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Where to go in Utah in Winter (Dec thru Feb)
Park City, Ut
In the heart of the Wasatch mountains, Park City is a top winter destination for adventure enthusiasts, foodies, and those looking for a relaxing mountain escape.
Park City is surrounded by world class ski resorts, tubing hills, shopping, great spas and in January is home to the sundance Film Festival. Whether you stay the night, come for a week-end or enjoy a whole week in the mountains, Park City is sure to be an excellent choice for your winter getaway.
Down Hill and Cross Country Skiing
Deer Valley, Canyons, and Park City Mountain resort are within a few miles of the downtown area. If downhill skiing is your jam, these resorts boast good snow conditions and an awesome day on the slopes. Deer Valley is a skier’s only hill; if you’re a snowboarder you’ll need to head to Park City Mountain resort or one of the other hills in the area. It can be a little pricey for a day pass at Deer Valley so if you are coming for several days it’s worth planning early and checking out some of the other ski pass options such as the IKON pass or lower season rates.
There are several options for cross-country skiing in Park City and around the area including: Basin Recreation, Round Valley, and White Pine Nordic center. A short drive from Park City in the town of Heber you will find Soldier Hollow, home to the 2002 winter Olympics.
Tubing and Snowshoeing
Tubing and snowshoeing are also great winter activities if you are travelling with kids to Park City in the winter. Gone are the days of my childhood when pulling the sled up the hill was the norm (we do still do this from time to time), but now you can hit one of the tubing hills and ride the magic carpet to the top!
If you are looking for a quieter adventure and love hiking, consider a day of snowshoeing! There are several places that you can rent snowshoes from both at the resorts and in town. Our kids love this activity and the adventure wears them out so the sleep better too. We’ve even taken the baby in a backpack so it’s an adventure the whole family can enjoy. Just be sure to dress for the weather and bring a little snack.
Spas, Dining, and Shopping
All this sounds great, but what if I don’t like outdoor activities or I do and am looking for a change of pace?
If you’re planning a trip in January try to book tickets to one or more of the Sundance Film festival movies. It’s crazy this time of year so it’s really important to plan ahead to ensure lodging if you’re planning to stay in town. Otherwise a drive up from Salt Lake City isn’t too far and if your lucky you might even rub elbows with one of the actors or directors of the movies.
Need an apres ski break?
Or not into skiing and want a spa day while others are enjoying the slopes?
Park City offers a great selection of spas and spa packages for a day of pampering and relaxation. On a week-end to Park City Resort we took advantage of the in-house spa enjoying an afternoon massage. The perfect end to a long week-end.
Park City is home to many options for fine and casual dining. We’ve been to several places in and around town and would definitely recommend making reservations in advance if your heart is set on a particular place. Red Rock and Wasatch Brew pubs are family friendly restaurants and a great place to try some local brews. If you’re looking for more fine dining options you’ll find everything from handmade pasta (you’ll definitely need a reservation here) to Alpine Distilling which offers hand made liquors and delicious desserts, we’ve only stopped here as an after-dinner delight.
Home to the Park City Outlet mall, we like to come up to shop for kid’s clothes and other fun finds. It’s also really fun to walk along main street popping in and out of the little shops.
St George, Ut
If you are looking to escape the snow of the north and enjoy some warmer weather, heading south to St George may be the answer that you are looking for. Whether you stay in St George proper or use it as a base camp to explore the surrounding National and State parks, it’s a great place to go in Utah for a break from the cold.
National and State Parks
Zion National Park
Drive about an hour east of St. George and you’ll find yourself in Zion National Park. Winter is a great time to visit as the crowds are much smaller. Although the weather may not be as cooperative, it’s still possible to check out many of the parks view points and hikes. Some hikes may be closed due to inclement weather and the increased risk of falling so if you’re heart is set on a particular hike you’ll want to make sure it’s open before coming.
We’ve been once in February and are planning to return this winter. Since there are so many fewer people in the park, you can really enjoy the beauty of Zion National Park without feeling rushed or overwhelmed by the large crowds. I’m also less nervous hiking the more popular trails with the kids as they are able to roam a bit more freely.
Snow Canyon State Park
Love hiking? Snow Canyon State Park is a great place to visit in the winter for hiking trails. There are several trails to choose from ranging from an easy paved trail to more strenuous hikes.
We went in February a few years ago with our oldest son who was 5 months at the time. We carried him around in a forward carrier through the park on some of the moderate trails. The park has incredible red rock views and slick rock hikes to choose from.
Gardens, Golf, and Geocaching
St. George is home to Red Hills Desert garden, the first of its kind in Utah. Enjoy learning about desert plants, water efficient landscapes, and dinosaur tracks as you explore. We love visiting gardens with our family. The kids have space to roam and explore the different flowers. I always find it interesting how a 3.5 ft tall perspective can spot things we would otherwise completely miss.
Other than mini-golf, we have yet to take the kids to a golf course. Well, other than geo-caching. That said, if you are travelling with older kids or are enjoying a week-end on your own St. George is home to several golf courses that are open year-round.
Last year we went on a geocaching tour of Utah covering 29 counties. Some of these are still available to be found although you can no longer claim prizes. Geocaching can be a really fun way to explore the city and find sites you would have otherwise missed.
Where to go in Utah in Spring (Mar thru May)
Kanab, Ut
Kanab sits in the southernmost area of Utah about a 5 minute drive north of the Arizona-Utah border. Spring brings hotter weather to southern Utah, but it is still relatively mild and enjoyable for outdoor activities. Kanab is a great base camp for outdoor activities, a visit to the Coral Pink Sand Dunes state park, or hang out around town and enjoy a museum or two.
Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park
If you’ve ever pictured yourself running down hills of fine-grained sand that you’d expect to see in the Sahara Desert, this state park is the one for you! Who knew you could find this in Utah?
The sand becomes air borne through a number of factors as the hills in the area erode and is then deposited in these huge dunes. Stop in at the Visitor Center to rent a board and get information on some of the hiking trails that are available.
While here you can climb, slide, and snowboard down the dunes. It’s tiring climbing up the hill and sliding down, but a really fun activity for the whole family. ATV riding is also a popular activity in the area with many miles of roads and trails.
Once you’ve had the chance to enjoy the dunes, you can head to the outer edges of the park for a look at the dinosaur tracks or pictographs. When we visited we opted for the dinosaur tracks trek. A high clearance or off-road vehicle is recommended to drive closer to the tracks as the road is narrow and very very sandy. If you are arriving in a RV or car, it’s about a 2 mile walk to the parking area and an additional 0.5 miles to the tracks. If you are prepared for the hike it can still be very enjoyable especially in the spring when the weather is cooler.
Little Hollywood Museum
Kanab has been the location of many western films and even parts of Transformers movie was filmed here! This little museum is a must stop if you are in the area. Spend a few hours imagining yourself in the movies and wandering through the museum displays.
Best Friends Animal Sanctuary
Can you imagine a place that saves hundreds of animals each year in mission to Save Them All? If your answer is yes, Best Friends Animal Sanctuary is the stop for you.
They have about 1600 animals on site. You can visit the sanctuary and take a tour, visit the information center and gift shop or book in advance to adopt a pet. We missed the tour while we were here, but spent time in the garden and gift shop.
It’s a beautiful mission worth sharing with the world.
Salt Lake City, Ut
Salt Lake is a destination that can be visited year round. That said it’s a great spring location, especially if you’re a die hard skier who wants to extend the season as much as possible. As with any capital city, Salt Lake boasts museums, fine dining, shopping, sports events, and cultural sites. There is so much to see and do, you’ll want to come back over and over again.
Down Hill, Cross-Country Skiing and Snow Shoeing
Typically, the ski resorts are open until mid-April in Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons. These resorts include: Brighton, Solitude, Alta, and Snowbird. Depending on snow conditions the resorts in the higher elevations can be open longer. Last year we had a lot of snow and Snowbird was open until July!
Several of the resorts also have areas for cross country skiing and snow shoeing in the area. Solitude is one of the resorts where you can rent snowshoes or cross-country skis from the Solitude Nordic Center and enjoy the trails. We sometimes do this where the kids are in downhill lessons and we snowshoe as a change of pace.
Gardens and Farms
During spring the Salt Lake Temple grounds and Red Butte Gardens are both great choices to enjoy the tulips and early spring flower blooms. The temple springs to life after the winter freeze and warmed by the underground parking areas, the flower beds are some of the most beautiful in the city. Access to the temple grounds and museums is free. Red Butte Gardens is also springing to life this time of year. The outdoor concert series kicks off in late spring and is a great opportunity to enjoy the garden and outdoor entertainment.
Wheeler farms is a free historic farm. If you are travelling with kids, this is a great place to visit to see the baby animals in the spring. It’s a living educational garden so you can also watch cow milking and learn the history of the farm and farming techniques from the turn of the century.
Cultural Places of Worship
If you are visiting Salt Lake City during the spring and especially around Easter it can be a great time to learn more about places of worship within the city.
Salt Lake Temple Square
The Salt Lake Temple Square has several museums and buildings dedicated to learning more about the culture of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Access to the museums and grounds is free and there are missionaries on hand to answer your questions. We’ve taken most of our visitors to the temple when they’ve come for a visit. Not only are the grounds beautiful, but the museums are really educational.
Insiders tip: take a tour of the church office building, it’s filled with historic paintings and the tour ends on an observation deck on the 26th floor with sweeping views of Salt Lake City. This part is only open after the snow melts typically in April or May.
Cathedral of the Madeleine
Completed in 1909 the Cathedral of the Madeleine is a Roman Catholic church in Salt Lake City. The architecture and art work is a must see of Salt Lake City regardless of your religious preferences. Masses are offered daily and we’d highly recommend joining one. The organ music is uplifting and magical to hear.
Where to go in Utah in Summer (Jun thru Aug)
Bear Lake, ut
Bear Lake is in the north east corner of the state just miles from the Utah- Idaho border. Home to Raspberry Days in August and world famous raspberry milk shakes, you don’t need to be here during the festival to take advantage of fresh raspberries! The season opens in July and runs into mid-August. You can buy flats of fresh raspberries around town, jams, jellies, and of course the world famous raspberry milkshakes. Delicious!
Beaches
Known as the Caribbean of the North, Bear Lake is warm with clear blue waters. One of our favorite locations in the summer to cool off and swim, the beaches are open throughout the summer months.
There are several beaches around the lake to be enjoyed. Rendezvous Beach has a nice sandy beach, but tends to be way overpopulated. We’d recommend one of the smaller, more rocky beaches with less people. The water at these beaches tends to be deeper though. If you are travelling with small children; you’ll likely need floaties in these parts of the lake.
You can also head to the Idaho side of the lake to North Beach State Park. It can also have tons of people, but the water is very shallow making it a great choice for families with small children.
Boating and Water Sports
While at Bear Lake it’s possible to rent a boat to enjoy more of the lake then just the beach. We haven’t done this at Bear Lake, well other than in a rubber dingy… but have in other places. It’s nice to be able to explore more of the lake then just the beach. Also, if you’re into water sports this is a great lake to enjoy!
Travelers Tip: Make sure you have your Personal Watercraft (Boaters License) and fishing license (if you plan to fish) before your holiday.
Hiking, Sightseeing, and Minnetonka Cave
There are several trails in the area that offer a nice break from all the water activities. Head to the top of the hill behind the lake for sweeping views of the entire lake and surrounding area. Slightly outside of town there are several hikes in Logan Canyon that vary in difficulty but offer a change of pace.
Finally, spend a couple hours taking a tour of Minnetonka Cave while in the area. It’s really pretty on the inside and a fun activity if you are travelling with kids.
Farmington, ut
Farmington is located about 30 minutes north of Salt Lake City. Home to Lagoon and the Farmington Bay Wildlife Management Area it is a great place for a day trip or week-end getaway in the dog days of summer.
Farmington Bay Wildlife Management Area
At around 18,000 acres, the wildlife management area is a great spot for birding. During the summer months many birds are nesting or caring for their young making this a great spot to stop and try to spot birds, especially baby birds! The only downfall is that biting flies can be active at this time of year so come prepared to deal with them. Both hats with nets and Avon Skin so Soft can be helpful.
In early September many birds start their migration making late summer an ideal time to watch swaths of birds moving around and through the management area. You can walk around the roads and dikes to access areas for great bird watching.
Lagoon
Between the water park and the amusement rides, hours of fun await your adventure at Lagoon. As a family of 5 this is one of our favorite places to spend a week-end in the heat of summer.
We recommend packing swimsuits and spending at least part of the day at Lagoon’s waterpark. Especially during the heat of the day. You’ll want to go earlier than you think you should as it tends to fill up by mid-afternoon. Lagoon’s waterpark has waterslides for people over 42” and a children’s area for smaller kids complete with its own set of smaller waterslides. There is a burger area in the waterpark, but you can pack your own lunches and snacks to save some money.
Spend the remainder of the day on the rides. Whether you love the family rides, the thrill rides, or kiddie land there is so much to explore. Perhaps you can grab a bite at the new beer garden or one of the other restaurants in the park or catch one of the free shows.
Where to go in Utah in Fall (Sept thru November)
Brigham City, ut
Use this charming town as a home base to discover the area. Fall brings the fruit way to life as many of the orchards open fruit stands along the road. It also brings one of the bird migrations through the Bear River Bird Refuge and cooler weather to explore the Golden Spike National Historic Site, ATK Rocket Garden and Spiral Jetty.
Golden Spike National Historic Site, Thiol Rocket Garden, and Spiral Jetty
All these sites are located in the same general area and we recommend hitting them all in one day so pack a lunch and spend the day in this area exploring.
Start your day at the ATK Thiol Rocket Garden located a couple miles from the turn off to the Golden Spike National Historic Site. It’s an outside museum featuring rockets, rocket parts, and missiles.
From here head to the Golden Spike National Historic site. Spend a couple hours here checking out the museum and watching the trains come in. If you are here in early fall you can also buy a driving tour guide from the visitor center and take one or both of the scenic drives and/or enjoy one of the hikes.
Finally, cap your day off by visiting the Spiral Jetty. It’s a piece of land art built by Robert Smithson in 1970. A trail behind the parking area allows for a great aerial view of the artwork. Depending on whether or not you decide to do a driving tour you may want to go to the Spiral Jetty before setting off on the tour. Otherwise, you’ll find that you actually back track part of the same road. Check the map and plan ahead to ensure you don’t make a wrong turn, but it will save a bit of driving.
Bear River Bird Refuge
Fall is one of the best times to visit the refuge. Usually the water levels are low enough that you can drive around the refuge and see the birds reasonably close up. In spring the road may be closed due to high water.
It’s also cooler making the trails behind the visitor center enjoyable to walk and bird watch.
Crystal Hot Springs
An amazing feeling on a cool day is getting into the hot springs for a soak. Pack a lunch for this one too. There are only basic snacks and once you get here you won’t want to leave.
An awesome stop for kids as well as there are cooler and hotter pools and 2 water slides! Just get here early. It tends to get pretty crowded by the afternoon.
Brigham Train Museum, Fruit Way and Corn Mazes
You can easily do both of these in a day. The train museum is free to enter and while it’s small gives a really interesting history about the old Brigham City train station. It also has a replica caboose that you can tour on request. The kids really loved getting in there and asking questions.
Depending of when you visit in the fall, you’ll also be able to enjoy some agri-tourism. In early fall stop on the fruit way. Peaches, pears, cherries, fresh veg, and the list goes on. We are never able to drive through this area without stopping to enjoy and literally eat our way down the road!
In later fall corn mazes in the area open up. This is a great day activity. We love to pick pumpkins, find our way through the mazes and play in the slide areas.
Moab, ut
Fall is definitely one of the best times to visit Moab. The summer crowds are starting to die down as children return to school, but the weather is still fantastic. Hiking is especially nice this time of year although you’ll need to watch the weather and plan hikes around any possible rain/thunderstorms.
Given the lower crowds visits to Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park, and Dead Horse Point are really enjoyable; especially in October thru November. There are also plenty of hikes and activities in and around Moab itself.
Arches and Canyonlands National Parks
Have you been waiting to visit Utah’s big 5 National Parks?
Fall is a great time to visit Arches and Canyonlands National Parks. With smaller crowds you will be able to see and enjoy the more easily accessible arches like the windows and double arch without having to wait in traffic for hours.
If the weather is cooperating you can even enjoy one of the multi-mile hikes in the park, rent an off-road vehicle or join a tour through the back areas of slick rock. Especially in Canyonlands where so much of the park is still wild.
Not a fan of long hikes?
Stop and enjoy the visitor center and many viewpoints throughout the parks. And most importantly… don’t miss an opportunity to snap a picture of the famous delicate arch which adorns the Utah license plates.
Dead Horse Point State Park
Amazing vistas… that’s Dead Horse Point in a nutshell.
If you’re staying in Moab this is a must do park. Personally, I like it better than some of the more famous vistas in the area. At any rate, as with all the state and national park there are some great hikes to do.
However, if you’re just in the mood for a visitor center and short walk, this is a great place to go.
Museums, Ken’s Beach, Wineries, Breweries and more
Take a day off hiking or exploring the state and national parks to enjoy the town of Moab. There is so much to see, do and explore that will keep you coming back time and time again across all seasons.
No matter what time you’re visiting Utah remember to Always Pack a Sweater. The weather can be pretty unpredictable!
Let us know where your favorite Utah destinations are!
