiful forest includes the world’s heaviest organism on the planet: Pando. The quaking aspen grove weighs 6,600 short tons and is 80,000 years old, making it also one of the world’s oldest living organisms.
- Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument
James Marvin Phelps/flickr is often overlooked by out-of-towners, but that’s a real shame. The vertical drops (stairs) are truly stunning with their various colors of pink, white, grey and brown. Visit Paria Canyon, Coyote Gulch (pictured here) and Calf Creek Falls for starters…you could spend weeks exploring the entire 1.9 million acres.
- Hovenweep National Monument
Matt Champlin/flickr Give your guests a little insight about the people who first inhabited Utah at Hovenweep National Monument. The area was home to more than 2,500 around A.D. 1200, and you can explore many of the structures they built.
- Mirror Lake Scenic Byway
rup_au/flickr Grab lunch in Kamas, then head up the byway where your guest will be treated to some beautiful alpine scenery. Mirror Lake is just one of several lakes along this byway. All are great spots for camping, hiking or picnics.
- Ogden’s 25th Street
Robert Brainz/flickr 25th Street got a major overhaul a few years ago; now it’s a charming street filled with shops, pubs and restaurants. While you’re in Ogden, visit Kiesel Avenue to surf at Flowrider or fly in the wind tunnel at iFly. Check out the Ogden Raptors at Lindquist Field.
- Ogden Valley
Evan Sanders/flickr After you visit downtown Ogden, head up Ogden Canyon to show your guests this lush little valley. Play on Pineview Reservoir, ski at Snowbasin and Powder Mountain and visit Utah’s oldest continually operating bar: Shooting Star Saloon.
- Sundance
Karen Corby/flickr Park City gets all the attention most of the year, but Sundance has a lot to offer. Of course you can ski during the winter, but in warmer months, there’s plenty of hiking trails, a zipline tour, river rafting, golfing and more.
This list includes just 16 of Utah’s underrated spots; there’s many, many more. Where do you like to take out-of-town guests when they come to visit?
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service/flickr
More than 250 bird species move through the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge every year. Depending on the season, your guests might see bald eagles, hawks, pelicans, swans and more. You can take the 12 mile auto tour and drive through the refuge, or get some exercise on the 1.5 miles of trails running through. Grab some lunch or dinner in Brigham City, too!
Justin Brockle/flickr
The dunes are really pretty…but they’re also a blast to play on!
Jim Mullhaupt/flickr
Out-of-towners always want to see the Great Salt Lake, but you might consider adding Utah Lake to your list, too. It’s easy to reach if you live along the Wasatch Front, and you can take your guests sailing, fishing or boating.
Dyana/flickr
If you really want to show your guests a unique spot in Utah, take them to Goblin Valley. It’s funny little hoodoos and formations make it seem like you’re standing on the surface of Mars.
Jim Dollar/flickr
The view from the overlook at Dead Horse Point State Park is simply stunning. I think it’s one of the best vistas in the state.
Chris Sloan/flickr
During your tour of Salt Lake City, take your out-of-towners to Gilgal Sculpture Garden. It’s free, it’s strange, and it will definitely give you all something to talk about over lunch!
Stephanie Rogers/flickr
Sure, every city and town has a library…but I’m willing to bet that the Salt Lake City Main Branch is unlike anything your guests have ever seen. The building was designed by Moshe Safdie, a world-famous architect. While you’re there, you can browse through the shops, grab a quick bite to eat, check out readings or film viewings and of course, wander through the stacks.
Richard Bauer/flickr
Did you know that Dinosaur National Monument has more than 1,500 fossils to see at the Carnegie Dinosaur Quarry? You and your guests can even touch several of the fossils, which are 149 million years old! While you’re there, take a hike or enjoy a river rafting trip on the Green River.
Ken Lund/flickr
If you’re visiting the national parks, you’re probably planning a stop in St. George, but don’t miss nearby Cedar City. This cute little college town has plenty to offer, including the famous Utah Shakespeare Festival in the summer and fall.
Robert Shea/flickr
This beautiful forest includes the world’s heaviest organism on the planet: Pando. The quaking aspen grove weighs 6,600 short tons and is 80,000 years old, making it also one of the world’s oldest living organisms.
James Marvin Phelps/flickr
is often overlooked by out-of-towners, but that’s a real shame. The vertical drops (stairs) are truly stunning with their various colors of pink, white, grey and brown. Visit Paria Canyon, Coyote Gulch (pictured here) and Calf Creek Falls for starters…you could spend weeks exploring the entire 1.9 million acres.
Matt Champlin/flickr
Give your guests a little insight about the people who first inhabited Utah at Hovenweep National Monument. The area was home to more than 2,500 around A.D. 1200, and you can explore many of the structures they built.
rup_au/flickr
Grab lunch in Kamas, then head up the byway where your guest will be treated to some beautiful alpine scenery. Mirror Lake is just one of several lakes along this byway. All are great spots for camping, hiking or picnics.
Robert Brainz/flickr
25th Street got a major overhaul a few years ago; now it’s a charming street filled with shops, pubs and restaurants. While you’re in Ogden, visit Kiesel Avenue to surf at Flowrider or fly in the wind tunnel at iFly. Check out the Ogden Raptors at Lindquist Field.
Evan Sanders/flickr
After you visit downtown Ogden, head up Ogden Canyon to show your guests this lush little valley. Play on Pineview Reservoir, ski at Snowbasin and Powder Mountain and visit Utah’s oldest continually operating bar: Shooting Star Saloon.
Karen Corby/flickr
Park City gets all the attention most of the year, but Sundance has a lot to offer. Of course you can ski during the winter, but in warmer months, there’s plenty of hiking trails, a zipline tour, river rafting, golfing and more.
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