Pretty much every Utahn knows that many places in our state are famous for Westerns and Sci-Fi movies. But did you know that part of "National Lampoon’s Family Vacation" was filmed in Utah? How about "Better off Dead?" Some of these movies won’t surprise you -- others will.
Most famously, "Stagecoach" (1938), starring John Wayne was filmed here. The actor went on to film several other Westerns at Monument Valley. The opening scenes of 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) were filmed in Monument Valley. The Griswold’s car broke down here in "National Lampoon’s Family Vacation" (1983). "Back to the Future III" (1990) was also filmed here -- there’s nothing like seeing a Delorean and a line of Native Americans on horseback playing chicken, is there?
When Charlton Heston first steps off his spaceship onto the "Planet of the Apes" (1968), he emerges onto the shores of Lake Powell. He came back for a cameo in the 2001 remake.
The ghost town of Grafton is where Robert Redford first fell in love with Utah. He starred in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid in (1969), which was filmed in Grafton, Zions National Park and Snow Canyon. He returned to Grafton to film many more Westerns, including "The Outlaw Josey Wells" (1976) and "The Electric Horseman" (1979) and many more.
When angst-ridden Ren McCormack has to burn off some of his rage in "Footloose" (1984), he does so in an amazing gymnastic/dance scene filmed at the Lehi Roller Mills. Other parts of the movie were filmed in American Fork, Orem, Provo and Payson.
John Cusak suffers through his teenage angst in all three of these Utah ski resorts in the movie "Better Off Dead" (1985). Dan’s Market in Holladay is also featured in the movie.
The Legend of the Lone Ranger (1981) was filmed in Arches National Park, Dead Horse State Park and Monument Valley. The remake (2013) was also filmed in the park. Indiana Jones looks for the Holy Grail (and his long-lost father) in the movie "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade" (1989) filmed in Arches National Park and Moab.
"Thelma and Louise" (1991) make their way across Utah, including Canyonlands National Park, Cisco, Thompson Springs, Mexican Hat, Moab and even West Valley City. The last scene in the film (probably the most famous scene in the movie) takes place at Dead Horse Point.
When Smalls and Benny need new baseballs in the movie "The Sandlot," they go to Vincent Drug in Midvale (sadly, it’s no longer in business). The boys’ houses are located in Sugarhouse, and the Little League games were filmed in Glendale and Rose Park. The pool scenes were filmed at Loren Farr Park in Ogden.
"Forrest Gump" (1994) traveled through Utah and captured this iconic view. It’s dubbed "Forrest Gump Point." The view is from Mexican Hat, looking toward Monument Valley.
Lloyd Christmas dreams of returning Mary’s suitcase to her during the movie "Dumb and Dumber" (1994) In his dream, he knocks on her door, which is really the front entrance to La Caille restaurant, where several scenes of the dream sequence in the movie were filmed. Other scenes took place at the Salt Lake International Airport, in Heber and in Ogden.
Will Smith and Jeff Goldblum visited the Bonneville Salt Flats to film "Independence Day" (1996). Other scenes include the Utah towns of Tooele, Wendover, Lakepoint and Skull Valley. Nicholas Cage filmed "Con Air"(1997) at the Salt Flats the following year.
I love road trips! I’ve driven back and forth across this vast country of ours more times than I can even count at this point, and along the way, I’ve traveled a lot of interesting roads. Some of the most memorable roads I’ve come across on my adventures were scenic byways, some were busy highways through cities, and still others took me past well-known landmarks.
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However, I find the roads that are most interesting and that stick with me the most are the crazy ones. Roads with zig zags, desolation, huge drop-offs, and that exhibit questionable quality are the roads I like best – and I seek them out whenever I can.
One of the roads in the United States I love most that happens to meet all of the above criteria is the Moki Dugway in southeastern Utah. This road is not very long, but it’s certainly crazy. It’s kind of in the middle of nowhere so it checks the desolation box on my list, and it surely has the huge drop-offs and questionable quality that I look for, too – even though it’s pretty well maintained for where it is. I’ve driven on it on a few different occasions over the past few decades, and I recently had the opportunity to go up it and back down it once again.
Photo by Christy Articola
The Moki Dugway is a mystery. Its original purpose, when constructed in 1958 by the Texas Zinc mining company, was to allow for transport of uranium ore from mines in Fry Canyon to a processing mill near Mexican Hat. Today, though, as far as I can tell, it has no true purpose other than to give tourists an opportunity to drive up and down it for the thrill of it, and it does offer some great photo opportunities. I suppose it does offer a shortcut for the locals that live in this area, but there’s another, far better, far easier road near it that will likely get people from point to point in a similar amount of time -- this option is paved and isn’t nearly as treacherous.
Two other strange roads that I love in the United States -- The Beartooth Highway in Montana and the Loneliest Highway in Nevada -- have clearer purposes. They both are wild, yes, but they are also the most direct ways to get from Point A to Point B.
The Moki Dugway, on the other hand, seems to only exist for the adventure it provides – and I love it for that very reason. It’s amazing and wonderful that this road is still open and maintained so thrill-seekers like me can enjoy it.
Photo by Christy Articola
The first time I drove on the Moki Dugway, I had no idea what I was getting myself into. I was on a Utah road trip with my mother and it looked interesting on the map, so I thought we’d give it a try. It was more than just interesting. As we approached the completely vertical red walls ahead of us, we quickly realized that we’d be driving not around that cliff... but up it. But how?
The road is paved right up to the base of the cliff. Then, suddenly, it turns to dirt, and well, up you go. No pun intended – it’s all uphill from there until you reach the top. Then, you’re literally on a whole other level. You reach the top of Cedar Mesa and it’s flat once again, for as far as the eye can see, with entirely different vegetation than you saw 1,200 feet ago.
Photo by Christy Articola
Since that trip with my mom, I’ve had the opportunity to drive up and down the Moki Dugway a few more times. It only takes about fifteen to twenty minutes to drive the three miles from the bottom to the top and then the same amount of time from the top back down to the bottom, so I’ve found it worth hitting up anytime I’m nearby, even if it wasn’t on my original itinerary. That was the case this time around. My companion and I were headed from southwestern Colorado to Bryce Canyon and Zion National Parks for a few days. I realized how close we were to the Moki Dugway when we crossed over into Utah, and of course we had to make the quick detour to scale it yet again.
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Photo by Christy Articola
I’ve been the driver of a car going up this road myself before on several occasions. This time my companion wanted to give it a try, so we switched drivers so he could. There are no guardrails on this road, and the drop-offs on the side of the road start almost immediately as you begin your ascent. In some places, the grade of the road is as much as 10%, but it seems even steeper than that when you try to peek over your car’s hood. In all honesty - it's not that dangerous. This road is well taken care of; it's just steep and narrow, but it sure feels like you could easily plummet off the edge at any time.
Photo by Christy Articola
This visit was on a weekday, so I knew we would have the road mostly to ourselves - and that was a good thing. There’s plenty of room for two cars to pass along it, but when one is coming, it’s natural to question that fact. Any time a car did approach us coming from the opposite direction, he expressed a bit of fear and apprehension, but all in all, he did just fine. He white-knuckled it the whole way, but we made it to the top in no time – and he felt very accomplished for successfully tackling this driving challenge. I rewarded him with praise and high-fives.
Photo by Christy Articola
I took over again to drive us back down. Driving up the Moki Dugway is far scarier than driving down it, so admittedly, I had the easy part of the journey. We stopped a few times on our descent to take photos. The views from the overlooks along this road are absolutely incredible. You can see for miles. This panoramic view will take your breath away. On a clear day, it’s possible to see landmarks like Monument Valley, Shiprock in New Mexico, Sleeping Ute Mountain in Colorado, and more. The colors all around you are truly spectacular, and seeing how skinny the road you drove up on is, now far below, really offers some perspective.
Photo by Christy Articola
The Moki Dugway is amazing and is well worth going a little out of your way to conquer. It’s not like any other road I’ve ever been on and I love the challenge, the fear, and the feelings of accomplishment when reaching the top. I’m sure this journey up and down it will not be my last; I’ll take it on anytime I’m in southern Utah. You should, too. Driving the Moki Dugway is a scary but rewarding experience, and you’ll love it. It’s a truly unforgettable adventure in the American Southwest.
Of course, the Moki Dugway is only one of many fantastic adventures you can enjoy in southeastern Utah. Don't miss Four Corners to the east, Monument Valley Tribal Park to the south, and Glen Canyon National Recreation Area to the west. You might even consider taking a 4x4 Backcountry Tour in Monument Valley to immerse yourself more deeply in the beauty of this region. Southeastern Utah is a destination that is often overlooked over the Bryce/Zion and Moab areas, but its absolutely worth a closer look.
Best Travel Gifts of 2024, Hand-picked by Our Travel Experts
If you're looking for gifting ideas for the travelers in your life this holiday season, check out our list of our favorite, tried and true travel gifts.
Welcome to Hand-Picked, a curated series highlighting the travel gear and goods our staff truly love. From practical essentials to playful extras, these are the items that make travel fun—and shopping even better! Each pick is independently selected by our editors, and if you make a purchase through our links, Only In Your State may earn a commission.
There is nothing that makes me happier than picking out the perfect gift. Friends often ask me for ideas of what to gift to their family, children, partners, friends... the challenge of finding that special item (or experience) is my favorite kind of adrenaline rush. And because of this, the holiday season is like my version of sky diving.
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Our team of travel experts here at Only In Your State joined me in selecting our favorite travel gifts of the season. We've hand-picked 24 gifts that we own and love and would joyfully wrap up with a shiny bow for other travel lovers in our lives. We've chosen a variety of options, from candles to books, to the perfect travel shoes and bags. There is also a wide range of prices for any gifting budget. Pick out a few to gift this season and maybe even send some of these ideas to those who are shopping for you. It may be the holiday season, but it is also always travel season in our minds.
Why We Love Them: How fun is this candle? I love picking out meaningful gifts and this one is perfect for the woman in your life who can't help but plan another trip. Or, maybe this is you and this candle needs to make its way into your own stocking! The LEADO store on Amazon actually has several unique gifts and it's worth checking out. Where to Buy Them: Shop this candle and more on Amazon. Price (at time of publication): $16.99 Bonus: Manager of Editorial Megan Shute swears by these rechargeable USB lighters – add one to your favorite candle lover's stocking, and they will not be disappointed.
Why We Love It: We've tried some pretty spiffy eye masks, but have you ever experienced an eye massager? The Bob & Brad EyeOasis 2 is as relaxing as it gets. With adjustable pressure & heat settings, this is a must-have if you want to tune out the world and treat yourself. It's the first thing we reach for when we feel a migraine coming on! Where To Buy It: Buy Now On Amazon Price (at time of publication): $59.99 (normally $74.99)
Why We Love Them: It's safe to say I am in my sneaker era and I know I'm not alone. When I discovered Kizik shoes, especially their sneakers, I felt like I discovered gold at the end of the rainbow. I love that the brand is size inclusive (I have big feet) and you literally just slip these on and go. Hands-free shoes! This makes them perfect for travel and the fact that these go with everything means no over-packing necessary. Where to Buy Them: Check out the Milan sneaker and several other styles (boots, too!) on the Kizik website. Price (at time of publication): $149
Why We Love Them: I discovered Frankie Jean while in Austin with my daughter and once I saw the Y'ALL Baseball Cap, I knew it would make the perfect souvenir -- and travel hat! I always travel with a baseball hat; they're handy for post-plane hair and offer protection from the elements. Frankie Jean has an array of adorable caps for non-y'allers, too, with all 50 states represented in the web store. Where to Buy It: Visit Frankie Jean online for this hat and many others! Price (at time of publication): $32
Why We Love Them: The Yoto Mini is an excellent gadget for kids on the go. Physical cards allow children to expand their imagination through audiobooks, music, activities, and educational audio. Manager of Editorial Megan Shute purchased the mini-player for her daughter's 4th birthday earlier this year ahead of an overseas move and has been endlessly impressed: "Not only did it replace her standard sound machine with its white noise options, but it has given us another portable screen-free entertainment option for at home and while traveling. The Yoto is also perfect for anyone who asks what your child wants for the holidays — cards for their new Yoto collection, please!" Where to Buy Them: Yoto is available on their website and Amazon. Price (at time of publication): $69.99 for player
Why We Love Them: The Vuori Performance Joggers might just be the most comfortable piece of clothing we own. The buttery-soft, stretchy material is the perfect weight, and the slim yet relaxed fit is one of the most universally flattering styles we've tried. Engagement Editor Meg Archer has gifted these to many people over the last few years: "I have yet to hear anything but rave reviews (and a bit of friendly shaming for spawning new obsessions). Don't be surprised if these just so happen to, umm... multiply... in your closet. I couldn't stop at just one pair." Bonus: The matching Vuori Halo Performance Hoodie is one of our favorite lightweight layers for all types of travel! Where To Buy Them: Buy Now From Vuori Price (at time of publication): $94
Why We Love Them: If you have a friend or family member who loves to travel and loves bags (who doesn't?), then this Calpak tote bag is the ultimate gift. When I say ultimate, I mean it, because this is the ultimate bag. My own tote bag is pictured above, when used on an overnight trip. I've also used it as a carry-on bag on flights, to tote sports equipment around for my kids, and for a weekend getaway. It is much larger than it looks in this photo and keeps everything organized. It also wipes clean! Where to Buy Them: Calpak has countless travel bags, but you can find this particular one on their website. Price (at time of publication): $131.75
Why We Love Them: I've purchased two of these portable hammocks with lightweight frames throughout the years — one as a gift for my father and one for myself after realizing how fantastic the hammock was. While it's not a travel product, per se, it has made my everyday life feel more like a vacation, something we could all use a bit more of these days. Where to Buy Them: Buy Now On Amazon Price (at time of publication): $69.99
Why We Love Them: All of the staff at Only In Your State loves to represent their roots and Wear Your Roots allows you to do that in a fashionable - and comfortable - way. We love the wears from this Montana-based company and we happen to believe that these hoodies, shirts, hats, and more make the perfect gift. Where to Buy Them: Shop now on the Wear Your Roots website Price (at time of publication): Varies by Product
Why We Love It: It's taken several trips for me to figure out my perfect "weekender bag that's TSA approved," but I've found my perfect carry on with the TOBIQ Colorado 30L. An Instagram ad caught my eye during a late-night scroll session and I was intrigued by the colorful compartments and versatility of the bag, which can be carried as a duffle or as a backpack (I prefer the backpack for even weight distribution and airport navigation.) Made of durable, weather-resistant recycled materials, I've stashed this bag under my seat and in the overhead compartment; it's easy to maneuver and the top zip pocket is perfect for easy phone/ID access. Bonus: I loved this carry on bag so much, I purchased TOBIQ's Toiletry Bag; it fits perfectly inside one of the Colorado's four compartments and has a smart, intuitive design with the brand's signature "plethora of zippered pouches and pockets."
Where to Buy Them: Visit tobiqtravel.com to purchase the Colorado 30L and/or Toiletry Bag. Price (at time of publication): $199 (Colorado 30L)/$69 (Toiletry Bag)
Why We Love Them: The Zestt Dreamsoft Travel Scarf doubles as a blanket, making it the perfect travel accessory for year-round adventures – especially on airplanes! Made from organic cotton and easy to wash and care for, we have even used this piece as a makeshift picnic blanket while traveling. Where to Buy Them: Buy Now On Amazon Price (at time of publication): $50
Why I Love It: This raincoat is absolutely perfect: it's light (12.4 ounces!) and super packable, "self stuffing" into one of its pockets in a Houdini-like feat. The hood is generously sized to fit over a hat and has a cord-and-hook design that keeps rain out (seriously -- this photo was taken after a trip to Portland, Oregon, where its water resistance was put to the test!). I purchased my Torrentshellfive years ago and it still looks brand new, the fabric has never snagged or ripped despite being put through the ringer! Bonus: The Patagonia Torrentshell 3L Rain Jacket comes in men's sizes, too! Where to Buy It: Buy it now on REI. Price (at time of publication): $179 (both men's and women's)
Why We Love Them: I love gifting books. Maybe it's the writer in me or the nostalgia I feel every time I sit down and open up an actual book. Coffee table books make for great gifts and I absolutely love this collection of photography of New York City. Whether you know someone who loves NYC or has a wanderlust for the Big Apple, this gorgeous book just needs a bow on top and it's ready to gift. Where to Buy Them: Buy this book and others in the collection on Amazon. Price (at time of publication): $19.78
Why We Love Them: A well-stocked first aid kit is essential for any traveler, and we love these small Welly kits. They're the perfect option to keep in your car, diaper bag, or carry-on for accidents on the go. Another excellent stocking stuffer for anyone in your life. Where to Buy Them: Buy Now On Walmart Price (at time of publication): $9.70
Why We Love Them: The OluKai Pehuea Lī Sneaker is lightweight and breathable, but also extremely comfortable and surprisingly supportive. It's our go-to shoe when we know we're going to be on our feet all day! We love that they can be worn as either sneakers or slides, so they're easy to slip off when going through TSA checks. Plus, the style goes with just about everything. Where To Buy Them: Buy Now From OluKai Price (at time of publication): $110
Why I Love It: Fact: Airplanes are notoriously dry, dry, dry. No matter how much water I drink both before and during the flight, I always find myself in a hydration deficit for days. My skin feels so tight and parched during flights, and while I've been known to slap on a sheet mask at 12,000 feet, my 11 year old's mortification on a recent trip had me rethinking this strategy. My solution? BioRepublic's Lost Baggage biocellulose eye masks. These mini moisturizers contain an uber-hydrating cocktail of peptides, hyaluronic acid, squalene, rose water, and vitamin E that feel oh-so-refreshing on parched skin. Bonus: Each of these little masks has enough moisture that I'm able to massage the excess into the rest of my face after my brief, in-flight spa moment. Where to Buy It: I have a BioRepublic Lost Baggage Under Eye Emergency Repair Mask Subscribe & Save order through Amazon -- you'll get a slight discount if you set this up! Price (at time of publication): 3/$15.00
Why I Love It: I am a dedicated Stanley girl, but when I travel, I like to keep things as light and portable as possible. A recent trip to Washington D.C. had me singing the praises of my Hydaway Collapsible Water Bottle, especially after paying $6 for a tiny bottle of water the afternoon we arrived and embarked sans water. I love the bottle's muted color options (I have the Hydaway in Twilight), sturdy handle, and fuss-free cleaning; fully extended it holds 17 ounces of water, making this smart little number perfect for filling up on the go. Where to Buy Them: The Hydaway Collapsible Water Bottle is available at several online merchants; I purchased through REI. Available here on Amazon. Price (at time of publication): $27.95.
Why We Love Them: This is one of those things that we don't know how we traveled without them. Packing cubes keep things organized, save space in a suitcase, and take the pain out of the packing process. If you know and love someone who travels, this set would make the perfect gift. Where to Buy Them: There are so many options for packing cubes on Amazon, but we particularly LOVE this set. Price (at time of publication): $16.99 for 8 cubes
Why We Love Them: I've been a fan of Beis for years now, starting with the Weekender (it’s my absolute favorite travel bag for short car trips or flying and is surprisingly roomy). I recently purchased another Beis item — the backpack. With a padded interior sleeve, two water bottle pockets, and plenty of organization built-in — we’re talking zippered interior pockets, pen slots, a key leash, and more — this is the best backpack I’ve ever owned. It also has a full-zip opening, so it’s easy to pack, and the trolley pass-through makes it the perfect carry-on companion. This olive beauty is officially my new favorite personal item while traveling, and I’ve already brought it on several trips. Where to Buy Them: Buy Now On Beis Price (at time of publication): $88
Why We Love Them: We bought this set of two accessory organizers for a recent trip and think they would make a fun stocking stuffer filled with all sorts of small and useful travel goodies — chapstick, hair ties, mini lotions, bandaids, etc. The gift recipient can then use the organizers for travel. Where to Buy Them: Buy Now On Amazon Price (at time of publication): $17.66
Why We Love It: The sleek style of the Away Everywhere Zip Backpack looks at home in just about any environment, making it a great transition bag if you need to hop right from a flight into a work meeting (or want to start exploring as soon as you land). It's water-resistant, has a padded laptop sleeve to keep your devices safe, and the full wrap-around zipper makes it incredibly easy to grab what you need in a cramped airplane seat. I love it! Where To Buy It:Buy Now From Away Price (at time of publication): $195
Why We Love It: Engagement Editor Meg Archer recently travel-testedthis high-end aluminum travel case, and it can only be described as the Lamborghini of Luggage: "The Sterling Pacific 40L Travel Case is hands down the best I've ever owned or reviewed. It's stunning inside and out, timelessly stylish, and rolls like a dream. Honestly, I didn't know luggage could move like this." It's undeniably a splurge, but if you're looking for a piece of eye-catching yet understated luxury-tier luggage, this is it. Where To Buy It: Buy Now From Sterling Pacific Price (at time of publication): $2,150
Why We Love It: Throw out all your assumptions about generators. The Anker Power Bank Portable Generator is all-electric (so it's totally silent), super compact, and has a massive 60,000 mAh capacity that can power multiple devices dozens of times on a single charge. It also retains an impressive 85% charge after a whole year of non-use, making it absolutely vital during emergencies. This bad boy kept us in touch with family during a multi-day blackout, but we also love it for camping trips and off-grid adventures. Where To Buy It:Buy Now On Amazon Price (at time of publication): $149.99
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If you need anymore ideas for the best travel gifts of the season, we have you covered. Check out more of our travel-themed gift guides...
