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The state parks in Utah often get overlooked because of the amazing Utah national parks. However that doesn’t mean that you should skip them! In fact if you love the outdoors and Utah itself, then you absolutely should check them out.

Several of these state parks made the list of places to visit in Utah that aren’t national parks. If you are looking for less crowds and hidden gems then make sure that you add these best state parks in Utah to your list.

Visiting the Utah State Parks

As Utah is a large state, in order to visit these state parks in Utah, you will need to rent a car. Additionally, each of the state parks has a fee to visit. You can buy an annual pass which is definitely the best value if you plan to spent a lot of time in the state parks. The annual pass is cheaper if you live in Utah so make sure to have your ID. You can visit the state parks website for more information regarding fees.

Additionally, Utah state parks allow dogs which is a big perk if you are traveling with your furry friend. There are a few things pets might not be able to do in the parks, but for the most part, they are good to go!

Importantly, when you visit these state parks in Utah, make sure to practice “Leave No Trace” which consists of 7 principles:

• Plan ahead and prepare
• Hike and camp on durable surfaces
• Dispose of waste properly
• Leave what you find
• Minimize campfire impacts
• Respect wildlife
• Be considerate of other visitors

Dead Horse Point State Park

Location: Moab, UT
Closest Airport: CNY
Nearby Points of Interest: Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park

Far from a hidden gem, Dead Horse Point gets a lot of its visitors due to proximity to Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park. In fact, you pass the entrance to Dead Horse Point State Park one your way to the Island in the Sky area of Canyonlands.

You may be wondering about the name, because it sounds a bit grotesque. There are many legends about the reason behind the name, however taken directly from the park website:

“According to one legend, around the turn of the century the point was used as a corral for wild mustangs roaming the mesa top. Cowboys rounded up these horses, herded them across the narrow neck of land and onto the point. The neck, which is only 30-yards-wide, was then fenced off with branches and brush. This created a natural corral surrounded by precipitous cliffs straight down on all sides, affording no escape.

Cowboys then chose the horses they wanted and let the culls or broomtails go free. One time, for some unknown reason, horses were left corralled on the waterless point where they died of thirst within view of the Colorado River, 2,000 feet below“.

Yikes.

Regardless of the tales, it is still a beautiful state park to visit. It is also recognized as an International Dark Sky Park in 2016, making it a great place to stargaze. 

Dead Horse Point State Park has campgrounds and 9 yurts that can be reserved up to 4 months in advance. There are several trails within the park with gorgeous views of the rims. The park is best visited during golden hour (around sunrise and sunset) and it does get very hot in the summertime.

Snow Canyon State Park

Location: Ivins, UT
Closest Airport: SGU
Nearby Points of Interest: Zion National Park, Cedar Breaks National Monument

I am convinced that Snow Canyon State Park would be a national park if it wasn’t located just an hour from Zion National Park. It is absolutely stunning.

Despite the name “Snow Canyon”, it’s not often you will actually see snow there. Instead the park was actually originally named Dixie State Park. Later it was renamed for Lorenzo and Erastus Snow, prominent pioneering Utah leaders.

Snow Canyon State Park has campsites that can be reserved up to 4 months in advance. There are quite a few areas to explore in the park, including one of the more accessible slot canyons in Utah, Jenny’s Canyon.

Bear Lake State Park

Location: Located on the border with the beautiful lake-sharing land in the states of Utah and Idaho.
Closest Airport: SLC
Nearby Points of Interest: Garden City, Logan Canyon Scenic Byway

Bear Lake State Park sits right on the Utah-Idaho border, offering up some of the bluest waters you’ll ever see, making it one of the best state parks in Utah.

It’s like the Caribbean decided to take a vacation in the Rockies, with the lake stretching out for over 109 miles.

Plus, there’s a mystery vibe about the lake with a creature reported to be lurking beneath the surface, kind of like its very own Loch Ness Monster.

During your visit, get out onto the water and rent some water gear from Sea-Doos to kayaks.

But that’s not all. Take a quick hike to Bloomington Lake for some awesome views, or explore Minnetonka Cave for a cool underground adventure.

Afterward, head to Garden City and enjoy some of the best shakes at Bear Lake Raspberry Shakes.

Goblin Valley State Park

Location: Green River, UT
Closest Airport: CNY
Nearby Points of Interest: Little Wild Horse Canyon, Capitol Reef

Goblin Valley is located in central Utah not too far south of I-70. It is a popular addition to a Utah Mighty 5 road trip as a connector between the national parks near Moab and Capitol Reef. This is also one of the first state parks we visited when we moved here.

Not surprising given the name, the park is covered with sandstone goblins and formations and is often compared to Mars. Goblin Valley State Park is also home to one of my personal favorite state park hikes – the hike to Goblin’s Lair. This is 3 miles round trip and rated as easy but well worth your trek.

Goblin Valley State Park has campsites and 2 yurts that can be reserved up to 4 months in advance. It is important to note that there is limited parking within Goblin Valley so going at off peak times can help prevent you having to wait to get in the park. Goblin Valley is also recognized as an International Dark Sky Park, making it a great place to stargaze. 

Antelope Island State Park

Location: Situated within the Great Salt Lake in Utah
Closest Airport: SLC
Nearby Points of Interest: Salt Lake City, Great Salt Lake Shorelands Preserve

Antelope Island State Park is one of Utah’s best-kept secrets. So, imagine curising along the causeway, with the Great Salt Lake sparkling on both sides as you enjoy an island paradise.

Located near Salt Lake City, it’s the perfect place to go to escape the hustle and bustle of the city.

After all, this Utah hidden gem is brimming with jaw-dropping scenery that includes rolling hills, free-roaming bison, and stunning sunsets.

Also, if you enjoy hiking then hop on the Lakeside Trail or tackle Buffalo Point, a short hike with huge rewards that offers some cool shots of bison.

It’s one of the best state parks in Utah for biking, hiking, bird-watching, or visiting the bison.

So pack some snacks, grab your pals, and make some memories at one of the best state parks in Utah.

Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park

Location: Kanab, UT
Closest Airport: SGU
Nearby Points of Interest: Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park

Coral Pink Sand Dunes is one of those parks I actually drove by a handful of times before visiting for the first time. Finally went I visited, I went twice in the same weekend as it was much cooler than I anticipated.

However I want to set the expectations appropriately. The sand is orange. It does turn pink(ish) with sunset but don’t picture pink in your head.

Coral Pink Sand Dunes sits in between Mt. Carmel and Kanab which makes it a good addition if you are visiting the national parks in southwest Utah. 90% of the sand dunes in the park are open to OHV and all are open to humans for scrambling and playing.

Check out this post if you are looking for other things to do in Kanab on your visit.

There are campsites available in Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park that can be booked up to 4 months in advance. Additionally if you don’t want to pay the fee for the state park, there is a turn off before the park entrance where you can still see sand dunes (just not the biggest ones) but you will still get the idea.

Red Fleet State Park

Location: Located just outside the charming town of Vernal in northeastern Utah
Closest Airport: VEL
Nearby Points of Interest: the Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area, Dinosaur National Monument

Located amidst the rugged grandeur of Utah’s wilderness lies the iconic Red Fleet State Park. It is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts and explorers.

This gem proudly stands as one of the best state parks in Utah, showcasing unrivaled beauty and adventure.

Tucked away just outside the charming town of Vernal, this park has a jaw-dropping landscape painted in hues of fiery red, with towering sandstone cliffs and the serene waters of the Red Fleet Reservoir adding to this spot’s ethereal beauty.

Here, adventure awaits around every bend. Try the Dinosaur Trackway Trail, where the ancient footprints of these creatures lay frozen in time. You can also spend lazy afternoons boating, fishing, or soaking in the splendor of nature.

And let’s not forget the rich tapestry of history woven into the fabric of this place, with petroglyphs etched into the canyon walls by the indigenous peoples who once called this land home.

Whether you’re chasing sunsets across the horizon or marveling at the wonders of the past, Red Fleet State Park embodies the spirit of the American frontier, inviting adventurers from all walks of life to come and experience the untamed beauty of the West.

It’s no wonder why this park stands as a shining beacon among Utah’s natural treasures, beckoning travelers to forge their own path and discover the magic that awaits within its boundless expanse.

Kodachrome Basin State Park

Location: Cannonville, UT
Closest Airport: CDC
Nearby Points of Interest: Grosvenor Arch, Mossy Cave, Bryce Canyon

Kodachrome Basin is the state park I visited most recently and is definitely more of a hidden gem in Utah than the first state parks listed. It is not far from Bryce Canyon National Park and can easily be included on a trip that includes this park.

If you are visiting on limited time, you could drive through the park on the main scenic drive and hike Angel’s Palace Trail, an easy trail with large, sweeping views. With more time, you could also explore nearby Grosvenor Arch which is located outside the park.

There are campsites available in Kodachrome Basin State Park that can be booked up to 4 months in advance. Kodachrome Basin is also recognized as an International Dark Sky Park, making it a great place to stargaze. 

Best Utah State Parks FAQs

1. What are the Best Parks to See in Utah?

The best parks to see in Utah are known as the Mighty Five and are:

• Arches National Park (Moab)
• Capitol Reef National Park (Torrey)
• Zion National Park (Springdale)
• Bryce Canyon National Park (Bryce)
• Canyonlands National Park (Moab)

2. What are the Top Three National Parks in Utah?

The top three national parks in Utah are:

• Zion National Park
• Bryce National Park
• Arches National Park

3. What is the Least Visited National Park in Utah?

Capitol Reef National Park is Utah’s least-visited national park. Visiting is like stumbling upon a hidden treasure with minimal crowds and a lot of tranquility.

4. What is the Most Popular State Park in Utah?

The most popular state parks in Utah are:

• Deer Creek State Park with 587,053 visitors
• Wasatch Mountain State Park with 574,185 visitors
• Willard Bay State Park with 540,910 visitors
• Bear Lake State Park with 539,173 visitors
• Goblin Valley State Park with 408,342 visitors

Best Utah State Parks

The state parks in Utah are incredibly impressive and less popular than the Utah Mighty 5. If you are planning to do one of the many scenic drives in Utah, you should certainly add these to your road trip list.

You May Also Enjoy These Posts:

• Driving the Cathedral Valley Loop
• Best Hikes in Utah
• Epic things to do in Utah
• 21 Places to Visit in Utah that aren’t National Parks
• Visiting the Utah Mighty 5 National Parks

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