When it comes to outdoor adventures, Utah ranks right near the top of the list, according to a recent survey completed by the website Trover.com. Another report by the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute at the University of Utah confirmed that more and more tourists recognize that the Beehive State is a great place to visit. Keep reading to see some of our favorite spots!
When it comes to outdoor beauty and adventure, Utah is one of the best places in the nation. We already knew that, but it's recently been confirmed by a collaboration between Trover.com and Eddie Bauer.
The two teamed up to offer a photo contest, asking people to send in their adventure photos from around the country. They were surprised to find how many photos depicted our country's national parks, and two of Utah's parks were in the top three for numbers of photos submitted.
From all the photos submitted to the contest, pics of Arches National Park were the second-most common.
Arches' iconic Delicate Arch is the most well-known of the more than 2,000 natural arches at the park, and there are plenty of recreation opportunities here, too.
Zion National Park had the third highest number of photos submitted, and it sees more than 4.3 million visitors annually, a number that's increased by 60% over the last decade.
It seems that everyone has figured out how cool Zion is, and they're all crowding into the park. For the best possible visit, head there during winter months, and visit lesser-populated parts of the park.
Utah's state parks are just as lovely as its national parks, and many of them see large numbers of visitors every year, too.
Antelope Island State Park welcomed more than 430,000 visitors, according to the report by the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute.
Other popular state parks include Dead Horse Point State Park, Jordanelle State Park, Sand Hollow State Park, Willard Bay State Park, and Wasatch Mountain State Park.
No matter what kind of outdoor recreation you love, Utah has it in droves. From rafting on the Colorado...
...to skiing on Utah's powdery slopes at 10,000 feet...
to riding the slickrock in Moab, there's something here for everyone.
Utah's national parks had a total of 10.6 million visitors in 2018, while our state parks saw 6.7 million guests. Tourism accounts for around $9.7 billion in revenue for Utah businesses every year.
What are your favorite Utah spots for outdoor adventures? Tell us in the comments!
Bryce Canyon National Park didn't make Trover.com's list of top eight national parks, but it's one of our faves, and its frozen landscape during the winter is simply stunning.
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