The Arches National Park.
It might not get the visitor numbers of California, New York or Florida, but Utah is arguably the most spectacular state in the US. Combining huge mountain backdrops in the north with canyon-scarred landscapes and National Parks in the south, the state is tailor-made for those who love the great outdoors in its most picture perfect form.
But there are a few things you might not expect to find in Utah, which many people think of in cowboy and Mormon stereotypes. And we’ve picked out a few of them that might make you want to hop on the first plane to Salt Lake City.
An elephant
Of Utah’s five National Parks, the Arches NP arguably offers the greatest, most easily accessible highlights reel. A short drive away from Moab, it is most famous for the rock arches that give the park its name. But half the fun comes in looking at the other weird rock formations and working out what they resemble. One looks like a boar, others may bring to mind turkeys or sheep. But there are a few unmistakable elephants out there too…
Boats
Much of Utah is desert, with the largely uninhabited red rock scenery being part of the state’s photogenic appeal. The sheer number of boat trailers you see on the way to Moab, therefore, may seem inexplicable. But where there are canyons, there is water. The Canyonlands National Park has been cut by the Colorado and Green Rivers, plus a few of their tributaries and off-shoots. It’s a popular spot for epic rafting trips, but the likes of Tag-A-Long Expeditions run half day cruises for the less adventurous.
The world’s cruellest corral
Dead Horse Point State Park near Moab has a cracking local legend to explain where its curious name came from. The tale goes that cowboys rounded up wild horses, then put a fence along the narrow neck of land connecting the point to the plateau. They picked the horses they wanted, then left the rest to die, staring down hundreds of metres at canyons either side.
Poor horses, but lucky people – the most spectacular view out of over miles of canyon scenery can be found here.
Summer bobsledding
The 2002 Winter Olympics were held in Salt Lake City and neighbouring Park City, and the bobsled run still stands. You don’t need to wait until winter to have a go on it, though – the bobs have been adapted with wheels to allow willing guinea pigs to charge down the track in summer. Through 15 curves, the bobs at the Utah Olympic Park reach speeds of around 70mph, and subject riders to 4.5G forces.
Microbreweries
Most of Utah’s notorious alcohol restrictions have been overturned in recent years and, ever so quietly, a booming craft beer scene has emerged. Should you wish to try the local brews – which tend to be more rounded than the showy hopmonsters in other states – try the Squatters Brewpub in Salt Lake City, the Moab Brewery in Moab or the Wasatch Brewpub in Park City. The latter plays on Utah stereotypes with its Polygamy Porter.
A ski-in whiskey distillery
It’s not just beer you can slurp down either. The High West Distillery in Park City makes a series of its own whiskeys on site. Try the Son of Bourye, or the Campfire, which the makers claim is probably the world’s first blend of scotch, rye and bourbon.
They’re claiming other records too, mainly due to the location. The distillery is next to the Town Lift, which takes people to the slopes from the city centre, and the Quittin’ Time run finishes off at the distillery – meaning you can ski in to start the Après session.
Great Salt Lake wildlife
You’d be forgiven for thinking that the Great Salt Lake was something of a dead zone where nothing can survive, but Antelope Island in the middle of it is a surprising wildlife refuge. Thousands of birds cluster around the coastline, feeding on brine flies. But it’s the creatures on the island’s hillsides that tend to thrill visitors. Deer and pronghorn antelope compete for space with huge herds of chunky bison. The latter have a tendency to saunter across the road in front of your car…
The Grand Canyon
Utah may have many, many spectacular canyons of its own, but the Grand Canyon is in Arizona, right? Well, not if you go by girl power epic Thelma and Louise. Its famous end scene – where the duo drive off the rim of the Grand Canyon – was actually filmed just south of Dead Horse Point. You’ll pass through the instantly recognisable rock formations on a boat trip into the Canyonlands National Park.
The most remote place in the US
Well, it’s not the most remote anymore, but the last parts of the 48 mainland US states to be mapped were in the Escalante region, handily between the Bryce Canyon National Park and Moab. The mission to map the intimidating terrain didn’t take place until 1872, and it’s still spectacularly barren now. But Highway 12, which passes through it and is colloquially known as the ‘Million Dollar Road’ is one of the most stunningly scenic drives in the world.
Sleeping in a tipi
Few theme hotels do things so whole-heartedly brilliantly as the Anniversary Inn in Logan. The Tipi suite offers a glorious example of the attention to detail – a rounded bed is covered by a traditional native American tipi, while the walls and ceiling are covered in a giant desert scene. Other weird and wonderful theme rooms include the Caribbean Sea Cave, King Arthur’s Castle and a Biker Roadhouse.
This story was originally written for MSN UK.
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