Utah
Nature|National & State Parks

The State Park Where You Can View The Best Fall Foliage In Utah

Published Oct 23, 2023

Written by 

Courtnie Erickson

With up to 46 state parks in Utah, there is no shortage of places to visit and explore. While many of these parks are wonderful destinations regardless of the time of year, there is one that I love recommending during the fall months — Wasatch Mountain State Park. Here, you’ll capture some of the most incredible fall foliage, plus there are hiking and camping opportunities to help you truly fall in love with the autumn months. It is a beautiful destination for a fall day trip in Utah.

Wasatch Mountain State Park is located in Midway, Utah. It’s just a short drive from popular destinations like Park City and Provo.

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Wasatch Mountain State Park/Facebook

While I recommend a visit to this park any time of the year, during the autumn, the vibrant colors make this one of the best state parks in Utah for fall foliage.

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Wasatch Mountain State Park/Facebook

As you drive around, you will spot vibrant reds, yellows, and oranges.

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Wasatch Mountain State Park/Facebook

Even if early snow arrives, the vibrant colors create scenery that looks like something out of a painting.

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Wasatch Mountain State Park/Facebook

One of the best ways to surround yourself with the fall foliage is on one of the park's many hiking trails. These trails are used for hiking, mountain biking, and even horseback riding.

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Wasatch Mountain State Park/Facebook

Although, during the fall, I suggest you lace up your hiking boots and explore the Cascade Springs Interpretive Trail.

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Chris Feickert/AllTrails

This is one of the best family-friendly hikes in Wasatch Mountain State Park. It is less than one mile and features small waterfalls, bridges, and the most stunning fall foliage.

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If you want a trail that is a little more challenging, the Phosphate Trail Loop is a must do. This 6-mile loop trail is considered moderate in difficulty but you really won’t care about the extra effort it requires because the views are going to enchant you.

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Patrick Lehmann/AllTrails

And while this park is perfect for a day trip, camping is also available throughout most of October.

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Wasatch Mountain State Park/Facebook

There are several campsite options available. You will want to visit the Utah State Parks website for more information including campsite availability.

In my opinion, the perfect autumn day includes fall foliage and Wasatch Mountain State Park has some of the best. It’s a fall destination you’ll never regret visiting.

Have you spent time at Wasatch Mountain State Park? Do you love visiting in the fall? Let us know in the comments. And if you plan to hike or camp during your visit, make sure you have the right gear! It’s always best to be prepared.

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Nature|Hiking

The Iconic Trail in Utah Everyone Should Hike Once in Their Lifetime

One of Zion's most popular trails is the Scout Lookout via West Rim Trail, and for good reason. It's not easy by any stretch of the imagination, but it's one of those bucket list-worthy adventures everyone should experience at least once.

Published Oct 28, 2024

Written by 

Katie Lawrence

When it comes to iconic hikes in Utah, Zion National Park is the first place I think of (along with Arches and Bryce Canyon, of course). After all, it's home to some of the most stunning views our state has to offer, and millions of people travel from all over the world each year to revel in its magic. One of Zion's most popular trails is the Scout Lookout via West Rim Trail, and for good reason. It's not easy by any stretch of the imagination, but it's one of those bucket list-worthy adventures everyone should experience at least once.

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AllTrails Kristin Kozelsky

At 3.6 miles long, the Scout Lookout via West Rim Trail is by no means the longest hike in the park, but it is one of the most challenging. The out-and-back trail is rated as hard on AllTrails due to its steep ascent. You'll climb over 1,100 feet in a relatively short distance, navigating tight switchbacks before arriving at the final viewpoint known as Scout Lookout.

While the view at the top is definitely the pièce de résistance, you'll enjoy breathtaking scenery along the entire trail. At the beginning, the path crosses the Virgin River on a bridge before paralleling the river for a short time. From there, the ascent begins, and as the scene unfolds before your eyes, it only gets more picturesque with every step you take. With the ancient, majestic canyon walls rising up all around, you'll swear you're looking at a painting or a postcard. That's just part of living in Utah - what a blessing to call such a state home where the scenery is almost too beautiful to be real.

If you're feeling adventurous, you can continue past Scout Lookout to Angel's Landing, but only experienced hikers should attempt this. Additionally, the trail does not offer much shade, so consider starting either in the early morning or late afternoon to beat the heat if you're visiting in the warmer months.

Visit AllTrails for more information about the Scout Lookout via West Rim Trail. I also recommend signing up for AllTrails+ if you're an avid hiker. The app is an incredible resource with features like 3D flyovers, wrong-turn alerts, and offline map access. Your first week is free, so there's no risk involved in trying it out.

Have you ever embarked on this once-in-a-lifetime adventure? What are your favorite iconic hikes in Utah? Tell us in the comments!

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Nature|Caves & Rock Formations

The Most Iconic View in Utah Is Also a Stunning Slice of History

Arches National Park has the most iconic view in Utah. Even with over 2,000 arches, one stands out from the rest.

Published Oct 4, 2024

Written by 

Jackie Sutherlin

Arches National Park is one of the most iconic views in Utah. Located just north of Moab and adjacent to the Colorado River, Arches National Park boasts more than 2,000 natural sandstone arches. Delicate Arch is the most well-known, but with over 2,000 to see, you could easily find a new favorite arch here. 

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With so many arches, this is the highest density of natural arches in the world. But why are there so many arches in Arches National Park? Well, the answer may surprise you!

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Delicate Arch, Arches National Park, UT.

The national park lies above an underground salt bed, which causes the arches, spires, and sandstone fins that Arches National Park is so well known for. Water erosion is a key ingredient to form these arches, and a lack of earthquakes ensures that these delicate arches are geologically stable. 

These stunning arches are truly slices of history. If you were to stand in this spot a million years ago, you’d only see a desert—no arches to be found. There may have even been vegetation growing!

These arches were formed over many, many years of erosion. And they will continue to form. Who knows what this landscape will look like a million years from now? It certainly won’t look like this. 

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Jamie Seidel/500px Collection via Getty Images

Fun fact: to become one of the park’s official arches, a hole must have an opening of at least three feet. There isn’t any requirement for width, and there are plenty of super skinny arches here. 

The only thing better than seeing Delicate Arch during the day is waiting around until nightfall. Arches National Park is one of the best places to go stargazing, and if you have the right camera gear you could capture some phenomenal shots!

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Photo taken in Moab, United States

April, May, September, and October are the best months to visit Arches National Park. Because the park is so popular, you’ll need a timed entry reservation if you’re planning on visiting Arches National Park between April 1 and October 31. Visitors to Arches National Park also need an entrance pass, which starts at $15.00.

Taking a tour of Arches National Park is the most eco-friendly way to visit this national treasure. Tourism is one of the major players in this fragile ecosystem, and for some reason, we just can’t be trusted to leave no trace. Tours reduce the amount of vehicles that enter the park, plus you’ll be with a knowledgeable guide the entire time who will regale you with all of the fascinating history of Arches National Park. 

Read on to discover some of our favorite places to stay in Utah and start planning your epic Utah adventure. 

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