Hi John ,

As we celebrate this Earth Day, we wanted to share some of our favorite places in Utah with you that inspire our staff to protect the abundant beauty and beloved landscapes Utah holds. Read on to find your next Utah adventure!

Growing up in Cache Valley, Piper spent her summers camping with family and friends in Logan Canyon. Her favorite spot is Tony Grove Lake, a scenic alpine lake about 45 minutes from Logan. If you can brave the chilly water, you can swim out to floating logs and sunbathe with dragonflies. In August, the area comes to life with wildflowers, and nearby trails lead to stunning destinations like White Pine Lake and Naomi Peak. At night, the stargazing is incredible. Keep an eye out for bald eagles perched in the lodgepole pines and moose munching on grass in the marshes near the lake!

This area is a hidden gem in Utah, with some of the most breathtaking scenery in the state! Its unique granite formations—marked by unusual holes and sculpted structures—are unlike anything found elsewhere in Utah. In the fall of last year, Samantha got to experience the West Desert for the first time while contributing to efforts to protect a designated wilderness study area supported by the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance (SUWA). This landscape is truly special and deserves stronger protection from both the government and the surrounding communities that visit and value this place.

Close to the Colorado River, at the foot of the La Sals, there are so many hidden red rock gems nestled in Castle Valley. Outside of the big national parks like Arches and Canyonlands, escape the crowds and explore some of Utah’s incredible, less populated, wild areas. Nat’s grandparents built their house there, and it's where their mom grew up, so this spot holds a special place in their heart, beyond its natural beauty.

Located near Salt Lake City, this popular hiking area offers recreation opportunities, like biking and running, stellar picnic spots, and both paved and natural trails. This canyon is an excellent and easy escape from the everyday hustle and bustle of city life, and one Chandler escapes to regularly when in the city. Additionally, City Creek flows year-round and flows into the Jordan River, and eventually into the Great Salt Lake!

During the winter months, Alma is known to spend her weekends in the local climbing spot outside of St George. Playing in the red dirt and scaling boulders nestled between canyon walls, as mountain bikers and runners traverse the rims, this is one of Alma’s favorite destinations in Utah. The area is also critical habitat for the Mojave desert tortoises, and sadly, this area is under threat due to the continued fight to develop Zone 6. Sign the petition to protect this incredible spot for both humans and tortoises!

You might remember a similar email from the Rural Utah Project last spring, and when we asked Dalene, our San Juan County field organizer, what her favorite place in Utah was again, she doubled down and once again responded with “home.” We can’t blame her- Dalene’s home looks out at the many monuments peppering southern San Juan County. Her home has easy access to Goose Neck State Park, Bears Ears National Monument, and Monument Valley. She’s truly at the intersection of some of the most beautiful places in Utah. While you might not be able to stay with Dalene, there are several hotels near our office in Bluff, UT, which also have some pretty good views and similar access.

Travis doesn’t just run elections; he also runs along some incredible trails in Utah, one of his favorites being Grandeur Peak. Travis also grew up in North Carolina, enjoying dense forests and stunning mountains (not the same as Utah, but still good), and something about running along Grandeur Peak reminds him of home. If you’re in the Salt Lake area, be sure to check out this stunning trail.

Much like Dalene, Lenise hasn’t changed her favorite spot either. Staying true to her home in Helper, her favorite place in Utah is the River Walk Way through Price and Helper. This three-mile, paved walkway features a suspension bridge, a solar system trail, and a rock labyrinth. Lenise, in her capacity as Mayor of Helper, has been a vocal supporter of the restoration of the Price River and the development of the walkway to drive tourism in the town. If you’re visiting Helper, definitely take a stroll down the walkway!

Like Dalene and Lenise, Tara is also doubling down on her recommendation, while also adding a more specific part of the monument to visit. This area is always a favorite for Tara. It speaks to the soul, the presence of the ancestors is felt through the breeze and the crackle of the ceremonial fire can be heard in the dark of the night, their chants fading into the early morning sunrise, followed with the prayers of their descendants. We know this incredible, culturally significant place is at risk once more with the current administration. Keep a look out for future action alerts as we continue our fight to protect this place.

The Burr Trail is a 67 mile stretch of road within the Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument. There are dozens of hikes to explore that are sure to offer spectacular views–even if you just have time for a short wander. With a designation as an International Dark Sky park, the stargazing at night is also hard to beat. For Kate, this landscape offers a refuge away from home where she can enjoy the stillness of the desert, admire its unique beauty, and explore the endless trails it has to offer.   

Containing 455,000 acres of diverse ecosystems in a very remote setting, the Book Cliff Recreation Area, is a unique gem in Southeastern Utah. Home to an abundance of wildlife species for viewing, including deer, elk, black bear, blue and sage grouse, numerous hawks, antelope, mountain lion, small mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians, you never know what you’ll discover in this wild area. As of March 2022, the Rural Utah Project, alongside a coalition of other organizations, successfully stopped the development of a highway through the Book Cliffs, and forever endeared the region to our hearts. 

Lookout Peak in Northern Utah is Greg’s favorite place, offering a rare sense of solitude so close to home. Just a short drive from Salt Lake City, the trail quickly trades urban noise for stillness, winding through forests and open ridgelines that feel miles from everything. In the fall, the mountains come alive with color. The fiery reds and golds of changing leaves set against deep blue skies and the quiet hush of crisp autumn air. It's a place where he can breathe deeply, reset, and take in sweeping views that stretch across the Wasatch and beyond. 

What makes Lookout Peak especially meaningful is its remoteness paired with accessibility. Greg can leave his house and be standing on the summit in a few hours, yet it rarely feels crowded.

An area that often feels otherworldly (in a state that is full of places that could claim that title), Utah’s West Desert is a beautiful and harsh location. Predominantly an arid desert, the West Desert is also home to the Deep Creek Mountains, the third-highest mountain range in Utah. Because of its arid habitat, few towns exist in this remote area, so if you plan to visit, make sure you are extra prepared.

We hope you enjoy these recommendations, and if you have any to add, let us know! We love hearing from you and learning about all the different places in Utah that people love.

Are you on Instagram? Comment and let us know your favorite place in Utah there!

Thanks for joining us in the work to protect these and thousands of other beautiful places across Utah - this work takes all of us.

Onwards!

Stewardship Utah

[email protected]

www.stewardshiputah.org