Best Weekend Getaway Spots - Utah

Utah is a large state, 11th in size.  It is 275 miles wide and 345 miles long.  That's a lot of area to cover!  Utah has Bear Lake, shared with Idaho, on the North, and Lake Powell in the south is 186 miles long and has more beach area than California!  In between are mountains, lakes, forests, sand dunes, cities and highways.  And don't forget ski resorts! 

Planning a vacation to Utah will depend on who is going (family, friends, business associates) and what you have in mind.  Personally, I like outdoorsy activities, without crowds.  This matches my antisocial personality well!  I like to go with my family, and maybe a few friends.  This Hub is based on my preferences, and there is probably not anyone else in the world who will have exactly the same opinion as I.   

MOAB

With this in mind, my first suggestion is a trip to Moab.  This area is the home of Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park. Moab thrives on tourism, and so there are many motels, restaurants and shops to satisfy every need.  If you go in the summer, though, plan your reservations well in advance.  It seems to get busier every year.  And remember this country is considered high desert, so bring water and be prepared for heat!  Early spring is a great time to plan a trip.   

Keep in mind that the Colorado River runs through Moab, and presents some great opportunities itself for river rafting and boating.  Also, the walls along the river and along the road are a haven for rapelers.  And there are various hikes along the river that are free.  

There are multiple Jeep and four-wheeler trails, some that seem to straight up boulders!  You can pay for a tour and let someone else drive if the thought of rocky, narrow and steep roads makes you nervous.  

Arches contains, as the name suggests, multiple arches and curious rock forms,  including Delicate Arch, which is depicted on Utah license plates.  This hike is a relatively easy one, depending on your physical condition and how much time you have allowed.  In other words, don't go too fast; you miss too much.  The hike is a mile and a half one way, and it's recommended you allow yourself 2-12 hours round trip.  That is actually PLENTY of time to take in all the scenery and wildlife and get some nice pics.  Make sure to bring water, hats and sunscreen.  I have made several trips to Delicate Arch, but I have never been able to get a shot of the arch itself without someone else there in the picture. 

Arches has many, many trails to hike, and they are all spectacular. You can visit http://www.arches.national-park.com/ to get all the information you need.   

Next on our stop is Canyonlands.  This is a huge park, divided into three different areas by the Colorado and Green rivers, which meet somewhere below Dead Horse Point, which should probably be your first stop.  Here you will find a visitor center, water, maps and information.  You can learn a lot of the history of the area.  Go to http://www.canyonlands.national-park.com/ to find out all you need to know to get started. 

LAKE POWELL 

Next on our stop is Lake Powell.  Located in the very southernmost strip of the state, Lake Powell has become one of our favorite spots.  This lake is huge, and even if half the population of the state is there, you can find an uncrowded spot.  There are three Marinas that you can drive to on the Utah side, Hite, Bullfrog, and Hall's Crossing.  The Halls' Crossing site is easier to reach if you come from Arizona.  It's right across the lake from Bullfrog, and a ferry runs across daily.  Bullfrog Marina is the only one of these three I have stayed at.  It  has full hookup campsites, a motel, restaurant, small shops, and gas stations.  Wahweap, the largest marina, is actually in Arizona.  Be sure which marina you are going to, because the trip between marinas takes several hours!

To really enjoy Lake Powell, you need a boat.  And renting a houseboat is, in my opinion, the best way to enjoy Lake Powell.  You can also rent a smaller boat or watercraft to tow behind the houseboat.  Make sure you see Rainbow Bridge and the dam during your trip.  You can learn more at http://lakepowell.com/ about Lake Powell. 

ZION NATIONAL PARK,  BRYCE CANYON AND CAPITOL REEF

Here are three other great destinations to plan a vacation around.  Zion Canyon has the Virgin River cutting through it, and is a beautiful green forest in the otherwise rocky, dry surroundings.  If you're not too afraid of heights, try Angel's Landing.  Learn more at http://www.zioncanyon.com/. 

Bryce Canyon contains red rock hoodoos, and no water.  With this canyon, unlike most other places, you hike down into the canyon, then up to get back out.  You can rent horses with guides for a horseback tour into Bryce Canyon during some parts of the year.  You can learn more and see more pictures at http://www.bryce.canyon.national-park.com/. 

Capitol Reef used to be one of our favorite spots when the kids were smaller.  The Fremont River runs through this canyon.  The old pioneer town of Fruita used to be here, and there are still productive fruit trees here today.  Be sure to see the old schoolhouse.  There are also many hikes and sights to see here.  But watch for rain and flash floods.  They seem to have one or two every year, and someone gets stranded because the road washed out.  Check it out at http://www.capitol.reef.national-park.com/. 

SKIING

Of course, Utah is famous for its skiing and snowboarding.  The snow is wonderful, and the ski resorts big and beautiful.  They have terrain for everyone from beginners to experts.  Utah has 13 ski resorts.  So take your pick, and plan your accommodations in advance.  http://www.skiutah.com/ is a great place to start planning. 

IN CONCLUSION.... 

There are so many other things to do and see!  Salt Lake City has operas and musicals, theater, concerts, basketball, baseball, hockey and soccer.  If you are here at Christmas time, make sure to see Temple Square.  It's a sight you'll always remember.  In June you can see the Mormon Miracle Pageant in Manti, outdoors on the temple grounds under the stars.  There are dinosaur bones to visit in Vernal.  There are Joshua trees and golf courses in St. George.  There are fishing holes and hunting spots. There are sand dunes in Delta. 

If this doesn't give you enough excuses to visit Utah, go to http://www.utah.com/.  If I can't convince you, maybe they can!