Thinking of making big moves to Utah? This exciting landlocked state is filled with natural marvels and impressive nature. Bordering Colorado, Wyoming, Idaho, Arizona, and Nevada, Utah has a geographic bounty of mountains, plateaus, ridges, and salt flats. Known as the Beehive State from pioneers self-describing themselves as hard workers (like bees), Utah is a place loaded with opportunities to connect with the great outdoors (with many visitors and nature tourists every year)!
Check out the best state and national parks in Utah:
Dead Horse Point State Park
Google Rating: 4.8
The first order of nature exploring business? Dead Horse Point State Park. Don’t let the grim name fool you, the state park is known for its breathtaking views, including an impressive overlook of the Colorado River and Canyonlands National Park. With marvelous views of an astounding desert landscape, Dead Horse State Park is a sanctuary brimming with canyons, high desert woodlands, and many miles of trails. Bike, hike (dogs welcome!), camp, fish, golf, go off-roading and boating, stargaze, and enjoy museum programming.
Snow Canyon State Park
Google Rating: 4.8
Beautiful dunes and trails abound at Snow Canyon State Park. Slip into a world brimming with history and pure wonder: Tranquil trails wind through the state park, spot Navajo sandstone, and camp near ancient lava flows. Discover nine trails where you can go hiking, biking, or horseback riding. The trails also serve as overlooks for ancient lava and provide photography opportunities at this red-rock country oasis.
Goblin Valley State Park
Google Rating: 4.8
Next up, it’s time to take a tour of the esteemed Goblin Valley State Park. Take in natural mushroom-shaped foundations called hoodoos, also known as goblins. These goblins range in size and shape but can reach large heights. Snake through this valley that’s dotted with desert colors and hues, as you wind through its many walking or biking trails, snap photos (use of drones is allowed with a permit), mountain bike, play disc golf, and of course, stargaze under an amazing night sky.
Bear Lake State Park
Google Rating: 4.7
Head on over to Rich County and dive head first into the offerings at Bear Lake State Park. The park, which sits on the Bear Lake shore, borders Idaho and is near the Cache Mountain range. Visitors can experience a full day by the lake with swimming and watersports (think, jet skiing), plus take in recreations at three major hubs: Marina, Rendezvous Beach, and the Eastside. And that’s not all, take in the sights, picnic, camp, and more.
Wasatch Mountain State Park
Google Rating: 4.7
If you’re road-tripping from Denver, Colorado (the state park is 508 miles away), this special state park is a must-do. Take a trip to Wasatch Mountain State Park, a year-round sanctuary for visitors big and small. From rugged trails (perfect for mountain bikes and hikes) and scenic views to serene golf courses and delightful winter sports (hello, cross-country skiing), there’s something for everyone at every season of the year.
Kodachrome Basin State Park
Google Rating: 4.7
Living in Cedar City, Utah? Then you can’t miss this next spot on our list, Kodachrome Basin State Park. Let ancient nature—there are 67 monolithic spires—and rugged landscapes take hold. Swathed in color and texture, the place bursts with eye-catching sights and views so astounding that the state park got its moniker Kodachrome from the lush color film in 1948. Plan a new adventure with camping, horseback riding, walking, stargazing, and other delights.
Sand Hollow State Park
Google Rating: 4.6
A quick drive from Springdale, Utah (just 31 miles), you’ll find Sand Hollow State Park. Let colors blossom and collide with the calming waters, red sandstone, and clear, vibrant skies. The state park features a 1,332-acre reservoir, and lots of water-based activities. Boat, fish, kayak, or dive to your heart’s content. Plus, visitors can off-road and ride the dunes, hike, bike, pitch a tent, and camp under the stars.
Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park
Google Rating: 4.6
Looking for more thrills? Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park is just the ticket. Immerse yourself in the gorgeous pink sand dunes for a photo-perfect moment. Embark on a journey in a sea of moving—and awe-inspiring—pink sand that shifts shapes as the wind blows. Walk with wonder through the sand formations and trails, and if off-roading is your bag, trailblaze through pathways of adventure.
Palisade State Park
Google Rating: 4.6
It doesn’t get much better than a day well spent at Palisade State Park, a buzzy green area near the Palisade Reservoir. Explore lush turf, play a round of golf in a desert canyon, camp in a tent or an RV, hike the trail, kayak or go for a boat ride, fish, swim, rent an off-road vehicle, and loads more.
Antelope Island State Park
Google Rating: 4.6
A 44-mile trek from Farmington, Utah is Antelope Island State Park. Antelope Island is a 42-mile sanctuary for wildlife like bison, sheep, deer, antelope, and other desert-dwelling animals. Beyond wildlife spotting, an entire day’s adventure can be had at this state park. Walk a trail, mountain bike, or horseback ride down a path, take in 360-degree views, bird watch, and gaze out on island shores and lake scenes. Perhaps you’d like to swim in the lake or picnic lounge by the water, the choice is yours!
Bryce Canyon National Park
Google Rating: 4.9
Utah is simply blessed with many national parks. The first national park on our list? Bryce Canyon National Park, a rather large nature reserve that’s dotted with red, desert-cool goblins (aka, hoodoos), pink cliffs, and vistas. Famed for its lovely hiking trails, the national park is also a popular spot for camping, horseback riding, wildlife spotting, and other backcountry activities.
Zion National Park
Google Rating: 4.8
Utah is the land of many wonders, and Zion National Park takes the cake in this category. This nature preserve is much-loved for its steep canyons, red cliffs, and scenic overlooks. With beautiful forest trails and gorgeous rivers (that flow through to the Emerald Pools), eye-catching sights are at every turn. With flora and fauna plus amazing waterfalls, there are many sights to behold. Plan a day hike—pitch a tent or hunker down in a campground—and wind through the national park’s bevy of activities that include canyoneering, biking, hiking, rock climbing, and astonishing river trips.
Arches National Park
Google Rating: 4.8
Gaze upon the world’s natural sculptures at Arches National Park, a space bestowed with 2,000 natural stone arches and hundreds of other red stone shapes and formations. With many natural geological formations (including Balanced Rock), this national park is a hotbed for gorgeous hiking experiences that include marvelous scenic sunset views. Plan a trip to photograph natural wonders, backpack, go canyoneering, hike or bike a trail, rock climb, or horseback ride on a designated path.
Capitol Reef National Park
Google Rating: 4.8
Explore deep canyons and majestic cliffs at Capitol Reef National Park. Plus, there’s a marvelous monocline—aka, a wrinkle on the Earth—that extends for about 100 miles. With so many ways to explore Capitol Reef, start with these awesome highlights: camping, road touring, hiking, exploring orchards, and lots more.
Canyonlands National Park
Google Rating: 4.8
Last but certainly not least, add Canyonlands National Park to your must-see list. If you’re exploring Moab, this national park is just 30 miles away from the city. In this national park, enter a new dimension filled with red rocks and arches, all in a desert environment. The national park has a bounty of experiences: camping, hiking, star gazing, learning about history and culture, boating, horseback riding, rock climbing, and others.
The Beehive State
Considering a move to Utah? Check out our other articles on the best places to live and notable safe cities to call your next home. And when you’re ready to find your new home, you can find new listings every day at NewHomeSource.com.
*All parks have been ranked based on the criteria of popularity, distance from the closest major cities, violent crime, property crime, google ratings, and the number of google reviews.
Stephanie Valente is a Content Director and Editor in Brooklyn, NY. She’s previously held writing and social media positions at Barkbox, Men’s Journal, and currently works at a full-service advertising agency. She’s a self-confessed home and design enthusiast. Stephanie is an award-winning poet and fiction writer. When she’s offline, you can find her taking a yoga class, running, hanging out with her rescue dog Pepper. Find her on stephanievalente.com.
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