10 Places To Visit In Utah That Have Nothing To Do With The Desert

Even though Utah is world-renowned for its striking desert landscapes, there’s a whole lot more to the Beehive State if you know where to look.

Utah is home to many exciting destinations and attractions that have nothing to do with the desert, ranging from mountain resorts, bustling cities, idyllic lakes, and historical sites.

If you’re wondering what to do in Utah besides checking out the desert wonders, here are some destinations you’ve got to place on your itinerary.

1. Salt Lake City

As the capital of Utah, Salt Lake City offers a great blend of religious history, entertainment, and city vibes.

Salt Lake City was where the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints was established (more commonly known as the Mormon Church), meaning many of the city’s highlights have a religious background.

Temple Square, the Place Monument, The Old Deseret Village Living Museum, the Joseph Smith Memorial Building, the Gilgal Sculpture Garden, the Mormon Tabernacle, and even the State Capitol are all related to the Mormon Church.

Even if you’re not into religious sights, they’re worth checking out to understand Utah’s culture a little better.

Of course, plenty of other attractions worth visiting all over the city don’t have a religious connotation. A few of them are Tracy Aviary, Hogle Zoo, the historical Liberty Park, and the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympic Venue.

Read our complete guide to Salt Lake City With Kids

2. Great Salt Lake State Park

Great Salt Lake is the largest natural lake in Utah. It got its name because of the mineral deposits it leaves behind when water evaporates, making it saltier than ocean water!

A few activities you can do at Great Salt Lake include fishing, boating, bison-spotting, and swimming. Moreover, the sunsets are absolutely splendid here, so I recommend lingering a while in the park to experience one.

3. Park City

Home to two of the most famous ski resorts in Utah, Park City is a prime winter sports destination all over the country, but it’s also a great mountain town to visit year-round.

Thanks to its privileged location in the Wasatch Mountains, Park City is a mecca for beautiful hiking trails, mountain biking, fish flying, and rafting during the hotter months. Moreover, hot air ballooning is also a thing here and a wonderful way to see the mountains from up above!

4. Garden City

Sitting on the shores of Bear Lake, Garden City is commonly nicknamed “the Caribbean of the Rockies” due to the turquoise-toned waters of the lake.

Garden City is a favorite destination for visitors and locals alike who want to spend time enjoying the water, be it through swimming, sunbathing, sailing, water skiing, and all sorts of activities you wouldn’t expect to find in a landlocked state! It’s one of the best lesser-known lake vacation spots in the US.

5. Provo

As the third-largest city in Utah and the gateway to the Wasatch Front, Provo boasts a mountaineering scene like no other.

During your time in Provo, you can choose from activities like hiking, tubing, boating, fishing, and more, all while being surrounded by forest scenery and snow-capped mountains. For the ultimate adventure, you can hike up to Mount Timpanogos, the second-highest mountain in Utah!

6. Hardware Ranch

If you’re into wildlife spotting, Hardware Ranch is a wonderful place in Utah for unique animal encounters.

Thanks to its location inside the Blacksmith Fork Canyon, during the winter months, Hardware Ranch becomes the favorite hangout spot for Rocky Elk, who love roaming casually around the ranch!

7. Midway, Homestead Crater, and Cascade Springs

If you’re looking for wonderful outdoor activities, look no further than Midway, a small town within the Wasatch Mountain State Park that offers year-round activities thanks to its closeness to fantastic natural gems in Utah.

Close to Midway, you’ll find the Homestead Crater, an unusual geothermal spring that provides the only warm scuba diving in the continental United States!

Moreover, you’ll also be able to visit Cascade Springs, a series of terraced pools nestled under a waterfall that looks straight out of a storybook.

If you’re visiting during the winter, Midway also homes a fantastic ski resort that was the exact one used during the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics and provides wonderful cross-country skiing opportunities.

8. Brigham City

Brigham City is a quiet mountain town where time seems to stand still.

Sitting on the sloped side of the Westville Mountain, you’ll find charming streets dotted with colorful 18th-century buildings and nature pretty much everywhere you turn.

Moreover, the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge sits close to Brigham. This is a wonderful place to visit to observe birds (over 200 species living here) and see a few migratory birds (American White Pelicans come here during the summer and Tundra Swans visit in the fall!)

10. Uinta Mountains

The Uinta Mountains, stretching across northeastern Utah, offer a refreshing alpine escape from the state’s desert landscapes. As the highest east-west running range in the contiguous United States, the Uintas boast stunning scenery with over 1,000 lakes, dense forests, and peaks soaring above 13,000 feet.

Outdoor enthusiasts flock here for world-class hiking, fishing, and camping opportunities. The area is home to diverse wildlife, including moose, elk, and black bears. With its pristine wilderness, scenic byways, and the chance to stand atop Kings Peak, Utah’s highest point, the Uinta Mountains provide a cool, serene retreat and endless adventures for nature lovers and families alike.

What are some other great non-desert-related activities to do and places to visit in Utah? If you know of any others, you’d like to recommend, please do so in the comment section below!