As visitors travel to each of The Mighty Five national parks this summer, there are a number of activities to discover along the way. From hiking at Kodachrome Basin State Park to river rafting in Moab, Utah is the ideal destination for family-friendly summer getaways that go beyond the national parks. Below are highlights of some of the state’s best offerings:
State Parks – Utah has 43 state parks that provide exciting recreation opportunities, museums and scenic beauty - everything from awe-inspiring overlooks to high mountain adventure. State parks offer a variety of activities including fishing, boating, rafting, hiking and camping.
Scenic Byway 12 – One of the most beautiful drives in Utah, Scenic Byway 12 spans 124 miles and travels through some of the most remote and rugged landscapes in the state. The road travels by Bryce Canyon and Capitol Reef National Parks; Kodachrome Basin, Anasazi, and Escalante Petrified Forest State Parks; Glen Canyon National Recreation Area; and Dixie National Forest. Travelers will be exposed to rolling slickrock, variegated buttes and mesas, snaking canyons, rock walls varnished with mineral stains and a variety of wildlife.
Utah Symphony’s Mighty 5 Tour – In August 2014, the Utah Symphony will embark upon a tour of mighty proportions to Utah’s red rock country. For the first time ever, four free concerts featuring the full symphony orchestra will take place in outdoor venues throughout the communities of southern Utah against the natural backdrop of arches, spires and canyons that define each national park.
Moab – With easy access to Arches and Canyonlands National Parks, Dead Horse Point State Park, the Colorado River and thousands of miles of red rock landscapes, Moab is the perfect destination for families looking for nonstop fun and excitement.
- Sorrel River Ranch – Visitors to Arches and Canyonlands National Parks can stop by Sorrel River Ranch for a guided horseback riding excursion. The private equestrian center offers rides for beginners, intermediate and advanced riders, including both group and private trail rides.
- Red River Adventures – Travelers can spend the day rafting down the beautiful Colorado River with a guided tour by Red River Adventures in Moab. Guests will run rapids, enjoy breathtaking scenery and have time to swim along the way.
St. George – With its year-round warm weather and close proximity to Zion National Park and a handful of state parks, St. George is central to some of the country’s most dramatic natural beauty.
- Green Valley Spa – After a long day of adventure, visitors can unwind with a relaxing massage or spa treatment. Green Valley Spa in St. George offers a number of signature treatments including the Desert Clay Body Mask, Pearl Skin Polish and Seven Heavens Aromatherapy.
- Dinosaur Discovery Site – The St. George Dinosaur Discovery Site at Johnson Farm features well-preserved dinosaur tracks; fossil fish and plants; rare dinosaur remains; invertebrates’ traces; and sedimentary structures.
Escalante – Located on Scenic Byway 12, near Bryce Canyon National Park and Escalante State Park, Escalante is home to some of the world’s most beautiful, technical slot canyons and offers a wide variety of recreational opportunities.
- Excursions of Escalante – Offering a variety of canyoneering tours into the region’s premier unnamed and unpublished canyons, Excursions of Escalante uses basic canyoneering techniques, proper equipment and a sound outdoor philosophy to safely explore and experience places of incredible beauty.
- Escalante Petrified Forest State Park – Visitors can camp along the shores of Wide Hollow Reservoir or rent a canoe and paddle on its clear waters. Families can also visit the American Indian History Museum where they will get an idea of what life was like in a Fremont Indian village or Ancestral Puebloan dwelling.
Torrey – The basecamp to Capitol Reef National Park and Boulder Mountain, Torrey is a scenic area that offers outstanding recreation activities.
- Backcountry Outfitters Four Wheel Drive Tours – The Canyonlands region of the Colorado Plateau hosts a network of four-wheel drive trails. Backcountry Outfitters offers 4x4 driving tours through these trails, previously accessible only by foot or horseback.
- Hondoo Rivers & Trails Rock Art Tours – Hondoo Rivers & Trails offers guided group rock art tours throughout the summer at Range Creek, home to the richest repository of significant Fremond Indian archaeological sites in the world.
For more activities to try in and around The Mighty Five National Parks visit www.visitutah.com.
Tyler Wilcox : November 18, 2014
