Tales from the Road – Utah

Marketing Manager, Rebecca Harley, reports on her recent trip to Utah, including hiking the Narrows in Zion National Park, driving along Scenic Byway 12 and enjoying summer activities in Park City.

Which country and region did you visit?
I visited Utah, USA.

How did you get there?
I flew from London Heathrow to Las Vegas, and then drove on to Springdale, a small town on the outskirts of Zion National Park in southern Utah. We drove from south to north Utah during the week.

Where did you go?
I visited three of the Mighty Five National Parks in Utah – Zion, Bryce Canyon and Capitol Reef. We then drove north to Park City and Heber Valley.

When did you go and how long for?
I went in mid-September for eight nights.

Have you visited Utah before?
No, this was my first time visiting the State.

Which was your favourite…?

Place: Park City is a great place for outdoor enthusiasts. You can enjoy skiing in the winter and activities such as e-biking, mountain biking, fishing, hiking and golf in the summer. It’s a great destination to end your holiday after exploring the national parks as it’s close to Salt Lake City for your return flight to the UK as well.

Hotel: Clear Sky Resorts: Bryce Canyon is a really unique hotel experience. Guests are assigned secluded glass domes spread out over the 80-acre canyon. This is the perfect location for star-gazing whether that’s from the comfort of your dome or alongside a guide. I recommend dining or enjoying a drink in the on-site restaurant where they often have live music, as well as playing the outdoor games and finishing your day by roasting s’mores around the campfire. Bryce Canyon National Park is only a 20 minute drive away making this an ideal base.

Excursion: The Cathedral Valley Jeep Tour with Sleeping Rainbow Adventures was a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. We spent six hours driving around the remote northern district of Capitol Reef National Park which is rarely ever seen by visitors. The landscape is spectacular, and we got to enjoy it all to ourselves. We had a picnic in the park and then enjoyed a beautiful sunset before being dropped back at our hotel.

What was your most memorable moment?
Hiking the Narrows in Zion National Park was fabulous. This is a hike unlike any I have done before. It was challenging in places, but I felt a real sense of achievement afterwards and would recommend anyone visiting Zion to give it a go.

Were there any surprises along the way?
Road trips in the UK aren’t always the most exciting thing, but in Utah the journey becomes an experience in itself. Scenic Byway 12 which links Bryce Canyon and Capitol Reef is stunning with lots of wonderful stops, photo opportunities and quaint towns to visit along the way. I highly recommend a stop at Burr Trail Grill in Boulder after you’ve visited the Singing Canyon, the food and atmosphere are lovely with a mix of locals and visitors who are making their own way through Utah.

What tips do you have for travellers planning to visit the same destinations?
Take your time with the trip, you really want to be spending at least two days in each park as there are so many hikes you can enjoy. If you take Scenic Byway 12 make sure you make lots of stops along the way – this is all about the journey and not just getting from A to B.

I highly recommend hiring water socks, shoes and a hiking stick prior to navigating the Narrows in Zion. It will make for a more enjoyable and safer experience.

Is there anything indispensable to pack or prepare for?
Utah is a very dry State, so pack a good moisturiser and lip balm. You will want a comfortable pair of walking shoes and sun protection for your hikes. The altitude increased substantially during our trip, carrying a reusable water bottle will help keep you hydrated and ward off any negative side effects. Finally, you’ll want to pack layers as the temperature can vary across the State.

Any local snacks, dishes or drinks that should be sampled?
We were asked on several occasions if we’d tried “Utah Fry Sauce”, which turned out to be pre-mixed ketchup and mayonnaise originally created by a Utah-based fast-food chain in the 40s.

Any restaurant or bar recommendations?
We enjoyed the wonderful Gourmand Food Tour in Park City, which allowed us to sample lots of delicious food and drink. I can personally recommend Bangkok Thai, Handle and Grappa which are all dotted along historic Main Street.

Sum up your trip in a sentence?
An incredible taster of what Utah has to offer – I can’t wait to return to complete the Mighty Five and explore more of this impressive State.