Regions of Utah
There are a butte-load of places to visit in Utah. So we’ve broken down the state into 11 regions to help you know what’s what. From the tippy top of the state down to its bootylicious bottom, you can view and interact with our maps to learn about all the multitudinous things to do in Utah.
Or spend some coin and buy a real-life Utah map for the street cred. Whatever you need to help plan your trip to national parks and monuments, state parks, and major cities in Utah
Lake Bonneville Region
The northwest corner of Utah was once under more than 5 trillion tons of saltwater. An inland ocean, Lake Bonneville’s bloated body reached across state borders with its gangly arms before spilling into the Snake River roughly 14,000 years ago.
It left behind the Great Salt Lake and the even saltier Bonneville Salt Flats. Once the water weight was gone, the earth’s crust rebounded like a springy mattress, creating mountain ranges with jagged, shark-like fins circling the ancient lakebed.
Key Locations
- Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge
- Bonneville Salt Flats
- Golden Spike National Historical Park
- Great Salt Lake
- Spiral Jetty
- Willard Bay State Park
Find out how to get there, what to see, and where to stay. ->
Regions | Photo Gallery
View of Bear Lake in Northern Utah
Wasatch North Region
Everything here feels tucked away. Just like you hide the good cookies on the top shelf, Utah keeps some of its best alpine adventures hidden all the way up north.
Expect bucolic farmland around Logan, uncrowded locals-only ski resorts, and a giant secret freshwater Caribbean.
Key Locations
- Bear Lake
- Logan
- Beaver Mountain, Cherry Peak, Snowbasin, Powder Mountain, Nordic Valley Ski Resorts
- Hyrum Lake State Park
- East Canyon State Park
- Weber State University & Utah State University
Find out how to get there, what to see, and where to stay. ->
Wasatch Front Region
Three counties. Four percent of the state. Two-thirds of its population. But “this is(n’t just) the place” for people watching.
The Wasatch Front transitions gracefully from skiable, bikeable mountains to metropolitan conveniences. One minute you’re carb-loading at a restaurant on Main Street. A few minutes later, you’re literally on a mountain trail or sailing on the largest saltwater lake in the Western Hemisphere.
Key Locations
- Great Salt Lake State Park
- Salt Lake City
- Provo
- Alta, Brighton, Snowbird, Solitude, Sundance Ski Resorts
- Temple Square
- SLC International Airport
- Antelope Island State Park
Find out how to get there, what to see, and where to stay. ->
Wasatch Back Region
This is what rich people from Hollywood think Utah looks like.
Move east from Park City’s resorts and celebrity interlopers and you’ll see the region stays beautifully green and blue in Wasatch Back reservoirs and on the north face of the Uintas.
Hike, bike, ski, boat, fish, 4x4, or (watch someone else) ride a bull in northern Utah’s version of the wild west.
Key Locations
- Park City Mountain & Deer Valley Ski Resorts
- Park City
- Heber City
- Deer Creek, Jordanelle, Rockport, Echo & Strawberry Reservoirs
- Heber Valley Railroad
- Utah Olympic Park
- Uinta Mountains
Find out how to get there, what to see, and where to stay. ->
Under the Notch Region
Where the blues and greens of the Rocky Mountains meet the reds, oranges, pinks, and yellows of the Colorado Plateau — Flaming Gorge isn't even trying not to show off — plus the oil, canyons, and fossils of Dinosaurland just outside Vernal. It's no wonder John Wesley Powell wanted to visit.
Key Locations
- Flaming Gorge
- Vernal
- Dinosaur National Monument
- Green River
- Starvation, Steinaker & Red Fleet Reservoirs
Find out how to get there, what to see, and where to stay. ->
The Holey Land
Welcome to The Holey Land, sacred ground for hikers, bikers, off-roaders and river rats. This is where the Colorado Plateau really goes for it, from weird bumps and bulges in the Swell to implausible sandstone sculptures around the Green and Colorado Rivers.
Don’t tell anyone about it. They wouldn’t believe you anyway.
Key Locations
- Arches National Park
- Moab
- Canyonlands National Park
- Capitol Reef National Park
- Moab
- Goblin Valley State Park
- San Rafael Swell
- Dead Horse Point State Park
Find out how to get there, what to see, and where to stay. ->
ATV Country
Is ATV Country the heart of Utah or the gut? We think it’s the heart, pumping adrenaline through its labyrinthine veins.
The Arapeen and Paiute ATV trail system twists and turns its way across hundreds of thousands of acres of national forests, over mountains and through meadows. Alpine lakes and natural hot springs freckle the evergreen and aspen face.
Bring your fishing pole and your bathing suit.
Key Locations
- Yuba State Park
- Richfield
- Arapeen ATV Trail
- Paiute ATV Trail
- Sevier River
- Marysvale
- Fishlake National Forest
- Manti-La Sal National Forest
- Fremont Indian State Park and Museum
Find out how to get there, what to see, and where to stay. ->
West Desert Region
Sometimes you just want to load your truck with water, gasoline, and sandwiches and put a little distance between yourself and the rest of humanity.
Satisfy your soul’s itch for solitude in the mettle-testing mountains of the West Desert (and pop over to Great Basin National Park while you’re out … even though it technically sits across the Utah border).
Key Locations
- Great Basin National Park
- Beaver
- Delta
- Tushar Mountains
- Little Sahara Recreation Area
- Eagle Point Ski Resort
- Sevier Lake
- Deep Creek Mountains
Find out how to get there, what to see, and where to stay. ->
Red Rock Region
Utah’s bottom-left (aka the Persian Golf, aka Retirement Desert, aka Virtuous Vegas) sits at the nexus of the Great Basin, the Colorado Plateau, and the Mojave Desert.
It ranges from hot and low (Beaver Dam Wash is 2,180’) to snowy Brian Head Peak (11,300’). Oh, and Zion National Park. You may have heard of it.
Key Locations
- Zion National Park
- St. George
- Cedar Breaks National Monument
- Snow Canyon State Park
- Brian Head Ski Resort
Find out how to get there, what to see, and where to stay. ->
Utah's Outback Region
Vying with its neighbors to the north and east for Remotest in UtahTM. Kanab (pop. 5k) is the biggest city and the hub for all the state and national parks, monuments, etc.
The area is also known for its concentration of drop-your-jaw, suck-in-your-gut slot canyons.
Key Locations
- Lake Powell
- Kanab
- Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument
- Bryce Canyon National Park
- Grand Canyon National Park
- Highway 12
Find out how to get there, what to see, and where to stay. ->
Monument Corner Region
Monument Corner covers nine percent of the state, 0.5% of its population — but that’s due to a shortage of water, not scenery.
Residents are almost outnumbered by four national monuments, a national park, and a handful of state parks and museums. And it’s all within a few hours’ drive of the historic city of Blanding.
Key Locations
- Monument Valley
- Blanding
- Canyonlands National Park
- Bears Ears
- Hovenweep National Monument
- Four Corners
- Cliff dwellings
Find out how to get there, what to see, and where to stay. ->
Articles
View AllHappy Trails in Piute County
What do Delano Peak, the Paiute ATV trail and Butch Cassidy all have in common? Utah’s Piute County,...
8 Secrets to Sustainable Travel in Park City
Want a big adventure to Park City without a big environmental footprint? Utah.com can help you explo...
Utah County Is Festive As Heck
Fireworks, parades and corn on the cob — oh my! Utah.com has the scoop on the best festivals and fai...
Natural Bridges National Monument: A Hidden Gem, Not a Second Fiddle
An under the radar destination that should be on your radar. Learn all about Natural Bridges, Utah a...
Plan a Guys Getaway in Vernal
Planning a guys trip? Why not hit the ATV trails in Vernal, Utah with your crew? With all kinds of w...
Treat Yourself to a (San Rafael) Swell Winter
The San Rafael Swell is one of Utah’s hidden gems, and it gets even more hidden in the winter. Utah....
Plan a Triathlon of Fun in Greater Zion
Looking for things to do in St. George this fall? In addition to the IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship...
Color Me (Insert Emotion Here): Where to See Cedar City’s Feel-Good Fall Foliage
Richly hued views await you in southern Utah this autumn. Peep the changing leaves on a scenic drive...
Play Outside and See a Play Outside in Cedar City
Take a visit to Cedar City, Utah, and see why its access to both world class theater and stunning ou...
Mapping Out Utah’s Tastiest Cuisine
Getting to know the Beehive State means experiencing its sites and unique flavors. Discover both whe...
Get Your Peach Thrills in Box Elder County
Utah’s Box Elder county is a peachy paradise — part mountain range, part desert, part orchard and al...
9 Highest Peaks Across Utah
Take a peek at the tallest peaks in Utah. From Kings Peak to the Deep Creeks, Utah.com gets to the t...
Paving the Way for Everyone: All-Access Trails in Utah
From a wheelchair accessible waterfall trail to a lakeside boardwalk laden with wildflowers, these U...
Local Legends in Utah
Ever been curious about urban legends in Utah? Utah.com fills you in all things folklore with our gu...