3 reasons why you NEED to travel to this state
After roadtripping across the country, I was able to find charm in every corner of every state I explored.
Well… almost every state.
Im looking at you, Ohio. (No offense to the Ohioans).
While every state has something unique and interesting about them, you can’t deny some are better than others.
I’m just being honest!
But this time, I’m not talking about the snow capped mountains in Colorado, the rainforests in Washington, or the picturesque desert in Southern California.
I’m talking about the Mars-like landscapes found in Utah.
While the breathtaking scenery might be the best reason to visit the beehive state, there is more than meets the eye.
1. The ethereal scenery
As I drove across the everlasting stretch of Interstate 70 from Colorado into Utah, I noticed the beautiful rocky mountains turned flatter and flatter. What was once lush green became red and orange hues. Grass was replaced with red sand and rocks.
I passed the sign. Welcome to Utah: Life Elevated.
There are no words to describe the beauty of the sunset I witnessed. I camped that night with the sounds of the wind, coyotes howling in the distance, and the most gorgeously clear sky filled with shooting stars.
Part of me was almost expecting to see a UFO somewhere in the distance.
While I can’t say I’ve been down every road in Utah, I don’t think you can drive down many without experiencing magnificent scenery.
2. The Utah Mighty Five
Utah boasts five national parks within the state, while also bordering Monument Valley and the Grand Canyon.
These parks include:
- Zion National Park
- Arches National Park
- Canyonlands National Park
- Capitol Reef National Park
- Bryce Canyon National Park
Not to mention, Arches and the Canyonlands are both basically next to each other, so there’s no excuse to visit one without seeing the other! You can stay the night in one of multiple campsites nearby and in the morning check out the small and quirky town of Moab before you journey through the rest of the state.
I would highly recommend taking your 4x4 vehicle and go off-roading near Moab. There are even jeep tours in the area so don’t fret if you don’t have the right vehicle!
Usually these breathtaking national parks tend to steal the show. However, the state parks in Utah are also worth a stop, so check out Sand Hollow and Goblin Valley if you have the time.
3. Free campsites
While some of the roads may be treacherous, there are plenty that are easy to navigate. And what surprises await on these rocky roads?
Free campsites!
Now, these campsites aren’t very luxurious (most don't even have bathrooms). But the sites are large and far apart for plenty of privacy. They’re perfect for those with RVs and Vanlifers who already have those basic necessities, but tent campers will still have a blast despite missing these luxuries. Besides, it wouldn’t really be camping if you didn’t have to pop a squat out in nature, now would it?
These are only three of about a hundred reasons why you should add Utah to your bucket list. Now, grab your sunglasses, your straw hat and sunscreen and let’s hit the road!
https://www.blm.gov/programs/recreation/recreation-activities/utah
