Utah is a destination for many travelers, with amazing hikes in the five national parks (the Mighty Five), fun water sports on Lake Powell and an extraordinary ski scene in Park City.
For those who aren’t interested in the mighty national parks, Utah is home to some exceptional state parks. Read on for the best Utah State Parks to visit and explore on your next Utah road trip!
Antelope Island State Park
Antelope Island State Park is a wonderful place to visit and hike. This Utah State Park features a beautiful lake, stunning scenery and unique wildlife. It is also a great place for camping.
The largest island in the Great Salt Lake, Antelope Island State Park is a popular tourist attraction that is accessible via a seven-mile causeway from mainland Utah. It is home to free-roaming bison and antelope herds, as well as 40 freshwater springs.
There are plenty of things to do at Antelope Island State Park, including hiking the Frary Peak Trail. There are also a few different birding trails that you can take to find many different types of birds.
In addition, the Bridger Bay Day-Use Area is a great spot to swim in the salty waters of the Great Salt Lake. The area has shaded tables, restrooms and showers to clean off the salt after your swim.
Another great way to experience Antelope Island State Park is by horseback riding. Rhodes Valley Outfitters offers hourly horse rentals and a guided tour is available on certain days.
This scenic island is a haven for migratory birds during fall and spring migrations. These birds stop along the shore to feast on tiny brine shrimp that are found in the lake.
Goblin Valley State Park
Located in Emery County between Green River and Hanksville, Goblin Valley State Park is a must-visit for Utah travelers. It offers campgrounds with RV hookups, tent camping, hiking trails, a visitor center, and picnic areas.
Its hoodoo formations, also known as goblins, were formed by erosion over millions of years. This unique landscape is a great place to visit for hiking, mountain biking, and disc golf.
The most famous formation in Goblin Valley is the Three Sisters. This is a spire-like rock formation that rises out of the desert floor, providing spectacular views.
Another popular trail is the Curtis Bench, which is a fairly easy 2.1-mile out and back that takes you to a high viewpoint over the Valley of the Goblins. It also gives you a chance to see the unique Curtis formation and various canyons.
Aside from its interesting rock formations, the park is also a great spot for stargazing. The dark night skies here are perfect for observing thousands of stars and planets without any light pollution.
During the summer, temperatures can get very hot here, so be sure to take plenty of water with you. The park also tends to have thunderstorms, so it’s best to seek shelter if you see lightning.
Dead Horse Point State Park
A dramatic overlook of the Colorado River and Canyonlands National Park makes Dead Horse Point State Park one of the best Utah State Parks to visit and hike. At 5,362 acres, this desert paradise features a visitor center, picnic areas, campgrounds with modern amenities and trails that connect eight different overlooks.
This southeastern Utah park is located between Arches and Canyonlands National Park. Its dramatic drop to the Colorado River 2000 feet below is a popular place to take pictures, and its high plateau location offers a nearly full view of the sky.
The park is home to about seven miles of hiking trails that traverse the rimrock and desert plateau landscape. Most trails are relatively easy in nature, though some will pass over uneven slick rock and require sturdy footwear.
To make the most of your visit to Dead Horse Point State Park, plan a day or two in the park to explore its various trails and see its many overlooks. This vast landscape of canyons and high desert woodlands is sure to leave you with lasting memories.
The namesake Dead Horse Point Overlook is the most prominent and popular of these, but if you have more time to spare, there are several other spectacular overlooks that provide stunning views of the surrounding scenery. The park also offers a variety of ranger-led events, such as stargazing programs and night hikes.
Jordanelle State Park
Jordanelle State Park is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts, thanks to its quaint mountain setting and easy access to Salt Lake City (about 35 minute drive). The scenic reservoir offers a variety of activities for all, including camping, fishing, and boating. This is one of my favorite parks to visit in the Summer for a nice day out on the boat for some wake surfing or just a relaxing day on the beach.
The park has three distinct recreation areas – Hailstone, Rock Cliff, and Ross Creek – that provide different experiences for guests. The more developed Hailstone campground has water and electric hookups for RVs, as well as modern restrooms.
In addition, there are several trails for hiking and wildlife observation. Over 200 species of birds and animals call the park home, so be sure to bring your binoculars and camera.
One of the most popular activities at Jordanelle is stand-up paddleboarding (SUP), which is a fast-growing sport that combines two of Utah’s favorite pastimes: lakes and paddling. Beginners and experts alike enjoy this form of water sports, which allows you to experience the beauty of the surrounding mountains without getting wet!
Those looking to get their first taste of SUP can take advantage of the large wake-free zone at the Hailstone Recreation Area. You can also rent a board here, and the park offers many other amenities, including a marina and full 50-amp hookup campsites.
Wasatch Mountain State Park
Wasatch Mountain State Park is Utah’s most developed state park and features year-round recreation activities. Located near Midway and Charleston, Wasatch Mountain State Park is an ideal destination for those who enjoy hiking, fishing, camping, horseback riding and golfing.
Aside from being a popular recreational destination for millions of visitors each year, Wasatch Mountain State Park also contains two historic areas that are worth visiting if you’re a history buff. These include the Historic Tate Barn, a former dairy farm that stands as an important architectural landmark and symbol for Heber Valley, and Huber Grove, which is home to an apple orchard and the Huber Farmhouse and Creamery.
With over 100 RV-friendly campsites (standard full hookups with water and electric for $40-$90, partial hookups for $35, and primitive tent sites for $35), Wasatch Mountain State Park offers a number of options for RVers who want to explore the natural landscape on a budget. There are a few group campsites available for larger groups, as well.
Winter sports fans should head to Wasatch Mountain State Park’s 2002 Olympic winter skiing venue, Soldier Hollow. The facility offers cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, tubing and more. In addition to the trails, it has a lodge that serves as a base for ski rentals, meals and more. The area is also home to the annual Sheepdog Classic during Labor Day weekend, which attracts sheepdog competitors from all over the world to test themselves against Utah’s legendary Rocky Mountain range ewes.
Bear Creek State Park
Next up is one of my favorite summer destinations: Beak Creek State park. The water is a stunning electric blue, almost like the Caribbean Sea in some parts. Grab an RV spot, or there are plenty of primitive camping spots as well if you prefer car camping with a tent. If that’s not your thing, you can also rent a nice cabin on the lake. This is a great place to escape the city, and enjoy a little bit of lake life.
When visiting the lake, it is always nice to relax on the beach or go for a swim. However, there are also tons of ways to stay active on the water including sea-doos, kayaks, canoes, stand-up paddleboards, and even on-the-water trampolines which can be a fun activity for the kids! Don’t want to be as active? Maybe grab a fishing pole, and enjoy some leisure fishing time. There are plenty of rental shops in the area for any activity you want to try out.
While Bear Creek State Park is definitely a popular spot in the northeast section of Utah, there are also other things to do near the area. For instance, if you are looking for something more unique to do while in the area, try going to the American Fossil quarry that is only 45 minutes away and lets you dig out real fossils!
Sand Hollow State Park
The red rocks, warm water, and sand dunes make Sand Hollow State Park a popular destination for both locals and tourists. The park is home to a 1,322 acre reservoir, which makes it an ideal spot for boating and other water sports.
The park also offers a variety of other activities to visitors, including ATV and OHV trails, hiking, biking, and horseback riding. There are 69 campsites for camping in the park, and there are several cabins and yurts for rent.
You can also take advantage of the many watersports available in the area, including swimming, water skiing and jet ski rentals. There is also a beach on the south end of the reservoir for paddle board and kayak rentals, as well as scuba diving lessons.
ATV rides are another favorite activity in the park, with a wide range of tours to choose from. There are two-hour and eight-hour tours, so there is something for everyone.
Zion National Park
Ok. Ok. I know this isn’t technically a “state park”… but come on. How could I make a list of the best Utah State parks without including Zion National Park? Zion is one of the most popular national parks in the country and is a must-see for Utah visitors. It also happen to be my personal favorite park in Utah, with awe-inspiring features like the apricot-colored Zion Canyon, Angel’s Landing Hike, and the serene Virgin River, this park is sure to captivate every visitor’s senses.
The park is home to numerous hiking trails ranging from short strolls to longer, backcountry hikes with overnight camping opportunities. A few of the most popular hikes are the Emerald Pools Trail, Angel’s Landing, and the Zion Traverse route.
If you’re looking for a more adventurous experience, Zion National Park is also a world-famous location for canyoneering. This is a form of adventure sport that involves route finding, rappelling, and hiking through unique slot canyons.
Spring is an ideal time to visit the park as temperatures are comfortable, there are fewer crowds, and waterfalls are beginning to appear. Hiking in the park is particularly popular during this time of year because the water levels are low and the Virgin River is warm enough for exploring The Narrows.
Zion’s diverse geographical terrain is a big draw for hikers of all skill levels. While there are a number of trails that can be difficult to navigate due to steep drop-offs or narrow areas, observing any posted warnings and taking your time are essential to staying safe in this beautiful, awe-inspiring landscape. This is just a quick overview. Check out Utah National Parks for a more in-depth look at the rest of the stunning parks Utah has to offer.
Final Thoughts
As you can see, these are some of the best Utah State Parks I’ve personally visited. While there are many more, this is where I would start with your explorations. Each one offers something unique and different. Whether you’re looking for lakes, desert hikes, or mountain campgrounds; Utah definitely will have something you’re looking for. I went over my favorites, but I’d love to hear from you. Which state parks have you visited? And which should be added to my list?
As a final note, please always check updated fees, opening dates, and availability by visiting the Utah State Parks website.