Say hello to the iconic national parks of the Wild West
Utah might not be as big as its neighbouring states, but it packs a punch. Home to five national parks – including the iconic Zion, Canyonlands and Bryce Canyon – Utah boasts an incredible range of landscapes from snow-capped peaks to sprawling red-rock mesas and colourful canyons. Join us on an unforgettable adventure to explore this rugged state with an expert local leader. Whether you fancy camping under the starry desert skies, wading through the emerald green water of the Virgin River Narrows or learning about the stories of Monument Valley with a Navajo guide, Utah is the perfect playground for lovers of the great outdoors.
With giant rock domes, staggering red cliffs and skinny slot canyons, Zion is an adventurer’s oasis. With a range of trails for hikers of all abilities and more epic views than you’ll know what to do with, Zion National Park offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get up close and personal with one of the best landscapes in the United States.
Providing the backdrop for many Western movies, Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park must be seen to be believed. Join a local Navajo guide to learn about the park's Indigenous culture and history as you admire towering sandstone formations that reach heights of up to 300 metres. Then, spend the night in a hogan, a traditional Navajo hut made of logs and earth.
Often described as a ‘forest of stone’ and a ‘cave without a roof’, Bryce Canyon's ‘hoodoos’ are nothing short of spectacular. Sure, Turkey's Cappadocia region and Australia’s Pinnacles Desert have hoodoos, but they're nothing like this. These towering red spindles have been sculpted by millions of years of erosion, and each one is unique in shape, texture and colour — ranging from bright orange to rose pink.
Utah | United States of America | Watch the sunset at Delicate Arch
There's sunset... then there's an Arches National Park sunset. Hike up to Delicate Arch — an iconic 16-metre-tall, freestanding rock formation — and watch Mother Nature paint the sky with streaks of purple, pink and orange as the sun dips below the horizon. Yes, it's busy, and yes, it’s one of the most photographed places in the park, but that's because it's breathtaking.
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Zion Glamping Adventure
Amrit Paul · Traveled April 2024
Our Zion Glamping Adventure was amazing - not just because of the unforgettable sights of Zion, Bryce and Antelope Canyon, but our leader, Indy Holmes, was fantastic. We also lucked out with the great group of people we had on our trip. This will definitely be a memorable trip.
Review submitted 23 Apr 2024
Zion Glamping Adventure
Callie · Traveled April 2024
Highly recommend this trip.!! Indy was FANTASTIC. We got to see and do SO many things in such a short trip. It was the perfect get away.
Review submitted 23 Apr 2024
Zion Glamping Adventure
Mario · Traveled April 2024
During our tour, Indy demonstrated unparalleled expertise and enthusiasm that made our experience truly exceptional. His in-depth knowledge of the sites we visited was simply astounding, providing us with fascinating insights and historical context at every turn. Not only was he incredibly informative, but his passion for the subject matter was palpable, creating an infectious energy that kept us engaged throughout the entire journey. Indy’s ability to effortlessly weave together anecdotes, facts, and local lore painted a vivid picture of the destinations we explored, leaving us with a deeper appreciation for the places we visited. Moreover, his engaging storytelling captivated our attention, making the tour both educational and entertaining. What truly set Indy apart was his genuine warmth and friendliness, making us feel not just like tourists, but like valued guests. He went above and beyond to ensure that everyone in the group felt included and attended to, fostering a sense of camaraderie among us. His professionalism and attention to detail were evident in every aspect of the tour, from the seamless logistics to the thoughtfully curated itinerary. Overall, our experience with Indy was nothing short of extraordinary, and we are immensely grateful for the memories he helped create. I wholeheartedly recommend Indy to anyone seeking an unforgettable tour experience.
Review submitted 23 Apr 2024
Zion Glamping Adventure
Mariamelia · Traveled April 2024
Indy Holmes, your leadership on the Intrepid Travel trip to Zion Park was absolutely stellar. Your passion for adventure and your deep knowledge of the park's history and geography made the journey unforgettable. Your enthusiasm not only inspired the group but also enhanced our experience, making every trail more exciting and every view more spectacular. Thank you for making our adventure truly exceptional!
Review submitted 23 Apr 2024
Zion Glamping Adventure
Julia · Traveled April 2024
This trip is a great way to see a lot of bucket list places in a short amount of time! Our guide, Indy, was the absolute best and clearly loves what he does. The days are packed and there is quite a bit of driving involved. The good hikes are not terribly long, but they are very steep at higher elevation for consideration of fitness level. Don't forget to pack: hat, sunscreen, sturdy hiking shoes, camera charger. The glamping site was super cute, comfortable, and equipped with everything you could need.
From 1 January 2023, Intrepid will no longer require travellers to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19 (excluding all Polar trips and select adventure cruises).
However, we continue to strongly recommend that all Intrepid travellers and leaders get vaccinated to protect themselves and others.
Specific proof of testing or vaccination may still be required by your destination or airline. Please ensure you check travel and entry requirements carefully.
Utah is a landlocked state in the Western United States. Its neighbouring states include Wyoming to the north, Arizona to the south, Colorado to the east and Nevada to the west.
The easiest way to get to Utah is to fly to Salt Lake City or Provo. Once you're in the state, you'll need a car if you're not joining us on a trip. Public transport is available between Salt Lake City, Ogden and Provo, but you'll struggle to travel to the state's many moments and national parks without a vehicle.
If you were to drive from California to Utah, it would take you roughly 12 hours. If you'd prefer to fly, it'll take you just under 2 hours from Los Angeles to Salt Lake City.
While Utah also has a good bus and train system between Salt Lake City, Ogden and Provo, you'll struggle to get around if you want to venture further.
Joining a tour or driving is the way to go as you'll be able to see way more. Driving around Utah is fairly straightforward as major highways are easy to navigate and well-maintained.
Utah has a dry, semi-arid and desert climate. This means summers are very hot (although it's a dry heat as humidity is very low) and winters are cold. In fact, Utah is one of the driest states in the USA. Despite the desert-like climate, Utah still experiences four distinct seasons with heavy snowfall in the north.
What to pack for Utah depends on what time of the year you're travelling in. Regardless of the season, there are some items you should always pack.
Some of these items include sensible and comfortable walking shoes (most likely, you'll be doing a lot of hiking during your time in Utah), a sun hat or cap, and some sunscreen (especially in summer).
If you're travelling in winter, pack trousers, sweaters, waterproof jackets, and thick coats to keep yourself warm.
The best time to visit Utah is generally in May, September or October as you'll avoid large crowds and extreme temperatures. However, with four distinct seasons and lots of activities on offer, it really depends on the type of trip you want to have.
Utah has a dry, semi-arid and desert climate with sizzling summers that often exceed 38°C and freezing winters — particularly in northern Utah which gets an average of 13 metres of snow per year. However, as one of the driest states due to low humidity, the heat and cold are more palatable than other states.
Most of Utah's national parks have reception areas or tourist hubs where wi-fi access is available. However, if you're hiking through the parks or you've stopped at a high-altitude viewpoint, you probably won't be able to get mobile data coverage.
Yes, all Intrepid trips support the Intrepid Foundation. Trips to this country directly support our global Intrepid Foundation partners Eden Reforestation Projects and World Bicycle Relief. Intrepid will double the impact by dollar-matching all post-trip donations made to The Intrepid Foundation.
Eden Reforestation Projects
Eden Reforestation Projects are helping to mitigate climate change by restoring forests worldwide; they also hire locally and create job opportunities within vulnerable communities. Donations from our trips support restoration across planting sites in 10 countries around the globe.
World Bicycle Relief provides people in low-income communities with bicycles to mobilise school kids, health workers, and farmers in far-out areas – giving them access to vital education, healthcare, and income. Donations help provide Buffalo Bicycles – specifically designed to withstand the rugged terrain and harsh environment of rural regions – to those who need them most.