The Best Day Trips From Salt Lake City

Although Salt Lake City is loaded with international dining options, trendy coffee houses and friendly locals, you may also be looking to get outside the city to see more of what spectacular Utah has to offer. Read ahead for some local tips to make day-tripping outside Salt Lake City a memorable experience.

1. Bonneville Salt Flats

Natural Feature

Imagine a remote stretch of alabaster land as far as the eye can see and you have the Bonneville Salt Flats, one of the most unique landscapes in the world. This 30,000-acre (12,140-hectare) desert may look more like a massive frozen pond, but these flats are made entirely of salt. The salt flats are also a renowned hub for international car racing, with events happening all year long. From sub-zero winter temperatures to summer scorchers over 100F (38C), make sure to prepare accordingly for the weather. Recommended by local insider David Smurthwaite

2. Powder Mountain

Natural Feature

One of Salt Lake’s lesser-known ski resorts, Powder Mountain, is a picturesque year-round retreat. This local secret boasts world-class skiing (but without the crowds) with 154 trails, two terrain parks and nine lifts. If skiing isn’t your thing, you can also enjoy a day of mountain biking, hiking and trail running. After a day spent on the slopes, refuel with some appetizing tacos and beer; or New York-style pizza and a pint. Recommended by local insider David Smurthwaite

3. Park City Olympic Park

Park, Sports Center

Skeleton riders at the World Cup event at the Olympic Park in Park City Utah.

If you’re looking to escape Salt Lake Valley without traveling too far, there are few places as picturesque as Park City. Just 28 miles from Salt Lake City, Park City Olympic Park is a must for athletes and sports enthusiasts. Get your adrenaline pumping with bobsledding, ziplining or extreme tubing. Park City Olympic Park offers fun for all ages. While you’re here, take a guided tour of the park, where you can learn about its impressive and long-standing Olympic history. Recommended by local insider David Smurthwaite

5. Timpanogos Cave National Monument

Architectural Landmark, Historical Landmark

Timpanogos Cave In Provo, Utah In United States On September 17, 2006.

Wander the colorful caverns of Timpanogos Cave, Utah’s natural treasure. Located in American Fork Canyon, Timpanogos Cave National Monument is an incredible underground world full of stalagmites and stalactites. Visitors can only enter with a guided tour, which are offered from mid-May until mid-October. In order to reach the cave you must hike up a steep 1.5-mile (2.4-km) paved trail, so be prepared for an educational experience that’s also mixed with a little exercise. Recommended by local insider David Smurthwaite

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.