Utah

Overview of Utah

A land of extremes, Utah holds a special appeal for outdoor enthusiasts, encompassing a wide variety of landscapes and fascinating geological formations that offer unlimited opportunities for outdoor recreation. Most of the state is situated on a plateau above 4,000ft, but the elevations rise and fall spectacularly across snow-covered mountains and deep river canyons.

The most dramatic sights have been formed by the forces of nature, creating ruggedly beautiful, multi-coloured canyons, eroded rock sculptures, red desert plains, forested mountains, and snow-capped peaks. Southern Utah has five breath-taking national parks, including Zion and Bryce Canyon, which draw the most visitors.

The Anglo settlement of Utah began with the arrival of the Mormon pioneers in the Salt Lake area in 1847. Today more than 70 percent of the population belongs to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, congregants of which are known as Mormons. The Mormon heritage defines the state's modern culture and the region has a strong church influence, with emphasis on family values and a notoriously strict attitude regarding the drinking of alcohol. But the people are friendly and unpretentious, the crime rate is low and there are many beautiful places to visit.

Salt Lake City is a modern metropolis regarded as one of the top business environments in the country, as well as being the spiritual hub of the Mormon religion, home to the sacred Temple and the famous Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Its proximity to the Wasatch Mountains makes it a popular base for winter and summer outdoor recreation, and nearby resorts like Park City, Sundance and Snowbird offer superb powder snow and Olympic-class skiing.

Key Facts

Language:

English is the most common language spoken but Spanish is often heard in the south-western states.

Passport/Visa:

It is highly recommended that passports have at least six months validity remaining after your intended date of departure from your travel destination. Visa is required for short visits unless travelers qualify for entry under the Visa Waiver Program.

The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) enables citizens of certain countries to travel to the US for a stay of up to 90 days without a visa. Visitors under the VWP need to register online three days before travel and have an Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). This allows the US government to screen all visitors before travel. Visitors entering the country under the VWP must have a machine-readable passport (MRP) that has a barcode on the photo page. Travellers under the VWP must have passports that include biometrics if they wish to enter the country without a visa, which means that passports must contain unique personal data such as fingerprints or iris details. All passports must contain a digital photo image in order to travel visa-free. All visitors to the USA have a photograph and two fingerprints taken by an inkless scanner on arrival, including those travelling visa-free under the VWP.

As part of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI), all travellers travelling between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean region are required to present a passport or other valid travel document to enter or re-enter the United States. If departing from the USA, a valid passport is required by immigration authorities. Immigration officials often apply different rules to those stated by travel agents and official sources.

Currency:

The official currency is the US Dollar (USD), which is divided into 100 cents. Only major banks exchange foreign currency. ATMs are widespread and credit cards are widely accepted. Banking hours are Monday to Friday 9am to 3pm.

Electricity:

Electrical current is 120 volts, 60Hz. Plugs are mainly the type with two flat pins, though three-pin plugs (two flat parallel pins and a rounded pin) are also widely used. European appliances without dual-voltage capabilities will require an adapter.

Travel to Utah

Climate

Utah has plenty of sunshine and low humidity. The Utah climate is semi-arid to arid, depending on the region, and most of the state is at a high elevation. Snowfall is common statewide, except in the Great Salt Lake Desert and at the southern border. The lower altitudes usually experience snow from November to March, while the higher altitudes experience snow from October to May, with snow cover on the mountains sometimes continuing until July. The Wasatch Mountains usually experience good snow, making the area's ski resorts popular with winter outdoor sport enthusiasts. Summer temperatures in Utah average around 79°F (26°C), with winter temperatures around 30°F (-1°C). In the north, spring is usually the wettest season, while summer and autumn are the wettest further south. Most of the mountainous areas experience more rain in winter. Sporadic thunderstorms, caused by monsoons, can occur during summer and autumn, creating flash floods and wildfires.

Health Notes when travelling to United States of America

There are no specific health risks associated with travel within the USA. Medical facilities are excellent, but expensive. Only emergencies are treated without prior payment and treatment can be refused without evidence of insurance or proof of funds. Good medical insurance is essential.

Safety Notes when travelling to United States of America

Travel within the United States is generally trouble-free, however, travellers should be aware that the US shares with the rest of the world, an increased threat from terrorist incidents. Security has been heightened, particularly at airports. Restrictions on hand luggage apply and travellers are advised to check on the latest situation with airlines in advance. Travellers should also be alert to the dangers of car and street crime in cities and should use common sense and take basic precautions. Hurricanes are common between June and November, putting the southern USA, including the Gulf Coast and the eastern US at risk. There is a risk of wildfires in many dry areas in the US, particularly on the West Coast from March to November.

Customs in United States of America

Laws vary from state to state, including speed limit, fines and punishment. The age at which you may legally buy and consume alcohol is 21 years.

Duty Free in United States of America

Travellers to the United States who are returning residents of the country do not have to pay duty on articles purchased abroad to the value of $800 provided their stay was longer than 48 hours and their duty-free allowance was not used in the 30-day period prior. For passengers arriving from Samoa, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands, a duty-free allowance of $1,600 is allowed. The following items are included in this: 50 cigarettes and 10 cigars and 150 millilitres (5 fl. oz.) of alcoholic beverages or 150 millilitres (5 fl. oz.) of perfume containing alcohol. Restrictions may apply to goods from Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Burma (Myanmar), Angola, Liberia and Sudan. It is prohibited to import Cuban cigars from any country.

Travellers to the United States who are non-residents do not have to pay duty on the following items: 50 cigars or 200 cigarettes and gifts to the value of $100 provided their stay in the USA is not less than 72 hours and that the allowance has not been used in the preceding six-month period.

Prohibited items for residents and non-residents include meat or meat products, poultry, narcotics, absinthe, plants, seeds, vegetables, fruits, soil, live insects and other living plants or animal pests. Fish is prohibited unless it carries disease-free certification. Wildlife and animals or their by-products carry restrictions. Dairy products and eggs from specified countries are not allowed. Firearms and ammunition are not allowed without the necessary license and permit.

Doing Business in United States of America

In such a large country, filled with so many diverse groups, business practices may differ according to each state, however rarely to any large degree. The East Coast is traditionally more formal than the West Coast, however in states such as California dress code and conservative appearance are as common as they would be in New York. Punctuality is important throughout the country and it is considered rude to be late for a meeting. Gift-giving is uncommon as it may be construed as bribery. Appropriate titles (Mr, Mrs, Ms) are used upon introduction and until otherwise stated. Americans favour politeness and greetings of 'Hello' and 'How are you?' are often expressed with sincerity. Business hours may vary in each state, but an 8am start and 5pm finish Monday to Friday is the most common with an hour over lunch.

Status and age are not necessarily indicative of seniority, nor do they carry much weight in themselves. Those doing business in the States should be mindful of this fact; never make assumptions about someone's position or rank. Best practice is to be respectful to all parties. That said, the US upholds a hierarchal business structure, in which 'the boss' is the ultimate decision-maker. Senior leaders have the power of the last word, and can go against the grain just as easily as they can follow popular opinion. Concentrate on winning over this individual, even if the greater group seems unsupportive. Americans value a direct style of communication. In this fast-paced, consumer culture 'time is money', and small-talk is viewed as unnecessary and wasteful. Get to the point quickly, speak about issues in a frank and open manner, and don't take offence if someone questions or challenges you outright.

Communication in United States of America

The international country dialling code for the United States is +1. Mobile networks cover most of the country, especially all urban areas, and wifi is widely available.

Tipping in United States of America

A 15 percent tip is expected by taxi drivers, bartenders, hairdressers and waiters, but don't tip in fast-food or self-service restaurants. In expensive restaurants or for large parties, tip 20 percent of the bill. It is normal to tip staff such as valets and porters in hotels; this is discretionary, although a minimum of $5 is expected. Most services are customarily tipped if the service is good.

Passport/Visa Note

Entry Requirements

Entry requirements for Canadians:: The most important requirement on entering the U.S. is providing proof of Canadian citizenship. A valid Canadian passport is the best document to prove Canadian citizenship and the right to return to Canada. However, several other documents can serve, depending on the mode of transport. Generally, Canadian citizens do not require visitor, business, transit or other visas to enter the United States from Canada, though there are some exceptions.
Entry requirements for UK nationals:: UK nationals require a passport valid for duration of stay. Most passport holders can get an Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) through the Visa Waiver Programme, which allows travel to the US for up to 90 days. The VWP includes tourism, certain types of business visit and transit to another country.
Entry requirements for Australians:: Passports must be valid for the period of intended stay. If visiting the US for fewer than 90 days, Australian nationals may be eligible to apply for an Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), and enter under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP).
Entry requirements for Irish nationals:: Passports must be valid for duration of stay. Irish nationals can get an Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) under the Visa Waiver Programme for entry into the United States.
Entry requirements for New Zealanders:: Passports must be valid for duration of stay. New Zealand nationals can get an Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) under the Visa Waiver Programme for entry into the United States.
Entry requirements for South Africans:: South Africans must hold a passport valid for duration of stay. A visa is required.

Currency

Exchange rate for 1 USD - U.S. Dollar
1.00 BMD Bermudan Dollar	0.90 EUR Euro	0.69 GBP U.K. Pound Sterling	108.90 JPY Japanese Yen	1.31 CAD Canadian Dollar	0.99 CHF Swiss Franc
1.38 AUD Australian Dollar	25.11 UAH Ukrainian Hryvnia	337.71 KZT Kazakhstani Tenge	1,505.84 LBP Lebanese Pound	0.71 LYD Libyan Dinar	6.86 BOB Bolivian Boliviano
107.88 NPR Nepalese Rupee	0.38 OMR Omani Rial	3.64 QAR Qatari Rial	1.38 SGD Singapore Dollar	8.29 SEK Swedish Krona	6.63 TTD Trinidad Tobago Dollar
9.98 VEF Venezuelan Bolivar	45.83 DOP Dominican Peso	6.72 HRK Croatian Kuna	18.63 MXN Mexican Peso	586.30 XOF West African CFA Franc	3.16 PGK Papua New Guinean kina
1.00 BSD Bahamian Dollar	2.11 FJD Fiji Dollar	22.64 HNL Honduran Lempira	110.53 DZD Algerian Dinar	1,191.31 MMK Myanma Kyat	11.19 BWP Botswana Pula
3.37 PEN Peruvian Nuevo Sol	693.53 CLP Chilean Peso	478.10 AMD Armenia Dram	24.17 CZK Czech Koruna	19.98 MDL Moldova Lei	124.29 ISK Icelandic Krona
2,938.75 UZS Uzbekistan Sum	3.85 ILS Israeli New Sheqel	0.71 JOD Jordanian Dinar	0.30 KWD Kuwaiti Dinar	31.35 UYU Uruguayan Peso	35.52 MUR Mauritian Rupee
28.51 NIO Nicaraguan Córdoba	8.34 NOK Norwegian Krone	3.92 PLN Polish Zloty	3.75 SAR Saudi Riyal	146.02 LKR Sri Lanka Rupee	35.62 THB Thai Baht
3.67 AED U.A.E Dirham	3.59 BRL Brazilian Real	4.05 RON Romanian New Leu	7.77 HKD Hong Kong Dollar	587.63 XAF Central African CFA Franc	22,474.70 VND Vietnamese Dong
13.95 ARS Argentine Peso	2.70 XCD East Caribbean Dollar	7.83 GTQ Guatemalan Quetzal	9.77 MAD Moroccan Dirham	0.38 BHD Bahrain Dinar	1.00 PAB Panamanian Balboa
1.50 AZN Azerbaijan Manat	3,117.81 COP Colombian Peso	68.30 KGS Kyrgyzstan Som	279.76 HUF Hungarian Forint	7.87 TJS Tajikistan Ruble	13,683.10 IDR Indonesian Rupiah
8.88 EGP Egyptian Pound	1,191.10 KRW South Korean Won	5,669.42 PYG Paraguayan Guaraní	4.16 MYR Malaysian Ringgit	538.75 CRC Costa Rican Colón	1.47 NZD New Zealand Dollar
104.74 PKR Pakistani Rupee	66.80 RUB Russian Rouble	15.60 ZAR South African Rand	2.12 TND Tunisian Dinar	2.00 BBD Barbadian Dollar	1.75 BGN Bulgarian Lev
2.95 TRY Turkish Lira	46.62 PHP Philippine Peso	32.62 TWD New Taiwan Dollar	196.50 NGN Nigerian Naira	107.15 XPF CFP Franc	3.91 GHS Ghanaian Cedi
124.92 JMD Jamaican Dollar	1.80 ANG Neth. Antillean Guilder	1.38 BND Brunei Dollar	110.56 RSD Serbian Dinar	6.58 CNY Chinese Yuan	19,898.50 BYR Belarussian Ruble
6.65 DKK Danish Krone	3.44 TMT New Turkmenistan Manat	67.26 INR Indian Rupee

Exchange Rate for
Euro to U.S. Dollar

1 EUR = 1.12 USD

Exchange Rate for
Canadian Dollar to U.S. Dollar

1 CAD = 0.76 USD

Exchange Rate for
U.K. Pound Sterling to U.S. Dollar

1 GBP = 1.44 USD

Exchange Rate for
Australian Dollar to U.S. Dollar

1 AUD = 0.72 USD

Exchange Rate for
New Zealand Dollar to U.S. Dollar

1 NZD = 0.68 USD

Exchange Rate for
South African Rand to U.S. Dollar

1 ZAR = 0.06 USD

Airports in Utah

Salt Lake City International (SLC)
Salt Lake City International Airport
http://www.slcairport.com

Location: Salt Lake City The airport is situated eight miles (13km) northwest of Salt Lake City.

Time: GMT -7 (GMT -6 from mid-March to the first Sunday in November).

Contacts: Tel: +1 801 575 2400

Transfer between terminals: The terminals and concourses are connected by moving walkways.

Getting to the city: The TRAX Light Rail train stop is located at the south end of Terminal One, and bus stops are located on the curb outside the Welcome Center in the same area, as well as outside Terminal Two. A train departs for the city every 15 minutes on weekdays and every 20 minutes on weekends. Buses operate every day with a more limited weekend service. A one-way fare for the bus or train costs $2.50. Taxis, hotel shuttles, rental cars, and limousines are also available.

Car rental: Car hire companies at the airport include Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Firefly, Hertz, National, Payless, and Thrifty, with some companies off-site connected via shuttle.

Airport Taxis: Taxi booths are located outside of Door 7 in Terminal One, and Door 11 in Terminal Two.

Facilities: There are currency exchange facilities and ATMs. Facilities for the disabled are excellent. Other facilities include restaurants and bars, shops (including duty-free), shoe shiners, bookstores, spas, courtesy hotel reservation telephones, and a tourist information desk.

Parking: Hourly and Daily Parking is provided in a lot within walking distance of the terminals, costing $2 for the first 30 minutes and $1 for each additional 20 minutes, up to a daily maximum of $32. Economy Parking is serviced by a free shuttle and costs $10 per day.

Salt Lake City

Situated in a basin between the snow-covered Wasatch mountain range to the east and the Great Salt Lake to the west is Salt Lake City, the capital of Utah. Its scenic backdrop frames a pleasantly spacious and laidback city that is surprisingly down to earth for a growing state capital.

The vast salty wasteland that ultimately became one of America's prize cities was originally picked out by a band of Mormon pioneers who were searching for a quiet spot where they could follow their faith undisturbed by the world. Led by Brigham Young, leader of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the followers surveyed the desolate-looking valley of the Great Salt Lake basin and declared it to be the peaceful haven they had been seeking.

This Is The Place Heritage Park commemorates the site where they ended their trek, named after the famous words uttered by Young in 1847. To this day the city is dominated by Mormon influence, with more than 40 percent of the population belonging to its church. Visitors come to listen to the singing of the exceptional Mormon Tabernacle Choir and to see the fascinating Temple Square that is the spiritual headquarters of the Mormon faith and the heart of the city.

Despite being steeped in religious tradition, Salt Lake City is rapidly emerging as one of the foremost business locations in the country, attracting large numbers of high-end technology firms and software corporations, and a favoured venue for major corporate and professional conferences and conventions.

The city is also growing in reputation as an outdoor recreation centre. Throngs of outdoor enthusiasts are drawn to the nearby mountains where world-class skiing is offered at top resorts, as well as miles of stunning mountain trails for hiking, biking, and rock climbing. Salt Lake City is also within a day's drive of numerous national and state parks, rivers and canyons, offering endless opportunities for outdoor recreation.

Getting around in Salt Lake City

The Utah Transit Authority provides extensive public transport coverage in Salt Lake City by means of a light rail system called TRAX and an excellent bus service. One-day passes are available for use on both TRAX and the city buses, and there is an extensive Free Fare Zone for both forms of transport downtown around Temple Square. A one-way fare is $2.50, and a day pass costs $6.25. During the winter a ski bus connects the city to nearby ski resorts. Metered taxis are freely available throughout the city and can be hailed on the street or ordered by telephone. Driving around in Salt Lake City is fairly straightforward as the city is designed on a grid system, with wide streets and a freeway system connecting the suburbs and surrounding areas.

Climate in Salt Lake City

The climate of Salt Lake City is fairly extreme, with a low annual average temperature of around 52°F (11°C) and a high of 90 °F (32.2 °C). Between November and April snow is common, with snowstorms moving in from the Gulf of Alaska. In mid-winter temperature inversions cause pollution and fog to hang in the valley for up to weeks at a time. Spring is the wettest season with numerous rain showers, but summers are generally hot and dry, with occasional monsoons during August and September, which can bring thunderstorms, tornadoes and flash floods. Autumn is also prone to rain and variable temperatures.

Sightseeing in Salt Lake City

It may have been founded, and still largely exists, as the headquarters of a devout religious community, but anyone who enjoys a holiday in Salt Lake City will attest to the fact that it's not all about conservative Mormon tradition. While the spiritual can be uplifted by the voices of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir in Temple Square, it is also possible to have an indulgent meal in a top restaurant, and a rip-roaring night on the town.

The city welcomes those travelling for business, and is a popular destination for conferences. Of course, Salt Lake City is also in a beautiful scenic setting with winter sports and summer trails on its doorstep. The famous ski resorts of Utah, including Deer Valley and Solitude, are just beyond the city. Even the ruggedly beautiful state parks of the south are only a few hours away by car.

Those planning some sightseeing in the city should consider buying the Visit Salt Lake Connect Pass, which allows discounted access to about 13 top attractions, saving tourists between 50 and 80 percent on admission charges. The Connect Pass can be purchased online.

Outdoor enthusiasts travel to Salt Lake City in summer, between June and August, to head for the nearby hills and hiking trails. Alternatively, winter sports lovers holiday in Salt Lake City between December and February, when the snow is thick on the mountains, providing world-class skiing at a number of top resorts.

Salt Lake City Attractions

Temple Square

The Temple Square is the heart of Salt Lake City and the symbolic epicentre of the Mormon religion. Visitors marvel at its majestic six spires, topped by a golden statue of the Angel Moroni forming a striking silhouette against the skyline. Confirmed may enter but only for the most sacred of ceremonies, while non-believers can check out visitor centres containing religious murals, paintings and exhibits on the first Mormon pioneers. The Tabernacle houses the famous Mormon Tabernacle Choir, whose rehearsals are open to the public for free, while the Gothic-style Assembly Hall is a venue for concerts and lectures.

Website: www.visittemplesquare.com

Utah State Capitol

Modelled after the national capitol building in Washington D.C., the Utah State Capitol sits on a hill above the city surrounded by acres of landscaped gardens. Memory Grove to the east of the building contains statues honouring Utah veterans and the grounds are a favourite destination of joggers and walkers. The impressive granite structure of the Capitol is crowned by a copper dome and fronted by columns, representing one of the nation's greatest examples of Renaissance Revival architecture. A colossal chandelier illuminates interior walls covered with murals illustrating Utah's history while several busts proclaim the state's prominent figures, including the leader of the Mormon pioneers who founded Salt Lake City, Brigham Young.

Website: www.utahstatecapitol.utah.gov

Pioneer Memorial Museum

The Pioneer Memorial Museum is crammed with artefacts from frontier life, its four storeys filled with the history of Utah. The relics are wide ranging, from doll old guns, doll collections and horse coaches to medical tools, a 1901 fire engine and the personal effects of Mormom leader Brigham Young. Many of the objects come with stories about the original owners with museum attendants happy to enlighten curious visitors. The museum collection is said to be the largest collection in the world focused on one subject. A short film is shown every half hour while residents of Utah are also encouraged to come to the museum so as to research their family's past.

Website: www.dupinternational.org

Great Salt Lake

Thought to be the second saltiest body of water in the world after the Dead Sea, floating weightlessly in the water of the Great Salt Lake is one of the main attractions of the region. The huge lake is also a World Heritage Bird Sanctuary due to the numbers of migratory birds that eat the saline water's brine flies and shrimp. Antelope Island is the largest of the lake's ten islands and reached either by boat or causeway, offering excellent picnics, hiking and camping. It also boasts a herd of American Bison, introduced in 1893, and other interesting animals such as coyotes, bobcats and elk.

Dinosaur National Monument

The Dinosaur National Monument straddles the border between Utah and Colorado, preserving the layers of rock in which dinosaur bones from the Jurassic period were embedded. Full skeletons were discovered at a newly-made quarry, as well as fossils of sea creatures up to three times older than the dinosaurs. A visitor centre has been built over the quarry to protect the fossils. Forming one of the walls is an exposed rock layer containing more than 2,000 dinosaur bones that has been enclosed as a permanent exhibit. The surrounding area also has beautiful mountain scenery, with its deep mountain canyons, forests and hiking trails, on top of unique wildlife and thrilling Colorado rapids.

Website: www.nps.gov/dino

Tracy Aviary

Founded in 1938 and one of the city's premier attractions, the Tracy Aviary is the oldest bird sanctuary in the United States. The space is a wonderful urban oasis, home to a huge variety of birds from across the planet. Residents range from kea parrots, flamingos and falcons to hornbills, macaws and condors, while shows include flight demonstrations, pelican feedings and even a special showcase of iridescent little birds from the Amazon. Visitors of all ages will enjoy personal encounters with the animals, as well as permanent displays like the South American Pavilion and Owl Forest. The aviary is a big supporter and promoter of conservation, and offers opportunities to teach visitors and to contribute to conservation efforts.

Website: www.tracyaviary.org

Park City

The holiday destination of Park City is famous for its three world-class ski resorts. The Canyons features eight mountains, 146 trails and 3,500 acres (1,416 ha) of diverse terrain, suited to every style and ability. Deer Valley Resort contains thrilling chutes and bowls, and caters to families and ski champs alike. Park City Mountain Resort also has something for everyone, from deep powder bowls and long groomed runs to world-class terrain parks and a superpipe. The historic district adds character, now home to stylish condos and a sophisticated resort community. There's a plethora of restaurants and bars, while the Sundance Film Festival is one of the most anticipated events on the film industry calendar.

Website: www.parkcity.org

Solitude

Located 30 miles (48km) southeast of Salt Lake City, Solitude Mountain Resort is one of the smaller, quieter ski resorts in Utah and most popular with families on weekend getaways. Situated in Big Cottonwood Canyon in the Wasatch Mountains, the resort boasts incredible natural beauty. As far as skiing is concerned, Solitude caters mainly to the beginner and intermediate markets, with 70 percent of its slopes being graded at these levels. Solitude contains about 64 trails on 1,200 acres (486 ha) and a wealth of high-quality lodging, shopping and dining facilities. It's consistently voted in the top 20 family ski resorts in the USA.

Website: www.skisolitude.com

Airports in Salt Lake City

Salt Lake City International (SLC)
Salt Lake City International Airport
http://www.slcairport.com

Location: Salt Lake City The airport is situated eight miles (13km) northwest of Salt Lake City.

Time: GMT -7 (GMT -6 from mid-March to the first Sunday in November).

Contacts: Tel: +1 801 575 2400

Transfer between terminals: The terminals and concourses are connected by moving walkways.

Car rental: Car hire companies at the airport include Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Firefly, Hertz, National, Payless, and Thrifty, with some companies off-site connected via shuttle.

Airport Taxis: Taxi booths are located outside of Door 7 in Terminal One, and Door 11 in Terminal Two.

Southern National Parks

Situated in southern Utah are five national parks of spectacular beauty, each with unique geological formations, cliffs, rivers, and canyons of incredible colours. The most well-known parks are Bryce Canyon, with its weird, orange hoodoo formations and the magnificent canyons of Zion National Park.

Canyonlands is the largest national park in Utah, a largely inaccessible landscape eroded into countless canyons and plateaus by the Colorado and Green Rivers that divide the park into three districts. The most accessible area of the park is the Island in the Sky District, which offers breath-taking views. The Needles Region features spires, arches and red and white striped rock pinnacles that hold numerous opportunities for hikers. The rugged Maze District is the most remote section and is practically inaccessible.

The more visitor-friendly red desert landscape of Arches National Park features thousands of natural sandstone arches and other fantastic rock formations such as pinnacles, balanced rocks and spires that can be reached by short trails or roads, making the major sights easily accessible. Famous landmarks include Fiery Furnace, Balanced Rock and the park's most famous feature, Delicate Arch.

In the centre of Utah is the state's newest park, Capitol Reef. The most splendid geological feature here is the multi-layered orange, red and white cliff wall that formed a seemingly impassable rock barrier to early pioneers, stretching for hundreds of miles and known as the Waterpocket Fold. Lifted up by forces within the earth's crust, the peaks and pinnacles formed sandstone sections that reminded them of the white domes of capitol buildings.

There are very few roads bisecting the southwestern region and it is difficult to access most of the backcountry, even within the national parks, where roads are limited to high-clearance vehicles, hikers and mountain bikers. One of the best ways to experience the landscape is by river and there are numerous companies offering white water rafting and gentle river trips with plenty of opportunities to admire the scenery.

Utah Attractions