Utah is a pretty outdoorsy state; we have so many beautiful spots for recreation here. Some of our outdoorsy stuff is pretty hardcore, though. Who are these people who dangle from cliffs 1,000 from the ground? Who gets out there every weekend to heli-ski and mountain bike down steep trails and navigate insane whitewater rapids? While we can marvel and admire those hardcore folks, many of us aren’t those people.
Every Utahn can be outdoorsy – you don’t have to be into extreme sports to enjoy all that Utah has to offer. Here are 15 epic outdoorsy things that almost Utahn can do:
- Explore the Riverside Walk at Zion National Park.
Gary Windust/flickr This paved walkway is a two-mile round trip. You’ll see those incredible towering cliffs that Zion’s famous for, and end up at the Virgin River. You can continue on to the Narrows hike, if you want to walk through the river to cool off.
- Try paddleboarding at Utah Lake.
Jim Mullhaupt/flickr Anyone can paddleboard (or so I’m told). You can even bring your dog!
- Go for a bike ride on the Legacy Parkway.
Shaun Fisher/flickr It’s paved, it’s flat, it’s a safe place to ride…and it’s a beautiful trail. Keep your eyes out for birds and other wildlife!
- Ride the tram at Snowbird this summer.
Snowbird/Facebook Take the tram up and witness the incredible views at the summit. You can either hike back down, or ride the tram back.
- Explore the Silver Lake Loop Trail.
Catherine Rees This super-easy hike is perfect for just about everyone. It loops around the lake for about 1 mile, and most of it is wheelchair accessible. You’ll find the trail at the top of Big Cottonwood Canyon.
- Photograph wildlife at Antelope Island.
Pionites melanocephalus/flickr This is one of the best spots in Utah for wildlife photography. In addition to the bison, you’ll find pronghorn, mule deer, rabbits, lizards, and tons of birds.
- Camp in the high Uintas.
Todd Slagter/flickr Visit Mirror Lake or any of the other little lakes along the Mirror Lake Highway. This is car camping at its best - or bring your RV for all the comforts of home.
- Birdwatch at the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge.
USFWS Mountain Prairie/flickr The Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge is home to millions of birds throughout the year. Depending on the season, you might see pelicans, swans, ducks, hawks and more.
- Jump off a cliff at Lake Powell.
philms/flickr Jumping off a cliff at Lake Powell doesn’t require any skill or muscle. You can do it….if you’re brave enough, that is. Of course, some cliffs aren’t as high as others.
- Canoe on Bear Lake.
Kevin/flickr The water is an amazing blue, and just about anyone can paddle a canoe.
- Float the Provo River.
philms/flickr It’s a lazy day, floating down the Provo River.
- Picnic at Bryce Canyon National Park.
kris krüg With a view like that, lunch tastes a LOT better!
- Take a Wildflower Hike.
Flickr/SpencerHanson See the gorgeous wildflowers on this fairly easy hike.
- Go fishing at Fairview Lake.
Brian/flickr Even the littlest outdoorsy Utahn can fish!
- Relax in a hammock.
lemonjenny/flickr Because sometimes being outdoors isn’t all about expending energy.
What’s your favorite Utah outdoorsy activity?
Gary Windust/flickr
This paved walkway is a two-mile round trip. You’ll see those incredible towering cliffs that Zion’s famous for, and end up at the Virgin River. You can continue on to the Narrows hike, if you want to walk through the river to cool off.
Jim Mullhaupt/flickr
Anyone can paddleboard (or so I’m told). You can even bring your dog!
Shaun Fisher/flickr
It’s paved, it’s flat, it’s a safe place to ride…and it’s a beautiful trail. Keep your eyes out for birds and other wildlife!
Snowbird/Facebook
Take the tram up and witness the incredible views at the summit. You can either hike back down, or ride the tram back.
Catherine Rees
This super-easy hike is perfect for just about everyone. It loops around the lake for about 1 mile, and most of it is wheelchair accessible. You’ll find the trail at the top of Big Cottonwood Canyon.
Pionites melanocephalus/flickr
This is one of the best spots in Utah for wildlife photography. In addition to the bison, you’ll find pronghorn, mule deer, rabbits, lizards, and tons of birds.
Todd Slagter/flickr
Visit Mirror Lake or any of the other little lakes along the Mirror Lake Highway. This is car camping at its best - or bring your RV for all the comforts of home.
USFWS Mountain Prairie/flickr
The Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge is home to millions of birds throughout the year. Depending on the season, you might see pelicans, swans, ducks, hawks and more.
philms/flickr
Jumping off a cliff at Lake Powell doesn’t require any skill or muscle. You can do it….if you’re brave enough, that is. Of course, some cliffs aren’t as high as others.
Kevin/flickr
The water is an amazing blue, and just about anyone can paddle a canoe.
It’s a lazy day, floating down the Provo River.
kris krüg
With a view like that, lunch tastes a LOT better!
Flickr/SpencerHanson
See the gorgeous wildflowers on this fairly easy hike.
Brian/flickr
Even the littlest outdoorsy Utahn can fish!
lemonjenny/flickr
Because sometimes being outdoors isn’t all about expending energy.
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