Utah is a landlocked state in the Mountain West subregion of the Western United States. It is one of the Four Corners states, sharing a border with Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico. It also borders Wyoming to the northeast, Idaho to the north, and Nevada to the west. Wikipedia
Capital: Salt Lake City
Nickname: The Beehive State
Known for: Red rock landscapes, national parks, skiing, and outdoor adventure
Spring (March–May): Great for desert hikes, blooming wildflowers, and fewer crowds.
Fall (September–October): Ideal temperatures, fall colors in mountain areas, and fewer tourists.
Summer (June–August): Hot in the desert, but good for alpine hikes and high-elevation destinations.
Winter (December–February): Prime ski season in Park City, Alta, Snowbird, and more.
By Air:
Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC): Main gateway to the state.
Regional airports: St. George (SGU), Moab (CNY), Cedar City (CDC).
By Car:
I-15 runs north-south through the state, connecting major cities.
Scenic Byways:
Highway 12 (All-American Road through Bryce and Escalante)
Scenic Byway 24 (Capitol Reef area)
The Mighty 5 National Parks:
Zion National Park: Towering sandstone cliffs, The Narrows, Angel’s Landing.
Bryce Canyon National Park: Famous for hoodoos and natural amphitheaters.
Arches National Park: Over 2,000 natural rock arches near Moab.
Canyonlands National Park: Deep canyons and desert plateaus.
Capitol Reef National Park: Stunning cliffs and orchards.
Salt Lake City:
Temple Square
Natural History Museum of Utah
Hogle Zoo
Nearby ski resorts within 30–45 minutes
Park City:
Skiing & snowboarding
Sundance Film Festival
Historic Main Street with shops and restaurants
Bonneville Salt Flats: Surreal white landscape used for land speed records.
Monument Valley (Navajo Nation): Iconic red mesas and buttes—perfect for photography.
Hiking & backpacking: The Narrows, Angels Landing, Delicate Arch, and Rim Trail.
Rock climbing: Especially around Moab and Zion.
Mountain biking: Slickrock Trail (Moab) is world-famous.
Skiing & snowboarding: Park City, Deer Valley, Snowbird, Alta, and Brighton.
River rafting & kayaking: Green River, Colorado River, and Cataract Canyon.
Camping & stargazing: Dark sky parks like Bryce, Capitol Reef, and Dead Horse Point.
Luxury:
Amangiri (Canyon Point): Ultra-luxury desert retreat.
Montage Deer Valley (Park City): Ski-in/ski-out luxury lodge.
Mid-range:
Hotels in Salt Lake City, Moab, St. George, and Springdale (Zion).
Boutique inns in Park City and Escalante.
Budget:
Motels and lodges near national parks.
State park campgrounds and BLM land for cheaper stays.
Unique:
Glamping tents and yurts near Moab, Bryce, and Zion.
Airstream trailers and tiny homes in desert locations.
Must-Try Utah Foods:
Fry sauce: A Utah favorite (mayo + ketchup combo).
Funeral potatoes: Cheesy casserole often seen at potlucks.
Pastries from Lehi Roller Mills
Utah scones: Deep-fried dough served with honey butter.
Jello (especially lime) — Utah has the highest per capita consumption.
Top Restaurants:
Hell’s Backbone Grill (Boulder): Farm-to-table near Grand Staircase-Escalante.
Forage (Salt Lake City): Elevated New American cuisine.
Zion Pizza & Noodle Co. (Springdale): Perfect post-hike meal.
Moab Brewery: Local favorite with pub fare and craft beer.
Outdoor adventure: Utahns love hiking, skiing, biking, and camping.
Strong sense of community: Especially in smaller towns and LDS-influenced areas.
Mormon heritage: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has a large presence—historical and cultural influence statewide.
Art & film: Park City is a cultural hub, especially during Sundance Film Festival.
Native American heritage: Especially in the Four Corners and Monument Valley region.