If I had to compile a list of my favorite states, Utah would be in my top three. In fact, the state, which borders Colorado, Arizona, Idaho, Wyoming and Nevada, is among my favorite places in the world. Perhaps it’s the fascinating topography, all the incredible outdoor activities, or the quaint small towns that make Utah such a fun place to visit, but there is something about it that has claimed a place in my heart.
Having visited Utah many times, the state has a way of leaving a lasting impression. But it took working there and getting to know lifelong Utah to really understand the state.
The state is known for much more than its national parks that draw millions of visitors each year. If you’re wondering “what is Utah famous for?”, crack open a Mountain Dew and get ready for my hot take on this intriguing state.
Our family standing under Delicate Arch, an interesting rock formation and one of the things Utah is famous for.
What is Utah Famous For?
From the capital of Salt Lake City, one of the most underrated cities in the United States, to the scenic byways and rugged landscapes, Utah is an enchanting vacation destination. Whether you’re planning a winter ski trip or a summer hike or simply want to learn more about the state, we’ve compiled a list of the top things Utah is famous for.
Skiing and Winter Sports
Utah has more than a dozen ski resorts, making it a premier destination for winter sports.
Utah is renowned for its world-class skiing and snowboarding. Much like the family-friendly ski resorts in Colorado, you’ll find more than a dozen mountain resorts with ski runs designed for those of any skill level.
The state is practically a paradise for winter sport enthusiasts, thanks to its easy accessibility to the mountains and reliable climate. Utah’s famous for having some of the “Greatest Snow on Earth” which is generally light, dry, and powdery.
The Mormon temple in Salt Lake City is a towering centerpiece for the city.
Utah is the headquarters for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. In the mid-1800s, members of the church, commonly referred to as Mormons, journeyed across the United States, under the leadership of a man named Brigham Young. The settlers thought the remote location would provide a safe place where they wouldn’t face religious persecution or outward interference.
Over the years, the LDS church grew rapidly, thanks in part to their belief in evangelism and missionary work. As the center of Mormon culture, many Mormons have moved to the state. Today, at least half of the state’s population identifies as Mormon.
As you’ll see further down on this list of things Utah is famous for, the LDS Church continues to have a strong influence on many aspects of life in Utah.
National Parks
Utah has 5 national parks, ranking third among states with the most national parks.
If you love touring national parks, Utah is a must-visit destination. The state is home to five designated national parks, collectively known as the “Mighty Five.”
Each of the parks is so distinct and different that it is worth carving out a few days in each if exploring Utah as part of a Southwest USA road trip.
Arches National Park is famed for its natural sandstone arches, including the famous Delicate Arch while neighboring Canyonlands National Park features desert views and dramatic canyons.
Capitol Reef National Park is one of Utah’s lesser-known parks. Its canyons and ridges are evidence that the area was once at the bottom of a body of water that evaporated long ago, leaving behind a reef that is now dried up.
In Southern Utah you have Bryce Canyon National Park, known for its tall, thin spires of rock that jut up across the horizon, and the famous Zion National Park. Zion was Utah’s first national park. VisitingZion with kids is a worthy and memorable vacation thanks to its many family-friendly hikes like The Narrows.
Slot Canyons
Willis Creek Slot Canyon is just one of Utah’s impressive slot canyons.
Within the national parks and even outside of them, Utah has so many incredible natural wonders. Among those wonders are the state’s glorious slot canyons. These narrow, winding passages carved out by water over millions of years are found primarily in the southern part of the state.
Utah has the largest concentration of slot canyons in the world. There are estimated to be more than one thousandslot canyons in Utah that draw hikers and photographers eager to take in the beauty of the unique topography.
Popular slot canyons like The Narrows in Zion National Park and Peek-a-Boo and Spooky Gulch in the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument showcase Utah’s distinct geology.
Exploring slot canyons often involves hiking, scrambling, turning sideways to squeeze through the narrowest parts of some passages, or even wading through water. But it all adds to the uniqueness of the adventure.
Bizarre Rock Formations
Bryce Canyon has the largest concentration of hoodoos in the world.
Slot canyons aren’t the only natural rock formations the state is famous for. Utah has been sculpted over millions of years by the forces of erosion, weathering, and tectonic activity resulting in some of the most striking landscapes unlike anywhere else in the world.
A hike to the massive, free-standing Delicate Arch in Arches National Park is one of the best things to do around the Moab area to see one of the state’s most famous rock formations.
But Arches isn’t the only national park brimming with unique natural rock formations. Utah’s Bryce Canyon is the hoodoo capital of the world. Its spiraling, thin towers of rock resemble a scene you’d expect on another planet or in another world.
The state’s rugged natural beauty not only piques the interest of geologists but draws millions of tourists each year who are eager to wander around Utah’s unusual topography.
The Great Salt Lake and Salt Flats
The Great Salt Lake forms white crystals on the shore thanks to the high salinity of the water. | Photo by Mick Haupt from Unsplash
Another one of Utah’s phenomenal claims to fame is the Great Salt Lake. Located on the edge of Salt Lake City, the lake is the largest saltwater lake in the Western Hemisphere.
Its high salinity is a result of being a terminal lake with no outlets. It supports only a few forms of life, such as brine shrimp and algae.
Surrounding the lake are expansive salt flats, including the famously beautiful Bonneville Salt Flats – another otherworldly landmark that Utah is famous for.
Olympic Games
Resorts like Deer Valley and Park City hosted winter Olympic events.
Utah hosted the Winter Olympic Games in 2002, marking a significant moment in the state’s history. As a premier destination for winter sports, ski resorts such as Park City, Snowbasin, and Deer Valley, offered ideal venues for the many winter games.
Prior to the Olympics, Utah made significant investments, building facilities to support the events and house the athletes and spectators. You can visit the Utah Olympic Park and even take a bucket-list worthy ride on the Olympic bobsledding course to experience an Olympic-sized thrill.
The 2002 games were such a success that Utah is set to host the Olympics again in 2034.
Sundance Film Festival
Sundance Film Festival is a Utah bucket list experience for cinema lovers. | Photo by Scott Greer from Unsplash
The Olympics isn’t the only famous event that Utah is known for. The state also hosts the Sundance Film Festival each year at the small but swanky Sundance Mountain Resort.
The world-famous event is one of the most prestigious independent film festivals in the world. Founded by actor and director Robert Redford, the festival showcases films from emerging and established creators.
Every January, industry professionals, celebrities, and film enthusiasts gather to see a lineup of films, ranging from documentaries to feature-length dramas, shorts, and experimental projects.
Celebrities
Perhaps in part due to the Sundance Film Festival, Utah has become a sought-after retreat for celebrities. The state is not only home to Robert Redford, who owns property in Sundance, but other celebrities like Post Malone, Katherine Heigel, Will Smith, and Jewel have homes in Utah.
The state’s ski resorts also draw rich and famous visitors to Utah, as they offer year-round natural beauty and outdoor fun.
Family Vloggers and Social Media Influencers
Family vloggers like the Ninja Kidz have made millions making YouTube videos.
Perhaps on a smaller level of fame than Hollywood A-listers, Utah has produced a shocking number of “internet celebrities” who have amassed huge followings on platforms like YouTube and Instagram, documenting their daily lives and the lives of their families.
My Utah friends who were born and raised in the state say this trend of family vloggers and influencers is rooted in Mormon culture in a few ways. One, genealogy and family history is important in the LDS Church and Mormon families are encouraged to document their life.
Secondly, the Mormon church is a bit old-school when it comes to gender roles, and there is a strong emphasis on a woman’s primary role being a mother and homemaker. However, these innovative women naturally found ways to make an income and build profitable businesses online while still serving in the stay-at-home mom role – documenting their homelife and putting out content for the world to see.
Indigenous Heritage
Petroglyphs found in Utah. | Photo by Alex Moliski from Unsplash
Before Mormon settlers made their way to Utah in the 1800s, the area was home to several indigenous tribes that called the land home for thousands of years.
The Ute, Navajo, Paiute, Goshute, and Shoshone tribes have all left their mark on Utah – both culturally and literally. In Arches National Park, you’ll find ancient petroglyphs and pictographs still carved into the sandstone rock.
Other fascinating archaeological sites like Nine Mile Canyon in central Utah, is home to even more rock art left behind by ancient tribes. Often referred to as the “world’s longest art gallery,” Nine Mile Canyon is believed to be the most extensive collection of ancient petroglyphs in North America.
Dinosaur Fossils
Dinosaur National Monument is just one of the places in Utah where you can learn about the prehistoric history of the land. | Photo by Danny Grizzle from Unsplash
Long before even the indigenous tribes claimed the land, Utah seemed to be a Jurassic playground where prehistoric giants once roamed.
The state boasts one of the richest fossil records in the world. With layers of exposed rock dating back to the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods, so many well-preserved dinosaur fossils have been discovered in the state.
Visitors can explore sites like Dinosaur National Monument, located in northeastern Utah, or the Cleveland-Lloyd Dinosaur Quarry in central Utah, where fossils, including Allosaurus remains have been found.
Beehives
Utah is known as the “Beehive State,” but it isn’t because the state is a sanctuary for pollinators. The nickname actually reflects the early Mormon settlers’ emphasis on industry, hard work, and community – similar to the way a hive of bees collectively acts.
The beehive is a symbol of the cooperative labor needed to create a thriving community.
While you shouldn’t expect to find beekeepers selling homemade honey, you will see beehives on the state flag, seal, and various monuments as it has become a beloved part of the state’s identity.
Strict Alcohol Laws
Although Utah has plenty of breweries, the state still has some of the strictest alcohol laws in the country.
Utah is known for its strict alcohol laws, shaped by the influence of the predominantly Mormon population, which traditionally abstains from alcohol.
The state requires only low-point beer to be sold in grocery stores or convenience stores. Any beverage containing more than 4.0 percent alcohol by weight (5.0 percent by volume) must be sold in liquor stores or specific clubs and restaurants that are licensed to sell it.
The state also has a lower legal blood alcohol limit for drivers (0.05% compared to the national standard of 0.08%) and limits the hours for which you can purchase alcohol.
Despite the strict laws, the state does have a decent craft brewery scene, and as the state’s religious dynamics change, there have been efforts to change or loosen the restrictions.
Soda Shops
Another way in which the Mormon religion has shaped Utah’s social and economic landscape is the presence of soda shops. Devout Mormons must follow a health code which prohibits them from drinking coffee or tea. For some reason, soda is a completely acceptable alternative.
So, on the average street corner where you would typically find a coffee shop, a small soda shop often stands in its place. Although you can still find plenty of coffee shops in Utah, soda shops, like Swig and Sodalicious, have become a quirky cultural phenomenon.
These specialty beverage chains have recently started expanding outside of the state as well, selling customizable sodas with creative mix-ins such as flavored syrups, creams, and fruit as well as sparkling water drinks and even sweet treats.
Forrest Gump Hill
Standing in the middle of the road on Forrest Gump Hill.
A surprising favorite area of Utah for us, the remote Monument Valley in the far southeast corner of Utah is about as desolate as areas of the United States come. But this isolated area was once the filming location for one of the most iconic scenes in one of the most famous movies of all time.
Located on Route 163 near Monument Valley, an unassuming hill was made famous by the 1994 film Forrest Gump. In one of the most memorable scenes in the movie, Forrest, played by Tom Hanks, ended a cross-country run at this picturesque stretch of road, declaring, “I’m pretty tired… I think I’ll go home now.”
From atop the hill, now known as Forrest Gump Hill, you get a beautiful view of Monument Valley’s towering red rock formations and the surrounding desert.
Visitors, us included, often recreate the famous scene by standing in the middle of the road which seems to go on endlessly.
Lake Powell
Lake Powell is a popular vacation spot in the southwest for water activities. | Photo by Emanuela Meli from Unsplash
Another of the things Utah is famous for is its most popular recreational body of water – Lake Powell. The man-made reservoir straddles the border of Utah and Arizona and is one of the most visited landmarks in Utah.
Created by the construction of the Glen Canyon Dam on the Colorado River, the large lake is known for its clear blue waters with numerous inlets surrounded by red cliffs, making it a popular destination for boating, fishing, and jet skiing.
Last, but certainly not least, Utah has earned a reputation in recent years for its entrepreneurial spirit, particularly in the tech industry.
The growing number of tech startups around the Salt Lake City area are often referred to as the “Silicon Slopes” or “Utah’s Silicon Valley”.
The state’s startup ecosystem is fueled by a strong education system, a supportive business climate, and access to venture capital for those looking to start their own business.
This may also be somewhat driven by the Mormon religion, which prides itself in international missions, which in turn has made many members of the church more adaptable in real-life scenarios, multi-lingual, and well-versed in different cultures – all of which are great attributes to have when building a business.
Other Things Utah is Famous For
Inspiration Point in Bryce Canyon National Point is one of the most famous Utah landmarks for sweeping views of the hoodoos.
Famous People from Utah: Derek and Julianne Hough (dancer), Donny and Marie Osmond (singers), Chrissy Teigen (television host), Roseanne Barr (comedian)
Famous Utah Landmarks: Delicate Arch (Arches National Park), Angel’s Landing (Zion National Park), Lake Powell, Temple Square, Monument Valley, Bonneville Salt Flats, Rainbow Bridge National Monument, Inspiration Point (Bryce Canyon National Park)
Movies Filmed in Utah: Forrest Gump, The Sandlot, Thelma and Louise, Independence Day, Indian Jones and The Last Crusade
Do you have any questions or comments about any of these fascinating things Utah is famous for? We’d love to hear from you! Leave your thoughts in the comments below.
Like it? Pin this list of things Utah is known for to save it for later!
