For an overview of the state, see: National Geographic Kids. Utah
Highlights
Let’s learn more about some fascinating places worth seeing in Utah.
Zion National Park (Springdale): Known for its towering red sandstone cliffs, Zion National Park is one of the most visited national parks in the U.S. Visitors can hike the famous Narrows or Angels Landing for breathtaking views of the canyon.
Bryce Canyon National Park (Southern Utah): Famous for its unique hoodoos—spindly rock formations that rise from the ground—Bryce Canyon offers surreal, otherworldly landscapes and incredible stargazing opportunities.
Arches National Park (Moab): Home to over 2,000 natural stone arches, including the iconic Delicate Arch, Arches National Park is known for its stunning red rock formations and picturesque hiking trails.
Salt Lake Temple and Temple Square (Salt Lake City): This is the spiritual center for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS). Temple Square attracts millions of visitors annually with its beautiful gardens, museums, and historic buildings.
Great Salt Lake (Northern Utah): The largest saltwater lake in the Western Hemisphere, the Great Salt Lake is famous for its high salinity and recreational activities like boating, swimming, and birdwatching.
Monument Valley (Southeastern Utah): Located on the Utah-Arizona border, Monument Valley is renowned for its iconic red sandstone buttes and mesas. It has been featured in countless films and is a symbol of the American West.
Canyonlands National Park (Moab): Known for its vast canyons, mesas, and buttes carved by the Colorado River, Canyonlands is a popular destination for hiking, rafting, and photography, offering a more rugged alternative to other national parks.
Antelope Island State Park (Great Salt Lake): This park is located on the largest island in the Great Salt Lake and is known for its diverse wildlife, including bison herds, antelope, and birds. The island offers hiking, camping, and scenic views of the lake.
Park City Mountain Resort (Park City): Famous for its world-class skiing and snowboarding, Park City is also a hub for mountain biking and hiking in the summer. It’s a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts and hosts the annual Sundance Film Festival.
Dead Horse Point State Park (Moab): Offering stunning views of the Colorado River and the dramatic landscape of the surrounding canyons, Dead Horse Point is known for its scenic beauty and is a great spot for hiking and photography.
Intriguing mysteries and weird facts
Discover these little-known facts about Utah.
Utah is home to the world’s largest organism: In Fishlake National Forest, you’ll find Pando, a massive grove of quaking aspens that share the same root system, making it the world’s largest living organism. It spans over 106 acres.
The Great Salt Lake is saltier than the ocean: The Great Salt Lake is so salty that swimmers can easily float in it without sinking. Its salinity is higher than that of the ocean, making it a unique natural wonder.
Utah has the highest Jell-O consumption in the U.S.: Utah loves its Jell-O! The state consumes more Jell-O per capita than any other, and it’s even been named the official state snack of Utah.
There’s a “potato museum” in Utah: While Idaho is famous for potatoes, Utah also celebrates the spud with a potato museum located in a small town called Lehi. It features everything from potato history to quirky potato-themed items.
Dinosaur bones are everywhere in Utah: Utah is a hotbed for dinosaur fossils, with more dinosaur species discovered here than almost anywhere else in the world. The state even has its own official dinosaur, the Utahraptor.
Utah has a lake so pink it looks like bubblegum: Great Salt Lake’s Gunnison Bay is famous for its pinkish hue, caused by halophilic bacteria thriving in its salty waters. The lake’s unusual color makes it look like something from another planet.
Utah is home to the oldest operating rodeo in the world: The Days of ’47 Rodeo, held in Utah since 1847, is the oldest continuous rodeo in the world, showcasing the state’s deep connection to Western cowboy culture.
Utah has an underwater ghost town: In the depths of Utah’s Rockport Reservoir lies the submerged ghost town of Rockport. The town was flooded when the area was dammed in the 1950s, leaving its remnants under water.
Utah’s Bonneville Salt Flats are so flat you can see the curvature of the Earth: The Bonneville Salt Flats, where land speed records are set, are incredibly flat and expansive, making it one of the few places on Earth where you can visibly detect the planet’s curve.
You can find an actual crater filled with hot spring water in Utah: Known as “The Homestead Crater,” this geothermal hot spring is hidden inside a 55-foot-tall limestone dome. Visitors can swim, soak, and even scuba dive in the warm water.
Notable People
Here are 10 famous men and women from Utah.
Famous Men
Butch Cassidy (1866–1908): Born in Beaver, Utah, Butch Cassidy was a notorious outlaw and leader of the Wild Bunch gang. He became infamous for robbing banks and trains across the American West.
James Woods (1947–): Born in Vernal, Utah, James Woods is a well-known actor who gained fame for his roles in films like Casino, Once Upon a Time in America, and Salvador. He has also voiced numerous animated characters.
Philo T. Farnsworth (1906–1971): Born in Beaver, Utah, Philo T. Farnsworth was an inventor and television pioneer. He is credited with inventing the first fully functional all-electronic image pickup device, a key development in television technology.
Wilford Brimley (1934–2020): Born in Salt Lake City, Utah, Wilford Brimley was a beloved character actor known for his roles in Cocoon, The Thing, and The Natural. He also became famous for his commercials promoting diabetes awareness.
Donny Osmond (1957–): Born in Ogden, Utah, Donny Osmond is a singer, actor, and television host who gained fame as part of The Osmonds musical family. He enjoyed a successful solo career and co-hosted the popular Donny & Marie show.
Famous Women
Marie Osmond (1959–): Born in Ogden, Utah, Marie Osmond is a singer, actress, and television personality best known for her music career and as the co-host of the Donny & Marie variety show with her brother.
Roseanne Barr (1952–): Born in Salt Lake City, Utah, Roseanne Barr is a comedian and actress who gained fame for her groundbreaking sitcom Roseanne. She became one of the most influential comedians of the 1980s and 1990s.
Loretta Young (1913–2000): Born in Salt Lake City, Utah, Loretta Young became a Hollywood icon known for her roles in films such as The Farmer’s Daughter and The Bishop’s Wife. She won an Academy Award for Best Actress.
Julianne Hough (1988–): Born in Orem, Utah, Julianne Hough is a professional dancer, actress, and singer. She gained fame as a two-time champion on Dancing with the Stars and has since appeared in films like Footloose and Safe Haven.
Maude Adams (1872–1953): Born in Salt Lake City, Utah, Maude Adams was a famous stage actress in the early 20th century, best known for playing the title role in Peter Pan. She became one of the most popular actresses of her time.
Date of Ratification of the Articles of Confederation/ Admission to the Union