As a Utah native, I know that the state’s five US national parks — Zion, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Arches, and Canyonlands — are full of jaw-dropping views. However, their popularity can make it easy to overlook Utah’s other breathtaking outdoor spots.
These national parks, known as the “Mighty 5,” are each worth visiting, as they are home to beautiful landscapes and incredible rock formations. But they come with one downside: together, they draw about 15 million visitors each year.
So, when people tell me they want to experience the geological wonders of Utah’s national parks, I let them in on a little secret: there are plenty of outdoor destinations that rival the “Mighty 5” without the crowds. Here are some of my favorites.
Goblin Valley feels like another planet.
Even though Bryce Canyon National Park is known for having the world’s largest collection of hoodoos — tall, skinny rock formations that were sculpted by water and wind erosion — it’s not the only place to find otherworldly landscapes.
In Goblin Valley State Park, located an hour-and-a-half drive from Moab, Utah, there are thousands of bizarre, square sandstone structures. I love wandering through the fields of these stone figures, but the park also offers hiking, camping, mountain biking, and other activities.
A bonus: whenever I’ve visited, the crowds haven’t been overwhelming.
The San Rafael Swell is peaceful and full of stunning views.
The San Rafael Swell, located in south-central Utah, is the place to go for a breathtaking experience without being overwhelmed by tourists.
The scenery of this place gives Canyonlands National Park a run for its money with its enormous expanse of sandstone cliffs, mesas, washes, and slot canyons.
For a first visit, I recommend the easy-to-reach Wedge Overlook, known as “Utah’s Little Grand Canyon,” where the San Rafael River has carved a rust-colored gorge through the desert.
Even though I love how quiet it is, the solitude comes with a tradeoff. Services are limited, some roads are rough, and cell service can be spotty. To be extra cautious, I tell first-time visitors to fill their gas tank beforehand, carry more water than they expect to drink, and check the weather forecast before leaving.
Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument is unlike anywhere else I’ve been.
My favorite location on this list is Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, which is right next to Bryce Canyon National Park, and features breathtaking cliffs, slot canyons, and slick rock.
I love taking the well-trodden route by hiking to Lower Calf Creek Falls, where water spills down a mineral-stained wall of sandstone into a cold pool full of trout, or exploring the slot canyons along Hole-in-the-Rock Road.
I’ve also been dying to stay at the nearby Clear Sky Resorts, which has floor-to-ceiling panoramic glass designed for stargazing from bed.
Dead Horse Point State Park offers incredible landscapes.
Dead Horse Point State Park towers 2,000 feet above the Colorado River and is often considered one of the most dramatic landscapes in the American Southwest.
The main overlook, a paved path just 200 feet from the parking lot, delivers amazing views of the river and adjacent canyon without a strenuous hike. I also recommend visitors walk the rim trails or take in the incredible scenery while mountain biking.
The landscape below Dead Horse Point also served as the setting for the unforgettable final scene of the 1991 classic “Thelma & Louise.”
I strongly encourage visitors to check out this park early in the morning to avoid crowds and catch a glimpse of the first rays of light drenching the desert-varnished canyon walls.
Snow Canyon State Park is an underrated, must-see stop.
Travelers driving toward Zion often pass Snow Canyon State Park near St. George, but I think its red-and-white cliffs, narrow canyons, and petrified dunes deserve their own stop.
I’ll never forget seeing the park’s ancient basalt lava flows cut through the sandstone. The contrast between the rock variants is striking, and the Lava Flow Trail leads to lava-tube entrances that visitors can actually walk through.
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