Boulder Mountain   |  Andrew Burr

Road Trips

These roads wind through The Mighty Five national parks, ski resorts, seven national forests, 44 state parks and more one of a kind towns than you’d be able to visit after a year living in your van. Each journey is a photographer’s paradise, a hiker’s nirvana, a Western historian’s feast, and a geologist’s dream world. On this road trip, you may want to set your cruise control for 5 miles per hour under the speed limit.

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01

5 Days

Red Rock & Dark Skies: Stargazing the National Parks

This road trip through southwest Utah takes you to four of Utah’s best places to see the Milky Way — Capitol Reef National Park, Kodachrome Basin State Park, Bryce Canyon National Park and Cedar Breaks National Monument.

Adventure, Scenic Drives/Road Trips, Solitude, Stargazing

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02

5 Days

Ski Southern Utah: High Alpine Trails + Red Rock Wonder

Southern Utah is home to two high-elevation ski areas that contain generous helpings of what we call (with authority) The Greatest Snow on Earth®. Things can be a little quieter down here this time of year. Give yourself at least five days to combine the thrills of Southern Utah skiing and boarding with exploring the wintertime wonders to be found in Utah’s red rock country.

Non-ski Winter Activities, Ski and Snowboard

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03

6 Days

Base Camp Kanab

From the vermilion, white and pink cliffs and wide expanses of Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monument, to the twisting sandstone bottlenecks of Buckskin Gulch, even the vertigo-inducing views of Zion National Park if you've never been, this six-day itinerary will show you why Kanab is the perfect base camp for adventure.

Cycling, Hiking, Scenic Drives/Road Trips

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04

3 Days

Bears Ears Area Starter Kit

A pair of distinctive, towering buttes stand against beautiful scenery. We call them "Bears Ears." With the help of local expertise, respectfully explore ancestral cliff dwellings and massive natural bridges in a fascinating desert ecosystem.

Community, Hiking, History and Heritage, Native American, Scenic Drives/Road Trips, Solitude

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05

3 Days

Powder Dreams

A three-day ski vacation itinerary with quick access to some of Utah's best ski resorts for fresh powder.

Ski and Snowboard

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Things To Do on Your Road Trip

“Slow down and smell the flowers. It’s not the destination, it’s the journey.” Whichever cliché resonates, they often hold true — it can be tough not rushing from point A to point B. There are a lot of incredible places to discover. To make the most of your time traveling through Utah, follow these tips:

  1. Experience the Dark Skies - Utah is home to the highest concentration of International Dark Sky Parks and Communities anywhere in the world. It pays to get up early and watch a sunrise, especially over a red rock horizon in Southern Utah. Once you reach your next stop, stay up late and spend some time gazing into the star-filled skies.
  2. Support Local - Many of Utah’s most famous adventure destinations are surrounded by soulful basecamp communities. Skip the drive thru and stop into a local diner for a meal you’ll never forget. It’s these local boutiques, outfitters, restaurants and museums that will show you the heart and soul of a region.
  3. Fall Into An Audiobook - A few hours between stops is the perfect opportunity to glean insights about Utah’s fascinating heritage, geology and ecology. Prepare for your journey by downloading a few of these favorite books from Utahn authors.
  4. Download These Apps Beforehand - Similarly, there are apps available to enhance your experience in Utah’s open spaces. Identify that desert wildflower, learn what left that track in the sand or discover a new constellation with these must-have travel apps.
  5. Stay Flexible - There’s a sense of freedom and independence that accompanies the southwest road trip. Utah’s destinations are best suited to the flexible — take a detour, pop into that intriguing store, and add a day to your trip if you find somewhere that captivates you.
  6. Take Pit Stops - You’re doing it wrong if you think road trip pit stops are boring layovers on your way to more exciting destinations. You need to refuel, eat, answer the call of nature, and stretch your legs anyway, so why not make them into mini-adventures?
Zion-National-Park_Mount-Carmel-Highway-Tunnel_RV_Morgan-Matt

Wheeling It: An RV Primer for Utah Family Trips

Written By Nushin Huq

5 minute read

With 28-feet of vehicle space, one traveling family discovers the RV community.

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Boulder Mountain

Boulder Mountain

La Sal Mountains Highway 191

A mountainous, snow-capped backdrop sets downtown Salt Lake City apart.

A mountainous, snow-capped backdrop sets downtown Salt Lake City apart.

Salt Lake City

A overview of the Needles District.

Photo: Rosie Serago

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    4 Days

    The Complete Arches Trip

    Discover a new side of Arches National Park with this four day itinerary. Start exploring the hidden gems in the Arches region today.

    Hiking, Scenic Drives/Road Trips

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    4 Days

    The Complete Bryce Canyon Trip

    Planning a trip to Bryce Canyon National Park? Explore these local-favorite destinations in the Bryce Canyon region to make the most of your trip!

    Hiking, Scenic Drives/Road Trips

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    5 Days

    The Complete Canyonlands Trip

    The Canyonlands Region of Utah combines the best of the Moab area's easy proximity to Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park's most accessible district with some of the United State's most remote and culturally significant landscapes.

    Hiking, Scenic Drives/Road Trips

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    5 Days

    The Complete Capitol Reef Trip

    Planning a trip to Capitol Reef National Park? Explore these local-favorite destinations in the Capitol Reef region to make the most of your trip!

    Hiking, Scenic Drives/Road Trips

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    6 Days

    The Complete Zion Trip

    Tucked into the southwest corner of Utah, Zion National Park is the centerpiece for a 6-day red-rock vacation that includes a little bit of everything that makes the state such a marvel to experience.

    Ghost Towns, Hiking, Scenic Drives/Road Trips

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