From the magnificent stone formations in Arches National Park to the otherworldly Bonneville Salt Flats, Utah is one of America’s most incredible states. Home to 5 National Parks, 43 State Parks, and countless other incredible places to visit, there is something for every adventurer.

While I’m certainly no expert, I’ve traversed most of the state, completed some of the most popular hikes, and taken some amazing photographs. It’s worth doing your own research as I can't include all outdoor destinations in one blog post.

Zion

Let’s start in the Southwest Corner of the state. Washington County specifically. St. George is one of the fastest growing small cities in America, and for good reason. I’ve never been to a place with more access to outdoor recreation. Southern Utah is home to countless ATV, hiking, and mountain biking areas. Most notably, Zion National Park is about 45 minutes from the city.

Zion is home to Angel’s Landing, a hiking trail regarded as one of the best in the country. As a travel photographer, I typically shy away from the most popular places for two reasons. First, every photographer usually has a set of photographs from the most popular places. Just think about how many photographs of the Grand Canyon you have seen. Second, it’s almost always crowded at these places. While this is a secondary reservation I have about visiting places, I like to be in nature to get away from crowds. So for me to roll up to a place like Angel’s Landing with 400 other people defeats the purpose in my mind.

Thankfully, I visited in February. No large buses of people, no permit/lottery to get on the trail, and no waiting for others on narrow parts of the hike. Originally, I was going to do a different hike that had an overlook that would provide a more unique image. But as I drove past the Angel’s Landing trailhead, I couldn’t resist the urge. I knew I wouldn’t be back in Utah for some time, so why not check this hike off my list.

Side note - For those who are unfamiliar, numerous hikes and even entire national parks now sometimes require permits to enter. Angel’s Landing is one of the most popular hikes in the country. With so many people wanting to get on the trail, the NPS has enacted a lottery based selection system to limit overcrowding on the Angel’s Landing trail. More information can be found on the park website.

What a great decision that turned out to be. One of the photographs I snapped at the top turned out to be arguably my best image from the trip, I completed the most amount of elevation gain in a single hike that I had ever done, and I met some really awesome people on the hike that I still talk to! While challenging, this hike, and Zion in general, are worth a visit.

If the crowds are overwhelming, there are a lot of other state parks just a short drive away from Zion/St. George that are considerably less crowded. Snow Canyon, Coral Pink Sand Dunes, and Grand Staircase-Escalante are all worth checking out, particularly if you are into landscape photography, like myself. In truth, all of Southern Utah is worth researching. There are so many recreational areas to spend countless hours exploring.

Moab

Moab has quickly become a hub for outdoor activities, and it’s easy to see why. Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park, and Dead Horse State Point are all nearby. I haven’t had the opportunity to explore Canyonlands yet, but I’ve spent a day in Arches and the hype for this place is worth it. Delicate Arch is quite the place to visit and would make for some stunning astrophotography. Much like Angel’s Landing, Delicate Arch does require a permit during peak season now. Double Arch is another must see spot that is a lot more accessible for those who aren’t looking to complete a longer hike. With numerous eroded rock formations and arches to explore, this is a national park I want to spend more time in next time I visit.

Easily the least talked about area in the Moab is Dead Horse State Point. While it may not receive as many visitors as the two national parks in Moab, the views here are simply stunning. With decreased popularity comes smaller crowds and more room to explore in solitude. Definite bonus for someone like me. Fun fact, I almost got kicked out of Dead Horse for getting too close to the cliff edge. Similar in landscape to Canyonlands, Dead Horse is reminiscent of the Grand Canyon. Definitely not a place to skip.

Bryce Canyon/Cedar Breaks

Another destination that is often overshadowed by more accessible parks, Bryce Canyon is not a place to leave off your list of places to see in Utah. The Amphitheater at Bryce Canyon is one of the most astoundingly beautiful places in all of Utah. Sadly, this park had to be a quick stop as I drove off to Colorado. I think every traveler wishes they could spend more time in a number of places. This is one of those for me. There truly is no bad season to visit Utah. Winter may be the least crowded due to the drop in temperature, but winter looks exceptional in Bryce Canyon. The pinnacle rock formations with a coating of snow are out of this world. The oranges, reds, and browns pop even more with a layer of white.

Similar in appearance to Bryce Canyon, Cedar Breaks is a little less out of the way for those traveling on I-15. “Closed” in the winter, there is still at least one viewpoint that is accessible during the snowy months. Another place where winter weather only enhances its beauty, landscape photographers will have a blast photographing this place, especially at night or during golden hour.

Conclusion

I’ve traveled to almost every state in America and Utah would be a strong contender for my favorite state. From incredible vistas, to slot otherworldly hoodoos, Utah has an eclectic collection of desert and mountain landscapes that stack up to the best places across the globe. This blog post is not comprehensive. There are many other stunning places, such as the Wasatch Mountains and Goblin Valley that I haven’t explored enough to warrant writing about. With so much to explore, Utah should be at the top of any adventurers list of places to visit.

Travel Series - Utah

Travel Series - New York

Blue Ridge Parkway