Here are some great day trips you can enjoy throughout Utah:
From Salt Lake City Area:
- Antelope Island State Park (about 1 hour from Salt Lake City)
- Highlights: Wildlife viewing (bison, antelope), hiking trails, beaches on the Great Salt Lake, sunset views.
- Park City (40 minutes from Salt Lake City)
- Highlights: Historic Main Street, galleries, shopping, dining, hiking, mountain biking, scenic chairlift rides.
- Big Cottonwood Canyon & Little Cottonwood Canyon (30 minutes from Salt Lake City)
- Highlights: Beautiful hiking trails (Lake Blanche, Cecret Lake), wildflowers, skiing and snowboarding in winter, scenic drives.
Northern Utah:
- Bear Lake (2.5 hours from Salt Lake City)
- Highlights: Beautiful blue waters, raspberry shakes, swimming, boating, paddle boarding, beaches.
- Logan Canyon & Logan City (1.5 hours from Salt Lake City)
- Highlights: Scenic drive, hiking trails, waterfalls, caves, charming downtown Logan with historic sites and eateries.
- Golden Spike National Historical Park (1.5 hours from Salt Lake City)
- Highlights: History of transcontinental railroad, interactive exhibits, reenactments.
Central & Southern Utah:
- Sundance Resort & Provo Canyon (1 hour from Salt Lake City)
- Highlights: Hiking to Bridal Veil Falls, scenic drives, horseback riding, skiing, Sundance Mountain Resort activities.
- Timpanogos Cave National Monument (45 minutes from Salt Lake City)
- Highlights: Guided cave tours, stunning formations, scenic hiking trails, panoramic views.
- Goblin Valley State Park (3.5 hours from Salt Lake City)
- Highlights: Unique sandstone formations, hiking, stargazing, otherworldly landscape ideal for photography.
- Capitol Reef National Park (about 3.5 hours from Salt Lake City)
- Highlights: Scenic drives, hiking trails (Hickman Bridge, Cassidy Arch), historic orchards, petroglyphs.
Southern Utah (from St. George area):
- Zion National Park (1 hour from St. George)
- Highlights: Famous hikes like Angels Landing, The Narrows, scenic drives, biking, wildlife viewing.
- Bryce Canyon National Park (2 hours from St. George)
- Highlights: Unique hoodoo formations, sunrise and sunset viewing, hiking trails (Queen’s Garden, Navajo Loop).
- Snow Canyon State Park (20 minutes from St. George)
- Highlights: Red rock formations, lava tubes, sand dunes, hiking, biking.
- Kanarra Falls (40 minutes from St. George)
- Highlights: Slot canyon hike, waterfalls, stunning photography opportunities.
Eastern Utah:
- Moab: Arches & Canyonlands National Parks (4 hours from Salt Lake City)
- Highlights: Iconic hikes (Delicate Arch, Mesa Arch), scenic drives, off-roading, mountain biking, Colorado River rafting.
Here’s an expanded list with 10 day trips for each region in Utah, giving you plenty of great options for exploration:
Northern Utah (near Salt Lake City, Ogden, Logan):
- Antelope Island State Park – Wildlife, hiking, sunsets.
- Park City & Olympic Park – Historic town, Alpine slides, ziplining, museums.
- Ogden Valley & Pineview Reservoir – Boating, fishing, hiking trails, Snowbasin Resort.
- Bear Lake – Beach fun, raspberry shakes, watersports.
- Golden Spike National Historical Park – Railroad history, reenactments.
- Logan Canyon & Wind Caves – Scenic drives, hiking trails, caves.
- Crystal Hot Springs (Honeyville) – Natural mineral hot springs.
- Brigham City & Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge – Bird-watching, scenic drives.
- Hill Aerospace Museum (near Layton) – Aviation history, interactive exhibits.
- Causey Reservoir & Wheeler Creek Trail – Kayaking, hiking, fall foliage.
Wasatch Front & Central Utah (Provo, Salt Lake, Utah Valley):
- Timpanogos Cave National Monument – Guided cave tours, hiking.
- Provo Canyon & Bridal Veil Falls – Scenic drive, waterfall, trails.
- Sundance Mountain Resort – Ziplining, hiking, mountain biking, scenic chairlift.
- Thanksgiving Point (Lehi) – Gardens, museums, Butterfly Biosphere, farm.
- Mount Nebo Scenic Loop – Spectacular views, hikes, camping.
- Heber Valley Railroad & Midway – Scenic historic train ride, hot springs crater.
- American Fork Canyon & Tibble Fork Reservoir – Fishing, hiking, scenic drives.
- Alpine Loop Scenic Byway – Fall foliage, views, hiking trails.
- Yuba State Park – Boating, swimming, sandy beaches.
- Springville Art Museum & Hobble Creek Canyon – Art exhibits, scenic drives, hikes.
Southern Utah (St. George, Cedar City, Kanab):
- Zion National Park – Angels Landing, The Narrows, scenic drives.
- Bryce Canyon National Park – Hoodoos, hiking trails, sunset points.
- Snow Canyon State Park – Lava tubes, red-rock hiking, photography.
- Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park – Sandboarding, ATV riding, scenic photography.
- Kanarra Falls – Slot canyon, waterfalls.
- Gunlock State Park & Reservoir – Swimming, waterfalls (seasonal), kayaking.
- Kolob Canyons (part of Zion NP) – Hiking trails, dramatic cliffs, solitude.
- Valley of Fire State Park (just over Nevada border) – Stunning sandstone formations.
- Cedar Breaks National Monument – Spectacular views, wildflowers, stargazing.
- Parowan Gap Petroglyphs & Brian Head Resort – Ancient rock art, scenic mountain views.
Eastern Utah (Moab & Vernal area):
- Arches National Park – Delicate Arch, Devil’s Garden, scenic drives.
- Canyonlands National Park (Island in the Sky) – Mesa Arch, Grand View Point.
- Dead Horse Point State Park – Iconic viewpoints, mountain biking.
- Goblin Valley State Park – Unique hoodoo rock formations.
- Dinosaur National Monument (Vernal/Jensen) – Dinosaur fossils, river rafting, hiking.
- Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area – Boating, fishing, stunning canyon views.
- Fisher Towers (near Moab) – Hiking, rock climbing, spectacular scenery.
- Corona Arch Hike (Moab area) – Large natural arch, easy hike.
- Nine Mile Canyon (Price) – Ancient petroglyphs, scenic drive.
- Little Wild Horse Canyon (near Goblin Valley) – Slot canyon hiking, photography.
Southwestern Utah (Richfield, Capitol Reef, Torrey):
- Capitol Reef National Park – Scenic drives, hiking, orchards.
- Fishlake National Forest & Pando (the giant aspen grove) – Fishing, hiking, scenic views.
- Fremont Indian State Park – Petroglyphs, trails, museum.
- Calf Creek Falls (Grand Staircase-Escalante) – Waterfalls, hiking, swimming holes.
- Kodachrome Basin State Park – Unique rock formations, photography, trails.
- Escalante Petrified Forest State Park – Petrified wood, reservoir, hiking.
- Anasazi State Park Museum (Boulder) – Ancient Puebloan history.
- Scenic Byway 12 – One of America’s most scenic drives, amazing viewpoints.
- Red Canyon (near Bryce) – Scenic hikes, photography, hoodoos.
- Burr Trail Scenic Backway – Stunning vistas, slot canyons, off-the-beaten-path exploring.
Here’s a detailed list of budget-friendly day trips across each region in Utah, perfect for exploring without breaking the bank:
🔹 Northern Utah (Salt Lake, Ogden, Logan)
- Liberty Park & Tracy Aviary (Salt Lake City) – Free entry to park, small aviary fee.
- Antelope Island State Park – Affordable entrance, wildlife viewing, trails.
- Ensign Peak (Salt Lake City) – Short, easy hike with panoramic views (free).
- Ogden River Parkway – Bike or walk along the scenic riverside (free).
- Hill Aerospace Museum (Roy) – Impressive free aviation exhibits.
- Brigham City – Historic downtown exploration and bird refuge visits (free).
- Bonneville Shoreline Trail – Scenic hikes and biking trails (free).
- Logan Canyon & Wind Caves hike – Stunning views, free hiking trails.
- Causey Reservoir – Hiking, swimming, kayaking (no entrance fee).
- Farmington Pond & Lagoon Trail – Relaxing scenic strolls, free picnic spots.
🔸 Wasatch Front & Central Utah (Provo, Salt Lake Valley, Utah Valley)
- Bridal Veil Falls (Provo Canyon) – Free, scenic waterfall hike.
- Y Mountain Trail (Provo) – Iconic local hike, free, panoramic views.
- Utah Lake State Park – Inexpensive entry, fishing, picnics, birdwatching.
- Thanksgiving Point Gardens (Lehi) – Affordable entrance fees, beautiful gardens.
- Jordan River Parkway Trail – Free paved walking/biking paths.
- Provo River Parkway Trail – Free scenic walks, cycling, wildlife viewing.
- Battle Creek Falls (Pleasant Grove) – Easy hike, beautiful waterfall, free.
- Payson Lakes & Nebo Loop Scenic Drive – Affordable day-use fee, great for picnics and swimming.
- Springville Museum of Art – Free entrance, impressive art exhibits.
- Cascade Springs (Alpine Loop) – Scenic boardwalk trails, minimal fee or free.
🔹 Southern Utah (St. George, Cedar City, Kanab)
- Snow Canyon State Park – Low-cost entry, hiking, scenic views.
- Pioneer Park & Dixie Rock (St. George) – Free entry, great views, photography.
- Red Cliffs Recreation Area (near Leeds) – Affordable entry, waterfalls, hikes.
- Historic Downtown St. George – Free historic sites, art galleries.
- Kolob Canyons (Zion NP) – Affordable entry, stunning views and hikes.
- Parowan Gap Petroglyphs – Free ancient rock-art site.
- Kanarra Falls (Kanarraville) – Small permit fee for beautiful waterfall hikes.
- Toquerville Falls – Free 4WD adventure, waterfalls, swimming.
- Cedar Breaks National Monument – Low entry cost, scenic drives and hikes.
- Sand Hollow State Park (day-use) – Affordable, swimming and beach recreation.
🔸 Eastern Utah (Moab, Vernal, Price)
- Corona Arch Hike (near Moab) – Free access, incredible natural arch.
- Potash Road Scenic Drive (Moab) – Free petroglyphs, dinosaur tracks.
- Wilson Arch (near Moab) – Easy roadside hike, free.
- Fisher Towers Trail – Free hiking, spectacular rock formations.
- Mill Creek Falls Trail (Moab) – Free access, swimming holes.
- Nine Mile Canyon (Price) – Free petroglyph viewing, scenic drives.
- Steinaker State Park (Vernal) – Affordable entry, fishing, swimming.
- McConkie Ranch Petroglyphs (Vernal) – Small donation-based entry.
- Fantasy Canyon (Vernal) – Free, unique rock formations.
- Green River State Park – Low-cost entry, riverside trails and picnics.
🔹 Southwestern & South-central Utah (Richfield, Capitol Reef, Torrey)
- Capitol Reef National Park – Fruita Area – Low-cost entry, orchards, historic sites.
- Fishlake National Forest & Pando – Free hiking, viewing largest living organism (aspen grove).
- Red Canyon (near Bryce Canyon) – Free access, great hiking trails.
- Otter Creek State Park – Inexpensive day-use fees, fishing, swimming, picnicking.
- Fremont Indian State Park – Affordable museum entry, historic hikes.
- Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument – Free access, scenic drives, hikes.
- Calf Creek Falls Trail – Minimal fee, beautiful waterfall hike.
- Escalante Petrified Forest State Park – Affordable, educational trails.
- Kodachrome Basin State Park – Low-cost entry, hiking, photography.
- Bullion Falls Trail (near Marysvale) – Free hike, beautiful waterfall.
These budget-friendly day trips offer Utah’s spectacular scenery, outdoor adventures, historic explorations, and relaxing activities, all at little to no cost.
Here’s a carefully curated list of 10 budget-friendly, lesser-known day trips in each region of Utah. These hidden gems offer quieter experiences off the beaten path:
🍃 Northern Utah (Salt Lake, Ogden, Logan)
- Farmington Creek Trail & Waterfall – Quiet, free waterfall hike near Lagoon.
- Willard Bay State Park (North Marina) – Low-cost access, swimming, picnics, quiet shoreline.
- Mantua Reservoir – Free scenic views, fishing, walking paths.
- North Fork Park (Ogden Valley) – Free access, quiet hikes, scenic picnic spots.
- Tony Grove Lake (Logan Canyon) – Affordable access, hiking, picturesque lake.
- Echo Reservoir (Coalville) – Quiet watersports, affordable day-use.
- Spiral Jetty (Great Salt Lake) – Free iconic art installation, scenic solitude.
- Fort Buenaventura (Ogden) – Affordable historic fort and nature trails.
- Bountiful Lake – Quiet spot, free access, fishing and walking trails.
- Birdsong Trail (Ogden) – Free, lesser-known hike with beautiful views.
🌾 Wasatch Front & Central Utah (Provo, Utah Valley, Salt Lake Valley)
- Rock Canyon (Provo) – Free access, scenic trails, rock climbing.
- Maple Lake (Payson Canyon) – Quiet, low-cost fishing and picnics.
- Devil’s Kitchen (Nebo Scenic Loop) – Free hike, unique rock formations.
- Silver Lake Flat Reservoir (American Fork Canyon) – Low-cost entry, quiet scenic lake.
- Dripping Rock Trail (Spanish Fork) – Short, free hike with a refreshing waterfall.
- Fifth Water Hot Springs (Diamond Fork) – Free natural hot springs hike.
- Big Springs Trail (Provo Canyon) – Quiet hike, free trail, family-friendly.
- Blackridge Reservoir (Herriman) – Free, quiet local swimming hole and trails.
- Santaquin Canyon – Free scenic drives, quiet hikes, wildflowers.
- Hobble Creek Canyon (Springville) – Free scenic hikes, quiet picnic spots.
🌵 Southern Utah (St. George, Cedar City, Kanab)
- Red Reef Trail (Red Cliffs Recreation Area) – Affordable entry, quiet slot canyon hike.
- Babylon Arch Trail (Leeds) – Free, scenic desert hike to a natural arch.
- Anasazi Valley Trail (Ivins) – Free hike with petroglyphs and views.
- Pine Valley Recreation Area – Low-cost entry, cooler mountain trails.
- Grafton Ghost Town (Rockville) – Free historic town exploration.
- Water Canyon (near Hildale) – Free, lesser-known canyon hike and scenic vistas.
- Three Peaks Recreation Area (Cedar City) – Free entry, quiet hiking, biking, bouldering.
- Little Black Mountain Petroglyph Site (St. George) – Free petroglyph viewing.
- Baker Dam Recreation Area – Quiet, inexpensive, fishing, short trails.
- Cinder Cone Trail (Snow Canyon) – Affordable entry, lesser-known volcanic hike.
🌄 Eastern Utah (Moab, Vernal, Price)
- Moonshine Arch (near Vernal) – Free, quiet hike to scenic arch.
- Sego Canyon Petroglyphs (near Green River) – Free ancient art viewing.
- Ken’s Lake Recreation Area (Moab) – Low-cost entry, quiet trails, swimming.
- Buckhorn Wash Road (San Rafael Swell) – Free petroglyph panels, scenic drives.
- Joes Valley Reservoir (near Orangeville) – Quiet lake recreation, affordable fishing, hiking.
- Sand Flats Recreation Area (Moab) – Low entry, hiking and scenic solitude away from crowds.
- Wedge Overlook (San Rafael Swell) – Free, incredible canyon views, quiet trails.
- Red Fleet State Park Dinosaur Trackway (Vernal) – Affordable entry, dinosaur tracks hike.
- Thompson Springs Ghost Town – Free exploration, old-west atmosphere.
- Professor Valley (Moab area) – Scenic drives and hikes away from Arches’ crowds (free).
🏜️ Southwestern & South-central Utah (Richfield, Capitol Reef, Torrey)
- Sunglow Trail & campground (near Bicknell) – Quiet trail to unique formations, minimal cost.
- Meadow Hot Springs (near Fillmore) – Free natural hot springs.
- Palisade State Park (Sterling) – Affordable lake swimming, relaxing scenery.
- Bullion Canyon & Miner’s Park (Marysvale) – Free mining-history hikes.
- Lower Calf Creek Falls (Escalante area) – Low-cost, spectacular waterfall hike.
- Fish Lake Scenic Drive & Koosharem Reservoir – Free scenic drive, quiet fishing spots.
- Cottonwood Canyon Road (Grand Staircase-Escalante) – Free scenic backroad drives and hikes.
- Boulder Mail Trail (Escalante/Boulder) – Quiet, historic hiking trail.
- Otter Creek State Park (near Antimony) – Inexpensive fishing and picnicking, fewer crowds.
- Hell’s Backbone Scenic Drive (near Boulder) – Free, lesser-known dramatic scenic road.
These budget-friendly, lesser-known adventures offer quiet escapes and authentic Utah experiences away from the usual crowds.