9 Utah Natural Wonders You Need To Add To Your Outdoor Bucket List For 2020
By Catherine Armstrong|Published May 13, 2020
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Catherine Armstrong
Author
Writer, editor and researcher with a passion for exploring new places. Catherine loves local bookstores, independent films, and spending time with her family, including Gus the golden retriever, who is a very good boy.
Every Utahns is familiar with the Big Five – our incredible national parks that bring visitors to our state from all over the world. While they’re certainly amazing, there are tons of other jaw-dropping natural wonders to explore. Here are nine that often get overlooked, and we think you should put them on your outdoor bucket list for 2020.
Tucked away in the midst of Utah's famous national parks is a much lesser-known place: Natural Bridges National Monument. One of three natural bridges there, Owachomo Bridge is the smallest, but it's still quite impressive at 106 feet high and 27 feet wide.
It's hard to beat the beauty of Bear Lake! Located in the northern part of the state, this lake is so blue that it's called "The Caribbean of the Rockies!"
The vast Bonneville Salt Flats were left here by the ancient Lake Bonneville, and they span 40 square miles. Land speed records have been set on this other-worldly landscape.
Factory Butte stands 6,300 feet above sea level, and it's absolutely stunning. You'll find it near Hanksville, and you might want to bring your OHV along - there's a popular trail nearby.
When you think of hoodoos, you probably think of Bryce Canyon National Park, but these beauties are located in a desolate spot near the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. They're definitely worth the journey, though most Utahns have never seen them.
Perhaps one of the easiest natural wonders to lay eyes on, this 607-foot-tall waterfall is visible right from US-189. Take the time to stop and take the short stroll to hang out at its base.
It took up to 15,000 years for these dunes to form from individual grains of sand, and they're absolutely breathtaking. Go for a stroll, ride your OHV, and definitely bring your camera to capture some beautiful shots.
The drive along the Mirror Lake Scenic Byway is full of natural wonders, and its namesake lake definitely doesn't disappoint. Get your fishing license before you head up, and try your luck at landing a rainbow trout.
This jaw-dropping scenery is pretty easy to access - you'll park your car, then walk a mere 200 feet to the overlook. The Colorado River is a long way down!
This list just scratches the surface of the many wonderful places we can explore outdoors. Tell us some of your other favorites in the comments!
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