This trip scenario is for those who are ready for adventures in the area of Martian-like landscapes. We can't offer you a tour to the red planet yet, but we can say that a trip to the canyons and national parks of Utah will give you a lot of emotions as well! You will drive along the mountain roads and winding off-road routes, the landscapes outside the car window will change and amaze with their contrast, pristine forest terrain and desert landscapes will open up in front of you, you will walk near waterfalls, relax on the shore of the lake and climb on the rocky ledges.
So, the adventure begins. The first stop is the Uinta Wasatch Cache National Park, where you can go hiking and take a lot of beautiful pictures, then go to the waterfalls, and in the evening get to Scofield Park and relax by the lake. The itinerary is quite intense, the road trip is quite far away from the city, you may wish to skip some places in order to stay longer in the others.
The journey begins in Utah's capital, Salt Lake City. You won't stay here for long and go towards adventures, the first stop on the way is the Uinta Wasatch Cache National Park.
Uinta Wasatch Cache is a place that will be appreciated by those who enjoy an active lifestyle! There are plenty of hiking trails suitable for both walking and mountain biking, just in case you bring your bikes with you. Fishing is allowed on the banks of many lakes and river sections within the park. You may wish to spend a whole day here, but the road ahead awaits!
Welcome to the wildlife kingdom! The waterfall is located at a distance from the road, you will have to walk for about fifteen minutes. There are many species of birds and small mammals in the forest, but there are also some bigger ones, such as the black bear, so – stay on guard and don’t go too far in the woods.
We'll stop for lunch at a cafe serving healthy food. It's a pretty big choice, from salads to sandwiches. Another advantage of road trips is that you can take your meals with you on the road.
Scofield is a good place to relax at any time of year. In winter, snowmobile and skiing trips are organized here, and in the warm season – boat trips and fishing from the shore or from the boat is possible.
Wingers has everything for a tasty dinner – delicious grilled meat, burgers and tacos. Cafe owners assure that their sauces are so delicious that they can cause addiction. Would you risk checking it out?
We will drive along one of the most famous roads in the wilderness - White Rim Trail. Moving along the route, and sometimes coming down from it, you will see amazing rocks and canyons.
The whole day will be held in nature, so it is worth to stock up on food and water in advance – take more water, the trip will be on a rather deserted area.
The park is famous for its picturesque views of the Colorado Valley and canyons. At 2,000 feet above the river, there is an observation deck from which you can enjoy stunning panoramic views of the surroundings.
Canyonlands Park attracts travellers with its unusual landscapes, formed under the influence of weathering. One of the most beautiful points of the park is the Airport Tower Rock, which is one of the park's symbols and is often depicted on postcards and guide covers. It's time for it to take its place in your photo gallery too.
Junction Butte is the place where you should definitely make a stop, moving along the White Rim Trail. If you climb up the hill, you can see both rivers flowing in the park – Green River and Colorado.
The White Rim Road trip is coming to an end, and we're going back to Moab. Another beautiful observation deck with a perfect view!
The Spoke on Center is a favourite restaurant of locals with delicious food and a good choice of draught and bottled beer. The atmosphere here is quite relaxed, the interiors are quite simple but complemented by interesting details.
Today, we have a long way to go, first we will visit two viewing platforms with spectacular views of the canyons, and in the evening, after a walk at the foot of the mountain, we will go to Provo.
Com to the shop to buy products for the road, there are many interesting places ahead!
Spotted Wolf Canyon can be reached by driving along the I-70. To get closer to the coolest spots you need a powerful off-road vehicle, Ford Raptor is a great choice! The views here are amazing, the place is worth the time!
When you're near Devil's Canyon, you'll notice how the landscape is changing, particularly the color of the rocks is getting brighter and the vegetation is getting thicker. This canyon is a great place for hiking, there are both trampled trails and the opportunity to climb into uncharted places.
Manti-La Sal National Forest is not only a natural treasure of the state of Utah but also a place where more than five thousand archaeological monuments are located. Some of them date back to antiquity, others to the time of the first settlers. And when you drive through a road that passes through a forest, you can often find mooses – the forest is home to the largest population in the state.
Before we go to conquer the mountain peaks, we'll stop by for dinner. The place is simple, but it's delicious, or you can take a couple of pizzas with you and have a picnic at the foot of the mountain.
The first ascent to Mount Nibo was made at the end of the nineteenth century. Of course, in order to enjoy the diversity of the natural landscape, it is not necessary to climb to the very top but a walk at the foot of the mountain will also bring a lot of impressions. Make sure you get back to your car before it gets dark.
Head from Provo to Antelope Island to see the wild animals in their natural habitat. We'll be back in Salt Lake City by tonight and have dinner at a great Italian restaurant.
Let's start the day with a visit to the lake - the area here disposes to a peaceful rest, so just relax and enjoy the views of the water surface. You can rent a boat, a kayak or a canoe.
Gobblers Knob is the highest peak of the mountain range that separates Mill Creek Canyon from the Grand Cottonwood Canyon. You can reach the top on foot, but the climb takes up to two hours so you will have to skip some of the next places then. Or you can just take a walk on the hiking trails at the foot of the hill.
Before we go to the island of Antelope, we should get some food. The way to the reserve passes through Salt Lake City, so we'll have lunch there. The motto of the restaurant is from farm to table, all ingredients are grown on local farms. The staff of the restaurant is always friendly and positive and always happy to help with the choice of dishes.
Antelope Island is the largest island of the Great Salt Lake, and also a place where you can observe many species of animals and birds.
For the final dinner, we'll go to a restaurant in Salt Lake City. The menu is quite diverse, based on Italian classics: pasta, lasagna, a large selection of seafood dishes, and, of course, excellent wines and desserts. Please note that the restaurant is closed on Sundays.