Salt Lake City
3 hostels · dorms from $39
The capital, below the Wasatch Mountains.
Points of interest
- Temple Square
- Great Salt Lake
- Ski resorts
- Natural History Museum of Utah
State guide
Things to do in Utah
Five national parks in one state: Zion's canyons, Bryce's hoodoos, the stone arches around Moab, Canyonlands and Capitol Reef, plus the ski slopes and mountains above Salt Lake City.
3
Hostels across its 4 main cities
8.6
Average, from 495 reviews
5
National parks
7+
Days for the parks
The Mighty Five
Utah has some of the most extraordinary landscapes in the world. Its five national parks, known as the Mighty Five, are all in the south of the state, a short drive from each other: Zion, with its deep red canyon and the Narrows; Bryce Canyon, an amphitheatre of orange rock spires called hoodoos; Arches, with more than 2,000 natural stone arches; Canyonlands, a vast maze of canyons; and Capitol Reef, a long wrinkle in the earth with orchards in its valley.
Moab is the adventure base for Arches and Canyonlands, famous for mountain biking, rafting and four-wheel driving. In the north, Salt Lake City sits below the Wasatch Mountains, with some of the best powder skiing in the world less than an hour away, the Great Salt Lake and the headquarters of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Give Utah at least a week for the parks, ideally as a road trip from Las Vegas or Salt Lake City. Spring and autumn are the best seasons, summer is very hot in the south, and winter is ski season in the north.
Where to base yourself
Salt Lake City in the north, and Springdale and Moab for the parks.
Springdale
The town at the entrance to Zion.
Points of interest
- Zion National Park
- The Narrows
- Angels Landing
Moab
The adventure base for Arches and Canyonlands.
Points of interest
- Arches
- Canyonlands
- Dead Horse Point
- Mountain biking
Park City
A ski town and home of the Sundance Film Festival until 2026.
Points of interest
- Park City Mountain
- Main Street
- Olympic Park
Regions of Utah
Mountains and Salt Lake City in the north, red rock canyon country in the south.
Salt Lake City and the Wasatch
City, skiingThe capital and the ski resorts in the mountains above it.
Zion and the south-west
Canyons, hikingZion National Park and the town of Springdale.
Bryce and Scenic Byway 12
Hoodoos, road tripBryce Canyon, Escalante and Capitol Reef.
Moab and the south-east
Arches, adventureArches, Canyonlands and the adventure town of Moab.
Northern Utah
Salt flats, lakesThe Great Salt Lake and the Bonneville Salt Flats.
Things to do
Things to do in Utah
In Zion, hike Angels Landing (a permit from the lottery is required), wade up the Narrows in the Virgin River, and walk the Riverside Walk and Emerald Pools. The park shuttle runs through the main canyon for most of the year. In Bryce Canyon, walk the Navajo Loop and Queen's Garden trails down among the hoodoos, and watch sunrise from Sunrise Point.
Around Moab, Arches does not need a timed-entry reservation in 2026; walk to Delicate Arch at sunset, and book ahead for the Fiery Furnace. In Canyonlands, see the sunrise at Mesa Arch and the view from Grand View Point, and visit Dead Horse Point State Park. Drive Scenic Byway 12 between Bryce and Capitol Reef, one of the best roads in the country.
In the north, ski at Alta, Snowbird, Park City and other resorts in winter, hike in the Wasatch in summer, and visit the Bonneville Salt Flats.
Free things
And what it costs nothing to do
Much of Utah's public land outside the national parks is free, including lots of hiking around Moab and the Grand Staircase-Escalante. Scenic Byway 12 costs nothing to drive.
In Salt Lake City, Temple Square and its gardens are free to visit, as is the State Capitol.
The national parks charge entry, and from 2026 international visitors pay an extra $100 per person at Zion and Bryce Canyon.
Food and drink
Eating and drinking
Utah's food is hearty: try fry sauce, a mix of ketchup and mayonnaise for chips, scones served with honey butter (they are fried dough), and pastrami burgers. Funeral potatoes, a cheesy potato bake, are a local tradition.
Salt Lake City has a growing restaurant and coffee scene, and Moab and Springdale have cafés for hikers.
Utah's alcohol laws are stricter than elsewhere: beer is available, and bars and restaurants serve alcohol, but rules are unusual and some small towns have few options.
Nightlife
Going out
Salt Lake City has more nightlife than its reputation suggests, with bars, breweries and live music downtown. Park City's Main Street is lively in ski season and during the Sundance Film Festival.
In the park towns, nights are quiet; the stars are the show, and many parks are International Dark Sky Parks.
Alcohol laws are strict, so carry ID.
Getting around
Getting around
Salt Lake City International Airport is in the north, and Las Vegas is the closest big airport to Zion and Bryce. A car is essential for the parks: distances are long and public transport is limited.
In Zion, the free shuttle is the only way into the main canyon for most of the year, with private cars not allowed. Salt Lake City has light rail, TRAX, and buses to the ski resorts in winter.
Fuel stations can be far apart in the south, so fill up when you can.
Costs
What Utah costs
Utah is moderately priced, but park towns such as Springdale and Moab are expensive in high season, and accommodation books up months ahead. Camping is the cheapest way to see the parks.
Sales tax is around 7 to 8 per cent in most places. Tip 18 to 22 per cent in restaurants.
An annual park pass makes sense for the Mighty Five: the $250 pass for international visitors covers entry and the 2026 surcharge at Zion and Bryce.
Safety
Safety and scams
Utah is very safe; the risks are in the desert. Carry plenty of water, start hikes early in summer, and know your limits on exposed trails such as Angels Landing.
Flash floods can turn slot canyons and the Narrows into torrents with little warning. Check the flash flood forecast before entering any narrow canyon, and turn back if storms are near.
Winter brings avalanche risk in the mountains. In an emergency, call 911.
What's on
What is on while you are there
Film festivals, skiing and dark skies.
Staff pick
15 October
Kacey Musgraves
Salt Lake City
Kacey's glittering career has been filled with six Grammy Awards, seven Country Music Association Awards, and five very successful albums. Kacey has been headlining…
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29 October
The Smashing Pumpkins
Salt Lake City
Emerging from the grunge explosion of the early '90s, The Smashing Pumpkins carved out a unique niche with their mesmerizing blend of alternative rock,…
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7 December
Jonas Brothers
Salt Lake City
The Jonas Brothers is a pop rock band formed in 2005. They gained most of their popularity from appearing on the Disney Channel network.…
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8–10 January
Monster Jam
Salt Lake City
Monster Jam is a live motorsport event tour that began in 1992. The tour, operated by Feld Entertainment, is usually held during winter and…
Staff pick
16–17 October
Ozark Regional Arts and Crafts Festival
Springdale
One of the top 100 craft fairs in the country, this long-running festival brings together artisans from across the region during the popular War…
Staff pick
17 October
Runtastic Haunted Salt Lake City
Salt Lake City
Experience the excitement of the Runtastic Haunted Half and 5K in Salt Lake City, Utah, where runners of all ages don their best costumes…
Staff pick
23 October
Skillet
Salt Lake City
Christian rock band, Skillet, consists of husband and wife, John and Korey Cooper, John Ledger, and Seth Morrison. Two of Skillet’s albums, Comatose and…
Staff pick
31 October
Halloween in the Park
Springdale
The City of Tontitown hosts this free annual Trick or Treat in the Park at Harry Sbanotto Park. The park fills up with candy…
Hostels
Where to stay
The highest-rated hostels in Utah's main towns, straight from Hostelworld. Prices and availability are live on each property page.
When to go
April to May and September to October are the best months for the parks. Summer is very hot in the south and busy. Winter brings snow, skiing in the north and quiet parks in the south.
Jan
Ski season
Feb
Ski season
Mar
Spring in the south
Apr
Ideal for parks
May
Busy parks
Jun
Hot in the south
Jul
Very hot, monsoon
Aug
Hot
Sep
Ideal
Oct
Autumn colour
Nov
Quiet
Dec
Ski season begins
Bar height is temperature. Colour is how busy it gets:
quiet
busy
peak
Average highs for Salt Lake City, rounded. Southern Utah is warmer.
What your trip will cost
Per night, for one person, based on Utah prices.
Treat these as a guide. Park fees and car hire cost extra.
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- Beds—
- Food and drink—
- Getting around—
- Doing things—
Utah questions
The ones we get asked most.
How many days do you need for Utah's national parks?
At least a week to see all five, ideally more.
Do I need a reservation for Arches in 2026?
No. Arches dropped timed entry for 2026. The Fiery Furnace still needs a permit.
Do I need a permit for Angels Landing?
Yes, through a lottery on Recreation.gov.
Where should I stay for Zion?
Springdale, at the park entrance, or cheaper towns nearby such as Hurricane.
When is the best time to visit Utah?
April, May, September and October for the parks; winter for skiing.
Can I drink alcohol in Utah?
Yes, but laws are stricter than elsewhere and some small towns have few options.
How much are the parks for international visitors?
Entry fees apply, plus $100 per person at Zion and Bryce from 2026. The $250 annual pass covers both.
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