Whether you are ready to travel now or in the future, Utah is a great domestic vacation with beauty and fantastic rail options.
Are you ready to ditch the big city’s fast-paced nature and explore the great outdoors? There are likely plenty of options for camping and outdoor activities near you, let us suggest hitting the road in a fancy wagon (or your car) and head west to Utah.
What’s in Utah, you ask?
Most may be familiar with Salt Lake City, but there is a wider variety of sights and attractions within the Beehive State.
Utah is known for its various national parks, ski resorts, and many scenic drives. Even if you’re not the outdoorsy type, there are plenty of other sights and entertainment attractions that will tickle your fancy.
To help get your Utah vacation started, here are ten must-see sights that will have you booking your visit ASAP!
Utah mountain air and clear skies to help you disconnect from day to day life.
Zion National Park
The park’s rose-colored cliffs and flowing waterfalls are just the beginning of this beautiful national park. See yourself for who you really are and what you want to become by taking a moment at the many reflective pools.
Lake Powell
This prominent lake is something straight out of the movies. The lake is along the Utah-Arizona border. It is a picturesque water reservoir that is also the perfect destination to rent a houseboat or set up camp and sleep under the stars.
Temple Square
Temple Square is the must-see place to discover its castellated granite architecture. Additionally, it is perfect for taking in the nightlife of the city. At the heart of the square is the Mormon Temple, the largest latter-day Saints temple in the world.
Bryce Canyon National Park
The towering formations of vertical rock, known as hoodoos, will serve as the perfect backdrop for a family portrait.
Monument Valley
In the heart of Navajo land, this desert-lined valley is your place to explore the red mesas and stone pinnacles. You can also travel the 17-mile valley drive, a one-way dirt road running between the dramatic landscape.
Capitol Reef National Park
This towering pillar of sandstone is the epicenter of Utah’s unique landscapes. Standing high above the Fremont River, while the breathtaking arches, gorges, and spires may be enough for some visitors, there are also various hiking trails for the perfect afternoon activity.
Arches National Park
Dinosaur National Monument
Is there a dinosaur enthusiast in your house? If so, they’ll definitely want to check out this monument, which highlights various Jurassic period fossils as well as masterful reconstructions.
Canyonlands National Park
A park highlight is the Island in the Sky, an aerial viewpoint where you can take in Utah’s own equivalent of the Grand Canyon.
Park City
This small-town locale offers all the diversity and variety you can ask for. Just a half hour’s drive from Salt Lake City, you can enjoy the historical elements or the outdoor enthusiast attractions that have tourists returning year after year. Park City is home to the Sundance Film Festival and is considered one of the country’s top-rated mountain biking destinations.
Arches National Park
Devil’s Garden is a tourist favorite in yet another of Utah’s gorgeous national parks. Another photo-ready moment is the more than 2,000 natural arches that decorate the park.
Train spotlight: Utah’s national parks by train
The easiest way I know to see this side of Utah is Canyon Spirit, the glass-dome train from the same company behind Rocky Mountaineer. It runs the Rockies to the Red Rocks route from Denver to Moab in two days, with a night in Glenwood Springs, and a newer three-day route carries on to Salt Lake City. Arriving in Moab puts you right between Arches and Canyonlands, two of the parks on this list.
If you want to see more of the list, the Mighty 5 Explorer package adds Capitol Reef, Bryce Canyon and Zion by guided motorcoach, after the train if you start in Denver or before it if you start in Las Vegas. My sample Mighty 5 itinerary walks through it day by day, this guide to Canyon Spirit covers who the train suits best, and my Canyon Spirit page shows how I plan it. No passport needed, since it is a US route from start to finish.
Utah by train FAQ
Is there a train to Utah’s national parks? Canyon Spirit runs from Denver to Moab, which sits right between Arches and Canyonlands. The train does not reach Zion, Bryce Canyon or Capitol Reef, so packages like the Mighty 5 Explorer add those by guided motorcoach.
Do I need a passport for Canyon Spirit? No. It is a US route from start to finish.
Which national parks are closest to Moab? Arches National Park’s entrance is about five miles north of Moab, and the Island in the Sky district of Canyonlands is about a 40-minute drive.