Pick a Park in Utah

Utah state parks come in a wide variety, giving the visitor many options to choose from. Utah has 42 state parks across its 84,889 square miles. Kings Peak is the highest elevation, measuring 13,528 feet. Kings Peak is located in the Ashley National Forest, in the Uinta Mountains. Utah also hosts several national parks. Arches, Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands, Captitol Reef, and Zion are the national parks that are located in Utah.

Visitors to Utah can do a number of things all year round, as most of the parks are always open. Some activities that can be done there are camping, boating, fishing, swimming, picnicking, horseback riding, golfing, hiking, off-roading, and enjoying interpretive areas. All of these can be done year-long. Some winter activities are cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, and ice fishing.

When visiting Utah parks, keep in mind there are quite a few. The northern part of Utah boasts 16 parks, two of which are Great Salt Lake and Historic Union Pacific Rail Trail. The Great Salt Lake houses a marina with 300 slips. The lake seldom freezes, and boating is available year round. The Historic Union Pacific Rail Trail is 450 acres and is open all year round. The park is a 28 mile trail for non-motorized use.

The central part of Utah has only nine state parks, two of which are Green River State Park and Yuba. Green River is only 53 acres big. This small park is an oasis off of the Green River. It is embarkation points for trips to Labyrinth and Stillwater Canyon. It is the beginning point of the 180 mile Friendship Cruise. Yuba State Park is 628 acres of sandy beaches and warm water. It boasts fishing, boating, waterskiing, picnicking and waterfowl hunting.

The southern part of Utah has 15 state parks, two of which are Coral Pink Sand Dunes and Edge of the Cedars. Coral Pink Sand Dunes State park is a 3,730 acre park of sifting crescent-shaped dunes of fine salmon colored sand. The park is open year round and known for it's great photo opportunities. Edge of the Cedars is the site a of Puebloan Indian ruins. It houses a collection of Anasazi pottery and other Indian artifacts. The park is open all year round, but the events are seasonal.

Visiting Utah State Parks should be a fun family experience, for the youngest to the oldest. When planning a your next trip, think of Utah.