Nature lovers tack bucket list destinations all over their United States maps, and one of the most popular places to visit is Utah.
From skiing and trekking to the many things to do in Cedar City, Utah, and other famous areas, the reputation as a must-see state is well earned.
But if you’re looking for scenic views that will stay in your memory for the rest of your life, you must look beyond the city’s landscapes and into the wilderness. There, you’ll find these 8 stunning natural parks and monuments that will take your breath away.
1. Bryce Canyon
Topping nearly every list of the best scenic views in Utah is Bryce Canyon. Once you’ve been there, you understand why this national park gets such rave reviews. Located in Bryce Canyon, this park consists of the largest amount of hoodoos — irregular columns of rock — on the planet. To get to the top, you must climb the Grand Staircase, where you’ll find spectacular views you won’t see anywhere else in the world.
2. Cedar Breaks
Atop the grand staircase at an elevation of more than 10,000 feet, you’ll find Cedar Breaks. This national moment gives you a view of the half-mile amphitheater below, consisting of geologic wonders within a subalpine forest.
3. The Canyonlands
A visit to Moab, Utah, brings you face-to-face with the Canyonlands, a massive wilderness of canyons and buttes. These formations were carved out over thousands of years by the Colorado River, divided into four districts by smaller tributaries. Be sure to visit each district, where you’ll find desert-like geography and many opportunities to sightsee.
4. Capitol Reef
Within Utah is a vast stretch of area known as Red Rock Country, where you’ll find Capitol Reef (as well as Canyonlands and the Arches). This national park houses various monuments that serve as a testament to the wonders of geography in an area called the Waterpocket Fold. The fold is a geologic monocline, or wrinkle on the earth, that runs nearly 100 miles through the Reef.
5. Dinosaur and Vernal
When you want a glimpse of how tiny our place in this cosmos is, head to Dinosaur and Vernal (located across Utah and Colorado). Here, you’ll see the obvious remains of the era when dinosaurs roamed the planet. The area is full of history, more recent adventures in settling America, and science.
6. Glen Canyon
Stretching across Utah and Arizona, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area consists of more than 1.25 million acres of magnificent geography and geology. A visit here will be memorable, and you’ll take away knowledge of humanity’s history and the diverse scenic wonders of the area.
7. Golden Spike
Unlike the other must-see attractions on our list, Golden Spike is more recent, but just as crucial. This destination is the finished spot of the first transcontinental railroad, built in the 19th century and cementing the United States as the modern superpower it is today.
8. Hovenweep
Finally, be sure to stop at Hovenweep in Montezuma Creek, where you’ll see the archeological remains of six prehistoric villages. These homes were build between AD 1200-1300, and the detail and structure is so well-designed that they continue to stand today.
