Are you looking to explore the area around Salt Lake City? First thing you’ll want to do is make sure your car and tires are in good shape by using a tire subscription service like Treads. Once you’re good to go, buckle up because SLC is known for its scenic nature, epic snow, and pioneer spirit.
Read on to see some of the top day trips from Salt Lake City, then hit the road!
1. Park City
Park City is known for its awesome ski resorts and world class golf courses. It’s less than a forty minute drive and the drive itself is very scenic. It also happens to be the home of the Sundance Film Festival where you’re likely to catch glimpses of Hollywood’s elite.
2. Timpanogos Cave National Monument
One of the best natural attractions in the state is the Timpanogos Cave National Monument. It’s located under Mount Timpanogos and near the beautiful Tibble Fork reservoir.
Explore the cave system and learn all about the history and geology you can at the Timpanogos Cave National Monument. If you plan to head to Timpanogos Cave National Monument, it will take you around forty minutes from Salt Lake City. Make sure to buy tickets online before heading there or you might not get in (it’s a popular attraction).
3. Crystal Hot Springs
If you want a spa experience, you’ll definitely want to check out Crystal Hot Springs. Crystal Springs offers both hot springs and cold springs, making it one of the unique locations in the world. Taking a trip to Crystal Hot Springs from Salt Lake City will take around an hour each way.
4. Provo
Those who want to explore another major city will want to head over to Provo, the third-largest city in the state of Utah. Provo is home to Brigham Young University where you can visit a plethora of museums and catch dozens of sporting events. It has an interesting cultural mix as a mostly conservative town with a large arts scene. Some of the restaurants you’ll want to check out are Black Sheep Cafe, The Block, and Mozz Pizzza.
The drive from Salt Lake City to Provo is around forty-five minutes.
5. Logan
Logan is home to Utah State University’s main campus, so if you’re coming up on college tours, it’s an excellent place for a day trip. Logan is also a great place to head to if you’re looking for more options for camping (Bear Lake isn’t too far away from here).
Some other attractions you may want to visit while you’re in Logan include Paradise Daughters of Utah Pioneers Museum, the Nora Eccles Harrison Museum of Art, the Intermountain Herbarium, and many, many others.
Logan is around an hour and a half away from Salt Lake City.
6. Cedar City
If you’re into theater, check out Cedar City, home to the renowned Utah Shakespeare Festival. While you’re in the area, make sure that you take a drive over to Dixie National Forest to see some of the most breathtaking attractions the state has to offer.It’s about a three-and-a-half-hour drive between Cedar City and Salt Lake City.
7. Antelope Island State Park
If you want to catch a glimpse of wild buffalo and horses and horses, then you should consider visiting Antelope Island. The island offers the chance to view some fantastic wildlife. There are some restrictions on Antelope Island State Park depending on the time of year and other factors, so make sure you plan ahead before you head out on the road.
It’s about a fifty-minute drive between Antelope Island State Park and Salt Lake City.
8. Brigham City
Peaches and cream? Brigham City is internationally renowned for its peaches, so if you’re looking for a sweet treat, it’s a solid place to hit up! Brigham City also offers some of the most interesting architecture in the state of Utah with spots like the Brigham City Tabernacle. It’ll take you just under an hour to drive from Salt Lake City to Brigham City. So, what are you waiting for?
9. Ogden
Ogden isn’t going to show up on most lists but as the first settlement in Utah, Ogden has historical roots. It’s got an artsy feel to its main street and hosts some great outdoor summer concerts like the Ogden Twilight series. It is a quick forty-minute drive away from Salt Lake City. We recommend visiting Ogden if you’re a local looking for something off the beaten path, or if you’ve seen most of the main sites SLC has to offer.
10. Goblin Valley State Park
It may sound spooky, but Goblin Valley State Park is nothing short of magical. It offers some of the most unusually magnificent rock formations you can view in the entire world.Goblin Valley State Park is one of the furthest day trips you can do from Salt Lake City, with an over three-hour drive each way. But, if you can get up early enough and time it right, visiting Goblin Valley State Park is totally worth the commute.
