Utah holidays

With Arches National Park on its doorstep, Moab’s otherworldly landscapes go hand in hand with outdoor adventures. And it’s all sprinkled with a little Southwestern charm.

Home to one of the most iconic film festivals in the world, this former silver-mining town boasts luxury lodges, top-rated restaurants and some of the state’s best ski runs.

Just an hour from the jagged peaks of the Wasatch Mountains, Utah’s capital keeps you guessing with trendy cafes, cool bookshops and a thriving arts scene.

Utah’s five national parks are packed with stunning hikes. Bryce Canyon National Park is famous for its ‘hoodoos’ (rock pillars), best seen along the Rim Trail. In Arches National Park, take a ranger-led hike through Fiery Furnace’s slot canyons, boulders and arches. Zion National Park offers epic trails among red-and-white cliffs, lush greenery and natural springs.

There are plenty of things to do in Utah for thrill seekers. Rent a sandboard and zoom down the rosy-hued slopes at Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park. Try mountain biking on McCoy Flats’ beginner-friendly trails. Or, if you’re an experienced rider, tackle Slickrock’s challenging terrain. In winter, the Wasatch Range turns into a snowy paradise for skiing and snowboarding.

Utah has been home to Indigenous people for more than 10,000 years. At This Is The Place Heritage Park, learn about Native American cultures in a replica village featuring traditional structures like a tipi and a medicine wheel for healing. Or hike Horseshoe Canyon to marvel at Native American rock art created thousands of years ago.

Despite being landlocked, there are a handful of great beaches in Utah. Sand Hollow State Park is known for its reddish-orange sand overlooking a deep blue reservoir where you can waterski, wakeboard or kayak. At Antelope Island State Park, float in water up to seven times saltier than the sea. For family-friendly beaches and turquoise waters, head to Bear Lake.

Utah’s natural beauty goes beyond ‘The Mighty 5’. Explore the snow-white expanses of Bonneville Salt Flats or admire Monument Valley’s soaring sandstone pinnacles and buttes. Take a boat trip through Lake Powell, framed by crimson cliffs and surreal rock formations like Rainbow Bridge. At night, Utah shines bright with some of the best stargazing conditions on Earth.

You’ll find an eclectic mix of restaurants in Utah’s capital, from ramen bars to taco joints to Old West–style saloons. Look out for local favourites like the delicious (but morbidly named) ‘funeral potatoes’, a cheesy potato casserole with a cornflake crust. Don’t miss fry bread, a traditional Indigenous flatbread. For dessert, try the sweet version soaked in honey butter and dusted with cinnamon sugar.

In the Great Salt Lake, ‘Spiral Jetty’ is a famous piece of land art created by Robert Smithson in 1970 from nearly 6,000 tonnes of basalt rock. Salt Lake City’s Temple Square offers a fascinating glimpse into Mormon history through the Salt Lake Temple and Mormon Tabernacle. And the Native Voices exhibit at the Natural History Museum of Utah gives insight into local Indigenous cultures.

The ‘Beehive State’ is breathtaking year-round. Spring is the best time to visit Utah for hiking at lower elevations, with pleasant temperatures and gushing waterfalls thanks to melting snow. Summer offers ideal conditions for high-elevation hikes and cooling off in lakes. Or visit in winter to tear up the slopes at famous ski resorts like Park City Mountain and Snowbird.

Cheap holidays to Utah are very doable, especially if you visit off-season and focus on outdoor activities like hiking and mountain biking. After a day of exploring, you can enjoy a cheap meal for less than 20 US dollars ($) and a local beer for $6. A cup of coffee will cost around $5. Tired legs? Take a short taxi ride for around $7.