7 Most Underrated Scenic Spots To Visit In Utah This Summer
Discover Fantasy Canyon, the Moonscape Overlook, Goblin Valley, and more on your adventurous summer trip to the Beehive State.
With its amalgamation of deserts, mountains, rivers, and lakes, Utah is considered one of the most naturally diverse states in the United States, making it a top destination for outdoor adventurers featuring many bucket-list sites, from Utah national park road trips to scenic small towns in the desert or mountains.
Whether it be the natural arches and bridges of Arches National Park, the Alpine Loop, scenic Utah road trips along Nine Mile Canyon Road and Mount Carmel Scenic Byway, or spending a couple of days exploring the amazing hiking trails of Zion National Park, wondrous vistas abound in the so-called Beehive State in all seasons.
Be as it may, most of these extremely popular sites are certified Utah tourist traps, including the famous Zion National Park, so perhaps lesser-known alternatives need to be considered in the busier months, particularly the summertime when visitor numbers soar. Beat the crowds instead during peak season; here are seven underrated yet scenic places in Utah to visit in the summer.
7
Goblin Valley State Park, Emery County
Located within the San Rafael Desert, Goblin Valley State Park may not be as popular as the Bryce Canyon Amphitheater or Zion National Park, but its striking Entrada sandstone pinnacles (or goblins) will make visitors think they’re on a strange, remote planet.
Common activities include hiking, mountain biking, camping, photography, and stargazing, but it’s best to visit in the early hours or around sunset, at the beginning or end of summer, due to the high temperatures and lack of shade.
6
Moonscape Overlook, Hanksville
Located in Southern Utah on the Skyline Rim near the town of Hanksville and 26 miles from Capitol Reef National Park and its geological wonders, Moonscape Overlook is accessed via bumpy gravel roads requiring a 4x4 vehicle, but the otherworldly, extraterrestrial, views of the Blue Valley are definitely worth it.
The gray tint of the Mancos Shale turns blueish right before sunrise and after sunset, so visiting around those times is preferred. There is also a free camping area nearby for those practical overnight visits.
5
Cascade Springs, Near Heber City
Nestled along the 20-mile Alpine Loop, Cascade Springs are included within the Uinta National Forest, whose 2.2 million acres stretch from Northern Utah to Southwestern Wyoming.
This lush and serene site is generally open from late spring through mid-autumn; it features three interconnected trails, deep natural pools, rocky terraces, boardwalks, benches, and bridges, thus providing great photography, picnicking, and hiking opportunities. As for wildlife sightings, they include deer, beavers, otters, moose, and a wide variety of birds.
4
Brian Head Peak Overlook, Dixie National Forest
Perched at an elevation of 11,307 feet, the Brian Head Peak Overlook is not only the highest point of the Cedar City Ranger District in Dixie National Forest, but it also features a lookout that was built in the mid-1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps and restored in the 1990s.
For now, the site is only equipped with toilets and a parking lot, but whether they drive or hike there, visitors are treated to stunning views in all directions that include Nevada’s Wheeler and Highland peaks, Arizona’s Mount Trumbull and Navajo Mountain, and Beaver County’s Tushar Range.
3
Wilson Arch, Moab
Moab has plenty of free things to do to fill out a vacation itinerary in Southern Utah, including hiking the Hidden Valley Trail and visiting the Museum of Film And Western Heritage.
Located 24 miles from the city, the 46-foot-high, 91-foot-wide Wilson Arch, just five minutes off U.S. Route 191, is another Entrada sandstone attraction in the area that can be visited at any time of the year. It was named in honor of Joe Wilson, a local pioneer who lived in the Dry Valley.
2
Fantasy Canyon
America is filled with unique places that do not feel real, from Arizona’s Antelope Canyon to Olympic National Park’s Hall of Mosses and Oregon’s Painted Hills. One of Utah’s odd and fascinating attractions is Fantasy Canyon, also known as Flying Witch.
Located 40 miles south of Vernal, it features chaotic rock formations that are the result of years of erosion and weathering, as well as fossils, and it is easily accessible via a 0.5-mile loop trail, preferably between March and October.
1
Red Hills Desert Garden
Another underrated scenic spot in Utah to visit this summer is Red Hills Desert Garden, an interactive botanical garden located near Pioneer Park, in the city of St. George.
Established in 2015, it boasts 5,000 water-efficient plants, a small slot canyon replica reminiscent of the Southern Utah landscape, a 1,150-foot stream filled with native and endangered fish, and real prehistoric dinosaur tracks from 200 million years ago. It’s a pleasant, family-friendly attraction that also provides great views of the city.
