Summer Fun With Dan Spindle: Utah Staycations
Jun 5, 2019, 7:08 AM
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Families across the state are primed and ready for summer break — and Dan Spindle has some great staycation ideas.
Golden Spike National Historic Park
This year marks 150 years since the great meetup of the Transcontinental Railroad at the now Golden Spike National Historical Park at Promontory Summit. You can catch locomotive demonstrations and re-enactments daily. Go to nps.gov/gosp for information.
Spiral Jetty
Not far from Promontory lies Utah’s official work of land art: the Spiral Jetty. It’s one of the world’s most popular pieces of art. Go to diaart.org/visit/visit/robert-smithson-spiral-jetty for information.
Crystal Hot Springs
In nearby Honeyville, you can camp out at the Crystal Hot Springs, where families can soak, swim and play. Travel blogger Allison Laypath says it boasts water slides, a cave, cascading waterfalls and more for a great price. Go to crystalhotsprings.net. for information.
Ogden
In Ogden, start by touring the amazing collections of trains, automobiles and art inside Union Station. Stroll down historic 25th Street and you’ll find all sorts of restaurants, shops, live music, car shows, a weekly farmer’s market and more. Two blocks north lies Salomon Center with its indoor skydiving, climbing and surfing, movies and arcade. Go to visitogden.com for information.
Heber Valley
The Heber Valley Railroad is an awesome excursion, but there’s a lot more to do in Heber Valley. It’s got hiking, biking, golf and two reservoirs for water sports. In addition that, there’s the Homestead Crater — a mineral springs pool deep enough to go scuba diving in. You can also tour Heber Valley Artisan Cheese’s farm and creamery — complete with cheese tasting. Go to gohebervalley.com for information.
Capitol Reef National Park
Capitol Reef is one of Utah’s Mighty Five – but it typically draws fewer people than Zion National Park. Travel blogger Allison Laypath also believes it’s the most diverse with its interesting geology and ancient human history that includes petroglyphs and ancient granaries. Go to nps.gov/care for information.
Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park
Just outside Kanab lies the Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park, complete with its ever-shifting sea of pink sand. You can actually sled, ski or sand board down the dunes. Go to stateparks.utah.gov/parks/coral-pink for information.
Snow Canyon State Park
Closer to St. George, Snow Canyon State Park offers its own dunes, towering cliffs and red rock landscape. Inside the park is 16 miles of hiking trails, biking, horseback riding and rock climbing. It’s also a haven for landscape photographers. Go to stateparks.utah.gov/parks/snow-canyon for information.
