Utahns love to load up the family and head to Disneyland – it’s fairly close and it’s a fun family vacation. However, it’s expensive, crowded and exhausting. This year, do something different! Take one of these Utah staycations. You’ll find something here for every budget, time frame and age group.
- The Homestead Resort in Midway
Homestead Resort/Facebook This staycation is perfect for a quick weekend getaway, and The Homestead offers a special Utah Rate - ask for it when you book.
Homestead Resort/Facebook Soak, scuba or swim in the crater.
Homestead Resort/Facebook Golf at Crater Springs Golf Course and dine at the restaurant or grill onsite.
- Lake Powell
Moyann Brenn/flickr As long as you love our family enough to spend some time in close quarters, a houseboat vacation on Lake Powell can be the perfect staycation.
Robert Shea/flickr There’s a houseboat vacation for most budgets, and you can add on small watercraft rental for even more fun. Ask for “locals” discounts to save even more.
Philms/flickr The rental company will give you a quick lesson so you can drive the houseboat, then you’ll spend the next week exploring the 96 canyons and 2,000 miles of shoreline that Powell offers.
- Lagoon
Lagoon/Facebook Before you roll your eyes…yes, I know that Lagoon is tiny compared to Disneyland. And it doesn’t have princesses and Mickey walking around for photo ops. It also doesn’t have hour-long lines, and it’s small enough that you can navigate the park without completely wearing out your six-year-old. Two-day admission to Disneyland for ages 10 and up = $195. One-day admission to Lagoon = $53.95, and if you go during their bounce back dates, you’ll pay just $10 for the second day.
Lagoon/Facebook Cool off at Lagoon-A-Beach. Admission to the amusement park also gets you into the water park.
Lagoon/Facebook Stay overnight at Lagoon’s campground. The cost is $32-$44 per night, depending on the type of site. If you stay six nights, the seventh night is free.
- Ogden
ted_rocket/flickr There’s so much to see and do in Ogden. Start with Historic 25th street, where you’ll find restaurants, pubs, coffee shops and entertainment.
Ogden Raptors/Facebook Cheer for the Raptors at Lindquist Field.
Flowrider/Facebook Catch a wave at Flowrider (2261 Kiesel Ave), or fly in an wind tunnel at SkyDive Ogden (3463 Airport Road).
Ben Lomond Suites/Facebook Stay at the historic Ben Lomond Suites - Utah’s last operating “Grand Hotel.” It’s supposedly haunted!
- Camping In The High Uintas
J We/flickr Head for the Mirror Lake Scenic Byway, which leads you right into a beautiful part of the high Uinta mountain range. The byway takes you past several small lakes, including Mirror Lake. Wonder how it got its name?
Todd Slagter/flickr There are camping sites at each of the lakes along the byway. Stay in an RV or a tent. You can reserve your spot in advance.
Jesse Michael Nix/flickr Once you’re settled in, catch a fish for dinner. If you’re camping at one of the campgrounds, have some s’mores for dessert! (Fires are typically not allowed in the backcountry of the high Uintas - check with the forest service for current rules).
Todd Slagter/flickr Spend the rest of your trip hiking, birdwatching and photographing the incredible scenery.
- Utah’s National Parks and Monuments
Jerry and Pat Donaho/flickr This staycation is really flexible, depending on your time frame. If you just have a weekend, explore one park. If you have 2 - 4 weeks or more, try to visit several!.
Diana Robinson/flickr There are five national parks in Utah: Zion, Bryce, Canyonlands, Arches and Capitol Reef. This is Zion National Park, Utah’s most popular.
James Marvin Phelps/flickr Also visit the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Natural Bridges National Monument and the Dixie National Forest.
Rob Ruttan/flickr The Southern part of Utah offers several amazing state parks, including Coral Pink Sand Dunes, Dead Horse Point, Escalante Petrified Forest, Goblin Valley, Goosenecks, Kodachrome Basin and several others.
Nancy and Randy/flickr Each of these parks or monuments offers tons of hiking for all skill levels. You’ll find stunning scenic overlooks, fishing, camping and other recreation opportunities unique to each park.
Are you planning a Utah staycation this summer? Tell us about it!
Homestead Resort/Facebook
This staycation is perfect for a quick weekend getaway, and The Homestead offers a special Utah Rate - ask for it when you book.
Soak, scuba or swim in the crater.
Golf at Crater Springs Golf Course and dine at the restaurant or grill onsite.
Moyann Brenn/flickr
As long as you love our family enough to spend some time in close quarters, a houseboat vacation on Lake Powell can be the perfect staycation.
Robert Shea/flickr
There’s a houseboat vacation for most budgets, and you can add on small watercraft rental for even more fun. Ask for “locals” discounts to save even more.
Philms/flickr
The rental company will give you a quick lesson so you can drive the houseboat, then you’ll spend the next week exploring the 96 canyons and 2,000 miles of shoreline that Powell offers.
Lagoon/Facebook
Before you roll your eyes…yes, I know that Lagoon is tiny compared to Disneyland. And it doesn’t have princesses and Mickey walking around for photo ops. It also doesn’t have hour-long lines, and it’s small enough that you can navigate the park without completely wearing out your six-year-old. Two-day admission to Disneyland for ages 10 and up = $195. One-day admission to Lagoon = $53.95, and if you go during their bounce back dates, you’ll pay just $10 for the second day.
Cool off at Lagoon-A-Beach. Admission to the amusement park also gets you into the water park.
Stay overnight at Lagoon’s campground. The cost is $32-$44 per night, depending on the type of site. If you stay six nights, the seventh night is free.
ted_rocket/flickr
There’s so much to see and do in Ogden. Start with Historic 25th street, where you’ll find restaurants, pubs, coffee shops and entertainment.
Ogden Raptors/Facebook
Cheer for the Raptors at Lindquist Field.
Flowrider/Facebook
Catch a wave at Flowrider (2261 Kiesel Ave), or fly in an wind tunnel at SkyDive Ogden (3463 Airport Road).
Ben Lomond Suites/Facebook
Stay at the historic Ben Lomond Suites - Utah’s last operating “Grand Hotel.” It’s supposedly haunted!
J We/flickr
Head for the Mirror Lake Scenic Byway, which leads you right into a beautiful part of the high Uinta mountain range. The byway takes you past several small lakes, including Mirror Lake. Wonder how it got its name?
Todd Slagter/flickr
There are camping sites at each of the lakes along the byway. Stay in an RV or a tent. You can reserve your spot in advance.
Jesse Michael Nix/flickr
Once you’re settled in, catch a fish for dinner. If you’re camping at one of the campgrounds, have some s’mores for dessert! (Fires are typically not allowed in the backcountry of the high Uintas - check with the forest service for current rules).
Spend the rest of your trip hiking, birdwatching and photographing the incredible scenery.
Jerry and Pat Donaho/flickr
This staycation is really flexible, depending on your time frame. If you just have a weekend, explore one park. If you have 2 - 4 weeks or more, try to visit several!.
Diana Robinson/flickr
There are five national parks in Utah: Zion, Bryce, Canyonlands, Arches and Capitol Reef. This is Zion National Park, Utah’s most popular.
James Marvin Phelps/flickr
Also visit the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Natural Bridges National Monument and the Dixie National Forest.
Rob Ruttan/flickr
The Southern part of Utah offers several amazing state parks, including Coral Pink Sand Dunes, Dead Horse Point, Escalante Petrified Forest, Goblin Valley, Goosenecks, Kodachrome Basin and several others.
Nancy and Randy/flickr
Each of these parks or monuments offers tons of hiking for all skill levels. You’ll find stunning scenic overlooks, fishing, camping and other recreation opportunities unique to each park.
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