160+ fun things to do in Utah this year (2025 edition): Your ultimate Utah bucket list

ByAndrew Johnson

PublishedAugust 3, 2025

Includes the best things to do in Utah, like family friendly hikes, scenic drives, free activities and more…

Utah packs more variety into one state than seems physically possible. You can ski fresh powder in the morning and hike red rock canyons in the afternoon. You can explore ancient Native American ruins and then grab craft beer at a brewery that opened last month.

This isn’t another generic travel guide. These are 160+ activities that Utahns actually do – the stuff we tell our friends about, not what we recommend to tourists we’re trying to get rid of.

You’ll find activities for every season:

Spring wildflower hikes before the crowds arrive
Summer mountain biking, lake days, and festival hopping
Fall drives through aspen groves and harvest celebrations
Winter skiing, snowshoeing, and cozy indoor spots

Before You Go

Book ski lessons and popular restaurants weeks ahead
Check trail conditions – Utah weather changes fast
Visit popular spots on weekdays when possible
Respect the land and follow Leave No Trace principles

I’ve spent 10+ years exploring this state, testing these recommendations personally. This guide gets updated regularly because Utah keeps adding new trails, restaurants, and experiences worth your time.

Questions about any of these spots? Leave a comment below this post!

43 fun things to do this Spring in Utah

Best trails and hikes in Utah

Spring in Utah means waterfalls are roaring, wildflowers are popping up everywhere, and you can finally hike without freezing your butt off. The crowds haven’t arrived yet, so you’ll actually have trails to yourself.

Cecret Lake Trail – This 1.7-mile hike in Little Cottonwood Canyon takes you to an alpine lake that’s basically a postcard. Go in late spring when wildflowers turn the meadows into natural confetti. → https://www.roadtripryan.com/go/t/utah/wasatch/secret–cecret–lake
Ensign Peak – One mile of steep climbing gets you killer views of Salt Lake City, the Great Salt Lake, and the Wasatch Mountains. Hit it at sunset if you want your Instagram to blow up. → https://www.visitutah.com/places-to-go/cities-and-towns/salt-lake-city/trails/ensign-peak
Silver Lake Boardwalk – Easy 0.8-mile loop around a mountain lake at Brighton. Perfect if you’re dragging kids or just want to see wildlife without breaking a sweat. → https://www.fs.usda.gov/wildflowers/regions/intermountain/SilverLake/index.shtml
Battle Creek Falls – 1.8-mile round trip to a 50-foot waterfall in Pleasant Grove. Spring runoff makes this thing absolutely roar. → https://www.utahsadventurefamily.com/battlecreek-falls-hike/
Ogden River Parkway – 9.6 miles of paved trail following the Ogden River through downtown. Great for bikes, running, or just walking off that extra slice of pizza. → https://www.visitogden.com/things-to-do/self-guided-tours/ogden-river-parkway/

Outdoor gardens and plant nurseries

Red Butte Garden – 21 acres of display gardens and the biggest botanical garden in the Intermountain West. April is when everything starts going crazy with blooms. → https://redbuttegarden.org/
Western Garden Centers – Local garden experts who actually know what grows in Utah’s weird climate. Free classes every Saturday morning. → https://westerngardens.com/
Millcreek Gardens – Family-owned nursery that specializes in plants that won’t die in Utah’s desert conditions. They know their stuff. → https://millcreekgardens.com/mc/

Favorite parks and picnic spots in Utah

Liberty Park – Salt Lake’s biggest and oldest park with a lake, playground, and Tracy Aviary. Weekends bring food trucks and festivals. → https://www.slc.gov/parks/parks-division/liberty-park/
Sugar House Park – 110 acres of green space with mountain views. Spring is prime kite-flying season here. → https://www.sugarhousepark.org/
Antelope Island State Park – Spring is when bison herds are most active and migratory birds are everywhere. Plus, you’re surrounded by the Great Salt Lake. → https://stateparks.utah.gov/parks/antelope-island/
City Creek Canyon – Creek-side picnic spots right in the city. Car-free days make it perfect for bikes and walks. → https://www.slc.gov/utilities/city-creek-canyon/

Other outdoor adventures

Bonneville School of Sailing – Learn to sail on the Great Salt Lake starting in April. Way cooler than it sounds. → https://bonnevillesailing.com/
Holiday River Expeditions – Multi-day whitewater rafting and mountain biking trips. These guys know Utah’s rivers better than anyone. → https://www.bikeraft.com/
Rock Climbing Courses – Learn outdoor climbing at beginner spots around Salt Lake. Spring weather is perfect for not dying of heat stroke. → https://www.utahmountainadventures.com/rock.shtml

List of mountain drives and day trips in Utah

Alpine Loop Scenic Drive – 20-mile mountain drive through American Fork Canyon with Mt. Timpanogos views and spring waterfalls. Opens when snow finally melts. → https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/uwcnf/recarea/?recid=9885
Antelope Island Causeway – Drive across the Great Salt Lake on this 7-mile causeway. Best bison viewing at dawn or dusk. → https://clui.org/ludb/site/antelope-island-southern-causeway
Nebo Loop Scenic Byway – 37-mile drive through Uinta National Forest with views of 11,928-foot Mount Nebo. Devils Kitchen overlook is worth the stop. → https://www.fs.usda.gov/wildflowers/regions/intermountain/MtNebo/index.shtml
Bonneville Salt Flats – Spring is perfect for photographing these otherworldly salt flats before summer heat makes it unbearable. → blm.gov/bonneville-salt-flats

Spring festivals and special events

Tulip Festival at Thanksgiving Point – 250,000 tulips across 55 acres. Runs for a month in spring and makes for incredible photos. → thanksgivingpoint.org/tulip
Utah Valley Spring Garden Fair – Biggest garden fair in Utah County with local vendors, workshops, and plant sales. → utahvalleygardens.org
Spring Gallery Stroll – Free monthly art walk through downtown Salt Lake galleries. Spring exhibitions are usually the best. → gallerystroll.org

Best places in Utah to see and observe wildlife

Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge – Millions of migratory birds stop here in spring. Free guided tours if you want to learn what you’re actually looking at. → fws.gov/bear-river
Farmington Bay Waterfowl Management Area – Spring brings dozens of bird species to these wetlands. Easy viewing areas so you don’t have to hike miles. → wildlife.utah.gov/farmington-bay

Spring water activities

Fifth Water Hot Springs – Three-mile hike to natural hot springs. Spring temps make the cold hike worth the hot soak. → fs.usda.gov/fifth-water
Mirror Lake – Spring fishing opens when snow melts. Some of Utah’s best trout fishing in a stunning mountain setting. → fs.usda.gov/mirror-lake

Urban Spring activities

Gateway Gardens Food Hall – New urban marketplace with local vendors and outdoor seating. Perfect for spring dining. → shopthegateway.com
City Creek Center – Open-air shopping with retractable roof and creek-side paths. Spring fashion events happen here. → cityfreekscenter.com
Downtown Farmers Market – Local produce, artisan goods, and food trucks return to Pioneer Park in April. → slcfarmersmarket.org

Outdoor education and nature

Utah State Botanical Center – Interactive gardens and wetland areas with spring education programs for all ages. → usubotanicalcenter.org
Jordan River Nature Center – Spring wildlife programs and riverside walks along restored wetland habitat. → jordanrivernature.org
Tracy Aviary Nature Programs – Hands-on spring birding classes and guided walks through Liberty Park. → tracyaviary.org

Spring garden tours and workshops

Conservation Garden Park – Six acres of water-wise demonstration gardens with free spring planting workshops. → conservationgardenpark.org
Temple Square Gardens – Historic grounds with spring bulb displays and flowering trees. Free gardening tours available. → templesquare.org
Red Hills Desert Garden – Utah’s first desert conservation garden comes alive with spring blooms and water features. → redhillsdesertgarden.com

Spring canyon activities

Little Cottonwood Canyon – Spring skiing at Snowbird while hiking lower trails. Two seasons in one day. → visitutah.com/little-cottonwood
Rock Canyon – Popular spring climbing spot in Provo with 500+ routes and wildflower-lined hiking trails. → rockcanyon.org
Ferguson Canyon – Less crowded alternative to Big Cottonwood with spring waterfall views and bird watching. → alltrails.com/ferguson-canyon

Spring cultural experiences

Wheeler Historic Farm – Spring baby animal days and traditional farming demonstrations at this living history farm. → wheelerfarm.com
This Is The Place Heritage Park – Spring heritage festivals and pioneer life demonstrations as weather warms up. → thisistheplace.org
Natural History Museum of Utah – Special spring exhibits and guided outdoor walks exploring Utah’s awakening ecosystem. → nhmu.utah.edu

Unique Spring adventures

High West Distillery Spring Tours – Learn about craft spirits with spring views from Utah’s only ski-in distillery. → highwest.com
Wasatch Wildflower Bus Tours – Guided tours to prime wildflower spots throughout the Wasatch Range. Starts late spring. → wasatchwildflowers.org

27 fun things to do this Summer in Utah

Utah summers are when the state really shows off. Long days, warm nights, and endless adventures from mountain peaks to lake shores. This is peak Utah season – everything is open and everything is happening.

Best places for mountain biking in Utah

Wasatch Crest Trail – Epic 20-mile ride along the spine of the Wasatch Range with incredible valley views and wildflower meadows. Best from July through September. → mtbproject.com/wasatch-crest
Antelope Island State Park Trails – Ride alongside free-roaming bison on 25+ miles of trails overlooking the Great Salt Lake. Most scenic at sunset when the lake turns gold. → stateparks.utah.gov/antelope-trails
Corner Canyon – Network of 50+ miles of trails in Draper ranging from “my first mountain bike ride” to “holy crap I’m going to die.” Features bike park and skills area. → cornercanyontrails.com
Glenwild Loop – 8.5-mile intermediate loop in Park City with panoramic views and perfectly banked turns. Named one of Utah’s best flow trails for good reason. → mountaintrails.org/glenwild

Best Utah restaurants with a view

La Caille – French cuisine in a castle-like setting with peacocks roaming 20 acres of gardens. Reserve a patio table at sunset for maximum romance points. → lacaille.com
Log Haven – Historic log mansion in Millcreek Canyon serving seasonal cuisine on multilevel outdoor patios surrounded by actual waterfalls. → log-haven.com
Cliff Dining Pub – Casual American food on a sprawling deck with panoramic views of the entire Salt Lake Valley. Great for watching storms roll in. → cliffdiningpub.com
The Aerie – Mountain-top restaurant at Snowbird offering Sunday brunch with 360-degree views of Little Cottonwood Canyon. Take the tram up. → snowbird.com/the-aerie

Swimming and water activities

Cowabunga Bay – Massive water park with Utah’s longest lazy river and largest wave pool. Private cabanas available if you want to feel fancy. → cowabungabay.com
Splash Summit Provo – 17-acre water park with 11 water slides and lazy river at the base of the Wasatch Mountains. Less crowded than Cowabunga Bay. → splashsummit.com
Jordanelle State Park – Rent pontoon boats, jet skis, or paddleboards on this 3,000-acre reservoir with mountain views. Reserve equipment ahead of time. → stateparks.utah.gov/jordanelle
Great Salt Lake Marina – Experience floating in water 8x saltier than the ocean. You literally cannot sink. Sunset sailing tours available. → gslmarina.com

Outdoor entertainment

Red Butte Garden Outdoor Concert Series – World-class artists perform in a natural amphitheater surrounded by gardens. Bring a picnic and lawn chairs. → redbutte.org/concerts
Utah Symphony’s Deer Valley Music Festival – Classical and pops performances under the stars at Snow Park Outdoor Amphitheater. Fancy but worth it. → deervalleymusicfestival.org
Twilight Concert Series – Downtown Salt Lake’s summer music tradition featuring national acts at bargain prices. Thursday nights at Gallivan Center. → twilightconcerts.com

Annual Summer festivals in Utah

Utah Arts Festival – Four-day celebration of visual arts, music, and food spanning downtown Salt Lake City. Features over 170 artists and great people watching. → uaf.org
Park Silly Sunday Market – Open-air market and street festival on Park City’s Historic Main Street with local vendors and live music. Gets pretty crowded but worth it. → parksillysundaymarket.com
Utah Shakespeare Festival – Tony Award-winning theater festival in Cedar City presenting plays in indoor and outdoor venues. Worth the drive. → bard.org

High-altitude escapes

Snowbird’s Summer Activities – Ride the aerial tram to 11,000 feet for mountain biking, hiking, and alpine slides. Guaranteed cooler temperatures when the valley is baking. → snowbird.com/summer
Sundance Summer Theater – Outdoor musical productions at 8,000 feet surrounded by mountain views. Pre-show dining available. → sundanceresort.com/theater
Brighton’s Alpine Lakes – Hike to Lake Mary, Lake Martha, and Lake Catherine in one day. Wildflowers peak in July and it’s absolutely stunning. → brightonresort.com/summer

Unique Summer adventures

Guardsman Pass Scenic Drive – High-altitude route connecting Park City to Brighton, open only in summer. Stop at overlooks for killer valley views. → visitparkcity.com/guardsman
Mirror Lake Scenic Byway – 42-mile drive through the Uinta Mountains passing crystal-clear lakes with camping access. Plan to stop frequently. → fs.usda.gov/uwcnf
Timpanogos Cave National Monument – Guided tour of three spectacular cave systems. Book early because tours sell out fast. → nps.gov/tica

Evening activities

Gateway’s Fountain Shows – Choreographed water displays set to music offer relief from summer heat. Free nightly shows that kids love. → shopthegateway.com
Redwood Drive-In Theatre – One of Utah’s last remaining drive-in theaters showing double features under the stars. Bring snacks and blankets. → redwooddrivein.com
International Dark Sky Parks – Eight certified dark sky parks perfect for summer stargazing. Bryce Canyon offers ranger-led astronomy programs. → visitutah.com/darksky

40 fun things to do this Fall in Utah

Fall in Utah is when the mountains put on their best show. Aspen groves turn gold, temperatures drop to perfect levels, and suddenly everyone remembers why they live here. Plus, pumpkin everything and haunted houses everywhere.

Best haunted houses and attractions in Utah

Fiesta Fright in St. George – This terrifying haunted attraction will test whether you can actually survive the night. Spoiler: you probably can’t. → FiestaFright.com
10th West Scare House in Logan – Over 4,000 square feet of haunted house thrills plus outdoor scares. Bring someone you can push in front of you. → 10thWestScareHouse.com
Blackburn Boarding House in Springville – Historic haunted mansion where you might encounter actual ghostly residents. Or just really good actors. → BlackburnBoardingHouse.com
Haunted Mansion in Nephi – Ghost tour through the historic Whitmore Mansion. What supernatural experiences await? Only one way to find out. → HauntedNepi.org

Fun Fall activities for the whole family

Hee Haw Farms – Corn maze, pumpkin picking, and all the fall fun your Instagram needs. Kids love it, adults secretly love it too. → HeeHawFarms.com
Pumpkin Days at Wheeler Farm – Pumpkin patch, corn maze, and autumnal activities at this historic farm. Classic Utah fall experience. → WheelerFarm.com
The Kinlands Pumpkin Patch – Pumpkins, photo ops, swings on big red trucks, hay bale slides, and farm animals. Perfect for family photos. → thekinlands.com/pages/pumpkin-patch
RiSE Festival – Mid-October celebration where you release lanterns into the night sky. Includes food vendors and makes for incredible memories. → risefestival.com
Witch Fest at Gardner Village – Whimsical witch displays, scavenger hunts, and enchanting autumn vibes. Way more fun than it sounds. → GardnerVillage.com
Oktoberfest at Snowbird – Traditional German food, music, bounce house, and Alpine Slide at this lively mountain festival. Prost! → Snowbird.com/Oktoberfest
Heber Valley Railroad Pumpkin Festival – Scenic train ride with pumpkin treats and family-friendly fall fun. All aboard the nostalgia express. → HeberValleyRailroad.com
Harvest Festival at Thanksgiving Point – Pumpkin patch, corn maze, and autumn activities galore. Gets crowded but worth it. → ThanksgivingPoint.org/Events
Fall Festival at Cross E Ranch – Sunflower field, corn maze, and pumpkin picking at this charming farm. Less crowded than the big names. → CrossERanch.com
BooLights at Utah’s Hogle Zoo – Zoo exhibits transformed with spooky lights and decorations. Animals seem to enjoy the Halloween spirit too. → HogleZoo.org/BooLights
Saratoga Springs Fall Festival – Petting zoo, train rides, trick-or-treating, and other autumn activities. Small town festival vibes. → SaratogaSpringsCity.com
Fisher Family Farm – Near Zion National Park in Hurricane, this farm offers pumpkin patch, corn maze, and haunted house. Great if you’re exploring Southern Utah. → fisherfamilyfarmhurricane.com

Favorite farmer’s markets in Utah

Downtown Farmers Market in Salt Lake City – Locally-grown produce, baked goods, and artisan crafts at this vibrant open-air market. Saturday mornings downtown. → DowntownFarmersMarketSLC.org
Wheeler Farm Farmers Market – Fresh, seasonal offerings from Utah’s top farmers and food purveyors at this charming historic location. → WheelerFarm.com/Farmers-Market
9th West Farmers Market – Locally-sourced fruits, vegetables, and specialty foods at this urban market. Smaller but high quality. → InternationalPeaceGardens.org
Gardner Village Market – Handmade goods, produce, and baked treats among the quaint shops of Gardner Village. Shopping and snacking combined. → GardnerVillage.com/Market
Sugar House Farmers Market – Diverse selection of produce, baked goods, and artisanal products. Great neighborhood market vibe. → SugarHouseFarmersMarket.org
South Jordan Town Center Farmers Market – Over 40 vendors, food trucks, and live entertainment. One of the bigger markets in the valley. → SouthJordanTownCenter.com/Farmers-Market
Lehi Farmers Market – Farm-fresh produce and handmade crafts at this vibrant community market. Good mix of everything. → LehiFarmersMarket.com

Corn mazes across Utah

Cornbelly’s Corn Maze at Thanksgiving Point – Massive, intricate corn maze plus other fall festivities. The granddaddy of Utah corn mazes. → Cornbellys.com
The Crazy Corn Maze in West Jordan – Challenge yourself to find your way through this fun and genuinely confusing labyrinth. → CrazyCornMaze.com
Corn Maze at Wheeler Farm – Classic corn maze at historic Wheeler Farm, open September through October. Traditional and well-maintained. → WheelerFarm.com/CornMaze
Glen Ray’s Corn Maze in Spanish Fork – New design every year with surprises and challenges throughout. Local favorite. → GlenRaysCornMaze.com
Lapoint Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch – Worth the trip to northeastern Utah for corn maze adventure and pumpkin picking. Less crowded option. → LapointCornMaze.com
Black Island Farms Corn Maze in Syracuse – Massive, creative corn maze with new design each year. Gets lost here actually means getting lost. → BlackIslandFarms.com
Happy Pumpkin Corn Maze in West Haven – Corn maze, pumpkin patch, haunted trail, and more at this family-friendly destination. Something for everyone. → HappyPumpkinCornMaze.com
Hee Haw Farms Corn Maze in Pleasant Grove – Classic corn labyrinth at this popular agritourism spot. Well-designed and maintained. → HeeHawFarms.com

Best pumpkin patches in Utah

Mabey Farms Pumpkins in Layton – Over 45 pumpkin varieties across 16 acres. Serious pumpkin selection for serious pumpkin people. → MabeyFarmsPumpkins.com
Kuwahara’s Pumpkin Patch and Thriller Park in Draper – Wide selection of pumpkins plus thrilling Halloween activities. Two experiences in one. → KuwaharasFarm.com
Schmidt’s Farm Market and Pumpkin Patch in West Jordan – Pumpkin patch, hayrides, and seasonal entertainment. Classic farm experience. → SchmidtsFarm.com
The Pumpkin Patch in Orem – Classic pumpkin patch with hayrides and free family-friendly activities. Simple and well-done. → TheOremPumpkinPatch.com
Cross E Ranch in Salt Lake City – Pumpkin patch, sunflower field, and other fall attractions at this multi-purpose farm. Great for photos. → CrossERanch.com
The Kinlands in Riverton – Pick pumpkins, cut your own flowers, and attend seasonal workshops. More than just pumpkins. → TheKinlands.com
Wilkerson Farm Fall Fair in Orem – Wide variety of pumpkins in vibrant colors at this family-owned farm. Quality over quantity. → WilkersonFarm.com
Pack Farms Pumpkin Patch in Farmington – Over 20 acres of pumpkin and squash varieties. Huge selection and room to roam. → PackFarms.com
McFarland Family Farms in West Weber – Long-running pumpkin patch for a quintessential autumn experience. Old-school and reliable. → McFarlandFarms.com

53 fun things to do in Utah this Winter

Winter in Utah is when the state becomes a legitimate wonderland. World-class powder, cozy fireplaces, and enough snow activities to keep you busy until spring. Plus, hot chocolate tastes better at 7,000 feet.

Where to go ice skating in Utah

The Gallivan Center in Salt Lake City – Outdoor ice skating in the heart of downtown. Nothing says Utah winter like skating with city lights around you. → TheGallivanCenter.com
Utah Olympic Oval in Kearns – Skate on the same ice used by Olympic athletes. Way faster than you’d expect, so hold onto something. → OlympicOval.com
Cottonwood Heights Recreation Center – Spacious, family-friendly ice rink that’s perfect for wobbly beginners and show-offs alike. → CottonwoodHeights.com/Rec-Center
SLC Sports Complex – Perfect spot for winter ice skating right in Salt Lake City. Less touristy than Gallivan Center. → SLCSportsComplex.com
Salt Lake County Ice Center – Public skating sessions at this well-equipped facility. Good backup when other rinks are crowded. → SLCo.org/Ice-Center
Acord Ice Center in West Valley City – Conveniently located ice rink that’s often less busy than downtown options. → WestValleyCity.com/Acord-Ice-Center

Hot chocolate

Jack Mormon Coffee Co. – Beloved local coffee shop with hot chocolate that’ll warm you from the inside out. Local favorite for good reason. → JackMormonCoffee.com
Salt Lake Roasting Company – Rich, creamy hot chocolate paired with freshly baked treats downtown. Perfect after ice skating. → SLRoasting.com
Les Madeleines – Heavenly hot chocolate in a charming Parisian-inspired setting. Feels fancy but not pretentious. → LesMadeleines.com
Coffee And Cocoa in Cottonwood Heights – Expertly crafted hot chocolate in a cozy atmosphere. Great after a day in the canyons. → CoffeeAndCocoa.com
Hatch Family Chocolates – Take home their signature hot chocolate mix from this renowned local chocolatier. Makes great gifts. → HatchChocolates.com
Christkindlmarkt at This Is The Place Heritage Park – Heidelberg Hot Chocolate while exploring the German-inspired holiday market. Festive and delicious. → ThisIsThePlace.org/Christkindlmarkt
Caputos Market – Rich, spicy hot chocolate with their renowned recipe. Italian-inspired and locally loved. → Caputos.com

Cross country skiing and snowshoeing

Soldier Hollow – Miles of groomed trails at this former Olympic venue. World-class facilities without the Alpine price tag. → SoldierHollow.com
Nordic Center at Solitude – Scenic Nordic skiing and snowshoeing trails in a winter wonderland setting. Less crowded than Park City. → SolitudeMountain.com/Nordic-Center
Sundance Nordic Center – Pristine snowshoe trails and cross-country skiing at this scenic mountain resort. Robert Redford’s backyard. → SundanceResort.com/Nordic-Center
White Pine Touring in Park City – Nearly 20km of groomed cross-country trails in the heart of the Wasatch Range. Well-maintained and scenic. → WhitePineTouring.com
Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons – Backcountry snowshoe and cross-country ski trails, including routes to Cecret Lake. Bring proper gear and know what you’re doing. → UtahOutdoors.com/Cottonwood-Canyons

Museums and arts

Utah Museum of Fine Arts – Over 19,000 works of art from ancient to contemporary. Perfect winter indoor activity on campus. → UMFA.Utah.edu
Pioneer Memorial Museum – Utah’s pioneering history through extensive artifacts and exhibits. Learn why people actually came here in the first place. → UtahHistory.org/Pioneer-Memorial-Museum
The Leonardo at Library Square – Interactive science and technology museum that’ll spark your creativity. Great for kids and curious adults. → TheLeonardo.org
Natural History Museum of Utah – Face-to-face with dinosaurs and Utah’s natural wonders. The building itself is worth the visit. → NHMU.Utah.edu
Utah Museum of Contemporary Art – Cutting-edge exhibitions from local, national, and international artists. Small but mighty. → UtahMOCA.org
Tuacahn Center for the Arts – Live performances against stunning red rock cliffs in southern Utah. Worth the drive south. → Tuacahn.org
St. George Musical Theater – Vibrant community theater featuring local talent. Great winter escape to warmer southern Utah. → SGMusicalTheater.com
Western Aviation Museum – History of flight with restored vintage aircraft. Flying machines in the desert – uniquely Utah. → WesternAviationMuseum.org

Utah state parks to visit this Winter

Dead Horse Point State Park – Stay in a cozy yurt overlooking Utah’s rugged desert landscape. Winter camping without the tent hassle. → UtahStateParks.com/Parks/Dead-Horse
Steinaker State Park – Peaceful winter getaway in a state park cabin. Perfect for digital detox. → UtahStateParks.com/Parks/Steinaker
Bear Lake State Park – Winter camping at this stunning northern Utah destination. For the truly adventurous. → UtahStateParks.com/Parks/Bear-Lake
Willard Bay State Park – Scenic winter hike on the Willard Bay Interpretive Trail. Great when you need a break from snow. → UtahStateParks.com/Parks/Willard-Bay
Snow Canyon State Park – Sand Dunes Trail against Snow Canyon’s red rock formations. Desert winter is still winter. → UtahStateParks.com/Parks/Snow-Canyon

Christmas lights and holiday displays in Utah

Temple Square in Salt Lake City – Thousands of lights illuminate the iconic grounds. The most famous holiday display in Utah for good reason. → TempleSquare.com
Thanksgiving Point in Lehi – Luminaria light display through Ashton Gardens creates a festive winter wonderland. Less crowded than Temple Square. → ThanksgivingPoint.org/Events
Hogle Zoo Zoo Lights – Over 200 lighted displays including a 135-foot tunnel of lights. Animals seem to enjoy it too. → HogleZoo.org/Events
Ogden City Christmas Village – Santa’s Castle and thousands of twinkling lights transform the city. Small town Christmas magic. → OgdenCity.com/Christmas-Village
“Christmas In The Canyon” at Tuacahn – Holiday magic in southern Utah with musical performances against red rock backdrop. → Tuacahn.org/Events

Holiday events in Utah: Where to celebrate Christmas and winter festivals

Candlelight Christmas at This Is The Place Heritage Park – Step back in time with festive activities and music at this historic holiday event. → ThisIsThePlace.org/Candlelight-Christmas
Christmas at the Ranch at Cross E Ranch – Candy cane forest, Christmas light displays, and family-friendly farm activities. → CrossERanch.com/Christmas
“The King’s Carolers” at Station Park – Professional carolers performing live on select dates. Free holiday entertainment. → StationParkFarmington.com

List of the best sledding hills and snow tubing in Utah

Soldier Hollow – Olympic-legacy tubing lanes at this former Winter Games site. Fast and fun for all ages. → SoldierHollow.com
Gorgoza Park in Park City – Multiple tubing lanes and snow play areas for the whole family. Park City’s premier tubing spot. → GorgozaPark.com
Woodward Park City – Thrilling tubing hills and snow parks at this premier mountain resort. Action sports central. → WoodwardParkCity.com
Powder Mountain – Miles of groomed sledding and snow play areas across the mountainside. Less crowded than Park City options. → PowderMountain.com
Cherry Hill in Kaysville – Sled, tube, and play in the snow at this family-friendly winter wonderland. Classic local spot. → CherryHillResort.com

Sleigh rides

Midway Crater – Traditional horse-drawn sleigh ride through snowy scenery. Romantic or family-friendly depending on your group. → MidwayCrater.com
Elk Meadows Resort – Cozy up under blankets pulled by draft horses through winter landscape. Classic mountain experience. → ElkMeadowsResort.com
Homestead Crater – Magical sleigh ride around the iconic steaming crater. Unique Utah experience. → HomesteadCrater.com
Park City Sleigh Rides – Picture-perfect mountain views on this classic winter activity. Tourist-friendly but genuinely fun. → ParkCitySleighRides.com

Après-ski activities

High West Distillery – Craft cocktails and hearty meals at this award-winning distillery. World’s only ski-in distillery. → HighWest.com
Viking Yurt – Fine dining and stunning views at this mountaintop restaurant accessible only by sleigh or snowcat. → VikingYurt.com
The Cabin at Park City Mountain – Relax by the fireplace with hot toddies and live music after the slopes. Classic ski lodge vibes. → ParkCityMountain.com
Stein Eriksen Lodge – Pinnacle of luxury with spa services, fine dining, and more. If you have to ask the price, you can’t afford it. → SteinLodge.com
No Name Saloon – Lively après ski atmosphere with creative cocktails and classic pub fare. Local hangout that welcomes visitors. → NoNameSaloon.com

Thanks for exploring Utah with me through this guide! I update this thing regularly with new adventures and local favorites, so bookmark it.

Now I want to hear from you – what’s your favorite hidden gem in Utah that should be on this list? Make a video or post showing your spot and tag Utah is Awesome on Instagram. Your suggestion might make it into the next edition.

Until then, see you on the trails, slopes, or maybe grabbing hot chocolate after a day in the canyons.

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