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Nature|National & State Parks

There’s No End To The Fun You’ll Have At This Utah State Park

Jordanelle State Park offers a variety of outdoor activities and camping options, making it a perfect weekend getaway.

Published Jul 26, 2018

Written by 

Catherine Armstrong

What are you doing this weekend? Perhaps it's time to get outside and play! Here's a gorgeous playground that's right in our backyard, and you'll want to stay for an entire weekend of fun.

Jordanelle State Park is located above Heber, nestled right on the banks of Jordanelle Reservoir. The park features three recreation areas: Hailstone, Red Cliff, and Ross Creek.

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Peggy Taber/Google

The reservoir was created in 1993, and it covers an area of more than five square miles, and there's an almost endless array of activities to enjoy here.

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Jordanelle State Park/Facebook

Stake out a spot on the beach and spend the day splashing, swimming and picnicking.

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Explore the lake with a quiet canoe or kayak trip.

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You'll often find the lake dotted with sailboats, too...

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Jordanelle State Park/Facebook

...and waterskiing, tubing and riding on personal watercraft are all great ways to cool off on a hot summer day.

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Jordanelle is an excellent destination for fishing. The lake is home to rainbow trout, yellow perch, smallmouth bass, cutthroat and brown trout.

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Both kids and adults will love playing at Aqua X Zone, an inflatable, aquatic playground where you can bounce, jump and slide right out on the water.

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Aqua X Zone/Facebook

Check out our feature article on Aqua X Zone here.

You might also want to try stand up paddle boarding (SUP). It's a great way to explore the lake!

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Lace up your hiking boots and explore the park on several trails.

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Utah State Parks

Stop in at the Rock Cliff Nature Center to learn more about Jordanelle's ecosystem and wildlife. It's open every Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

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Utah State Parks

You're not going to want to leave at the end of the day, and luckily you don't have to! Stay at one of the cabins that offer air conditioning, bunkbeds, kitchenettes, fire pits, and picnic tables.

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The park also offers RV campsites, as well as a large tent campground, group campsite, and rustic hike-in campground.

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Once the sun sets, the night sky fills with stars. Because there's less light pollution that you get in Utah's cities, you'll be amazed at how many stars are visible up here!

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For more information about Jordanelle State Park, visit its website, and check it out on Facebook. What's your favorite thing to do at Jordanelle?

If you love the lakes in the Beehive State, here's one that you should check out soon; it's almost too beautiful to be real!

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Nature|Hiking

Hike Snow Canyon State Park’s Scout Cave Trail in Utah for an Unforgettable Adventure

In my opinion, one of the best hikes in Utah is the Scout Cave Trail at Snow Canyon State Park. It's open all year, not super challenging, and showcases views that are almost too breathtaking to be real.

Published Nov 5, 2024

Written by 

Katie Lawrence

Utah is a nature lover's dream, and we're blessed with some of the best hiking trails in the country. It just doesn't get much better than our vast canyons and stunning rock formations. I could spend the rest of my life hiking in the Beehive State and still get excited about hitting the trail each day! In my opinion, one of the best hikes in Utah is the Scout Cave Trail at Snow Canyon State Park. It's open all year, not super challenging, and showcases views that are almost too breathtaking to be real. Plus, it's kid and pet-friendly!

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AllTrails Zach Schuster

Scout Cave Trail is a 3.4-mile out-and-back hike that passes over lava flow fields, Navajo Sandstone rocks, and stream beds. Although it's rated as intermediate on AllTrails, most hikers describe it as being easy, so you definitely don't need to be super skilled. The elevation gain is about 350 feet, and just a few moderate climbing sections make up the bulk of it. You're unlikely to get lost because the trail is very well-marked, and the variation in terrain makes for an interesting adventure from start to finish.

By far the coolest part of the trail (and the main reason anyone hikes it in the first place) is Scout Cave. It's located right before the turnaround point and showcases unbelievable panoramic views of the surrounding landscape and the city below. You can actually go inside the cave, which makes this trail a favorite among kiddos.

Shade is minimal, so if you're visiting in the summer, you'll definitely want to wear a hat and load up on sunscreen. Getting started early in the morning also helps with the temperature issue - although the views at sunset are equally as mesmerizing. You should also bring plenty of water and a snack or two, and make sure you have durable footwear for the rock scrambling sections of the trail (however brief they may be).

Visit AllTrails to learn more about the Scout Cave Trail, including the parking fee for Snow Canyon State Park. I also recommend signing up for AllTrails+ if you do a lot of hiking. The app offers exclusive perks like offline and 3D maps, ensuring you never miss a turn.

Have you ever hiked this trail? If so, do you think it's one of the best hikes in Utah? Tell us your thoughts in the comments! Check out our previous article for some of the best things to do in the nearby town of St. George. It's perfect for a family getaway!

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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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