Utah

If Spain is where Picasso experimented during his ‘blue period’, the state of Utah is where Mother Nature evidently decided to dramatically express herself in reds.

From crimson-streaked, rock canyons, to terra cotta spires, and over 2000 swirling orange natural arches and grand mesas, Utah’s national parks and monuments are perfect for world-class hiking, biking and rafting. Utah has 12 national parks and monuments – the biggest being ”The Mighty Five”: Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Arches, Canyonlands, and Zion National Park, full of magical views and endless ways to get lost in nature.  

Bike Moab’s challenging Whole Enchilada trail. Hike through Zion’s slot canyons and discover hanging gardens and waterfalls. Raft along Green River in Dinosaur National Monument. Walk under massive sandstone arches in Arches National Park as the landscape is ablaze in oranges and reds. Discover 5000 year-old petroglyphs that line the walls of canyons and caves. If you’re lucky, you may spot a herd of majestic Desert Bighorn Sheep, high on a mountain ridge.

For a different type of adventure, try Park City’s ZipRider, where you can ride 50 mph from one side of a canyon to the other, or enjoy a peaceful hot air balloon ride through the clouds with a stop off for a picnic in the mountains. After a busy day exploring in Utah’s colorful landscape you can relax under the stars, and watch the sky for meteor showers. Or, you can kick-back and enjoy all Utah has to offer from the Aman resort, hidden in 600 acres of Utah’s wilderness. It’s a great place to rest your trail legs and enjoy the breathtaking beauty of Utah by the pool nestled amongst boulders or at the hydrotherapy spa. 

But keep in mind: Utah’s a year-round destination. After all, when your license plates say “The Greatest Snow On Earth”, Utah’s also an amazing place for a ski vacation. The Wasatch Mountains drop some of the best powder in the country: there’s excellent skiing and snowboarding in the more intimate Snowbird, as well as bigger resorts like Deer Valley and Park City. Park City is also home to the Sundance Film Festival, which has grown from it’s humble beginnings to an annual destination for the international film and music community.

No matter what time of year you visit, no matter how active you choose (or choose not) to be, Utah is one state that will manage to take your breath away.

Have us design your next adventure!