Utah – “Beehive State”

Utah is a western U.S. state defined by its vast expanses of desert and the Wasatch Range mountains. Salt Lake City, the capital, is centered around Temple Square, headquarters of the Mormon Church and site of its majestic temple and tabernacle, with its massive dome and renowned choir. The Great Salt Lake’s buoyant waters attract swimmers and sunbathers, especially at Antelope Island State Park.

Nicknamed “Beehive State”, it offers some of the most beautiful and spectacular sights and places to visit! Just browse through these awesome pictures and be amazed by it’s beauty. Fun fact: The name Utah derives from the Native American Ute tribe and means people of the mountains.

1. Zion National Park
Zion National Park is Utah’s first national park and offers a slice of the Utah wilderness. The multi-coloured sandstone cliffs and desert wildlife craft an immersive environment that was once inhabited by Native Americans and pioneers alike. At Zion National Park, there are plenty of opportunities to hike, rock-climb, mountain-bike and explore. Climb to the top of the cliffs to witness a desert sunset like no other.

2. Bryce Canyon
Bryce Canyon is home to the largest collection of hoodoos in the world. Hoodoos are unique rock formations created by uneven erosion and weathering, giving them a distinctive and unmissable appearance. At Bryce Canyon, you will also find woodland, wildlife and caves, making it a hiker’s paradise. At night, the lack of local light sources create the perfect location for stargazing with unparalleled starry skies.

3. Arches National Park
Arches National Park features over 2,000 natural stone arches as well as a variety of other strange and captivating rock formations, including balanced rocks. The stone here is a rich red, evocative of the Old West and natural America. You can also find Wolfe Ranch on site, a one-room cabin built in 1898 and largely unchanged today. The Ranch offers a glimpse into the harsh desert life for early 20th-century Americans.

4. The Escalante National Monument
The Escalante National Monument has been around for millions of years, forming an incredible rock formation that we can enjoy today. The Monument features three main areas with the most famous being the Grand Staircase (Escalante). The Staircase features a number of plateaus descending like steps from Bryce Canyon to the Grand Canyon. Perfect for hikers, Escalante also features the fossil-filled Kaiparowits Plateau at its highest point, and the Escalante Canyons at the base.

5. Utah’s Red Cliffs
Utah’s Red Cliffs span a stunning and colourful 45,000 acres. The cliffs are formed from red sandstone which gives them their unique appearance and the shade of the towering formations offers some respite in the hot desert. The Red Cliffs Conservation Area offers plenty of space for tourists to explore and hike. There is an Archeological Site featuring ruins of Native American pueblos, and even dinosaur tracks from the Early Jurassic period.

6. Monument Valley
Monument Valley is one of America’s most iconic landmarks, home to huge sandstone formations that reach up to 1,000 ft tall. The desert area is a popular hiking, jeeping and horseriding location, with local guides available to navigate you through the Valley. Steeped in a rich Native American and Old West history, Monument Valley is atmospheric and unforgettable.

7. Canyonlands National Park
Canyonlands National Park features many canyons and other rock formations, carved out by the Colorado River over millions of years. Humans have been on the Canyonlands for over 10,000 years, weaving a rich Native American and pioneer history. Native American art can still be found in the Horseshoe Canyon today. In addition, the Canyonlands offer a variety of different desert environments for tourists and hikers, including the labyrinthine Maze, hiking trails, and rafting or kayaking on the rivers.

8. Mirror Lake
Mirror Lake is a 22-acre lake with stunningly clear waters at the base of the towering 12,000 ft tall Bald Mountain. The Lake is a popular spot for fishing, camping, and kayaking. The lake is surrounded by forest so it is ideal for wildlife-watching. There are a number of hiking trails accessible from this serene location making it a great place to relax after a long hike – or to recharge before setting off.

9. Antelope Island
Situated in the Great Salt Lake – one of the largest lakes in the world – is Antelope Island, the lake’s biggest island. Antelope Island is situated near Salt Lake City making it easily accessible. The island is a haven for wildlife including its namesake antelope, as well as bison, sheep, coyotes and water birds. The island features a number of mountains and natural springs. You can also find the Fielding Garr Ranch here. The house was built in 1848 and is the oldest building in Utah still on its original foundations.

10. Dead Horse Point
Dead Horse Point is a collection of overlooks surrounding a portion of the Colorado River, which runs below. Dead Horse Point was originally a corral used by cowboys and got its name from the horses that frequently died of exposure. Today, the state park offers stunning views of the Colorado River and the Canyonlands, as well as a small taste of the extreme conditions that the cowboys of old would have faced. The area was also used to shoot the final scenes in the 1991 film ‘Thelma and Louise’.