The great outdoors of Southern Utah

Salt Lake City is neatly located within only a few hours' drive from many national parks and monuments that are most definitely worth exploring when you are in the area. Southern Utah especially is a paradise for outdoor lovers, offering some of the most breathtaking landscapes in the United States. The area's desert with towering red rock formations is a paradise for hiking, photography or simply taking in the beauty of nature. May is a perfect time to visit before the summer heat takes over.

Moab and its surroundings

To the south-east of Salt Lake City lies Moab, a cute small town lined with beautiful towering red rocks. The Colorado River offers opportunities for wild river rafting and two national parks present spectacular views of canyons and arches. When visiting Moab, spend some time to stroll through town and take in the atmosphere of the wild west. There are many inviting restaurants, bars, coffee shops and small boutiques that make it enjoyable to stay a while.

Arches National Park is just a short drive from Moab's town center, where many spectacular arches can be seen. Be aware, the park requires timed entrance reservations per vehicle which need to be made in advance. Many attractions are easily accessible. To see Utah’s iconic Delicate Arch, one needs to commit to a three-mile (4.8km) roundtrip hike, which is most definitely worth the effort. It is a moderate to strenuous trail with an elevation gain of 500 feet. Hike it in the morning or evening, as the steepest part of it lies in direct sunlight without shade. (Note: Whenever hiking in Utah, make sure to bring enough water to avoid dehydration). The AllTrails app is a helpful guide to find more information on all hikes as well as current conditions.

The Corona Arch Trail is another beautiful and less crowded hike best known to locals. Located outside of the national parks, it is significantly larger than Delicate Arch and quite spectacular. The three-mile round trip has a short steep section requiring hikers to hold on to cables. But the efforts are well worth the reward.

Canyonlands National Park offers many spectacular lookout points that are easily accessible. If you are not sick of arches by this point, I recommend you visit Mesa Arch in the early morning. A short 0.3 mile walk, be aware that photographers and visitors are often lined up shoulder-to-shoulder to see the spectacular sunrise. Crowds clear soon after sunrise though, and only a few people stick around to enjoy the view afterward.

Zion and Bryce Canyon national parks

To the south-west, Zion National Park is a must-visit destination with awe-inspiring canyons, towering cliffs and scenic trails. The park shuttle bus system, which was established to mitigate traffic, will stop at all major attractions. The Emerald Pools Trail is just a short hike though across from the visitor center. It follows a small stream that leads to waterfalls and different ponds of water. For those more adventurous, the Zion Canyon Narrows hike leads through a stream into a canyon with high walls and most of the hike will be in the river rather than on a trail. The most iconic hike in Zion is Angels Landing, which now requires a permit to avoid crowding on the trail. Be advised that this trail is long, steep and exposed to drop-offs, so not for the faint of heart. An alternative is the Observation Point trail which, although long, offers similar views of the canyon.

Bryce Canyon National Park is not to be skipped if you are in this area. The spectacular views over the desert landscape are second to none with rock formations called hoodoos ― tall and thin rock spires ― that look like you are on another planet.

More red rocks

The list of fascinating landscapes and rock formations in southern Utah is endless. Capitol Reef National Park is a hidden gem with less tourists but equally fascinating scenery and hikes. Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument has hidden slot canyons (Peek-a-Boo and Spooky) and beautiful waterfalls, such as Lower Calf Creek Falls. Monument Valley is a unique and iconic symbol of the American West ― and the place where Forrest Gump decided to stop running and head back home. Located on the Navajo Nation, you can learn about the area’s rich history and cultural significance.

If you do visit southern Utah, make sure you go outside and enjoy the stars, especially if there is no moon in the sky. Utah has some of the darkest night skies and the stars will twinkle to you for a perfect end of a long day in the desert.