1. Blanding

Visit Blanding, a city with a mix of natural and archaeological resources. Discover the world of dinosaurs and see amazing exhibits at The Dinosaur Museum. On display are realistic sculptures, skeletons, fossilized skin, eggs and footprints. Here, you will learn about dinosaurs from different countries. Take photos while admiring spectacular natural features such as the Natural Bridges National Monument and San Juan River in Goosenecks State Park. Fish for different types of bass or go kayaking in Lake Powell at Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. Become an archaeologist and dig into the past while exploring sites such as Edge of the Cedars State Park Museum. Explore nature like never before in this beautiful city.

2. Boulder

Boulder is a town in Garfield County in Utah. One of its top attractions is the Anasazi State Park Museum. Visit this state park and museum and get to explore ruins of an ancient Anasazi village that was named the Coombs Village Site. See a huge six-room replica of an ancient dwelling and some parts of the original site. The museum features artifacts and pottery that were excavated from this site, that enlighten you on the people who used to live here. For a relaxing day out in the open, drive along the scenic Burr Trail as you admire Red Rock Country and the narrow and winding Hell’s Backbone Road.

3. Ogden

Visit Ogden, a city located in Weber County, Utah, that serves as a passage to various ski resorts such as Snowbasin, Powder Mountain and Nordic Valley. Snowbasin Resort features 3,000 skiable acres (1214 Ha) with terrain for all abilities. Feel the adrenaline rush as you ski down the mountains. Private lessons are offered at a fee for beginners if you need them. During summer, this resort offers hiking, mountain biking and mini-golf. For some water sports, indulge in kayaking in Ogden and Weber Rivers. Ogden’s George S. Eccles Dinosaur Park displays over 100 dinosaur replicas that you can check out.

4. Cedar City

Cedar city is located in Iron County. For the history lovers, visit Frontier Homestead State Park Museum and learn about Iron County’s industrial history. On display is a town bell from the original foundry, historic cabins, horse-drawn farm equipment, horse-drawn vehicles, agricultural tools such as an antique sawmill, a replica blast furnace, and a replicated pioneer household. Cedar city is also known for its famous festivals such as the Utah Shakespeare Festival and the Neil Simon Theatre Festival. Such festivals occur all year round, so you can never miss one to go to.

5. Provo

Provo is the third-largest city in Utah. Brigham Young University, which features several museums, is found here making it a haven for history and art lovers. Visit Monte L. Bean Life Science Museum, a natural history museum with a collection of vascular and non-vascular plants, and invertebrate and vertebrate animals. See a collection of dinosaur bones and fossils at BYU Museum of Paleontology. The BYU Museum of Art displays highlights from artists such as Carl Heinrich Bloch and Maynard Dixon, and paintings, drawings, prints, sculptures and photography. Explore these museums and get a new found appreciation for different types of art and collections.

6. Layton

Layton is a city in Davis County. Explore marine life at SeaQuest Utah, which is home to approximately 1200 animals of 300 different species. Go snorkeling in a 36,000-gallon exhibit filled with stingrays, coastal sharks and tropical fish. Enjoy interacting with a sloth and feeding an Asian Small Clawed Otter and kinkajou. Spend a few relaxing hours with your feet in a fish tank as the tiny doctor fish gently removes the dead cells. Discover and learn about all the different species of marine life, birds, reptiles, insects and mammals housed here. Another place of interest in this city is Adams Canyon, which is popular for hiking.

7. Moab

Moab is a city on the eastern side of Utah. Here, you can marvel at massive red rock formations in Arches National Park. The park has different landscapes with contrasting colors. Drive on its 18-mile (29 km) scenic road or go hiking or biking on its trails. For the thrill-seekers, you can try out canyoneering on its sandstone walls. For the adrenaline junkies, you will definitely enjoy whitewater rafting and kayaking at Westwater Canyon on Colorado River. Have the unique experience of seeing dinosaur tracks at Bull Canyon Overlook and Dinosaur Track Site. Slickrock Bike Trail offers amazing trails for mountain biking. This city offers amazing outdoor recreation activities.

8. St George

Tour St George, a city in southwestern Utah, in Washington County, which offers proximity to many state and national parks. Visit Snow Canyon State Park which covers 7,400 acres (2,995 Ha). With 35 campsites, you can camp amidst the spectacular scenery and explore the park at your own pace. There are trails for hiking, jogging, biking and rollerblading. Marvel at amazing views of the canyon, lava tubes, lava flows, extinct cinder cones, red rock, red sand, towering cliffs, sand dunes and flora and fauna as you stroll on its various scenic trails. You can also go hiking and canyoning at Virgin River and Red Cliffs National Conservation Area.

9. Orem

Located in northern Utah, Orem is the fifth-largest city in Utah by land size. For a taste of art, visit the Woodbury Art Museum. It features a permanent collection of contemporary American works of art, including photographs, fine art and sculptures. Admire beautiful works of art from collections such as Hal Wing photography, Malan & Linda Jackson and the Cloward Collection of Western American Art. Get to foster critical thinking and visual literacy through art. Other attractions include ice climbing and hiking at Provo Canyon, hiking at Mount Timpanogos Park and abseiling at the scenic Bridal Veil Falls.

10. West Jordan

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Explore West Jordan, a city suburb in Salt Lake County. Head out to The Wairhouse Trampoline Park that has numerous trampolines. With more than 35,000 square feet (3252 sq. m), it is home to two full dodge ball courts, four slam dunk basketball lanes, one open jump court, a foam pit and an extreme net course. Have fun jumping up and down the trampolines while enjoying a little friendly game of the ball games available. This is definitely an entertaining place to spend your day when in this city. You can also explore Bingham Canyon Open Pit Copper Mine, the world’s largest man-made excavation.

11. Sandy

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Sandy is a city located in the scenic Salt Lake Valley in Salt Lake County. Visit the Loveland Living Planet Aquarium for a chance to see and interact with marine life. At Ocean Explorer, go into a 40-foot (12-m) underwater tunnel and see southern stingrays, green sea turtle, giant pacific octopus and sandbar shark. Go deep-sea diving and see giant isopods, Pacific hagfish and Japanese spider crab. Other animals you will see in different habitats include two clouded leopards, binturongs, Asian small-clawed otters, Asian Arowana and penguins. For a day of thrill and excitement sliding down 11 different water slides, you can also visit Cowabunga Bay Water Park.

12. Park City

Park City is located in Summit County. Take a leisurely stroll in its quaint Historic Main Street as you admire the beautiful and restored cabins featuring Victorian architecture. For the art lovers, discover historical exhibits at Park City Museum. A haven for outdoor enthusiasts, Park City is home to Park City Mountain Resort, which is the biggest ski resort in the US, and Deer Valley Resort. Here, you can indulge in winter activities, including cross-country skiing, helicopter skiing and snowmobiling. The city is also famous for the Sundance Film Festival which occurs annually in January. With so much to do, a trip here is worth the time.

13. Lehi

Located in Utah County, Lehi is a city that was named after a prophet in the Book of Mormon. It is home to the famous Lehi Roller Mills that was featured in Footloose movie. Explore Thanksgiving Point-which houses the Ashton Gardens- Thanksgiving Point Golf Course, the Museum of Ancient Life, the Museum of Natural Curiosity, Farm Country, and the Butterfly Biosphere. Here, you can smell the beautiful scent emanating from the plants in the garden. Tee away in the picturesque golf course. Get to admire exhibits of dinosaurs and aquatic life or science and nature-themed interactive exhibits in the museums.

14. West Valley City

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Visit this city which is a suburb of Salt Lake City. It is home to the Maverik Center which is a multipurpose arena. The Utah Grizzlies- who are a professional ice hockey team- play their games here. Visit this arena to enjoy watching a hockey game or a live concert. For a day of relaxing and some physical activity, visit Lodestone Park which features a mining-themed destination playground, zip-lining, as well as tennis, basketball, pickleball and sports fields. Centennial Park also features softball, tennis, basketball and sports fields. Unwind and relax in one of the city’s many parks.

15. Midvale

Midvale is a city located in Salt Lake County. For the adventure seekers, go hiking at Bell Canyon Trail and marvel at the scenic views of the mountain, waterfall and canyon. Admire the beautiful plants and get to learn about and see landscapes designed to efficiently use water at Conservation Garden Park. For a relaxing day out in the open, visit Midvale City Park which features a Bowery, a playground, a tennis court, a softball field and an amphitheater. In this city, you can never run out of outdoor places to visit and things to do.

16. Bountiful

Located in Davis County, Bountiful is a city that is home to Bountiful Utah Temple and Bountiful Utah Tabernacle. Appreciate the beautiful architecture of the buildings and also get spiritually uplifted by attending a service in them. Mueller Park Trail in Mill Creek Canyon is best for hiking, running or mountain biking. Spot wildlife such as deer, a moose, black bear and mountain lions, while hiking. The maple, aspen, cottonwood, willow, pine, and fir trees offer ample shade as you stroll. Appreciate the invigorating scenery from the various vantage points on this trail.

17. Murray

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Murray is a city centrally located in Salt Lake County on the Wasatch Front. It is famous for its organized sports and wooded areas. Experience farm life at Wheeler Historic Farm, where you can see a demonstration of how to milk a cow, go on a tractor-drawn wagon ride around the farm and see over 6,000 historic artifacts in the farmhouse. Spend a day at Murray Park Jordan and enjoy amenities such as an outdoor amphitheater, swimming pool and ice rink, an arboretum with hiking trails, playground and fields for playing rugby, soccer and softball. The Jordan River Parkway consists of several parks connected by natural trails along the Jordan River.

18. American Fork

Visit this city located at the foot of Mount Timpanogos in the Wasatch Range. Located in American Fork Canyon, Timpanogos Cave National Monument is Utah County’s only national monument. Explore the hidden underground world in the cave as you learn about its formation. The canyon is great for hiking, biking, horse riding and camping. American Fork also has 26 parks with amenities such as playgrounds, baseball, soccer and lacrosse fields, basketball and volleyball courts, hiking trails and a skate park. One such park you can visit is Art Dye, and here, you will get to enjoy hiking in its picturesque trails and playing disk golf.

19. Washington

Located in Washington County, this city is known for its breathtaking scenery. Head out to the Red Cliffs National Conservation Area which offers hiking trails and campgrounds amidst the surrounding beautiful red rocks. Sand Hollow State Park is a site for fishing, boating, camping and riding ATVs on the sand dunes on Sand Mountain. Marvel at the wild and scenic views along Virgin River as it curves along the red sandstone. With such beautiful outdoor recreation sites, plan a visit here and be ready to go camping or hiking with scenic views as your backdrop.

20. Kanab

Kanab is a city located on the Kanab Creek in Kane County. Surrounded by spectacular scenery including the towering Navajo sandstone cliffs, it has been used as a filming location for many movies. Locals have even nicknamed the town “Little Hollywood’ and abandoned film sets can be found near the town and buildings with movie posters and autographed photos all over the town. Visit the Little Hollywood Museum and see iconic movie sets and Hollywood memorabilia. Keep fit on a challenging hike that takes you to The Wave, a beautiful, colorful and undulating sandstone rock formation on the slopes of Coyote Buttes. For the adventure seekers, go hiking, rock climbing and canyoneering at Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument as you marvel at the amazing views.

21. Herriman

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Herriman is located in Salt Lake County. A popular tourist attraction here is the Real Life UP House. The two-story house is an exact replica from the one in the Disney film ‘Up’. Admire the colorful and beautiful house and even take photos with it in the background. The city also has several parks you can relax and unwind in. The Cove at Herriman Springs features hiking trails, a volleyball court, a playground and a fishing pond. Enjoy swimming at Blackridge Reservoir, which also has a beachfront and playground. Other parks include W & M Butterfield Park and Rosecrest Park.

22. Springville

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Located in Utah County, Springville is known as the “Art City”. It is home to Springville Museum of Art, which houses a visual fine arts collection. Admire the Spanish Colonial Revival architectural style of the building and the over 2,500 artworks from Utah, Soviet Russia and America. You can also visit Daughters of Utah Pioneer Museum-Historical Society and see photos, documents and artifacts that date back to the 1900s and earlier. They aim to enlighten visitors about those who lived here back then.

23. Spanish Fork

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Visit Spanish Fork, a city located in Utah Valley in Utah County. Here, you can go camping at Spanish Fork Canyon and enjoy the scenic views of the canyon. Visit Sri Sri Radha Krishna Temple and admire its splendid architecture and interior decor. The temple is often used as a venue for seasonal festivals, weddings, prayers and meditations. Encounter animals such as llamas, zebu, peacocks and parrots in the animal park and see a pond full of koi. The temple also has an amphitheater. This temple is a truly serene and rejuvenating place to be in.

24. Brigham City

Lying on the western slopes of Wellsville Mountains in Box Elder County is Brigham City. It is famous for its peaches and even holds an annual celebration called Peach Days. For the art lovers, you can visit Brigham City Museum of Art & History and see artifacts, photographs and documents showcasing pioneer settlements of the city, a collection of fine arts, historical items from the past to present and special exhibits. For a day outdoors, go bird watching at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge or boating, camping and animal watching at Willard Bay State Park.

25. Holladay

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Holladay is a city found in central Salt Lake County. Enjoy being outdoors while hiking up Mount Olympus, which is 9,026 feet (2750 meters) high. At the top, gaze at the breathtaking views of the surrounding wilderness, Wasatch Valley and Salt Lake City. A hike to Grandeur Peak is another way to spend your day. Enjoy amazing views of Salt Lake Valley and the surrounding mountain peaks while at the top. Capture those amazing Instagram-worthy photos when at any of these great vantage points.

26. Riverton

Riverton is a city in Salt Lake County that has an abundance of parks for you to relax in. Wardle Fields Regional Park features an adventure splash pad, a 25-foot (7.6-meter) fire watchtower with slides, a climbing-net pyramid, bouldering wall, pickleball and basketball courts, zip lines and a destination playground. Riverton City Park is home to the iconic Old Dome Meeting Hall. Amenities in the park include basketball, pickleball, volleyball and tennis courts, playgrounds, rodeo arena, a Skate Park, a splash pad and a walking path. Head out to these parks for a leisurely walk or to enjoy all the other amenities they offer.

27. Hurricane

Hurricane is a city found in Washington County. For the golf lovers, head to Sky Mountain Golf Course. Tee away in the 18-hole golf course surrounded by picturesque views. Adventurous people can go mountain biking on the Slickrock Trails of Gooseberry Mesa and also get to enjoy panoramic views across the desert. Quail Creek State Park offers camping, boating, swimming and fishing. Outdoor recreation activities are always fun and thrilling.

28. Heber City

This city is located in northwestern Wasatch County in Utah. A popular tourist attraction in the area is Heber Valley, which offers activities all year round. During winter, you can enjoy cross-country and downhill skiing, snowboarding and snowmobiling. Summer and fall feature golfing, off-roading, hunting and fishing. Enjoy the scenic views from this vantage point as you also relish the adventure. Other places of interest in Heber City are Heber Valley Historic Railroad and Wasatch Mountain State Park.

29. Tooele

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Visit Tooele in Tooele County, known for its scenic views of the Oquirrh Mountains and the Great Salt Lake. Such views make Tooele an ideal camping destination. Hire an RV and camp at Settlement Canyon. Aside from amazing views of the mountains, this camping site has a picnic table, a playground, a pavilion and various hiking trails. You can also enjoy fishing in Tooele City’s reservoir. Enjoy being outdoors, taking in breaths of fresh air and marveling at amazing picture-perfect views. This is just what you need to relax and unwind.

Utah: a mecca for outdoor recreation

For nature enthusiasts, this is the place to be. Whether you are marveling at the different landscapes, natural rock formations and colored canyons, enjoying scenic drives, feeling the adrenaline rush while skiing in the various ski resorts or having fun exploring ruins in the various archaeological sites, this state is a haven for nature lovers. Plan a trip here and explore our list of the best places to visit in Utah, USA.