Utah has a long list of incredible natural wonders. From natural bridges to canyons to salty lakes and everything in between, there is so much to see in this great state. Unfortunately, however, many Utahns have never really explored this great state they call home and haven’t seen many of Utah’s natural wonders in person. Now is a great time to change that. While there are still many more natural wonders in Utah to check out, here are just seven that you should add to your bucket list ASAP.
- Bonneville Salt Flats
Matt Nelson/500px Via Getty Images The Bonneville Salt Flats are extraordinary in every way. It is actually remnants of ancient Lake Bonneville and there is no other place like it around the world. The white salt crust ranges from a few inches thick to more than 5-feet thick and is an impressive 46 miles in total. Bonneville Salt Flats, Utah 84083, USA
- Fantasy Canyon, Vernal
kojihirano/iStock Via Getty Images Plus Fantasy Canyon looks like terrain from an alien planet. You’ll find this unique area south of Vernal and it features the most unique formations, arches, and spires that were formed by river channel sediments. This area isn’t large and won’t take you too long to explore, but we suggest taking the short 0.6-mile loop trail to really see what this area has to offer. Fantasy Canyon, Vernal, UT 84078, USA
- Bryce Canyon National Park
Brent Clark Photography/Moment Via Getty Images People travel all over the world to admire the red and pink cliff walls, massive hoodoos, and stunning overlooks at Bryce Canyon National Park. Plus, there is never a shortage of things to do when you explore this national park in Utah. Bryce Canyon is one natural wonder in Utah that you can visit over and over again and never be bored. Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah, USA
- Pando, Fishlake National Forest
Janis Connell/iStock Via Getty Images Plus Pando may look like a typical forest from the outside but it is actually one massive organism. This clonal colony is one male Quaking Aspen that has spread to more than 106 acres and consists of more than 40,000 individual trees. Pando is the heaviest organism around the world at 13 million pounds. But that’s not all, Pando is also thousands of years old, making it one of the oldest living organisms on the planet. Fishlake National Forest, Utah 84701, USA
- Canyonlands National Park
Photo by Michael Russell/Moment Via Getty Images Canyonlands National Park is often overlooked when it comes to the Mighty Five, but this natural wonder is absolutely impressive. The views you see at this national park are the results of millions of years of erosion. This national park features a desert that is carved by the Colorado River forming numerous canyons and perfectly formed buttes. Canyonlands National Park, Utah, USA
- Rainbow Bridge National Monument, Lake Powell
by Vincenzo Innocente/Moment Open Via Getty Images While you will find natural bridges in other locations, Rainbow Bridge National Monument is one of the world’s largest and it is found right here in Utah. This bridge is an incredible 290-feet tall and 270-feet across. Rainbow Bridge is considered a sacred destination for Native American tribes and you can only access this unique area by boat or on a long hike. It is also considered one of the best places to stargaze around the world. Rainbow Bridge National Monument, Forbidding Canyon Lake, Powell, UT 84533, USA
- The Great Salt Lake
Cavan Images/Cavan Via Getty Images When considering natural wonders unique to Utah, you cannot forget about the Great Salt Lake. This is not only the largest lake between the Great Lakes and the Pacific Ocean, but it is also the largest saltwater lake in the Western Hemisphere. In fact, this lake is so large that you can even see it from space! There are so many ways to enjoy this lake from swimming to boating. This lake also boasts more than 10,000 miles of shoreline so there’s plenty of space to spread out and relax. Great Salt Lake, Utah, USA
What natural wonders unique to Utah did we leave off of this list? Which ones are your favorite? Let us know in the comments.
Matt Nelson/500px Via Getty Images
The Bonneville Salt Flats are extraordinary in every way. It is actually remnants of ancient Lake Bonneville and there is no other place like it around the world. The white salt crust ranges from a few inches thick to more than 5-feet thick and is an impressive 46 miles in total.
Bonneville Salt Flats, Utah 84083, USA
kojihirano/iStock Via Getty Images Plus
Fantasy Canyon looks like terrain from an alien planet. You’ll find this unique area south of Vernal and it features the most unique formations, arches, and spires that were formed by river channel sediments. This area isn’t large and won’t take you too long to explore, but we suggest taking the short 0.6-mile loop trail to really see what this area has to offer.
Fantasy Canyon, Vernal, UT 84078, USA
Brent Clark Photography/Moment Via Getty Images
People travel all over the world to admire the red and pink cliff walls, massive hoodoos, and stunning overlooks at Bryce Canyon National Park. Plus, there is never a shortage of things to do when you explore this national park in Utah. Bryce Canyon is one natural wonder in Utah that you can visit over and over again and never be bored.
Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah, USA
Janis Connell/iStock Via Getty Images Plus
Pando may look like a typical forest from the outside but it is actually one massive organism. This clonal colony is one male Quaking Aspen that has spread to more than 106 acres and consists of more than 40,000 individual trees. Pando is the heaviest organism around the world at 13 million pounds. But that’s not all, Pando is also thousands of years old, making it one of the oldest living organisms on the planet.
Fishlake National Forest, Utah 84701, USA
Photo by Michael Russell/Moment Via Getty Images
Canyonlands National Park is often overlooked when it comes to the Mighty Five, but this natural wonder is absolutely impressive. The views you see at this national park are the results of millions of years of erosion. This national park features a desert that is carved by the Colorado River forming numerous canyons and perfectly formed buttes.
Canyonlands National Park, Utah, USA
by Vincenzo Innocente/Moment Open Via Getty Images
While you will find natural bridges in other locations, Rainbow Bridge National Monument is one of the world’s largest and it is found right here in Utah. This bridge is an incredible 290-feet tall and 270-feet across. Rainbow Bridge is considered a sacred destination for Native American tribes and you can only access this unique area by boat or on a long hike. It is also considered one of the best places to stargaze around the world.
Rainbow Bridge National Monument, Forbidding Canyon Lake, Powell, UT 84533, USA
Cavan Images/Cavan Via Getty Images
When considering natural wonders unique to Utah, you cannot forget about the Great Salt Lake. This is not only the largest lake between the Great Lakes and the Pacific Ocean, but it is also the largest saltwater lake in the Western Hemisphere. In fact, this lake is so large that you can even see it from space! There are so many ways to enjoy this lake from swimming to boating. This lake also boasts more than 10,000 miles of shoreline so there’s plenty of space to spread out and relax.
Great Salt Lake, Utah, USA
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