Zion National Park
#5 in Best Places to Visit in Utah
More and more people are discovering the beauty of Zion National Park. Utah’s first national park features more than 90 miles of backpacking and hiking trails, including The Narrows, the slimmest section of the park. There are also easier paths like Canyon Overlook Trail and Pa’rus Trail, as well as more scenic ones, such as Observation Point and the Watchman Trail. If hiking doesn’t present enough of a challenge, visitors can also go canyoneering down or rock climbing up Zion’s 2,000-foot-tall sandstone cliffs.
Capitol Reef National Park
#6 in Best Places to Visit in Utah
While Capitol Reef National Park may not be as well known as Utah’s other national parks, it is just as breathtaking. The park’s main attraction is the nearly 100-mile-long Waterpocket Fold, a buckling of the Earth’s surface. Hiking trails and backcountry routes can also be found throughout the park. But remember, backcountry routes here are not official maintained trails, so you’ll need to obtain a backcountry permit and exercise caution. Other popular activities include biking, horseback riding, rock climbing and canyoneering. If you’d rather exert less energy during your visit, opt for a scenic drive.
