Top Ten Day Trips from Salt Lake City with GoTravelDaily
It’s no wonder that Salt Lake City has exploded in popularity in recent years – it’s nearly as synonymous with outdoor recreation as it is with the Mormon faith. With its close proximity to unique sodium chloride formations to the east, the Wasatch Mountains to the west, and countless hiking, biking, skiing, and spelunking opportunities within a two-hour drive, the SLC metro is growing rapidly.
From herds of wild bison to sprawling sculptures that fit right into Utah’s epic landscapes to family-friendly old west history, ski towns that offer thrills, there’s a little something for everyone. Moreover, you can fit each of those adventures into a quick there-and-back-again trip if you’re short on time. Below, we outline the top ten day trips from Salt Lake City.
1. Antelope Island State Park
The Great Salt Lake is the largest body of water west of the Great Lakes, but its size fluctuates significantly. The best place to experience the lake and observe local birds is at Antelope Island State Park. This 15-mile-long park features white-sand beaches, diverse birdlife, and a sizable buffalo herd that attracts many visitors.
The largest island in the Great Salt Lake is home to a herd of American bison. The thrilling fall roundup for veterinary exams is a spectacle that captures the imagination. Additionally, burrowing owls, raptors, antelope, bighorn sheep, and deer call this island home.
With nineteen miles of hiking trails, visitors have numerous opportunities to view wildlife; however, some trails close during mating and birthing seasons. Antelope Island features an eight-mile driving loop and a sandy beach at Bridger Bay with basic facilities and showers.
Getting to Antelope Island State Park: Antelope Island is just an hour from Salt Lake City via I-15 North, taking exit UT-108 North across Farmington Bay.
2. Bonneville Salt Flats
Millennia ago, ancient Lake Bonneville covered northern Utah and beyond, leaving behind the Great Salt Lake and 47 square miles of shimmering white salt. The Bonneville Salt Flats are now public lands managed by the BLM and are renowned for auto racing. The flat, hard salt allows for speeds unattainable elsewhere, but visitors should remember that salt is highly corrosive. If you drive on the flats, be sure to wash your car afterward.
Getting there: The flats are located about 100 miles west of Salt Lake City on I-80. Take exit 4, Bonneville Speedway, and follow the paved road to the viewing area parking lot. Obey posted signs as parts of the flats are thin and can trap vehicles.
3. Brigham City
On May 10, 1869, the westward Union Pacific Railroad and eastward Central Pacific Railroad met at Promontory Summit, forever changing the face of the American West. The Golden Spike National Historic Site, 32 miles northwest of Brigham City on Hwy 83, features an engaging museum, films, auto tours, and several interpretive trails. Steam-engine demonstrations occur from May through mid-October.
Additionally, a unique outdoor art installation—the Spiral Jetty—lies 15 miles southwest of the Golden Spike visitor center. This 1,500-foot coil of rock and earth extends into the water and represents a groundbreaking example of site-specific sculpture.
Finally, unwind at Crystal Hot Springs, located 10 miles north of Brigham City in Honeyville, with different-temperature soaking pools for adults and water slides for kids.
Getting to Brigham City: It’s a straightforward drive north from Salt Lake City via I-15.
4. Logan
Logan is a quintessential town with university charm and beautiful rural surroundings. Situated 80 miles north of Salt Lake City in bucolic Cache Valley, it offers year-round outdoor activities. Logan Canyon features ample hiking and biking opportunities, particularly stunning during the wildflower bloom in July and brilliant foliage in October.
Pick up a free trail guide at the Cache Valley Visitor Bureau before embarking on the 40-mile riverside drive along the Logan Canyon Scenic Byway. Wind your way through the Bear River Mountains, past Beaver Mountain, and descend to Bear Lake—a summertime water-sports haven. Note that part of the route may close due to snow in winter.
Getting to Logan: The drive from Salt Lake takes about an hour and fifteen minutes, primarily using I-15 N to Brigham City, followed by US-91 N.
5. Heber City and Midway
Twenty miles south of Park City, Heber City serves as an excellent base for exploring its vast valley and surrounding mountains. A popular steam-powered railway operates from here. Just three miles east lies Midway, resembling an alpine town with hand-painted buildings amidst the slopes. Both towns abound in family-friendly resort activities, including cross-country skiing and forested mountains for hiking, biking, ATVs, and snowmobiling.
Getting to Heber City and Midway: Both towns are about 43 minutes east from Salt Lake City via I-80 E and US-189/US-40 East.
6. Ogden
Once a bustling center with historic 25th St lined with brothels and saloons, Ogden has transformed. Today, its restored buildings house restaurants and galleries. The main attraction lies 20 miles east in the Wasatch Mountains of Ogden Valley. Although skiing takes just over an hour from Salt Lake City, Snowbasin and Powder Mountain remain less crowded, making them perfect for a day out.
Getting to Ogden: Located just 36 minutes north of Salt Lake, Ogden is easily accessed via I-15 North.
7. Park City
With its picturesque century-old buildings dusted in snow, Park City resembles a scene from a snow globe. Once a silver mining town, it has transformed into Utah’s premier ski destination, featuring upscale restaurants and cultural events. After hosting the 2002 Winter Olympics, Park City became the base for the US Ski Team, receiving snow typically through mid-April.
In summer, the town is ideal for hiking and mountain biking, with average temperatures in the 70s F during June to August. Spring and fall can bring rain, and many services are limited in summer.
Getting to Park City: Park City is approximately 40 minutes from downtown Salt Lake, accessible via I-80 East.
8. Timpanogos Cave National Monument
Deep beneath Mount Timpanogos lie limestone chambers formed along the active Wasatch Fault. The three interconnected caves—Hansen, Middle, and Timpanogos—are protected as Timpanogos Cave National Monument.
Visitors need to prepare for an uphill hike, as it involves a challenging ascent of 1,092 feet in a mile and a half to access the entrance. Ranger-led tours provide a great overview of this geological marvel.
Getting to Timpanogos Cave National Monument: Take I-15 S from Salt Lake City until reaching UT-92 E, taking approximately forty minutes of travel time.
9. Provo
The third-largest city in Utah, Provo, is known as the hometown of Donny and Marie Osmond. Just 45 miles south of Salt Lake City, it is a lively college town thanks to its centrepiece, Brigham Young University. University Avenue serves as the main thoroughfare, intersecting Center St in the small historic downtown. A visit to the University Museum of Art offers viewers extensive American art collections.
Motorcycle enthusiasts should take in the Legends Motorcycle Museum, housing over 200 vintage bikes, including a rare 1907 Harley-Davidson Strap Tank. Next door, the Strap Tank Brewery serves craft beer alongside a menu of pub classics. Note, however, that many businesses close on Sundays.
Getting to Provo: Follow I-15 S to Provo, reachable in under an hour.
10. Goblin Valley State Park
The unique stadium-like valley of stunted hoodoos at Goblin Valley State Park makes this 3,654-acre area an exciting adventure. A network of trails leads visitors down from overlooks to the valley floor, allowing exploration of the 2-20-foot “goblins.” This park is especially loved by kids and photographers alike.
With 19 campsites available in the park, reservations are recommended, as weekends often fill up. Nearby BLM land provides good, free dispersed camping but remember that services are unavailable outside designated areas. The loop trail starting from the entrance takes hikers through stunning slot canyons.
Getting to Goblin Valley State Park: Although three and a half hours from Salt Lake City, the breathtaking hoodoos warrant an early departure by heading down I-15 S to Spanish Fork, then joining US-6 E and UT-24 W to the park.
