While Utah’s five national parks receive a great deal of much deserved attention around the country and the world. Don’t miss the other outdoor destination that likewise contribute to a state that is almost 80 percent public lands!

Utah features the best of both the Rocky Mountains and the Desert southwest and has unparalleled access to some of the best mountain biking, fly fishing, skiing, rock climbing. Hiking. Birdwatching and golfing on earth!

Visit one park or combine them for a perfect day or weekend trip. We’ve broken out some of our favourites by region to get a started. All have something unique to offer, and many are closer than you might think-in some cases it’s only one to three hours between parks. Make a checklist and see them all!

NORTHERN UTAH

BONNEVILLE SALT FLATS

THIS BLM-managed location is one of the most unique natural features in Utah. Stretching over 30,000 acres, the Bonneville Salt Flats are a playground for both people and race cars. This is a fragile resource. However. The flats are located along the 1-80 corridor near the Utah-Nevada border. Wendover is the closest city. (801) 977-4300 blm.gov/ut

DINASAUR NATIONAL MONUMENT

Home to one of the most productive fossil digs the world, Dinosaur National Monument also offers wildlife viewing and scenic wonders At the Quarry Exhibit Hall, visitors can view approximate 1,500 dinosaur bones and exhibits about life during the late Jurassic Access the monument via Highway 149 north from Jensen, Utah (435)781-7700 nps.gov/dino

GOLDEN SPIKE NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE

This site celebrates the competition world’s first transcontinental railroad. Where the Central Pacific and Union Pacific railroad met on May 10, 1869. In summer, watch reenactments of the last spike Ceremony and steam locomotive demonstrations. It is locates 32 miles west of Brigham City, Utah. Off State Route 83 (435) 471-2209 nps.gov/gosp

MORMON PIONEER NATIONAL HISTORIC TRAIL

Crossing Illinois, lowa, Nebraska Utah and wyorning, this National Historic Trail commemorates the escape of roughly 70,000 Mormons from religious persecution. The mass migration from Nauvoo to Salt Lake City, Utah, followed the Mormon Pioneer Trail from 1846 to 1369. The trail covers about 1,300 miles (180) 741-1012 nps.gov/mopi

NORTHERN UTAH (CONTINUED)

PONY EXPRSS NATIONAL HISTORIC TRAIL

Organized by private entrepreneurs, this horse-and-rider relay system became the nation’s most direct and practical means of east west communications before the telegraph. Learn more about the system that carried mail from Missouri to California, at several spots along the trail in northern Utah, accessible via 1-80 and 1-84. (801) 741-1012 nps.gov/poex

TIMPANOGOS CAVE NATIONAL MONUMENT

Sitting high in the Wasatch Mountains, this cave system consists of three distinct and spectacularly decorated caverns. Park rangers guide hour-long tours through the caves. Outside the cave, experience canyon views and a crystal-clear river. The monument is 10 miles east or Alpine, Utah, on State Route 92.Clossed during winter. (801) 756-5238 nps.gov/tica

WASATCH MOUNTAIN STATE PARK

Year-round adventure awaits those who venture to Wasatch Mountain State Park. In summer, hiking, biking and camping are popular activities and, in winter, visitors can ski or snow mobile through the mountain terrain. The park is located 50 miles east of Salt Lake City off U.S. 40. (435) 6534-1791 stateparks.utah.gov/parks/Wasatch

CENTRAL UTAH

DEAD HORSE POINT STATE PARK

Take a stroll along the Rim Walk—2,000 feet above the Colorado River—for breathtaking views of southeastern Utah’s Canyon Country and the pinnacles and buttes of canyon lands National park. Park is located 32 miles from Moab on U.S. 191 and State Route 313. (435) 259-2614 stateparks.utah.gov/parks/dead-horse

FISHLAKE NATIONAL FOREST

Majestic stands of aspen encircle open mountain meadows in this beautiful mountain lake forest—the largest in Utah. Fishing and birdwatching are popular activities. Take 1-70 or State Highway 24, both of which provide access to the forest. (435) 896-9233 www.fs.usda.gov/fishlake

FLAMING GORGE NATIONAL RECREATION AREA

This area of Ashley National Forest is nestled along the border of Utah and Wyoming with 43 campgrounds, 91 water-miles and 360 miles of shoreline along the Flaming gorge Reservoir, this recreation area is a perfect weekend playground. From Vernal, Utah, take U.S. Highway 191 north for 43 miles (435) 789-1181 www.fs.usda.gov/ashley

CENTRAL UTAH (CONTINUED)

LITTLE SAHARA RECREATION AREA

Little Sahara is home to over 60,000 acres of sagebrush flats. Juniper-covered hills and free-moving sand dunes, including a 700-foot mountain of sand. Little Sahara is among Utah’s premier OHV areas A vehicle-free zone offers hiking and wildlife-watching opportunities From Nephi, travel 34 miles west on Highway 132 (435) 433-5960 blm.gov/ut

MANTI-LAL SAL NATIONAL FOREST

The mountains at Manti-La Sal National Forest provide island of green that rise above the desert below. The Manti division, the main recreational area, features high-elevation lakes, diverse vegetation and areas of scenic and geological interest. The forest is accessible at multiple points along State Route 10 (435) 637-2817 www.fs.usda.gov/mantilasal

SOUTHERN UTAH

OLD SPANISH NATIONAL HISTARIC TRAIL

This trail across remote deserts and mountains was primarily a horse and burro pack route between Santa Fe and Los Angeles, which developed partly from a network of America Indian and Hispanic trade routes. It crosses six states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico and Utah. (505) 988-6888 nps.gov/olsp

CEDAR BREAKS NATIONAL MONUMENT

Located 76 miles northeast of St. George on State Routes 14 and 148. Cedar Breaks is a two-mile natural amphitheater. Its exquisitely carved pinnacles. Spires and columns change color with the sun, making the scenery come alive. In winter, visitors can cross-country ski, snowshoe and snowmobile. (435) 586-9451 nps.gov/cebr

FOUR CORNERS MONUMENT

Located west of U.S. Highway 160, 40 miles southwest of Cortez, CO, this is the only place in the U.S. where four states—Arizona, New Mexico. Utah and Colorado—come together. Stand in all four states at the same time! The landmark is managed by the Navajo Nation (928)-206-2540 navajonationparks.org

GLEN CANYON NATIONAL RECREATION AREA

Together with Lake Powell, this area offers unparalleled opportunities for water-based and backcountry recreation, as well as scenic vistas, geological wonders and human history. Glen Canyon is also popular houseboating destination. It is located 68 miles south of Hanksville on state 95 and 276 (928) 608-6200 nps.gov/gica

SOUTHERN UTAH (CONTINUED)

GRAND STAIRCASE-ESCALANTE NATIONAL MONUMENT

This dramatic landscape embraces a spectacular array of scientific and historic resources. The high, rugged and remote region—with bold plateaus and multi-hued cliffs—was the last place in the continental U.S. to be mapped. It can be viewed from State Route 12 between Bryce Canyon and Boulder, Utah (435) b26 5499 ut.blm.gov/monument

HOVENWEEP NATIONAL MONUMET

Hovenweep showcase 10,000 years of habitation and protects five prehistoric, Pubeloan-era villages spread over a 20-miles expanse of mesa tops and canyons along the Utah-Colorado border. The monument is located 35 miles southeast of Blanding, Utah, on U.S. Highway 191 and State Route 262. (970) 562-4282. Ext. 10 nps.gov/hove

KODACHROME BASIN STATE PARK

At kodachrome Basin, see 180 million years of geological time in colorful sandstone. The color and beauty here prompted a 1948 National Geographic Society expedition to name the area after the popular color film. The park is located 9 miles south of cannoville, Utah, off Highway 12 (435)679-8562 stateparks.utah.gov/parks/kodachrome-basic

MONUMENT VALLEY NAVAJOTRIBAL PARK

This park preserve the Navajo way of life and showcase come of the Southwest’s most striking and recognizable landscape of sandstone buttes, mesas and spires that have been the backdrop for several film. It is located on the Utah-Arizona border, 25 miles south of Mexican Hat, Utah, on U.S.163. (435) 727-5874 navajonationparks.org

NATURAL BRIDEGES NATIONAL MONUMENT

Explore massive natural stone bridges, among the largest in the world that formed as meandering streams eroded canyon walls. Here you’ll also find some of the darkest night shies in the country and ranger-led star watching programs. The monument is 35 miles west of Blanding, Utah, via Highway 95   (435) 692-1234, ext. 16 nps.gov/nabr

RAIINBOW BRIDGE NATIONAL MONUMENT

Rainbow Bridge is the world’s largest known natural bridge and is considered sacred by neighboring American Indian tribes. Please visit this landmark with respect. Reach the bridge via a 50-mile boat ride from Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, or reach it by driving 68 miles south of Hanksville on Utah Highways 95 and 276. (928) 608-6200 nps.gov/rabr