Day-to-Night Adventures in Utah’s Mountain Towns

Red Fleet State Park to Vernal

Red Fleet by Day

Walk the path of the dinosaurs at Red Fleet State Park, home to 200-million-year-old dinosaur footprints in the heart of Dinosaur Land. Find footprints left behind by three-toed dinosaurs on the Red Fleet Dinosaur Trackway Trail. Keep your eye out because some are just a few inches long, while others are up to 17 inches long. 

Swim, boat, fish or relax on its sandy beaches at Red Fleet Reservoir, also known as “Little Lake Powell.” Hike or ride the area's intermediate and expert-level single-track mountain biking trails. Opt for a picnic or immerse yourself in the experience longer by camping at the reservoir’s campground.

After exploring Red Fleet State Park, visit one of the other nearby attractions — the Green River and Steinaker State Park. 

The Green River is a rafting hub. Several commercial outfitters offer guided tours and supply rentals, whether you seek a simple float or fly-fishing excursion. Steinaker State Park boasts prime angling for rainbow trout and bass. Other activities on the reservoir include kayaking, paddleboarding, wakeboarding, and jet skiing. Since Steinaker State Park is an International Dark Sky Park, an overnight stay in its campground offers first-rate stargazing.

Alpine Scenic Loop Backway to Orem/Provo

Alpine Scenic Loop by Day

In summer and fall, the Alpine Scenic Loop Backway lures day-tripping drivers with its meandering highway through lush, aspen forest and sensational mountain views. Explore stops along the way including Timpanogos Cave National Monument and Sundance Resort. The loop, which varies from 5,000 to 8,000 feet in elevation, is known for its gorgeous fall colors, but be aware — it’s windy and narrow, so low vehicles are best (trailers are prohibited). See gorgeous scenery and peaks along the way, and consider stopping for a hike or picnic, and there are also plenty of campgrounds if you’d like to stay longer, including Mount Timpanogos Campground and Theater-in-the-Pines Campground, which are both reservable in advance.

Timpanogos Cave National Monument offers popular cave tours during summer and early fall. These tours fill fast, so reserve your tickets well in advance. Junior Ranger programs are also available on certain days and times, and a longer introduction to caving tour is also on offer for people who want to immerse themselves further in the world of caving.

Although famous for its winter ski slopes and namesake film festival, Sundance Mountain Resort fills with action during the summer months too. Try a zipline tour with more than 2,100 feet of vertical drop, scenic chairlift rides (including full moon options), and more than 25 miles of mountain biking trails. Choose from more than 20 miles of alpine hiking trails (for various levels), horseback riding, yoga on the mountaintop, fly fishing and more. To explore the area longer, stay at one of the many campsites along the loop, or book an elegant, chalet-inspired room at Sundance Mountain Resort.

Wasatch Mountains by Day

Spend all day hiking and biking on the plethora of trails in the Wasatch Range before heading to Ogden for the evening. In the Ogden area, the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest boasts around 500 trails. One popular hiking option is the Waterfall Canyon Trail, which is around 2.4 miles, with a scenic 200-foot-waterfall at the end of the fairly strenuous hike. For an even more ambitious hike, Ben Lomond Peak is one to consider, though be prepared because it covers around 16 miles with 3,500 feet of elevation gain, and snow is often present up top. The area is also packed with plenty of mountain biking options. If you’d like to stay and play longer, numerous campgrounds are available.