Frommers - Arches and Canyonlands National Parks, Utah: Frommers Shortcuts

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ISBN 9781118200674 (ebk); ISBN 9781118200698 (ebk); ISBN 9781118200711 (ebk)

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Frommers Star Ratings, Icons & Abbreviations

Every hotel, restaurant, and attraction listing in this guide has been ranked for quality, value, service, amenities, and special features using a star-rating system. In country, state, and regional guides, we also rate towns and regions to help you narrow down your choices and budget your time accordingly. Hotels and restaurants are rated on a scale of zero (recommended) to three stars (exceptional). Attractions, shopping, nightlife, towns, and regions are rated according to the following scale: zero stars (recommended), one star (highly recommended), two stars (very highly recommended), and three stars (must-see).

In addition to the star-rating system, we also use eight feature icons that point you to the great deals, in-the-know advice, and unique experiences that separate travelers from tourists. Throughout the book, look for:

special finds those places only insiders know about

fun facts details that make travelers more informed and their trips more fun

kids best bets for kids, and advice for the whole family

special moments those experiences that memories are made of

overrated places or experiences not worth your time or money

insider tips great ways to save time and money

great values where to get the best deals

warning travelers advisories are usually in effect

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The Best of Utah

Utah is home to unfathomably beautiful natural features found within its national parks and monuments, but it also has its share of man-made wonders. Salt Lake City has a number of architectural highlights, including the citys centerpiece, the Mormon Temple. Youll also see this mix of natural and man-made at Utahs terrific ski resorts and jewel-like reservoirs, and throughout the state as you explore its rich and complicated history, a past populated by Utes, Mormon pioneers, rough-and-tumble mountain men, and others.

Cities Salt Lake City is the largest city in the state and home to many of its top attractions, including Temple Square and the Utah State Capitol. To the north, Ogden is worth a visit for its historic downtown core and proximity to three ski resorts in Ogden Valley. Provo, to the south, is home to Brigham Young University and the gateway to Provo Canyon and Sundance Resort.

Countryside The Wasatch Mountains are a playground winter and summer, featuring over 10 ski resorts (Alta and Deer Valley among them) and hundreds of miles of hiking and mountain-biking trails. Mount Timpanogos is the second highest mountain in the range and home to Timpanogos Peak National Monument. Southern Utah is a desert wonderland, featuring Arches, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, Bryce Canyon, and Zion national parks.

Eating & Drinking Utah is mostly a traditional American destination in terms of culinary offerings. Beef and local trout and game are specialties. Utah was long known for having outdated liquor laws, but that all changed in 2009 when the state normalized its drinking laws, bringing it (mostly) in line with the rest of the country.

National Parks There may not be a better place in the United States to visit national parks. Utah has five: Arches, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, Bryce Canyon, and Zion. In addition, it has seven national monuments: Grand Staircase-Escalante, Natural Bridges, Rainbow Bridge, Cedar Breaks, Hovenweep, Timpanogos Cave, and Dinosaur. It also has a Navajo Nation national park Monument Valley.

The best Utah Travel Experiences

Exploring Bryce Canyon National Park: Among Utahs most scenic parks, Bryce Canyon is also one of the most accessible. Several trails lead down into the canyonmore like walks than hikes, so just about everyone can get to know this beautiful jewel up close. Part of the Rim Trail is even wheelchair accessible. The colorful rock formations are panoramically impressive when viewed from the rim but become fanciful works of art as you walk among them.

Enjoying Capitol Reef National Park: This tranquil park has an understated beauty all its own. And its not too demanding, either: Wander through the orchards of Fruita, hike the Capitol Gorge Trail, stroll up the Grand Wash, or sit under the stars roasting marshmallows over a campfire.

Houseboating on Lake Powell: Kick back and relax while floating on the deep blue waters of man-made Lake Powell, with towering red rocks all around and an azure sky above. Feeling warm? Slip over the side for a dip in the cool water. Want a little exercise? Anchor yourself, and hike to the surrounding natural beauties, such as the Rainbow Bridge.

Note About Maps

This guide contains dozens of maps of varying sizes and complexity. If you find it hard to read a map on your device, use the zoom function to enlarge. You can also download and/or printout PDFs of all of the maps in this guide. Go to www.frommers.com/go/ebookmaps and click on the title of your guide.

Utah

The best Views

The Narrows, Zion National Park: The sheer 1,000-foot-high walls enclose you in a 20-foot-wide world of hanging gardens, waterfalls, and sculpted sandstone arches, with the Virgin River running beneath your bootsliterally. The Narrows are so narrow that you cant walk beside the river. Instead, you have to wade right in itbut the views make it worth getting your feet wet.