Few places in the contiguous U.S. are as strikingly beautiful as southern Utah. And while the region's many spas and hotels offer ample opportunities for R&R, it's also a beacon for adventure seekers. Whether you're criss-crossing rose-hued sand dunes, exploring rock formations that look as if they've been transported from Mars, rappelling down plunging canyons, or hiking through renowned national parks, vacationing in southern Utah can be as high-octane, creative, and outside-the-box an experience as you want. Here are our favorite ways to tackle this epic part of the country.
Horseback Riding in Bryce Canyon National Park
Home to hoodoos (unique spire-like geological formations that reach as high as 10 stories tall) and cavernous gulches, this 35,000-acre landscape was first inhabited over 10,000 years ago—so why not explore it on horseback, the oldest transportation in the book? A guided trail ride promises an insider's view of this epic landscape, plus tips on how to ride and where to take the best pictures. Those who want to take a deeper dive into the pack animal theme can book a multiday llama excursion that includes hiking and camping while your new animal friend schleps the bags.
Sand Sledding (and ATV Cruising) at the Coral Pink Sand Dunes
No, it's not a mirage: These dunes have a reddish-pink hue, due to erosion of the surrounding Navajo sandstone dating back to the Jurassic Period. But just because they're ancient doesn't mean you need to tiptoe around them. You can rent all-terrain vehicles and cruise around the sand dunes for a self-guided experience, or hire a guide to ensure that you don't miss anything. Then hop off your vehicle for some sand sledding, an iconic dune activity that's worth "cowabungas" aplenty.
Canyoneering at Zion National Park
Angel's Landing offers a one-of-a-kind view—and a one-of-a-kind way of reaching it. Travelers use a rope to steady themselves as they scale the uphill trail that leads to this 360-degree view of Zion Canyon. And for visitors who enjoy this sort of thing so much that they want a more extreme version, Zion is one of the country's premier canyoneering destinations. This sport, which involves swimming, rock climbing, rappelling, and hiking, is an exciting way to explore the nooks and crannies of this vast terrain. Courses range from introductory to expert-level, so you should be able to find one appropriate for your skill level; since you should always have a team with you when canyoneering, we also advise signing up for a guided excursion with one of the many local canyoneering companies, who know the terrain like the back of their hand.
Camping…Everywhere
Southern Utah has an overwhelming abundance of fantastic places for camping (both in the aforementioned locations and elsewhere). DarkSky International has given its Dark Sky Places certification—reserved for locales that protect the ecosystem from light pollution, benefitting both the environment and stargazers—to many of the region's. Use the organization's online database to find which ones offer your best opportunity to take in the constellations or, perhaps, one of the annual meteor showers—such as the Perseids during the summer months, or the Geminids in the winter.
Plan your trip to southern Utah at VisitUtah.com.
