#BeUTAHful

Explore the Great Outdoors

Utah’s four distinct seasons—snowy winters, mild springs, hot summers, and vibrant autumns—offer year-round opportunities to enjoy the outdoors. With an average of 222 sunny, blue-sky days each year in Salt Lake City, our state is the third driest in the U.S. Most of our water comes from the Rocky Mountain snowpack, which melts in the spring and replenishes our reservoirs.

The Great Salt Lake & the Bonneville Salt Flats

Salt Lake City's namesake, the Great Salt Lake (GSL), is the largest saline lake in the Western Hemisphere, spanning 1,700 square miles. Its shores and Antelope Island are home to a wide range of wildlife, including bison and pronghorn, and serve as a vital stopover and breeding grounds for millions of migratory birds. In response to declining water levels, local legislation and nature conservation groups have launched the GSL 2034 Charter with a $200 million commitment, aiming to restore the lake’s elevation by eight feet over the next nine years.

Just west of the lake lie the Bonneville Salt Flats—a vast, shimmering crust of salt covering over 30,000 acres. These flats are remnants of ancient Lake Bonneville, which once covered a third of Utah. Their perfectly flat surface creates stunning optical illusions and draws film studios and vehicle racers from around the world. The Bonneville International Raceway, located in the northwestern part of the conservation area, hosts annual events where motorcycles and cars reach speeds of 300 to 400 miles per hour.

The "Mighty Five" National Parks

Utah is home to five stunning national parks, all within just a few hours of the University of Utah:

• Arches National Park
• Bryce Canyon National Park
• Canyonlands National Park
• Capitol Reef National Park
• Zion National Park

In addition to the "Mighty Five" national parks, Utahns enjoy seven national monuments and numerous national historic trails, as well as the highest concentration of certified International Dark Sky Parks and Communities in the world!

Mountain Sports & Activities

Just 30 minutes from the University of Utah campus, seven world-class ski resorts offer unparalleled access, with four additional resorts located throughout the state. Utah’s legendary slopes draw skiers and snowboarders from around the globe—including elite athletes and Olympians. Salt Lake City proudly hosted the 2002 Winter Olympic Games, and the Olympic spirit will return when Utah welcomes the world again in 2034.

While Utah’s ski resorts boast the Greatest Snow on Earth® in the winter, many also offer a range of fun summer activities, including family movie nights, thrilling zip lines, decadent spa services, scenic tram rides, hikes through fields of wildflowers, and brunch with breathtaking views.

Hundreds of miles of hiking and biking trails are easily accessible from the U campus, but a short drive (or a ride on public transit) opens up countless options.  Quiet alpine lakes, beautiful aspen forests, and unbeatable views from mountain peaks reward hikers of all skill levels. 

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Indulge Your Foodie Side

There’s more than “fry sauce” … although you should definitely try this Utah condiment at least once.

Utah is consistently praised for its remarkable local food scene, as well as its award-winning craft breweries and distilleries.  In 2025 alone, eight talented Utah chefs made the James Beard Awards list of semi-finalists.  Inventive and locally-sourced cuisine, impressive beer bars, creative restaurateurs, and thoughtful sommeliers have ushered in "Utah's Food and Beverage Renaissance," earning Salt Lake City a place in the hearts of foodies around the country. 

Salt Lake City hosts bustling farmers markets in the summer and winter, featuring a variety of local produce, grains, protein, and crafts. The U also enjoys a smaller farmers market in the fall, with fresh produce grown in the campus’ two edible gardens.

Throughout the year, numerous food festivals offer opportunities to try something new, visit all corners of the state, build community, and inspire day trips for destination dining.

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Savor Art, Music & More

Utah has a rich tradition of film, music, and art that draws in and inspires people from around the world.  While the internationally-acclaimed Sundance Film Festival established its roots in Park City—a short and scenic 30-minute drive from the U campus—many Sundance films are also screened in downtown Salt Lake City during the annual event.  Two independent Salt Lake City theaters bring back many Sundance films throughout the year, along with many other documentaries and international films. 

Ballet West, the Utah Symphony, Utah Opera, and the Utah Shakespeare Festival are just a few of the performing arts treasures of the state. Professional, Broadway-caliber live theater is readily available at Pioneer Theater Company and the Eccles Theater, as well as a number of the city’s playhouses. Salt Lake City comes alive in the summer with a vibrant lineup of outdoor concert series, a multi-day arts festival, and monthly gallery strolls that showcase the city's creative spirit. From chart-topping artists to rising local stars, performances fill both indoor and outdoor venues across the city. With affordable ticket options and a wide range of musical genres, Salt Lake’s dynamic music scene offers something for every taste.

The Utah Museum of Fine Arts (UMFA), located on the U of U campus, is the state's official art museum and holds 20,000 original works. With permanent collections and temporary exhibitions, you can spend hours admiring unique pieces of art. Utah also offers numerous opportunities throughout the year to learn about and engage with the state’s vibrant population through various festivals and cultural events, including the decades-old Living Traditions Festival.

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World Travel at Your Doorstep

Located just five miles from downtown Salt Lake City, the Salt Lake City International Airport was recently named the best airport in the U.S. In its 2025 report, AirHelp ranked it first nationally and eighth globally, thanks to its punctual flight record—84% of flights depart on time—and its traveler-friendly design.

The newly constructed terminals feature bright, spacious interiors with 50-foot windows offering breathtaking views of the Wasatch Mountains.  "Ally," an Allosaurus fossil (found in 1924 by a team of University of Utah scientists at Utah's Dinosaur National Monument), welcomes visitors to Concourse B, while local dining and shopping options make the airport experience enjoyable, not stressful.

As a Delta hub, the airport offers more than 330 daily departures to 100 nonstop destinations, making Utah a perfect home base for frequent travelers.

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Paws, Claws, Feathers & Fins

Medical doctors from University of Utah Health are sometimes called upon to provide specialized veterinary care to animals at Utah’s Hogle Zoo, which is mere blocks from the U campus. Utah’s Hogle Zoo recently earned a perfect score from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums—an achievement shared by only nine other zoos nationwide. This rare distinction followed a rigorous accreditation process and highlights the zoo’s commitment to excellence in animal care, conservation, and education.

Tracy Aviary adds a soundtrack of exotic bird calls to the surrounding pathways and playgrounds of Liberty Park.  Even more finned, furry, and feathered friends can be found at the Loveland Living Planet Aquarium, approximately 20 minutes south of downtown Salt Lake City. 

If domesticated animals are more your thing, be sure to stop at the Best Friends Animal Society Sanctuary during a visit to southern Utah!

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Speak Up & Get Involved

Visitors are often surprised by Salt Lake City’s progressive, civically-engaged social justice advocates.  Free events throughout the city—planned by a wide range of organizations—foster ongoing discussions about some of the state’s and country’s most pressing issues.  The state capitol and legislators are easily accessible, enabling voters to engage lawmakers in these discussions. 

In 2015, the state passed a landmark anti-discrimination bill, protecting LGBTQ+ people from employment and housing discrimination.  The annual, multi-day Utah Pride Festival is one of the largest in the nation and often includes Utah’s openly LGBTQ elected officials, along with thousands of allies.  In 2016, Utah voters elected the first transgender U.S. Senate nominee from a major political party. 

Active cooperation and coordination between lawmakers, scholars, and residents has led to innovative approaches, such as social workers embedded in the Salt Lake Police Department.  

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Score Great Seats

Utah has fans!  The University of Utah’s football, gymnastics, basketball, swimming, and baseball teams have plenty of loyal fans.  Utahns also enjoy cheering for the state’s NBA team, the Utah Jazz; the Triple-A baseball team, the Salt Lake Bees; the Major League Soccer team, Real Salt Lake; and the new NHL ice hockey team, Utah Mammoth.

With the Salt Lake International Airport just minutes from downtown, and Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and Denver within a day’s drive, it’s easy for fans to cheer on their favorite teams at away games.