This Natural Wonders Road Trip Will Show You Utah Like You’ve Never Seen It Before
By Catherine Armstrong|Updated on February 05, 2023(Originally published January 31, 2023)
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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.
Utah is full of so many stunning landscapes and attractions that we just can’t help but visit them over and over again. Previously, we wrote about 14 natural wonders in Utah. Now we’ve created a road trip that takes you to several of the gorgeous spots featured in that article. Because Utah is so vast, we’ve created this adventure specifically for the natural wonders in the southern part of the state. Are you ready to explore? Read on to learn more and check out this map before heading out on your outing to nature spots in Utah.
This one of Utah's natural wonders sometimes gets mistaken for the Grand Canyon (which is obviously not in Utah). As you can see, the overlook here is truly stunning; the view stretches for miles, and the Colorado River winds through the valley about 2,000 feet below.
Oh, Delicate Arch. You're on Utah's license plate for a reason. You're immense (65 feet tall!), and such a memorable stop on this road trip in Utah. Check out this stunning arch (and maybe a few of the other 2,000 arches in the park). It's photogenic at all times of the day regardless of what the weather is.
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Goblin Valley, Goblin Valley State Park
Goblin Valley State Park, 18630Goblin, Valley Road, Green River, UT 84525, USA
Is there a stranger place in the state of Utah These funny little hoodoo goblins are charming and weird (kind of like the Beehive State itself!). You'll find thousands of formations here; they're carved from Entrada sandstone. Learn more about these Utah natural wonders in this previous coverage.
The Waterpocket Fold is truly one of the most unique nature spots in Utah. At just over 100 miles long, it's one of the world's longest monocline (a fancy word that just means folded rock layers). It was created between 50 and 70 million years ago. The "waterpocket" part of its name comes into play because of the various depressions in the sandstone that act as water catchments.
You might think that Pando consists of thousands of quaking aspen trees...but that's not the case at all! Pando is one organism - with thousands of shoots coming off of one main, male tree. It's the heaviest organism in the entire world, weighing an estimated 6,600 short tons. Walk through this amazing forest on your natural wonders in Utah road trip and listen to the wind in the aspens...amazing.
Bryce Canyon Amphitheater, Bryce Canyon National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park is one of the most impressive of Utah's natural wonders. The amphitheater, with its hoodoos and spires, is just simply magnificent. The view here is also one of the best in the Beehive State. Do you agree? View the amphitheater from any of the four viewpoints along Hwy 63: Sunrise, Sunset, Inspiration, and Bryce Points.
Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park
Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park, 12500 Sand Dune Rd, Kanab, UT 84741, USA
Much of Utah is desert...but the Coral Pink Sand Dunes are a type of desert reminiscent of the Sahara. ATV enthusiasts love it here, but it's also an amazing place to play, hike, and take photographs. The dunes move as much as 50 feet per year, and they get their rich, pink color from Navajo sandstone. Take a further look at these nature spots in Utah.
Zion National Park is the most popular of Utah's natural wonders, with more than 3.5 million visitors annually. You can see why when you view Zion Canyon (this photo was taken from the Zion Canyon Overlook along the Canyon Overlook Trail). The canyon is truly stunning - especially after a storm.
Buckskin Gulch is the longest, deepest slot canyon in the entire Southwest. This natural wonder in Utah is right on the border, near the Vermilion Cliffs National Monument. The canyon is gorgeous, with its twisting paths and stunning colors and textures. Check it out - but make sure to steer clear if there's a threat of rain - it can also be deadly during a flash flood.
For this road trip in Utah, allow several days (or two-three weeks, (if you’ve got the time) to see these natural wonders. You could easily spend months in this portion of the state, and still not see everything. This road trip in Utah takes on a total of 556 miles, but feel free to add on some more of Utah’s national or state parks to see even more attractions. Have fun!
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More to Explore
Natural Wonders in Utah
Marla S. |February 05, 2023
What are some of the best natural wonders in Utah that you can see for free?
Take a look at some of the best natural wonders in Utah that are free to see:
Great Salt Lake Shorelands Preserve in Layton: Experience these wetlands while strolling along a boardwalk.
Silver Lake Loop Trail in Big Cottonwood Canyon: Feel free to take in this natural wonder in Utah while walking along the hike circling the lake.
Escalante Natural Bridge in Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument: Expect to have your jaw drop when you see this impressive 130-foot natural wonder.
Check out this coverage with more information about these and other best natural wonders in Utah that you can see for free.
What are some of the top road trips in Utah?
Aside from the natural wonders in Utah road trip, take a look at the following road trips in Utah.