If you are planning a vacation to Utah, you might ask yourself “What’s the best time of year to go?” The answer is a simple one. Any season in Utah offers natural beauty and outdoor activities. From skiing and snowboarding to fishing and hiking, Utah has it all — Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
For example, some of Utah’s biggest claims to tourism fame are its magnificent national parks — Arches, Canyonlands, Zion, Bryce Canyon, and Capitol Reef. No doubt, taking in these sites is an awesome experience for 12 months of the year. However, let’s take a deeper look at what to do and when to do it to really optimize your Utah vacation.
Spring
Since we are talking about Utah’s national parks, the springtime months are probably the best time to visit. First, you don’t have to deal with the extreme heat. For example, the Arches (Moab) Park regularly exceeds 100-degree temperatures in June, July, and August. As is the case for all tourist attractions, the spring season is usually less crowded because kids are still in school.
If you are a hiker or a biker, the Bonneville Shoreline Trail is stunning during the spring. The trail, ambling about 100 miles from Ogden to Provo, follows the prehistoric shoreline of what was Lake Bonneville. Take advantage of the springtime open trails and look for wildlife, budding trees, and solitude. An easy hike on the Bonneville Shoreline Trail is the 2.3-mile loop near Salt Lake City. It takes about one hour to complete and offers unique views overlooking Utah’s capital city.
Another national park to take advantage of in the less traveled spring is the Narrows, one of the most popular areas in Zion National Park. The hike takes you through river canyons with gorge walls a thousand feet tall — stunning.
Summer
As Porgy & Bess sang, “Summertime and the living is easy…” Even though summer brings in crowds, you can always find a secluded spot in one of Utah’s 1,000 fish-filled lakes and cool streams. If you’re a seasoned angler (or a wanna-be), trout in Utah are said to reach trophy proportions. Some highly recommended fishing spots include Bear Lake - clear, turquoise waters excellent for cutthroat trout - and Flaming Gorge — known for its trophy trout and kokanee salmon.
Fly fishing enthusiasts can “cast” their sights on the Provo River. Known for its world-class fishing, anglers can expect a positive catch since the river hosts about 4,000 fish per mile. Located near the Sundance Resort, beginners and experienced anglers alike can take advantage of the river’s easy wading access.
Into mountain biking? The stunning red rocks that are synonymous with Moab offer up some legendary trails like Slickrock and Porcupine Rim. After some vigorous and dusty two-wheeling, you may want to take a dip in a lake. One summertime spot in Utah, close to the border with Idaho, is Bear Lake in Garden City. When the thermometer is rising, it’s a great place to soak up the sun — rent a boat, go tubing, or just swim.
For the adrenaline rush crowd, give zip lining a whirl. For example, the always popular Sundance Resort offers four spans equaling nearly two miles of zip lining from a 2,100-foot vertical drop — the most offered of any zip line tour in the United States.
Fall
In between summer and winter, autumn’s change of color and cooler weather make for a perfect time to visit Utah. Like the spring, crowds of tourists are fewer, the weather is crisp, and the fall foliage is brilliant.
The Capitol Reef National Park features some of the most beautiful fall foliage in Southern Utah including apple orchards planted by pioneer settlers in the late 1800s. For a pleasant car ride through autumnal Utah, try the Big Cottonwood Canyon byway — 15 miles of picture-perfect alpine scenery as you wind through the Wasatch Mountains. On the way, stop at one of the roadside picnic spots or hike one of many historic trails. Another scenic drive is the Alpine Loop. As you pass through the mountains near Sundance and Provo Canyon, enjoy the views of aspens and maple trees with their vibrantly changing colors.
Winter
Although winter brings fewer hours of sunlight, fun in the snow makes up for it — and then some. With over 15 ski resorts, Utah offers skiers and snowboarders some of the best snow opportunities in the country. Blessed with an average of 500 inches of snow annually, Utah easily earns the title of “The Greatest Snow on Earth®.”
One of the most popular ski resorts, Park City, offers 330 trails and 41 lifts — especially for advanced skiers. If you are new to the sport, nearby Dear Valley features more beginner/intermediate trails to test your skiing or snowboarding abilities. For a more well-rounded mountain, Sundance has something for everyone. There are plenty of runs that appeal to the novice as well as the Black Diamond expert. Sundance may be smaller than other resorts in Utah, but charming, romantic, and the “perfect balance of art, nature, and community” thanks to owner, Robert Redford.
If you prefer the quiet and solitude of cross-country skiing or snowshoeing, check out the Solitude Nordic Center, Sundance Nordic Center, or Soldier Hollow.
