What is a Landmark?
Utah is pretty much overflowing with iconic natural landmarks. From towering sandstone spires to thousands of naturally eroded arches, to desolate salt flats that make it seem like you’re on the moon, Utah is the perfect destination for adventurous RVers searching for U.S. landmarks.
What are Some Famous Landmarks in Utah?
- Arches National Park
2. Bonneville Salt Flats
3. Bryce Canyon National Park
4. Goosenecks State Park
5. Zion National Park
6. Timpanogos Cave National Monument
7. Canyonlands National Park
8. Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument
9. Capital Reef National Park
10. Valley of the Gods
Utah Landmarks
Utah is filled to the brim with amazing landmarks that you can visit, including 5 national parks! It’s hard to narrow them down, but here are 10 famous natural landmarks to start with.
1. 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.
Things to do near Arches National Park: 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. Here are some local RV rentals to check out.
2. 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.
Things to do near the Bonneville Salt Flats: 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. Make this a day trip the next time you’re near Salt Lake City.
3. Bryce Canyon National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park is the 2nd on our list of 5 national parks in Utah, and home to the iconic hoodoos. 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.
Things to do near Bryce Canyon National Park: 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. Looking for a local RV rental? We’ve got you covered with some great local options!
4. 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 fairy undeveloped and less popular, leaving you with plenty of epic views and less people. Just keep in mind that there’s no river access or developed hiking trails, and no drinking water is available at the park. So bring water in and pack everything back out!
Things to do near Goosenecks State Park: In this corner of the state you’ll be near Monument Valley, Four Corners, and south of Canyonlands National Park and Moab. You’re also right around the corner from Valley of the Gods.
5. 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.
Things to do near Zion National Park: Lake Powell is nearby with plenty of opportunities for boating, and St. George, Utah offers restaurants and shopping. And since you’re in the area, it’s easy to swing over to Bryce Canyon National Park and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. Here are some local RV rentals to check out.
6. Timpanogos Cave National Monument
Located just outside Salt Lake City, Timpanogos Cave National Monument is a 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.
Things to do near Timpanogos Cave National Monument: You’re right in-between Provo, Lehi, and Salt Lake City, so there is 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. We’ve got you covered with great local RV rentals.
7. 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.
Things to do near Canyonlands National Park: 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. Here are some great local RV rentals to check out.
8. 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.
Things to do near Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument: It’s 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.
9. Capital Reef National Park
Last but not least of the 5 Utah national parks on our list is Capital Reef National Park. 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.
Things to do near Capital Reef National Park: This national park is fairly remote, but it’s easily accessed by interstate highways. Canyonlands National Park and Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument aren’t too far away. Here are some great RV rentals to check out nearby.
10. Valley of the Gods
Located in 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.
Things to do near Valley of the Gods: Goosenecks State Park is just south of this area, and Monument Valley is farther south in Arizona. Four Corners and Mesa Verde National Park in Colorado are a bit farther east as well.
Planning an RV Trip to Utah
Utah is a rugged destination with so much to offer for outdoor enthusiasts and adventurers — including such a breathtaking array of preserved natural spaces. We’ve got plenty of info to help you enjoy your trip even more.
Here are guides to some of the best state parks in Utah, as well as all the national parks in the country. We’ve also got local guides to many of the fantastic cities in Utah. And of course, we’ve got you covered with RV rentals across the state.
