Utah's 14 Most Incredible Natural Wonders, According To Our Readers
By Courtnie Erickson|Published September 20, 2022
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Courtnie Erickson
Author
From Southern Utah to the Panhandle in Idaho, Courtnie Erickson has lived in what she believes are the best (and the most beautiful!) areas in the country. She graduated with a journalism degree from Utah State University and has more than 15 years of professional writing experience. You’ll likely see her with a Dr. Pepper in her hand and a pair of running shoes on her feet. Courtnie is a writer and editor at OnlyInYourState.
From tall mountain peaks to deserts to red rocks and the beautiful landscapes in between, the natural beauty and wonders of Utah will not disappoint. However, narrowing down the best and most jaw-dropping natural wonders in Utah is almost an impossible task. So, we polled our readers on our Only In Utah Facebook page and our Utah Nature Lovers Facebook group to see what they consider are the most incredible natural wonders in Utah. The following 14 were nominated multiple times and are Utah natural wonders we would highly recommend for every individual’s bucket list.
1. Arches National Park
Arches National Park Road, Arches Nat'l Pk Rd, Utah, USA
With more than 2,000 documented natural arches in this park alone, Arches National Park is truly a bucket-list-worthy attraction. While the entire park was nominated many times by our readers, very specific areas were also suggested such as Delicate Arch.
Located in the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument in southern Utah, this waterfall is not only peaceful, but it features a beautiful natural swimming hole at the bottom. Just make sure you wear your hiking boots as you’ll have a 3-mile, one-way hike to reach these falls.
Flaming Gorge is an outdoor lover’s paradise. This area has it all from hiking and river rafting to camping and fishing. The Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area is more than 200,000 acres, so there is plenty to do, see, and explore.
If you live in Utah Valley or travel there often, you have likely seen Mount Timpanogos in all its glory towering over the valley. This mountain peak is an incredible 11,752 feet above sea level and is the second highest mountain in the Wasatch Range.
As one of the most photographed overlooks in the entire world, Dead Horse Point is truly one of a kind. From the overlook, you will see the Colorado River 2,000 feet below you and miles ahead of you. This is one destination in Utah you’ll be sad to forget a camera.
Lake Blanche, located up Big Cottonwood Canyon, is truly breathtaking. However, this is one natural wonder that you’ll have to put some effort into enjoying. The hike to this lake is six miles round trip and the trail is quite steep.
Peek-a-Boo Slot Canyon is one of the more popular slot canyons in southern Utah because it doesn’t require all of the technical knowledge and gear like other canyons. However, it still provides incredible scenery and the natural waves and contours of the sandstone will capture your imagination.
It is no surprise that our readers nominated the Great Salt Lake multiple times. This is the largest saltwater lake in the Western Hemisphere and the views around this lake are second to none.
Zion National Park was nominated dozens of times by our readers and we aren’t surprised. This is one of the most popular national parks in Utah and is also considered one of the most stunning in the entire world! With hikes, overlooks, scenic drives, and more, this is one natural wonder in Utah where you can easily spend all week.
Bear Lake, also known as the Caribbean of the Rockies, sits in both Utah and Idaho. It is approximately 109 square miles in size and is one of the largest natural freshwater lakes in Utah. Boating, fishing, swimming, and camping are popular activities at this lake but we are particularly fond of watching the sunrises!
Bridal Veil Falls in Provo Canyon is incredible all year long. This is the tallest waterfall in Utah, falling an impressive 607 feet. While you can always hike up to the waterfall to get an up-close look, you can also just enjoy its beauty right from the road — it’s truly stunning.
According to our readers, the Wellsville Mountains are certainly a favorite natural wonder in Utah. These mountains are located in northern Utah and are considered some of the steepest mountains in North America.
Bryce Canyon National Park is filled with incredible hoodoos, amazing overlooks, and some of the best sunrises and sunsets in Utah. After one visit, it is easy to see why this is a favorite national park in Utah.
Located up Logan Canyon in northern Utah, Tony Grove is a true hidden gem. Enjoy a picnic on the shore or take the short 1.3-mile nature trail around the lake. It’s quite dreamy, don’t you think?
This is just the beginning of the most incredible natural wonders in Utah. What are your favorite natural wonders in Utah? Let us know in the comments or join our Utah Nature Lovers Facebook page and share your photos with us!