Activities

Utah Skiing and Snow Boarding

If you've heard amazing ski stories about Utah's incredible snow… believe them. Better yet, come try it for yourself. Ski Utah. It truly is the "Greatest Snow On Earth!"

With an average of 500 annual inches of Utah dry, powder snow, you can be assured you will find great snow conditions on some of the most challenging slopes in the world. Whether you like deep fluffy powder or nicely groomed slopes, we have it!

Utah ski resorts and snowboard resorts make the ultimate winter vacation destinations. There are 14 resorts to choose from-- seven are less than an hour away from the Salt Lake City International Airport.

Salt Lake Resorts
Alta Ski Resort
Brighton Ski Resort
Snowbird
Solitude

Park City Resorts
Deer Valley
Park City Mountain
The Canyons
Sundance (Provo Canyon)

Northern Resorts
Beaver Mountain
Powder Mountain
Snowbasin
Wolf Creek

Southern Resorts
Brian Head
Eagle Point

You can find ski-in, ski-out accommodations right at the resorts or stay in nearby cities with nightlife, restaurants and entertainment. Most resorts offer spa services to end the perfect day. Each resort is unique. Most are located within a few minutes of Salt Lake International Airport. ( mileage chart .) Our resorts have evolved into four-season playgrounds. During summer and fall they offer exceptional hiking, biking and other activities.

Snowmobile

Are you an experienced snowmobiler looking for backcountry play areas? Utah's got some of the best in the world! If you have your own machines, bring them up and enjoy sledding on our top-rated trails.

Or do you just want to rent machines for a day and let a guide take you on a scenic tour along a well-groomed trail? We've got that too!

If you are here on a ski vacation, or for any other reason, consider taking a day (or even a half-day) and enjoying a snowmobile adventure.

Featured Guide/Outfitter
Thousand Peaks Snowmobile Adventures
Daniels Summit Lodge
Lofty Peaks Adventures

See our complete list of guide and rental companies .

White Water Rafting

Utah rivers offer some of the world's best white water rafting, with trips to match virtually any schedule and appetite for adventure.

The Green and Colorado Rivers cut across Utah providing all levels of rafting excitement with rapids from Class I to Class V. Relax, enjoy the scenery and stage water fights on easy, flatwater sections like Fisher Towers or Labyrinth Canyon. Feel the excitement of riding the unique "sand waves" on the San Juan River . Challenge the powerful whitewater in Westwater , Lodore and other famous canyons. Hang on for dear life in Grand and Cataract canyons, over infamous drops like Satan's Gut, Little Niagara and Lava Falls.

Professional guides will provide proper equipment and make sure your trip is safe and enjoyable. On multi-day trips, participants camp on the river's edge, usually on sandy beaches in scenic areas. Most guides are accomplished chefs and provide exquisite meals. Also see our information on planning for a rafting trip and our suggested packing list .

River trips are about more than whitewater and excitement. Most allow participants to explore scenic, historic and archaeological sites and to learn about river lore, geology and the environment. It is great fun to swim in a crystal clear waterfall, explore 1000 year old Anasazi ruins and hike to scenic viewpoints overlooking this classic canyon country landscape. Most of all, trips are about having fun breaking free from the pressures of modern life. You may never want to return home.

Camping

With over 7,000 improved campsites and virtually unlimited primitive camping, few states can compete with the variety of camping opportunities found in Utah. Highlights include alpine camping in the Uinta highlands or one of the many other high mountain ranges; desert camping among the cacti and Manzanita brush of Utah's red rock country; boat camping on Lake Powell, Flaming Gorge, or one of the many other lakes and reservoirs; primitive camping in a wilderness area, or a more civilized put-in at one of the state's national parks, national forests or state parks.

So many choices
With so many camping opportunities available, one of the most difficult aspects of Utah camping can be deciding where to go. The easiest way to narrow your selection is to first determine what you want to do there: fish, hike, mountain bike, boat, raft, etc. Some areas, like the national parks, lend themselves more to hiking than fishing. Other camping areas offer both. Many of the camping areas require that you make a reservation or buy a permit to camp there. Limits on length of stay may vary as well, so make sure you inquire when you look into reservations.

Next, determine what amenities you want in your preferred campsite. Amenities will vary from campground to campground. Do you want an improved campsite with barbecue grills, running water and toilets? Or would you prefer an unimproved campground with only a fire pit. (Beware: Some campgrounds don't allow open pit fires.) Some facilities may even include hot showers and full utility hookups. The Regional Campground Directory later in this book lists the amenities available at each campground.

Our campground database allows you to search by location and then view facilities available at each campground. You can also book many campgrounds online.

Learn about health and safety issues relating to travel and recreation.

Boating in Utah

For a state with vast stretches of desert, Utah has a surprising number of lakes and reservoirs. In fact, Utah is ranked sixth in the U.S. for amount of boatable water per capita. Not bad for the second dryest state in the nation.

Our waters are wonderfully diverse. Boating opportunities range from houseboat vacations on sprawling Lake Powell to fishing boat trips on small, high mountain lakes in our forested mountains.

Utah offers over 100 bodies of water that are considered boatable. We describe the most popular below. All have developed boat ramps and other modern facilities. Excellent campgrounds are available at each of these waters. Elevations and surface acres are approximate and are for full pool.

Use these links for additional information on:

Boating rules and regulations
Current boating conditions
Other boating information

Lake Powell is our most popular boating water. It offers sunny skies, sandy beaches, scenic canyons and excellent opportunities for skiing, fishing and personal watercraft. Excellent launch ramps and boat rentals are available at major marinas. Part of this reservoir extends into Arizona.
Elevation: 3,700 ft
Surface acres: 160,000

Flaming Gorge is also a huge reservoir where boating is very popular. Houseboats are available here and it is easy to escape to a secluded cove. "The Gorge" is bordered by forested mountains in spots and has sandy beaches in other areas. It offers excellent powerboating, skiing and world-class fishing. Top-notch facilities and boat rentals are available. Part of this reservoir extends into Wyoming.
Elevation: 6,053 ft
Surface acres: 42,020

Bear Lake is a beautiful natural lake with Caribbean-like cobalt blue water. It offers excellent powerboating, sailing, skiing, fishing and diving. Part of this lake extends into Idaho.
Elevation: 5,920 ft
Surface Acres: 70,000

Jordanelle Reservoir is a popular playground close to the Salt Lake metro area. On summer weekends the number of craft on the water is restricted to insure a quality experience. This water is excellent for powerboating, skiing, personal watercraft and fishing.
Elevation: 6,200 ft
Surface Acres: 3,300

Deer Creek Reservoir is also close to the SL metro area and is popular for powerboating, skiing, personal watercraft, sailing and fishing.
Elevation: 5,423 feet
Surface Acres: 2,965

Willard Bay Reservoir is located on the edge of the Great Salt Lake, just north of Ogden. It is very popular for powerboating, skiing, personal watercraft and fishing.
Elevation: 4,236 ft
Surface Acres: 2,870

Utah Lake is located just west of Provo, in the metro area. It is a shallow lake suitable for Powerboating, skiing and fishing.
Elevation: 4,488 ft
Surface Acres: 96,900

Yuba Lake is located about 25 miles south of Nephi, just east of I-15. It offers warm water, sandy beaches and great conditions for skiing and other water sports. It is one of the few waters in Utah offering boat-in camping. It is also a popular fishery for walleye, perch, trout and pike.
Elevation 5,100 ft
Surface Acres: 11000

Quail Creek Reservoir is an extremely popular water playground near St. George. It is great for powerboating and personal watercraft; launch restrictions control the number of vessels on the water to provide a quality experience. Fishing is good during the winter. Powerboaters push fishermen off the water during the summer, but fishing can be good very early on summer mornings.
Elevation: 2,900 ft
Surface Acres: 590

Sand Hollow Reservoir is also located near St. George. It is the newest reservoir in Utah's system and is rapidly becoming one of the most popular. It is set amid sand dunes and rocky cliffs, which provide gorgeous scenery and fun play areas. Restrictions control the number of craft on the water. Fishing is good but powerboaters dominate so fishermen usually choose to hit the water very early.
Elevation: 2,900 ft
Surface Acres: 1,000

Pineview Reservoir is in a mountain valley east of Ogden, where it has some protection from the wind. Water is often glassy and ideal for skiing. It is also a very popular fishery.
Elevation: 4,900
Surface Acres: 2,870

Strawberry Reservoir is perhaps the most popular fishing water in Utah. It grows big rainbows, cutthroat trout and kokanee salmon. It is located at a high elevation and the water is cold, so most boating activity revolves around fishing.
Elevation: 7,560 ft
Surface Acres: 17,200

Great Salt Lake is Utah's largest body of water in terms of surface area. It is shallow but provides excellent conditions for sail boating. Most powerboaters ignore the lake; that's too bad because powerboats can operate there without any problem if they simply flush salt water from their engines after completing their outings. The Great Salt Lake is perhaps Utah's most under-utilized playground.
Elevation: 4,200 ft
Surface Acres: 960,000

Biking

A Utah bike trip will color your thinking forever, whether it's a wide open desert ride with spectacular red rock vistas or a lush green mountain trail lined with yellow wild flowers. Utah developed a world class reputation from Moab's famous Slickrock Trail and is fast becoming known for wonderfully diverse alpine mountain biking, including lift-served access at some ski resorts. And you don't have to be a shin-scarred off-road radical to enjoy Utah on wheels.

All you need is a love for beautiful scenery and invigorating outdoor activity.

For example, the quaint resort town of Park City features literally hundreds of inviting trails that lead riders past colorful vestiges of the area's silver mining history into the Wasatch Mountain range. Many of these trails are accessible via the very same lifts that take skiers throughout the area's three resorts in wintertime.

Hiking and Backpacking

We are creating a database of hiking trails, including information, maps and photos. It is organized by destination and includes:

The best way to experience the diverse landscapes of Utah is by walking through them. Utah has some very remote areas that are accessible only to serious backpackers, but routes to other stunningly beautiful scenes are merely "pleasant walks." You'll find that once you get off the beaten path on foot, or even on horseback , Utah's mountains and deserts will "open up" for you in unexpected ways.

We also have specific information on Utah's five prominent hiking regions:

The Utah section of the Great Western Trail provides great opportunities for hiking, snowmobiling, ATVing and other activities. It runs north/south through the center of the state.

Some of Utah's bike trails are also great for hiking.

Utah's excellent guides and outfitters can truly enhance your adventures. Guided hiking trips vary from half-day hiking clinics to multi-day backpacking expeditions. Specialty walking tours focus on ecology, history, geology, or archaeology. Many ranches statewide even provide the chance to do your wandering on horseback, for an hour, or a day, or several days. View a list of Utah's professional backpacking , hiking , horse packing and trail rides guides and outfitters.

Before visiting a backcountry or wilderness area, please check with the administering agency for advice, permits, maps, and information about fire restrictions and other regulations. The "Places to See" section of this website has information on Utah's many types of public lands including national park areas administered for recreational use. Many excellent guidebooks and maps to hiking in Utah are available at the Utah.com store .

Reservations, Fees and Special Passes: Camping is very popular in our national forests, national parks and recreation areas, and state parks. Camping is very popular in our national forests, national parks and recreation areas, and state parks. Advanced reservations are accepted for many campgrounds and can be made via this website: www.reserveamerica.com . (For large group sites in national parks or national forests, reservations are generally required.) For all state parks, advance reservations may be made by calling 800-322-3770, or Salt Lake calling area 322-3770.

Overnight camping and/or day use fees are charged at most of the public campgrounds, depending on the facilities at the individual campground. An Annual State Park Permit is available, allowing free day-use in all state parks. A Family State Park Permit is also available which allows free day-use in one park. For Utah residents 62 years of age and over or permanently disabled, a reduced-cost pass is available. None of these permits provide a reduction in camping fees.

National Parks, National Forests, and BLM offer the Federal Interagency Senior Pass and Federal Interagency Access Pass to provide savings for people who frequently visit national parks and recreation areas.

Backcountry Use: Utah has hundreds of miles of backcountry and trails. Some areas are accessible only to hardy backpackers, while others can be reached via off-highway vehicles or mountain bikes. Visitors should check with the administering agency about fire restrictions and other regulations, including off-highway vehicle restrictions, before heading into the backcountry.

Learn about health and safety issues relating to travel and recreation.

Off Road Trails

Utah offers outstanding opportunities for offroading. Whether you like four-wheeling over red rock or ATVing through the desert or mountains, there is something here for everyone.

The Utah section of the Great Western Trail provides great opportunities for ATVing, hiking, snowmobiling and other activities. It runs north/south through the center of the state.

With so much of Utah designated as public land administered for recreational use, and hundreds of miles of backcountry trails, great four-wheel drive or ATV terrain is never far away. But please remember, because our mountains and deserts are remote and fragile, it is important to heed all applicable restrictions in order to protect yourself and the landscape.

On Forest Service and BLM-administered land, off-highway use of any vehicle is permitted in designated areas only. Check with the local agency office. The U.S. Forest Service and BLM also provide brochures and maps about off-highway vehicle (OHV) opportunities. There are numerous recreational vehicle areas within or adjacent to state parks. Check to determine proper use areas. Although off-highway vehicle use is not allowed in most national parks , wilderness areas, or on lake shores, numerous trails may be found adjacent to or around these areas.

The Utah Off-Highway Vehicle Statute states that all Utah public lands, roads, trails, etc., are closed to all terrain vehicles (ATVs) and OHVs unless designated as open by the land owner. Be sure and check if your destination is open! Children 8 to 16 years old are required to be certified to operate an OHV on public land. For more information on laws and rules contact Utah State Parks and Recreation at 801-538-7220.

In many areas of the state four-wheel drive and all-terrain vehicle (ATV) rentals are available. Guided backcountry trips employing four-wheel drive or all-terrain vehicles are an excellent way to see some of Utah's most beautiful and untouched landscapes.

Learn about health and safety issues relating to travel and recreation.

View a list of Utah's professional off-road guides and outfitters:
ATV Tours
ATV Rentals
Four-Wheel Drive Tours

Utah Golf

Fore!... Utah's Golf courses are famous for their scenery, conditions, and variety. In every corner of the state, golf retreats offer spectacular surroundings at affordable prices. And because of Utah's climatic mix, it's possible to find perfect golf weather somewhere in the state at almost every time of year.

The cool Alpine greens of courses in Heber Valley and Park City provide a perfect summer escape, while the many courses near St. George are popular in both summer and winter months for year-round golf. Other courses are located in cities, State Parks, or are set like gleaming oases in red rock desert terrain.

Wildlife and Birdwatching

Because of Utah's diverse climate and terrain, a wide variety of wildlife species can be readily seen with little effort! Over 600 species of mammals, birds, fishes, reptiles, and amphibians that make their homes in Utah. In this section we feature wildlife viewing spots in:

Along the Wasatch Front, the Ogden Nature Center (801-621-7595) is the only city-centered nature habitat in the state providing a wildlife sanctuary and nature trails. Red Butte Gardens, on the Wasatch foothills east of Salt Lake City, are the home of many species of mammals and birds. But these are not the only spots popular by wildlife. View the links below for a list of some of the best wildlife observation locations in the state!

Desert bighorn sheep reside in Canyonlands , mountain goats pine their way to the Uintas , and American bison herds march along Antelope Island State Park and the Henry Mountains .

The best source of information on Utah wildlife is the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources , 1594 W. North Temple, Suite 2110, Salt Lake City, Utah 84114, 801-538-4700.

Fishing

Utah is well known for excellent trout fishing in high mountain lakes and streams. Fewer people know the state offers a wide variety of other exciting fishing opportunities, including trophy lake trout that weigh in at over 40 pounds, ferocious tiger muskie, striped bass so plentiful they have removed the limit, unique and hard-fighting wipers, plus quality waters for walleye, largemouth, smallmouth, white bass, perch, crappie, channel catfish and several other species. Fishing is open year-round on most waters. Proclamations (rules) are available at all Wildlife Resources offices and many local stores and visitor information outlets. View a list of Utah's professional flyfishing guides and outfitters , fishing guides and outfitters , or hunting guides and outfitters .

Utah's Best Fishing Waters

The best source of information on Utah wildlife is the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources , 1594 W. North Temple, Salt Lake City, Utah 84116, 801-538-4700.

Hunting

Species commonly hunted in Utah are mule deer, elk, antelope, pheasant, ducks, geese, rabbits, sage grouse, forest grouse, chukar partridge, mourning dove and wild turkeys. Hunting is allowed in most public areas of the state, except in national parks, monuments, and state parks.

Hunting is managed by the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR) and proclamations are set yearly. Always check the latest proclamation for species you want to hunt as you plan your trip.

Licenses : Resident and non-resident permits for general hunts can be purchased on a first-come, first-served basis from license dealers statewide, from DWR offices and via the internet . Some special hunt permits are allotted via lotteries, with application periods set in the proclamation.

Hunting Seasons : Seasons for all huntable species are set yearly. Information on big game seasons is available in January and small game information can be obtained by late August each year.

View a list of Utah's professional hunting guides and outfitters .

Rock Hounding

Utah is an excellent destination for rock hounding. The state's diverse terrain is home to numerous varieties of rare rocks, gemstones, and fossils. Although there are laws regulating rockhounding, most of our public land is open and rocks can be collected freely by the public. Utah rockhounding areas include Millard County and most of Central Utah, although there are fascinating rocks to be found throughout the state.

What can be collected on Public Lands?

Rocks and Minerals

In general, a person may collect reasonable amounts of gemstones and rocks from public lands for recreational purposes or personal use. If rocks and mineral specimens are collected for sale or commercial use, a permit must be obtained (under provisions of the Minerals Act), from the BLM Field Office involved. In Utah's West Desert, for instance, administered by the BLM's Richfield Office, Utah's rare Topaz Gemstone can be found, and in the BLM's Salt Lake District, the popular Dugway Geode can be collected, both in "reasonable amounts for recreational purposes or personal use" without obtaining any special permission.

Invertebrate Fossils

Invertebrate fossils are those without backbones I.e., trilobites, snails, clams, insects, etc. Common invertebrate fossils (those which occur in large numbers throughout a large area) may be collected in reasonable quantities for recreational purposes. Again, no permit is required unless invertebrate fossils are intended for sale or commercial use.

Petrified Wood

Petrified wood can be collected for personal non-commercial uses also, but there are specific daily and yearly limits even for personal use. Collectors taking more than their share are rapidly depleting the better petrified wood localities. Consequently, individuals without permits are allowed to take only a limit of 250 pounds per calendar year. A permit is required if the petrified wood collected is to be used for sale or commercial use. No explosives or powder equipment such as tractors, bulldozers, plows, or power shovels may be used under any circumstances! Due to restrictions on petrified wood collecting on some public lands, please check with the local BLM office before you begin.

What cannot be collected on public lands?

Vertebrate Fossils

Vertebrate fossils are those with backbones. Vertebrate fossils, such as dinosaurs, turtles, mammals and fish, cannot be collected from public lands except by permit only! These permits are issued by the Secretary of the Interior specifically to properly accredited museums, universities and other institutions or their representatives.

Indian Artifacts and Ruins

In your explorations of the public lands, by all means enjoy and appreciate the wealth of our nation's cultural heritage. Wonder at the beauty and craftsmanship found in structures and artifacts. Imagine the lives led by those who lived here before us, and learn. But, please, show respect for those early people, and leave everything in its place. All historic and prehistoric remains found on public lands are protected by law. Report new or unusual finds (including human skeletal remains) to he nearest BLM office.

Under no circumstances will artifacts of any kind, including arrowheads, points, feathers, whole or broken pots, stone tools, basketry, or even old bottles be distributed or removed from their location on public lands. Human remains, and all materials associated with human remains, may not be disturbed or removed from public lands. Commercial use, sale, or barter of human remains or artifacts of any kind taken from public lands is illegal and punishable by law.

Historic and prehistoric remains on federal (public) lands have been protected by law since 1906. The Preservation of American Antiquities Act of 1906 provides for the protection of Indian ruins, stating that a person may not, without permission, "appropriate, excavate, injure, or destroy any historic or prehistoric ruin or monument, or any object on antiquity" on lands under Federal government control. Regulations implemented under the authority of The Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA) also prohibit disturbance of these resources (43 Code of Federal Regulations Part 8365.1-4(a)). Historic and archeological resources 50 years old or older are covered by these two laws.

A more recent Federal law, the Archaeological resources Protection Act of 1979 (ARPA), provides civil and criminal penalties for excavation, destruction, vandalism, or removal of archeological resources (historic and prehistoric) from public lands. Anything 10 years or older is covered by this law. Criminal penalties of up to $100,000 in fines and/or five years in prison are possible upon conviction. Civil and criminal damages may also be assessed, based on the value of the destroyed or stolen remains. ARAP provides for civil confiscation of vehicles and other personal property used to carry out the violation, and provides for payment of rewards for information leading to convictions. For your own protection, do not attempt to apprehend perpetrators yourself, but license numbers, times, dates, descriptions, (photographs or video tape would be nice) if safely collectable from an equitable distance, should be reported to the closest local Federal authorities and nearest BLM office.

To report illegal collecting or vandalism call, 1-800-722-3998.

Please remember not to leave any modern day artifacts or human remains of your own (haul out your trash from remote areas), take only photographs and leave only footprints on designated paths.

Horseback Riding in Utah

Discover the spires and brilliantly colored amphitheaters of Bryce Canyon National Park and other national parks, explore the world-famous canyons of the Colorado Plateau just west of the Colorado River or retrace trails taken by the infamous Butch Cassidy . . . all by horseback! Utah offers much opportunity to explore its many vistas in the old West tradition.

A multiplicity of trails are available throughout all of Utah's destinations. From southern Utah's colorful redrock canyons to northern Utah's alpine retreats, the opportunities are endless to trail ride, horseback ride, or horsepack throughout our outstanding scenery. In particular, the Zion Park , Bryce Canyon and Capitol Reef areas offer excellent riding opportunities.

Extreme Sports

Utah is a popular destination for people who want to engage in extreme sports - exciting adventure activities that usually carry elements of danger. Our intent is to connect people with guides or organizations having expertise in these sports. We do not provide complete how-to, where-to information.

We strongly encourage people to hire licensed guides, obtain adequate information and use proper equipment when engaging in these activities.

Skydiving
Parasailing
Hang Gliding/ Paragliding
Ballooning
Snowkiting
Helicopter Skiing
Snowcat Skiing
Mountaineering
BMX Racing

Rock Climbing & Bouldering
Canyoneering
Geocaching
Rafting/Kayaking
Jeeping/Offroad
Mountain Biking
Scuba Diving
Caving
Motocross

Book Online

Specials

Packages