Wondering, “What are the best day trips near me in Utah?” Well, wonder no more! We scoured the state for the best day trips in Utah. From seasonal events and train rides to scuba diving and more, there’s no shortage of fun to be had in the Beehive State.
- Ride the Tram at Snowbird Resort (Snowbird)
Gildardo Sánchez/flickr Head up Little Cottonwood Canyon to Snowbird, where you’ll find plenty of recreational opportunities. Take the tram to Hidden Peak, then mountain bike or hike (you can also hike from Snowbird Center). Ride the mountain coaster or alpine slide. Snowbird also has a climbing wall, ropes course, bungee trampoline, and inflatables for kids. Enjoy lunch, dinner, or a snack before heading home. For more information, click here. Snowbird, UT 84092, USA
- Mountain Bike on Antelope Island
Simopala/flickr Whether you cross the causeway on your bike or start at the island, you’ll find tons of mountain bike-friendly trails for riders of all ages and abilities. Frary Peak and Dooley Knob are not accessible for mountain bikes; bike any of the other trails. The island has restrooms and water; make sure to bring your water bottle and fill up often. For more information, click here. Antelope Island, Utah, USA
- Take a Ride on the Heber Valley Railroad (Heber City)
MystifiedCat/flickr Heber City is a short 45-mile drive from Salt Lake City. The railroad, with its three steam locomotives, offers a variety of trips along 16 miles of track. Excursions run from 1.5 hours to 3 hours roundtrip. Stop in at the Heber Valley Creamery in nearby Midway for some delicious local cheese before you head home. For more information, click here. Heber Valley Railroad, 450 S 6th W, Heber City, UT 84032, USA
- Scuba Dive at Bear Lake (Garden City)
J. Stephen Conn/flickr You can boat, fish, hike, and ride your ATV or horse at Bear Lake. It’s also a popular summer dive spot. Right off Cisco Beach, scuba divers find volcanic rock formations and an artificial reef made from submerged cars. Whatever you do for fun while you’re at Bear Lake, don’t forget to grab a raspberry shake before you leave. For more information, click here. Bear Lake, United States
- See Some Shakespeare (Cedar City)
-ted/flickr From June to October, visit the campus of Southern Utah University in Cedar City for the Shakespeare Festival. Catch a play or two, take a backstage tour, and learn a little more at a literary seminar. For more information, click here. Cedar City, UT, USA
- Explore Ogden Valley
denebola2025/flickr Just 8 miles up Ogden Canyon, you can spend a whole day playing in Pineview Reservoir and exploring Huntsville and Eden. Enjoy fishing, boating, and jet-skiing in the reservoir. For more information, click here.
- Shop at the Park Silly Sunday Market (Park City)
Ted Haeger/flikr Every Sunday, from June to September, Park City’s Main Street fills with entertainment, produce, and local artists. There’s something new every week, with different vendors and live entertainment. Bring sunscreen and a hat. It’s cooler in Park City, but you’ll be out in the sun all day. Make sure you have cash if you plan to shop; not all vendors accept credit cards. For more information, click here. 780 Main St, Park City, UT 84060, USA
- Zip Over Sundance Mountain Resort (Sundance)
Ted & Dani Percival/flickr Sundance Resort, located in Provo Canyon, has one of the longest zip lines in the U.S., with 2,100 feet of vertical drop. You can control your speed on this zip line, speeding from 65 miles per hour to a complete stop. Riders must be at least 10 years old. For more information, click here. Sundance, UT 84604, USA
- Visit Dinosaurs (Vernal)
InSapphoWeTrust/flickr See real dinosaur bones at Dinosaur National Monument Quarry. Check out the exhibits, murals, and life-size replica dinosaurs at the Utah Field House of Natural History Museum. Other local attractions include the John Jarvie Ranch Historic Site, Daughters of the Utah Pioneers Museum, and petroglyphs at Dry Fork. For more information, click here. Dinosaur National Monument Quarry Visitor Center, 11625 E 1500 S, Jensen, UT 84035, USA
- Visit the Old West (Wellsville)
American West Heritage Center/Facebook The American West Heritage Center is located in Wellsville, 6 miles south of Logan. The 160-acre living history center offers interactive exhibits and activities. Talk to tour guides dressed as Native Americans, pioneers, trappers, and mountain men to learn what life was like in Utah between 1820 and 1920. For more information, click here. American West Heritage Center, 4025 S.hwy 89-91, Wellsville, UT 84339, USA
So, does this answer your question, “What are the best day trips near me in Utah?” Do you agree; are these the best day trips in Utah? Did we miss your favorite attraction? Tell us!
Gildardo Sánchez/flickr
Head up Little Cottonwood Canyon to Snowbird, where you’ll find plenty of recreational opportunities. Take the tram to Hidden Peak, then mountain bike or hike (you can also hike from Snowbird Center). Ride the mountain coaster or alpine slide. Snowbird also has a climbing wall, ropes course, bungee trampoline, and inflatables for kids. Enjoy lunch, dinner, or a snack before heading home. For more information, click here.
Snowbird, UT 84092, USA
Simopala/flickr
Whether you cross the causeway on your bike or start at the island, you’ll find tons of mountain bike-friendly trails for riders of all ages and abilities. Frary Peak and Dooley Knob are not accessible for mountain bikes; bike any of the other trails. The island has restrooms and water; make sure to bring your water bottle and fill up often. For more information, click here.
Antelope Island, Utah, USA
MystifiedCat/flickr
Heber City is a short 45-mile drive from Salt Lake City. The railroad, with its three steam locomotives, offers a variety of trips along 16 miles of track. Excursions run from 1.5 hours to 3 hours roundtrip. Stop in at the Heber Valley Creamery in nearby Midway for some delicious local cheese before you head home. For more information, click here.
Heber Valley Railroad, 450 S 6th W, Heber City, UT 84032, USA
J. Stephen Conn/flickr
You can boat, fish, hike, and ride your ATV or horse at Bear Lake. It’s also a popular summer dive spot. Right off Cisco Beach, scuba divers find volcanic rock formations and an artificial reef made from submerged cars. Whatever you do for fun while you’re at Bear Lake, don’t forget to grab a raspberry shake before you leave. For more information, click here.
Bear Lake, United States
-ted/flickr
From June to October, visit the campus of Southern Utah University in Cedar City for the Shakespeare Festival. Catch a play or two, take a backstage tour, and learn a little more at a literary seminar. For more information, click here.
Cedar City, UT, USA
denebola2025/flickr
Just 8 miles up Ogden Canyon, you can spend a whole day playing in Pineview Reservoir and exploring Huntsville and Eden. Enjoy fishing, boating, and jet-skiing in the reservoir. For more information, click here.
Ted Haeger/flikr
Every Sunday, from June to September, Park City’s Main Street fills with entertainment, produce, and local artists. There’s something new every week, with different vendors and live entertainment. Bring sunscreen and a hat. It’s cooler in Park City, but you’ll be out in the sun all day. Make sure you have cash if you plan to shop; not all vendors accept credit cards. For more information, click here.
780 Main St, Park City, UT 84060, USA
Ted & Dani Percival/flickr
Sundance Resort, located in Provo Canyon, has one of the longest zip lines in the U.S., with 2,100 feet of vertical drop. You can control your speed on this zip line, speeding from 65 miles per hour to a complete stop. Riders must be at least 10 years old. For more information, click here.
Sundance, UT 84604, USA
InSapphoWeTrust/flickr
See real dinosaur bones at Dinosaur National Monument Quarry. Check out the exhibits, murals, and life-size replica dinosaurs at the Utah Field House of Natural History Museum. Other local attractions include the John Jarvie Ranch Historic Site, Daughters of the Utah Pioneers Museum, and petroglyphs at Dry Fork. For more information, click here.
Dinosaur National Monument Quarry Visitor Center, 11625 E 1500 S, Jensen, UT 84035, USA
American West Heritage Center/Facebook
The American West Heritage Center is located in Wellsville, 6 miles south of Logan. The 160-acre living history center offers interactive exhibits and activities. Talk to tour guides dressed as Native Americans, pioneers, trappers, and mountain men to learn what life was like in Utah between 1820 and 1920. For more information, click here.
American West Heritage Center, 4025 S.hwy 89-91, Wellsville, UT 84339, USA
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The OIYS Visitor Center
Day Trips Near Me In Utah August 23, 2021 Daniella DiRienzo What are the best day trips in Utah? No list of the best day trips in Utah would be complete without a mention of Capitol Reef National Park. One of the most overlooked national parks, it’s brimming with perks and, often, free of crowds. In addition to all the typical hallmarks of a Utah national park, such as rock walls, red sandstone, arches, fossils, and wildlife, it’s got lots of one-of-a-kind features. One of the most unique things about the park is a geologic landform known as Waterpocket Fold. Extending nearly 100 miles, it creates a dramatic landscape filled with rugged cliffs and canyons, arches and natural bridges, and distinct formations. Are there any other must-visit places in Utah? As far as must-visit places in Utah go, Observation Point definitely fits the bill. Situated at 6,521 feet in elevation atop Mount Baldy, Observation Point offers the best views in Zion National Park. An 8-mile (roundtrip) trail leads straight to it. The trek is pretty strenuous. Basically chiseled into the side of a cliff, it’s steep, ascending nearly 2,000 feet throughout the length of the trail. The hike should not be attempted by novice, out-of-shape hikers. However, those who do complete the hike will be rewarded with amazing vistas of Zion Canyon and the surrounding area. What are some fun adventures in Utah? There are tons of fun adventures in Utah, including hiking to Fifth Water Hot Springs. Located along Fifth Water Creek in Spanish Fork, the hot springs are a popular spot, especially when the weather is warm. There are several soaking pools – all of which boast crystal clear water. Situated along an “easy” 4.5-mile out-and-back trail, the springs couldn’t be easier to access, making the trail suitable for novice hikers. Travelling with kids? It should be noted that, though illegal, many people choose to soak nude in the pools.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Day Trips Near Me In Utah
August 23, 2021
Daniella DiRienzo
What are the best day trips in Utah? No list of the best day trips in Utah would be complete without a mention of Capitol Reef National Park. One of the most overlooked national parks, it’s brimming with perks and, often, free of crowds. In addition to all the typical hallmarks of a Utah national park, such as rock walls, red sandstone, arches, fossils, and wildlife, it’s got lots of one-of-a-kind features. One of the most unique things about the park is a geologic landform known as Waterpocket Fold. Extending nearly 100 miles, it creates a dramatic landscape filled with rugged cliffs and canyons, arches and natural bridges, and distinct formations. Are there any other must-visit places in Utah? As far as must-visit places in Utah go, Observation Point definitely fits the bill. Situated at 6,521 feet in elevation atop Mount Baldy, Observation Point offers the best views in Zion National Park. An 8-mile (roundtrip) trail leads straight to it. The trek is pretty strenuous. Basically chiseled into the side of a cliff, it’s steep, ascending nearly 2,000 feet throughout the length of the trail. The hike should not be attempted by novice, out-of-shape hikers. However, those who do complete the hike will be rewarded with amazing vistas of Zion Canyon and the surrounding area. What are some fun adventures in Utah? There are tons of fun adventures in Utah, including hiking to Fifth Water Hot Springs. Located along Fifth Water Creek in Spanish Fork, the hot springs are a popular spot, especially when the weather is warm. There are several soaking pools – all of which boast crystal clear water. Situated along an “easy” 4.5-mile out-and-back trail, the springs couldn’t be easier to access, making the trail suitable for novice hikers. Travelling with kids? It should be noted that, though illegal, many people choose to soak nude in the pools.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
No list of the best day trips in Utah would be complete without a mention of Capitol Reef National Park. One of the most overlooked national parks, it’s brimming with perks and, often, free of crowds. In addition to all the typical hallmarks of a Utah national park, such as rock walls, red sandstone, arches, fossils, and wildlife, it’s got lots of one-of-a-kind features. One of the most unique things about the park is a geologic landform known as Waterpocket Fold. Extending nearly 100 miles, it creates a dramatic landscape filled with rugged cliffs and canyons, arches and natural bridges, and distinct formations.
Are there any other must-visit places in Utah?
As far as must-visit places in Utah go, Observation Point definitely fits the bill. Situated at 6,521 feet in elevation atop Mount Baldy, Observation Point offers the best views in Zion National Park. An 8-mile (roundtrip) trail leads straight to it. The trek is pretty strenuous. Basically chiseled into the side of a cliff, it’s steep, ascending nearly 2,000 feet throughout the length of the trail. The hike should not be attempted by novice, out-of-shape hikers. However, those who do complete the hike will be rewarded with amazing vistas of Zion Canyon and the surrounding area.
What are some fun adventures in Utah?
There are tons of fun adventures in Utah, including hiking to Fifth Water Hot Springs. Located along Fifth Water Creek in Spanish Fork, the hot springs are a popular spot, especially when the weather is warm. There are several soaking pools – all of which boast crystal clear water. Situated along an “easy” 4.5-mile out-and-back trail, the springs couldn’t be easier to access, making the trail suitable for novice hikers. Travelling with kids? It should be noted that, though illegal, many people choose to soak nude in the pools.
