When spring arrives in Utah, I am ready to box up my winter clothes and head outside. The warm weather, buds on the trees, and flower blooms are refreshing. There are dozens of fun things to do in Utah in spring to help you not only enjoy this beautiful time of the year but also to help you fall even deeper in love with our great state. Below you will find 15 spring activities that you’ll want to add to your bucket list.
Flower Blooms In Utah
When spring arrives that means one thing — breathtaking flower blooms. All over the state, you can witness fields of wildflowers that will mesmerize and inspire. While there are many flower blooms in Utah to witness, the following are just two of our favorites and destinations that we highly recommend visiting starting in late March and early April.
1. Ashton Gardens, Thanksgiving Point
Location: Lehi, Utah
Popularity: Very popular
Price: $27 for adults, $22 for youth, and $20 for children ages 3-12. Children under the age of 2 are free.
One of the most well-known flower blooms in Utah is found in the Ashton Gardens at Thanksgiving Point in Lehi. During the annual tulip festival, typically held in April and May each year, you can walk among thousands of colorful tulips. Plus, you’ll also spot a few other flowers such as daffodils and poppies. Because this spring festival is so popular, we recommend visiting on a weekday.
2. Utah State Capitol
Location: Salt Lake City, Utah
Popularity: Popular
Price: Free
You know spring has officially arrived when you see pink blossoms appearing at the Utah State Capitol. As you walk around the capitol grounds, you’ll see dozens of perfectly pink trees lining the walkways. This is a beautiful place to sit and enjoy the blooms or even bring a picnic lunch and relax on the grassy lawn. Keep in mind that the blooms only appear for a short time so you won’t want to delay your visit.
Botanical Gardens In Utah
The perfect spring day trip includes visiting one of the best botanical gardens in Utah. These destinations are not only beautiful, but they are also some of the most romantic things to do in Utah in spring. While there are several gorgeous gardens across the Beehive State, the following four are certainly bucket list worthy.
3. Red Hills Desert Garden, St. George
Location: St. George, Utah
Popularity: Popular
Price: Free
The Red Hills Desert Garden is a true oasis in the desert. This unique xeriscaped botanical garden features a collection of more than 5,000 plants that can each thrive in the desert climate. There are several gardens you can walk through and you may even spot some fascinating wildlife as well. Make sure you explore the replica slot canyon and check out the fossil tracks. This is a botanical garden full of adventure.
4. Conservation Garden Park, West Jordan
Location: West Jordan, Utah
Popularity: Not very busy
Price: Free
Conservation Garden Park is one of the lesser-known botanical gardens in Utah but it’s also one that you need to add to your spring bucket list. This botanical garden is located on the grounds of Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District and displays waterwise landscaping examples. Walk around and admire the different gardens, designs, and plants for a delightful afternoon outside.
5. Red Butte Garden, Salt Lake City
Location: Salt Lake City, Utah
Popularity: Popular
Price: $16 for adults, $8 for children 3-17, free for children ages 2 and under
Red Butte Garden is one of the most well-known botanical gardens in Utah. Located in the foothills of Salt Lake City, this botanical garden is home to breathtaking plants and flowers and gorgeous mountain views. Here you will find 21 acres of formal gardens and five miles of hiking trails. It’s a fabulous spring day trip destination in Utah.
6. Ogden Botanical Gardens
Location: Ogden, Utah
Popularity: Popular
Price: Free
Ogden Botanical Gardens is an escape into nature right in the heart of the city. Here you can find multiple gardens like the Asian Garden, Edible Garden, and Rose Garden. Each garden not only provides unique beauty but educational experiences as well. Admire the plants and flowers in the gardens or take one of the classes offered. Visiting this garden is one of our favorite cheap things to do in Utah in spring.
Parks To Visit In Utah This Spring
Spring is one of the best times of the year to explore — especially in southern Utah. While there are city parks all around the state that are perfect for a spring day, we particularly love to visit the national and state parks in southern Utah during the spring months. Full of nature, activities, and beauty, these may become some of your favorite spring getaway destinations.
7. Snow Canyon State Park
Location: Ivins, Utah
Popularity: Popular
Price: $10 per vehicle for Utah residents, $15 per vehicle for non-Utah residents
Snow Canyon State Park is one of the best places to explore in southern Utah. While a fabulous destination to visit year-round, we particularly love to visit in the spring when the temperatures are mild and there is plenty to see and do. We recommend an afternoon of hiking among the red rocks and spending the night in the year-round campground. The Snow Canyon Campground is bucket-list-worthy as it features both tent and RV sites that are surrounded by red sandstone and black lava rock.
8. Goblin Valley State Park
Location: Green River, Utah
Popularity: Popular
Price: $20 per vehicle
Goblin Valley State Park will make you feel like you’ve stepped onto another planet. This park features the most unique landscape covered in thousands of strange rock formations called hoodoos. In fact, this state park is home to one of the highest concentrations of hoodoos in the entire world. This park isn’t large but it does offer incredible hiking, mountain biking, and camping opportunities. I strongly suggest you spend the night and stargaze. Goblin Valley State Park is a certified International Dark Sky Park.
9. Bryce Canyon National Park
Location: Near Tropic, Utah
Popularity: Popular
Price: $35 per vehicle
All of Utah’s national parks including Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park, and Capitol Reef National Park are delightful to visit in the spring but Bryce Canyon National Park in southern Utah is an outdoor adventure you won’t want to end. During this time of year, you can avoid the crowds that you’ll see in the summer months, and the views are just as enchanting. On sunny days, plan to hike among the red rocks and hoodoos. When the spring weather doesn’t want to cooperate, spend some time at Ruby’s Inn, a delightful general store from the early 1900s.
Springs Hikes In Utah
On warm spring days, there is nothing like lacing up your hiking boots and hitting the trails. With hundreds of incredible hiking trails in Utah, there are plenty of options for a spring hike. To help you narrow your options, the following are three of our favorite trails:
10. Cascade Springs Interpretive Boardwalk Trail
Location: Near Midway, Utah
Popularity: Not too busy
Price: Free
One of the best family-friendly spring hikes in Utah is the Cascade Springs Interpretive Boardwalk Trail. Tucked away on the Alpine Loop Scenic Byway, this is a short and easy trail that is accessible and features both a boardwalk and paved sections. You’ll enjoy small streams, trickling waterfalls, and gorgeous wildflowers. Just make sure to bring a camera — it’s beautiful here.
11. Riverside Walk
Location: Zion National Park, near Springdale, Utah
Popularity: Very popular
Price: Free after purchasing an entrance fee into the park
Riverside Walk is easily one of the best hikes in Zion National Park. This is one of the park’s most popular trails and for good reason — it’s beautiful. The trail is just over two miles and fairly flat, making it perfect for a delightful stroll. Along your way, you’ll enjoy red rock cliffs, Virgin River views, and so much more. If you are up for more of a challenge in this national park, consider Angels Landing. You will need to acquire a permit but it’s a hike you’ll never forget.
12. Silver Lake Trail
Location: Near Tibble Fork Reservoir, Utah
Popularity: Not very busy
Price: Free
If you are looking for a more challenging hike to tackle during the spring months, The Silver Lake Trail in American Fork Canyon is it. This trail is considered moderately difficult and is 4.5 miles round trip. This hike is the perfect place to immerse yourself in nature as you walk through groves of aspen trees and to inspiring viewpoints. Keep in mind that the scenic drive to the trailhead may be impassable at times due to weather so plan your trip wisely.
Spring Picnic Spots In Utah
I love to have a picnic on a warm spring day. Fortunately, here in the Beehive State, there are dozens of places to relax and enjoy a meal. From city parks to national monuments, you have plenty of options. The following are just three of the best spring picnic spots in Utah.
13. Liberty Park, Salt Lake City
Location: Salt Lake City, Utah
Popularity: Popular
Price: Free
Liberty Park is easily one of the best picnic spots in the Salt Lake Valley. This is not only one of the largest public parks in Salt Lake City, but it is also one of the oldest. While you can relax on the grass or the picnic tables around the park, there is so much more to see and do here including walking paths, multiple playgrounds, basketball, volleyball, and bocce ball courts, and pavilions. Liberty Park is also home to the Tracy Aviary and Chase Home Museum.
14. Dinosaur National Monument
Location: Eastern Utah
Popularity: Popular
Price: $25 per vehicle
No matter if you are on a spring break road trip or are simply visiting the eastern side of the state, you must stop by Dinosaur National Monument. This is one of the best destinations in Utah for discovering prehistoric creatures and it’s where you can search for and see dinosaur fossils. Keep in mind that this national monument is huge and crosses into Colorado. I recommend a multi-day visit to see what each state has to offer and a stop in Vernal is a must.
15. Willow Creek Park, Park City
Location: Park City, Utah
Popularity: Popular
Price: Free
Park City is a small town with so much to keep you busy. But, if you simply want to slow down and just enjoy a quiet picnic, Willow Creek Park is where you should go. This fabulous city park in Utah is 15.5 acres and has everything from playing fields and an exercise par course to multiple playgrounds. There is a dog park and a paved trail surrounding the park. Plus, there are plenty of tables and grassy areas for enjoying your picnic lunch. It’s a destination full of self-care options.
What other fun things would you add to this list? Do you enjoy this time of the year? Let us know in the comments. If you plan on embarking on any hiking trails, make sure you have an AllTrails + account so you can download map trails.
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