travel pass utah

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18 Attractions. One Amazing Price.

The salt lake connect attractions pass, 18 of salt lake's best attractions. one pass. one awesome price..

Experience some or all of the coolest things to see and do in and around Salt Lake, and then some! The Connect Pass gets you into 18 of Northern Utah’s most popular attractions, all at huge savings. Flexible? Absolutely! Sold in 1-day , 2-day and a 365-day option , you can design and plan your stay whether you’re here for a couple nights, a week or plan on making a few trips to Utah’s capital city this year. Click on "Learn More" to see what's included with each Salt Lake Connect Attractions Pass

See One. See them all. 

With more and more Connect Pass venues opening, now is the time to explore and experience Salt Lake’s most popular attractions. Here are the basics of the Salt Lake Connect Attractions Pass:

• 18 attractions at 14 venues in and around the Salt Lake area
• Sold in increments of 1-, 2-, and 365-day increments (adult or child) 
• Saves over 60% on regularly-priced admission of attractions 
• Good for one admission to each attraction during timeframe purchased (activated on initial use)
• Purchase, share and track your Pass usage from your smartphone
• Some attractions offer Pass holders special discounts for optional add-on experiences as well as exclusive offers for nearby restaurants and services
• Use the  map  to plan your trip to get the most out of your Pass

If you have more questions, check out our Connect Pass FAQ to see the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions

PLEASE BE ADVISED: The Connect Pass is a nonrefundable product. Please see our FAQ for additional information or email [email protected]  

How it Works

1. buy the option that works best for you..

The Connect Attractions Pass is offered in a 1-day, 2-day, 3-day, or 365-day option. It provides one visit at each of the 18 great attractions included. The 365-day pass is activated at purchase, all others are activated upon first use, within 90-days of purchase.

2. Delivered to your phone via email or text

Your pass will be instantly delivered to your phone via text and email and is ready to use immediately! There are no apps to download! Your pass can be saved to your phone's home screen for easy one-tap access.

3. Present your pass for admission

When visiting a venue simply present the pass on your phone to redeem your admission.  

The Salt Lake Connect Pass

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Clark planetarium.

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Natural History Museum of Utah at the Rio Tinto Center

As Utah's state museum of natural history, this top attraction provides an introduction to the science found…

Red Butte Garden - Utah's Botanical Garden

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Aerial Tram at Snowbird

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Ashton Gardens at Thanksgiving Point

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Butterfly Biosphere

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Museum of Natural Curiosity

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The Leonardo Museum of Creativity and Innovation

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This Is The Place Heritage Park

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Tracy Aviary

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Utah Museum of Fine Arts

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Utah's Hogle Zoo

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Book a Spring Ski Vacation at Alta Lodge

Save 25% with utah ski rental promo code for cottonwood resorts, family value package, 20% exclusive ski utah discount at hyatt place provo, spring break in park city, just outside canyons village in park city - save 25% on ski & snowboard rentals, $99 spring lift tickets, stay four nights, get one free during the rest of deer valley’s ski season, save 25% off on ski and snowboard rental packages.

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Activity Passes That Bundle Utah’s Top Attractions Into Affordable Packages

Jun 11, 2019, 4:19 PM | Updated: Feb 7, 2023, 11:18 am

BY SLOAN SCHRAGE, KSL TV

Picturing the family in Utah this summer has become easier and possibly more affordable. Several activities passes are promising to save families money by bundling Utah adventures into a single pass.

VISIT SALT LAKE CONNECT PASS https://www.visitsaltlake.com/things-to-do/visit-salt-lake-connect-pass/

The Visit Salt Lake Connect Pass is the ticket to 16 big adventures including Discovery Gateway, the Natural History Museum of Utah, Hogle Zoo, Clark Planetarium, This is the Place Heritage Park, Utah Museum of Fine Arts and Snowbird’s Aerial Tram, among others.

On its website, Visit Salt Lake says its Connect Pass can save passholders between 50% and 80% on regular admission.

Travel writer Allison Laypath of the blog, “Tips for Family Trips”, says its flexibility makes this pass an affordable option for families.

“You can purchase (a pass) for one day, or a few days or an entire year and the pricing structure will be different,” Laypath explained. “So, it really depends on your plans.

A one-day Visit Salt Lake Connect pass runs $30 for kids, $36 for adults. There is also a two-day and three-day options. A 365-day pass costs $88 for kids and $96 adults.

PASS OF ALL PASSES http://passofallpasses.com/

Sold by Seven Peaks Waterpark, the Pass of All Passes gets you unlimited entry into the Seven Peaks Waterpark in Provo, as well as the Seven Peaks Fun Center in Lehi. It also includes a slew of select athletic events at the Brigham Young University, Utah Valley University and University of Utah campuses.

Passholders can also get entry into Orem Owlz games, as well as the Ogden Raptors, Utah Grizzlies, Real Monarchs and other teams as well as a visit with the birds and reptiles and Scales and Tails.

The cost for a Silver Pass of All Passes for $39.99, while Gold goes for $49.99. Gold gets you into more sporting events.

GETOUT PASS https://getoutpass.com/utah/

Planning a trip to Lagoon sometime this year? It’s one of over 30 Utah venues offered up in the fairly new, GetOut Pass.

“The GetOut Pass is more of a subscription pass,” explained Laypath, “where you pay just a few dollars a month and then you get to do all the activities that are available.”

Besides Lagoon, those activities include Brighton Resort, Cowbunga Bay, Fat Cats, Kangaroo Zoo, Dart Nation, Jump Around Utah, Momentum Indoor Climbing, Provo Beach, Funtopia, SeaQuest, Cache Valley Fun Park and more.

“You’re able to do Brighton and Lagoon once each year,” Laypath said. “There are other activities on the passes, things like bowling, laser tag among other fun family activities. You can do those as often as once a week.”

A GetOut Pass runs $149.95 per year.

Laypath also recommended looking into buying an annual pass to a favorite attraction.

“Typically, an annual pass will pay for itself in two to three visits and you can go as often as you want through the year,” she said.

“What you want to do is just look at all the passes that are available,” Laypath said. “See which one fits yours interests and the activities you want to do and which one fits your budget.

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This is Utah

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Perfect powder, rugged red rock, alpine lakes and more. If Utah doesn't have it, you don’t need it.

Every state thinks it’s fun. Every state claims to have “something for everyone.” But not every state has 3.5 distinct geographic regions, five national parks , 45 state parks , 5 national historic sites & trails, and a dozen national monuments & recreation areas .

Not every state lets you  ski  and  golf  and go to the ballet in one day. Not every state has 12,000 years of human history  and  fry sauce. We’re sorry. We know it’s not fair. But hey, Utah’s landlocked, so at least it doesn’t have nice beaches. (No, wait. Actually, it does.) More »

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Red Around the World

Your friendly guide to national parks, road trips, and all things outdoors.

Utah Travel Tips: What TO Do And What NOT To Do On A Utah Road Trip

Table of Contents

There are affiliate links in here.  I get a small commission if you purchase through them at no extra cost to you.

Now that I won’t be having as many Utah adventures (I still have a backlog of posts to publish) I’ve decided to really build up all of my Utah posts and next up is just some good old Utah travel tips.

I have a ton of regular bits of advice then some specific tips for visiting Utah’s national parks. I figured after living there for almost six years and traveling all over, I picked up a thing or two.

I have a sort of similar post to this, but it’s more just desert travel tips . This will be some of those alongside Utah travel tips specifically.

Travel Services I Recommend: AllTrails – This is my favorite hike tracking app. America the Beautiful – The national park pass is essential. Booking.com – This is great for finding and booking hotels. Get Your Guide – I recommend Get Your Guide for booking tours. National Park Obsessed – This is the best national park planner. Skyscanner – Skyscanner is great for finding and booking flights. Enterprise – This is my rental car recommendation. See all my resources here.

This isn’t the post for specific places to go, you can find that kind of thing all listed right here:

Utah posts you may also like:

• Outdoorsy Utah road trip
• Places to visit in Utah
• Utah weekend trips
• Utah 3 day road trip 7 different ways
• Easy hikes in Utah
• Scenic drives in Utah
• Best views in Utah
• Stargazing in Utah
• Utah hiking bucket list
• Utah travel tips
• Arches vs. Zion
• National park bucket list
• Make the most of a national park trip
• National Park camping packing list
• My Favorite national park hikes
• More of my favorite national park hikes
• Underrated national parks
• Fun national park facts
• National park books

General Utah travel tips

First up we have the general Utah travel trips, things to keep in mind when planning your trip, common concerns, wildlife questions, all that good stuff.

And feel free to ask any other questions in the comments that I might not have answered in here! I like to think I thought of everything but you never know.

Bring so much water

I would get gallons of water to keep in your car (maybe 2-3 at a time in the summer) so you can refill a reusable water bottle (but also fill it at gas stations) so you’re not using as many plastic water bottles.

I wouldn’t keep like ten gallons in there in the summer, winter, fall, and spring it’s probably fine but your car will get so hot in the summer. And don’t forget to actually drink lots of water.

If you’re there in the summer, it’s pretty likely it will be 90+ degrees, maybe over 100, and you need to stay hydrated, especially if you’re hiking or outside a lot.

Even in the cooler seasons you need to stay hydrated, so either way. Bring tons of water and drink all of it and then some.

Be prepared for wild temperatures

Temperatures are all over the place. In July 2015 when we did our southwest road trip, we got so lucky. The whole time we were in Utah it was in the mid-80s. It didn’t get into the 90s or above until we got to Roswell .

Then I moved out there in 2016 and July was pretty much over 100 the whole time. I think the hottest I saw it get while I was living out there was 117. I would expect and plan for high-90s, low-100s in July though.

But then in winter it can be cold and snowy. Or 70 and sunny. It can easily get below freezing and that just depends year by year.

In 2017/18 on our Utah winter trip , it was in the 60s-70s in January/February. Our Zion trip in January 2022, it was in the 30s-50s with snow all over Zion.

But then in Page, where we were living, we didn’t get snow at all. (Until we left after the end of February, of course.) It’s hard to predict the weather, so be prepared for freezing and warm temperatures in winter and extremely hot in summer.

Also, rain in summer is unpredictable. July-September is monsoon season (and when you need to be very cautious of flash floods, spring, too because of snowmelt) and it was great. Then we barely had a monsoon season again until 2021.

2017 was OK, but it barely rained at all in 2018, 2019, and 2020, so you never know how the monsoon season will be.

Use caution hiking and driving on dirt roads if there is rain in the forecast. Now, my next point: do not ever enter slot canyons in the rain.

Do not ever enter slot canyons in the rain

Or if there is rain in the forecast or if it’s raining nearby. Flash floods are not something to mess with and slot canyons are the absolute last place you want to be if one happens.

Here is a video of an Antelope Canyon flash flood . There is a slot canyon under all that water. Imagine being in there when that came through. Horrifying.

Flash floods are a huge risk in slot canyons and people die from that far too often. In May 2020 a 7-year-old girl and her 3-year-old sister died in a flash flood in Little Wild Horse Canyon , a popular slot canyon in the San Rafael Swell. This isn’t even a super narrow canyon. And it’s popular. It can happen anywhere.

In 1997, 11 hikers died in a flash flood in Antelope Canyon (the storm was 15 miles away) and that’s a huge reason you need to go with a tour now.

In 2015, seven people canyoneering also died in a flash flood in Keyhole Canyon in Zion National Park. People have even died in flash floods in The Narrows in Zion!

Flash floods are no joke kids. I haven’t seen one in a slot canyon but I did see one right as it was starting in a more open canyon and it really picked up fast. I also saw one in Zion along the Mt. Carmel Highway this summer. It was small but they just happen so fast, please be safe.

• DO NOT ENTER THEM IN THE RAIN
• DO NOT ENTER THEM WITH RAIN IN THE FORECAST
• DO NOT ENTER THEM IF IT’S NOT RAINING IN THEM BUT NEAR THEM TOO
• If you don’t feel comfortable with any climb or narrow squeeze and can turn back, do that! You don’t want to get hurt or stuck and need to be rescued. I linked tons of stories of this below.
• Make sure you’re following the right fork. A lot of slot canyons have multiple forks or are close to other ones and ending up in the wrong one can have dire consequences (especially in the North Wash area of Utah.)

Don’t take artifacts from ruins

Don’t take artifacts from ruins. Don’t chip petroglyphs and pictographs out of the rock walls. Don’t dig for artifacts. Don’t rob graves. Don’t eat in ruins. Don’t squeeze through windows and doors in ruins, especially with a backpack.

Basically, use common sense and be respectful of these cultural sights. You can enter ruins, some of them are pretty open and you can usually walk in them, just be careful stepping over walls and if there are signs saying don’t enter or touch the ruins, then don’t.

Also, I shouldn’t have to say this, but I know I do, do not carve your name in the rocks (anywhere, especially at culturally significant rock art and ruins which is all of them) or spray paint them .

Here are some great book suggestions to read before visiting the area, the first five are very good for learning about tock art, ruins, and the cultural history of the area.

Books to read before visiting the Four Corners:

• The Bears Ears
• In Search of the Old Ones
• The Lost World of the Old Ones
• House of Rain
• Finders Keepers
• Monkey Wrench Gang
• Hayduke Lives
• Desert Solitaire

Get gas all the time

You don’t have to get gas constantly but I would for sure fill up before leaving a town, especially if you have a long drive. Depending on where you are, gas stations are few and far between.

Take Highway 95 for example, you can get gas in Blanding , Halls Crossing (if you go all the way down that side of 276), Hite, Ticaboo and Bullfrog (if you go all the way down that part of 276), and Hanksville.

It looks like a lot, but they’re spread out and if you’re low on gas when you leave somewhere, they’re going to feel even further apart.

And if you get stuck gas-less somewhere without service, all you can do is wait for someone to go by, which could be easy in the summer but in winter you may be waiting a while.

You probably won’t have cell phone service

You most likely will on Interstates (not always) but on back roads, scenic drives , and other highways, it’s unlikely. And in national parks you very likely won’t have it except maybe in random places.

There are definitely random places you can get service, it can depend on how close you are to a town and sometimes it just doesn’t make sense where you get it.

Like, on Lake Powell , you probably won’t have service unless you can see Navajo Mountain, but sometimes you’ll be boating around and just get service out of nowhere very briefly. It just depends but I would plan on not having service.

You can download trail maps for offline use with AllTrails Pro (I paid $60 for three years and it was worth it) and you can also save Google Maps for offline use. If you start Google Maps before losing service, it should keep going when you lose service.

Don’t skip the state parks

Everyone comes to Utah for the national parks and while the state parks aren’t as good as Florida’s, they’re still worth visiting! Some of them are so fun (others less so, but that’s everywhere) and make great stops on long drives.

They’re also a great way to escape some of the crowds of national parks and other busy hikes. Some of my favorites are Goblin Valley , Snow Canyon , and Edge of the Cedars .

Use caution when driving on dirt roads

Some dirt roads are great, some much less so. Some are washboardy, some are super rocky, some are super rutted, some have really deep sand.

Don’t drive down anything you don’t feel comfortable on, don’t be afraid to turn around, and just generally drive with caution on them, especially sandy and really rocky roads.

I would also avoid dirt roads if it’s rainy. They can get muddy and some have washes that can be impassable because they’ll flood and you either have to wait it out or turn around.

Don’t drive through flooded washes, especially if you’re not familiar with the road.

Wear that sunscreen!

You can get pretty crispy in the desert sun and no one wants that for all kinds of reasons, so get sunscreen, wear it, reapply it frequently, and don’t get sun burned. That’s all.

Remember, elevation is higher here

This might not always be an issue but if you’re not used to hiking and you’re coming from somewhere closer to sea level like Florida or the Midwest , then hiking here may be a little more difficult.

Bryce Canyon is higher than the other national parks so keep that in mind when hiking there. No shame in taking breaks and hiking slow. I’m the queen of breaks.

Also keep starting elevation in mind when choosing hikes. And distance vs elevation gain because 1,500 feet over four miles is better than 1,500 feet in 1.5 miles. And don’t be afraid to turn around if something is just too hard.

Things look close, but they’re not

Sure, Zion and Arches look close together but it’s a more than five hour drive between them. Of course you can visit both on one trip, but you can’t visit both on a three day Utah road trip .

The Grand Canyon , too. Arches is almost six hours from the Grand Canyon so visiting both is possible, but really only on a longer trip. Even Zion is almost five hours from the Grand canyon.

I mean, I guess you could visit them all in one short trip but you’ll be spending a loooot of time in the car and I know I would rather spend that time hiking.

Basically be realistic about what you can see in the amount of time you have. I personally think it’s better to do a lot of things close together than do one thing then drive a ton to do one other thing, in a short amount of time at least.

If there is anywhere specific you want to stay, book ahead

Whether it’s camping in one of the national parks, a lodge in a national park, or a fancy/unique hotel, you may want to (or even have to) book in advance because of how popular they are.

If you can’t get a spot in a national park, there are usually plenty of BLM camping options outside of the parks but still pretty close to them. Even better, that’s free!

You can most likely find somewhere last minute, so if you’re not picky about where you’re staying, then you can probably find something. It might be expensive, it might be dumpy. But you can most likely find something.

This also goes for any specific activity you want to do that is really popular or busy, like Antelope Canyon . Or renting a boat on Lake Powell. Or getting a hiking/park entrance permit (more on that below.)

Have backup hikes and activities in mind

Kind of with the point from above, some hikes require permits that are not easy to get like The Wave and Angels Landing and you’ll want a back up plan/back up hike options in case you don’t get the permit.

And some hikes that you don’t need a permit for are just extremely busy and you may end up not wanting to do it like The Narrows or Horseshoe Bend.

Pretty much no matter where you are there will be plenty of alternatives to choose from, just check if permits are needed for any of the backups.

• East Zion slot canyon and UTV
• East Zion horseback tour
• Zion and Canaan Cliffs helicopter tour
• Springdale half-day canyoneering experience
• Sunset UTV tour with views of Zion
• Stone Hollo w Canyoneering experience
• Hell’s Revenge
• Half-day Colorado River rafting
• Sunset boat tour with dinner
• Canyonlands and Arches scenic flight
• Rafting and 4×4 Canyonlands adventure
• Moab rappelling half-day tour
• Horseshoe Canyon day-trip
• Hurrah Pass 4×4 tour

Don’t plan too much

The two points ahead, don’t plan too much. Leave room for last minutes changes and any issues that may arise. Traffic, flat tires, car problems all happen and you want a little wiggle room in case they do.

You may find a hike or activity along the way that you didn’t know about but end up wanting to do instead of something else.

I like to make a list of hikes I want to do and how long they are then figure out which ones are close together that we could do in one day if we have time/feel like it.

Sometimes I go in knowing exactly what I want to do but sometimes that will change at the last minute for no reason.

So have a plan but maybe keep it a loose plan. You never know what you’ll find along the way!

Always tell someone where you’re going

Especially if it’s a long, remote hike that isn’t busy, if you’re alone, or driving somewhere really remote, too.

I would just text someone at home and be like hey, we’re going hiking on (whatever trail, or driving what ever road, here’s our route), if you don’t hear from me by 10PM maybe get some help. Text me first just in case I forgot to text you.

Something like that. You just want someone to know where you are in case something goes wrong. Even if they’re far away they can at least get the ball rolling if needed. You don’t want to be like Aron Ralston .

It can be extremely busy

Like, so busy. I won’t even go to Zion or Arches in the summer, not just because it’s so hit but because it’s packed all the time. I actually won’t go to Zion during it’s shuttle season.

The best way to avoid the crowds is going early in the morning and late afternoon, or doing things outside of the parks. Like visiting state parks or doing other hikes not in parks.

It’s best to go into things expecting them to be busy so you can be pleasantly surprised if they’re not.

There are snakes and mountain lions

And scorpions and tarantulas. But you probably won’t see them. After almost six years out there, I really didn’t see that much scary wildlife. Here is what I saw in all that time that could be considered scary:

• Bear: 1 – on the side of the Interstate near Cisco. Yes, there are bears in southern Utah.
• Rattlesnake: 4 – I saw two on one hike then two more near the dorms in Bullfrog, all within three weeks. Sometimes we would see snakes on the road then go back and look at them. I like seeing them. (If you do see a rattlesnake while hiking, give it room. Don’t try and go over it, don’t try and scare it away. Just wait for it to move and go around it if you can.)
• Scorpion: NOT ONE SINGLE SCORPION AND I’M STILL MAD
• Tarantula: 4? – I haven’t seen too many but all of them were just on the side of the road and all in the fall
• Mountain lion: 0 – But they’re rare and you’re lucky to see one. Well, maybe not if you’re hiking but from the car or something.

Utah national parks travel tips

Now for the tips for visiting Utah national parks. There aren’t as many of these as above but I still think they’re helpful.

These are just kind of general and couple be applied to a lot of parks but the specific info for each is all Utah.

Get a national park pass

A national park pass is a must-have for any national park road trip, but especially in Utah and the southwest because there are so many to go to.

It’s $80 but will be paid for in three big parks! Most are $25-30 for a week entrance pass so if you’re going to three or more and want to save some money, the national park pass is very worth it. It also works for national monuments and other NPS sites.

National Park Goodies

• If you’re planning to visit three or more national parks within a year from your trip, definitely get the America the Beautiful pass . It will save you money in the long run if you’re going to more than three parks in a year. Buy the pass here.
• If you’re planning on doing a lot of hiking on your trip, or even at home, check out AllTrails ! This is my favorite app to find, keep track of, and track my hiking activity. And it’s FREE! Sign up here.
• This Ultimate National Park Planning Bundle is a must-have. You get two ebooks and a planner, saving 50% by getting them as a bundle! If you want all the details, this is the bundle for you. Buy the Ultimate bundle here.
• Doing a road trip? Want an adventure? Consider an Escape Campervan Rental! It’s a great way to see the parks and is perfect for couples and small (but close) friend groups. Book a campervan here!
• This National Park Planner (one of the ebooks from the bundle above) is perfect if you just want some guidance in your planning. Buy the planner here .
• Get yourself a National Park journal for all of the NPS sites (400+!) to keep track of your travels!
• Consider reading some of these books set in national parks before your big trip, on your adventure, or once you get home to take you back to the parks until next time.

Morning and evening are best

Before 10 AM and after 3 PM are when parks won’t be as busy. Most people get up, have a casual breakfast then head to the park so they get busy by 10.

So I would head there first thing in the morning and just have a long day. If there is a particular hike you want to do for sunset and that’s all, I would do something outside of the park then head in in the late afternoon.

How busy just depends on the park and Arches is actually now requiring a permit for timed entry to the park from April 3 – October 3.

Some are reserved in advance and others are reserved for the day before. This is needed and to help cut down on crowds.

Check shuttle schedules

This is mostly for Zion, though Bryce Canyon has a shuttle, too. It’s mostly to double check the shuttle start and end times to make sure you know when you can start your day and when you would need to be done hiking to not have to walk all the way back to your car.

And the shuttle in Zion doesn’t run all year, but most of it. It runs mid-March to November and the last week of December plus weekends in starting in late February.

Make sure you don’t need permits for any hikes you want to do

Or for the parks themselves. There are a few hikes that you need a permit for that are popular, the main being Angels Landing. This is new for 2022 as well as the Arches entry permits.

A couple of other hikes you need permits for are Fiery Furnace in Arches (you can hike this on your own or on a ranger-led hike) and The Subway in Zion .

For The Subway, you either need canyoneering skills to do this top-down or to be very fit to do the very strenuous nine-mile hiking route bottom-up.

Arches National Park reservations

As of April 1, 2022, you now need a timed entry permit reservation from April 3 to October 3. You need this to enter the park between 6AM and 6PM. Your reservation allows entry in a two hour window. You can go in and out before and after that as the park is open 24/7.

Arches was facing serious overcrowding in the summer and were having to close the entrance by 10AM pretty frequently because parking would fill up. This new system is to help combat that.

The permit is $2 and you will also need to pay the park entrance fee when you get to the park. You can pay the fee or get the national park pass which covers all NPS site entry fees (but not camping, tours, parking, etc.)

If you can’t get a permit in advance, some are set aside for the next day (so April 2 entry permits would be available the evening of April 1). If you can’t get that either, your options are to skip it or enter the park before 6AM or after 6PM.

If you have a camping reservation, a Fiery Furnace permit, or a backcountry permit you do not need a timed entry permit. You also do not need the permit from October 4-April 2. You can find all the details here.

Choose less popular hikes to avoid crowds

There are certain hikes in all of the parks that are just more popular but you can easily avoid those crowds by choosing to do other awesome hikes in the parks! Here are some popular hikes and some alternatives:

• Arches – Delicate Arch – Fiery Furnace, Tower Arch, Devils Garden
• Canyonlands – Mesa Arch – White Rim Overlook, Murphy Point, Upheaval Dome
• Capitol Reef – Hickman Bridge – Cohab Canyon , Sulphur Creek , Capitol Gorge/Pioneer Register and the Tanks
• Bryce Canyon – Queens Garden/Navajo Loop – Peek-a-boo Loop, Mossy Cave
• Zion – The Narrows and Angels Landing – Watchman Trail, Canyon Overlook , Hidden Canyon (currently closed), Sand Bench Trail

Visit the different areas of each park

Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, and Zion all actually have three different areas to explore! Bryce and Arches have backcountry areas and hike on side roads, but it’s mostly the main area to visit.

All three of those parks have different areas that are basically different levels of remoteness. Only Zion’s are all really easy to get to and hike.

Canyonlands has Island in the Sky (the easiest to access and most popular area), The Needles (great for backpacking, a little more remote), and The Maze (great for backpacking and long hikes, extremely remote). I’ve been to all three but would love to explore them all more.

Capitol Reef has the Fruita District (the easiest to get to and most popular), the Waterpocket Fold (more remote but any car can get there, less hiking, but Burr Trail goes through it), and Cathedral Valley (the most remote, good for an overnight trip, less hiking).

The only one I haven’t been to is Cathedral Valley and I want to so bad but i love both of the other areas a lot and lived close to the Waterpocket Fold so I spent a lot of time there or going through it.

Finally, Zion. It has the main Zion Canyon/Mount Carmel area (the most popular, by far, tons of hiking), Kolob Terrace Road (easy to get to, home to The Subway, a little more remote), and Kolob Canyons (furthest from the main area but still easy to get to, only like three hikes). I’ve been to all three but have spent the most time in the main area. They’re all good though.

Don’t skip Capitol Reef

Capitol Reef is my favorite Utah national park and one of my top five parks overall so far. It’s a must-see on a Utah road trip and, I think, an overlooked national park .

It has amazing hikes with incredible views, delicious snacks at the Gifford Store, a great water hike, and actual orchards you can pick fruit in! Plus three different areas to explore!

I think most people skip it on Utah road trips , I know I did on both of my first trips out here, but I loved it from my first visit to the Waterpocket Fold in spring of 2016.

Utah travel guides

• Fodors Utah National Parks
• Scenic Driving Utah
• Lonely Planet Southwest USA
• Frommers Utah
• Utah Road & Recreation Atlas
• 100 Classic Utah Hikes
• Hiking Southwest Canyon Country

There you have it! Hopefully helpful Utah travel tips! It’s not the most fun post I’ve written but I also enjoyed writing it because Utah haha.

I hope you at least sort of enjoyed reading it I mean, hey, if you’re here you’re probably planning a trip and that’s always exciting!

Have you been to Utah? Where did you go? What is your top tip for anyone visiting? Is there anything you’re wondering that I missed here? Let me know in the comments!

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The Senior and Reduced Fare Monthly Pass is good for unlimited travel on local buses, TRAX and Streetcar for one calendar month. This fare applies to passengers ages 65 and older, valid Medicare card holders and persons with disabilities who have been pre-qualified by UTA. For information on qualifying for a reduced fare, contact (801) RIDE-UTA. This pass is available at select UTA Pass Sales Outlets and on this website. FAREPAY Reloadable Card: FAREPAY cardholders save 20 percent off local bus, TRAX, S-Line and up to 20 percent off of FrontRunner and Express Bus fares. FrontRunner savings vary between 17 and 20 percent, depending on distance traveled. Save 18 percent off Express Bus fare. FAREPAY cards cannot be used on Paratransit. Use of the FAREPAY card on Ski bus do not receive discounts on these services. Purchase card here .

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The Student/Youth One-way Fare cash payment is good on local buses, TRAX and Streetcar. This fare applies to passengers ages 6-17 or still attending high school. Additional fare will be required on express and premium services, including FrontRunner commuter rail. FAREPAY Reloadable Card: FAREPAY cardholders save 20 percent off local bus, TRAX, S-Line and up to 20 percent off of FrontRunner and Express Bus fares. FrontRunner savings vary between 17 and 20 percent, depending on distance traveled. Save 18 percent off Express Bus fare. FAREPAY cards cannot be used on Paratransit. Use of the FAREPAY card on Ski bus do not receive discounts on these services. Purchase card here .

The Youth Monthly Pass is good for unlimited travel on local buses, TRAX and Streetcar for one calendar month. This fare applies to passengers ages 6-17 or still attending high school. Additional fare will be required on express and premium services, including FrontRunner. This pass is available at select UTA Pass Sales Outlets and on this website. FAREPAY Reloadable Card: FAREPAY cardholders save 20 percent off local bus, TRAX, S-Line and up to 20 percent off of FrontRunner and Express Bus fares. FrontRunner savings vary between 17 and 20 percent, depending on distance traveled. Save 18 percent off Express Bus fare. FAREPAY cards cannot be used on Paratransit. Use of the FAREPAY card on Ski bus do not receive discounts on these services. Purchase card here .

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The Premium Express One-way Fare cash payment is good on all buses, TRAX and Streetcar. This fare applies to passengers ages 6-64. Premium and express service have direct routing, faster travel time, inter-county travel and other relevant factors. These routes typically travel on the freeway and connect different cities. For FrontRunner fares, see below. FAREPAY Reloadable Card: FAREPAY cardholders save 18 percent off Express Bus fare. Save 20 percent off local bus, TRAX, S-Line and up to 20 percent off of FrontRunner. FrontRunner savings vary between 17 and 20 percent, depending on distance traveled. FAREPAY cards cannot be used on Paratransit. Use of the FAREPAY card on Ski bus do not receive discounts on these services. Purchase card here .

The Premium Senior and Reduced One-way Fare cash payment is good on all buses, TRAX and Streetcar. This fare applies to passengers aged 65 and older. Premium and express service have direct routing, faster travel time, inter-county travel and other relevant factors. These routes typically travel on the freeway and connect different cities. For FrontRunner fares, see below. FAREPAY Reloadable Card: FAREPAY cardholders save 18 percent off Express Bus fare. Save 20 percent off local bus, TRAX, S-Line and up to 20 percent off of FrontRunner. FrontRunner savings vary between 17 and 20 percent, depending on distance traveled. FAREPAY cards cannot be used on Paratransit. Use of the FAREPAY card on Ski bus do not receive discounts on these services. Purchase card here .

The Premium Express One-way Fare cash payment is good on all buses, TRAX and Streetcar. This fare applies to passengers ages 6-17 or still attending high school. Premium and express service have direct routing, faster travel time, inter-county travel and other relevant factors. These routes typically travel on the freeway and connect different cities. For FrontRunner fares, see below. FAREPAY Reloadable Card: FAREPAY cardholders save 18 percent off Express Bus fare. Save 40 percent off local bus fare and 20 percent off TRAX, S-Line and up to 20 percent off of FrontRunner. FrontRunner savings vary between 17 and 20 percent, depending on distance traveled. FAREPAY cards cannot be used on Paratransit. Use of the FAREPAY card on Ski bus do not receive discounts on these services. Purchase card here .

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The FrontRunner One-way Fare cash payment is good on FrontRunner commuter rail with transfer to all buses, TRAX and Streetcar for two hours and 30 minutes from the time of purchase if the ticket is purchased at the TVM. Fares that are purchased with FAREPAY have a transfer window of two hours after the first tap. The fare applies to passengers ages 6-64. This fare is distance based with a base fare of $2.50 for travel to one station plus $0.60 for each additional station. The maximum fare from Provo to Ogden is $10.30 one way. Note that passengers traveling through the North Temple station will not be charged for an additional station. This is not a free fare zone and passengers are still required to pay the FrontRunner base fare. Purchase FrontRunner one-way fare prior to boarding at a ticket vending machine. FAREPAY Reloadable Card: FAREPAY cardholders save up to 20 percent off of FrontRunner, 20 percent off local bus, TRAX, S-Line and Express Bus fares. FrontRunner savings vary between 17 and 20 percent, depending on distance traveled. Save 18 percent off Express Bus fare. FAREPAY cards cannot be used on Paratransit. Use of the FAREPAY card on Ski bus do not receive discounts on these services. Purchase card here .

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The FrontRunner Roundtrip cash payment is good on FrontRunner commuter rail with transfer to all buses, TRAX and Streetcar. At the time of purchase, each ticket will be validated by the ticket vending machine and can be used for one roundtrip that day. This fare applies to passengers ages 6-64. FAREPAY Reloadable Card: FAREPAY cardholders save up to 20 percent off of FrontRunner, 20 percent off local bus, TRAX, S-Line and Express Bus fares. FrontRunner savings vary between 17 and 20 percent, depending on distance traveled. Save 18 percent off Express Bus fare. FAREPAY cards cannot be used on Paratransit. Use of the FAREPAY card on Ski bus do not receive discounts on these services. Purchase card here .

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The FrontRunner Senior and Reduced One-way Fare cash payment is good on FrontRunner commuter rail with transfer to all buses, TRAX and Streetcar for two hours and 30 minutes from the time of purchase if the ticket is purchased at the TVM. Fares that are purchased with FAREPAY have a transfer window of two hours after the first tap. This fare applies to passengers ages 65 and older, valid Medicare card holders and persons with disabilities who have been pre-qualified by UTA. For information on qualifying for a reduced fare, contact (801) RIDE-UTA. This fare is distance based with a base fare of $1.25 for travel to one station plus $0.30 for each additional station. The maximum reduced fare from Provo to Ogden is $5.15 one way. Purchase FrontRunner senior and reduced one-way fare prior to boarding at a ticket vending machine. FAREPAY Reloadable Card: FAREPAY cardholders save up to 20 percent off of FrontRunner, 20 percent off local bus, TRAX, S-Line and Express Bus fares. FrontRunner savings vary between 17 and 20 percent, depending on distance traveled. Save 18 percent off Express Bus fare. FAREPAY cards cannot be used on Paratransit. Use of the FAREPAY card on Ski bus do not receive discounts on these services. Purchase card here .

The FrontRunner One-way Fare cash payment is good on FrontRunner commuter rail with transfer to all buses, TRAX and Streetcar for two hours and 30 minutes from the time of purchase if the ticket is purchased at the TVM. Fares that are purchased with FAREPAY have a transfer window of two hours after the first tap. The fare applies to passengers ages 6-17 or still attending high school. This fare is distance based with a base fare of $1.25 for travel to one station plus $0.30 for each additional station. The maximum fare from Provo to Ogden is $4.85 one way. Note that passengers traveling through the North Temple station will not be charged for an additional station. This is not a free fare zone and passengers are still required to pay the FrontRunner base fare. Purchase FrontRunner one-way fare prior to boarding at a ticket vending machine. FAREPAY Reloadable Card: FAREPAY cardholders save up to 20 percent off of FrontRunner, 20 percent off local bus, TRAX, S-Line and Express Bus fares. FrontRunner savings vary between 17 and 20 percent, depending on distance traveled. Save 18 percent off Express Bus fare. FAREPAY cards cannot be used on Paratransit. Use of the FAREPAY card on Ski bus do not receive discounts on these services. Purchase card here .

The FrontRunner Roundtrip cash payment is good on FrontRunner commuter rail with transfer to all buses, TRAX and Streetcar. At the time of purchase, each ticket will be validated by the ticket vending machine and can be used for one roundtrip that day. This fare applies to passengers ages 6-17 or still attending high school. FAREPAY Reloadable Card: FAREPAY cardholders save up to 20 percent off of FrontRunner, 20 percent off local bus, TRAX, S-Line and Express Bus fares. FrontRunner savings vary between 17 and 20 percent, depending on distance traveled. Save 18 percent off Express Bus fare. FAREPAY cards cannot be used on Paratransit. Use of the FAREPAY card on Ski bus do not receive discounts on these services. Purchase card here .

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The Premium Express Monthly Pass is good for unlimited travel on local buses, express buses, ski buses, TRAX, Streetcar and FrontRunner commuter rail for one calendar month. This fare applies to passengers ages 6-64. This pass is available at select UTA Pass Sales Outlets and on this website. FAREPAY Reloadable Card: FAREPAY cardholders save up to 20 percent off of FrontRunner, 20 percent off local bus, TRAX, S-Line and Express Bus fares. FrontRunner savings vary between 17 and 20 percent, depending on distance traveled. Save 18 percent off Express Bus fare. FAREPAY cards cannot be used on Paratransit. Use of the FAREPAY card on Ski bus do not receive discounts on these services. Purchase card here .

The Premium Express Senior and Reduced Fare Monthly Pass is good for unlimited travel on local buses, express buses, ski buses, TRAX, Streetcar and FrontRunner commuter rail for one calendar month. This fare applies to passengers ages 65 and older, valid Medicare card holders and persons with disabilities who have been pre-qualified by UTA. For information on qualifying for a reduced fare, contact (801) RIDE-UTA. This pass is available at UTA offices, FrontRunner ticket vending machines* and on this website. FAREPAY Reloadable Card: FAREPAY cardholders save up to 20 percent off of FrontRunner, 20 percent off local bus, TRAX, S-Line and Express Bus fares. FrontRunner savings vary between 17 and 20 percent, depending on distance traveled. Save 18 percent off Express Bus fare. FAREPAY cards cannot be used on Paratransit. Use of the FAREPAY card on Ski bus do not receive discounts on these services. Purchase card here .

The Premium Minor Monthly Pass is good for unlimited travel on local buses, express buses, ski buses, TRAX, Streetcar and FrontRunner commuter rail for one calendar month. This fare applies to passengers ages 6-17 or still attending high school. This pass is available only on this website. FAREPAY Reloadable Card: FAREPAY cardholders save up to 20 percent off of FrontRunner, 20 percent off local bus, TRAX, S-Line and Express Bus fares. FrontRunner savings vary between 17 and 20 percent, depending on distance traveled. Save 18 percent off Express Bus fare. FAREPAY cards cannot be used on Paratransit. Use of the FAREPAY card on Ski bus do not receive discounts on these services. Purchase card here .

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The Paratransit Punch Card is valid for 10 rides on Paratransit services. The punch card has no expiration date. The value of each punch is $4.00. This pass is available at select UTA Pass Sales Outlets and on this website. FAREPAY Reloadable Card: FAREPAY cards cannot be used on Paratransit.

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Utah Road Trip Itinerary: 3 Days of Hidden Gems

BY JARED DILLINGHAM

The Beehive State is high on my list of “under-rated states” for so many reasons.  Each visit has been such an amazing adventure, and this Utah road trip is the latest!

We found a series of lesser-known “hidden gems” in south-central Utah, which were stunning to explore, beautiful to photograph, and …. UNCROWDED!   In fact, at several of the spots on our Utah road trip itinerary, we were the only ones there.   

With that said, we’re not going to Zion or St. George or Kanab or Arches or Moab or Glen Canyon on this trip (though you can certainly add them to your itinerary, since they’re all in Southern Utah.

Instead, we’ll be hitting a diverse series of landscapes, which you really can’t find anywhere else!

Car rentals are relatively cheap and easy from Salt Lake City, so we’ll start and end our drive in SLC.

You can see the map of our Utah road trip itinerary loop down below. It’s more than 500 miles on the road, over the course of three days.

Utah Road Trip Day 1: Salt Lake City to Goblin Valley State Park

We left Salt Lake City in the morning, and drove the 220 miles (about 3 hours 30 minutes) to Goblin Valley.  It took a bit longer since we stopped off the highway, south of Provo, to buy food and supplies.

What You’ll find in Goblin Valley

Goblin Valley State Park is remote, but worth the drive for its unique collection of odd-shaped (almost mushroom-like) sandstone rock formations.  They’re known as hoodoos, or goblins.

The park itself isn’t large, and the only road is less than two miles long.  It leads to one large parking area, overlooking a valley full of hoodoos.   

It’s easy to walk down and explore.  There are no real trails, and the only rule is: you’re not supposed to climb on the hoodoos.

I’d recommend a hike to the cavernous Goblin’s Lair.  Find the start of the Carmel Canyon Trail (behind the smaller bathroom in the parking lot) and follow the stakes through the rocks to the cave.  

Bring a lot of water with you on your hike!  The heat can be scorching in the summer, and Goblin Valley has no concessions, water fountains, or vending machines.

Goblin Valley Blog

Everything you need to know about the state park!

Goblin Valley to Hanksville

From Goblin Valley, you’ll drive 32 miles (just over half an hour) south to Hanksville, Utah.

It’s a small town, known for its dinosaur fossils, and I’d suggest staying here for night one.

BUT!   The day isn’t over just yet.

Hanksville to Bentonite Hills (Rainbow Hills)

We’re pushing on to shoot Bentonite Hills before sunset.  These are the mountains made “Insta-famous” for their rings of rainbow colors.

Ideally, you’ll be traveling during the summer, so the extra sunlight can extend your days. The sun will set at 8:00pm or later for much of the summer. 

I’d suggest arriving at Bentonite an hour or two before sunset to scout out the right location for photos.

No matter what time of year, as long as Bentonite isn’t covered in snow, the sunset will beautifully illuminate the rainbow rings in the clay.

The GPS location for Bentonite Hills is:   38.412254120909765, -110.78372334805105

Drones are allowed, and provide amazing views:

Bentonite Hills Blog

Click here for everything you need to know about Bentonite!

MARS Desert Research Station

For easy directions to Bentonite Hills, on Google Maps, you can search for MARS Desert Research Station .    The environment here is said to be close to that of Mars. The government leases land here for various Mars simulations.

You’ll drive right by the MARS Desert Research Station on your way to Bentonite Hills.  It’s a quick trip down the dirt road.

You’ll turn off Highway 24 onto Cow Dung Road .  Don’t look for a sign – it’s not marked.  (Unfortunate, since that would be a great memento from the road trip!)

Again, I’d suggest arriving at Bentonite well before sunset, so you can plan your photography for “blue hour,” which is when the light really brings out the rich colors in the mountains.  

During daylight hours, Bentonite looks mostly reddish-orange.  The purples and blues reveal themselves around sunset, especially from above with a drone.

Despite Bentonite Hills’ new(ish) social media fame, it’s likely you’ll very few (if any) other people on your visit.

Tread lightly on the hills.  You’ll notice a crunchy topsoil, which is formed over the course of wet/dry cycles.

You should be able to walk in wash areas, and on already-worn trails.  People in Hanksville told us they’ve seen visitors slide down the striped hills, ruining their natural beauty, but we didn’t see any evidence (thankfully) on our visit.

Spend the night in Hanksville

Speaking of Hanksville, I’d recommend a stay at the Whispering Sands .  It’s a clean, convenient hotel.

I’d recommend Duke’s Slickrock Grill , for both the great hamburgers and friendly staff who are full of advice on visiting the sites in the area.

It’s open late, too, so you’ll still have time to eat after your sunset photos at Bentonite.

Utah Road Trip Day 2: Hanksville to Capitol Reef

Our Utah road trip itinerary continues with a VERY early morning.

Trust me: you need to get up early for this one.

Before Sunrise: Moonscape Overlook

You should aim to be at Moonscape Overlook well before sunrise.   The colors and shadows are amazing for the pre-sunrise glow hour.   As soon as the sun starts to peak above the landscape in the distance, it changes the experience.

GPS location for Moonscape Overlook:   38.45197598410084, -110.83801979553097

It’s a short drive from Hanksville.  You might see a few other people in the parking lot, and some people opt to camp in the area. We saw two other vehicles on our visit.

Moonscape Overlook is another site in this part of Utah where you’ll truly feel like you’re on a different planet.

Factory Butte

Nearby (and in my opinion, not as impressive) you’ll find Factory Butte, a large stand-alone sandstone mountain, surrounded by an area popular for off-roading.

GPS for Factory Butte:  38.43699155490701, -110.91327605314584

Since you got up before dawn, you’ll still have plenty of daylight left to continue on your road trip.

Capitol Reef National Park

We drove on to Capitol Reef National Park , which is only a half-hour drive west, down Highway 24 toward Torrey, Utah.

The afternoon was dedicated to Capitol Reef.  Again, you could camp here and spend days exploring the national park, but we were on a tight road trip schedule!

Capitol Reef is the only national park without an entrance fee, because the highway runs right through the park.   If you’d like to go deeper into the park, you’ll have to pay a fee for that.

Be aware: there’s no cell service at all here!   You might be able to connect to the weak WiFi at the visitor center (GPS:  38.2914220760231, -111.26203857308657 )

If you were disappointed to have missed Arches National Park, Capitol Reef has its own arch, just east of the visitor center.  Park in the lot for Hickman Natural Bridge, and hike in!   

It’s hot in the summer, so bring plenty of water!

Capitol Reef is also full of history , including remnants of its roots with Mormon settlers.   You’ll see old homes and a lot of old fruit trees, which they still use for pies and other products today.

By the time you’re done with Capitol Reef, you’ll need a rest!   I’d stay in Torrey on night two of the Utah road trip.

May I suggest The Wild Rabbit Cafe for breakfast? Five stars!

Utah Road Trip Day 3: Capitol Reef to Salt Lake City

From Torrey, it’s a 3-hour, 30-minute drive up to Salt Lake City.

You’ll pass other interesting things to stop and check out along the way, so the 200+ mile return drive will likely take longer to cover.

Wildflower Hike

It’s summer, so we’re veering east off the interstate in Salt Lake City toward Alta Ski Area .

The resorts along the canyons always have something going on, and when we were there in July it was primetime for wildflowers!

Aim for Catherine Pass Trail and the Albion Meadows Trail.   You’ll have to pay a $10 fee to enter the property. 

If the flowers are in bloom, you’ll spot sunflowers, lupine, Indian paintbrush, fireweed, and more!   If it’s not wildflower season, you’ll still enjoy a beautiful hike through lush, green hillsides to end your road trip.   

Spend the Night in SLC

In Salt Lake City, we stayed in the new Evo Hotel .   Evo renovated an old warehouse, leaving the historic beams and bricks alone, and incorporating them into the design. 

It’s a beautiful place, with a rooftop bar, and the biggest hotel gym I’ve ever seen.  

Add-Ons to the Utah Road Trip Itinerary

Moab is about 110 miles from Hanksville, which would add almost another two hours (each way) to our road trip.  If you have more extra days, it’s definitely worth the time!

It’s a base for both Canyonlands National Park and Arches National Park.

If this is more of a spur-of-the-moment road trip, make sure you’ll be able to get into Arches.  They started a permit and reservation process, which grants a timed entry to cut down on traffic congestion.

Canyonlands is the largest National Park in Utah, but Arches and Zion seem to get all the glory.  It’s definitely worth a visit, if time permits!

Canyonlands is a 120-mile drive from Hanksville, so it’ll take you roughly two hours to get there from that point of our road trip.

On the return drive to Salt Lake City, I wish we had time to check out Red Hill Hot Springs near Monroe, or Meadow Hot Spring near Fillmore. 

They’re in my next Utah road trip itinerary!  

When is the next total solar eclipse in the US after 2024 and what is its path? What to know

The highly anticipated 2024 total solar eclipse will cross North America on Monday , giving millions of sky-gazers the chance to see a rare cosmic event that won't be viewable again for 20 years.

The eclipse's  path of totality  will travel over a portion of northern Mexico before entering the U.S. It then it will cross 13 states  from Texas to Maine, where the spectacle is expected to attract huge crowds.

If you aren't lucky enough to be in the path of totality this time around, you will have another chance - you'll just have to wait until the 2040s.

Here's what we know about the next total solar eclipse to cross over the U.S.

Eclipse playlist: Fans return to Bonnie Tyler's 'Total Eclipse of the Heart' ahead of total solar eclipse

When is the next total solar eclipse visible from the U.S.?

It will be 20 years before there's a chance to  witness a total solar eclipse  in the United States again.

According to NASA, after Monday's total solar  eclipse , the next one viewable from the contiguous U.S. will be on Aug. 23, 2044.

2044 total solar eclipse path of totality

Unfortunately, the 2044 total  solar eclipse  won't have the broad reach across the U.S. as the 2024 eclipse.

The path of totality during the 2044 eclipse will only touch three states, according to the Planetary Society, a nonprofit involved in research, public outreach, and political space advocacy.

The eclipse will begin in Greenland, sweep through Canada and end around sunset in Montana, North Dakota and South Dakota.

Pets and the eclipse: Will my pets be safe during the April 2024 solar eclipse? What experts say.

2045 solar eclipse

While the 2044 total eclipse will only touch three states, a 2045 eclipse will have a more robust path across the U.S.

Expected to occur on Saturday, Aug. 12, 2045, this solar eclipse will trace a path of totality over California, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Kansas, Texas, Arkansas, Missouri, Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, Florida, and Georgia.

A partial solar eclipse will also be viewable in 35 other states, according to National Eclipse.com

What is a total solar eclipse?

Any celestial object like a moon or a planet that passes between two other bodies can create  an eclipse  by obscuring the view of objects like the sun.

In the event of a solar eclipse, the moon comes in between the Earth and the sun, blocking its light from reaching a small part of our planet. Partial eclipses, when some part of the sun remains visible, are the most common, making total eclipses a rare sight to behold.

Total eclipses can lead to a period of darkness lasting for several minutes, during which time nocturnal animals stir while confused birds and insects may fall silent, NASA says.

When a solar eclipse reaches totality, people are able to see the sun’s outer atmosphere called the corona, which is usually obscured by the sun's bright surface. This offers scientists an uncommon opportunity  to study the corona .

Totality also offers spectators a chance to gaze upon the spectacular sight with the naked eye, though  proper  safety  glasses  are still required for the rest of the time.

What states are on the 2024 eclipse path of totality?

Mexico's Pacific coast will be the first location in continental North America to experience totality, which is expected to occur at about 11:07 a.m. PDT,  according to NASA .

As the moon's shadow will northeast, totality in the U.S. will begin in Texas at 1:27 p.m. CDT. The path will then cut diagonally across the country, traveling through Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont and New Hampshire.

The eclipse's path is expected to end in Maine at 3:35 p.m. EDT before visiting the maritime provinces of Canada, according to estimates.

See  interactive maps of the 2024 path .

Contributing: Doyle Rice, Ramon Padilla & Janet Loehrke, USA TODAY

Total solar eclipse April 8, 2024 facts: Path, time and the best places to view

In the U.S., 31 million people already live inside the path of totality.

Scroll down to see the list of U.S. cities where the April 8 total solar eclipse will be visible, the duration of the eclipse in those locations and what time totality will begin, according to GreatAmericanEclipse.com .

"Eclipse Across America," will air live Monday, April 8, beginning at 2 p.m. ET on ABC, ABC News Live, National Geographic Channel, Nat Geo WILD, Disney+ and Hulu as well as network social media platforms.

On April 8, 2024, a historic total solar eclipse will cast a shadow over parts of the United States, prompting a mass travel event to the path of totality -- from Texas to Maine and several states and cities in between.

A total solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between the sun and the Earth and, for a short time, completely blocks the face of the sun, according to NASA .

The track of the moon's shadow across Earth's surface is called the path of totality, and to witness the April 8 total solar eclipse, viewers must be within the 115-mile-wide path. To discover when to see the solar eclipse in totality or the partial eclipse in locations across the U.S. outside of the path, check out NASA's Eclipse Explorer tool .

Eclipse travel

In the U.S., 31 million people already live inside the path of totality, bringing the celestial phenomenon to their doorsteps, Michael Zeiler, expert solar eclipse cartographer at GreatAmericanEclipse.com told ABC News.

MORE: Eclipse glasses: What to know to keep your eyes safe

But for individuals outside of the path, investing time and money are needed to experience the event in totality.

Eclipse chasers, or umbraphiles, are individuals who will do almost anything, and travel almost anywhere, to see totality, according to the American Astronomical Society .

"There's a very active community of solar eclipse chasers and we will go to any reasonable lengths to see solar eclipses anywhere in the world," Zeiler said. "All of us are united in pursuing the unimaginable beauty of a total solar eclipse."

MORE: The surprising reason why a Texas county issued a disaster declaration ahead of April total solar eclipse

Bringing together both eclipse experts and novice sky watchers, the total solar eclipse on April 8 is projected to be the U.S.'s largest mass travel event in 2024, according to Zeiler, who likened it to "50 simultaneous Super Bowls across the nation."

"When you look at the number of people expected to come to the path of totality for the solar eclipse, we estimate those numbers are roughly the equivalent of 50 simultaneous Super Bowls across the nation, from Texas to Maine," he said.

Eclipse map, path of totality

In the U.S., the path of totality begins in Texas and will travel through Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine. Small parts of Tennessee and Michigan will also experience the total solar eclipse, according to NASA.

Best times, places to view eclipse

Below is a list of some American cities where the April 8 total solar eclipse will be most visible -- pending weather forecasts -- the duration of the eclipse in those locations and what time totality will begin, according to GreatAmericanEclipse.com.

• Eagle Pass, Texas, 1:27 p.m. CDT: 4 minutes, 23 seconds
• Uvalde, Texas, 1:29 p.m. CDT: 4 minutes, 16 seconds
• Kerrville, Texas, 1:32 p.m. CDT: 4 minutes, 23 seconds
• Austin, Texas, 1:36 p.m. CDT: 1 minute, 53 seconds
• Killeen, Texas, 1:36 p.m. CDT: 4 minutes, 17 seconds
• Fort Worth, Texas, 1:40 p.m. CDT: 2 minutes, 34 seconds
• Dallas 1:40 p.m. CDT: 3 minutes, 47 seconds
• Little Rock, Arkansas, 1:51 p.m. CDT: 2 minutes, 33 seconds
• Jonesboro, Arkansas, 1:55 p.m. CDT: 2 minutes, 24 seconds
• Poplar Bluff, Arkansas, 1:56 p.m. CDT: 4 minutes, 8 seconds
• Cape Girardeau, Missouri, 1:58 p.m. CDT: 4 minutes, 6 seconds
• Carbondale, Illinois, 1:59 p.m. CDT: 4 minutes, 8 seconds
• Mount Vernon, Illinois, 2:00 p.m. CDT: 3 minutes, 40 seconds
• Evansville, Indiana, 2:02 p.m. CDT: 3 minutes, 2 seconds
• Terre Haute, Indiana, 3:04 p.m. EDT: 2 minutes, 57 seconds
• Indianapolis 3:06 p.m. EDT: 3 minutes, 46 seconds
• Dayton, Ohio, 3:09 p.m. EDT: 2 minutes, 46 seconds
• Wapakoneta, Ohio, 3:09 p.m. EDT: 3 minutes, 55 seconds
• Toledo, Ohio, 3:12 p.m. EDT: 1 minute, 54 seconds
• Cleveland 3:13 p.m. EDT: 3 minutes, 50 seconds

Pennsylvania

• Erie, Pennsylvania, 3:16 p.m. EDT: 3 minutes, 43 seconds
• Buffalo, New York, 3:18 p.m. EDT: 3 minutes, 45 seconds
• Rochester, New York, 3:20 p.m. EDT: 3 minutes, 40 seconds
• Syracuse, New York, 3:23 p.m. EDT: 1 minute, 26 seconds
• Burlington, Vermont, 3:26 p.m. EDT: 3 minutes, 14 seconds
• Island Falls, Maine, 3:31 p.m. EDT: 3 minutes, 20 seconds
• Presque Island, Maine, 3:32 p.m. EDT: 2 minutes, 47 seconds

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Solar eclipse 2024: Photos from the path of totality and elsewhere in the U.S.

Images show the Great American Eclipse, seen by tens of millions of people in parts of Mexico, 15 U.S. states and eastern Canada for the first time since 2017.

Millions gathered across North America on Monday to bask in the glory of the Great American Eclipse — the moment when the moon passes between the Earth and the sun. 

The path of totality measures more than 100 miles wide and will first be visible on Mexico’s Pacific coast before moving northeast through Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois and upward toward New York, New Hampshire and Maine, then on to Canada.

Total solar eclipse 2024 highlights: Live coverage, videos and more

During the cosmic spectacle, the moon’s movements will temporarily block the sun’s light, creating minutes of darkness, and will make the sun's outer atmosphere, or the corona, visible as a glowing halo.

Here are moments of the celestial activities across the country:

Breaking News Reporter

Elise Wrabetz is a Senior Photo Editor for NBC News digital

Chelsea Stahl is the art director for NBC News Digital

• Plan Your Trip

Plan Your Ski Trip

Utah Ski Resorts

Ski & Snowboard FAQs

Are you planning your cold-weather vacation to Utah? Find winter travel tips on highway safety, skiing and snowboarding gear and helpful information about Utah liquor laws.

Transportation

View information for transportation in Utah such as rail, bus, car and flight. Also, find maps, weather details, and road conditions for the state.

Utah Snow Report

Is it snowing? We certainly hope so. Check snow reports, weather forecasts, road conditions and live webcams for all of Utah’s 15 world-class ski resorts.

Where to Stay

Utah's metropolitan areas are situated right by our snow-packed mountains, offering visitors unparalleled access. The only challenge is deciding if you want to stay in a slope-side lodge or a hotel in the city. Either choice is good, or even better, try out both.

Winter Activities

Winters in Utah may be known for having The Greatest Snow on Earth®, but there is so much more to explore off the slopes.

Showing 0 of 0

Photo: Adam Clark

Ski Travel Checklist

Weekends and holidays are crowded. the cottonwood canyons experience heavy car congestion leading to the resorts..

Can you go during a weekday? If you’re going on the weekend, have you reviewed canyon alerts and best practices , and are you prepared for a time-consuming journey up Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons? Are you able to take the UTA Ski Bus or Cottonwood Connect ski shuttle ? Crowds typically thin out around 1 p.m. after lunch.

Different resorts require different types of reservations for lodging, parking and lift passes.

Have you secured all your needed reservations for the right days? See parking information by resort .

Make sure you have the right vehicle.

If you are planning to access Utah resorts when snow is in the forecast  is your four-wheel drive and/or is equipped with chains or snow tires? 

Help out our air quality.

If you’re looking to ski during an inversion or when air quality is poor, can you carpool or take the UTA ski bus to reduce vehicle emissions?

Demonstrate respect for the mountain.

If you feel the urge to push your boundaries, consider adult ski school or hiring a backcountry guide . And if you find yourself in a crowded lodge, lift line or ski run, remember that anytime you are in a crowd, you are the crowd. Have patience and be considerate of those you are sharing this outdoor space with.

Learn more about how to prepare from local snow forecaster Evan Thayer.

Preparing for the Greatest Snow?

View Our Ski Vacation Tips

See All Itineraries

Powder Dreams

A three-day ski vacation itinerary with quick access to some of Utah's best ski resorts for fresh powder.

Ski and Snowboard

• Cottonwood Canyons Skiing
• Snowbird's Cliff Spa
• Ogden Valley
• Dream Ski Vacation

See Itinerary

Ski City Downhill + Downtown

Big city amenities support 10 different resorts within an hour of SLC International, which means the best in downhill meets the best in downtown.

Community, Kid-Friendly, Non-ski Winter Activities, Ski and Snowboard, Urban Experiences

Ski Southern Utah: High Alpine Trails + Red Rock Wonder

Southern Utah is home to two high-elevation ski areas that contain generous helpings of what we call (with authority) The Greatest Snow on Earth®. Things can be a little quieter down here this time of year. Give yourself at least five days to combine the thrills of Southern Utah skiing and boarding with exploring the wintertime wonders to be found in Utah’s red rock country.

Non-ski Winter Activities, Ski and Snowboard

Weekender Ski Park City

So you've made the decision to ski Park City for a weekend. That decision alone will be rewarded with three resorts that eclipse over 9,000 acres of Utah's renowned skiing and riding.

Non-ski Winter Activities, Olympics, Ski and Snowboard, Solitude, Urban Experiences

Alpine, Après and Arches

Timed perfectly for winter, this journey takes you to some of the finest mountain resorts in the world, then to the most spectacular vistas of the scarlet-hued desert.

Hiking, Non-ski Winter Activities, Scenic Drives/Road Trips, Ski and Snowboard

Winter's Summits and Rockscapes

There’s no better way to experience a bit of everything Utah offers. Ski its heavenly powder snow, then point your car southward to wind your way through the exquisite Bryce Canyon National Park, Zion National Park and a series of crimson-hued state park gems along the way.

Hiking, Non-ski Winter Activities, Scenic Drives/Road Trips, Ski and Snowboard, Stargazing

Snow Report

Full Report

Alta Ski Area

New Snow: 0″

Base Depth: 166″

Open Runs: 116/118

Opening: 11/25/2023

Closing: 04/21/2024

Beaver Mountain

Base Depth: 0″

Open Runs: 0/48

Opening: 12/16/2023

Closing: 04/07/2024

Brian Head Ski Resort

Base Depth: 70″

Open Runs: 71/71

Opening: 11/17/2023

Closing: 05/05/2024

Base Depth: 115″

Open Runs: 61/66

Closing: 04/28/2024

Cherry Peak

Base Depth: 30″

Open Runs: 30/38

Opening: 12/27/2023

Closing: 04/13/2024

Deer Valley Resort

Base Depth: 94″

Open Runs: 103/103

Opening: 12/02/2023

Eagle Point

Open Runs: 0/39

Opening: 12/15/2023

Nordic Valley

Open Runs: 0/42

Opening: 01/20/2024

Closing: 03/24/2024

Park City Mountain

Base Depth: 109″

Open Runs: 203/344

Closing: 04/22/2024

Powder Mountain

Open Runs: 0/154

Opening: 12/07/2023

Snowbasin Resort

Base Depth: 139″

Open Runs: 108/114

Opening: 11/30/2023

Base Depth: 144″

Open Runs: 132/140

Closing: TBD

Solitude Mountain Resort

Base Depth: 106″

Open Runs: 74/82

Sundance Mountain Resort

Open Runs: 0/72

Woodward Park City

Base Depth: 40″

Open Runs: 11/11

Ski School for All Ages

7 Skiing Tips for More Fun on the Mountain

Written By Alexandra Lev

4 minute read

Skiing is one of the most exciting sports on earth, especially with the right gear, a good attitude and some lesson time.

8 Reasons Why Ski School Is Cool

Written By Paula Colman

Ski school is cool, and it’s where beginners to experts find the secrets to skiing (and Utah’s secret powder stashes). Learn to ski the entire resort.

Max Out Your Multi-Pass

With so many ski and snowboard resorts easily accessible in and around Utah, using the state as your gateway can maximize the value of any multi-pass. Here's some tips on how to make your ski vacation more flexible, fun and affordable than ever before!

Pass Go: Making the Most of the Epic Pass

Make the most of your Epic Pass with these locals’ tips to the best skiing, riding, dining, and playing at two of Utah’s premier resorts.

Pass Go: Making the Most of the Ikon Pass

That's right, Utah is home to six incredible Ikon Pass resorts. Plan your trip with this local's guide to making the most of your Ikon Pass in Utah.

"Salt Lake City International Airport just opened a new, spacious terminal and features a Delta hub with a top on-time record."

Family ski travel tips.

Previous Group Next Group

Best Utah Ski Resorts for Families

Written By Jill Robinson

5 minute read

Utah boasts some of the best ski resorts for families. Get a first-hand parent perspective on skiing with kids at Alta, Snowbird, Snowbasin and Powder Mountain.

Family and Budget Guide to the One and Only Ski City: Salt Lake

Written By Kristen Pope

6 minute read

With 11 family-friendly resorts nearby, Salt Lake City skiing, dining and entertainment options make Utah one of the best ski destinations in the western U.S.

Utah's Kid Ski Culture

Utah is happy to help you support your future skier or rider, and make things fun for parents, too. Read our guide to teaching kids to ski and plan a trip.

What To Pack for a Ski Trip

Make sure you have everything you need for your Utah ski trip this season. Follow our ski trip packing checklist to guarantee a fun and safe time on the slopes.

Well-prepared travel is responsible travel.

Do your part by planning ahead

Opinion: Blame the Utah Legislature for pothole-filled streets

When utah drivers travel through the state’s pothole-filled city-county streets, they should not blame local mayors and council members..

(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) A prep crew with the Salt Lake City north district streets division work on filling potholes along North Star Drive near Redwood Road on Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023.

Once again Utah lawmakers completed their annual social gathering without accomplishing much in the way of helpful legislation. That’s especially true with regard to helping Utah city and county governments solve local problems tied to statewide needs.

The most obvious example is local roads. City and county roads have rarely, if ever, been in worse shape than they are today. Potholes are common . Lanes are restricted due to water leaks or long-delayed underground repairs . Thin resurfacing projects break apart too soon after completion. Utility access covers are not level with the roadbeds.

Such road conditions cause accidents and lead to expensive auto repairs or tire damage, not to mention driver frustration.

Many of these dangerous road conditions have existed for decades, stretching back to when the state legislature purposely made it more difficult for local governments to fund local services. According to an extensive study by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities over a period of three decades, Utah lawmakers placed limits on the ability of city-county governments to (a) levy additional property taxes and (b) increase existing property tax rates.

The research also shows that, as a result, local governments were forced to reduce expenditures on such things as road maintenance so they can continue to fund such vital services as fire departments, police, waste disposal, parks and lighting. They have also been forced to increase their dependence on sales taxes and to impose additional fees on services such as trash collection and wastewater treatment. Again, such changes impact low income citizens more negatively than they impact higher income residents, another evidence of legislative discrimination against the poor.

Sadly, Utah lawmakers seem to care little about challenges faced by local governments. Legislators gerrymandered their districts so that city voters have limited influence over who is elected or what happens on Capitol Hill. For example, senators representing Salt Lake City campaign for votes from not only the city but also from rural areas stretching to the Arizona border. They claim their goal is to balance city and rural votes, but the real goal is to dilute political influence from urban areas.

With regard to wear and tear on city streets, much of the traffic in urban areas originates outside city boundaries. Many commuters live in one county but work or shop in others. That means poor local road conditions are a state problem as much as they are a local problem. A rational state legislature would find ways to help city and county governments repair and maintain roads used by all the state’s citizens. In recent years, the state has experienced annual revenue surpluses, money that could have been used to help local governments repair roads and streets. Instead, lawmakers use surpluses to subsidize private schools and reward affluent state residents.

It would also make sense to direct some of the gasoline tax money collected by the state toward city and county road maintenance. After all, a large share of gasoline tax money originates within city limits. The problem will grow even worse as electric vehicles replace gasoline-powered cars and trucks. Lawmakers will surely find ways to tax cars that use electricity. Most electric vehicles will likely be housed in urban areas since recharging requirements limit their range. That means taxes imposed by the legislature on electric vehicles will be paid primarily by city residents and urban commuters, even though the resulting revenue will be used to maintain state highways.

The primary point here is that when Utah drivers travel through the state’s pothole-filled city-county streets, they should not blame local mayors and council members. The real villains are the governor and members of the state legislature.

Don Gale has studied journalism, taught journalism, and practiced journalism in Utah for more than half a century.

The Salt Lake Tribune is committed to creating a space where Utahns can share ideas, perspectives and solutions that move our state forward. We rely on your insight to do this. Find out how to share your opinion here , and email us at [email protected] .

Donate to the newsroom now. The Salt Lake Tribune, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) public charity and contributions are tax deductible

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Watch CBS News

Solar eclipse maps show 2024 totality path, peak times and how much of the eclipse people could see across the U.S.

By Aliza Chasan

Updated on: April 9, 2024 / 5:00 AM EDT / CBS News

A total solar eclipse  crossed North America Monday with parts of 15 U.S. states within the path of totality. Maps show  where and when astronomy fans could see the big event  as skies darkened in the middle of the day Monday, April 8.

The total eclipse first appeared along Mexico's Pacific Coast at around 11:07 a.m. PDT, then traveled across a swath of the U.S., from Texas to Maine, and into Canada.

About 31.6 million people live in the path of totality , the area where the moon fully blocked out the sun , according to NASA. The path ranged between 108 and 122 miles wide. An additional 150 million people live within 200 miles of the path of totality.

Solar eclipse path of totality map for 2024

The total solar eclipse started over the Pacific Ocean, and the first location in continental North America that experienced totality was Mexico's Pacific Coast, around 11:07 a.m. PDT, according to NASA. From there, the path continued into Texas, crossing more than a dozen states before the eclipse enters Canada in southern Ontario. The eclipse exited continental North America at around 5:16 p.m. NDT from Newfoundland, Canada.

The path of totality included portions of the following states:

• Pennsylvania
• New Hampshire

Small parts of Tennessee and Michigan also experienced the total solar eclipse.

Several major cities across the U.S. were included in the eclipse's path of totality, while many others saw a partial eclipse. These were some of the best major cities for eclipse viewing — though the weather was a factor :

• San Antonio, Texas (partially under the path)
• Austin, Texas
• Waco, Texas
• Dallas, Texas
• Little Rock, Arkansas
• Indianapolis, Indiana
• Dayton, Ohio
• Cleveland, Ohio
• Buffalo, New York
• Rochester, New York
• Syracuse, New York
• Burlington, Vermont

Map of when the solar eclipse reached totality across its path

The eclipse began in the U.S. as a partial eclipse beginning at 12:06 p.m. CDT near Eagle Pass, Texas, before progressing to totality by about 1:27 p.m. CDT and then moving along its path to the northeast over the following few hours.

NASA shared times for several cities in the path of totality across the U.S. People could have also  checked their ZIP code on NASA's map  to see when the eclipse was to reach them if they were on, or near, the path of totality — or if they saw a partial eclipse instead.

How much of the eclipse did people see if they live outside the totality path?

While the April 8 eclipse covered a wide swath of the U.S., outside the path of totality observers may have spotted a partial eclipse, where the moon covers some, but not all, of the sun, according to NASA. The closer they were to the path of totality, the larger the portion of the sun that was hidden.

NASA allowed viewers to input a ZIP code and see how much of the sun was to be covered in their locations.

Could there be cloud cover be during the solar eclipse?

Some areas along the path of totality had a higher likelihood of cloud cover that could interfere with viewing the eclipse. Here is a map showing the historical trends in cloud cover this time of year. 

You could have checked the latest forecast for your location with our partners at The Weather Channel .

Where did the solar eclipse reach totality for the longest?

Eclipse viewers near Torreón, Mexico, got to experience totality for the longest. Totality there lasted 4 minutes, 28 seconds, according to NASA. 

Most places along the centerline of the path of totality saw a totality duration of between 3.5 and 4 minutes, according to NASA. Some places in the U.S. came close to the maximum; Kerrville, Texas, had a totality duration of 4 minutes, 24 seconds.

What is the path of totality for the 2044 solar eclipse?

The next total solar eclipse that will be visible from the contiguous U.S. will be on Aug. 23, 2044.

Astronomy fans in the U.S. will have far fewer opportunities to see the 2044 eclipse they had on April 8. NASA has not yet made maps available for the 2044 eclipse but, according to The Planetary Society , the path of totality will only touch three states.

The 2024 eclipse will start in Greenland, pass over Canada and end as the sun sets in Montana, North Dakota and South Dakota, according to the Planetary Society.

Aliza Chasan is a digital producer at 60 Minutes and CBSNews.com. She has previously written for outlets including PIX11 News, The New York Daily News, Inside Edition and DNAinfo. Aliza covers trending news, often focusing on crime and politics.

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