Discover the USA’s hidden gem
Beyond the US you already know, the striking US western state of Utah has lots of treasures to discover. From the Rocky Mountains in the north to the breathtaking red spires and cliffs of its southern wilds, Utah harbours some of the most extraordinary landforms on the planet. Even better, it’s surprisingly easy to get there from Dublin
Among the wide open spaces of the US west, with the splendour of the Rockies rising above lakes, grasslands and deserts, Utah is everything we imagine when we think of the Wild West.
From Utah’s ‘Mighty 5’ national parks to its 14 ski resorts, Utah is packed with wonderful landscapes that are just waiting to be explored. e state capital, Salt Lake City, is a vibrant cultural centre with historic attractions such as Temple Square and is located within an hour’s drive of 11 of those celebrated ski resorts. ese include Park City, now America’s largest ski and snowboard resort, and Sundance, home to Robert Redford’s Sundance Film Festival.
Salt Lake City – o en described as ‘the best US state capital you’ve never visited’. Salt Lake City is a cosmopolitan place surrounded by breathtaking mountain vistas. It is at the heart of Utah’s Wasatch Front region, where 80% of Utah’s people live.
e Mighty 5 – this group of national parks in the south of the state contains stunning natural scenery – the landscapes in Arches, Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef and Zion are guaranteed to take your breath away.
Outdoor adventure – get outside and experience life in the west. In addition to the ve national parks, there are 44 state parks, seven national monuments, two national recreation areas and the winter slopes of the mountains, which Utah claims have ‘ e Greatest Snow on Earth.’ Utah is a big playground for travellers seeking year-round outdoor adventure.
Film heritage – Utah provided the fantastic landscapes for the classic John Ford westerns of the 1940s and 1950s, so a visit here is a chance to immerse yourself in the natural setting of lms such as e Searchers. Utah is truly the “iconic Wild West” and its striking scenery has appeared in everything from elma and Louise to Westworld.
Utah’s scenic highways are the route to fabulous places to visit, from ghost towns to dinosaur footprints and red rock towers and pristine lakes. Utah’s state and national scenic byways are in e ect destinations in themselves.
Utah is incredible for stargazing with the highest concentration of International Dark Sky Parks anywhere in the world. You can view the expanse of the Milky Way at its most de ned, in minimal to zero light pollution.