7 Most Underrated Scenic Spots To Visit In Utah This Summer
Discover Fantasy Canyon(opens in new tab), the Moonscape Overlook(opens in new tab), Goblin Valley(opens in new tab), and more on your adventurous summer trip to the Beehive State(opens in new tab).
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(opens in new tab) road trips to scenic small towns in the desert or mountains.
Whether it be the natural arches and bridges of Arches National Park(opens in new tab), the Alpine Loop(opens in new tab), scenic Utah road trips along Nine Mile Canyon(opens in new tab) Road and Mount Carmel Scenic Byway(opens in new tab), or spending a couple of days exploring the amazing hiking trails of Zion National Park(opens in new tab), 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.
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Goblin Valley State Park(opens in new tab), Emery County
Located within the San Rafael Desert, Goblin Valley State Park may not be as popular as the Bryce Canyon Amphitheater(opens in new tab) 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.
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Moonscape Overlook(opens in new tab), Hanksville
Located in Southern Utah on the Skyline Rim near the town of Hanksville(opens in new tab) and 26 miles from Capitol Reef National Park(opens in new tab) 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(opens in new tab) 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.
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Cascade Springs(opens in new tab), Near Heber City
Nestled along the 20-mile Alpine Loop, Cascade Springs are included within the Uinta National Forest(opens in new tab), 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.
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Brian Head Peak Overlook(opens in new tab), 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(opens in new tab), but it also features a lookout that was built in the mid-1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps(opens in new tab) 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(opens in new tab) and Highland peaks(opens in new tab), Arizona’s Mount Trumbull(opens in new tab) and Navajo Mountain(opens in new tab), and Beaver County’s Tushar Range(opens in new tab).
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Wilson Arch(opens in new tab), Moab
Moab has plenty of free things to do to fill out a vacation itinerary in Southern Utah, including hiking the Hidden Valley Trail(opens in new tab) and visiting the Museum of Film And Western Heritage(opens in new tab).
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.
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Fantasy Canyon(opens in new tab)
America is filled with unique places that do not feel real, from Arizona’s Antelope Canyon(opens in new tab) to Olympic National Park’s Hall of Mosses(opens in new tab) and Oregon’s Painted Hills(opens in new tab). One of Utah’s odd and fascinating attractions is Fantasy Canyon, also known as Flying Witch.
Located 40 miles south of Vernal(opens in new tab), 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.
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Red Hills Desert Garden(opens in new tab)
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(opens in new tab).
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.
