Utah is pretty much overflowing with iconic natural landmarks. From towering gorgeous arches in Arches National Park, to the desolate Bonneville Salt Flats that make it seem like you’re on the moon, Utah landmarks offer the perfect destination options for adventurous RVers.
Top Landmarks in Utah
- Arches National Park
- Bonneville Salt Flats
- Bryce Canyon National Park
- Goosenecks State Park
- Zion National Park
- Timpanogos Cave National Monument
- Canyonlands National Park
- Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument
- Capitol Reef National Park
- Valley of the Gods
Utah Landmarks
Arches National Park
Arches National Park is one of the most photographed and most recognizable national parks in the country. It’s over 100 square miles and includes over 2,000 natural sandstone arches, created by erosion. The park provides visitors with plenty of opportunities for horseback riding, climbing, canyoneering, and hiking to those iconic arches such as Delicate Arch and Balanced Rock Loop.
Attractions and Camping Nearby
Arches is located just north of Moab, Utah which has plenty of restaurants, shops, and outdoor activities. You’re also very close to Canyonlands National Park and Goosenecks State Park for more incredible views.
Some of the best camping in the area can be found in the park at Devils Garden Campground.
Bonneville Salt Flats
In the northwestern part of the state lies the Bonnerville Salt Flats. This eerie and unique landmark is over 30,000 acres large, is perfectly flat, and is covered with a layer of salty soil that looks like snow. The soil is so salty that no plants can grow there. It’s an otherworldly looking place that worth checking out if you’re heading that way. This is also where Bonneville Speedway is located, where several land speed records were set.
Attractions and Camping Nearby
The salt flats are located off I-80 west of Salt Lake City. They’re fairly remote and West Wendover in Nevada is your closest town. We recommend a day trip from Salt Lake City, so you can also see the Great Salt Lake, Temple Square, and other attractions found there.
The best place to camp in Salt Lake City is Salt Lake City KOA Holiday, which has everything you need for a comfortable stay.
Bryce Canyon National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park is home to iconic hoodoos that will blow your mind. These spire-shaped rock formations were formed over thousands of years from erosion and frost weathering, and is a great spot for hiking, stargazing, and snowshoeing in winter.
Bryce also has a fantastic network of hiking trails, many which are interconnected, that will take visitors all over the park to see its unique beauty.
Attractions and Camping Nearby
St. George, Utah and Zion National Park are nearby, along with Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. Heading south, Page, AZ is close by with Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon being other natural landmarks to explore.
Our favorite spot to park an RV when exploring Bryce Canyon is within the park at North Campground.
Goosenecks State Park
If you want to see Horseshoe Bend in Arizona, but aren’t ready to leave Utah, check out Goosenecks State Park. Located near Mexican Hat, Utah, in the southeastern corner of the state, Gooseneck State Park offers you two for one viewings of a similar style landmark.
The name “goosenecks” refers to the canyons made by the deep bends in the San Juan River, and the park is fairly undeveloped and less popular, leaving you with plenty of epic views and fewer people. Just keep in mind that there’s no river access or developed hiking trails. Additionally, no drinking water is available at the park. Bring water in and pack everything back out!
Attractions and Camping Nearby
In this corner of the state you’ll be near Monument Valley and Four Corners. You’re also right around the corner from Valley of the Gods.
You can dry camp in a specific section of Goosenecks State Park for a very low fee. This is an incredible experience that we highly recommend.
Zion National Park
Zion National Park is another one of Utah’s famous national parks, and is home to the iconic Narrows in the Zion Canyon. Hikers come from all over to wade through the Virgin River on this popular hike.
Aside from this particular trail, Zion offers fantastic hiking trails and canyoneering and climbing opportunities for visitors.
Attractions and Camping Nearby
Lake Powell is nearby with plenty of opportunities for boating, and St. George, Utah offers restaurants and shopping. While you’re in the area, consider swinging over to Bryce Canyon National Park and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument.
There are campgrounds in Zion National Park and we recommend staying in the park if at all possible. Watchman Campground is a good pick for RV campers.
Timpanogos Cave National Monument
Located just outside Salt Lake City, Timpanogos Cave National Monument is an amazing cave system in American Fork Canyon in the Wasatch Mountain range. There are 3 caves that are available for tours during the summer months, and visitors can view the flowstones, stalactites, stalagmites, and helictites that cover the interior of these caves.
Attractions and Camping Nearby
This national monument is right in-between Provo, Lehi, and Salt Lake City, so there are plenty of restaurants, shopping, and museums to explore. You’re also not too far from Park City if you want to see the Olympic Park.
As far as campgrounds go, you might enjoy staying at Great Salt Lake State Park.
Canyonlands National Park
If you’re heading to Moab, you’ll want to stop by Canyonlands National Park. Canyonlands is the largest of Utah’s 5 national parks and is full of beautiful desert landscapes such as mesas, canyons, spires and rivers.
The park is split into 4 different areas, each with their own unique landscape. Visitors can participate in a whole host of outdoor activities such as hiking, biking, rafting the rivers, horseback riding, and stargazing.
Attractions and Camping Nearby
Don’t miss Arches National Park, which is located just north of Moab. And of course there’s plenty to do in Moab itself, such as shopping, dining, hiking, and water activities.
There are a few different campgrounds in Canyonlands. Each one has something unique to offer and all are worth checking out.
Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument
Some of the most remote land in the country, Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument spans over 1 million acres of land in Utah. It’s so large and remote that it was the last bit of land in the lower 48 states to be mapped!
The national monument is split into 3 areas – the Canyons of the Escalante, the Kaiparowits Plateau, and the Grand Staircase, each with their own amazing landscape and geology. Visitors love it for its hiking trails, canyoneering opportunity and off-road and jeep trails.
Attractions and Camping Nearby
This national monument is a huge area, so depending on where you visit, you may be near Capital Reef National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, or down by Lake Powell and Page, Arizona.
There are a huge number of camping options in and around the monument, including a lot of dispersed camping spots. If you’re looking for an RV park, we recommend Canyons of Escalante RV Park.
Capitol Reef National Park
Capitol Reef National Park is known for its unique and otherworldly rock formations and landscapes. Visitors can explore iconic sites like Chimney Rock pillar, the Hickman Bridge arch, and Cathedral valley.
There’s also the Fruita Rural Historical District and Fruita valley, which was a homestead to Mormon settlers in the early 1900s and has over 200 acres of fruit trees which visitors can still pick from today.
Attractions and Camping Nearby
This national park is very remote, but it’s easily accessed by interstate highways. Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument isn’t too far away and could be a nice day trip.
Fruita Campground is located within the park and is a wonderful place to make your home base.
Valley of the Gods
Located in the southeastern corner of Utah, Valley of the Gods is a scenic area full of pinnacles and buttes, similar to the scenery of Monument Valley.
It’s located on BLM land and offers visitors opportunities to camp, bike, hike, and backpack through the gorgeous desert landscape. There’s also a 17-mile dirt and gravel road that you can drive through the area to see the isolated rock formations.
Attractions and Camping Nearby
Goosenecks State Park is just south of this area, and Monument Valley is a bit farther south in Arizona. Four Corners is a bit farther east as well.
A huge amount of dispersed camping is available in Valley of the Gods and honestly, this is the route we recommend taking when it comes to finding camping nearby.
Planning an RV Trip to Utah
As you can see, Utah is a rugged destination with so much to offer for outdoor enthusiasts and adventurers — including a breathtaking array of Utah landmarks.
Wondering what else to see while you’re there? Check out the state parks as well as all the national parks.
