Top 10 Free Things to do in Utah, United States

April 8, 2022 Hana Mouser

Welcome to “The Greatest Snow on Earth” – Utah’s paradise for all outdoor enthusiasts! As host of the 2002 Winter Olympics, Park City knows how to entertain winter fun seekers. Snowboarders and skiers head for miles of spectacular slopes with deep fluffy powder and breathtaking mountain views. The Olympic Park provides family-friendly ski programs, rides and shows. Alta, Sundance, Snowbird and Brighton are other popular destinations for cross country and Alpine skiers. Those alluring snowy slopes turn to rolling wildflower fields in the summer. Golfing, fishing, horseback riding and water sports replace chilly outdoor sports adventures. Corral the family, pack a picnic and catch one of the ski lifts for an afternoon of hiking or mountain biking along scenic trails. Head to Salt Lake City, where Temple Square hosts millions of visitors a year. Bryce Canyon and Arches National Park are famous for surreal landscapes from horseshoe-shaped amphitheaters to unusual rock formations and hundreds of natural sandstone arches. Closer to home, wander along the quaint main streets of mountain villages to browse, shop and enjoy lunch at an outdoor café. At the end of the day, head home for an outdoor barbecue and an evening of games. Home rentals blend privacy, space and comfort with the cost-saving advantage of eating some meals at home.
Restaurants in Utah

1. Scenic Byway of Highway 128

UT
Excellent
83%
Good
16%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 198 reviews

Scenic Byway of Highway 128

Popular 'road drive', along the Colorado River.

Reviewed By TravelingJohnB80 - Martinsburg, United States

Beautiful drive along the Colorado river. This road winds along the canyon walls along the Colorado river with stunning views.

2. Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument

735 W Main, UT 84726 +1 435-826-5499 http://www.utah.com/nationalsites/grand_staircase.htm
Excellent
81%
Good
17%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 387 reviews

Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument

This massive national monument holds endless sights within thousands of acres.

Reviewed By gwenh465

All I can say is WOW. Jaw dropping views. Beautiful sunset views. Watch for road conditions in winter.

3. Best Friends Animal Sanctuary

5001 Angel Canyon Rd, Kanab, UT 84741-5000 +1 435-644-2001 [email protected] http://www.bestfriends.org/
Excellent
89%
Good
7%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 1,463 reviews

Best Friends Animal Sanctuary

Best Friends Animal Society is the only national animal welfare organization focused exclusively on ending the killing of dogs and cats in America's shelters. An authority and leader in the no-kill movement, Best Friends runs the nation's largest no-kill sanctuary for companion animals, as well as lifesaving programs in partnership with rescue groups and shelters across the country. Since its founding in 1984, Best Friends has helped reduce the number of animals killed in shelters nationwide from 17 million per year to about 4 million. That means there are still over 9,000 dogs and cats killed in shelters each day. And we will not be done until that number is zero. Best Friends has the knowledge, technical expertise and on-the-ground network to end the killing and Save Them All(R).

Reviewed By SDubs24 - Boulder, United States

This was our second visit to the sanctuary. We've done the grand sanctuary tour and the Dog Town tour - both were really great (and free!) On the grand sanctuary tour we visited with a bunch of cats and met a very sweet old dog in the senior area. They do amazing work here and the land is absolutely stunning. They have dogs, cats, birds, horses, wild animals, you name it! It's worth an hour or two of your time, and if you're able, you should definitely donate to this fabulous organization. They truly care about animals and are doing great work nationwide. I'd recommend booking your tour online in advance, they fill up fast.

4. Big Cottonwood Canyon

Big Cottonwood Canyon Rd Uintah-Wasatch-Cache National Forest, Salt Lake City, UT 84121 https://www.visitsaltlake.com/listing/big-cottonwood-canyon/55175/
Excellent
82%
Good
16%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 1,149 reviews

Big Cottonwood Canyon

Located in the Wasactch Mountains, this wilderness region offers a limitless range of recreation for outdoor enthusiasts.

Reviewed By Francophile84108 - Salt Lake City, United States

When the temp hits triple digits in the city, that's when I head for the canyons. I love Big Cottonwood. It's a great place to hike, has beautiful scenery and if you have little kids or elderly friends and family, there's a nice gentle walk at the top, by Brighton Ski resort, around Silver Lake. If you go at dusk, you're likely to see Moose as you stroll the boardwalk around the lake. There are interpretive signs along the way, restrooms and a small information center. If you're hungry, stop at Silver Fork Lodge for a bite to eat, just minutes from the lake as you descend the canyon.

5. Moki Dugway

Hwy 261, UT +1 800-574-4386 http://www.utahscanyoncountry.com
Excellent
81%
Good
16%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 350 reviews

Moki Dugway

Reviewed By F3150RGsharons

We did as part of a day tour from the North 261, including Muley Point, Moki Dugway & Goosenecks SP. We read many reviews of the Moki here, so no surprises. We were in a 1 ton Dodge Dually, 8' wide. So, the road is narrow in places for wide vehicles. If you pay attention to oncoming traffic, you can pull over in spots & turnoffs. There are several pullouts /wide spots to take pics. We passed maybe 6 cars/suvs. As a driver, it is best to just focus straight ahead and pay attention to where you are going (Duh!). My wife is a white knuckler and had no problem. We talked to a guy coming down and was only vaguely aware this was here. So, read about 30 reviews, be prepared for the road, drive slow & carefully, take you time, take pics, pull over. The best free ride in America!!

6. Guardsman Pass Scenic Backway

1845 E Cedar Trails Way, Park City, UT http://www.utah.com/parkcity/guardsman_pass.htm
Excellent
80%
Good
16%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 481 reviews

Guardsman Pass Scenic Backway

Reviewed By mlbourgeois

Wow, a Saturday morning drive on the Guardsman Pass between Park city and Salt Lake City is definitely an adventure. The beauty is incredible. The curves, cliffs and bikers make it very challenging but fun. Lots of pull offs,hikers and bikers.

7. Provo Canyon

8841 Alpine Scenic Hwy, Provo, UT http://utah.com/scenic-drive/provo-canyon
Excellent
80%
Good
17%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 205 reviews

Provo Canyon

Reviewed By G8769FVdougc - Powell, United States

Mere words don't begin to describe the incredible beauty my family and I enjoyed during our visit today. From the deer to the coyotes to the snow-capped mountains to the beautiful mountain falls, my family and I highly recommend taking the Alpine Scenic Highway. It was a day to take in some of God's greatest creations.

8. Red Hills Desert Garden

Red Hills Pkwy, St. George, UT 84770 +1 435-673-3617 http://redhillsdesertgarden.com
Excellent
79%
Good
19%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 364 reviews

Red Hills Desert Garden

Reviewed By forrestkass - Littleton, United States

You have to stop if you are in the area. A meandering path next to a man-made stream highlights the diversity of plant life for the area. Beautifully kept, clean, and all the plants are tagged!

9. Logan Canyon Scenic Drive

US Hwy 89, Logan, UT
Excellent
84%
Good
15%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 68 reviews

Logan Canyon Scenic Drive

Reviewed By donh941 - Kirkland, United States

Fall colors here were magnificent. Especially the aspen and the bigtooth maples. Highly recommend this drive during the week on a clear fall day.

10. Temple Square

50 W North Temple, Salt Lake City, UT 84150-9709 +1 801-531-1000 [email protected] http://www.templesquare.com
Excellent
65%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 5,021 reviews

Temple Square

Dominated by a magnificent six-spired temple, the square is the symbolic heart of the worldwide Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-Day Saints.

Reviewed By R5238KCsilviam

Short, informative tours are offered every few minutes in different languages and I highly recommend taking one. In addition to walking through the beautiful grounds with lovely flower beds, great architecture and art, we were able to enter the Tabernacle and listen to an organ concert.

ThingsTodoPost © 2018 - 2024 All rights reserved.