Just 30 minutes from Salt Lake City, there’s another valley that doesn’t get nearly as much press, but is also just full of things to do and gorgeous places to visit. Here are 15 of our favorites.
- The Alpine Loop
Ted and Dani Percival/flickr This is one of Utah’s most scenic drives, just full of beauty around every turn. While it’s beautiful year-round, the color in the fall is just stunning.
- Utah Lake
Jim Mullhaupt/flickr A great place for boating, fishing and recreating, Utah Lake is also quite photogenic.
- Bridal Veil Falls
Dave/flickr Bridal Veil Falls tumbles 607 feet into the Provo River. One of Utah’s most accessible waterfalls (and also largest), its beauty is unparalleled.
- The View From The “Y”
Ken Lund/flickr Hike up to the “Y” for an incredible view of the Utah Valley.
- The Trail to Timpanogos Cave
Ken Lund/flickr The hike is strenuous and it can be really hot during summer months, but this is some of Utah’s best mountain hiking…
Ken Lund/flickr …and the view of American Fork Canyon is just gorgeous.
- Timpanogos Cave
Facebook/Timpanogos Cave National Monument Not every Utah County gem is easily seen - some things require a bit of effort. Once you’ve made the hike up, you get to witness the wonders of the cave.
- The Gardens At Thanksgiving Point In The Winter…
DebraJeanne52/TripAdvisor
- …Spring…
RVRobin/flickr
- …Summer…
Jim Moore/flickr
- …And Fall.
Thanksgiving Point/Facebook The garden at Thanksgiving Point in Lehi are gorgeous year-round. Visit for Luminara in the winter, the Tulip Festival in the spring, and the many events held all throughout the summer and fall.
- Sundance Mountain Resort
Sundance Mountain Resort/Facebook 6,000 picturesque acres of skiing, hiking, fishing and relaxing.
- BYU Campus
Ken Lund/flickr The grounds at BYU are really pretty. Wander past fountains, through trees and don’t forget a visit to the Botany Pond.
- Central Utah Gardens
Central Utah Gardens Central Utah Gardens, located in Orem, was created to show Utahns how they can have beautiful gardens while still conserving water.
- Hobble Creek Canyon
Jeff Hill/flickr Hobble Creek Canyon, near Springville, is a photographer’s dream spot - the overlooks here are gorgeous in all kinds of weather and at all times of day.
- Nebo Loop
a4gpa/flickr The Mount Nebo Loop, near Payson, is another of Utah’s scenic byways and well worth a drive.
What’s your favorite place in Utah County? Tell us about it!
Ted and Dani Percival/flickr
This is one of Utah’s most scenic drives, just full of beauty around every turn. While it’s beautiful year-round, the color in the fall is just stunning.
Jim Mullhaupt/flickr
A great place for boating, fishing and recreating, Utah Lake is also quite photogenic.
Dave/flickr
Bridal Veil Falls tumbles 607 feet into the Provo River. One of Utah’s most accessible waterfalls (and also largest), its beauty is unparalleled.
Ken Lund/flickr
Hike up to the “Y” for an incredible view of the Utah Valley.
The hike is strenuous and it can be really hot during summer months, but this is some of Utah’s best mountain hiking…
…and the view of American Fork Canyon is just gorgeous.
Facebook/Timpanogos Cave National Monument
Not every Utah County gem is easily seen - some things require a bit of effort. Once you’ve made the hike up, you get to witness the wonders of the cave.
DebraJeanne52/TripAdvisor
RVRobin/flickr
Jim Moore/flickr
Thanksgiving Point/Facebook
The garden at Thanksgiving Point in Lehi are gorgeous year-round. Visit for Luminara in the winter, the Tulip Festival in the spring, and the many events held all throughout the summer and fall.
Sundance Mountain Resort/Facebook
6,000 picturesque acres of skiing, hiking, fishing and relaxing.
The grounds at BYU are really pretty. Wander past fountains, through trees and don’t forget a visit to the Botany Pond.
Central Utah Gardens
Central Utah Gardens, located in Orem, was created to show Utahns how they can have beautiful gardens while still conserving water.
Jeff Hill/flickr
Hobble Creek Canyon, near Springville, is a photographer’s dream spot - the overlooks here are gorgeous in all kinds of weather and at all times of day.
a4gpa/flickr
The Mount Nebo Loop, near Payson, is another of Utah’s scenic byways and well worth a drive.
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