National & State Parks
Utah is truly nature's playground—and Salt Lake is the perfect base camp. With 21 National Parks and Monuments, plus over 40 state parks within a few hours' drive, Salt Lake is the perfect gateway for some of the world's most acclaimed outdoor escapades. And nearly 80% of Utah is managed for public use by federal and state agencies — meaning there are miles and miles of natural playground just waiting for hiking, biking, boating, floating, camping and other outdoor fun. So gear up and get out there already.
UTAH NATIONAL PARKS & MONUMENTS
1. Wasatch-Cache National Forest - 30 minutes
2. Timpanogos Cave National Monument - 45 minutes
3. Golden Spike National Historic Site - 1.5 hours
4. Dinosaur National Monument - 3 hours
5. Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area - 3.5 hours
6. Arches National Park - 4 hours
7. Canyonlands National Park - 4 hours
8. Capitol Reef National Park - 4 hours
9. Cedar Breaks National Monument - 4 hours
10. Bryce Canyon National Park - 4 hours
11. Zion National Park - 4.5 hours
12. Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument - 5 hours
13. Glen Canyon National Recreation Area - 5.5 hours
14. Rainbow Bridge National Monument - Accessible only by water
15. Natural Bridges National Monument - 5.5 hours
16. Hovenweep National Monument - 5.5 hours
17. Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park - 6.5 hours
WESTERN REGION NATIONAL PARKS
18. Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming - 5 hours
19. Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming & Montana - 5 hours
20. Mese Verde National Park, Colorado - 6 hours
21. Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona - 6.3 hours