| Page Views: 653 Last Visit to Utah: November, 2004 | Is this a great state, or what? by goingsolo - last update: Dec 16, 2004 |
Utah may not sound like the most appealing place to spend a vacation, but its an incredible state. The southern part of Utah contains several National Parks and some of the most scenic rock formations found anywhere. Park City, in central Utah is known for skiing, Moab for climbing and mountain biking and Salt Lake City, well, for being in the center of it all.
Utah's southern half is located along the Colorado Plateau. This is the area where Utah's 5 national parks are located and where red rocks and other colorful geologic phenomena are located. The southern mountains of Utah, such as the Pine Mountains shown in the picture, are not as large as, say, Colorado's 14ers. But the diversity of landscape- mountains mixed with red rocks and all that bare flatland in between, is pretty spectacular. |
|  | Utah's National Parks, especially Bryce Canyon National Park and Capitol Reef, are known for their unusual rock formations. Walking through these parks is like visiting a natural amusement park. There are rocks in all shapes and sizes. Its one of the things that makes Utah's landscape so unique. Zion National Park , Utah's southernmost park, is a narrow canyon carved by the Virgin River and flanked by high vertical walls. These imposing vertical structures are equally impressive |
There are so many wide open spaces in Utah to hike, bike and climb. Several of the national parks and national monuments have slot canyons which are fun to explore as well. Less well known are the many state parks, which are less crowded and sometimes even more enjoyable. Snow Canyon State Park, shown in the picture above, is located in the southern city of St. George, less than 2 hours from Las Vegas. Snow Canyon offers numerous opportunities for hiking, biking and climbing, not to mention spectacular wide open views and near solitude conditions. Near the Arizona border, pinkish colored sand dunes stretch outward against the backdrop of mountains that caused the dunes to form in the first place. You can see these dunes in the aptly named Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park. If you're doing the Grand Circle route, be sure to stop in and see Kodachrome Basin State Park. Granted, there are more than enough places to see rock formations and beautiful desert colors, but this tiny and relativelt uncrowded park is one not to be missed. | | |
> Add to your Custom Travel Guide [What's This?]
| Pros: | "Beautiful and unusual scenery" | | Cons: | "A lot of nothing in between the regions" | | In A Nutshell: | "A great place for an outdoor enthusiast" |
goingsolo's Utah Travel Tips
 Comments for goingsolo about Utah | | | | |
Segolily Sat Sep 2, 2006 19:38 UTC
Just some clarification. Utah is not a dry state Alcohol is just regulated. Beer is available at any grocery or convenience store or bar. Other types of alcohol must be purchased from a state liquor store, or from a restaurant with a license. | johngayton Mon Jul 31, 2006 15:57 UTC
Yes it is a spectacular state but.........Good for day trips though! | rtrickey Fri Nov 18, 2005 00:57 UTC
I am offended by your comment "Interestingly, Mormonism prohibits the consumption of alcohol, yet more babies are born in Utah than anywhere else in the country." Can you please explain what alcholisim has to do with birth rates? | Jeannette1 Mon Dec 13, 2004 21:42 UTC
Beautiful pics. I had no idea Utah had 6 National Parks. I'd love to go back to Utah in the winter. Must be spectacular! |
|
|
email me
add as friend
