Plan ahead and secure your vacation to have the most unforgettable experience. Whether you are on solo travel, travelling with friends, with family, or with kids, Utah cabin rentals have voluminous locations in the state which can cater to your accommodation needs. For your itinerary, we have listed down a few things you should not miss on your vacation to Utah!
Bring out the Paleontologist in you
Dinosaur enthusiasts and Paleontology experts have long been appreciating Utah and its residents for a dialogue with our prehistoric past. It is no wonder also, that Utah is often tagged as the US’ Dinosaur State. If you and your kids want to feel immersed in Chris Pratt’s Jurassic World, then pay a visit to the Museum of Ancient Life at Thanksgiving Point where guests can experience one of the world’s largest displays of mounted dinosaurs with exactly sixty complete dinosaur skeletons displayed in their galleries, along with more than fifty experiential activities. Make sure to check out the working palaeontology lab where workers are extracting actual dinosaur bones! Bring out your inner paleontologist in the Junior Paleo Lab by moulding your very own fossil, drilling a fish fossil, and taking them home as a souvenir. A lot of activities in the museum awaits guests not just in the day but also in the night, where you can spend the evening at Late Night with Rex which is held once a month.
Still curious about your dinosaur discoveries? Find more of real dinosaur fossils with palaeontologists and become a Junior Ranger at Dinosaur National Monument – a National Monument in the US which is located on the southeast border of the Uinta Mountains on the flank between Colorado and Utah at the convergence of the Green and Yampa Rivers. Experience 149 million years of prehistory all compressed in one location. After all, they are there for a reason! Besides marveling at the fossil walls this national monument offers, activities for guests to enjoy include rafting, boating, fishing, and camping among others.
Take a Scenic Byway Drive
Sometimes, being on the road gives us a sense of something special. There can be a lot of scenic byway signs in Utah and when you got the opportunity, take it! For travelers who have their hearts on the road, Utah is the best place for you. Drive along Scenic Byway 12 – 197 kilometres of road trip paradise – which is also known as “A Journey Through Time Scenic Byway.” What’s more is that this stretch of road is also designated as an All-American Road by the American Congress because it qualifies their criteria as the road having six intrinsic qualities. Only 31 out of 151 of America’s scenic byways get this unique distinction. It was given because Scenic Byway 12 offers exceptional features that travelers cannot find in other places, making this byway a tourist spot by itself.
When travellers hit the road, they often have a destination in mind. But in this case, we can say that the journey is the destination. That destination quickly takes a backseat to the journey as you ascend into the Dixie National Forest – established in September of 1905, this comprises of more than 809,000 hectares of land and stretches for about 274 kilometres across southern Utah. It is known to be the largest national forest in Utah, it spans the divide between the Great Basin and the Colorado River.
Here, you will find all types of vehicle – motorcycle, convertible, sedan, RV, etc. – as like minded travellers and road warriors from all walks of life come together. Be it a four-wheel or a two-wheel vehicle – how many wheels if you may – this byway is the convergence of all travellers who find pleasure in hitting the road. This is vehicle tourism at best, where everyone agrees that there is harmony in the road.
A drive down this byway will lead you to discover some of the most impressive sites that can be found from on the road. Scenic Byway 12 offers red rock formations – also known as hoodoos – stunning viewpoints, and slick rock terrain. The best time to visit this is during autumn when the aspens and scrub oak display their colours. Just don’t forget to pack a full-battery camera, as you might need an extra for this!
Visit the Great Salt Lake
Ever thought of discovering an inland ocean that is five times saltier than seawater? You’ll find it here in Utah. Disclaimer: do not expect to see any fish swimming in here, because of the intense saltiness this lake contains, only shrimp, brine flies, and algae thrive in this body of water. The Great Salt Lake is situated in the northern part of Utah. Having an area of about 4,400 kilometres, it is considered to be the largest saltwater lake in the Western Hemisphere and the eighth-largest terminal lake – a body of water that does not flow into the sea – in the world.
The best place for families and travelers to experience the Great Salt Lake is in Antelope Island – a State Park is a Utah. Comprising of more than 11,600 hectares of land, the Antelope Island can be found in Davis County, Utah. It is open for a whole year-round recreation and features an abundant flora and fauna, including one of the greatest free-roaming herds of American bison in the country. Because of its high saline content, families can float on the water easily and hike around the island. Other activities include a unique dining experience, visiting museums, and golfing.
