National Parks

5 Stunning Utah State Parks Without the National Park Crowds

These underrated superstars are the perfect alternative—and addition—to Utah’s popular “mighty five”.
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Utah state parks are all-too-often overlooked. After all, it’s hard to imagine a visit to the state's spellbinding desert landscape without a plan to visit its national parks. But in a region so dizzyingly saturated in geological wonders, the “mighty five”—as Arches, Canyonlands, Bryce Canyon, Capital Reef, and Zion are collectively known—are just the tip of the iceberg in Utah; merely the teaser. Look a little further and you’ll find lesser known but equally amazing state parks and national monuments throughout Utah, all part of a list that keeps growing with additions like the new Utahraptor State Park.

For your next Utah adventure, break off the well-worn path and make a detour to these Utah state parks. Fewer crowds and vast wildernesses seemingly to yourself are among the perks; most of the state parks are also dog-friendly (check the Utah State Parks site for details). (As for the winter months, check out the best skiing in Utah, here).

Keep in mind that most of southern Utah is a desert, so wherever you go, always travel with a full tank of gas, and plenty of water, food, and sunscreen. In warmer months, aim for early morning hikes, as daytime temps can quickly soar into 100-degree-plus territory.

This article has been updated with new information since its original publish date.

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Trek into red rock slot canyons or go canyoneering in Utah's Goblin Valley State Park.

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Goblin Valley State Park

Not far from Capitol Reef National Park, Goblin Valley is known for its Mars-like wild sandstone formations, and is one of just three places in the world deemed so similar to the red planet that NASA has a training facility there. “You’ll feel like you’re walking on another planet,” says Christopher Hagedorn of Get in the Wild Adventures, the only outfitter with permits to operate inside the park. Opt for their two-hour canyoneering loop to the Goblin’s Lair, trekking into red rock slot canyons before a rappel into the Chamber of Basilisk, a gothic-like cathedral of red and brown sandstone. You can also set out for hikes on your own, like the easy Three Sisters loop trail with a mild elevation gain and mesmerizing views over the park’s goblin-like features, and the advanced Little Wild Horse Canyon, a good choice for those wanting an introduction to technical and non-technical canyoneering.

Where to stay: You can camp at Goblin Valley, but if you'd rather have a plush bed than a sleeping bag, head an hour west to Cougar Ridge in Torrey, where you can fire up the grill at your own private casita, sip a cold beer, and reminisce on the jaw-dropping sights of your day.

Walk along ancient lava trails and check out fossils at Escalante Petrified Forest, arguably one of the most underrated Utah state parks.

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Escalante Petrified Forest State Park

Located between Bryce Canyon and Capitol Reef national parks, Escalante Petrified Forest is among the most underrated, surprising, and all-around best Utah state parks for escaping the crowds. Angelica Ramirez-Alvarado, a professional mountain biker and manager of REI’s store in Farmington, Utah, recommends the park for hiking, a wealth of technical routes for rock climbers, and mountain biking, naturally. Hike winding trails, like the one-mile Petrified Forest loop through ancient lava trails, and check out petrified dinosaur bones and shell fossils at the visitors center. Escalante encompasses a pretty reservoir that’s also popular for canoeing, paddle boarding, and fishing, all of which are especially excellent in warmer months when the region’s hot desert temps crest 100 degrees.

Where to stay in Escalante Petrified Forest State Park: Camping is available, but it’s hard to beat the stylish and super comfy Escalante Yurts with breakfast included—this basecamp is just a short drive to more outdoor adventures at Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument.

The views at San Rafael Swell Recreation Area easily explain the park's nickname: the Little Grand Canyon.

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San Rafael Swell Recreation Area

West of Arches and Canyonlands national parks, the 2,800-square-mile “Swell” is essentially a sprawling geological upheaval defined by deep canyons and buttes, brightly colored bands of eroded sandstone, and massive stone plates tilted upright. “Picture the Grand Canyon,” says Ramirez-Alvarado of the view from the San Rafael Wedge into a gorge and unmistakable doppelganger for the national park dubbed the Little Grand Canyon. The upside to the experience here is that you can also bike, set up a tent nearby, and bring your dog. Hit the scenic Goodwater Rim Trail, which hugs the Wedge the entire time, or come in springtime to float the San Rafael River’s class I-II rapids. This is an isolated Bureau of Land Management (BLM) area with no access to potable water, so be sure to come prepared no matter when you visit.

Where to stay in San Rafael Swell Recreation Area: If you prefer to rough it at bedtime, consider just about anywhere fair game to pitch a tent—as it goes on BLM grounds—or settle into a simple cabin at the nearby Big Mountain Lodge.

Stargazers won't want to miss Kodachrome Basin State Park—though the landscapes, filled with colorful hoodoos and stone formations, are just as dazzling by day.

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Kodachrome Basin State Park

Utah is home to more than 20 International Dark Sky Parks—more than any other state in the U.S.—and Kodachrome Basin State Park is one of its most recent additions. The park’s remoteness, high elevation, and low humidity lend to its especially dark skies, making it a superb place to spot the Milky Way. And for stargazers, the best time to visit is arguably in summer, when nighttime lows drop into the 50s. By day, the dramatic colors for which Kodachrome Basin was named back in 1948 by the National Geographic Society shine through on the park’s six hiking trails. Bike or hike the 2.9-mile Panorama loop and vista point with views over the park’s unusual stone formations, which are similar to the hoodoos that define nearby Bryce Canyon National Park. Or, see these chimney-like spires up close while hiking the easy Mossy Cave Trail to a natural grotto.

Where to stay near Kodachrome Basin State Park: For lodging options outside of the park, go to Stone Canyon Inn for a farm-to-table feast or Yonder Escalante for your own private airstream or cabin.

At Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park, travelers can sandboard, rip up dunes on ATV tours, and bed down at dog-friendly campsites.

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Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park

East of Zion National Park, the stunning monochromatic sands of Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park feel an entire world away. “We have a lot of red sand and brown sand in southern Utah,” says Hagedorn, “but these dunes are particularly interesting for their unique coral color.” Plan a visit in the spring or fall, when the summer heat hasn’t totally cooked the dunes, and explore the Sand Highway from your own off-highway vehicle (OHV) or on guided Coral Pink ATV Tours. With no formal trails, this Utah state park is also a great place to let loose on a sea of wide-open pink dunes with sandboards and sleds (available to rent onsite). After all that, if you’re still itching for a hike, hit up the 1.5-mike Toadstool hike in nearby Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument to see the mushroom-like rock formations that give the trail its name.

Where to stay in Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park: Camping at the park is dog friendly but dog owners can’t resist the pull of trendy Best Friends Roadhouse and Mercantile in Kanab, where pups enjoy a fenced dog park, washing stations, and in-room pet beds.