Kay's Guide to Utah
- Kayleigh Turner
- Sep 18, 2025
- 3 min read
Updated: Sep 22, 2025
Lydia and I traveled to Utah to visit our best friend Jake, who has been residing there for the last five years. It was our first visit to see him, and he was thrilled to give us a tour!
BRIEF ITINERARY:
Day 1: Bonneville Salt Flats
Day 2: Zion National Park - Horseback Riding
Day 3: Coral Pink Sand Dunes - ATVs
Day 4: Oktoberfest at Snowbird
Day 5: Park City
DAY 1: BONNEVILLE SALT FLATS
Highlights
Bonneville Salt Flats
The Bonneville Salt Flats are a huge, otherworldly stretch of flat, white salt crust that were formed thousands of years ago when the ancient Lake Bonneville (a massive Ice Age lake) dried up, leaving behind layers of salt.
The salt flats are approximately a 1.5-hour drive from Salt Lake City International Airport. Once Jake picked us up, we headed straight there to explore! You can walk across them and take photos. Fortunately, there weren't many people around, making it feel like we had the entire place to ourselves.
DAY 2: ZION NATIONAL PARK
Sunset Horseback Ride
Experiencing horseback riding in or around Zion National Park is essential, as it offers a unique perspective of the park’s red rock cliffs and canyons compared to hiking or driving. The leisurely pace allows you to fully appreciate the desert's beauty while engaging with the park's Wild West heritage. It's an unforgettable, bucket-list adventure to explore one of Utah's most iconic landscapes.
We embarked on a sunset horseback riding tour with East Zion Adventures and had an amazing time! Although we found ourselves on the edge of a cliff at times, the experience was still incredible. My horse, Cobbler, and I thoroughly enjoyed it, and the scenery was stunning. I think this is an experience everyone should have at least once.
DAY 3: CORAL PINK SAND DUNES
Ultimate Adventure ATV Tour
On this tour, we chose Coral Pink ATV Tours and traveled along scenic back-country trails as we made our way to the dunes. We paused at a stunning, secluded spot in the sand dunes, where we had the chance to try sandboarding or sledding, take photographs, relax, and feel the sand with our fingers.
The tour, which began at 8 a.m., lasted about 1.5 hours. It was truly worth the trip and the early wake-up. Including sledding and sandboarding was a fantastic addition. Having never tried these activities before, they provided a memorable experience beyond just riding the ATVs.
DAY 4: OKTOBERFEST AT SNOWBIRD
Oktoberfest at Snowbird
Oktoberfest at Snowbird is a yearly autumn celebration taking place at Snowbird Ski & Summer Resort in Utah, running from mid-August to mid-October on weekends and Labor Day. The event offers traditional German cuisine, live music and entertainment, more than 50 beers including local varieties, activities suitable for families, and craft vendors.
In Utah, the large Mormon population means that most places are usually closed on Sundays. This made it an ideal activity for us on the Sunday we visited, and we had a fantastic time. If you find yourself in Utah during this season, it's definitely worth a visit. We spent several hours there, and the views were breathtaking.
DAY 5: PARK CITY
Park City
Once a thriving silver mining town, Park City has evolved into a lively area where old-west charm remains the heart of the town. It boasts colorful 19th-century buildings that now house boutique shops, art galleries, and renowned restaurants.
We dedicated most of the day to wandering through the charming streets and visiting various boutique stores. If you enjoy shopping as much as I do, be ready to spend some money since the shops here tend to be more expensive.
ADDITIONAL HIGHLIGHTS
The High School Musical Movies
The actual East High School, located in Salt Lake City, served as the filming location for Disney’s High School Musical movies. Fans frequently visit to view the iconic building showcased in the films, including the well-known steps and the gym where “We’re All in This Together” was filmed. Although it remains an operational high school, it has turned into a popular tourist destination for movie enthusiasts.
In all honesty, this was such a surreal moment for me. Ever since I was a little girl I have been obsessed with the high school musical movies, so to actually see the filming location was such an interesting experience for me!
We had an amazing time visiting Jake and felt really sad when it was time to leave.
Utah is a beautiful and safe state, which I never expected to enjoy so much. When I mentioned my plans to visit, people often questioned what could possibly be there. Now that I've experienced it, I realize it's a truly underrated state. If you ever have the chance, you should definitely visit. I assure you, you won't regret it!
xoxo
Keeping up with Kay
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