Have you ever asked yourself, “what are some great day trips near me in Utah?” If so, you’re not alone. We’re constantly inspired by the opportunity for adventure here in the Beehive State.
One of the best things about Utah is its geographic diversity. From alpine mountains to red-rock cliffs, Utah pretty much has it all. If you haven’t ever explored our entire state, here’s an itinerary to start with – you’ll visit many parts of Utah at the best possible time.
January: Midway
Midway Ice Castles/Facebook
The Crater/Facebook Midway has a nice climate year-round, but consider visiting in the cold month of January. You can walk through the winter wonderland of the Ice Castles (and be guaranteed that the attraction won’t be closed for the season yet). Book an overnight stay at The Homestead, where you can snorkel, swim and scuba dive in the crater in toasty 90-96 degree water. You can even get scuba certified for your next vacation! Learn more about what makes Midway such a great day trip destination in Utah.
February: Hyrum/Logan
Hardware Ranch/Facebook
Ken Lund/flickr Visit Hardware Ranch in February to see 250 elk up close. The elk winter here at the ranch, and you can take a sleigh ride to get up close and personal. Then, visit the little town of Logan, where you can stay in a quaint bed and breakfast, enjoy an old-fashioned soda at the original soda counter in The Bluebird and catch a basketball game at Utah State University.
March: Bryce Canyon National Park
James Marvin Phelps/flickr
Clare_and_Ben/flickr Photo hounds, get your cameras ready! This might just be the most beautiful snow-covered spot in the entire Beehive State. The park is almost empty during winter months, which means that you get to enjoy this stunning scenery and some peaceful, quiet communing with nature at the same time. Here’s more on why you should consider a winter visit to Bryce Canyon National Park.
April: Utah’s Ski Resorts
Alastair Cormack/Flickr
Snowbird/Facebook If you haven’t had a chance to make it up to the ski resorts yet, this is your last chance. Some resorts close mid-April; others (like Snowbird, pictured here), are open through mid-May. By April, many of the tourists are gone, which means shorter lift lines. The weather can also be balmy (for skiing, at least), and you can ski in a light jacket.
May: Moab
Moab Adventure/Facebook
Moab Adventure/Facebook If you can get vacation time for the entire month of May - take it! You’ll easily find things to keep you busy in this part of Utah for at least a month. Visit Canyonlands National Park, Arches National Park, Dead Horse Point State Park, the Colorado River and so, so much more. Whether you’re looking for a quick, easy hike, or scary river rapids, you’ll find it here, and May provides the perfect weather. Learn more about why Moab might just be the best day trip destination in Utah.
June: Mirror Lake Scenic Byway (High Uinta Mountains)
Sam Klein/flickr
Ken Lund/flickr The Mirror Lake Scenic Byway in Utah offers up some of Utah’s most stunning alpine scenery. Go up for a day trip, car camp, or plan a backpacking trip - there is so much vast beauty up here that you could spend the entire month and still not see it all.
July: Cedar City
Utah Shakespeare Festival/Facebook
Cedar Breaks National Monument/Facebook The Utah Shakespeare Festival is in full swing in July, and you can have front row seat to the Green Show for free! Check out the festival’s website for the Season Schedule. For a great place to stay, check out these cozy mountain cabins.
August: Bear Lake
Bear Lake State Park/Facebook
Bear Lake Valley Visitors And Convention Bureau If you didn’t get a trip to the Caribbean this year, don’t fret. Instead, head off to Bear Lake: The Caribbean of the Rockies. Enjoy swimming, water sports, boating, fishing, hiking and more. When you visit in August, you’ll also enjoy the sweetest, most wonderful raspberries you’ve ever had at the raspberry festival (which also includes lot of festivities and games).
September: Utah County
Ted and Dani Percival/flickr
Aaron Hawking/flickr September is a great time to visit Utah County. You definitely don’t want to miss the annual Timpanogos Storyteller Festival at the Scera Shell in Orem. It’s held every year over Labor Day Weekend. The Alpine Loop is a must-do for your September bucket list - it’s one of the most beautiful scenic drives in the whole state when the autumn foliage is in full color.
October: Antelope Island State Park
Farrah H./Trip Advisor
Daniel M./Trip Advisor The island is really nice in October - the annoying bugs are pretty much gone, and the annual Bison Round Up is underway. It’s a great time for a hike, picnic and photography trip. Of course, winter is also a great time to visit Antelope Island in Utah.
November: Zion National Park
Steffo Photography/flickr
Tracie Hall/flickr Utah’s most-visited National Park is much, much less crowded in November, but the weather is usually still pretty warm. Enjoy this gorgeous, scenic place without all the crowds, and see it in a whole new light. If you’re wondering “what are some Utah day trips near me?” you might be surprised by just how close one of the best national parks in the U.S. is!
December: Salt Lake City
Kathylc63/Trip Advisor
Charles (Chuck) Peterson/flickr Pretty much every city in Utah is wonderful during the holiday season, but Utah’s largest city has the most to offer if you’re just planning a weekend trip. Go ice skating at the Gallivan Center, see the lights at Temple Square, hear a Christmas concert at the Cathedral of the Madeleine, see a production of The Nutcracker at Capitol Theater, enjoy a pioneer Christmas at This Is The Place State Park, and see Zoo Lights at Hogle Zoo.
We hope we’ve helped provide some answers to the question, “what are some great day trips near me in Utah?” If not, here are 12 more places to add to your bucket list. They’re off the beaten path, but well worth the drive.
Midway Ice Castles/Facebook
The Crater/Facebook
Midway has a nice climate year-round, but consider visiting in the cold month of January. You can walk through the winter wonderland of the Ice Castles (and be guaranteed that the attraction won’t be closed for the season yet). Book an overnight stay at The Homestead, where you can snorkel, swim and scuba dive in the crater in toasty 90-96 degree water. You can even get scuba certified for your next vacation! Learn more about what makes Midway such a great day trip destination in Utah.
Hardware Ranch/Facebook
Ken Lund/flickr
Visit Hardware Ranch in February to see 250 elk up close. The elk winter here at the ranch, and you can take a sleigh ride to get up close and personal. Then, visit the little town of Logan, where you can stay in a quaint bed and breakfast, enjoy an old-fashioned soda at the original soda counter in The Bluebird and catch a basketball game at Utah State University.
James Marvin Phelps/flickr
Clare_and_Ben/flickr
Photo hounds, get your cameras ready! This might just be the most beautiful snow-covered spot in the entire Beehive State. The park is almost empty during winter months, which means that you get to enjoy this stunning scenery and some peaceful, quiet communing with nature at the same time. Here’s more on why you should consider a winter visit to Bryce Canyon National Park.
Alastair Cormack/Flickr
Snowbird/Facebook
If you haven’t had a chance to make it up to the ski resorts yet, this is your last chance. Some resorts close mid-April; others (like Snowbird, pictured here), are open through mid-May. By April, many of the tourists are gone, which means shorter lift lines. The weather can also be balmy (for skiing, at least), and you can ski in a light jacket.
Moab Adventure/Facebook
If you can get vacation time for the entire month of May - take it! You’ll easily find things to keep you busy in this part of Utah for at least a month. Visit Canyonlands National Park, Arches National Park, Dead Horse Point State Park, the Colorado River and so, so much more. Whether you’re looking for a quick, easy hike, or scary river rapids, you’ll find it here, and May provides the perfect weather. Learn more about why Moab might just be the best day trip destination in Utah.
Sam Klein/flickr
The Mirror Lake Scenic Byway in Utah offers up some of Utah’s most stunning alpine scenery. Go up for a day trip, car camp, or plan a backpacking trip - there is so much vast beauty up here that you could spend the entire month and still not see it all.
Utah Shakespeare Festival/Facebook
Cedar Breaks National Monument/Facebook
The Utah Shakespeare Festival is in full swing in July, and you can have front row seat to the Green Show for free! Check out the festival’s website for the Season Schedule. For a great place to stay, check out these cozy mountain cabins.
Bear Lake State Park/Facebook
Bear Lake Valley Visitors And Convention Bureau
If you didn’t get a trip to the Caribbean this year, don’t fret. Instead, head off to Bear Lake: The Caribbean of the Rockies. Enjoy swimming, water sports, boating, fishing, hiking and more. When you visit in August, you’ll also enjoy the sweetest, most wonderful raspberries you’ve ever had at the raspberry festival (which also includes lot of festivities and games).
Ted and Dani Percival/flickr
Aaron Hawking/flickr
September is a great time to visit Utah County. You definitely don’t want to miss the annual Timpanogos Storyteller Festival at the Scera Shell in Orem. It’s held every year over Labor Day Weekend. The Alpine Loop is a must-do for your September bucket list - it’s one of the most beautiful scenic drives in the whole state when the autumn foliage is in full color.
Farrah H./Trip Advisor
Daniel M./Trip Advisor
The island is really nice in October - the annoying bugs are pretty much gone, and the annual Bison Round Up is underway. It’s a great time for a hike, picnic and photography trip. Of course, winter is also a great time to visit Antelope Island in Utah.
Steffo Photography/flickr
Tracie Hall/flickr
Utah’s most-visited National Park is much, much less crowded in November, but the weather is usually still pretty warm. Enjoy this gorgeous, scenic place without all the crowds, and see it in a whole new light. If you’re wondering “what are some Utah day trips near me?” you might be surprised by just how close one of the best national parks in the U.S. is!
Kathylc63/Trip Advisor
Charles (Chuck) Peterson/flickr
Pretty much every city in Utah is wonderful during the holiday season, but Utah’s largest city has the most to offer if you’re just planning a weekend trip. Go ice skating at the Gallivan Center, see the lights at Temple Square, hear a Christmas concert at the Cathedral of the Madeleine, see a production of The Nutcracker at Capitol Theater, enjoy a pioneer Christmas at This Is The Place State Park, and see Zoo Lights at Hogle Zoo.
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Address: Midway, UT 84049, USAAddress: Hyrum, UT, USAAddress: Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah, USAAddress: Snowbird, UT 84092, USAAddress: Moab, UT 84532, USAAddress: Mirror Lake, Utah 84031, USAAddress: Cedar City, UT, USAAddress: Bear Lake, United StatesAddress: Antelope Island State Park, Utah, USAAddress: Zion National Park, UT, Springdale, UT, USAAddress: Salt Lake City, UT, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
day trips near me in Utah July 08, 2021 Beth C. What are the best day trips in Utah? When it comes to day trips in Utah, you’ll find there is an endless supply. Utah is a vast state filled with remarkable landscapes, natural wonders, and opportunities for adventure. Some of the best day trips in Utah include the following: a tram ride at Snowbird, mountain biking on Antelope Island, a scenic train ride on the Herber Valley Railroad, scuba diving at Bear Lake, experiencing Shakespeare in Cedar City, exploring Ogden Valley, Shopping at the Park Silly Sunday Market in Park City, zipping over Sundance Resort in Provo Canyon, seeing real dinosaur bones at the Dinosaur National Monument Quarry, and experiencing the Old West in Wellsville. How many of these unique Utah day trips have you completed? What are some great vacation spots in Utah? If you consider yourself to be adventurous, you’ll find that it’s hard to beat a trip to Zion National Park. It’s one of the best vacations spots in Utah because it’s simply like nowhere else in the world. Once you’re there, you might consider hiking the East Rim Trail to Overlook Point. Not only is it one of the most scenic trails in the park, but it’s often overlooked by tourists so it’ll be slightly less crowded than other trails. Does Utah have any natural wonders? You bet! From natural arches to sprawling canyons, the Beehive State is abuzz with natural wonders. Some of the most iconic natural wonders in Utah include Owachomo Bridge, Bear Lake, Bonneville Salt Flats, Factory Butte, Wahweap Hoodoos, Bridal Veil Falls, Coral Pink Sand Dunes, Mirror Lake, and Dead Horse Point. How many of these famous natural wonders in Utah have you experienced?
The OIYS Visitor Center
day trips near me in Utah
July 08, 2021
Beth C.
What are the best day trips in Utah? When it comes to day trips in Utah, you’ll find there is an endless supply. Utah is a vast state filled with remarkable landscapes, natural wonders, and opportunities for adventure. Some of the best day trips in Utah include the following: a tram ride at Snowbird, mountain biking on Antelope Island, a scenic train ride on the Herber Valley Railroad, scuba diving at Bear Lake, experiencing Shakespeare in Cedar City, exploring Ogden Valley, Shopping at the Park Silly Sunday Market in Park City, zipping over Sundance Resort in Provo Canyon, seeing real dinosaur bones at the Dinosaur National Monument Quarry, and experiencing the Old West in Wellsville. How many of these unique Utah day trips have you completed? What are some great vacation spots in Utah? If you consider yourself to be adventurous, you’ll find that it’s hard to beat a trip to Zion National Park. It’s one of the best vacations spots in Utah because it’s simply like nowhere else in the world. Once you’re there, you might consider hiking the East Rim Trail to Overlook Point. Not only is it one of the most scenic trails in the park, but it’s often overlooked by tourists so it’ll be slightly less crowded than other trails. Does Utah have any natural wonders? You bet! From natural arches to sprawling canyons, the Beehive State is abuzz with natural wonders. Some of the most iconic natural wonders in Utah include Owachomo Bridge, Bear Lake, Bonneville Salt Flats, Factory Butte, Wahweap Hoodoos, Bridal Veil Falls, Coral Pink Sand Dunes, Mirror Lake, and Dead Horse Point. How many of these famous natural wonders in Utah have you experienced?
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
When it comes to day trips in Utah, you’ll find there is an endless supply. Utah is a vast state filled with remarkable landscapes, natural wonders, and opportunities for adventure. Some of the best day trips in Utah include the following: a tram ride at Snowbird, mountain biking on Antelope Island, a scenic train ride on the Herber Valley Railroad, scuba diving at Bear Lake, experiencing Shakespeare in Cedar City, exploring Ogden Valley, Shopping at the Park Silly Sunday Market in Park City, zipping over Sundance Resort in Provo Canyon, seeing real dinosaur bones at the Dinosaur National Monument Quarry, and experiencing the Old West in Wellsville. How many of these unique Utah day trips have you completed?
What are some great vacation spots in Utah?
If you consider yourself to be adventurous, you’ll find that it’s hard to beat a trip to Zion National Park. It’s one of the best vacations spots in Utah because it’s simply like nowhere else in the world. Once you’re there, you might consider hiking the East Rim Trail to Overlook Point. Not only is it one of the most scenic trails in the park, but it’s often overlooked by tourists so it’ll be slightly less crowded than other trails.
Does Utah have any natural wonders?
You bet! From natural arches to sprawling canyons, the Beehive State is abuzz with natural wonders. Some of the most iconic natural wonders in Utah include Owachomo Bridge, Bear Lake, Bonneville Salt Flats, Factory Butte, Wahweap Hoodoos, Bridal Veil Falls, Coral Pink Sand Dunes, Mirror Lake, and Dead Horse Point. How many of these famous natural wonders in Utah have you experienced?
