With towering arches, vast canyons and striking stone monoliths, Utah’s landscapes are truly extraordinary. Scenic byways reveal some of America’s finest drives, while adventure awaits in every form, from hiking and rafting to stargazing and horse riding.
Utah, the Beehive State, is home to five national parks and can be easily explored on a rewarding self-drive holiday through some of the American West’s most scenic byways.
Base yourself in Moab, the state’s adventure capital, for close access to Arches National Park, with its 2,000 natural rock arches, plus the expansive backcountry of nearby Canyonlands.
The white rock domes of Capitol Reef are a geological landmark. Once likened to Washington DC’s Capitol Building by early travellers, they're always worth a visit.
Visit Bryce Canyon National Park at sunrise when its tall, sculpted rock formations glow pink and orange, then head to Zion for canyon walks along the river or up to the ridgelines.
Salt Lake City serves as both the capital and gateway to the state, with Temple Square at its heart and the Bonneville Salt Flats nearby.
It’s hard to pick a favourite among Utah’s five national parks. Zion, the oldest, is a striking mix of red rock canyons, pine-covered peaks and the winding Virgin River – ideal for hiking, climbing and canyoning. Nearby, Bryce Canyon enchants with thousands of colourful hoodoos rising from its natural amphitheatres.
In the heart of the state lies Capitol Reef National Park, a quieter gem of domes, cliffs and canyons. Further east, Canyonlands impresses with vast mesas and dramatic sandstone formations; the drive to the Needles is among Utah’s most scenic. Close by is Arches National Park, home to over 2,000 natural rock arches, including the iconic Delicate Arch and the astonishing Landscape Arch.
Utah’s parks are remarkably easy to combine on a self-drive journey. Zion and Bryce Canyon are under 90 miles apart, while Arches and Canyonlands lie minutes from Moab, the region’s adventure capital.
Beyond the parks, Salt Lake City offers cultural contrast, with Temple Square at its centre. Within an hour’s drive east you’ll find world-class skiing at Park City and Deer Valley, while the Bonneville Salt Flats reveal yet another side to this breathtaking state.
For the national parks and scenery in southern and eastern Utah, the best time to travel is during late spring and late summer, with more comfortable temperatures from May to June and September to October. Salt Lake City is a year-round destination, while the ski season for resorts including Park City and Deer Valley usually lasts from the end of November to mid-April.
The soul of the Asher Adams is undoubtedly the old Union Pacific Train Depot, built at the start of the 20th century, which houses the main lobby and the hotel’s four bars and restaurants. The location is first class too, in the heart of downtown, right across the street from the home of the Utah Jazz.
Just 10 minutes from Arches National Park and less than 40 minutes from Canyonlands, this smart and modern hotel provides easy access to two of the finest parks in Utah while maintaining a convenient location off Main Street in the heart of Moab’s quaint downtown.
Set in the otherworldly landscape of Utah’s southern deserts, a stone’s throw from Lake Powell and the Arizona border, this impressive feat of architectural daring is one of the most exclusive hotels in America.
Just moments from the entrance to Zion National Park, Cliffrose Springdale offers panoramic canyon views, elegant lodge-style suites, peaceful riverside gardens and easy access to hiking and adventure. It’s a refined base for exploring the raw beauty of southern Utah.
Waldorf Astoria Park City offers slopeside sophistication at the base of the Wasatch Mountains, with luxurious residences, a heated outdoor pool, a celebrated spa and alpine-inspired dining.
One of the most luxurious hotels in the Moab area, Sorrell River Ranch is set on 240 acres of ranchland, surrounded by some of the most spectacular scenery in the United States.