Welcome to UTAH!
Capital City: Salt Lake City
Locomotive
by Brian Floca (ages 2-6)
A book sure to be treasured by train lovers. When the Union and Central Pacific Railroad companies completed the transcontinental railroad meeting in Promontory Point, UT
World Classroom: Utah
National Parks
Arches National Park – Moab, UT
Reservations are often required during peak seasons, so be sure to checkout the official website (click just above) before making big plans here.
Bryce Canyon National Park – Bryce Canyon, UT
Canyonlands National Park – Moab, UT
Capitol Reef National Park – Torrey, UT
Zion National Park – Springdale, UT
Additional places to visit near Zions National Park
St George, UT
Tuacahn Outdoor Amphitheater – Ivins, UT
Just on the outskirts of St George, UT the red rock landscape here makes a perfect backdrop for the Tuacahn Outdoor Amphitheater. If you love theater you’ll love this experience! One year we drove 18 hours each way to see The Hunchback of Notre Dame, and a torrential downpour happened just before “show time” causing a cancelling of the show. Unfortunately the show mustn’t go on in this circumstance, but the streams of water pouring from the top of the red rocks were a show in and of themselves. Sometimes life lessons come in unexpected ways and provide different opportunities than originally expected.
There are multiple shows going on throughout the summer and into the winter, so be sure to check them out and pick a favorite or see something new. Every year the offerings change, so keep an eye out for musicals, concerts and shows that suit your taste or homeschool theme you’re focusing on this year or just to enjoy the arts.
Snow Canyon State Park – Ivins, UT
National Historical Parks
Golden Spike National Historical Park – Promontory, UT
Visit Golden Spike Ntnl Hist Park NPS.gov
Do you have a train enthusiast in your clan? This is the National Park for them! Come see where the transcontinental railroad reached completion with the meeting of the Union Pacific and Central Pacific railroad companies in Promontory, UT.
Additional Places to visit in Brigham City, UT
Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge – Brigham City, UT
During the right time of year you can see a vast variety of migratory birds in the hidden oasis. If you like all things nature, bird watching, fishing, hiking or photographing beautiful scenery and animals, then you’re going to want to pay a visit here.
National Monument
Cedar Breaks National Monument – Cedar City, UT
Visit Cedar Breaks Ntnl Monument NPS.gov
Additional Locations to visit near Cedar City, UT
Cove Fort
Cove Fort was an integral waypoint for early settlers of the state traveling from more populated northern and southern locations.
Fremont Indian State Park and Museum
Natural Bridges National Monument – Moab, UT
Visit Natural Bridges Monument NPS.gov
Rainbow Bridge National Monument
Visit Rainbow Bridge Ntnl Monument NPS.gov
Rainbow Bridge is a remote national monument. As part of the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area (see below) it is only accessible by boat on Lake Powell or by land over a 14+ mile trail from the Navajo Nation. To access via Navajo Nation, a permit from the Navajo Nation is required.
Timpanogos Cave National Monument – American Fork, UT
Visit Timpanogos Cave Ntnl Monument NPS.gov
Gain some serious elevation on this hike as you ascend to 6730 feet. It’s a good idea to make reservations as there are limits to the number allowed on the hike and in the cave. On this particular pictured day, we got drenched in rain. So prepare for the unexpected. Both times we’ve been here it’s been pouring rain, but we are told that’s unusual – maybe the Pacific Northwest rain follows us.
National Recreation Areas
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area – (UT & AZ) Page, AZ
Glen Canyon is home to the iconic Horse Shoe Bend pictured to the right. It also administers Rainbow Bridge, which you can access from Lake Powell. Be sure to visit the link above for the most up-to-date information in planning your visit to this one of a kind recreation area.
Additional Places to Visit in Utah
Temple Square in Salt Lake City, UT
This area of the city is owned and operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Visitors are welcome to come learn about the first settlers of the state and their faith and industry. While the most iconic building in the square, the temple, is not open to visitors, there are several other buildings including a Visitors Center, tabernacle and other historic buildings in the area that are interesting to see and learn about.
Natural History Museum of Utah – Salt Lake City, UT
See history of the native people of Utah as well as the science of DNA and many other fascinating subjects! Museums are always a great way to get a condensed amount of relevant information on specific topics and add a three dimensional aspect to exploring. You can spend a day here.
Clark Planetarium – Salt Lake City, UT
Is your family interested in astronomy? This is a great place to see a star show on an IMAX screen or watch a light show or other IMAX film. Do some hands on activities as well and bring the science alive!
Bonneville Salt Flats
Take a day trip west of Salt Lake City and see the Bonneville Salt Flats. These salty barren flat lands are remnants of Pleistocene Lake Bonneville that covered much of western Utah and portions of Idaho and Nevada thousands of years ago.
While these flats are barren, they’re also famous and have been used in several movies. One of the most popular attractions to the flats are the speedways as the lack of friction on their smooth surface allows for record speeds.
This is an excellent field trip for lessons on chemistry, physics or paleontology.
Thanksgiving Point – Lehi, UT
Dinosaurs are a fascinating curiosity, and Utah and Thanksgiving Point are perfect for your paleontology studies. This unique venue has a variety of offerings depending on the time of year you go and what events are available. If you love butterflies as much as we do, you’re not going to want to miss the Butterfly Biosphere. There are many hands on and educational opportunities for your littles to experience with farms, museums, gardens and more – the whole family will love this place!
Park City, UT
Utah is known for its amazing winter snow and mountain ranges making it a paradise for snow sport enthusiasts. Park City is one of the most popular ski destinations in the state – come see why!
