Day Trips from Salt Lake City. Excursions, Nearby Cities, Tours

Nearby Destinations

Park City (Approximately 35-45 minutes drive): World-renowned for ski resorts (Park City Mountain Resort and Deer Valley Resort). Its historic Main Street features unique shops, art galleries, and acclaimed restaurants. It hosts the Sundance Film Festival in January.

Transportation: Drive yourself, arrange a private shuttle, or use seasonal UTA ski bus services from Salt Lake City during winter. Exploring the town on your own offers flexibility. Allocate a full day to enjoy the slopes or Main Street. A half-day works for a quick stroll and meal.

More Nearby Wonders

Antelope Island State Park (Approximately 1 hour drive): Largest island in the Great Salt Lake, home to free-roaming American bison, antelope, and migratory birds. Offers stunning lake views, hiking, and mountain biking. A car is necessary. Plan a half-day to a full day.
Big & Little Cottonwood Canyons (30-45 minutes drive): Immediate access to Wasatch Mountains, home to world-class ski resorts like Brighton, Solitude, Alta, and Snowbird. Summer activities include hiking, rock climbing, and scenic drives. UTA ski bus available in winter.
Time Allotment: A half-day suffices for a scenic drive. A full day or multiple days are for extensive skiing or hiking.
Discover Salt Lake City Day Trips

Natural Escapes

Salt Lake City's proximity to the Wasatch Mountains and other natural wonders makes for easy escapes into stunning landscapes.

Mountain Resorts

Snowbird & Alta (Little Cottonwood Canyon): Premier ski resorts in winter, known for abundant, dry powder snow. In summer, Snowbird has scenic tram rides to Hidden Peak for breathtaking mountain views. Both have extensive hiking and mountain biking trails. Famous for "The Greatest Snow on Earth" in winter.

Additional Canyon Gems

Brighton & Solitude (Big Cottonwood Canyon): Popular among locals, a relaxed atmosphere. Excellent hiking and mountain biking opportunities in summer.
American Fork Canyon / Timpanogos Cave National Monument (1 hour drive): Guided tours through stunning decorated limestone caves. Cave entrance needs a strenuous uphill hike (1.5 miles, 1,000 feet elevation). Cave tours are seasonal, late May/early June to mid-October.
Mirror Lake Scenic Byway (Uinta Mountains, 1.5-2 hours drive to start): Scenic drive through High Uintas Wilderness, Utah's highest mountain range. Numerous hiking trails to alpine lakes, camping, and mountain vistas. Best in summer and fall; road closes due to snow in winter.

Planning Your Escape

When exploring these natural areas, consider preparing for varying weather conditions. Trails can change quickly.

Things to Remember

Check weather forecasts before heading out.
Pack appropriate gear for your chosen activity.
Carry sufficient water, especially for hikes.

Seasonal Access Considerations

Summer & Fall Access

Mirror Lake Scenic Byway fully open.
Timpanogos Cave tours running.
Higher elevation trails may have snow early spring.
Expect more crowds on weekends.

Winter & Spring Access

Ski resorts fully operational.
Snowshoeing and cross-country skiing are popular.
Mirror Lake Scenic Byway closed to vehicle traffic.
Timpanogos Cave closed.

Travel Distances and Times

Park City:35-45 minutes
Antelope Island State Park:~1 hour
Big/Little Cottonwood Canyons:30-45 minutes
American Fork Canyon:~1 hour

Mirror Lake Scenic Byway (start):1.5-2 hours
Southern Utah Parks:4-5 hours
Moab Area Parks:3.5-4 hours
Jackson Hole/Grand Teton:4.5-5 hours

Travel Advice

Plan ahead for popular times like holidays and peak ski season. Road conditions in canyons can change quickly in winter.

Cultural Excursions

Extend your cultural exploration beyond Salt Lake City's core with these nearby historical and family-oriented destinations.

This Is The Place Heritage Park

A living history village commemorating Utah's pioneer heritage. Explore historic buildings, interact with costumed interpreters. Short and easy drive from downtown.

Thanksgiving Point Lehi

Large complex with Museum of Ancient Life (dinosaurs), Ashton Gardens, a working farm, and a children's museum. Good for families. Car travel needed.

Alpine Loop Scenic Byway

Scenic drive with spectacular views of Mount Timpanogos. Access to popular hiking trails like Stewart Falls. Beautiful in fall with changing leaves. Car travel suggested.

Family Fun & Discovery

These destinations cater to various interests, from history enthusiasts to families seeking engaging activities.

Features

Historical insights at This Is The Place.
Dinosaur exhibits at Thanksgiving Point.
Stunning fall foliage on Alpine Loop.

Planning Your Visit

Check seasonal hours and events for the best experience at each location.

Travel Tips

Rental car needed for most sites.
Verify operating hours for museums/parks.
Opportunities for scenic photography.

Travel Times & Focus

This Is The Place Heritage Park:~15 minutes (History, Culture)

Thanksgiving Point:~30 minutes (Family, Museums)

Alpine Loop Scenic Byway:~1 hour (Nature, Scenic Drive)

Efficient Excursions

Combine Thanksgiving Point with the Alpine Loop if you are heading south.
This Is The Place Heritage Park is a short drive from the Utah State Capitol.
Check for combination tickets if visiting multiple attractions at Thanksgiving Point.
Many cultural sites offer family-friendly programming.
Local events and festivals often add to the cultural experience; check calendars.

Multi-Day Extensions

Salt Lake City's location makes it a perfect starting or ending point for longer regional adventures, connecting you to iconic national parks.

Southern Utah National Parks

Z

Zion, Bryce Canyon

Approximately 4-5 hours' drive from Salt Lake City.

A

Arches, Canyonlands

Near Moab, about 3.5-4 hours away.

C

Capitol Reef

Part of the "Mighty 5" for a popular 3-7 day extension.

Suggested Routes

Route 1 (South Utah Parks Loop): Begin in Salt Lake City, drive south to Capitol Reef National Park, then continue to Bryce Canyon National Park, and finally Zion National Park.
From Zion, you can optionally extend to Valley of Fire State Park or Las Vegas before returning to Salt Lake City or flying out of Las Vegas (Recommended 4-7 days).
Route 2 (Eastern Utah/Colorado Focus): Start in Salt Lake City, head east to Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park (both near Moab).
From Moab, you can continue into Colorado (for example, to Denver or Rocky Mountain National Park) (Recommended 3-5 days).
A rental car is essential for exploring these national parks, as public transport within and between them is very limited.
Find national park tours on GetYourGuide.

Jackson Hole, Wyoming

This offers a fantastic 3-5 day extension to the north.
Jackson Hole, Wyoming, is approximately a 4.5-5 hour drive from Salt Lake City, serving as a gateway to Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone National Park.
Combine this trip with further exploration of Idaho or Montana.
A rental car is essential for exploring these vast national parks.
Suggested Routes: Drive from Salt Lake City to Grand Teton National Park, continue north to Yellowstone National Park, and then either return to Salt Lake City or fly out of Jackson Hole or Bozeman, Montana.

Planning Considerations

Accommodation

Book accommodation well in advance, especially for national parks during peak season.

Park Entry

Check park entry requirements and make reservations if necessary, especially for popular parks.

Important Note

For multi-day extensions, careful planning of accommodation and park entry is advisable, especially during peak season.

Day Trips from Salt Lake City