Utah is the mecca for outdoor excursions and vacations. Since about 80 percent of the state is set aside for public use, there is plenty of land available for use by residents and tourists looking for outdoor adventure. Utah provides 47 state parks, 5 national parks, 7 national monuments, 2 national recreation areas, and 6 national forests to explore. What's great about living or traveling to Utah is that the mountains and other recreation areas are just minutes from the bustling city. With a wide variety of climates and topography, ranging from 13,000 foot mountains in the north to deep canyons and gorges as low as 3,000 feet, Utah can fit any recreation need. Here are some of the tops parks and recreation areas in Utah.
o Bear Lake - Located in Northern Utah, this lake has pristine, warm water in the summer perfect for boating all day. It also has various hiking and biking trails nearby and local entertainment for the night.
o Big Cottonwood Canyon - Also located in the north, this canyon is great for rock climbing for all skill levels, well as containing plenty of places for mountain biking or road cycling. If a relaxing trip is your desire, there are plenty of campsites and places for fishing as soon as the summer months come around. In the winter, ski and snowboard resorts such as Solitude Resort and Brighton Resort are available for the beginner to Olympic athlete.
o Zion National Park - Southwest Utah is probably the most popular and well-known part of the state. This area has access to beautiful arches perfect for hiking and biking. Best of all, you can pick a camping spot and try it all. There is plenty of activity in this area, from canyoneering, rock climbing, mountain biking, and white water rafting.
o Lake Powell - Located in the southern end of Utah's border, Lake Powell is a fun vacation spot for a few days or a few weeks. You can camp right on the beach or bring or rent a houseboat for as long as you wish to stay. Although the nearby town isn't very big, the seemingly limitless water, the canyons, and high cliffs for diving are ideal for a summer getaway.
Now that you know some of the hot spots in Utah, pick your recreation or sport of choice that you want to try and head to the top Utah parks and recreation areas this year for a vacation you won't soon forget and will want to repeat year after year.
