Weekend Getaway in Utah

One of Utah's most prized destinations, Moab attracts people from all over the globe with its unparalleled outdoor recreational areas. National parks, canyons, and other impressive stone formations provide the backdrop for this artsy, vibrant small town. Aside from the gorgeous viewpoints and hiking trails, Moab's location near the Colorado River makes it a favorite spot for rafting enthusiasts. Whether you are a hiker, biker, climber, or ATV thrill-seeker, Moab will not disappoint you.

This tiny town is more than a gateway to beautiful natural surroundings and outdoor adventures. It was also here that a number of famous movies were filmed, including John Wayne's Stagecoach and Mark Wahlberg's Planet of the Apes. While you're here, check out Kanab's Little Hollywood Museum. The free exhibits detail the history of the film industry in the area.

Despite being Utah's largest and most populous city, Salt Lake City still has much to offer in terms of hiking, mountain biking, and other outdoor adventures. You can spend your days exploring the amazing hiking trails surrounding the city before enjoying excellent cuisine and world-class entertainment during your evenings on the town.

Home to Zion, one of America's most famous national parks, the tiny hamlet of Springdale should be on everyone's bucket list. Despite its small size, merely 600 year-round residents, the town delivers incomparable views, sterling local artistry, exceptional outdoor explorations, and first-class hospitality and cuisine.

A little town on Utah's famed Scenic Byway 12, this place gives full meaning to the word charming. Tiny gift shops, gear outfitters, and unique eateries line the main drag where locals are happy to point visitors in the direction of the best hiking, biking, and rafting locations. On your hikes through the canyons, keep an eye out for the famous Native American canyon rock art, discrete but beautiful rock carvings hidden in discrete locations.

Touring the five national parks in Utah is a must for many travelers. The proximity of these parks allows you to visit more than one park during your weekend getaway in Utah. The national parks are called Arches, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, Bryce Canyon, and Zion. Each park offers wonderful hiking trails and an extraordinary topography. The Jurassic sediment has been carved by the wind and water over millions of years, creating towering hoodoos, natural arches, slot canyons, fins, and buttes.

13 ski resorts, many of which are located within an hour's drive of Salt Lake City International Airport, make Utah an ideal choice for a weekend ski getaway. Whether you'd prefer a resort offering free skiing passes for young kids, challenging slopes and extreme terrain for expert skiers, or the option of night skiing, you will find what you are looking for in Utah. Moreover, while some resorts have very high average annual snowfalls, none get less than 300in. per year.

Whether you are new to the game or are an experienced rafter, Utah has what it takes for you to enjoy an epic weekend of whitewater fun. An astounding 16 Utah rivers offer fantastic rapids that make for an exciting ride. Just make sure you choose the right level of challenge for your current level. If you're looking for a challenge, rafting down Moab's Cataract Canyon takes two whole days and includes Class III thru V rapids, depending on the time of year. Another popular two-day excursion is in Westwater Canyon. If you're looking for something a little less intense and more family-friendly, Class I and II rapid trips are available in the northern part of the state on the Weber and Holiday rivers.

If your idea of a weekend getaway is to step out into nature, then Utah has you covered. More than 70% of the state is public land. Thousands of miles of hiking trails provide stunning views of some of America's grandest landscapes. Head out for several days of backpacking in the wild, or enjoy shorter day excursions.