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Utah offers rich assortment of tourism attractions
Residents and visitors say that Utah is like no other place in the world. It's a state rich in pioneer heritage and a state with great geographical variety.
A drive from one end of the state to the other will take you through deserts, red-rock country, canyons lined with towering cliffs and scenic byways winding through heavy forests.
Temple Square plaza at night in downtown Salt Lake City.
Tom Smart, Deseret News |
In Utah, a person can stand on an cliff overlooking miles and miles of landscape sculptured by centuries of erosion and a few hours later be hiking along a quiet mountain stream, or rafting a raging river or camping on the shores of a pristine mountain lake.
In the winter time, Utah's high mountains turn into some of the best skiing terrain in the United States, while the southern red-rock country remains warm and pleasant. Many believe winter is the best time to visit Utah's natural wonders because of smaller crowds and lower temperatures.
The state's populated areas and rural communities are loaded with historical landmarks reflective of the Mormon pioneers who founded the state more than 150 years ago. Utah offers a lot of small-town ambience and can also provide the nightlife and culture found in the world's biggest cities.
Utah's culture, history and landscape offer tourists and recreationalists a variety of opportunities and experiences. The state has something for every season and a playground for every interest. Whether it be clubs, the arts, theater, museums, shopping or dining, Utah has it. The state also has some of the best places to golf, ski, hike, fish, hunt, bike, boat or drive.
Year after year, the top tourist spot in the state is Temple Square in downtown Salt Lake City — a place rich with beauty, history and information about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. More than 5 million visitors take in the church's world headquarters each year.
Combined, Utah's ski resorts are the next most-popular attractions, with more than 3 million people sliding down Utah's snowy slopes each year.
Delicate Arch in Arches National Park.
Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News |
Overall, the state's natural wonders are the biggest attractions. Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, better known as Lake Powell, is the recreational spot for almost 3 million people each year. Close behind in popularity is Zion National Park and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. Zion attracts about 2.5 million tourists each year and Grand Staircase about 1.5 million.
Utah's other national parks and monuments, Bryce Canyon, Arches, Canyonlands, Dinosaur, Flaming Gorge and Capitol Reef, are also hot places for tourists. The top 10 state parks are Wasatch, Quail Creek, Snow Canyon, Utah Lake, Antelope Island, Jordanelle, Willard Bay, Rockport, Dead Horse Point and Deer Creek.
By region, the Salt Lake area, with Temple Square, Hogle Zoo and the biggest shopping centers, is the most popular place of travelers. Park City, with its dining, shopping and ski resorts, is second. Moab, the center of red-rock country, is third. The warm climate of the St. George area, with Zion nearby, Snow Canyon State Park and many destination golf courses, is the fourth most-visited region of the state.
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October 31, 2001
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