What’s new in Utah

For the outdoors life, there is nowhere quite like Utah.

Making up one of the Four Corners of the US along with Colorado, New Mexico and Arizona, the state is renowned for the Mighty 5 national parks, 46 state parks, 22 Dark Sky Parks,  and the Greatest Snow on Earth.

There is an abundance of outdoor activities and experiences on offer in the state.

The dramatic red-rock landscapes of southern Utah contrast with the lush-green alpine scenery of northern Utah, create the perfect combination of adventure and culture. There is much to discover.

This year brings new parks, new anniversaries, and new accommodation to the state.

International visitors can fly directly into Salt Lake City, with seasonal flights from London Heathrow, or for access to southern Utah, Las Vegas is the ideal gateway.

Direct flights from Dublin to Las Vegas are also available during the winter season.

New Attractions

Utahraptor State Park is ready to welcome visitors

Utah’s newest park, Utahraptor State Park, named after a species found in Utah, is now open for visitors to walk among the dinosaurs. Located in Moab, near Arches National Park and Canyonlands Nation Park, it consists of prehistoric remains lying underneath its surface. Don’t forget to stop at Dalton Wells area for one of the largest dinosaur bone beds in North America. Here, more than 5,500 bones representing more than 10 dinosaur species have been recovered during the site’s 45-year history of excavation. Palaeontologists believe more than 100,000 bones may be buried here. The park also offers recreational activities, such as ATV, hiking and mountain biking trails. For more dinosaur themed experiences, Utahraptor State Park is one must-visit stop along the 500-mile Dinosaur Diamond Highway loop from Salt Lake City to Moab. Make it happen with Bon-Voyage’s 13-night UTAH – Walking with Dinosaurs fly-drive trip from £2,195 per person, including international flights, car hire and accommodation.

Expansion of Deer Valley Resort
Deer Valley Resort is currently undergoing an expansion that will see new ski terrain (3,700 acres – the largest increase of skiable terrain in resort history) linked by 16 new chairlifts, a new village and hub with direct access to Route 40, and a Four Seasons resort, dining, and retail. This new area is currently experiencing a soft opening (with a small section of expanded terrain open to skiers) with plans to have a grand opening in winter 2025/26. In addition, a new high-end Grand Hyatt Deer Valley hotel opened this season with 442 luxury rooms, suites, and private residences. Deer Valley limits the number of skiers on the mountain each day, and guests are encouraged to purchase lift tickets, lodging, ski lessons, and rental products in advance. www.deervalley.com/

Tours

HALO Observatory at Compass Rose Lodge with Southwest Adventure Tours

Experience the stunning dark skies of northern Utah while staying in Salt Lake City with Southwest Adventure Tours’ newest program, Salt Lake Compass Rose Dark Sky Excursion. This new tour, starting in spring 2025, offers a seamless experience from the Salt Lake City to the stars in Huntsville, Utah at HALO Observatory at Compass Rose Lodge. Guests will gain knowledge to help navigate through the night sky with a state-of-the-art 16-inch Ritchey-Chrétien telescope. This telescope mirrors the design of the Hubble Space Telescope, which minimises distortion, offering unparalleled clarity. Prices start from £114 per person and include a professional local guide and hotel pickup and drop-off (from select hotels) in a comfortable vehicle.www.southwestadventuretours.com

Events

2025 Utah Pride
Salt Lake City in Utah is known for being a city rich in history rooted around the Church of the Latter-day Saints. However, it also hosts one of the biggest and best-attended Pride parades and festivals. Explore this colorful community during 2025 Utah Pride on 7-8 June 2025. It’s a welcoming and inclusive urban destination and Salt Lake is continuing to expand its LGBTQ+ community in all areas: itineraries, bars, restaurants, businesses, and festivals. Visit the Leonardo Museum of Creativity and Innovation known to invite artists from the local LGBTQ+ community to submit artwork to be displayed throughout Pride month. Take a stroll through Under the Umbrella bookstore home to countless intriguing books by LGBTQ+ authors, then read them in the charming café. Explore the night scene at historic The SunTrapp, the oldest operating LGBTQ+ and first openly gay bar in Salt Lake City. Delta Airlines offers nonstop return flights from London Heathrow to Salt Lake City starting at £895 per person. www.visitsaltlake.com

Accommodation

Utah’s newest design hotel, Wolfe’s

Wolfe’s, located in the heart of Moab near Wolfe’s Ranch, Arches National Park and Canyonlands National  Park, is Utah’s newest design hotel inspired by the pioneering spirit of John Wesley Wolfe, one of Utah settlers from the 19^th century. Opening in spring 2025, this new hotel is the prime example of life intimating art. Alongside comfort amenities, guests can also indulge in fine dining, wines, and craft cocktails at Wolfe’s indoor/outdoor lobby bar called Esther’s. Prices start from £119 per person per night (based on two) and comes with a luxurious en-suite bathroom with premium bath products. https://www.wolfeshotelmoab.com/

 ‘Sci-fi desert’ wellness retreat and theme
OutPostX comprises 10 units based on four different concepts in 240 acres of desert, near southern Utah’s National Parks. It merges a movie set with a hotel, as it sits on a seasonally dry 100-acre lakebed that turns into a cracked clay landscape in summer, reminiscent of a barren sci-fi desert. Once fully open in summer 2025, OutPostX will be fully off-grid and self-sufficient, thanks to solar panels and septic systems. Work will also begin on a water reservoir and poplar forest (complete with mycelium) creating a lush woodland that attracts wildlife and retains moisture. On arrival, guests are transported into a story about two brothers, whose home planet of Namaajin is destroyed by a solar fire – and they are beginning to rebuild. Guests are encouraged to listen to the OutPostX podcast before arrival so they understand the back story, and can embrace the characters they are ‘playing’ throughout their stay. Guests can choose from Zen Domes with one-way reflective windows perfect for seeing the stars, or Caves that have beds on rails, easily allowing guests to sleep indoors or outdoors. All types of accommodation have a kitchenette and air conditioning. On-site amenities include a private spa, creative space for pottery making, bouldering walls, sand cruisers for hire, and refrigerators stocked with whole foods. https://outpost-x.com/

Modern RV and Glamping Park
With more visitors wanting to connect with the great outdoors, there has been a growing interest in glamping. Located just outside Salt Lake City, ROAM America recently opened its newest modern RV and camping park in Coalville, called Roam Echo Island. It offers water-based activities, a rope course and zip line stretching 160 feet and reaching speeds of 25 mph.  The park has everything needed for families and friends. There are also plans to open a stream-side sauna. Prices start from £35 per night based on two people sharing. www.roamamerica.com/echo-island

Salt Lake City’s newest hotel, Asher Adams

Salt Lake City’s newest hotel, Asher Adams, is repurposing the historic 1908 Union Pacific railroad passenger station into a 225-room Marriott Autograph Collection hotel. Named after the first cartographers to envision Salt Lake’s importance to Utah’s train network, it aims to be an embodiment of the significant moments behind the past, present, and future of Salt Lake City. The hotel will focus on providing a highly curated experience through thoughtful design, with a best-in-class food and beverage program.  It has a generous function and meeting space, and guest suites offering views of downtown and the surrounding Wasatch mountains. With easy access to Temple Square, Salt Lake City International Airport, and 10 of Utah’s ski resorts it’s a great base for a ski vacation or city break. Prices start from £248 a night (based on two people sharing). www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/slcau-asher-adams-autograph-collection/overview

Anniversaries

Green River State Park and Scofield Reservoir State Park turn 60

Utah has 46 state parks scattered across northern and southern Utah that offer similar striking views of the national parks, only without the crowds. Green River State Park opened in 1965 and is a lush green haven in the heart of the red rock landscape. This park is an ideal place to take a break from the sun and relax by the river, and even set up a tent. Located in the La Sal Mountains, near Salt Lake City, Scofield Reservoir State Park opened in 1965 and is a great base for a winter holiday. Enjoy more than 120 miles of groomed trails or opt for a quiet day of ice fishing in the 2,800-acre reservoir. Based near Heber City, Jordanelle State Park opened to the public in 1995, and is a must-visit spot for fun family activities like SUP on the Jordanelle Reservoir or mountain biking on Park City’s trails nearby. This state park also doubles as an International Dark Sky Park, so don’t forget to stay after the sun sets for spectacular night sky viewing. www.visitutah.com/places-to-go/parks-outdoors/green-river-state-park www.visitutah.com/places-to-go/parks-outdoors/scofield-state-park  www.visitutah.com/places-to-go/parks-outdoors/jordanelle

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