State Parks in Utah

An island in Utah? There are actually several islands in the Great Salt Lake, and Antelope Island is the largest. This 15 by 5-mile island is on the northwest side of Salt Lake City and can be accessed by a 7-mile causeway on the north side of the island. Visitors come to Antelope Island year-round for hiking, horseback riding, bicycling, boating, RV camping, and wildlife watching. The island's biggest star is the American Bison. A dozen animals were brought here in 1893, and today the population stands close to 600. Other park inhabitants include pronghorn antelope, bighorn sheep, bobcat, and birds such as hawks and falcons. Over 40 freshwater springs on the island keep the wildlife nourished.There are signs …

Arches National Park got its name from the 2,000-plus natural sandstone arches that grace its landscape. The park also boasts unique geological features like balanced boulders and towering pinnacles. This is a treasure trove of natural beauty, so search for an RV in Grand County for an unforgettable Arches adventure. Arches National Park is north of Moab and has the Colorado River as a natural border to the southeast.When visiting Arches National Park, find RV rentals in nearby Moab and plan on touring some of the breathtaking sights near the park. Canyonlands National Park is only a short distance to the west. Dead Horse Point State Park borders Canyonlands National Park on the northeast corner and would be a …

Bear Lake State Park, situated along the Utah and Idaho border, is composed of three main areas: Rendezvous Beach, East Side, and Bear Lake Marina. The area was once used by fur trappers, such as Jedediah Smith, and the Native Americans that lived in the area. The city is also near historic areas where old trading posts from the Oregon Trail still stand.Bear Lake State Park is about 145 miles away from Salt Lake City. One of the parks main highlights is Bear Lake, which has water so clear it’s called the “Caribbean of the Rockies." This park is also situated near the Cache Valley.

With awe-inspiring geological wonders spread across a colorful, surreal landscape, Bryce Canyon National Park should be on every RV traveler’s must-visit list.Situated around two and a half hours northeast of St. George in the southwestern corner of Utah, this 35,000-acre park features towering sandstone cliffs, immense pillars of rock, and vibrant colors that look like something from another planet.Bryce Canyon National Park’s remote location means it doesn’t receive anywhere near the same number of visitors as nearby Zion National Park and Grand Canyon National Park, but the scenery it offers is every bit as spectacular – and you can enjoy it all without having to battle the crowds.If you want to camp in Bryce Canyon National Park, …

Tucked away in southeastern Utah, Canyonlands National Park is a region of dramatic and colorful scenery. Immense canyons, imposing mesas, and impressive spires dot the Earth here, with myriad unique attractions carved out of the landscape by the Green and Colorado Rivers.Located a short drive southwest of Moab, this 527-square-mile park has four separate areas, each of which offers its own unique RV camping experiences. If you’re planning on exploring the park in a motorhome, search for an RV in San Juan County, or in Wayne, Garfield, or Grand County, and get ready for a journey you’ll never forget.

In south-central Utah lies a rocky empire of cliffs and canyons called Capitol Reef National Park. This vast, 241,904-acre park is 13 miles away from Bicknell, and around 67 miles away from both Escalante and Emery. Back in the 1920s, the area was called Wayne Wonderland, a name befitting one of the largest exposed monocline areas in the U.S.The park was established to preserve the Waterpocket Fold, which is just one of the geological features that make this place unique and significant. The landmass is most likely a product of the same continental plate collision that also created the Rocky Mountains. The sandstone cliffs and gleaming white domes are simply a byproduct of erosion that spanned millions …

A unique Utah geological wonder, Cedar Breaks National Monument is shaped roughly like an amphitheater with a natural curve in the cliff walls. The rim of the cliff wall is 10,000 feet above sea level, making it the highest monument park in the United States. President Roosevelt signed into law, officially establishing Cedar Breaks National Monument as a national monument in 1933, partly to protect the natural beauty of the landscape, partly to preserve bristlecone pine trees. The bristlecone pine trees, which are rare, are one of the oldest trees in the country; some are believed to be at least 1,600 years old.The closest town is Brian Head, UT, which boasts a handful of restaurants and a gas station. …

Imagine hiking over mountains of sand or taking your off-highway vehicle over hill after hill of shifting sand. Visitors flock to Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park to discover the amazing salmon-colored sand dunes that offer endless exhilarating adventures. Book an RV in Kane County, Utah and head over to Kanab for a weekend getaway or week-long adventure camping with an RV.The bustling town of St. George is just under an hour and a half to the west of Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park and offers great places to stock up on camping supplies or grab a bite to eat at a local restaurant. Arizona’s state line is only a few minutes to the south, and Nevada’s border …

Set against the backdrop of a harsh and dramatic landscape, Dead Horse Point State Park offers some of the most unique and memorable scenery on offer anywhere in the United States. Located 45 minutes southwest of Moab in southeastern Utah, this 5,362-acre high desert park sits some 2,000 feet above the Colorado River.It features imposing cliffs, vibrant colors, and fascinating geological formations, as well as excellent hiking and mountain biking trails. Best of all, the park offers two RV campgrounds and is generally much quieter than nearby Arches and Canyonlands National Parks.Let's take a closer look at what there is to see and do in Dead Horse Point State Park, and where you should set up camp in …

Dinosaur National Monument is located just east of Vernal, UT, in the far northeast corner of the state. The park actually spans the state border that Utah shares with neighboring Colorado, to the east. This is a very rural part of the country. The nearest larger town is Grand Junction, CO, located around 100 miles to the southeast while the nearest larger city is the state's capital, Salt Lake City, at over 250 miles to the west.This part of Utah is comprised of desert land covered in scrub brush and rugged, red rock canyons. This is a great place for people who love the outdoors, with hiking, camping, fishing options, picnic spots, and scenic drives available. …

Surrounded by rugged peaks, East Canyon State Park immerses you in the natural beauty of Utah. The park is anchored by an enormous reservoir and is a popular destination for boating, fishing, and water sports. Spend the day relaxing on the beach or rent a kayak and enjoy a scenic paddle. For high-octane thrills, hit the water on a speed boat, jet ski, or wave runner. Scenic picnic sites dot the shoreline and promise lunch with a view.History buffs will love exploring the nearby Mormon Pioneer Trail, which recalls the journey of pioneers who traveled more than 1,300 miles from Illinois to Utah. Planning a motorhome camping getaway to Utah? Book an RV in Morgan County and you can …

Drive about five hours south of Salt Lake City and you'll eventually come across the humble town of Escalante. This small town might not seem like it has much to offer. However, this quaint locale is home to a special destination for outdoor enthusiasts: Escalante Petrified Forest State Park. The park, located next door to the Wide Hollow Reservoir, is a great place to spend a few nights. In the flat, rocky, and forested land that surrounds the area, you'll be able to relax far away from the noise of the city.From the petrified trees for which the park is named to fossils formed hundreds of millions of years ago, Escalante Petrified Forest State Park has something to offer …

The awe-inspiring Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area occupies parts of Northeastern Utah and Southwest Wyoming near the towns of Vernal, UT, and Green River, WY. Revered for its beautiful geological attractions, Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area is 207,363 acres in size. This area features fascinating canyons, cliffs, forests, and wilderness. Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area gets its name from the scenic red cliffs that dot the canyon. For most visitors, the 42,020-acre Flaming Gorge Reservoir is the primary attraction.Created in 1964, the Flaming Gorge Reservoir is 91 miles long. It has an average depth of 212 feet and a maximum depth of 436 feet. Whether you’re looking for aquatic adventures, land activities, breathtaking views, or winter sports …

Utah is known for its unique landscape, and Goblin Valley State Park is near the top of that “unique landscape” list. Sandstone pillars of all sizes and shapes resembling castles, mushrooms, and totem poles dot the three-square-mile Goblin Valley. It doesn’t look like anything else found on Earth, which is why it’s used for science fiction movies to represent faraway worlds. The valley was a marine tidal zone almost 200 million years ago and held sand dunes, beaches, and ocean floors. Variations in the sandstone hardness caused the unique wind and water erosion patterns that visitors come to see today.Camping at Goblin Valley State Park can feel desolate, and that may be what you’re after. The park is near …

The Golden Spike National Historic Site is located near Promontory, Utah, in the far north-central portion of the state. The nearest larger town is Perry, found around 30 miles to the east, with the nearest large city is the state's capital, Salt Lake City, at almost 90 miles to the southeast. The park is also less than 50 miles from the state border that Utah shares with Idaho to the north.This portion of Utah consists mostly of open prairie land, dotted with scrub brush. It is bordered by rugged mountain peaks, and the large, Great Salt Lake, just to the south. This scenic area is a prime place to enjoy outdoor recreational opportunities, such as hiking and camping …

If you've never heard of entrenched river meanders before, you're probably not alone. Better known as goosenecks, these river bends that cut deep into the surrounding terrain are truly spectacular, and you'll see the perfect example of them at Utah's Goosenecks State Park.Located in southern Utah near Mexican Hat, this small but beautiful park offers picture-perfect views of a deep meander of the San Juan River. It's a stunning sight which will keep you reaching for your camera. The park's cozy campground also features a handful of primitive sites, making it a lovely place to spend a few relaxing nights camping in a rental RV.