W. C. McRae - Moon Utah

the Fruita area of Capitol Reef National Park

Utah presents some curious statistics: Although it ranks 33rd among states in population, it is the 9th most urban state in the nation, a startling fact when you consider how utterly vacantthough dramatically beautifulmuch of the landscape is. The unyielding deserts, craggy mountains, and imposing slickrock formations that cover much of the state arent really fit for human habitation, and the majority of citizens live in a few large cities in the sprawling Wasatch Front metropolitan area.

About 60 percent of the people living in Utah are practicing Mormons. To outsiders, the social homogeneity of smaller towns far from Salt Lake City, Park City, and Moab can seem off-putting, but the strong religious and cultural bonds that tie families and communities together in Utah are themselves noteworthy and increasingly rare in the fast-paced modern world. The uniformity of the population stands in stark contrast to the diversity of the landscape and the abundance of opportunities for outdoor recreation.

From incredibly varied canyon country, remote and rugged mountain ranges, and glistening salt flats to ancient Native American rock art and cliff dwellings, fossilized dinosaur footprints, and old mining towns, the many fascinating sights and experiences of Utah are waiting to be discovered.

Mesa Arch in Canyonlands National Park

Salt Lake City Temple.

finding your way around Utah is easy

Where to Go

Salt Lake City

Salt Lake City is the state capital, home to a major university and seat of a major religiona rare combination of attributes that makes for a certain amount of civic gravitas and self-focus. But to visitors, Salt Lake City presents a near-unique natural and built environment, where all-season, big-as-all-outdoors recreation coexists with the sophisticated comforts of urban living. And as one of the fastest-growing metropolitan areas in the nation, Salt Lake Citys population is increasingly diverse and cosmopolitan. The former rail hub of Ogden and Antelope Island State Park, a wild and beautiful getaway in the Great Salt Lake, draw visitors beyond city limits.

Ogdens historic train station now houses museums

Park City and the Wasatch Range

In the Wasatch Range, superb snow conditions and friendly ski resorts combine to offer some of the best skiing in North America. Each resort has its own distinct character, from folksy yet ski-crazy Alta to plush Deer Valley or the sprawling Park City resort. In Park City itself, upscale amenities, fine dining, and events such as the Sundance Film Festival compete with the slopes for the attention of skiers and boarders. During summer, the mountain passes and ski areas offer hiking and mountain biking.

Provo and Central Utah

Provo, home to Brigham Young University, is a good base for exploring the dramatic Wasatch peaks that rise directly behind the city. An especially nice back road is the Alpine Scenic Loop, which climbs up to 7,500 feet. Along the way youll pass Sundance Resort, noted for its skiing and good restaurants, and Timpanogos Cave National Monument, open in summer for tours with park rangers.

Dinosaur Country

Vernal and Price have good dinosaur museums; visit dig sites at the remote Cleveland-Lloyd Dinosaur Quarry and see over 1,000 bones exposed in the quarry at scenic