What makes Utah, USA so special?
With its blend of mountain scenery, astounding rock formations and ancient geology – plus five otherworldly national parks (known as The Mighty 5®) – Utah packs a cinematic punch. But there’s more to the industrious Beehive State than its beautiful landscapes. Rich in outdoor adventure and deep Indigenous culture, and anchored by an energetic, mountain-ringed Salt Lake City, it’s a place best understood through the people who live and breathe it. Here, they share what makes Utah so special and what they recommend you experience while visiting.
Explore at a glance
Dark Skies
While in Utah, make sure to look up at night
David (left) and Scott (right) with Eleven-inch Celestron Telescope
David Rady
Astronomy Tour Guide at Compass Rose Lodge, a characterful boutique hotel in Huntsville, Northern Utah, which has its own HALO Observatory
Huntsville, UT
“There is nothing better than enjoying the colours of the sunset as the sunlight reflects from our mountains with various shades of pinks, oranges and purples.”
“You can’t go wrong visiting any of our natural attractions. Utah has five stunning National Parks and 46 beautiful State Parks with plenty of recreational activities to go with each. We have an extensive trail system all around the state that can be enjoyed by people of all skill levels including hikers, cyclists, runners and horseback riders.” – David Rady
Diana Davidson
Business owner in Bluff, a small, artistic town tucked between sandstone bluffs and the San Juan River, which has officially been recognised as an International Dark Sky Community
Bluff, UT
“From the red rocks to pristine dark skies to places where you cannot hear a thing, Utah connects you to something timeless—where culture, history, and nature all come together.”
“…the wide open landscape and beautiful skies make you feel small in the best possible way. Get to southern Utah. A lot of people only know Utah from Salt Lake City and the ski areas. The Grand Circle of National Parks is an amazing itinerary. It’s one wow after another.” – Diana Davidson
Photography by Paul Martini
Kevin Poe
Owner and Operator at Dark Ranger Telescope Tours who leads stargazing sessions in the exceptionally dark skies around Bryce Canyon
Bryce Canyon, UT
“If you love geology and astronomy like I do, there is no better place to holiday on Earth.”
“Not everybody likes to learn while on holiday but Utah offers such bizarre multitudes of different landscapes and cultural histories that if you don’t seek out some educational experiences, the most you’ll be able to say from a purely experiential visit to Utah is that, “It was weird”.” – Kevin Poe
Semira Crank
Programme Director at Bears Ears Partnership, which works to protect and build respect for the cultural and natural landscapes of the greater Bears Ears region
San Juan, UT
“There’s nothing like seeing a visitor’s face light up when they view the dark sky for the first time. Seeing their surprise and astonishment is such a highlight for us and the work we do.”
Semira Crank (left) and Sarah Burak (right) of Bears Ears Partnership
“At the heart of Utah is this beautiful wilderness and environment, and that’s why at Bears Ears Partnership we work to preserve its integrity through conservation, education, and partnership to ensure the landscape remains ever special for us and future generations.” – Semira Crank
Outdoor Activities
The outdoors is viewed as a living landscape
Locals often say that Utah’s landscapes – from its red-rock-filled deserts and canyon labyrinths to its alpine peaks and blinding salt flats – are places of beauty, healing and deep cultural connection. With such varied geography, it’s impossible to see everything in a single trip. Visitors are encouraged to return, exploring a little more each time. Many Utahns also recommend revisiting favourite spots in different seasons: watching snow settle on red sandstone, witnessing spring bloom in high mountain meadows or stargazing under summer’s black skies, to fully appreciate the state’s extraordinary geology and ever-shifting character.
Kipper Cluff
Ski Instructor at Sundance Mountain Resort founded by iconic actor, Robert Redford
Sundance, UT
“I grew up skiing the greatest snow on earth, how lucky am I! I love having four seasons! You can be skiing in the mountains then golfing or biking all in the same day in springtime. The terrain is so diverse…You have amazing snowcapped mountains to red rock formations and all the in-between. You can road trip in your own backyard, I love it!”
“The mountains and desert are so close and you can be anywhere for an adventure within minutes or hours, depending on where you want to go in the state.” – Kipper Cluff
Kory Davis
Avalanche Instructor and Senior Firefighter in Ogden, a city nestled in the Wasatch Mountains
Ogden, UT
“My journey began in the Cottonwood Canyons, but I soon found my way to Ogden and eventually settled in the beautiful Ogden Valley. What makes this area truly special is the easy access to the northern Wasatch and the welcome absence of crowds. The people here are tough, resilient, and proud – a true blue-collar mountain town spirit runs deep through the Ogden community.”
“Ogden is more than just a gateway to Utah’s great outdoors – it’s a community rich in character, culture and charm. Whether you’re carving turns at Snowbasin or hiking the Bonneville Shoreline Trail, one of the best ways to connect with this place is to talk to the locals. Strike up a conversation on the trails or the chairlift – you’ll quickly find that Ogden’s people are as down-to-earth and welcoming as the landscape is rugged and wild.” – Kory Davis
Patty Arnett
Owner of Snow Canyon Trail Rides who organise unique riding itineraries in Snow Canyon State Park
Greater Zion, UT
“Utah’s unique beauty is in so many areas of the state but in particular the unparalleled beauty of the southwestern area.”
“Take a horseback trail ride with Snow Canyon Trail Rides to the iconic Rim of Snow Canyon State Park. Our guests continually relate that they may have ridden all over the world, but it is the most spectacular by far!” – Patty Arnett
Photography by Jenni Bridgman
Paul Gagner
Owner at Dreamland Safari Tours, based in picturesque Kanab, which connects guests with the desert southwest by providing visceral experiences and education in a backcountry setting
Kanab, UT
“Utah is a place of stunning contrasts from snow-dusted peaks and sunlit red-rock deserts, alpine lakes and winding slot canyons. Around every corner, there’s a new landscape waiting to be explored.”
“From snow-capped peaks to desert canyons, sandstone arches to alpine lakes, Utah has five national parks but it’s the countless hidden gems that impress visitors. Just when visitors think they’ve seen it all, southern Utah reveals yet another wonder: some of the darkest skies in the country, where the Milky Way stretches overhead in dazzling clarity.” – Paul Gagner
Randy Browning
Captain and guide operating Flaming Gorge Charters in the huge, scenic reservoir of Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area
Flaming Gorge, UT
“We have abundant wildlife! Mule deer, elk, moose, antelope, bears, cottontail rabbits, jack rabbits, coyotes, eagles, hawks, ravens, and migratory ducks and geese!”
“My favourite national forest is the Ashley National Forest and the High Uinta range, located near Flaming Gorge and the town of Manila. Within an hour you can be fishing or recreating on Flaming Gorge reservoir or hiking the many trails to remote lakes and rivers in the High Unitas.” – Randy Browning
History & Culture
Utah’s iconic landscapes have helped define the imagery of the American West, from classic westerns to today’s adventure films
But there’s far more to Utah’s history than cowboy culture. This is a state shaped by many stories: Indigenous homelands, pioneer settlement, mining booms and busts, and the rise of little railroad towns that once linked the West. Take the time to talk with the people you meet – servers, guides, outfitters and small-business owners – and you’ll find each carries a different thread of Utah’s past and a unique perspective on its character. In Salt Lake City, Temple Square offers one window into state heritage, telling the story of its Mormon pioneers, while museums and neighbourhoods across the capital reveal the wider forces that built the state. Together, they show how deep and varied Utah’s history runs beneath its famous landscapes.
Edward ‘Chip’ Cannon
American West Heritage Center, a hands-on living museum just outside Logan in Northern Utah where visitors can learn about the American West from 1820 to 1920
Wellsville, UT
“The beehive is Utah’s official emblem and appears on its state flag, representing industry and unity. It reflects the pioneer values of hard work, cooperation and community. The Quaking Aspen, Utah’s state tree, symbolises interconnectedness. Entire groves of aspen grow from a single root system, much like Utah’s community spirit.”
“I’d definitely suggest visiting the American West Heritage Center located just outside Logan, Utah. Having been a volunteer here for seven years, I’m probably a little biased, but here you have a 275-acre living history site and working farm that shows the cultural history of Cache Valley, from the Native Americans, mountain men and the Rocky Mountain fur trade of the 1820s to the early settlement of the Mormon pioneers and an actual working farm of 1917.” – Edward ‘Chip’ Cannon
Jason Murray
Owner and guide at Southwest Adventure Tours who help visitors discover Bonneville Salt Flats, Salt Lake City, Antelope Island and The Mighty 5® National Parks
Cedar City, UT
“Utah has a culture that is inviting and welcoming, and people notice it. It’s something that stands out to them. We love this state and the towns we live in, and love sharing it with others.”
“Take time to chat with those serving you; each has a unique background that offers a different view of Utah’s character. One of the best places to experience this is at Temple Square. If you are travelling through Salt Lake City, make sure you stop at Temple Square. It isn’t just about the Church. It tells the story and history of those who settled this area and explains what makes Utah so different to visit compared to other parts of the world.” – Jason Murray
Lesha Coltharp
Travel & Tourism Specialist at Uintah County Travel & Tourism, which is home to Dinosaur National Monument, a natural park where visitors can admire a treasure trove of fossils and an incredible wall of dinosaur bones on exciting driving tours
Vernal, UT
“There’s beauty and wonder around every corner. Vernal, Utah has a little bit of all of Utah in one place. The world-famous “Wall of Bones” at Dinosaur National Monument, Moonshine Arch, White Water Rafting on the Green River, Red Rocks at Red Fleet State Park, camping in the Ashley National Forest. Having the opportunity to live so close to all these amazing recreational opportunities is what makes it so special to me.”
“Top must-do things when visiting Utah and the Vernal area includes Dinosaur National Monument. No where else in the world can you view and touch over 1,500 dinosaur bones still left where they were found on a giant vertical wall for all to see and touch.” – Lesha Coltharp
Bega Metzner
Film Commission Director at Moab to Monument Valley Film Commission, the longest-running film commission in the world that facilitates productions of all sizes, from small student films to major motion pictures
Moab, UT
“Utah is pure movie magic – but it’s not just epic, it’s real. I came here through film and stayed because the landscape isn’t a backdrop – it’s a living, breathing character. It’s cinematic, spiritual, and absolutely authentic.”
“Catch a sunset at Dead Horse Point. There’s a reason filmmakers keep coming back – it’s like the entire Earth opens up in front of you. That overlook was featured in Thelma & Louise, Mission: Impossible II, and countless commercials. It’s breathtaking, cinematic and feels almost otherworldly. Want a bonus road trip? Drive down to Monument Valley, where Forrest Gump famously stopped running. That stretch of highway has become iconic – and standing there, you’ll understand why. Utah doesn’t just host films – it imprints them on your memory.” – Bega Metzner
Indigenous Heritage
Utah is shaped in profound ways by its Indigenous nations, whose cultures and land connections continue to define the state today
The state lies within the ancestral homelands of the Ute, Shoshone, Paiute, Goshute, Navajo and Ute Mountain Ute peoples, among others – all with deep ties to Utah’s mountains, deserts and canyon country. Their languages, traditions and enduring relationships with the land add layers of meaning to the places visitors explore, reminding travellers of the depth and richness of Utah’s story.
Chief Darren Parry
Shoshone Chief working with The Lodge at Blue Sky, a luxurious mountain resort set within 4,000 private acres of untamed wilderness
Coalville, north of Park City, UT
“Utah is sacred ground to my people. It is not just where we lived, it is who we are. The rivers, the mountains, and the salt flats hold the memory of my ancestors. For thousands of years, the Shoshone people moved with the seasons, caring for the land and being cared for by it in return.”
“Utah’s beauty is deeper than what you can see. It is in the songs of the wind, the stories carried by the water, and the footprints of those who came long before us. If you have the opportunity, I invite you to experience a Sweat Lodge ceremony at The Lodge at Blue Sky in Park City. It’s an incredibly sacred experience, one that most people will never have in their lifetime, and one that is deeply unique to this land. It’s a ceremony of cleansing and connection, a reminder that we are part of something much larger than ourselves, and that the earth, like us, holds memory, wisdom and love.” – Chief Darren Parry
Eileen Quintana
Nebo Title VI Indian Education Coordinator at Nebo School District in the southern part of Utah County
Carbon, UT
“As a proud Diné (Navajo) woman, my roots stretch deep into the Four Corners region, where my ancestors have lived for thousands of years. My story of Utah has been one of carrying deep cultural connections to the land, bringing forth my community, and the preservation of Indigenous knowledge.”
“I grew up in a hogan [a traditional Navajo dwelling and ceremonial structure] without running water and electricity. I was raised caring for livestock, gathering edible foods and medicines in the desert, growing a garden and hauling wood and water for daily living. This moulded me and shaped my perspective. I have always believed deeply in a holistic approach to education – teaching not just the mind, but also nurturing the spirit, body, and community ties that connect all of us.” – Eileen Quintana
Elizabeth Nagengast-Stevens
Park Manager and Archaeologist who works with the Fremont Indian State Park & Museum, showcasing artefacts, petroglyphs and pictographs left behind by the Fremont Indians
Sevier, UT
“Utah has it all! From desertscapes, skiing on high mountain peaks, hiking in beautiful fall colours, to red rock hoodoos. What is there not to love and enjoy? ”
“Utah has such deep history and as an archaeologist I have come to love and appreciate it even more. So, don’t miss out on this wonderful opportunity to visit heritage sites that you can’t see anywhere else in the world. Visit the unique rock imagery sites, ancient pueblos and historic Latter-Day Saints homesteads the State takes so much time and care to preserve.” – Elizabeth Nagengast-Stevens
Louis Williams
Owner of Ancient Wayves River & Hiking Adventures, a guiding company in southeast Utah focusing on Indigenous culture and homelands
Bluff, UT
“In the northern parts of Utah is where the Shoshone tribe is located while the western region of the state has the Paiute, the east is where the Ute bands call home and in the south we have the Diné (Navajo) and Pueblo groups. ”
“I’d recommend a visitor to experience a guided trip on the San Juan River. Float by mesmerising landforms that protrude from the ground caused by millions of years of deformation and erosion or meander through a canyon with walls reaching the overlook of the Goosenecks. With a Native guide, you’ll hear stories about the people who’ve inhabited the lands near this river since time immemorial. You may even get to taste the native foods which the people have been surviving on for thousands of years. The river is the best outdoor classroom and an awesome place to recreate!” – Louis Williams
