When you think winter in Utah, most people think skiing at one of Utah’s 13 world class ski resorts. However, for those searching for a more affordable way to enjoy the “Greatest Snow on Earth” we recommend snowshoeing. Snowshoeing in Utah is second-to-none. It allows you to explore new locations or simply get a fresh perspective on familiar hiking trails. The beauty and solitude of a winter hike through Utah’s backcountry cannot be duplicated.
Utah has more than 30 yurts available for rent and winter is one of the most enjoyable times to stay in them. These yurts are scattered throughout the state, with the largest concentration being in the Uintah Mountains. So, whether you want to stay near a mountain lake or in the desert, you’re good to go. So what is a yurt? They’re circular, domed tents on a collapsible framework. They are traditionally made of felt or skins, and are used by nomadic cultures in Central Asia. The yurts here in Utah are made out of heavier materials and are rarely portable.
One of the nation’s best places to find geodes is actually right here in Utah. Located in Juab County, you’ll find the Dugway Geode Beds. Geodes are roundish, hollow rocks (usually three inches or less in diameter) that are lined with small crystals inside. Once cracked open, their sparkly interior will be on full display. So where did these little crystal treasures come from? About seven million years ago, there was extensive volcanic activity in the western part of Utah. This activity resulted in an igneous rock known as rhyolite.
Tony Grove Lake is a very popular summer playground. The lake offers an abundance outdoor activities such as fishing, canoeing, paddle boarding, camping, relaxing, and enjoying the fresh mountain air. The lake is located in the Uinta-Wastach-Cache National Forest and has been designated as a Scenic Wildflower Viewing Area. Beautiful geraniums, paintbrush, columbine, lupine, daisies and mountain sunflowers stretch across the meadows. The best wildflower viewing opportunities are in July and August.
Utah Lake was once a renowned trout fishery with crystal clear waters. And although it’s had a bit of a rough history, there are now lots of great activities you can do at the lake. Here’s a brief recap of the lake’s history, plus a guide to enjoying its many offerings. Several resorts used to dot the shoreline of Utah Lake, including the Geneva Resort in Provo. It was built in 1888 and boasted a hotel, dance pavilion, saloon, boat harbor, rental cabins and two swimming pools.
Vernon Reservoir is located in Utah’s west desert and was created to catch water for irrigation purposes. Being that the main purpose of this reservoir is to provide irrigation water for the farmers in the area, many may think Vernon has nothing to offer. Of course, this reservoir will not compare to a natural lake located in the high Uintas, but it offers its own unique beauty and outdoor activities. The area around the reservoir and up the canyon is actually really pretty and fun to explore. The main outdoor activities around the reservoir include fishing, OHV riding, camping, and just relaxing.
In a fascinating part of the country that boasts archaeological wonders like Mesa Verde and Chaco Canyon, Utah’s Hovenweep National Monument holds its own as one of the best places to explore the rich history of the southwest. The first habitations in this area began more than 10,000 years ago. At that time, Paleoindians began to hunt and gather food on the Cajon Mesa. These seasonal visitors eventually gave way to year-round residents. By the 1200s, more than 2,500 people called the Hovenweep area home.
Spring is here and with the warmer temperatures comes the desire to get outdoors. With this desire comes a danger, a danger that displays mother natures true force... spring runoff. In Utah’s higher elevations the average snowfall is 500 inches per year. As the temperatures warm this snow pack melts and makes its way down one of Utah's many creeks, streams, or rivers. Most of these waterways are located up close to many outdoor recreation areas, such as campgrounds, picnic areas, parks, and hiking trails. Unfortunately, each year we hear tragic stories about people who have drowned in one of these waterways. Tragically, some of these deaths are those of small children.
When most people think of geysers, they immediately associate the word with Yellowstone National Park. This is unsurprising because the park is home to thousands of geothermal features and hundreds of active geysers. The crown jewel, Old Faithful, is one of the most iconic geysers in the world and draws large crowds year-round. If you venture off the beaten path in Utah, far from the crowds of Yellowstone, you can also encounter some fascinating geysers. They may not offer the wooden walkways and gift shops of a national park, and they’ll probably never be featured on a postcard.
In this Utah Weekend Getaway we travel to Bear Lake to enjoy the many festivities around the annual event called Raspberry Days. A trip to Bear Lake on any weekend is fun, enjoyable, and relaxing. However, on the first weekend of August the town of Garden City, Utah holds its annual Raspberry Days Celebration. This celebration includes a parade, live music, craft booths, fair food, and fun for the whole family. Bear Lake on any summer weekend will be busy with families and friends enjoying their summer vacations. The Raspberry Days weekend attracts even more visitors, so keep this in mind when booking and planning your weekend getaway. If you plan to take part in all of the festivities you will need to arrive on Thursday or earlier.
For those who enjoy exploring Utah’s historical past, this Utah day trip may interest you. Within 40 minutes from Salt Lake City, you, your family, or friends can enjoy a day trip to Tooele County to explore some of the historical sites found in this part of the state. According to the Tooele County website, there are approximately 61 historical sites located throughout the county. On this day trip we are going to explore three different locations as we take a drive around what we call the “Oquirrh Mountain Loop”.
This is the first in our getaway series. If you are looking for adventures for yourself, you and some friends or your family, but don’t know where to start, we have a few ideas for you. These adventures are just a rough itinerary with plenty of room for you to adjust and tweak, to make your escape truly a one of a kind trip. If you can leave work by 2pm one Friday and are wanting a weekend escape in southern Utah, this is the trip for you. Head to Goblin Valley State Park, leave no later than 2pm, to give yourself enough time to check it out.
With spring here and summer just around the corner, it is time to get outside to enjoy some nice hikes. The mild weather makes it an ideal time to introduce your family to the outdoors and have some fun together. Utah is an amazing state with tons of great hiking options. Whether you’re a high-intensity hiker or a parent with young kids, there are some perfect hikes just waiting for you. To help your hike be a fun experience, it’s important to be prepared with the some basic supplies. Here are some packing suggestions:
Zion National Park is world-renowned for its stunning scenery and claustrophobia-inducing slot canyons. But prior to becoming Utah’s first national park in 1919, it was rarely visited because of its remote location. The roads were awful and few automobiles could make it. Accessibility slowly began to improve when President Taft made the area a national monument in 1909. Of course, at that point it wasn’t called Zion National Park. It was known as the Mukuntuweap National Monument.
When Snow Canyon State Park was created in 1959, it was actually known as Dixie State Park. The name was later changed to Snow Canyon in honor of Lorenzo and Erastus Snow, two early Utah leaders with St. George ties. What never changes is the year-round opportunity for fun within the park. With its stunning dunes and jagged lava, Snow Canyon offers wonderfully unique views. In fact, the 7,400-acre has served as a backdrop for Hollywood films such as Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid and Jeremiah Johnson.
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